THE PRESENT TRUTH. 
PUBLISHED, SEMI-MONTHLY, BY JAMES WHITE. 
Vol. I.] 
OSWEGO, N. Y. DECEMBER, 1849. 
[No. 6. 
"The sccret of the Lard is with them, that fear him; and he mil shew them his covenant"—Ps. xxv, 14. 
THE SHUT DOOR 
EXPLAINED. 
"And while they went to buy., the 
iridegroom came ; and they that were 
eady, went in with him to the marriage; 
ind the door was shut."—Matt, xxv., 10. 
This text is the concluding part of one 
if the most important parables ever given 
•>y the Messiah, while acting in the capa-
city of a prophet. 
Its importance will be 
evident, when we consider the circum-
stances under which it was given, and the 
rime of the fulfilment of those events it is 
designed to represent. 
The time of their 
fulfilment may be clearly known by the 
events which precede, and those that im-
mediately follow. 
This parable is a part of that memorable 
and last conversation that Christ had with 
his disciples, before the night of his be-
trayal, in which he portrayed to them the 
destruction of Jerusalem, and the signs 
and events which should immediately pre-
cede his coming, and 
the end of the 
world. 
Let us, therefore, waive every 
other consideration of minor importance, 
and candidly, and thoroughly investigate 
this all-important subject. 
The 
text, according to its natural 
division, contains five parts:— 
1. The buying of oil. 
2. Comingof the bridegroom. 
3. The going in with him. 
4. The marriage. 
5. The shut door. 
1. The buying of oil is designed to 
.represent a fruitless effort, on the part of 
the foolish virgins, to obtain that which 
would produce light upon the subject of 
the coming of the bridegroom. 
It also ap-
pears that they had previously a stinted 
I share of oil, which for a short time pro-
duced a little light, barely enough to lead 
them to go torth at the first cry to meet 
the bridegroom. 
But while they were in 
the tarrying time, their light became dark-
ness ; and when the second cry was made 
at midnight, " BEHOLD 
THE 
BRIDEGROOM 
COMETH, GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM," they 
(excited more by fear than love) made an 
effort to obtain light; but not being ready, 
could not go in, and " THE 
DOOR WAS 
SHUT." 
2. Coming of the bridegroom. 
The definition of bridegroom is one 
newly married, or about to be united in 
marriage to a bride. 
Now if the term 
bridegroom, in this parable, applies to 
Christ, (which all will admit,) then all the 
scenes represented by this parable are to 
have their fulfilment in close connection 
with the marriage, or the giving of the 
bride to Christ. 
Here, two questions 
arise; first, what is represented by the 
bride, and second, where is she to be 
given to Christ, or where is the marriage 
to be solemnized ? 
First, what does the bride represent ? 
The angel said to St. John, while in holy 
vision, " Come hither, I WILL SHEW THEE 
THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S WIFE." 
Here John was shown 
" that Great 
City, the Holy JERUSALEM." See Rev. xxi, 
9, 10. 
St. Paul, in his letter to the Gala-
tians, says, "But Jerusalem 
which is 
above is free, which is the mother of us 
all." 
Gal. iv, 26. 
From these quota-
tions we learn that the Holy City, the New 
Jerusalem, which 
John 
saw " coming 
down from God out of heaven, prepared 
AS A BRIDE ADORNED 
FOR HER 
HUSBAND," 
is what is represented as the bride ; and 
its being given to Christ is compared to a 
marriage. 
Second, where is the marriage 
to take place ? Said Jesus, " Let your 
loins be girded about, and your lights 
burning; and ye yourselves like 
unto 
men that wait for their Lord, when he 
shall 
RETURN 
FROM 
THE 
WEDDING."— 
Luke xii, 35, 36. 
" He said therefore, A certain nobleman 
went into a far country to receive for him-
self a kingdom, and to return." Luke xix, 
12. 
Daniel also, in the night visions, saw 
one like unto the Son of man come to the 
Ancient of days, and he was brought "NEAR 
BEFORE HIM; and there was given him do-
minion, and glory, and a kingdom." 
See 
Dan. vii, 13, 14. 
From these passages, 
it is plain that the receiving of the king-
dom (which includes capital, territory and 
subjects) is what is compared to a mar-
42 
THE PRESEiNT TRUTH. 42 
riage, or receiving a bride; and that it j 
takes place near before him, (the Ancient 
of days,) a little previous to his " RETURN 
FROM THE WEDDING," in the " far coun-
try." 
If the above is the correct position 
in reference to the bridegroom, the bride, 
and the marriage, then it follows of neces-
sity that the coming of the bridegroom is 
not to the earth ; but " near before " the 
Ancient of days, to receive the bride, or 
New Jerusalem, the capital of the king-
dom, in connection with the territory and 
subjects, previous to his second advent ;| 
and also, that the coming of the bride-
groom, and Christ's second appearing, are 
two distinct and separate events. 
