The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Churches Seeking Lost Members

The tenth day of the seventh month had passed, and the churches thought they were going to have an easy time regaining lost members, who had been separated from them under the “midnight cry” and the second angel’s message; but in this they were greatly disappointed, as will be shown by the following reply to the importunities to return to their former organizations, as given in the Midnight Cry of Dec. 26, 1844:— GSAM 193.2

“But what are the facts? They well know that in the great mass of these churches the prominent themes are, ‘The world’s conversion,’ ‘a thousand years’ millennium,’ and ‘the return of the Jews to Palestine,’ before the personal advent of the Savior. Those that go back to sit under the lullaby songs of such unscriptural, unreasonable doctrines, do it with eyes open; and such a course on their part will be ‘going back,’ indeed. GSAM 193.3

“Having become ‘free’ in a scriptural sense, it is much more safe to ‘press forward’ than either to ‘go back’ or to ‘draw back,’ especially at this time, when the crown of glory is so soon to be given to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” GSAM 194.1

The course of the churches in putting off the coming of the Lord by the advocacy of the above unscriptural doctrines, suggested to the Adventists these words of the prophet Ezekiel: “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.” In the same connection is found the reply which the Adventists used, “Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God: There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.” ²⁰ GSAM 194.2