The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

I. Society Formed to Investigate Last-Day Prophecies

James H. Frere in 1826 conceived the idea of forming the Society for the Investigation of Prophecy. He wrote out suggestive rules for such an organization and prepared an opening address. He even obtained the consent of Edward Irving, a frequent visitor at his house, James Stratton, and Thomas White-all ministers-to become members of such a prophetic study group. Then the thought occurred to him that if God really desired such an organization formed He would also impress someone else with its need. So he let the matter rest. PFF3 498.2

Not long after, Lewis Way, then minister of the English church in Paris, came to England on a visit, and sent word that he wished to see Irving. Frere accompanied him. Way at once told Irving, Hawtrey, secretary of the Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews, and Frere, of his burden to “impress upon the church the duty of studying the Prophetic Scriptures with reference to the Second Coming of Our Lord.” After obtaining their consent to join in such an endeavor, Way secured lodgings near Frere, that they might study the Apocalypse together. And under Way’s signature the summons was sent out for the first meeting of its kind in June, 1826 ¹ PFF3 498.3

So the Society for the Investigation of Prophecy came into being, formed for the express purpose of studying “the speedy-coming of our Lord, and the judgments about to come upon the Empire, and the Apostate Church, of Rome,” and in believed fulfillment of the demand of Revelation 14:8 and 18:3 ² Periodic meetings and prepared papers were part of the plan. This was now the third organization-along with the Society for the Pro motion of Christianity Amongst the Jews and the Continental Society-having kindred objectives, and all concerned over the prophecies. PFF3 499.1

The Prophecy Investigation Society was still flourishing in 1848. A four-page “Private” notification slip lists all members and officers, as of May, 1848. It tabulates thirteen governing “Rules,” and gives the subjects and speakers of the large semi annual meeting for April, with notification of a similar meeting in November. The three-day spring conference is scheduled, beginning April 24, at St. George’s, Bloomsbury. A whole series of semiweekly lectures at St. George’s for the “Spring Course” is also tabulated, with subjects and speakers listed between February 23 and April 24, 1849 ³ Meetings in the homes of the various members are also scheduled, the “President for the day” being the clergyman at whose house the meeting was to be held. The one to speak was given a month’s notice. PFF3 499.2

The Rules limit the membership to fifty, one fifth of whom might be laymen. In addition to such familiar names as Birks, Haldane Stewart, Pym, Marsh, Bickersteth, White, Baylee, Frere, Hoare, Brock, Elliott, and M’Neile, are many other clergymen, including the Bishop of Cashel. These were stationed all over Britain. Among the members were the Duke of Manchester, Sir Thomas Blomfield, and J. P. Plumptre, M. P. Several naval and military leaders are included-Rear Admiral Hope, Capt. F. E. V. Harcourt, R.N., and Capt. John Trotter of the army. PFF3 499.3

The “subjects for investigation” all bear on prophecy, the impending crisis, and the second advent, the coming kingdom being the keynote. PFF3 500.1