Adventist Alert to Church History

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In memory of
Elder William Henry Grotheer, Editor

"Watchman,
What of the Night?" ( WWN) is a thought paper that was published monthly continuously from Jan, 1968 to the end of Dec. 2006 . by the Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Mississippi, Inc.(ALF), with William H. Grotheer as the Editor of Research & Publication.

Due to his failing health, Elder Grotheer requested that ALF of Canada continue publishing thoughts through its website www.AdventistAlet.com which now has developed into frequent Blog Thought articles plus all of the Foundation's historical published works written and audio.

As of 2010, with the official closing of the ALF of USA , The Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Canada with its website www.Adventist Alert.com is the only officially operating ALF branch established by Elder Grotheer worldwide.

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The Adventist Laymen's Foundation of Canada, POB 8255,
Victoria, BC V8W 3R9 Canada

The Nov. 1977 issue discusses "What is the "Watchman What of the Night?"

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THE END TIME LINE
RE-SURVEYED

Parts 1-2

Part 1

p 1 -- DATA
Getting Our Survey of the End-Time Line Straight

Warning
Selected Messages, bk. i, pp. 41-42 -- VARYING ATTITUDES ENUMERATED -- Soon every possible effort will be made to discount and pervert the truth of the testimonies of God's Spirit. We must have in readiness the clear, straight messages that since 1846 have been coming to God's people.

There wild be those once united with us in the faith who will search for new strange doctrines, for something odd and sensational to present to the people. They will bring in all conceivable fallacies, and will present them as coming from Mrs. White, that they may beguile souls....

Those who have treated the light that the Lord has given as a common thing will not be benefited by the instruction presented.

There are those who will misinterpret the messages that God has given, in accordance with their spiritual blindness.

Some will yield their faith, and will deny the truth of the messages, pointing to them as falsehoods.

Key Interpretive Principles
Letter 73, 1903 --
Some will hold them up to ridicule, working against the light that God has been giving for years, and some who are weak in the faith will thus be led astray.

But others will be greatly helped by the messages. Though not personally addressed, they will be corrected, and will be led to shun the evils specified.... The Spirit of the Lord will be in the instruction, and doubts existing in many minds will be swept away. The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture. Many will read with eagerness the messages reproving wrong, that they may learn what they may do to be saved.... Light will dawn upon the understanding, and the Spirit will make an impression on minds, as Bible truth is clearly and simply presented in the messages that since 1846 God has been sending His people. These messages are to find their place in hearts, and transformations will take place.

Selected Messages, bk. i, p. 57 -- THE USE OF THE TESTIMONIES -- Time and Place to be Considered --
Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely. Some matters must be withheld because some persons would make an improper use of the light given. Every jot and tittle is essential and must appear at an opportune time. In the past, the testimonies were carefully prepared before they were sent out for publication. And all matter is still carefully studied after the first writing.

Cicero - "Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to continue always a child." (Oration XXXIV)

p 2 -- THE END WAS NEAR

1878

TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH. Vol. 4, p. 306. -- PREPARATION FOR CHRIST'S COMING -- In the late vision given me at Battle Creek during our general camp-meeting, I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming assimilated to the world rather than to the image of Christ. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world; but it is the purpose of the adversary of souls to lead us to put far off the close of time. Satan will in every conceivable manner assail those who profess to be the commandment-keeping people of God, and to be waiting for the second appearing of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven with power anal great glory. He will lead as many as possible to put

1881

TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH, VoL. 5, p. 16 -- I would, at this time, sound the note of warning to those who shall assemble at our camp-meeting. The end of all things is at hand. My brethren, ministers, and laymen, I have been shown you must work in a different manner from what you have been in the habit of working. Pride, envy, self-importance, and unsanctified independence, have marred your labors. When men permit themselves to be flattered and exalted by Satan, the Lord can do little for them or through them. To what un

TESTIMONY FOR TM CHURCH, VOL. 5, p. 18 -- I have been shown that, as a people, we are departing from the simplicity of the faith, and from the purity of the gospel. Many are in great peril. Unless they change their course, they will be severed from the True Vine, as useless branches. Brethern and sisters, I have been shown that we are standing upon the threshold of the eternal world. We need now to gain victories at every step. Every good deed is as a seed sown, to bear fruit unto eternal life. Every success gained, places us on a higher round of the ladder of progress, and gives us spiritual strength for fresh victories. Every right action prepares the way for its repetition.

