The Advent Herald, and Signs of the Times Reporter [Himes], vol. 8
November 20, 1844
Vol. VIII. No. 15. Boston, Whole No. 185
Joshua V. Himes
THE ADVENT HERALD,
AND SIGNS OF THE TIMES REPORTER.
BEHOLD! THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!! GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM!!!
VOL. VIII. NO. 15. Boston, Wednesday, November 20, 1844. WHOLE NO. 185. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.1
THE ADVENT HERALD
IS PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY
J. V. HIMES,
AT NO. 14 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON.
J. V. Himes, S. Bliss, & A. Hale, Editors. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.2
Terms.—One Dollar per Volume, of 26 Numbers. Five Dollars for 6 Copies. Ten Dollars for 13 Copies. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.3
All communications for the Advent Herald, or orders for Books or remittances, should be directed to “J. V. Himes, Boston, Mass,” post paid. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.4
Post Masters are authorized by the Post Office Department to forward free of expense orders for, or to discontinue publications, and also money to pay for the same HST November 20, 1844, page 113.5
THE “CHRISTIAN WATCHMAN.”
The unparallel depravity of its course in reference to the Adventists—its falsehoods—injustice—duty of all friends of truth and justice! HST November 20, 1844, page 113.6
To the Editors of the Advent Herald— HST November 20, 1844, page 113.7
Dear Brethren,—If my astonishment and grief at the course taken by professedly “Christian” ministers, churches, and editors, towards those who are “looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior” had not been raised before to their greatest possible height, they certainty must have reached that point by the articles on “Millerisin,” in the Christian Watchman of November 1st and 8th inst. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.8
The inquisitorial malignity—the disregard of all decency—the studied contempt evinced in the remarks and false statements of those articles, for those, who, in the very worst light in which they can be viewed, should call forth a Christian’s pity, demand that I should say a few words upon them in your columns. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.9
And allow me to begin by referring a little to the past, to show that the interest I feel is not without its reasons. It is well known that the Watchman is a principal organ of the Baptist church, and in that church I was brought up. An account of my father’s life and death, as a worthy and successful servant of Jesus Christ, stands upon the pages of one of its periodicals. It is among the most distinct recollections of childhood and the fire-side, that the Baptists were once permitted to bear reproach for the truth’s sake, perhaps as much as the “Millerites” do now. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.10
Some of the first instances of their administering the ordinance of baptism in my native town, were honored by the presence of a party, near the shore, with drum, fife, and swivel, in full operation, all of which was borne with so much Christian patience, that, with other reasons, I was led to associate a Baptist and a disciple of Christ together as one and the same thing. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.11
But I have learned since, and particularly by the history of the Adventists, that this was only for want of farther experience. I now see that there are Baptists who can act as unworthily towards their Advent brethren, as the enemies of the Baptists have towards them—that Baptist ministers, even, do very much as other people do who are notorious for telling lies. And perhaps it will be seen, too, that the opinion they have expressed to the world of the honesty of their brethren is the most natural that could have been expected. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.12
I have always regarded it as a peculiar honor to the Baptists that Mr. Miller should be of their number, though it is not improbable that that is the reason why some of his brethren feel in duty bound to cherish a peculiar hatred to his views of prophecy. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.13
The leader and special agent in promoting such a feeling, it is well known, is “J. Dowling, A. M.,” etc. etc. He has the honor of being the first to enter the lists against Mr. Miller, and his “Reply to Miller” is worthy of the first place among the many remarkable productions which have appeared on that side of the question. They have uniformly given evidence that their authors knew not what they were about, and while they were loud in speaking of Mr. M.’s “ignorance,” it was clear that this was only an attempt to hide their own fault by ascribing it to him. And everybody knows that a man who speaks of things he understands not is very likely to say that which is not true. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.14
And well do I remember the interest I felt on the appearance of Mr. D.’s “Reply,” to know its contents, and also the disgust that filled my mind on finding that he had shown his incapacity for his task, by his “ignorance,” or disregard of what he should have known to be the truth. This work has done more, probably, to open the eyes of those who had eyes, and to poison those who had not, in the Baptist church, than any other work on the Advent question. The author was under the necessity of making out a whole clustor of misstatements, or improvements of Scripture, in order to make out what he calls “the absurdity upon which Mr. Miller builds his whole theory of the coming of Christ in 1843,” viz. “that the little horn of Daniel 8. sprung out of one of the four horns upon the head of the goat, more than a century before the goat had any existence.” Dowling’s Reply to Miller, p. 19. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.15
Nothing could be farther from the truth than to ascribe this “absurdity” to Mr. Miller, and although this misstatement of his views, on which the Reply is chiefly based, has been pointed out, the falsehood has never been confessed, but, on the other hand, the exposure seems only to have aroused every element of depravity in the heart of its author, into greater activity. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.16
However, in every one of its manifestations, so far, the malignity of the inquisitor has been so much more apparent than the zeal of the defender of the faith—wounded pride than scriptural piety, and personal resentment than love for the truth, that, whether the author of the “Reply,” may have appeared in disguise as the correspondent of the “Baptist Advocate,” of the “N. Y. Commercial Advertiser,” or the “Watchman,” his mark is never absent from his communications if his proper signature is. And whether he volunteers the sanction of his name and influence to the slander about “ascension robes,” or gives publicity to the heresy of “the Unitarian Publisher of the Midnight Cry,” warns his countrymen of the intended “mission of the Millerites to England,” by despatching a message of falsehood and slander beforehand, or stands forth as a public mourner for deceased Advent “babies” that are still living, it is very easy to see that the evil spirit is punishing his poor victim by making every one of his efforts to save himself the means of sinking him deeper and deeper in the mire. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.17
If Dr. Breckenridge could say of the “Reply,” that “it can have no other effect, except to bring the whole subject of the prophecies into ridicule, or to promote the cause it attacks,” what can be said of the sleepless malice which has seized upon every opportunity to vent itself by “more shallow, absurd and worthless” efforts down to the present time? HST November 20, 1844, page 113.18
We make this special reference to Mr. D. because his position has an important relation to the spirit and practice of the Watchman, and of the anti-advent portion of the Baptists generally. He is the leader, they make up the army. He is the oracle, they respond to his annunciations,—they repeat his falsehoods, give currency to his slanders, and the members of the Baptist Church, in your city and elsewhere, who have been known to express the most deadly mob spirit of late, towards the Adventists, have no doubt been misled by him. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.19
A prominent place among his subalterns in this crusade, is occupied by the Watchman. And if the possession of his spirit entitles it to consideration; it should have the first. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.20
We here give a short catalogue of its statements, which look very much like the statements of other people, when they tell downright lies:— HST November 20, 1844, page 113.21
No. 1. That “On Tuesday evening in the Millerite Church, corner of Chrystie and Delancey streets, Mr. Storrs publicly recanted his egregious folly and madness in the matter of the second advent.” And, HST November 20, 1844, page 113.22
No. 2. That “Himes next took the stand in the confessional, and forgetting, we presume, that he had been both the deceived and the deceiver, rated the people pretty harshly for their infatuation, and urged them all to go home and to work, and stepped down from the rostrum.” Hundreds of witnesses could be found to prove that “Himes” was as far from “the Millerite Church at the corner of Chrystie and Delancy streets,” on the evening he is said to have been there, as Portland, Me, is from the city of New York. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.23
No. 3. That the editor of the Watchman will “publish no unfavorable report of their affairs (Mr. Himes’ or Mr. Bliss’) without indisputable proof.”—The contents of the same paper gave the lie to this assertion, as will be seen by the following:— HST November 20, 1844, page 113.24
