Slavery—Will It Be Revived?

Connected With Sunday-law Issues

It will be observed that in nearly every case where Sister White alludes to or refers to slavery or surveillance near the close of time, it is in connection with the Sunday-law issues. This was so in 1909 when again she made reference to this matter. She brought in the statement concerning slavery rather incidentally as she discussed the caution which must be exercised when instructing our colored believers in regard to Sunday labor in the South, and warned against rash and precipitous moves. Writing to her son, William C. White, who was then visiting in Nashville, Tennessee at a time when national Sunday bills were being urged upon the United States Congress (See The Review and Herald, June 24, 1909, p. 10), Ellen White declared: SWR 8.2

“I am instructed to say to our people throughout the cities of the South, let everything be done under the direction of the Lord. The work is nearing its close. We are nearer the end than when we first believed. Satan is doing his best to block the way to the progress of the message. He is putting forth efforts to bring about the enactment of a Sunday law, which will result in slavery in the Southern field, and will close the door to the observance of the true Sabbath which God has given to men to keep holy.”—E. G. White Letter 6, 1909. (Emphasis supplied)

This and the other statements from Ellen White’s pen on this point make it clear that whatever takes place in this line will be in connection with the crisis which develops in a Sunday law situation. SWR 8.3