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Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

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Time to Begin Observance of Sabbath

1. Six o’clock Time Observed.—Various times for the beginning of the Sabbath were taken by various individuals—midnight, sunset, 6 P.M., and sunrise. For ten years the Sabbathkeeping Adventists generally observed Sabbath from 6 P.M. Friday to 6 P.M. Saturday. (Review and Herald, December 4, 1855, p. 78, col. 2.) Elder Bates, who had had long experience as a sea captain and astronomer, and who was the leader in presenting the Sabbath among Adventists, reached the conclusion that equatorial time should form the basis for reckoning the hours of the Sabbath, and others accepted the six-to-six theory without much special study. (Review and Herald, February 25, 1868, p. 168, col. 1.) EGWMR 34.15

Note the attitude of James White in 1848, after stating that “there has been some division as to the time of beginning the Sabbath. Some commenced at sundown. Most, however, at 6 P.M.” Brother White even went so far as to say, “God has raised up Brother Bates to give this [Sabbath] truth. I should have more faith in his opinion than any other man’s.” (James White Letter, July 2, 1848; Record Book I, pp. 116, 117.) (Italics mine.) It should be carefully noted that while there was a slight error in detail, the position of beginning the new day at evening was essentially correct. EGWMR 35.1

2. Sunrise Time Advocated In Maine.—Some in Maine took the position from Matthew 28:1, that the Sabbath commenced and closed at sunrise : “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” (Review and Herald, February 25, 1868, p. 168, col. 1.) EGWMR 35.2

3. Error In Principle Divinely Corrected,—There now threatened to creep in an error in principle which was checked through the Spirit of prophecy. Ellen White, in vision, heard the angel quote the words of Scripture, “From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.” Leviticus 23:32. This settled the point so far as the sunrise-time fallacy was concerned, but the body of believers continued with six o’clock time until this error was corrected later from Scriptural evidence. EGWMR 35.3

4. Time Occasionally Questioned.—Converts from among Seventh Day Baptists, and possibly others, observed sunset time, and periodically raised the question of the correctness of the six o’clock position held by the group. EGWMR 35.4

5. Bible Study On Doctrinal Point.—In the summer of 1855, John Andrews was requested by James White to investigate the question. His conclusions, with supporting Scriptural evidence, were read at the general conference in Battle Creek in November, 1855, at the Sabbath morning service. Elder Andrews demonstrated from nine Old Testament and two New Testament texts that “even” and “evening” were identical with sunset. (Review and Herald, December 4, 1855, p. 78, col. 2.) EGWMR 35.5

6. Scriptural Testimony Accepted.—The sunset time was now accepted by nearly all present at the 1855 conference. Joseph Bates and Ellen White were exceptions, both holding to the six o’clock position. EGWMR 35.6

7. Confirmed By Revelation, Settling Conflicting Views.—“At the close of the conference at Battle Creek referred to above, the ministers and others especially interested in the cause, had a special season of prayer for the prosperity of the cause, and in that meeting Mrs. White had a vision, one item of which was that sunset time was correct. [Testimonies for the Church 1:116.] This settled the matter with Brother Bates and others, and general harmony has since prevailed among us upon this point.”—James White, Review and Herald, February 25, 1868, p. 168, col. 2. EGWMR 35.7

8. Significance Of Formerly Held Incorrect Views.—“And lest any should say that Sister White, having changed her sentiments, had a vision accordingly, we will state that what was shown her in vision concerning the commencement of the Sabbath, was contrary to her own sentiment at the time the vision was given.”—Uriah Smith, in Review and Herald, August 30, 1864, p. 109, col. 1. Thus all could see that God was speaking, and that Ellen White was not merely repeating her personal, previously held views. EGWMR 36.1