The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Invited to Oswego County, N.Y

As the result of the circulation of Elder Bates’s tract among the Adventists, persons in other States began the observance of the Sabbath. Hiram Edson, of Port Gibson, N.Y., wrote inviting Elder and Mrs. White and others to attend a conference of Sabbath-keepers in Volney, Oswego County, in August, 1848. He said that the brethren were generally poor and he could not promise that they would do much toward defraying expenses. Elder White had received $40 as the result of labor performed in the hay field. A part of this was spent in purchasing clothing which was greatly needed, and the remainder paid their way to Volney and return. GSAM 267.4

This conference in western New York was held in Mr. Arnold’s carriage house. There were about thirty-five persons present, all that could be collected in that part of the State, but hardly two of these were agreed. Each was strenuous for his own views, declaring that they were according to the Bible. All were anxious to advance their sentiments and to preach them. They were told that Elder White and his wife had not come so great a distance to hear them, but had come to teach them the truth. Mr. Arnold held that the one thousand years of Revelation 20 were in the past, and that the one hundred and forty-four thousand mentioned in Revelation were those raised at Christ’s resurrection. GSAM 268.1