Chapter 10—The Sabbath of the Lord
While on a visit to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1846, I became
acquainted with Elder Joseph Bates. He had early embraced the advent
faith, and was an active laborer in the cause. I found him to be a true
Christian gentleman, courteous and kind.
The first time he heard me speak, he manifested deep interest.
After I had ceased speaking, he arose and said: “I am a doubting
Thomas. I do not believe in visions. But if I could believe that the
testimony the sister has related tonight was indeed the voice of God to
us, I should be the happiest man alive. My heart is deeply moved. I
believe the speaker to be sincere, but cannot explain in regard to her
being shown the wonderful things she has related to us.”
Elder Bates was resting upon Saturday, the seventh day of the
week, and he urged it upon our attention as the true Sabbath. I did
not feel its importance, and thought that he erred in dwelling upon the
fourth commandment more than upon the other nine.
But the Lord gave me a view of the heavenly sanctuary. The temple
of God was open in heaven, and I was shown the ark of God covered
with the mercy seat. Two angels stood one at either end of the ark,
with their wings spread over the mercy seat, and their faces turned
toward it. This my accompanying angel informed me represented all
the heavenly host looking with reverential awe toward the law of God,
which had been written by the finger of God.
Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and I beheld the tables of stone
on which the ten commandments were written. I was amazed as I saw
the fourth commandment in the very center of the ten precepts, with
a soft halo of light encircling it. Said the angel, “It is the only one of
[86]
the ten which defines the living God who created the heavens and the
earth and all things that are therein.”
When the foundations of the earth were laid, then was also laid
the foundation of the Sabbath. I was shown that if the true Sabbath
had been kept, there would never have been an infidel or an atheist.
58