1885

TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH, VOL. 5, p. 382 -- cities, but into the highways and hedges. And now, my brethren who believe the truth, is your opportunity. We are standing, as it were, on the borders of the eternal world. We are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord; the night is far spent; the day is at hand.

Circa 1886

TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH, Vol. 5, p. 460 -- Vigilance and fidelity have been required of Christ's followers in every age; but now that we, are standing upon the very verge of the eternal world, holding the truths we do, having so great light, so important a work,

p 3 -- THE SUNDAY LAW - A "SECTION" CORNER

Circa 1886

TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH. VOL. 5, p. 451 -- No. 32 THE COMING CRISIS -- to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the decalogue. On this battle-field comes the last great conflict of the contorversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate his truth and his people.

By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.

TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCH, VOL. 5. p. 464-465 -- Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. We who occupy this solemn, responsible position, what are we doing, what are we thinking about, that we cling to our selfish love of ease, while souls are perishing around us? Have our hearts become utterly callous? Cannot we feel or understand that we have a work to do for the salvation of others? Brethren, are you of the class who having eyes see not, and having ears hear not? Is it in vain that God has given you a knowledge of his will? Is it in vain that he has sent you warning after warning? Do you believe the declarations of eternal truth concerning what is about to come upon the earth, do you believe that God's judgments are hanging over the people, and can you still sit at ease, indolent, careless, pleasure-loving?

It is no time now for God's people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure in the world.
The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seekmg expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize. Every talent lent of God should be used to his glory, in giving the warning to the world. God has a work for his co-laborers to do in the cities. Our missions must be sustained; new missions must be opened. To carry forward this work successfully will require no small outlay. Houses of worship are needed, where the people may be invited to hear the truths for this time. For this very purpose, God has entrusted a capital to his stewards. Let not your property be tied up in worldly enterprises, so that this work shall be hindered. Get your means where you can handle it for the benefit of the cause of God. Send your treasures before you into Heaven.

The members of the church should individually hold themselves and all their possessions upon the altar of God. Now, as never before, the Saviour's admonition is applicable: "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Those who are fastening their means in large houses, in lands, in worldly enterprises, are saying by their actions, "God cannot have it; I want it for myself." They have bound up their one talent in a napkin, and hid it in the earth. There is cause for such to be alarmed. Brethren, God has not intrusted means to you to lie idle, nor to be covetously retained or hid away, but to be used to advance his cause, to save the souls of the perishing. It is not the time now to bind up the Lord's money in your expensive buildings and your large enterprises, while his cause is crippled and left to beg its way, the treasury half-supplied. The Lord is not in this way of working. Remember, the day is fast approaching when it will be said, "Give an account of thy stewardship." Can you not discern the signs of the times?

p 4 -- A COMPARATIVE TIME LINE

p 5 -- SUNDAY LAWS and "LOUD CRY" (1888 - 1892)

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS p. 243 -- NATIONAL SUNDAY-REST BILL OF 1888 -- SENATE BILL No. 2983, INTRODUCED IN FIRST SESSION OF FIFTIETH CONGRESS, BY SENATOR H. W. BLAIR, MAY 21, 1888 -- BILL TO SECURE TO THE PEOPLE THE ENJOYMENT OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE LORD'S DAY, AS A DAY OF REST, AND TO PROMOTE ITS OBSERVANCE AS A DAY OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP (2)

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS p. 244 -- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That no person or corporation, or the agent, servant, or employee of any person or corporation, shall perform or authorize to be performed, any secular work, labor, or business, to the disturbance of others, works of necessity, mercy, and humanity excepted; nor shall any person engage in any play, game, or amusement, or recreation, to the disturbance of others, on the first day of the week, commonly known as the Lord's day....

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS p. 246 -- SUNDAY CLOSING OF THE CHICAGO EXPOSITION -- First National Sunday Legislation in the United States -- BILL APPROVED AUGUST 5, 1892 * -- And it is hereby declared that all appropriations herein made for, or pertaining to, the World's Columbian Exposition are made under the condition that the said exposition shall not be open to the public on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday; and if the said appropriations be accepted by the corporation of the State of Illinois, known as the World's Columbian Exposition, upon that condition, it shall be, and it is hereby made, the duty of the World's Columbian Commission, created by act of Congress of April 25, 1890, to make such rules or modification of the rules of said corporation as shall require the closing of the Exposition on the said first day of the week, commonly called Sunday.

