The Advent Herald, and Signs of the Times Reporter [Himes], vol. 7
February 21, 1844
Vol. VII. No. 3. Boston, Whole No. 147
Joshua V. Himes
THE ADVENT HERALD,
AND SIGNS OF THE TIMES REPORTER.
BEHOLD! THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!! GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM!!!
NEW SERIES. VOL. VII. NO. 3. Boston, February 21, 1844. WHOLE NO. 147. HST February 21, 1844, page 17.1
THE ADVENT HERALD
IS PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY
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J. V. Himes, S. Bliss, & A. Hale, Editors. HST February 21, 1844, page 17.2
Terms.—One Dollar per Volume, of 26 Numbers. Five Dollars for 6 Copies, Ten Dollars for 13 Copies. HST February 21, 1844, page 17.3
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The Second Advent
Even thus amid thy pride and luxury,
Oh Earth! shall that last coming burst on thee,
That second coming of the Son of Man,
When all the cherub-thronging clouds shall shine,
Irradiate with his bright advancing sign.
When that great husbandman shall wave his fan,
Sweeping like chaff thy wealth and pomp away:
Still to the noontide of that nightless day,
Shalt thou thy wonted dissolute course maintain;
Along the busy mart and crowded street,
The buyer and the seller still shall meet,
And marriage feasts begin their jocund strain;
Still to the pouring out the cup of woe,
Till earth, a drunkard, reeling to and fro,.
And mountains molten by his burning feet,
And heaven his presence own, all red with furnace heat.
The hundred gated cities then,
The towers and temples, armed of men
Eterual, and the thrones of Kings;
The gilded summer palaces,
The courtly bowers of love and ease,
Where still the Bird of Pleasure sings;
Ask ye the destiny of them!
Go gaze on fallen Jerusalem!
Yea, mightier names are in the fatal roll,
‘Gainst earth and heaven God’s standard is unfurled,
The skies are shrivelled like a burning scroll,
And the vast common doom ensepulchres the world.
Oh! who shall then survive?
Oh! who shall stand and live?
When all that hath been in no more.
When for the round earth hung in air,
With all its constellations fair
In the sky’s azure canopy;
When for the breathing earth and sparkling sea,
Is but a fiery deluge without shore,
Heaving along the abyss profound and dark,
A fiery deluge, and without an ark.
Lord of all power, when thou art there alone
On thy eternal, fiery-wheeled throne,
That in its high meridian noon,
Needs not the perished sun nor moon:
When thou art there in thy presiding state,
Wide-sceptred monarch o’er the realm of doom.
When from the sea-depthe, from earth’s darkest tomb,
The dead of all the ages found thee wait:
And when the tribes of wickedness are strewn
Like forest leaves in the autumn of thine ire:
Faithful and true! thou still wilt save shine own!
The saints shall dwell within: h’ unharming fire,
Each white robe spotless, blooming every palm,
Even safe as we, by this stilt fountain’s side,
So shall the church, thy bright and mystic bride,
Sit on the stormy gulf, a halcyon bird of calm.
Yes,’ mid yon angry and destroying signs,
O’er as the rainbow of thy mercy shines,
We bail, we bless the covenant of its beam,
Almighty to revenge, Almightiest to redeem?