No. 4. That a “shoe maker in Division street, began to give away all his stock, but his son came in during the process and caused him to be sent to an insane hospital till the excitement of his mind was abated.” HST November 20, 1844, page 113.25
No. 5. That “in New York and in Brooklyn, vast sums have been given up by those who imagine that the end of all things is at hand.” 7 HST November 20, 1844, page 113.26
No. 6. That “two sweet little children, through exposure to the cold and damp night air in a camp, near Philadelphia, where their misguided parents, with a multitude of other victims of the delusion, had been encamped for two or three nights, awaiting the end of the world, were found perfectly cold, stiff, and dead.” HST November 20, 1844, page 113.27
So much as a specimen of the Watchman’s regard for truth. The public can judge of the rest. I now, call the attention of your readers to the “justice” and generosity of the editor of the “Christian Watchman“: HST November 20, 1844, page 113.28
“How far this delusion has been made use of by designing knaves for sinister purposes, it is impossible to say, but that it has been so used to a considerable extent, there can be no doubt. Its unfortunate votaries have thrown in their gold and silver and bank bills, as well as watches and jewelry, without requiring any account from their leaders, some of whom have also conducted an extensive and profitable trade, in books, and if report be true, they have thus amassed large sums of money. An individual, well known in this city, formerly a preacher of the sect called Christ-ians, is said to be in possession of a large amount of money obtained by the influence of this excitement; and public indignation has been much excited against him in consequence. We can hardly conceive of a character more entirely depraved, more completely lost to every obligation of justice and honesty, to say nothing of religion, than the man who would receive the spoils of his fellow-men by bringing them under the influence of a delusion so destructive and pernicious. That such a man should feel the scorn and contempt of every honorable mind, is to be expected, when his character is known; but a more fearful reckoning awaits him at lust, unless he repents of his sin, and obtains forgiveness of his God.”—Nov. 1. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.29
Again:— HST November 20, 1844, page 113.30
“Some of the crafty and designing men who have for years past been supported by the voluntary contributions of men and women, who were simpletons enough to believe their assertions that the world was coming to an end in April 1843, or in October, 1844, and therefore property would be of no further use, have doubtless found this preaching and publishing Millerism to be too profitable a business to give it up so easily.” HST November 20, 1844, page 113.31
And again:— HST November 20, 1844, page 113.32
“Part of this money has doubtless been expended in publishing the worse than useless trash, with which the city has been flooded by hundreds of thousands of copies, under the names of Bible Examiner, Midnight Cry, True Midnight Cry, etc. etc., confidently predicting the end on the 22nd or 23rd of October. The leaders in the delusion doubtless understand, better than you or I, what has become of the remainder.” HST November 20, 1844, page 113.33
Once more:— HST November 20, 1844, page 113.34
“As to the lenders, I would charitably hope that some of them are themselves deceived, that they are too pitiably norant to know any better. I cannot hope thus charitably of them all. As I looked upon the receding form of the notorious Himes, as he left the house shortly before the close of the morning, after advising them hold no more public meetings till Christ came, but [original illegible] of Isaiah ‘to enter into their chambers, till the indignation be overpast,’ I could not resist the impression, that this device was adapted to an artful expedient, to avoid the indignation of an outraged community, which probably he feared would overtake him, if he should stay long enough in the city to witness the failure of his own prediction.”—Nov. 8. HST November 20, 1844, page 113.35
All this libelous slander is spread before the public by this Christian Watchman, serving to add to “the excitement already tremendous,” and while scattering fire-brands, arrows, and death, exclaims with an air of evident satisfaction, “Trouble among the Millerites!” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.1
And now mark its “justice,” when called upon to correct these infamous aspersions upon personal character, gathered from “report.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.2
“Messrs. J.V.Himes and Sylvester Bliss have called on us since the appearance of our last paper, complaining of the severity of our remarks in an article on ‘the end of Millerism,’ in its bearing on the ‘advent leaders,’ denying the truth of the reports there alluded to, and exhibiting a copy of the ‘Morning Post’ of Saturday last, and of the ‘Daily Mail’ of Monday, containing two or three columns of denials, affidavits, etc. with the request that we would copy it, as an ‘amends honorable,’ to use the words of Mr. Himes. As we have published none of the reports alluded to in that article, we felt under no obligation to copy it.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.3
One more specimen of its justice and generosity shall suffice:— HST November 20, 1844, page 114.4
“The operations of Mr. Himes have been extended over a wide space, north, west and south, and he declares in the most solemn manner that they have all been fairly and faithfully conducted. If this can be made to appear, it certainly ought to be done.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.5
But why should we be surprised? is it not all natural that such a judgement should be formed in the case by such men? HST November 20, 1844, page 114.6
The abominable wickedness of another class of your enemies, nominally, appears in the following extract from one of the most-respectable daily papers in your city:—“The blasphemous wood cut represention of the ‘End of the World’—accompanied by extracts from Miller’s letter, and other advent documents, which has been hawked about the streets, during the week, past is said; upon good authority, to have originated in the office of a venal print, which has done its best to excite mob violence against the Adventists, and has even now the hardihood to charge the odious wood cuts upon them as an additional incitement of public indignation.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.7
And is there not too much reason to suppose that the class of enemies now under consideration are in the same condemnation? You are spoken of by them as “designing knaves,” etc., etc., because it is “reported” that you have found this preaching and publishing Millerism a profitable business.” Well, admitting all that is reported, are you the only ones who “have found the preaching and publishing of the worse than useless trash, with which the city has been flooded,” on the subject, “a profitable business?” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.8
Has it passed from the memory of your accusers that such useless trash as “Miller used up, for a shilling, by John Dowling, A. M.” etc., has been hawked about our cities, and advertised in true Yankee style, by show-bills that would become a theatrical notice? And do we need to depend on “report,” for proof, that the famous work of Prof. Chase has been retailed about by agents from his own family?—Still further, is it not known that the publishers of “The prophecy of Daniel literally fulfilled by N. Colver,” were applied to by some of your friends for permission to publish gratutiously, a few thousand copies of that work bound up with a review of it, that they would not grant permission to do so, unless they could receive a liberal bonus. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.9
Or is it a greater proof that men are “designing knaves,” to “publish Millerism till the city has been flooded by hundreds of thousands of copies,” at free cost, than it is for their ministerial accusers to turn travelling merchants for the purpose of selling their own “trash” which few, under ordinary circumstances, could with difficulty be hired to read? It has passed into a proverb, we believe, that “a certain class of females have no confidence in female virtue.” And is it not perfectly natural that men who have been connected with the “business,” in such a manner, should consider all who have anything to do with it “designing knaves.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.10
It appears, too, by the article from which we have already quoted, that the generous and public spirited editor of the Watchman is about to investigate your affairs, for the purpose of doing “justice” to “Messrs. Himes and Bliss.” But it appears to me that justice demands that something else be done before such a dignitary be allowed to “call for persons and papers,” and to enjoy free access to your premises. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.11
One thing, by the way is very certain, either our public watchmen are greatly in fault, for having permitted such “knaves” to go at large so long as they have, or else they are equally in fault for slandering honest men. And if the lex taliones does not reach the guilty here, they will feel its authority and confess its justice. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.12