3. The going in with him. 
There is, evidently at this point in the 
parable, a change in the position of the 
bridegroom, and also in the relation he 
sustains to the church and world. 
Now, 
in order that we may arrive at a correct 
understanding of this important CHANGE, 
let us examine what inspiration has taught 
us of the priesthood of Christ in the 
heavenly sanctuary, which plainly shows 
this change. 
St. Paul, in his letter to the 
Hebrews, written A. D. 64, says, " Now 
of the things which we have spoken this 
is the sum : We have such an high priest, 
who is set on the right hand of the throne 
of the Majesty in the heavens ; a minister 
of the SANCTUARY, and of the TRUE TABER-
NACLE, WHICH THE LORD PITCHED, and not 
man."—Heb. viii, 1, 2. 
By reading the 
eighth and ninth chapters of Hebrews, I 
you will readily discover that Paul, in 1 
order to lead us to a correct understanding' 
of all tilings pertaining to Christ, while oc-
cupying the position and relation of priest, 
points us back to the Aaronic priesthood, 
the worldly sanctuary, with its apart-
ments, furniture and services as figures, or 
true representations of the heavenly priest-
hood, sanctuary, furniture and services. 
0 ! how little is known of Christ and his 
work in the heavenly sanctury, through 
a neglect to compare type with antitype, 
and shadow with substance; and how 
ready are such neglectors to brand any-
one with fanaticism, who presumes to fol-
low inspiration in this matter. 
I would here state, that we have the 
best authority for referring to Moses and 
the prophets. 
Christ, after his resurrec-
tion, said to his disciples—" These are 
the words which I spake unto you, whil.e 
1 was yet with you, that ALL THINGS MUST 
BE FULFILLED WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN 
THE LAW OF MOSES, and in the prophets, 
and in the psalms, CONCERNING ME."— 
Luke xxiv, 44. Also, Paul, while a prison- . 
er at Rome, when they had appointed him 
a day, and many came to him, into his 
lodging, expounded and testified to them 
" the kingdom of God, persuading them 
CONCERNING JESUS, both outof the LAW OF 
MOSES, and out of the prophets, from 
morning till evening."—See Acts xxviii, 
23. 
" Having therefore obtained help of 
God, 1 continue unto this day, witnessing 
both to small and great, saying none other 
things than those which the prophets and 
Moses did say should come."—Acts xxvi, 
22. 
The prophet Malachi, while describing 
the burning day, and addressing those to 
whom the prophet Elijah should be sent, 
before the coming of the great and dread-
ful day of the Lord,says, "Remember ye 
the LAW OF MOSES my servant, which I 
commanded unto him in Horeb for all Is-
rael," &c.—See Mai. iv, 1—4. 
From 
these Scriptures we see that we are not 
only directed to the law of Moses, but a 
positive injunction is laid upon us to re-
member it. 
Not to keep it; for its or-
dinances were nailed to the cross ; but its 
types and shadows, as St. Paul 
has 
taught-, were figures of the true; 
They 
were a true representation of the " good 
things to come " connected with the min-
istration of Christ in the heavenly sanctu-
ary. 
Therefore, they are our positive, 
and only sure guide, contained^in the ora-
cles of truth, to lead us to a correct under-
standing of the work of Christ hi " THE 
TRUE 
TABERNACLE, 
WHICH 
THE 
LORD 
PITCHED, and not 
man." 
The Apostle Paul clearly shows that 
Christ, while fulfilling his priesthood, occu-
pies a sanctuary containing two apartments; 
the Holy, or first tabernacle, and the 
Holiest of all, or second tabernacle, within 
the second vail. 
In the Holy is the can-
dlestick, the table of shew bread, and the 
golden altar.—See Heb. ix, 2; Ex. xl, 
24-26. 
In the Holiest of all, is the 
ark of the covenant, the mercy-seat, and 
the two cherubims oVershadowing the 
mercy-seat, above which is seen the most 
excellent glory, or Ancient of days.— 
See Heb. ix, 3—5 : Ex. xxvi, 33, 34. 
I am now prepared to explain the third 
division of the text, viz. " they that were 
ready went in with him to the marriage." 
In order to make the matter perfectly 
plain to your understanding, let us go 
back, and see in what way they went in, 
under the typical services. 
THE PRESEiNT TRUTH. 
43 
Under the Mosaic economy, a cycle of 
one year Embraced all the ordinajices, and 
services of the tabernacle, and typified all 
the services of Christ, while acting in the 
capacity of a priest. 
Under the type 
there was a daily ministration for the sins 
of the people, for three hundred and sixty-
four days, then that ministration ceased. 
Then on the last day of this cycle of 
three hundred and sixty-five days, or the 
tenth day of the seventh month, the high 
priest, having washed himself in pure 
water, puts on the holy garments, made 
expressly for the services of this day. 
