The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

VI. Hutchinson-Canadian Representative and Editor

Another able editor was RICHARD HUTCHINSON, M.D., of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. He was sent from Canada to an institute in England for special theological training, was ordained in 1837, and returned in 1838 to Stanstead, in Canada, as a Wesleyan Methodist missionary. While stationed at St. Armand, Canada East (Quebec), from 1840-1842, he heard the message of Christ’s soon coming and accepted it fully in 1842. He proceeded to spread it in the Wesleyan community, with inevitable complications. He was a talented and forceful preacher, serving in various parts of Canada, and was an indefatigable and fruitful worker. He published The Voice of Elijah at and near Montreal (Sherbrooke, C.E.), to herald the advent message, and was the Joshua V. Himes of Canada. Large quantities of this journal were distributed throughout the provinces of Canada and sent to the United Kingdom overseas for distribution, where some interests were awakened. ¹⁵ Some even reached Australia, with good effect. Perhaps more than any other Millerite journal, it was used for foreign distribution. PFF4 635.3

Before this, Hutchinson’s ministerial superiors had pressed him to keep silent. But his testimony on the imminent second advent and the consummation of the prophetic outlines in his day was a matter of deep conviction. So he conscientiously continued his witness, notwithstanding admonitions to the contrary. Large “inroads” on the Methodist societies resulted. And a strong censure was recorded against him by the district conference for endeavoring to introduce two advent lecturers among the Wesleyans of Montreal in defiance of the admonition by the chairman, and for industriously circulating Adventist publications among the people. ¹⁶ So Hutchinson withdrew from the Methodist ministry and came over to the States in 1843, but soon returned to Canada, to promulgate his newly espoused faith. PFF4 636.1

He issued A Brief Statement of Facts, for the Consideration of the Methodist People, and the Public in General, Particularly of Eastern Canada. This tract traces the identification of the Papacy as the Antichrist of prophecy, and cites the witness of the Waldenses, Wyclifites, Hussites, and Art. 31 of the Confession of Faith of Rochelle, in 1603. It is a plea to reject and withdraw from the marks and the spirit of Antichrist in Protestantism as well as in the Papacy. PFF4 636.2

1. Two TRACTATES ON THE PROPHECIES

Two pamphlets were published by Hutchinson at Montreal in 1843. One was entitled The Throne of Judah Perpetuated in Christ. It submits evidence that the “sublime event” of the second advent “is nigh at hand, even at the door,” It rejects the popular return of the Jews thesis, and climaxes with the “seven times” (or 2520 years), from the captivity of Manasseh, thus terminating them in “1843.” This great period, he holds, comprehends the “entire prophetic existence of the four great monarchies of the earth, constituting the whole imperial and kingly dynasty of the Gentile world, after the supremacy of the Jewish Theocracy ceased.” ¹⁷ In support he cites Matthew Habershon of the Advent Awakening in Britain. ¹⁸ The second prophetic line is the 2300 years of Daniel 8:14, which follows the usual Millerite pattern of exposition, likewise climaxing in 1843. PFF4 636.3

2. HOLDS STANDARD MILLERITE POSITIONS

The second treatise, The Abrahamic Covenant, was issued in 1843 in Montreal and reprinted in Nottingham, England, in 1844, under a similar title, The Abrahamic Inheritance. This covers much the same ground as the other pamphlet, discussing the relationship of the 70 weeks to the 2300. The various component parts of the 70 weeks are discussed. Like Miller, he placed the cross in A.D. 33, at the end of the 70th week. Hutchinson stressed the second advent as the sole “Hope of Israel”—the only restoration of Israel remaining is to take place at Christ’s return. Then the “land of Canaan” will become an everlasting possession of the saints. ¹⁹ PFF4 637.1