But this editor of the Watchman has proved that he is at present disqualified either to testify or to judge in the case. Even our secular papers are ready to correct a falsehood when it is proved to be such, but this “Christian” editor who is as ready as any of them to receive and circulate the falsehood, in substance at least, when called upon to correct it, why, he “has never published the reports,” and if Mr. Himes’—honesty “can be made to appear it should certainly be done.” Now, by refusing to correct the injurious report he had virtually endorsed, he has shown that there is neither truth nor justice to be expected at his hands. I should as much expect that the Pope would thank a man for showing him from the Bible that he is the great Anti-christ, as that such a man would wish to have the truth appear, after having pursued the course he has. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.13
Already he has had proof of the readiness of the mob to respond to his ideas of truth and justice: is anything too base for him to circulate, if there is any possibility of gratifying his too apparent thirst for blood? If you have done anything worthy of death, you should not refuse to die; but never allow yourself to fall into the hands of those whose hatred is as deadly as if they had “bound themselves with an oath that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed” you. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.14
When the appointed watchmen upon the towers confess themselves the accomplices of banditti, they should be treated as such. Woe be to the frankness and simplicity which confers with them in confidence and honor. You have erred, if the Watchman may be believed, already. But beware! If any person can produce an instance of one who has been wronged, or has any just complaint to make, let it be done, but to allow a bold and unprincipled enemy, in his present attitude, to visit your premises in the light of an impartial, candid, and honest auditor of your books, would be as unjust to yourselves, as to allow an armed assasin to enter your dwelling, to bind you, and then use the dagger as he might see fit. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.15
You should insist that the editor recall the slanders he has published—make a confession—and give security for decency and honesty, before you hold any further intercourse with him. The baseness of his course has begun to work its punishment, even now. One of the most venerable members of his own denomination, and one of his subscribers, I am told, on reading the articles now under consideration, destroyed the paper as soon as it came into his hands, after reading it, lest it should pollute his family. And certain we are that all his brethren, whether Adventists or not, who have any regard for fair dealing, or even for decency, to say nothing of Christian propriety,will discountenance his course. “That such a man should be the scorn and contempt of every honorable mind, is to be expected, when his character is known; but a more fearful reckoning awaits him at last, unless he repents of his sins, and obtains forgiveness of his God.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.16
He has had his day, it is time for him to prepare for the retribution. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.17
An Essex County Adventist.
Nov. 15th, 1844.
Vast Sums of Money!!
The leaders of the Miller delusion—“Christian Watchman.” HST November 20, 1844, page 114.18
“For without are dogs, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolators, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:15. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.19
If this text is true, then the Ch. Watchman and its NY correspondent, not only are found in the worst of company, but very naturally associated, and cannot go into the city of God, (Revelation 22:14,) without signal repentance. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.20
Bro. Bliss,—my residence is in Brooklyn, and I have the opportunity of knowing that the statement in the Christian Watchman that “vast sums of money were given to the leaders of the Advent faith in that city,” is entirely without foundation. I myself, from New York and Brooklyn, did not receive exceeding $7,00 through the whole season of the excitement, and gave it away as soon as received, in some instances, or soon afterwards as occasion required. Beside this, I gave away not far from $50,not to the leaders, but the poor brethren and others who thought it their duty to go from place to place to sound the alarm: as Mr. Dowling said he would if he believed the doctrine of the immediate Advent of our Lord; with this difference, they did not cry in the streets, and get into the mad-house the first day, as Mr. Dowling certainly would, if he should run through the streets crying the Lord is coming, with no more argument for it than he has employed against it. As to New York, I also had the opportunity of knowing that the leaders gave away all their money, [original illegible] hoarded them up. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.21
These slanders can do us no harm. None will believe or publish them but such as “love or make lies.” Yours in hope of soon being where such companions will cease to trouble. BARNET MATTHIAS. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.22
Brooklyn, Nov. 12th, 1844. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.23
The above is from one of the leaders referred to by the N. Y. correspondent of the Watchman. So we nail them to the counter.—Eds. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.24
Letter from Bro. J. Lenfest
Bro. Himes:—It is frequently asked what shall we do, now we have met with another disappointment? If you have room in your paper, I should like to make a supposition; and if one can tell what they would do in the supposed case, then, perhaps, they may be able to form some idea of what our course will be. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.25
Suppose a ship in the middle of the ocean springs a leak, and all hands are called to pump her out; but after working a long time, it becomes evident to all on board that she will soon go down, or become completely water logged. In this extremity, the boat is lowered, and as much provision and water put in her as she will carry, with the crew; the officers then take an observation in order to learn their latitude and longitude, and the course and probable distance to the nearest land. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.26
And now, having provided themselves with a chart and compass, they shove off, and shape a course for the land,—leaving the old ship to her fate, sorry indeed that they are obliged to leave her, yet with a conciousness that they have done all they could to save her. Well, they row on many days, and at length the cry is heard, land ho!!! Immediately all eyes are turned in the direction pointed out; and, sure enough, there, to all appearance, is the land stretching along the horizon, and every heart is cheered with the pleasing hope of soon being in a place of safety; night however shuts down upon them and hides the pleasing sight from their eyes; but nothing is talked about, or thought of, but the land to which they are fast hastening. Morning at length dawns upon them, and all eyes are directed towards the point where the land was last seen; but, alas, it is not there: huge clouds that hang over the place tell the cause of the disapointment,—it was a fog bank. Well, the disapointed crew lay on their oars for a few moments, disheartened; and inquire what is to be done? But they remain not long in suspense; reason answers, that they have left a sinking ship, in search of land, that it is somewhere ahead, and that it is of no use to think of going back to a sinking ship; neither is it of any use to lay here; and of course there is but one alternative and that is to pull on, knowing that they have the right course. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.27
Well the boat again moves forward, impelled by arms that gather fresh strength from the thought that they are in the right track, and that every stroke of the oars is bringing them nearer and nearer their destined port? Day after day passes on, and now at length their provisions and water begin to fail them; the hot burning sun beats down upon them by day and the cold winds chill them by night. But still they are kept up by the hope that soon they will be where their wants will all be supplied, and their hopes all realized. And now again the welcome sound is heard, land ho!!! And this time it appears plainer than before, and some of the most sanguine even fancy that they can trace the happy shore all along, with its pleasant bays, and safe harbors and, even discern the mast of the ship as they lay snugly. moored, safe from all the storms and tempests to which they themselves are exposed. Every heart is thus gladdened and every hand is busily employed in making preparation for a safe and speedy landing. But alas, they are once more doomed to be disappointed. The supposed land rolls over and over and disipate into thin air; and now their poor hearts are almost ready to break, and many are just ready to give up in despair. But reason again comes to their aid, and represents to them that they certainly have the right course, and that it would be the height, of folly to think of returning to where they left the old ship, because she must be, at the best, but a poor water logged wreck, if indeed not already sunk; and now they certainly must be near the land; and therefore the part of wisdom in them would be to exert their little remaining strength to make the long looked-for land without delay. HST November 20, 1844, page 114.28