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS p. 249 -- NATIONAL RELIGIOUS LEGISLATION -- Millan of Michigan, April 25, 1892; to Committee on District of Columbia; reported with amendments; not acted on. C. R. 23:3607, 4480.

H. R. 8367. "Prohibiting the sale and delivery of ice within the District of Columbia on the Sabbath day, commonly known as Sunday." Hemphill of South Carolina, April 25, 1892; to Committee on District of Columbia; reported back with amendments; passed House; not acted on in Senate. C. R. 23:3639, 4480.

H. R. 7520. Sundry Civil bill, loaning $5,000,000 to Chicago World's Fair, conditioned on Sunday closing. Approved August 5, 1892.

H. R. 9710. "To aid in carrying out an act of Congress to provide for celebrating the discovery of America" [with proviso for closing Columbian Exposition on Sundays]. Reilly of Pennsylvania, August 4, 1892; to Committee of the Whole House; passed House and Senate and received President Harrison's signature August 5, 1892. C. R. 23:7040, 7064-7, 7086, 7102.

Review & Herald, Nov. 22, 1892 -- Let every one who claims to believe that the Lord is soon coming, search the Scriptures as payer before; for Satan is determined to try every device possible to keep souls in darkness, and blind the mind to the perils of the times in which we are living. Let every believer take up his Bible with earnest prayer, that he may be enlightened by the holy Spirit as to what is truth, that he may know more of God and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Search for the truth as for hidden treasures, and disappoint the enemy. The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. For it is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to his disciples and in the wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men. Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of him.

p 6 -- SABBATH QUESTION AGITATION - 1889 - 1905

1889

T. Enright of the Redemptorist Fathers - Industrial American, Harlan, Iowa: -- "The Bible says: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,' but the Catholic Church says: 'No, keep the first day of the week,' and all the world bows in obedience." (January 19, 1889)

1893

The Christian Sabbath, (2nd Ed.; Baltimore: The Catholic Mirror [Official Organ of Cardinal Gibbons]) -- "The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday." (p. 29)

Dr. E. T. Hiscox, Baptist Clergyman and Author of the Baptist Manual in a paper read August 20, 1893 at Saratoga, NY, at a Baptist Ministers' Meeting. -- "Of course I quite well know that Sunday did come into use in early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from the Christian Fathers and other sources. But what a pity that it comes branded with the mark of Paganism, and Christened with the name of the Sun-god. Then adopted and sanctified by the Papal apostasy, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to Protestanism, and the Christian world...

1894

The Catholic World, a magazine of General Literature and Science, March, 1894. -- "The church took the pagan philosophy and made it the buckler of faith against the heathen. She took the Roman Pantheon, temple of all the gods, and made it sacred to all the martyrs; so it stands to this day. She took the pagan Sunday and made it the Christian Sunday...

"The sun was the foremost god with heathendom... Hence the church in these countries would seem to have said, 'Keep that old, pagan name. It shall remain consecrated, sanctified.' And thus the pagan Sunday, dedicated to Balder [White God of the Scandinavians], became the Christian Sunday sacred to Jesus." (p.809)

1895

A Letter from the Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons to J. F. Snyder of Bloomington, Illinois, Nov. 11, 1895. -- "Of course the Catholic Church claims the change was her act. It could not have been otherwise, as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and ecclesiatical without her. And the act is a mark of her ecclesiatical power and authority in religious matters."

1897

John Milner, a Roman Catholic Divine, to James Brown, a member of a Protestant Religious Society, Letter #11 in The End of Religious Controversy (New York: P. J. Kenedy) [After reviewing the history of the Sabbath from Creation through the life of Christ, Milner drew the following conclusion in his letter] -- "Yet with all of this weight of Scripture authority for keeping the Sabbath or seventh day holy, Protestants, of all denominations, make this a profane day and transfer the obligation of it to the first day of the week, or the Sunday. Now what authority have they for doing this? None at all, but the unwritten Word, or tradition of the Catholic church,..." (p. 89, Emphasis his)

p 7 -- SABBATH QUESTION AGITATION - 1889 - 1905 (CONTINUED)

1899

T Enright CssR, Kansas City, MO, June 16, 1899 (Catholic) -- "I hereby offer $1000, to anyone who can prove to me, from the Bible alone, that I am bound, under pain of grievous sin, to keep Sunday holy."

