Summary

In summing up the facts presented concerning these Sabbath-keeping bodies which continued through the Dark Ages, we reach the following conclusions:ChSa 149.2

1. The Waldenses (at least a large portion of them) who sought retired places in the valleys of the mountains, to be able to worship God according to the ancient practice of the church and according to the Bible, kept the ancient Sabbath till persecuted by the Catholic Church and almost exterminated.ChSa 149.3

2. The Abyssinian Church, shut away from the papal church for a thousand years, when discovered were found observing the seventh day of the week as the early Christians did. But as soon as the Catholics got power to do so, they at once abased the Sabbath, and would not allow it to be observed while they remained in the kingdom.ChSa 149.4

3. The Armenian Christians, also shut away from the Roman Church for the same length of time, when visited by Europeans, were found keeping the seventh day, or Saturday, according to the ancient practice of believers during the first centuries. But true to their hatred of the Sabbath, as soon as the Roman priests could do so, they had the cruel Inquisition brought in to abolish by torture the practice of keeping the ancient memorial of creation. So also was it in many other countries. It is the same old story in every instance.ChSa 149.5

We have now followed for fifteen centuries the work of the Roman Catholic Church in its continued, persevering effort to overthrow the Sabbath which God commanded, and to elevate the Sunday, the weekly memorial of sun worship. The first form of idolatry, into its place, transforming it into a Christian institution; and we see, but one purpose throughout. This work always centered at Rome, from the time the first step was taken turning the Sabbath into a fast to disgrace it. While making Sunday a joyful festival, till we reach the famous roll “which came down from heaven,” threatening destruction upon those who should “fail to keep the Lord’s day;” yes, continuing even till the present day, since Protestants have joined in the same work of elevating Sunday. We cannot question the fact that the papal church changed the Sabbath. But lest any should think we have unfairly judged that church in thus speaking, we propose to give the testimony of many Catholic writers themselves on this subject.ChSa 149.6