Sabbath Reform.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 June 1913, Page 3

Sabbath Reform.

THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir. —Reference has already been made in the " Advertiser " to the many millions of people who have taken alarm at the prevailing godlessness, which is bringing down the dreadful but righteous judgments of the Almighty. It is not without strong reasons that so many are trembling at the fearfully dark outlook, for the wreckage of Church and State are seen on every side. The Church has lost in large measure the power of the Holy Spirit, and the nations are being rapidly whirled to their;doom in the final battle of "Armageddon." It is no use taring to hide the fact that the / " perilous times " predicted in 2/ Tim., 3, have indeed arrived. We have entered upon the awful era foretold by Isaiah the prophet, who looking forward said, "They have transLaws, . . . Therefore JB^jfWhe curse devoured the No wonder that "men's 'hearts are failing them for fear." ' TSTo wonder that the earth's inhab- , itants are crying out for a return '" to the commandments of God, to ; the holy Sabbath, the great bulwark against sin. The work of Sabbath Reform \has grown to such huge proportions that it now takes in nearly 'every Christian denomination in /the World, and there is scare cIly a society formed for combatting but has its Sabbath Reform !>' department, with officers and reIfgulations complete, also the varipbus publications of the religious Band secular press contain frequent feiention of the progress of the flijause. . JsrThis great mixture ot people.

although differing widely on many important Bible truths, are strongly united on the following points :—(1) That the Sabbath was made for all; (2) That the first day of the week is the Sabbath day ; (3) That Sabbath desecration is the very worst blot on Christianity and civilisation, because upon the holy observance ofithatday,depends the prosperity of Church and nation ; (4) That Sabbath reform is the root of all other reforms the sure forerunner of general reform ; (5) That a vigorous campaign for better observance of the Sabbath, must be carried on throughout all the world to save it from utter ruin. • i As the ordinary onlookers note the seeming piety, great earnestness, and noble aims of this vast multitude, they readily conclude that these people are indeed doing the will of God, by thus labouring for the salvation of a perishing world. But are there any, even a few ? who while admitting the righteousness of their cause, and the glorious results aimed at, doubt whether this great army is really , being led by Christ the " Captain of our salvation." The mere suggestion of such a possibility will be taken by many as a slanderous insult, and be met with a scornful sneer or a look of pity. But the truth must' be told : — There are a few, who looking beneath the snowy fleece, the angel robes, and all the show of fair externals, declare they see Apoilyon as chief Captain, and that this is his last, desperate, crowning manoeuver for the overthrow of Christ and His people. Mr Editor, these may seem like hard words for this Sabbath Reform movement to which many of the Lord's people have joined themselves, but while we condemn no one, and have no quarrel with individuals, we must warn them against a system having its origin with Satan and his Angels. While the Lord bids us, " Cry aloud, spare not," for " faithful are the wounds of a friend." He is graciously calling, " Return unto me, and I will return unto you." G.J. (To be continued.)