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Later Reformers
121
favor of the Sabbath have led many to its observance. He was sent as
a missionary to Hayti by the Reformed Presbyterians. Sabbatarian
publications fell into his hands, and after giving the subject a careful
examination, he became satisfied that the fourth commandment
requires the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. Without waiting
to consider his own interests, he immediately determined to obey
God. He returned home, made known his faith, was tried for heresy,
and expelled from the Reformed Presbyterian Church without being
allowed to present the reasons for his position.
The course of the Presbyterian synod in condemning Eld. Mor-
ton without granting him a hearing, is an evidence of the spirit
of intolerance which still exists, even among those claiming to be
Protestant reformers. The infinite God, whose throne is in the heav-
ens, condescends to address his people, “Come now, and let us
reason together;” [
Isaiah 1:18
.] but frail, erring men proudly refuse
to reason with their brethren. They stand ready to censure one who
accepts any light which they have not received—as though God had
pledged himself to give no more light to any one than he had given
to them. This is the course pursued by opposers of the truth in every
age. They forget the declaration of the Scriptures, “Light is sown for
the righteous.” [
Psalm 97:11
.] “The path of the just is as the shining
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” [
Proverbs
4:18
.] It is a sad thing when a people claiming to be reformers cease
to reform.
[186]
If professed Christians would but carefully and prayerfully com-
pare their views with the Scriptures, laying aside all pride of opinion
and desire for the supremacy, a flood of light would be shed upon
the churches now wandering in the darkness of error. As fast as his
people can bear it, the Lord reveals to them their errors in doctrine
and their defects of character. From age to age he has raised up men
and qualified them to do a special work needed in their time. But to
none of these did he commit all the light which was to be given to the
world. Wisdom does not die with them. It was not the will of God
that the work of reform should cease with the going out of Luther’s
life; it was not his will that at the death of the Wesleys the Christian
faith should become stereotyped. The work of reform is progressive.
Go forward, is the command of our great Leader,—forward unto
victory.