Thus prepared, he passes from the Holy, 
into the Holiest of all, bearing on the breast-
plate of judgement the names of all the 
tribes of Israel. 
In this manner, all the 
true Israel went in with him. 
Thus Christ, in the antitype, in the 
true tabernacle in heaven, closes the anti-
typical daily ministration in the Holy 
Place, clothes himself in the holy garments, 
having on the breast-plate of judgement, on 
which is inscribed the names of the true 
Israel of God, who are described by the 
following words in the text, " they that 
were ready." 
Thus arrayed, he is pre-
pared to perform all the services of the 
antitypical tenth day, and passes into the 
Holiest of all before the mercy-seat, and is 
brought near before the Ancient of days. 
Thus, they that were ready went in with 
him to the marriage as 'he went in to re-
ceive his bride, " and the DOOR WAS SHUT." 
The cleansing of the sanctuary, blotting 
out the sins of all Israel, and sending them 
away upon the head of the scape-goat, &c. 
in the type, were performed by the high 
priest on the memorable tenth day of the 
seventh month, all of which were shadows 
of the services of Christ in the heavenly 
tabernacle, after his ministration in the 
Holy Place closes; some of which I may 
notice hereafter. 
4. The marriage. 
I think there are but three portions of 
Scripture in the New Testament that 
Speak of marriage, which refer to Christ. 
The parable of the king's son, Matt, xxii, 
2-14 ; the parable of the ten virgins, Matt, 
XXVJ 1-12, and Rev. xix, 7-9 ; in all these 
it is used as a figure, to represent some-
thing that is not real marriage; but that 
which bears a close resemblance to it. 
Therefore, the only reasonable conclusion 
that I can arrive at is, that marriage, when 
used in reference to Christ, represents the 
receiving into close connexion, and per-
il petual union, the Kingdom, or some com-
! ponent part of the Kingdom. 
When the prophet says, "thy land 
shall be married,"—see Isa. lxii, 4—he 
means that the territory or locality of the 
Kingdom is to be brought into close con-
nection with the KING OF KINGS AND LORD 
OF LORDS. 
When the New Jerusalem is 
adorned as a bride for her husband, and is 
given to Christ, and the saints or virgins 
go in with him, as guests to the marriage, 
then it is that he receives the capital of 
his promised and long looked for King-
dom. 
And when, as described to John in 
vision—see Rev. xix, 1-9—God shall 
; have judged her that did corrupt the earth 
with her fornication, and shall have 
" avenged the blood of his servants at her 
hand ;' and when the voice as "of a great 
multitude," and " as the voice of mighty 
! thunderings " shall proclaim " Alleluia, for 
the Lord Gpd omnipotent reigneth, let us 
be glad and rejoice, and give honor to 
him; for the, marriage of the Lamb is 
come, and his wife hath made herself 
ready;" and when to her is " granted 
that she should be arrayed in fine linen, 
clean and white," which " is the righteous-
ness of saints," then the subjects of the 
Kingdom become the bride; and in joint-
heirship with the bridegroom possess " the 
Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness 
of the Kingdom under the whole heaven." 
5. THE SHUT DOOR. 
A door supposes a change of scenery, 
or a change from one apartment to an-
other. 
There are several things to which 
the term door is applied, such as " door 
'of utterance," and "door of faith." 
"I 
am the door," said Jesus. 
But the door 
mentioned in the text represents not only 
a change in the position of the bridegroom, 
(Christ,) but it also shows a change in his 
relation to the world, from that which he 
previously held. 
Here, again, let us ex-
amine the services of the typical priest-
hood, that we may understand the ser-
vices of Christ in the antitype. 
After the 
priests had performed the daily services, 
ordained especially for the Holy Place, or 
first apartment, and the memorable tenth 
day of the seventh month had arrived, 
then there was an entire change in the 
services of the sanctuary to be performed 
on that day. 
By reading the sixteenth chapter of 
Leviticus, you will find that the high 
priest here washes his flesh in water, puts 
oil the holy garments, and enters upon aa 
44 
THE PRESEiNT TRUTH. 44 
entire new work. 
The offering up of the 
daily sin-offerings has ceased, and the 
high priest, on this day, atones for or blots 
out the sins of Israel, and removes them 
from the altar, where they have been im-
puted or laid during the year, through the 
blood of the victims daily offered. On 
/this day of atonement, or of cleansing the 
sanctuary, the high priest (as above stated) 
passes into the Most Holy Place, bearing 
on the breast-plate of judgement the names 
of all .such as, through obgdience to the 
typical ordinances, have applied for a re-
mission of sins, through the blood of their 
victims there offered; and THE DOOR of 
the first apartment is SHUT. " And there 
shall be NO MAN in the tabernacle of the 
congregation when he goeth in to make an 
atonement in the holy place, until he come 
out, and have made an atonement for 
himself, and for his household, and for all 
the congregation of Israel.—Lev. xvi, 17. 
