The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Leonard Heinrich Kelber

In The Review and Herald, May 17, 1892, is an article from Pastor L. R. Conradi, of Hamburg, Germany, in which he says:— GSAM 88.3

“The most of our readers have perhaps heard of the noted Lutheran prelate Bengel, who in the last century [according to Schaff, Bengel died in 1751], fixed the time of our Lord’s appearing in the year 1836, his calculations being based on the number 666 in the Revelation. But long ere this time expired, another man began to write, a chief schoolmaster, named Leonard Heinrich Kelber. His first pamphlet appeared in 1824, called ‘The End Near,’ containing an exposition of Matthew 24 and 25. It was printed in Bavaria. But in 1835 a larger pamphlet, with the same title, appeared in Stuttgart, containing 126 pages. This will be of special interest, and to give our readers a better idea, I add a translation of the title page: ‘The End Comes, proven in a thorough and convincing manner from the word of God and the latest events; invalidating totally all prejudice against waiting for the coming of our Lord, or reckoning of the time; showing plainly how prelate Bengel erred seven years in reference to the great decisive year; for not 1836, but the year 1843, is the terminus, at which the great struggle between light and darkness will be finished, and the long-expected reign of peace of our Lord Jesus will commence on earth.’ GSAM 88.4

“A second edition appeared in 1841, also in Stuttgart, and as far as I know another in Saxony. As the title page indicates, the pamphlet, after meeting the common prejudices, shows in a clear and explicit manner the existing connection between the twenty-three hundred days of Daniel 8 and the seventy weeks of Daniel 9, and brings them to the year 1843 (Jewish 1843—ours 1844). Then in the remainder of the book he shows by the signs of the times that this event must be near. GSAM 89.1

“The fact that several editions appeared would alone testify to the interest it created. Brother Schäche, now living in Australia, saw an advertisement of it, even in the distant province of Silicia, and after ordering it, read it with great interest, behind locked doors. In the book no trace can be found that the author had any knowledge of any similar movement in the world, and yet by the Spirit of God he came to the same conclusions. GSAM 89.2

“In 1842 he wrote a still larger pamphlet of 286 pages, also at Stuttgart, on ‘Cardinal and Scriptural Thoughts Concerning the Creation and Duration of the World; or a thorough answer to the question: Why God has created the world in six successive days—the nearness of our Lord to judge antichrist—the great and joyful events of the year 1843.’ “ GSAM 89.3