HST February 21, 1844, page 17.4
Mh.Man. HST February 21, 1844, page 17.5
Ecclesiastical Trial
Arbitrary Power of the M. E. Church, vs. Millerism
concluded
But in order to set this subject in a still clearer light, we will illustrate it in the following manner.—Suppose a bench of judges of a supreme court in our State, should take it upon them to pass resolutions that the sale of ardent spirits is contrary to the statute laws of the State of Maine. Subsequent to this, a case for the sale of ardent spirits in tried in the court of “common pleas,” and the judge in presenting the law to the jury, holds up and reads those resolutions, and says, “gentlemen, these resolutions have settled the question that the sale of ardent spirits is contrary to our statute laws, and you have only to determine whether or not the act has been committed by the defendant; and if satisfied that such act has been committed in this case, you must bring in your verdict against him.” The counsel for the defendant begs his honor to show the law which has been violated, but is answered, that that question has been settled; but in pressing the request for such law to be produced, if any such existed, the judge, being pressed a little too hard, replies, “this is out of order,” and the matter ends. Would not such conduct be looked upon with abhorance and disgust by every man? and yet the principle is precisely the same in this case. I think, sir, that every unprejudiced Methodist must blush for the honor of Methodism. A council of Methodist preachers, under the most solemn obligations to “deal justly and love mercy,” as well as “walk humbly with God,” pursuing a course in an ecclesiastical trial, which would be frowned down as unconstitutional, unjust, and oppressive, in any civil court in our land. It must be conceded that such proceedings are decidedly and eternally wrong, and if persisted in will load the Methodist church with disgrace, such as the final judgment will not wipe away But the singularity of this trial did not end here. After the president had proved, with my concessions, that I had preached that the time of the “Second Advent” is a subject of divine revelation, and that time this Jewish year, and that the millennium will commence at that period, I proved in my defence that Bishop Hedding remarked to our Conference at its last session, that he did not consider it essential to Methodism, whether a man believed that the millennium would be before or after the judgment, for he had known many Methodist preachers who believed one way, and many who believed the other. No attempt was made to invalidate this testimony. I also referred to Mr. Fletcher, one of our standard writers, as believing that the millennium would commence at the personal appearing of Christ; all that was proved in my case on this specification. The opinion of Mr. Fletcher was allowed, and yet the specification was sustained; the committee deciding that such a millennium was contrary to “our articles of religion,” “as explained by our standard authors!!” Thus entirely disregarding the opinion of Bishop Hedding, and convicting Mr Fletcher of heresy, and if alive, he would probably be suspended with me and others, for preaching the peculiarities of “Millerism.” Thus you see, sir, in attempting to fix their dart in the heart of “Millerism,” they strike through the vitals of their own body. Surely the wisdom of man has run mad! I think that such a case is without a parallel in the history of Methodism, except in some similar onerecently; and it probably had its origin in the “great plans of modern Christianity,” and was brought to perfection by a blind and misguided zeal against the immediate coming of the Savior. But as these resolutions were considered of more importance in this case than the opinion of Mr. Fletcher, we would suggest whether it would not be well to have them incorporated with our standard authorities; for in the absence of any express law to answer the purpose, they may be of great service in the “correction of heretics.” But such conduct presents a mournful moral aspect. To see men in high authority, to whom is committed the care of souls, blinded by the mists of prejudice, and hurried on by considerations of sectarian interests, oppressing the poor children of God for honestly believing and teaching that “the Judge is at the door,” and allaying the just fears of thousands while the scenes of eternity are just ready to break upon them, is indeed painful to every lover of Christ. We fear those brethren will have a heavy debt to settle with the “judge of quick and dead,” while their flocks may rise in judgment against them for having assured them that “the end is not yet,” and may attribute to such assurances their neglect of salvation, and final ruin. HST February 21, 1844, page 17.6
We pray that the eyes of some, at least, may be opened to see the “signs of the times” in which we live. We have no hardness against those brethren,—we could freely forgive them if we could see in them a disposition to treat us and the solemn truths we preach with respect. But of this, from the present appearances of things, we have little hope; for instead of taking their Bibles and attempting with candor to show us our “error,” we are every where met with arrogant assumptions of superior wisdom, which will hardly allow our opponents to condescend to a careful investigation of this subject—with ridicule and sneering contempt; and then they wonder why we are not convinced—why we do not give up the doctrine. No man has ever attempted to show me, from the word of God, that I was wrong. Why is it so? If the brethren of Paul. Luther, Wesley, Fletcher, of any of the good men of our world, had fallen into error, would they not with kindness and love have shown them such error from the Bible? or would they have assumed that these brethren were “weak minded,” “fanatics,” “seceders,” etc., and have treated them with disdain, ridicule, and misrepresentation, and then because they were not reformed by such wholesome (!) instruction, expel them from the church! But we write not for our own defence: God will shortly take care of this; but our object is, if possible, to show some poor souls who may be prejudiced against the immediate coming of the Lord by the influence of others, the ground on which our opponents stand,—the character of the opposition this glorious subject has to meet with, from ministers and churches. We are very near a crisis—an awful crisis—between ourselves and the churches on this question; it is not a difference of opinion merely, but a difference of action and spirit; and such, we think, as utterly forbids the hope that both classes, as a general things, will ultimately be found in the same way to heaven. The line of division is fast being drawn, and we beg every one speedily to conclude which side they will occupy in reference to the judgment, And in doing this they should recollect that all earthly influences are in favor of our opponents; and therefore they will be more likely to go with them, however wrong; but we hope that the influences of truth and the Spirit of God are with “the sect every where spoken against.” Reader, prepare to meet Christ, who I firmly believe will appear in a few months. Levi S. Stockman. HST February 21, 1844, page 17.7
Portland, Jan 1844. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.1
P. S. I would here remark, that the facts as stated in this communication to have occured in the above named trial, can be proved by unimpeachable testimony, if necessary. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.2