"Oil this day of atonement, Ire is a high 
priest for those only whose names are in-
scTilTecFoh "the hrRtst-plafe* of judgement. 
Now just so sure as the Aaronic priest-
hood was a type of the priesthood of 
Christ, 
then the sanctuary, with its 
apartments and appendages, were figures.ef 
the true sanctuary in heaven; and the 
services and ordinances of the earthly 
tabernacle were shadows of Christ's min-
istration, which is the substance. VWith 
this view of tlu5 subject, it is plain that a 
time in Christ's ministration must come, 
(before he puts on the kingly robes, and 
girds his sword upon his thigh, and comes 
to execute judgement,) that he will cease 
to be a priest in the first apartment of the 
true tabernacle for the sins of the whole 
world, and put on the holy garments, and, 
with the true Israel of God inscribed^on 
HIS breastplate of judgement, go in with 
them before tli6 mercy-seat, where John 
saw one having a golden censor offering 
the prayers of all saints (wise virgins) be-
fore the throne ; and be a mer.ciful high 
priest over the household of faith, cleanse 
the sanctuary and'place "all the sins of the 
true Israel upon the scape-goat, which is 
the devil. 
Then, he will lay off the 
priestly garments, and clothe himself with 
the garment? of wrath, and come to gather 
his elect from the four winds, under 
heaven, and destroy the wicked, and burn 
up their city, t ^ , 
: < 
Having thus explained the text, I will 
now examine some ideas suggested in the 
foregoing exposition. 
And first, the time 
of the fulfilment of the events, contained in 
the text, may be known by those which 
precede, and those that follow. 
Christ, 
after giving the signs of his coming, and a 
description of what should take place at 
his coming, proceeds to give a history of 
some of the scenes which should" be 
transacted previous to that event. It ap-
pears that just before his coming, his wise 
and faithful servants, seeing the signs ful-
filling, and some of the events which were 
to precede his coming actually transpiring, 
would raise the soul-thrilling cry—" THE 
LORD IS COMING," and thus wake up others 
to an examination of this all-important 
subject by this " meat in- due season." 
Then this cry would excite those pro-
fessed servants, who were unfaithful in 
their Master's cause, and who loved the 
things of this present world, to raise an 
opposite cry—" My Lord delayeth his 
coming." 
While these opposite cries are 
being given, THEN commences the fulfil-
ment of the parable of the ten virgins. 
Here some, by examining the arguments 
6fthe faithful servants, and seeing good 
evidence that the signs were fulfilling, 
were led thereby to go forth to meet the 
bridegroom. 
We here plainly see that the 
cry of the faithful servants is the cause of 
their going forth, and that their goingforth 
is the effect produced by this cause; 
therefore, the fulfilment of the parable 
could never commence without the cry, 
" The Lord is coming," being first raised 
by the faithful servants. 
Having shown how this important par-
able must commence, let us examine the 
different steps of its progression. 
First, 
the virgins go forth to meet the bride-
groom ; second, they meet with a disap-
pointment ; third, they wait or tarry, still 
believing that his coming is near, yet, by 
waiting, they become drowsy, and slumber 
and sleep ; fourth, a cry is heard, " BE-
HOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH, GO YE OUT 
TO MEET HIM ;" fifth, a trimming of 
lamps, and an effort, on the part of the 
foolish virgins, to procure oil; and sixth, 
the scenes described in the text take place. 
Now has there been a succession of events, 
within our second advent experience, 
which bears an exact resemblance to the 
above named events in the parable ? If 
there has, then we have, at least, some 
good reasons for believing that the door is 
shut. 
When Bro. Miller, and those who be-
came acquainted with him, and adhered to 
his expositions of the prophecies, went 
forth faithfully showing to the world that 
\ 
THE PRESENT TRUTH. 
according to the best light they could ob-
tain* from the prophecies, the prophetic 
periods and the signs, that Christ would 
come by the end of the Jewish year 1843, 
then the faithful servants gave " meat in 
due season." 
And while giving this cry, 
the hireling priest, the infidel, and the 
drunkard, united in raising the cry, " My 
Lord delayeth his coming"—"These are 
fanatics who say he is coming;" and 
thus they smote their fellow-servants. 
Here w,ere two events, perfectly fulfilling 
in all their features, the acts of the faithful 
and wise servants, giving " meat in due 
season," and the evil servants, uniting 
with the drunkard, in opposing the truth, 
who will reap their reward with hypocrites 
in bitter weeping, and gnashing of teeth. 
While these two cries were going 
throughout the width and breadth of the 
land, the specified time came, and the vir-
gins, with the word of God, (their lamps,) 
went forth fully expecting to meet the 
bridegroom at that point of time. 
