In presenting to the  public this synopsis of our faith, we wish to have it distinctly understood  that we have no articles of faith, creed, or discipline, aside from the  Bible. We do not put forth this as having any authority with our people, nor  is it designed to secure uniformity among them, as a system of faith, but is  a brief statement of what is, and has been, with great unanimity, held by  them. We often find it necessary to meet inquiries on this subject, and  sometimes to correct false statements circulated against us, and to remove  erroneous impressions, which have obtained with those who have not had an  opportunity to become acquainted with our faith and practice. Our only object  is to meet this necessity.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we desire simply  that our position shall be understood and we are the more solicitous for this  because there are many who call themselves Christians who hold views with  which we can have no sympathy, some of which, we think, are subversive of the  plainest and most important principles set forth in the word of God. As  compared with other Christians, Seventh-day Adventists differ from one class  in believing in the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destruction  of the unrepentant wicked; from another, in believing in the perpetuity of  the law of God  as summarily contained in the ten commandments, in the  operation of the Holy Spirit in the church, and in setting no times for the  second coming to occur; from all, in the observance of the seventh day of the  week as the Sabbath of the Lord, and in many applications the prophetic scriptures.

With these remarks, we ask the attention of the reader to the  following propositions, which aim to be a concise statement of the more  prominent features of our faith...