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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
world, and the time is not far distant when the spirit of persecution
will be manifested against them.
In the seventeenth century there were several Sabbatarian
churches in England, while there were hundreds of Sabbath-keepers
scattered throughout the country. Through their labors this truth
was planted in America at an early date. Less than half a century
after the landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth, the Sabbath-keepers
of London sent one of their number to raise the standard of Sabbath
reform in the new world. This missionary held that the ten com-
mandments as they were delivered from Mount Sinai are moral and
immutable, and that it was the antichristian power which thought
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to change times and laws, that had changed the Sabbath from the
seventh to the first day. In Newport, R. I., several church-members
embraced these views, yet continued for some years in the church
with which they had previously been connected. Finally there arose
difficulty between the Sabbatarians and the Sunday observers, and
the former were compelled to withdraw from the church, that they
might peaceably keep God’s holy day. Soon after, they entered into
an organization, thus forming the first Sabbath- keeping church in
America. These Sabbath-keepers had flattered themselves that they
could obey the fourth commandment and yet remain connected with
Sunday observers. It was a blessing to them and to after-generations
that such a union could not exist; for had it continued, it would
eventually have caused the light of God’s holy Sabbath to go out in
darkness.
Some years later, a church was formed in New Jersey. A zealous
observer of Sunday, having reproved a person for laboring on that
day, was asked for his authority from the Scriptures. On searching
for this he found, instead, the divine command for keeping the
seventh day, and he began at once to observe it. Through his labors
a Sabbatarian church was raised up.
From that time the work gradually extended, until thousands
began the observance of the Sabbath. Among the Seventh-day
Baptists of this country have been men eminent for talent, learning,
and piety. They have accomplished a great and good work as they
have stood for two hundred years in defense of the ancient Sabbath.
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In the present century few have taken a nobler stand for this truth
than was taken by Eld. J. W. Morton, whose labors and writings in