Now 
for a disappointment, and tarrying time. 
Were these the next events that actually 
transpired in our experience after we went 
forth in the spring of 1844 to meet the 
bridegroom? 
Thousands, thousands can 
answer this qnestion in the affirmative; 
and the evil servants have not yet for-
gotten to reproach and taunt us with this 
disappointment. 
Next in this series of 
events is a cry at midnight, or about the 
midflle of the slumbering and sleeping 
time, " Behold the bridegroom cometh, go 
ye out to meet him." 
This also, was 
fulfilled in exact order as to time and 
event. 
It was calculated that the Jewish 
year, 1843, would end the twenty-first of 
March, 1844; and this was the time of the 
first going fflrth. The second going forth 
was on the tenth day of the seventh 
month, 1844. 
The tarrying time, or time 
of slumbering and sleeping, was the space 
between these two points; and at the cen-
tre point, or midnight, the second cry be-
gan to be heard, which increased in pow-
er and effect as it went throughout the 
land, waxing louder and louder, until the 
virgins were fully awake. 
Thus we had in our experience, previ-
ous to the tenth day of the seventh month, 
1844, a perfect fulfilment of all the events 
in the parable, as stepping stones to the 
SHUT DOOR ; and since that time, the event, 
(knocking at the shut door,) that was to 
take place after the shutting of the door, 
has not failed to fill up the concluding 
acene in the drama. 
We are thus brought 
45 
to a clear and perfect fulfilment of every 
feature of this important parable, and also 
to a clear fulfilment of those Scriptures 
connected with, and relating to the shut 
door; such as the parable of the great 
supper, Luke xiv, 16-24; the proclama-
tion of the " mighty angel," " that there 
should be TIME NO LONGER," Rev. x, 1-8 ; 
the flying angel, proclaiming the hour of 
judgement come, Rev. xiv, 6, 7 ; and the 
cleansing of the sanctuary, &c. 
There-
fore, We are brought, by the force of cir-
cumstances, and the fulfilment of events, 
to the irresistible conclusion that, on the 
tenth day of the seventh month, (Jewish 
time,) in the autumn of 1844, Christ did 
close his daily, or continual ministration 
or mediation in the first apartment of the 
heavenly sanctuary, and SHUT THE, DOOR, 
which no man can open; and opened a 
door, in the second apartment, or Holiest 
of all, which no man can shut, (see Rev. 
iii, 7, 8,) and passed within the second 
vail, bearing before the Father, on the 
breast-plate of judgement, all for whom he 
is now acting as intersessor. • If this is the 
position that Christ now occupies, then 
there is no intercessor in the first apart-
ment; and in vain do misguided souls 
knock at that door, saying " Lord, Lord, 
open unto us." 
The words of the prophet 
apply to the fulfilment of this point in the 
parable. 
" They shall go with their flocks and 
with their herds to seek the Lord; but 
THEY 
SHALL 
NOT 
FIND 
HIM 
HE 
HATH 
WITHDRAWN HIMSELF FROM THEM. 
" They have dealt treacherously against 
the Lord, for they have begotten STRANGE 
CHILDREN ; now shall a month devour 
them with their portion."—Hosea v,6, 7. 
But, says the objector, does not this 
leave the present_generation, who have 
passed the line of accountability, since that 
time without an intercessor or mediator, 
and "leave them destitute of the means of 
salvation ? In reply to this objection, I 
would remark, that as they were then in a 
state of INNOCENCY, they were entitled to 
a record upon the breast-plate of judgement 
as much as those who had sinned and re-
ceived pardon ; and are therefore subjects 
of the present intercession of our great 
higlfpriest. 
The professed conversions, through the 
instrumentality of the different sects, are 
also urged as positive proof that the door 
is not shut. 
I cannot give up the clear 
fulfilment of prophecy, in our experience, 
which shows the shut door in the past, 
46 
THE PRESEiNT TRUTH. 46 
for the opinions, fancies and feelings of 
men, based upon human sympathy and a 
superstitious reverence for early imbibed 
views. 
God's word is true, though it 
prove all men liars. 
As a stream is of 
the same character as the fountain that 
sends it forth, (see James iii, 11,) and 
does not rise higher th'::n the,fountain, so 
these professed converts will not rise to a 
hetter statp tfran ,tli(p|mv s t andarij o fjha 
fallen sects,; therefore, the/ are converted 
to the religion of ihe various sects, but not 
to God, arm the high and holy standard pf 
tKTBtble. 
The Prop! Eiet Tlosea saw this 
time ; and for " our1, learning 
and guide 
has written—" They have dealt treacher-
ously against the Lord; for they have be-
gotten strange children." 
DAVID ARNOLD. 
Fulton, N. Y. Dec. 16,1849. 
THE PRESENT TRUTH, 
OSWEGO, DECEMBER, 1849. 
