The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

II. Bliss-Able Editor of “Signs of the Times”

Some who espoused the second advent cause had marked preaching gifts; others were successful in the writing of books and tracts, reviews and criticisms, and careful studies and replies in the papers. One of the latter was SYLVESTER BLISS (1814-1863), ablest of the Millerite editors, and a Congregationalist scholar from Hartford, Connecticut. Awakened by the advent message, he investigated all of its ramifications until fully persuaded of its fundamental truth. He had received a liberal education, and was a member of the Historical Society of Boston. He possessed fine literary discernment, and was both careful and skilled with his citation of authors and authorities, and accurate in his references to history. He was therefore particularly well fitted to examine critically and to analyze discerningly the theological questions that were raised. Blisg, painstakingly studied the writings of the chief opposers of the—, second advent positions, and threw his talents into the theo—*5* logical combat, taking the aggressive as well as defending the bulwarks of the Millerite faith. He was courteous and Christian, but very effective. PFF4 631.1

A few introductory articles for the Signs of the Times made his gifts and qualifications so apparent that he was appointed assistant editor in November, 1842. After serving for two years in that position, he was made the responsible editor, later changing the name of the Signs to that of the Advent Herald. He was also the business agent of the publishers. Bliss was a devout and faithful Christian and a good logician as well as an able theologian, with a discriminating mind. He conducted his paper with conspicuous ability, and under his management it became a mine of important Biblical, historical, prophetic, and critical information. He studiously avoided the sensational, the unreliable, and the speculative, as well as the opinions of novices and erratics. ⁵ He was also the leading editor of the scholarly Millerite quarterly, Advent Shield, and later edited the Memoirs of Miller (1853). PFF4 631.2

So he came to write an effective defense literature, reviewing with ability and candor the lectures of Nathaniel Colver against the views of Miller. The same was true of the O. E. Daggett sermon, designed to overthrow faith in the second advent, as well as the works of Drs. Weeks and Jarvis, and particularly the attack of Dr. George Bush, who reputedly denied the personal advent and the literal resurrection of the dead. He likewise answered Professor Sandborn, who similarly challenged a personal advent, the reign of Christ, and the doctrine of the restitution. Among the works of Bliss are the larger Commentary on the Revelation, The Time of the End, Analysis of Sacred Chronology, and many smaller treatises-some twenty-six in all. PFF4 632.1