Once more the oars are plied with a full determination to make the land or perish in the attempt. Accordingly they toil on a few days with sadened yet faithful hearts; night overtakes them still on the ocean, and a fearful storm is gathering over their devoted heads; the muttering thunder warns them of its near approach, and all the elements seem combining for their destruction. But still they toil on, knowing that their only hope is that they may gain the distant shore before the gathering storm shall burst upon them. The night wears away, slowly and still the elements are held in check; at length the morning dawns upon them, the clouds disperse from the east, and the sun shines in all its glory; and before his piercing rays, the mist that rests upon the bosom of the ocean vanishes away and discloses to their enraptured view the land, the beautiful land for which they have been toiling; with its verdant fields, and towering wood-lands, while here and there the beautiful groves of orange and cocoa gracefully interspersed with the fig and bread fruit tree, seem to invite them to partake of their grateful fruits; these streams of pure water flow from the hills, watering all the plain below; and, the sight of their dear friends, who stand ready to receive them with open arms, amply repays them for all their toils and hardships. Deep gratitude swells every heart, as they look back upon the open sea, and behold it worked into fury by the fierce storm that has burst upon it, and which not long before had threatened to overwhelm them in its fury; but they are now safe in the bosom of their friends, secure from the storm that would have swept them to destruction. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.1
Now what would have been the result, had they been discouraged after the last disappointment, and turned back to look for the old ship, or had they concluded that they would look no further for the land? They would have been lost. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.2
Well, the advent people have been placed in just this situation. They found themselves on the wide ocean of time, in a leaky ship; and after making an effort to free her, which proved unavailing, obeyed the order of the Master to come out of her; and after preparing ourselves, and getting an observation, and learning the course and distance to the heavenly port, we pushed off from her with our chart and compass in our hands,—sorry indeed to leave her in such a state. After leaving her, we pulled on many days with a sweet conciousness that we were in the path of duty; on our way to the fair Canaan of rest that remaineth for the people of God. About 1843, the cry was heard land ho!!! The enquiry was made, where away. It was pointed out to us, and upon an examination of our chart, it really appeared plain that this was the land; and we become very much elated at the prospect of soon making the much desired haven of rest. The current of time carried us swift on towards the point; but, alas, just as we come up with it, it vanished from our sight; and time proved to us, what our great navigators failed to do, that it was a kind of a fog bank. But what were we to do? We had left a sinking ship behind, and started for the land; and our having taken a fog bank for land did not make it so; and there now remained but one of three ways for us to take; one was to go back to the old ship. This we could not do, for our captain told us in so many words “that if any man drew back, his soul should have no pleasure in him.” Another way was to stay where we were; but this was objected to by Peter and Paul, and by many more of the crew who were for pressing forward, and hastening towards the shore; and in fact our own experience taught us that there was no stopping place for us in those seas; for if we did but lay on our oars a few moments the treacherous under-currents would draw us off our course. This would not do; so we were obliged to take the only remaining course, and press on towards the heavenly port. Therefore we still kept on, looking for the land knowing that “now our salvation was nearer than when we believed.” In this way we continued on many days, until-at length another point was discovered, which we were almost sure was the land; and indeed it seemed as though faith was almost lost in sight, and we looked forward to the point with almost full assurance that then our joy would be complete. But the day passed, and like the poor seaman, our hearts are almost broken, and some of the dear children are almost ready to give up in despair. But let us reason from he Bible, and see if we have cause to despair. Paul tells us that we “have need of patience that after we have done the will of God we might receive the promise”—Hebrews 10:36, and that this is the will of God, even our sanctification. Our Savior prays the Father that he would sanctify them through his truth, and says thy word is truth, John 7:11. And now we have believed this truth, and the word as brought us just where we are, thanks be our kind Heavenly Father. The midnight cry has been heard; the wise virgins have arisen and trimmed their lamps, and understand where they are; while the foolish have gone away to look for oil. And now if we go back to the old ship that we left, she is water logged, and while we are gone the Bridegroom will come, and we shall be shut out. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.3
“Let us then run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” We have been toiling on now for some days since our disappointment, and still we find ourselves on the wide ocean of time; and “darkness covered the land, and gross darkness the people.” A storm is brooding over the land, the elements are combined to destroy us; but still we must strive to gain the prize. Our only hope is that when that storm bursts upon this world, our names may be found written in the Lamb’s fair Book of life. The night is fast wearing away; and still the elements are held in check; and ere long I do believe the bright morning of the Resurrection will dawn upon us, and the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings,” and then these dark clouds will disperse, and bring to view the fair Canaan of rest that is for the faithful in Christ. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.4
Baltimore, Md. Nov, 8th, 1844. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.5
Scene in the East
“We have had a dreadful conflagration in Jassy, which has been making a salamander of me for the last ten or twelve days. We have been living in fire, and during the heat of summer; it was a visitant by no means welcome. Two hundred and forty-seven houses were burnt in my quarter alone, and my house had a narrow escape. The account has been carried by some as far as one thousand houses, which is exaggerated. The circumstances were appalling. Nothing can be conveyed by description, to those who have not witnessed these kind of conflagrations. They spread with a frightful rapidity, conducted by the combustible material of which a great part of the city is built, and by the universal roofs of shingle. The wind was blowing a simoon at one time, and in the afternoon a thunder storm, charged with electric matter collected during weeks of drought, hovered in a black, dense mass in the distance, that gave one to see the effect of the fire still blazing, and throwing up its white volumes of smoke and glares of flame, mingling with the black cloud, and then lightnings; when the storm assumed the character of a whirlwind, lit up the streams of flame in every direction, and confounded the dust with the smoke issuing in all directions. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.6
“The inhabitants, in the most dreadful consternation, were flying with their effects, when they could not know where to turn and blocking up the streets. Day was converted almost to night. I could not see my hand before my face, and knew nothing, but that the danger was imminent and might engulph me in a moment; for the fire seemed around the hundreds and thousands running in every direction. I could not return to my house for my retreat was intercepted. In the meantime the fire was raging with dreadful violence and rapidity, and the rain fell. This lasted for some time, when the clouds burst and poured their torrents down. Then and then only, was an interval of some security felt. It lasted during the night, and left protection to those who had a roof to shelter them. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.7
“The first approached on one side to me about three houses distant, and their courts, or fifty or sixty paces, and on the other side about thirty paces. The wind might at any moment have turned and destroyed the property. A mile in breadth and a mile and a half in length have disappeared almost. Three churches, and some of the mansions of the Bozards, are the same imposing ruin, and the chimneys of the others stand alone, like blackened columns, to commemorate the disaster for the rest of the buildings which were burnt. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.8
Some things Which Constitute a Christian
1. A sincere desire to glorify God in all we do, manifested by right action. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.9
2. A hungering after correct knowledge of God, and a sweet delight in contemplating the wonderful works of the Almighty to the children of men. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.10
3. An undoubted belief in the authenticity of God’s revealed word, which proves itself to be genuine only when we practice what we believe to be truth. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.11
4. To possess the spirit of Jesus Christ, and exhibit it in all we do or say, at home or abroad, ever remaining on teachable ground, having no fellowship with the works of darkness, but reproving them. Christ-like, not having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.12
5 To walk in Christ as we have received him, holding fast the begining of our confidence, without wavering, stedfast unto the end, with joy and satisfaction, counting him faithful who has promised to do more than we can say or think, for the faithful in Jesus Christ. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.13
6. A heart full of the love of God, and a holy zeal to promote every enterprise which has for its end and aim, the glory of God, and the future well-being of the human faily.—Morning Star. HST November 20, 1844, page 115.14
Advent Herald & Reporter
“The Lord is at Hand.”
BOSTON, NOVEMBER 20, 1844.