1902

Letter from T. Enright, dated April 26, 1902 from Detroit, MI. (Catholic) -- "I still offer $1000 to any one who can prove to me, from the Bible alone, that I am bound under pain of grievous sin, to keep Sunday holy. We keep Sunday in obedience to the law of the Catholic Church. The church made this law long after the Bible was written; hence the law is not in the Bible. The Catholic church abolished not only the Sabbath, but all the other Jewish Festivals."

1905

Letter from T. Enright, dated June, 1905 from St. Louis, MO. (Catholic) -- "I have offered and still offer $1000 to any one who can prove to me from the Bible alone, that I am bound, under grievous sin, to keep Sunday holy. It was the Catholic Church which made the law obliging us to keep Sunday holy. The church made this law long after the Bible was written. Hence said law is not in the Bible. Christ, our Lord empowered his church to make laws binding in conscience."

p 8 -- P. T. MEGAN'S PROTEST TO THE 1903 GC CONSTITUTION

1903 General Conference Bulletin, p. 150 -- P. T. Megan: I fully appreciate the gravity of this situation, and I have absolutely no intention of in any way filibustering or trying to use a little time in which to say nothing.

As a member of the minority of the Committee on Plans, and as a man, if I had not been on the Committee on Plans at all, I am conscientiously opposed to the proposed new constitution. I have always felt that the hardest place that any man could be put in this life is to have to stand conscientiously opposed to what the majority of his brethren believe to be right. To me it has always appeared to be a much easier thing to stand in a position of opposition to the world, and even to have to face a court of justice in the world, for your faith, than to have to face your brethren for your faith. And therefore I shall say to-day, as briefly and modestly as i know how, what I have to say.

The minority report expresses in a word the feelings which actuated the minority in making the report, because we believe that the constitution proposed by the majority of the committee appears to us to be so subversive of the principles of organization given to us at the General Conferences of 1897 and 1901. Those principles were given to us by the Spirit of God. In my judgment, and in the judgment of the minority of the committee, this constitution is absolutely subversive of those principles.

Further: The proposed new constitution reverses the reformatory steps that were taken, and the principles which were given, and which were adopted as the principles of reorganization, at the General Conferences of 1897 and 1901, and which were incorporated in the constitution of 1901.

Now, I am not here for a moment to state that the constitution of 1901 is a perfect one. To my mind, in many respects, it is very imperfect. To my mind, in many respects it is very clumsily drawn. But I have learned this, that all reforms come gradually; and in that constitution, clumsy though you may call it, defective though you may mark it, there are principles of reformation and reorganization for the head of this work which are right; and those principles are absolutely subverted and swept aside in the proposed new constitution.

It may be stated there is nothing in this new constitution which is not abundantly safeguarded by the provisions of it; but I want to say to you that any man who has ever read "Neandera History of the Christian Church," Mosheim's, or any of the other of the great church historians, - any man who has ever read those histories can come to no other conclusion but that the principles which are to be brought in through tthis proposed constitution, and in the way in which they are brought in, are the same principles, and introduced in precisely the same way, as they were hundreds of years ago when the Papacy was made.

Further: This whole house must recognize this, before we are through with this discussion, that the proposed new constitution, whatever improvements may be claimed for it, whatever advantages it may be stated that it contains, that, in principle, as far as the head of the work is concerned, it goes back precisely where we were before the reformatory steps of two years ago. I do not deny for a moment but what improvements have been made in the distribution of administrative power. I am heartily in favor of all that has been done in regard to Union Conferences, but I say that, as far as the head of the thing is concerned, as far as the general administration of things is concerned, though not couched in the same words, though not hedged about with the same identical language, they are precisely the same principles which governed us up to two years ago; and that the moment you vote this constitution, which I do not believe you are ready to do, yet, when you understand this, the moment you vote it you vote yourselves right back where we were two years ago and before it.

Another point: It is a fact which I do not believe any one in this house

End of Part 1 of the manuscript available.

To Part 2

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