" Here is the patience of the saints; here are they 
that keep the Commandnerds of God, and the faith of 
Jesus." 
WHO HAS LEFT THE SURE WORD 1 
We are often charged with following 
our experience, instead of the unerring 
word of God; but such a charge is un-
just and untrue. 
It is true that we " hold 
fast "our holy advent ^xp'-rienc? in the 
past, which has so perfectly fulfilled pro-
phecy ; but in doing so, we do not neglect 
nor depart from the sure word. The Bible 
is our chart—our guide. 
It is our only 
rule of faith and practice, to which we 
would closely adhere. 
In order to show the fulfilment of Pro-
phecy, we have to refer to history. 
To 
show the fulfilment of prophecy relating 
to the four universal kingdoms of the sec-
ond and seventh chapters of Daniel, we 
have to refer to the history of those king-
doms. 
Deny the history, and the pro-
phecy is of no use. 
Just so with the 
prophecies relating to the second advent 
movement. 
If we deny our holy experience in the 
great Jeading movements, ii) the past, such 
as the. proclamation of the time in 1843 
and 1844, then we cannot show a fulfil-
jnei^t of those prophecies relating to those 
movements. 
Therefore, those who deny 
their past experience, while following God 
and his holy word, deny or misapply a 
portion of the sure word. 
It is cruel and unjust to represent us 
as having abandoned the PRECIOUS BOOK OF 
BOOKS—the Bible—to follow impressions, 
fancies, <fcc. when we have done no such 
thing, and when those very men that 
charge us thus leave or misapply a portion 
of the sure word. 
Once, the whole ad-
vent host believed that the parable of the 
ten virgins applied exclusively to the ad-
vent movement; and that the first going 
forth, in the parable, was fulfilled in us, as 
we came up to . the first specified time; 
and that the cry in the parable, " Behold 
the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet 
him," and the trimming of lamps, &c. 
were also fulfilled by us,'as we gave the 
seventh month cry. 
We st.il] Lx-ljpvft 
wh.U the whole,host onec bplieycd; and 
with holy ci nfult ne'e and energy publish-
ed and preached to the world. 
And 
strange to tell, many of those who have 
abandoned the fulfilment of prophecy in 
our past experience, are ready to brand us 
with fanaticism, and rank us with Shakers, 
&c. for believing what they once believed, 
and for carrying out and showing a con-
sistent fulfilment of the parable, in all its 
parts, which shows that the door is shut. 
These mep should be the last to oppose 
our views, and complain of a lack of 
charity on our part, when they, in such an 
unsparing manner, rank us with apostates 
for holding fast aud carrying out what they 
once believed and boldly proclaimed. 
"W.hw Ave in 1843 sang, "'My Bible leads 
to glory/? we sang a true sentiment. 
It 
did not stop in 1844, and "lead" us 
back around another way, no, no ; but it 
led onward by the shut door, through the 
WAITING 'RIME, and keeping of " the com-
mandments of God," into the kingdom. 
Glory to God, " My Bible leads to glory." 
Amen. 
/ 
Tinsmith, in answer to the question, 
" Who has left the sure word," is that we 
closely adhere to the sure word of God, 
which 
plainly 
marks 
out our holy 
experience, and acknowledge the. mighty 
work of God in calling out the ad-
vent people from the world and fallen 
church; while those who deny this work 
of God and their own experience have 
left" those portions of the " sure word " 
which relate to the advent movement. 
While standing on the sure word, and ac-
knowledging our holy experience, wrought 
in us by the living word of God, set home 
to our hearts by the mighty power of the 
Holy Ghost, and while keeping 
Ihe 
commandments pf God, we are safe—yes, 
we are safe. Let the storm pf persecu-
THE PRESEiNT TRUTH. 
47 
tion rise, and the fiery darts of tlie wicked 
fly all around us; thus armed wish holy 
truth, we are safe. 
Glory to God, we are 
on the rock. 
My spirit grows warm, as I 
contemplate this glorious theme. 
" For He has been with us—still is with us, 
And He's promis'd to be with us to the end." 
Here I will give some extracts from a 
letter that I have recently received from 
Brother Holt, of Connecticut: 
" My treasure is not here, I seek for a 
city that hath foundations, whose builder 
and maker is God; - and my hope is big 
with immortality. 
My faith is in the God 
of Abraham, Isakc and Jacob. 
Feeling 
is not faith. 
Our feelings may be tile im-
pulse of the moment, produced by sur-
rounding circumstances,, which may make 
a deep impression on the mind, and af-
terwards we may see that our feelings 
were not in accordance with the word of 
God. 
When one leaves- the Bible, and 
trusts in his feelings, he places himself in a 
position to be acted upon by the devil at his 
pleasure. 
