Sabbath, a Snake, and Some Wolves—Part 2

The following story was published in KidsView, Summer 2011. This concludes the series we started last month, so make sure you read last month’s first part before this one–Editor.

Merritt began to walk in the direction the wagon train had gone. It was about two hours before sunset. Suddenly he saw a wolf. He could see it at a distance, but he knew that if the wolf continued on its path, it would soon pick up his scent. Merritt decided to hide in the bushes and hope that the wolf would change direction. The wolf sniffed the air and then the ground. It began tracking Merritt, coming closer and closer. Even though Merritt was completely hidden, the wolf seemed to know where he was. Closer. Sniff. Closer. Soon the wolf was almost in front of where Merritt was hiding. Thinking fast, Merritt jumped out of the bushes and fired his gun.

Startled, the wolf ran a short distance and then stopped and looked back. Merritt was so nervous that he shot his gun into the air again. This time the wolf ran off out of sight. Heart pounding, Merritt sank to the ground in relief. First a snake, then a wolf. He decided just to stay hidden until the Sabbath ended. It would be safe that way, he hoped.

An hour later two more wolves picked up his trail, and they also began to track toward Merritt’s hiding place. This time he didn’t let them get close. Firing his gun into the air, both wolves bolted for the woods. Merritt bolted too, but in the opposite direction. Reaching the road just as the sun was setting, he took off running and didn’t stop until he had caught up to his wagon train about 10:30 that night.

Captain Parks never asked Merritt to travel on the Sabbath again, and everyone in the wagon train camped during the Sabbath hours. Merritt was glad he was able to share the importance of the Sabbath with those he traveled with during that journey. He eventually reached the state of California and became the first Adventist to live there.

Years later Merritt went back East to become a doctor. While he was there, he asked the church to send missionaries to California. They did, and Merritt soon joined them. They held many tent meetings, and Merritt also spoke to the people about healthy living. Many were baptized, and a new Seventh-day Adventist church was started.

Merritt Kellogg was one of the Adventist Church’s first pioneers. He was one of 16 children, and two of his brothers are probably more widely known. His brother John Harvey was a doctor who built a very large hospital in Michigan in the early 1900s that many famous people went to for better health. John, along with another brother, Will Keith, invented cornflakes. Will began the Kellogg cereal company—the same company that makes all kinds of cereal today, including cornflakes.

If you missed the first part of this story, visit https://www.adventistworld.org/sabbath-a-snake-and-some-wolves-part-1/.

Bible Treasure

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. (Psalm 34:7-9, NIV)