30
It is clear, therefore, from scripture testimony, that
every day commences at 6 o'clock, and that not at sunset,
nor at midnight,as many contend, nor yet at sunrise, as some
others believe. Therefore the sabbath commences at 6 P. M.
on what is called Friday.?
A few weeks after the publication of the above by Joseph
Bates, John andrews wrote an article in which he touched on this
same point in question. He appeared to be in general sgreement
with Bates. Using a similar trend of thought and referring to
the same parable of Jesus, andrews concluded that 6:00 P. M., was
the time to commence the sabbath. He did, however, make a rather
significant statement which gives a glimpse into his ultimate
belief on this matter. After citing idark 1:21-32 he said, "The
close of the Sabbath, or even, is clearly shown to be about the
time of sunset.'’
These arguments presented by Bates and andrews in 1851 did
not, however, settle the question. Diversity of opinion continued
to prevail as indicated by the following statement from James White
in 1855:
We have never been fully satisfied with the testimony
presented in favor of six o'clock ... The subject has troubled
us, yet we have never found time to thoroughly investigate it. hb
Fearing that this point of controversy might lead to
2 Loc. cit. —
3 J. bv. Andrews, "The Time of the Sabbath," Review, 1:92-93,
June 2, 1851.
hk James White, "The Time of the Sabbath," Review, 7:78,
December 4, 1855.