Many will point us to one 
who is said to be converted, for positive 
proof that the door is not shut, thus yield-
ing the word of God for the feelings of an 
individual. 
Every feeling, action and 
thought of man may be tested by the 
word: if riot, how can he be brought into 
judgement for every thought? 
How 
strait the way is. 
God will have the 
whole heart." 
" Dear Brother and Sister, my heart 
was glad to hear from you, and others 
whom I love in the truth. 
Our hearts are 
knit together, and I do not forget to make 
mention of you always in my prayers. 
We are one in faith, and in spirit, serving 
the same God, and the same Saviour Jesus 
Christ, striving together to advance the 
holy cause of God's eternal truth." 
" I have sold all to buy the truth ; and 
after a true estimation, I have found that 
it takes all that a man has. 
The truth 
will stand when heaven and earth passes 
away, and will be our ' shield and buck-
ler' in the day of wrath." 
The following is from the "Advent 
Shield," No 2, page 267, published Jan-
uary, 1845. 
It shows the view that was 
then generally : taken by Adventists of 
the seventh month cry:— 
" THE SEVENTH MONTH MOVEMENT.— 
The late movement in connection with 
the seventh,month of the Jewish sacred 
yeiar, was the most marked and striking 
event that has occurred in connection with 
i fhfc doctrine of the Second Advent, since 
the comthencement of the present interest 
respecting it. 
It is well deserving a 
passing notice, and its history is interest-
ing, not only as a memento of the past, 
but also as a landmark for the future." 
On page 271 is the following : 
" ITS FRUITS.—It produced everywhere 
the most deep searching of heart and humil-
iation of soul before the God of high heaven. 
It caused a weaning of affections from the 
things of this world—a healing of contro-
versies and animosities—a confession of 
wrongs—a breaking down before God, 
and penitent broken-hparted supplications 
to mm for pardon and acceptance." 
" Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of 
thistles? 
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good 
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth l'orth evil iritlt. 
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, 
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." 
" Hymns for God's Peculiar People that 
keep the commandments of God, and. 
the faith of Jesus." 
This is the title of a small collection of 
hymns offorty-eight pages now in the press; 
but will be out in a few weeks. 
It will 
contain a choice selection of hymns ap-
plicable to our faith and hope at this time. 
Those who have choice hymns that are 
appropriate to the present time, will please 
forward them immediately to my address; 
and also, send in their orders for the 
Hymn Book. 
As but a small edition will 
be wanted, they will come high. 
Price, 
twelve for one dollar—12| cents single 
copy. 
THE PAPER.—When I commenced the 
"Present Truth," I did not expect to issue 
more than two or three numbers ; but as 
the way opened before me, and as the 
cause of truth seemed to demand some-
thing of the kind, I have continued thus 
far. 
While publishing the four first num-
bers in Connecticut, the brethren sent in 
more means than was necessary to sus-
tain the paper, which I have since used in 
travelling to visit the scattered flock.— 
At the present 
time I am 
destitute 
of means, and am some in debt. 
Dear brethren, I know that you are 
ready and anxious to sustain the cause of 
truth. 
Therefore, I state the above to in-
form you of the present condition of the 
paper as to means. 
I hope that all wh6 
may esteem it a privilege, and are able, 
will send in their donations immediate-
ly 
THE PRESEiNT TRUTH. 48 
POPULAR OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 
• It is not uncommon for those upon whose at-
tention the claims of the seventh day are urged, 
to attempt to escape the force of truth'by a variety 
of objections. This is often done by such as are 
convinced that the Scriptures require the observ-
ance of the seventh day and not the first It is a 
remarkable feature of these objections, that they 
are totally unlike and destructive of each other. 
But as they are often presented and much relied 
on, we will mention a few of them. 
1. " The original Sabbath cannot be observed 
in different parts of the earth, as the day begins 
at different points of time." This objection, if it 
were of any force, would affect the observance of 
the first, or any other day of the week, equally 
with the seventh. It is, therefore, an objection to 
the appointment of any particular' day, and of 
course charges God with folly in a^in? the wm-
mandment. All that cn reasonably be interred 
from the difference of time, is that the original 
Sabbath was not observed at exactly the same 
time in all parts of the world. And since all the 
nations of the earth agree in the numbering of 
the days'of the week, no practical difficulty could 
ever arise from this.—The same may be said in 
regard to " sailing around the world." If it is 
really an objection, it lies against the appoint-
ment of any day. 
Those, therefore, who ac-
knowledge the wisdom of God, should be slow to 
make such an objection to his commandment. 
Those who object to the seventh day because they 
can gain or lose a day by sailing around the world, 
mav consistently with themselves call two nights 
and an intermediate dark day nne night. 
The 
truth does not require that men should thus "put 
darkness for light," and so " wrap it up." 
A 
cause which demands it, ought for this reason to 
be abandoned. 