Address to Adventists
Dear Brethren and Sisters— HST November 20, 1844, page 116.1
Since our most ardent expectations have not been realized, let us humbly, and thankfully, and faithfully improve the time that may yet be allotted to us here. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.2
Like the cloud which the anxious mariner has mistaken for the last headland at the entrance of his long wished-for port—a mistake arising from the fact that all the previous landmarks, and all his calculations showed that his voyage was near its end—the last point to which we have looked for the great deliverance has passed away. The remarkable movement which has resulted from our late expectations, though we may not be able fully to account for it, cannot but be regarded, by every one who has been materially affected by it, as a most remarkable and instructive providential event. It was entirely un-anticipated by ourselves, and equally uncontrolled. And it has its meaning! HST November 20, 1844, page 116.3
But even if we were unable to understand the reasons for it, or its purpose, in all respects, it would be our most obvious duty, as it would be our safety, to hold fast the position into which we have been brought. It is safe; for he who is prepared for the coming of the Lord, is prepared for anything which God can allot to a righteous man; and that this is our duty is very evident from the doctrine, the experience, and example of the apostolic church.—And never was our position so clearly apostolic as at the present time. Their hope is our hope. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.4
They looked to the regenerated world as their future and immortal inheritance! So Paul declares in his epistle to the Hebrews:— HST November 20, 1844, page 116.5
“God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world (oikoumenen, the habitable earth) to come whereof we speak; but one in a certain place testified, saying, ‘What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? thou madest him a little lower than the angels: thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands, thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him; but we see Jesus, who was made a little (margin, little while) lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, in bringing many souls unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. * * * And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?. But unto the Son, he saith, thy throne. O God, is for ever and ever (in the world to come) a sceptre of righteousnes is the sceptre of thy kingdom; thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity, therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they shall wax old as doth a garment, and as a vesture shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. * * * See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.’ And this word, ‘Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, (the heavens and the earth) as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire.” HST November 20, 1844, page 116.6
The same apostle shows in his epistles to the Romans and the Galatians, that the promise to Abraham, and all who are of his faith, refers to the same “world to come,” of which the Son of God is the “appointed heir;” which is to constitute his “kingdom,” and which all who are “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ,” shall receive. “For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, (kosmou,) was not to Abraham or his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith, for ye all are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham,” as heirs of the world. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.7
Peter is even more plain than Paul, as follows:— HST November 20, 1844, page 116.8
“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby (i. e. the word of God) the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”—2 Peter 3:5-14. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.9
John is also very clear:— HST November 20, 1844, page 116.10
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new, And he said unto me, Write for these words are true and faithful. He that overcometh shall inherit all (margin, these) things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” HST November 20, 1844, page 116.11
These having spoken of the inheritance so fully, James merely shows how much consolation may be derived from the promise of it; “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” HST November 20, 1844, page 116.12
Here, then, it is certainly very clear that the apostles were as singular in their views of a future inheritance, as the Adventists of our time. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.13
And the Lord Jesus would have us hope, and labor, and suffer in view of the same reward:—“Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations, and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my father hath appointed unto me: that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.” And again, “Ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God.’ He points us also to that kingdom, in connection with his coming, and the judgement: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” HST November 20, 1844, page 116.14
2. The apostolic church expected also that this renovation of our planet would take place in connection with the second coming of Christ. This is sufficiently plain from what we have already quoted. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.15
Hear Peter on one occasion, even at the “beautiful gate of the Temple“:— HST November 20, 1844, page 116.16
“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus; ... repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord: and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began.” HST November 20, 1844, page 116.17
Paul, as we have seen, has shown, that “all things in the world to come,” are put, by appointment, in subjection to the Son of God. But he adds:—“Now we see not yet all things put under him.” HST November 20, 1844, page 116.18
When is that to be done? Let Paul answer: “At his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up (brought back or restored) the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he (the Father) shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For he (the Father) must reign till he (the Father) hath put all enemies under his (the Son’s) feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet.” At the coming of Christ, then when death “is swallowed up in victory” all things are put under the feet of the Son of God; and then this delivering up, or restoring of the kingdom to God— that is; to the state in which it was “prepared from the foundation of the world,” takes place. Then the grand purpose of the incarnation of the Son of God, “that he might destroy the works of the devil,” will have been effected; not that we expect it will be an instantaneous work; indeed, we know not the exact time it is to occupy, but it is to be the result of that one, remaining, final, and promised shaking process, in the day of the Lord, which is to “dissolve and change the heavens and the earth which are now,” and bring into existence, in their place, “a new heaven and a new earth,” which are to stand as a “kingdom that cannot be moved,” over which Christ shall reign forever and ever. HST November 20, 1844, page 116.19
3. The apostolic church believed that all who are partakers of the Holy Spirit, and continue to be led by that Spirit, are to be heirs with Christ in the immortal inheritance. The writings of all the apostles abound with this doctrine. It is thus stated by Paul in his epistle to the Romans: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father; the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ,; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.1
Other portions agree with this:—“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. He came unto his own, and his own received him not, but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. In whom we have obtained an inheritance, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.2
4. The Apostolic church expected that, in connection with the second coming of Christ, all “who are his” would be changed from a state of “mortality” to a state of “immortality.” Paul is very particular upon this point, and speaks of it as indespensable in order that we may be adapted, in our physical nature, to “the kingdom of God.” He shows that as God has been pleased to give to different kinds of grain, such a body as it hath pleased him, so by that change we are to be conformed, in our bodies, to that of “the Lord from heaven“: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed; for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.3
This is to take place at the second Advent: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are liave and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.4
5. The spirit by which the early believers were united to the Lord united them also to each other in one body, and this led them to sympathize with each other, as we have seen the Adventists doing. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul; neither said any of them that aught of the things that he possessed was his own: but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands and houses, sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.5
6. Such a hope, and such faith, producing such fruits in a world like ours, could not be known without subjecting the partakers of the hope to great tribulation. And though we are told that the early disciples “had favor with all the people,” until they were “stirred up” by those in authority or influence among them, it was but a short time before the new “sect” was “every where spoken against,” and “counted as sheep for the slaughter.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.6
Their tribulations began by the agency of those, who said “they were Jews (the people of God) but were not” his people. HST November 20, 1844, page 117.7
On one occasion, at Jerusalem, “as they spake unto the people, the priests and captain of the temple came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people through Jesus, the resurrection from the dead, and they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.8
On another occasion, “There arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen; and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.’ And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.9
The death of Stephen was followed by “a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.10
At Paphos, a certain “sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew,” who “was with the deputy of the country,” “withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.11
