Dear Aunt Ellen, Uh, my friend says you Adventists hate Catholics. Is that true? -Becky

My dearest Becky,

Allow me to praise the Lord for your inquiry. My sincerest hope is that my answer will put the best possible construction upon the course of our brethren. I have been dead… pardon me … sleeping for nearly a century. But I cannot lie still while this inquiry goes unanswered!

I can see that your friend’s interest in this subject was aroused by figures drawn from the surroundings of their daily life, such as the local theater, or their penny press newspaper. I beseech you to open your heart to the Lord’s everlasting truth.

As I said on my favorite book The Great Controversy: “The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments.” We Seventh-day Adventists do not have contempt over Catholics. Sure, they will force everyone into their Papal dogma, persecuting brothers and sisters who believe otherwise, but we have no contempt.

Let us remember how forbearing and patient Christ was with the erring children of men, such as the Papacy. Let us love one another. Let us have harmony and union throughout our ranks. Let us have our hearts sanctified to God. Let us read our English Bibles before the Papacy burns all but the Latin ones.

EGW

