The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

VII. Snow-Initiator of Seventh-Month Movement

Before launching into the recital of the great seventh-month movement, let us first become acquainted with the two men who were in the forefront in bringing this remarkable development into being-the final phase of the Millerite movement. These were Samuel S. Snow of New York City, and George Storrs, usually associated with Albany, New York. PFF4 801.1

SAMUEL S. SNOW (1806-1870) was born in Connecticut. Converted at seventeen, he joined the Congregational Church but later lapsed into infidelity. Early in 1840 his brother induced him to read a secondhand copy of Miller’s Lectures, bought from a peddler, in the hope of helping Samuel’s skepticism. This it did, and Snow soon became a close student of the Adventist writings. Later, after becoming an independent preacher, he began to herald the imminent second advent of Christ. He was gripped by the tremendous truth that our Saviour is returning soon, and in 1843 offered his services to the Millerites, and was ordained by them at the Worcester, Massachusetts, Adventist Conference in 1843. ⁴² PFF4 801.2

He held the usual positions on the great outline prophecies and their related time periods. But he made an intensive study of the Mosaic tabernacle service types, the chronology of the 70 weeks, and the crucifixion date, and was intrigued by them. In January, 1844, he invited J. V. Himes to New York City, to begin a course of lectures in Franklin Hall. And Snow himself grew in preaching power. However, in time friction developed locally over his conviction that the great 2300-year period would not end until the autumn, rather than by the spring, of 1844. And this criticism was despite the fact that in May of 1843 Miller had called attention through the leading Adventist papers to the types of the Mosaic law, and how the vernal types had been fulfilled exactly at the first advent. ⁴³ PFF4 802.1

Miller had expressed his conviction that the seventh month, or autumnal types, would be similarly fulfilled at the second advent. Snow, however, was more positive and specific, believing that the autumnal types would be fulfilled just as meticulously as to the day (the Day of Atonement) in connection with the second advent. At first he was not entirely clear as to the year—whether “1843” or “1844”—but he was fully persuaded as to the autumnal aspect. So in February, 1844, Snow began to present his convictions publicly, stressing the end of the 2300 years, and of the other periods of Miller’s customary list, as destined to occur in the autumn of 1844. PFF4 802.2

During January and February he had been preaching on the fall of Babylon and the coming of the Lord, as the Bridegroom to the “marriage,” on the tenth day of the seventh (Jewish) month, 1844. However, there was but little interest or response at the time. In April he located his family in Worcester and went to New York, where hostility had lessened concerning the preaching of the seventh month of 1844—Miller’s “Jewish year 1843” having then expired. After three weeks in New York, Brooklyn, and Newark he went on to Philadelphia upon request of George Storrs. In May he returned to Worcester, remaining until July 21. Then, by invitation, Snow preached that day in the large Boston Tabernacle on the text, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh (on the tenth day of the seventh month), go ye out to meet him!” PFF4 802.3

This began to arouse some from their apathy. But soon after, at the large Exeter, New Hampshire, camp meeting—August 12-17—he gave three remarkable discourses, to be noted more fully soon. The first was on the 1844 ending of the great prophetic time periods; the second on the Mosaic sanctuary service types, and their antitypical fulfillment in the Christian dispensation; and the third on the date of Christ’s crucifixion in the “midst” of the seventieth prophetic week, which therefore brought an end of the 70 weeks in the seventh month of A.D. 34. And in consequence, the close of the 2300 years would similarly extend to the seventh month of 1844, which equated largely with the month of October. PFF4 803.1

Snow’s presentation, wholeheartedly received by the encampment, at first encountered marked reserve on the part of the prominent leaders not present at the camp. (Miller and Himes, it should be stated, were both out in Ohio at this time, and were troubled over this innovation back East.) The same attitude of coolness was true of the leading Adventist periodicals, which they controlled. Nevertheless, the “seventh month” message spread with seemingly irresistible power. One by one the outstanding leaders joined in the swelling chorus. PFF4 803.2

Meanwhile, Snow had published the True Midnight Cry (four pages), at Haverhill, Massachusetts, on August 22, filled with brief but conclusive arguments. These were designed to prove the ending of the time periods and the fulfillment of the types of the atonement and the jubilee on the tenth day of the seventh month, of which the 22nd day of October, 1844, was recognized as its civil equivalent. This True Midnight Cry was scattered everywhere in varying forms—in special reprints and incorporated as feature articles in the various papers. These were distributed, according to the record, by the “hundreds of thousands.” PFF4 803.3

This really amazing movement, starting at the Exeter camp, spread quickly throughout the other Millerite camps and general meetings. Preaching “the time,” or the “definite time,” as taught by Snow, was soon taken up by hundreds of Millerite leaders. Snow himself lectured continuously throughout the East. His last sermon before the Disappointment was given in the Boston Tabernacle to a turbulent crowd, agitated by hostile rowdies. Bliss and Himes were present. Snow then returned home to Worcester for the “appointed day.” This will introduce Snow. And as George Storrs was perhaps second in influence in giving impetus to this seventh-month movement, let us become acquainted with him. PFF4 804.1