At Antioch, in Pisidia, on one Sabbath day, “came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.12
At Philippi, where Paul cast the spirit of divination out of the Pythoness, who “brought her masters much gain by soothsaying,” “when they saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, ‘These men, do exceedingly trouble our city.’ And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.13
At Athens, “certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered Paul. And some said, ‘What will this babbler say?’ other some, ‘He seemeth to be a setter-forth of strange gods:’ because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.14
At Ephesus “there arose no small stir about that way, for a certain man named Demetrius, a silver-smith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, ‘Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth: moreover, ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying, that they be no gods which are made with hands, so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshippeth.’ And when they had heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, ‘Great is Diana of the Ephesians.’ And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.” HST November 20, 1844, page 117.15
So far, then, there is a striking analogy between our position and that of the early Christians. The inheritance to which they looked is that to which we look. They expected it at the appearing of Christ.—So do we. Then, also, they expected their vile bodies would be changed like unto Christ’s glorious body.—We expect the same thing. They laid hold of his promise by faith, and received the “earnest of the inheritance”—the Holy Spirit—by which they were joined to the Lord; so we endeavor to do. They were united to each other in the Lord, and in the belief of his word, and all they possessed was freely offered for the common good.—So the world declares it is with the Adventists. They were hated of all men for the truth’s sake; and while we have so generally shared the hatred of all men, it yet remains to be proved that the doctrine of the Adventists is not, in all that is essential, in accordance with the word of God. And no language so well expresses our state, as that by which the early churches expressed theirs.—We now understand these words of Paul to the Romans: “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, for the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope: because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until now and not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body, For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen, is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.1
What he says to the Thessalonians, with the change of names, is as applicable as if it were written to us:—“For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved to fill up their sins always. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? When we could no longer forbear, we sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: that no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed there unto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation: even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: for now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do toward you. To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.2
Peter also speaks as unto us: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange, concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men’s matters; yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on his behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.3
This, then, is the position into which we have been brought of late, by the word, and providence, and grace of God—“to wait for his Son from heaven!” And is it not Scriptural? Is it not in accordance with the doctrine, the experience and example of the apostolic church? Is it not just where the apostle desired the early church to stand? For, “says he, “our conversation (politeuma, “community,” or the state to which we belong,) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved, and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.4
But it is said we have “fixed the time—the day—for the coming of the Lord.” Very well. Where is the ground of complaint on that account? Certainly not with those who profess to believe the word of God. If they look for the event at all, they must be looking for it on some day. We believe the word of God has pointed out the time when we should “look up, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh,” and that that time has now fully come. He who does not believe the time of his coming may be known, cannot look with an expectation of the event. For no man can rationally look for him unless he has reason to do so. Therefore, he who does not look for the coming of the Lord on any day, does not look for him at all. And if a man does believe the time may be known, whether it be one year, a hundred years, or a thousand years in the future, we do not see that it is any more improper, in itself, to expect the event at one time than another. HST November 20, 1844, page 118.5
This is our position, why should we abandon or even modify it in any respect? Let any man give us a reason for so doing, from the word of God, and we will thank him and comply. It has never yet been done: can any one do it? Can any man show us, from “the sure word of prophecy” to which we are admonished to “take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” where are we, if not on the eve of the Advent of the Lord of glory?—We ask him not to tell us our position within a day, a month, a year, or even a century; but can he tell us within a thousand years—can he give us any meaning to the prophecies, which might save us from regarding the command, to take heed to them, as a mere tantalization, if this is not their meaning! Does not everything which has a bearing on the question assure us that we are near that great and decisive event? HST November 20, 1844, page 118.6
Our principles of interpretation have been sanctioned by the combined wisdom and learning, and piety of the church for more than a thousand years,—the received application of the prophecies to events, among us, is in accordance with that which has prevailed in the approved church of God from the days of the patriarchs, and it is confirmed by the history of the world in its mightiest revolutions, its most wonderful and important events, for more than forty centuries Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, the empire of Napoleon and that of the Turks, with the fallen kingdom of David, all declare to us, as so many unequivocal and ready witnesses, that “He whose right it is,” is about to take unto him his great power and reign forever and ever! HST November 20, 1844, page 118.7
The prophetic history of Jewish unbelief, and Pagan profanity, of Papal blasphemy, and Prostestant formality, (“the love of many shall, was cold!”) speak to us, from the past and the present, that soon “the end” must “come!” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.8
The luxury of the world in “eating and drinking,” their unrestrained worldly-mindedness in “buying and selling, planting and building;” their indifference and contempt for the plainest calls and warnings of Heaven; all these forms of its abounding iniquity tell us that it is to end by “the day when the Son of man shall be revealed!” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.9
The condition of the nominal church, not only “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof,” but actually denying the promise of Christ’s coming, and scoffiing at the blessed promises by which we are commanded to “comfort one another,” shows that there is but little “faith on the earth,” and that the time for “God to avenge his his own elect that cry day and night unto him,” will “speedily” come. HST November 20, 1844, page 118.10
All these things, in addition to “the signs,” by which Christ has declared that we may “know that his coming is near even at the door,” confirm us in our position. And, finally, the recent movements in the history of those “who went forth to meet the Bridegroom”—the Adventists. On their part, rising to trim their lamps after a season of slumbering and sleeping, the peculiar features of which we cannot but regard as the “pangs” of the “hour” which is to witness the promised deliverance! Let us then stand fast, what remains will soon be over. HST November 20, 1844, page 118.11
And should we not consider it as one of the most obvious purposes of Providence, in the late movement, to prepare us to meet the Lord? I do not see how God could have prepared us but by such an expectation of the event as we generally entertained. It brought us where we saw and felt the preparation that was necessary, just as a man sees the preparation he needs to make for death, by being placed upon what he regards without a doubt as his deathbed. Without regard to what any one might think or say of us, it led us to arrange our worldly affairs, to perform our last duties to the world and our friends; to confess and repent of our sins before God, to seek his pardoning mercy, and the sanctifying and sustaining influence of his grace, just as if we had known that we were to stand before God at the time to which we looked. HST November 20, 1844, page 118.12
By the grace of God we were enabled to take our position, by the grace of God let us hold fast till the Lord shall come. HST November 20, 1844, page 118.13
If there is any regret to be expressed, it belongs to those who have not taken this position. For if the Lord had come we should have been safe, as certainly as that he is to appear unto the “salvation of them that look for him;” while many of our opponents would as certainly have been lost, as that “all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone.” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.14
If any have been overtaken in a fault—if they see now that they cannot approve, (or rather that God cannot,) what they have done, let them seek to be restored “in the spirit of meekness;” but let them be careful that they do not commit a greater fault If they had “burnt their Bibles,” or denied the Lord that bought them; if they had been guilty of blasphemy, robbery or murder, they would have whereof to be ashamed, but we know of none whose case we should not rather assume by a hundred fold, than that of the scoffing and cavilling professed believer in Christ, or the truth-hating unbeliever. Let us then beware, lest in getting out of one snare of the devil, we run into another. HST November 20, 1844, page 118.15