•2. " The seventh day is the Sabbath of the 
Jem." It is not uncommon, in discussions on this 
subject, to speak contemptuously of the seventh 
day as the Jewish Sabbath. An enlightened per-
son, however, will look upon this as the fruit ot 
ignorance or malice. The Sabbath was given 
long before the existence of the Jewish nation, 
and is in the Scriptures often called the Sabba'h 
of the Lord, never the Sabbath of the Jews. 
It is 
true, we are told by one of the prophets thatthe Lord 
made known to Israel his holy Sabbath ; but if 
this makes a Jewish Sabbath, then the other nine 
precepts of the decalogue are Jewish, and may 
with the same propriety be reproached as such. 
This conclusion would reach still further, make 
the Scriptures Jewish, and the Saviour of men 
and his salvation Jewish. " Such, thereiore, as 
consider this an objection to the seventh day, to 
be consistent with themselves, should reject the 
religion of Jesus altogether. But how does it cor-
respond with the spirit of Christ thus to reproach 
and speak contemptuously of a people to whom 
we are so deeply indebted, and of whom, as con-
cerning the flesh, Christ came 1 " Boast not thy-
self against the branches; for if God spared not 
the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare 
riot thee." ' We ought to labor for their salvation 
by manifesting towards them the spirit of the 
Messiah, rather than to increase their prejudices 
by speaking contemptuously of things they hold 
dear. 
3. " The first day of the week is so generally 
observed." It is often said, If the first day be not 
the Sabbath, why do so many observe it 1 With 
equal pertinence might we ask, If all the systems 
of religion which heathen men have lived and 
died by are false, why have they been suffered so 
M to abound as to swallow up ,>J(nost every vestige of 
true religion ? Why ha ve the disciples of M ahomet 
been suffeted to exceed in numbers the professors 
| of Christianity 1 Why is the purest denomina-
tion of Protestants permitted to bear such a dis-
proportion to the church of Rome 1 The reason 
is obvious; truth is not more easily propagated 
than error, and pure religion has always been 
connected with persecution and reproach. If wte 
are to determine between truth and error by the 
" show of hands," we shall be compelled to adopt 
the greatest absurdities. 
The number of those 
who observe the first day, therefore, can be no ev-
idence for or against its claims. 
4. " Whether Christians ought to observe the 
seventh day or not is a doubtful question; and 
therefore inquiry on the subject is unprofitable 
and ought to be avoided." It would be wrong for 
disputants to cherish an wnchr(isiian spirit in the 
discussion of this question, and It would be equally 
wrong to neglect honest and thorough inquiry on 
the subject. To consider both sides of a question 
involving a religious duty, with moderation and 
candor, is safe and profitable. The fact that some 
doubts are connected with it, is the very reason 
why it should be examined. 
That which at first 
seemed doubtful may thus become clear and cer-
tain. The noble Bereans were commended for 
their spirit of inquiry, and in this respect they 
should be an example for us 
The assertion that 
inquiry in regard to things revealed is unprofita-
ble, implies that we ought not to concern our-
selves about what is our duty, and is contrary to 
the exhortations of Scripture'to add knowledge to 
faith and virtue, and to grow in the knowledge 
of our Lord and Saviour. 
« Buv the trilth, and 
/sell it not," is the advice of the Word of God. We 
should not, therefore, be hindered from our in-
quiries by any earthly considerations. 
5. When the claims of the original Sabbath 
are plainly presented, many seem to be convinced 
of their justness, but, at the same time, think that 
a general return to the seventh day is impractica-
ble. 
They alledge that the custom ol' keeping 
the first day has been so long and generally main-
tained—that it is so intimately wrought into the 
habits, calculations and business of life—that it 
has received such explicit sanction from the civil 
powers, and is so often and ably vindicated by 
minister^ and commentators, that it is in vain 
to expect a change, and that the cause of Sabbath-
keeping is rather retarded than promoted by ef-
forts to promote a change.—The principle of ex-
pediency here acknowledged is at war with the 
Bible, and extremely dangerous. When men can 
gravely question whether it is better to follow 
their own customs than to return to the law of 
God, their case is critical. God delights not in 
such. He will dwell only with those who " trem-
ble at his word." Not those who say, " Lord, 
Lord," but those who " do his will," are accepted 
of him—Again, if the views here expressed had 
been adopted in other cases, what would have be-
come of the various reforms which have already 
blessed the world 1 What would have become 
of the whole subject of Protestantism 1 
There 
is nothing more impracticable in a Sabbath re-
form, than in any other reform. In other cases, 
difficulties which at first seemed insurmountable, 
have given way to laborious and prayerful effort; 
so may they in this. At any rate, we ought to 
"obey God rather than man." 
|letters relating to the 
"PRESENT 
TRUTH" should be directed to JAMES WHITE, 
Oswego, N- Y. care of human Carpenter.