Again, I do not see how the world could have been fully and effectually tested on the subject, but by such an exhibition of our faith as this last movement has furnished. Heretofore, it is well known, the world have complained of an inconsistency between our faith and practice. They heard us profess to be looking for the end of all things, and they saw us about our worldly business very much as usual; and they charged us with being hypocrites. But now, God, in his providence, has brought us to the test as never before; our worldly neighbors have seen us leaving our fields, our merchandize, our work-shops, our various offices and pursuits of honor and profit; some even have freely devoted the last cent, and what is the verdict of the world now? Has this satisfied them either that our hopes are any more worthy of their regard, or ourselves more worthy of respect? Let the denunciations and clamors of the pulpits and presses of the land, and the responses of the mobs, which have even forbidden us the rights of all American citizens, answer! Like our Master we may say, “We have piped unto them and they have not danced, we have mourned unto them and they have not lamented!” So let it be! God is faithful! God is just! And “wisdom is justified of all her children.” HST November 20, 1844, page 118.16
The professed church and the world have been fairly tried. Our hope has been derided, and the word of God has become a theme of scoffing by them; and for the want of everything in the form of truth to bring against us, scarcely anything that falsehood and slander might invent has not been resorted to. And it is a matter of no small consolation to know, that while the community have been so ready to give credence to the reports which have been traced to the unblushing malignity of a poor specimen of human nature that was depraved enough to become the agent in fulfilling a prediction of the Savior which refers to this time, “The son shall rise up against the father, the daughter-in-law against the mother-in-law, and a man’s foes shall be they of his own house,” although the greatest anxiety has been manifested, and our transactions have been open to the inspection of all, and not a few, who have formerly been engaged with us and were familiar with our operations, were ready to stand forth against us—still, nothing has appeared, for which any one could be found responsible, in view of which a Christian has reason to be ashamed. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.1
Let us hold fast where we are, and we can have nothing to fear! And everything for which we hope is lost if we do not! It appears to be very clear that there can be no other slumbering and sleeping time, that is to be followed by the cry of preparation. He who sleeps now, will be likely to be waked up by the coming of the Lord himself! HST November 20, 1844, page 119.2
The dangers to which we are now particularly exposed lie right over against each other, on each side of the narrow path we are required to take. And God has both anticipated them, and provided that we may guard against them. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.3
1. We are in danger from the world. And two cases are evidently brought forward for our special admonition: “Remember Lot’s wife!” says the Savior. And Paul refers us to another: he enjoins upon us to be “looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” The birthright and the blessing were to Esau, what the inheritance and blessing of Christ are to us. Though it is the duty of most of us, while we are in the world to have something to do with the world, still we should be very careful in resuming our worldly avocations, and see to it that we do not jeopardize our hope for any temporal engagements. We should not allow our hearts to be overcharged with cares of this life, nor can we leave the duties of this life, nor can we leave the duties of this life altogether. While we guard against the danger, let there be no just ground of reproach to the cause of Christ on this account. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.4
2. Our faith is to be tried. “When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?” We shall be in danger of giving up the promise, through unbelief on the one hand, and of falling into visionary speculations upon it, on the other. So far, our faith has been tried by our particular views of the times connected with the promise in the word of God; and now that our more minute calculations have shown that we may have relied with too much positiveness upon the authorities by whom we have been guided in chronology, we may be in danger of falling into an error by rejecting the prophetic periods entirely, or by an unqualified opposition to all further investigation of their termination. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.5
A little caution, however, may be needed in this. While we remember not to trust too much to mere human authority, let us also remember that these times are a part of the “sure word of prophecy, to which we do well that we take heed.” And it is as true as ever that “at the time appointed the end shall be;” and that God “in his times shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And these are as worthy of consideration as if we had never heard an opinion of them before. We have adopted the very earliest dates, worthy of confidence, for our views, and we shall never regret that we gave the subject so early attention; and now, while we carefully guard against trusting to any calculation which looks into the future, it is possible that we may have our attention called to others, that should be regarded with special interest. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.6
Indeed, it may not be amiss, here, to glance at the most discouraging view of the prophetic periods, which, on any supposition, we can take. Guided only by the fulfillment of the seventy weeks, which were evidently intended to seal, or make sure the vision of the 2300 years, the extreme point to which the shorter period could be extended would be A. D. 37. Supposing Christ to have been cut off in the spring of A. D. 34, in the middle of the week, and there is scarcely an authority of any note which supposes his death should be dated even so late as that, the remainder of the week could extend only to the autumn of A. D. 37, and of course the longer period cannot extend beyond the autumn of A. D. 1847. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.7
The dates of Hengstenberg for the beginning and end of the seventy weeks would carry the termination of the longer period to the autumn of A. D. 1846. There has always seemed, however, too much conjecture for these dates to entitle them to our confidence. There are other points much nearer to us which are even more worthy of consideration. And allowing, as we have some reason to do, that there may not be an exact termination of the longer period, as to a month or a day, we have much more reason to cherish a constant expectation of our deliverance, on our received dates, than to look for an hour into the future. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.8
But we have referred to these future dates only that we may look at the matter in its worst light. The dates we have adopted have been considered the most correct, and in accordance with them we have expected the end. How could we have done otherwise? It must lie, we may say, between us and the point to which these later dates carry us. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.9
If our time—or that which we have adopted, from the most competent authorities, as the basis of our calculations—has failed, God’s time has not. “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the 1335 days.” “Thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” This is the time of trial and the time for prayer. The Savior refers us to the case of the widow, who was dependent upon the unjust judge for redress under her grievances, to show us both the circumstances of God’s elect under the seeming delay of the promise, and that incessant and persevering prayer will prevail. In her case there was but one motive to induce the ungodly judge to act—his convenience.—“I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” What would such a being care for the wrongs of a widow? In the case of God’s elect, there are the strongest motives on the part of God—they are as “the apple of his eye.” All his purposes, all his attributes assure them of deliverance. If the importunities of a widow prevailed with the unjust judge, “shall not God avenge his own elect that cry day and night unto him? He will avenge them speedily?” The faith that lives through the trial shall be honored of God! HST November 20, 1844, page 119.10
3. Our patience is to be tried. “Here is the patience of the saints.” “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient: establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” HST November 20, 1844, page 119.11
Let us then keep in view the inheritance. “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have returned; but now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” HST November 20, 1844, page 119.12
Let us remember that it is to be received “at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” HST November 20, 1844, page 119.13
Let us seek, and submit to His Spirit which shall quicken, or change our mortal bodies, “at his coming,” so that “when he who is our life shall appear, we may also appear with him in glory.” HST November 20, 1844, page 119.14
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be, courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Let us cherish the spirit of hospitality, and though we may not have “the apostles” of the early church, at whose feet we may lay our possessions or the avails of them, let us lay them at the feet of the great Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, and as faithful stewards, use them as those who expect to give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and dead. HST November 20, 1844, page 119.15
And let us rejoice that we have been accounted worthy to occupy the position we do, in these last days. The fire of the Refiner and Purifyer will only purge away the dross and tin. We shall come forth like gold seven times purified. “If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye! And consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” HST November 20, 1844, page 119.16
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you; searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy.’ And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” HST November 20, 1844, page 119.17
Work.—There have been various views among us on the subject of labor, since we have been brought near the termination of the prophetic periods. There are three views which have been made prominent.—1. That no change whatever should be made in our secular affairs, but every one should abide in his calling, and live in constant readines to meet the Lord.—2. That all persons whose business was in any respect inconsistent with the highest Christian principle, or who were doing more business than they could well do, without being overcharged with surfeiting and the cares of this life that all such persons should change and modify their secular affairs, so that its character, and degree of attendance should conform with the law of God. In thus living, whether a merchant or husbandman, whether in the field, mill, or shop, when the Lord should come, it was believed all such would be accepted of God, if ready to meet the Bridegroom. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.1
A third class took the ground that we must leave all business of a secular nature, except what was indispensible to present necessities. Such among the farmers would not plant, or sow, or gather the fruit of the earth. Merchants and mechanics gave up labor and trade. Some of these devoted themselves to the preaching of the gospel; but others have spent their time otherwise in doing good, while yet others have had no definite object or employment. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.2
Each of these classes have had their reasons for their course. They have no doubt been honest, and sought to know and do the will of God. Our opinion is that the first class are too worldly. The second class are just right. And the third class have run into excess—have gone too far. The truth lies between the first and third. If all would now take the position of the second class and carry it out, we be-believe they would please and glorify God, and render themselves and others associated with them, more acceptible at his appearing. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.3
Extravagance.—Our enemies have been unsparing of late in their censures of those among us who consecrated all to Christ in view of his speedy coming. But why should they? None of them have done so bad (?) as the Rev. John Dowling, A. M., said he would do in case he believed it! (see his reply to Miller, page 5. We are free to confess that much has been done with which we cannot sympathise; yet we wish to say, that after all that our opponents have charged us with in its worst form, by lying, slander, and carricature, it is not by any means to be compared in the sight of God, with the wickedness of the scorners of our hopes. Their infidelity, covetousness, worldly-mindedness, lukewarmness, pharaseism, covetousness, scornfulness,and above all, their union with the world and all the haters of God, in persecuting those who sincerely loved, and looked for the appearing of their Savior, is not to be compared with the purity, sincerity, faith, and fear of God, among those whom they have effected to dispise and condemn. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.4
Explanation.—Some of the brethren have misapprehended the statement of Brother Grigg, in relation to the mesmeric influence upon his mind; supposing that he referred to the whole movement relating to the seventh month. But, he only referred to the influence upon his mind, that led him to follow the fanatical movement of Dr. Gorgas, about leaving the city, a few days before the tenth of the seventh month. The good work which was wrought among us,—he believes with others, was of God. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.5
The “Watchman.”—The course pursued towards us by Mr. Crowell, of the Watchman, is most unjust. After the publication of his slanders upon us, we called upon him, presented our defence in the “Post,” with verbal explanations, and requested that the slanders he had published, on the ground of common report, should be corrected. And we offered him free access to our books, to satisfy himself in relation to our financial affairs. In reply, he promised to examine the same and prove his charges, or publish the defence. But instead of doing either of these, he has attempted to stab us again in his next paper by misstating our explanations, and by insinuations and taunts has added insult to injury. He has thus proved himself unworthy of our confidence or trust. For if he would knowingly misrepresent us, when he had evidence of the falsity of the libel he had published, and also deny that he had published the same, we can have no assurance that he would not do it again. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.6
We intended to pursue this farther, but an article from a correspondent, which will be found in another column, will suffice for to-day. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.7
COMMUNICATIONS
We have received, as our paper is going to press, a letter from Bro. Litch, in which he says, I have just concluded the perusal of your Defence, Position, etc., and hasten to say that with the general tenor of the article, I am heartily pleased, and to it I wish to give my full assent. I am willing to stand on that ground, and meet the result until the Lord comes.” HST November 20, 1844, page 120.8
We have also received a very lengthy communication from Bro. Ransom Hicks, in which he wishes to confess that he was in error, as to the definite month and day of the Advent. He however still contend that it is nigh, “even at the door.” Bro. H dissents from us in some of our scriptural illustrations; but in his confession of mistaking the exact time, we frankly admit that we are fully with him. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.9
The views of Bro. Fletcher, we think are mostly presented in our address of the last week. His views accord perfectly with our own; and as they were written before his receipt of our address, we think he will agree with us that it was superceded by that. We should be pleased to hear from him again. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.10
The Christian Secretary.—The last number comes to us with several libelous insinuations from that notorious liar common fame. If the Secretary will make good his insinuations, for which there is not a shadow of evidence, it will be all right. Otherwise we shall expect that in their next paper they will do us that Christian justice, they would ask from us under the same circumstances. We wait to see. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.11
The Resurrection of the Body.—The New England Puritan, and New York Evangelist, have each in their last paper given a noble testimony for this apostolic doctrine. While the leaven of saduseeism is working, let the press speak out on this question. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.12
Letters.—Interesting letters are received from Brethern G. P. Cox, Wm. Miller, Dr. Field, and J. Litch, which will appear next week. We must apologise to Bro. Cox for the delay of this letter. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.13
Interesting services were held at the Tabernacle three times yesterday. Meetings there on the evenings of Tuesday and Thursday, until further notice. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.14
Meetings are held at the Tabernacle as usual. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.15
ADDRESS TO ADVENTISTS
We this week give a continuation of our address of last week. It has a particular bearing upon our present condition. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.16
The Unbeliever
I pity the unbeliever—one who can gaze upon the grandeur, the glory, and beauty of the natural universe, and behold not the touches of His finger, who is over, and with, and above all:—from my very heart I do commisserate his condition. The unbeliever! on whose intellect the light of revelation never penetrated; who can gaze upon the sun, moon, and stars, and upon the unfading and imperishable sky, spread out so magnificently above him, and say all this is the work of chance. The heart of such a being is a dull and cheerless void. In him mind—the god-like gift of intellect—is debased, destroyed; all is dark, a fearful chaotic labyrinth, rayless, cheerless hopeless! No gleam of light from heaven penetrates the blacknes of the horrible delusion! No voice from the Eternal bids the desponding heart rejoice! HST November 20, 1844, page 120.17
No fancied tones from the harps of seraphim, arouse the dull spirit from its lethargy, or allay the consuming fever of the brain. The wreck of mind is utterly remediless; reason is prostrate, and passion, prejudice, and superstition have reared their temple on the ruins of his intellect. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.18
I pity the unbeliever. What to him is the revelation from on high, but a sealed book? He sees nothing above, or around, or beneath him, that evinces the existence of a God; and he denies—yes, while standing on the footstool of Omnipotence, and gazing upon the dazzling throne of Jehovah, he shuts his intellect to the light of reason, and denies there is a God.—Chalmers. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.19
Christian Converts.—The concessions made to the French and English ambassadors by the Port, relative to the Mussulmen becoming Christians has not been without its effects, A young Greek, who embraced the faith of Mahomet, after some time thought proper lately to alter his opinion, and become once more a Christian. He was immediately thrown into prison; but the Government immediately ordered his release, and informed the cadi that he might return to Christianity without incurring any penalty. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.20
Letters and Receipts to Nov. 16
M. Thayer by pm $1 pd to end v 8; H Woodbury by pm $1 pd to 218 in v 9; Aaron R Morse by pm $1 pd to end v 7; A Belden by pm &1 pd to end v 8; Mrs S Edson by pm $1 pd to end v 7; G Wheeler by pm $2 pd to end v 8; Wm Smith by pm $1 pd to end v 8; Chs Chase by pm $1 pd to end v 8; WR Weld by pm $1 pd to end v 8; J W Channing $1 pd to end v 8; N. Hanson 50c pd to end v 8; W Whitney $3.12 pd to end v 8; Caleb Dustin by pm G I pd to 208 in v 9; J G Blanchard by pm 50c pd to middle v 8; Jesses Walten by pm $3 pd in 209 in v 9; R Tyler by pm $2 pd to end v 8; J Smith and A B Thayer by pm 50c each pd to edd v 7; J Whitcomb jr $1 pd to end v 8; E Fuller $4.50 pd to middle v 8; Samuel Smith by pm $1 pd to 204 in v 8; A Stacey $1 pd to 228 in v 10; H Libbey $2 pd to end v 8. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.21
J Weston; pm Newburyport Ms; CP Whitten; pm Charlten N Y; pm Dedham Ms; J Bates; pm Stow Ms; W Budd; M Allen; E F; Isaac Ives; D P Drown; G F Cox; J E Gilmore; W. Dodge; J J Leslie; J Weston; J C Forbush; Almira Chase; pm Mobile Ala; pm North Scitnate R I; pm E Northwood N H; pm Hartford Ct; pm S Glastenbury Ct; O W Hazen; pm Amesbury Ms; H Harriman; John Pierson: S S Brewer $5; pm Rutland. Vt; pm Mattapoisette Ms; L F Allen; R F Goodwin: N Field; Warren G Price; Josegh Bates; pm Ashburnham Ms; pm Morrisville Vt. HST November 20, 1844, page 120.22