L. S. S.
Letter from brother J. W. Spaulding
Dear Brother Himes:—I have been much interested and instructed by reading the epistles of Peter; thinking, as I do, that they are applicable to the present time, especially his 2nd Epistle, the theme of which is that interesting and soul cheering subject, which is now agitating the whole Christian world, viz. the Second coming of Christ. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.3
In the first place, it is interesting, because it points to the true light which will serve as our guide on this important subject, in the midst of the surrounding darkness. 2nd, it is instructive, as it exposes the false ways, and shows us the dangers that beset us on our pilgrimage. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.4
1st. Notice 2 Peter 1:12, 15-21. “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of those things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.’ “Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father, honor and glory, when there came such a voice from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the Holy Mount, [see account of the transfiguration, Mark 9:1-7.] We have also a more sure word of prophecy: [relating to the second coming of Christ,] thereunto ye do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old (or at any) time by the will of man, [consequently it is not necessary that we should trust to man’s interpretation] but holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.5
Again, Peter, in the 3rd chapter of this epistle, calls special attention to the prophets. “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you, in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the Holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days, scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation, 2 Peter 3:1-4. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.6
Again Peter, in his 1st epistle, refers us to the prophets in connection with this subject, 1 Peter 1:10-12, of which salvation the prophets have enquired, and searched diligently [Daniel 10:1-3,] who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, [“or be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” 13th verse,] searching what [time] or what manner of time [or kind, literal or symbolical,] the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified before hand the sufferings of Christ, [70 weeks, Daniel 9:24,] and the glory that should follow, [2300 days, Daniel 8:14, 26; 10:14. That the glory which follows the sufferings of Christ is his second coming in glory. See the following pass ages, Matthew 25:31-33; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Peter 1:7, 13; 4:12, 13; 5:1, 4, 10, and Romans 8:17.] Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are reported you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the angels desired to look into. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.7
It seems, from these quotations, that Peter had great confidence: in the prophets, as is related not only to the event, but to the time that glorious event should take place, viz. the second coming of Christ. He was much unlike the modern teachers of our day who would have us believe that the prophets have left us all in the dark, [instead of being a light, as Peter says] in relation to this important event, who also tell us that the prophecy of Daniel [to which in my opinion Peter here alludes,] has no reference at all to the coming of Christ. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.8
I wish now to notice, briefly, Peter’s description of false teachers, which is the great reason that he so often calls our special attention to the prophets, with the caution to take heed. When we see a person in the way of danger, we are earnest in warning him of the danger, and of pointing out the way to escape. In this case there is danger; and the Holy Ghost has pointed it out, with the exhortation that we do well that we take heed “But there were false prophets among the people, as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.” “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you,” they will also “speak evil of the things that they understand not.” “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls;” “For. when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean [or entirely] escaped from them who live in error,” “while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage, 2 Peter 2:1-19. O! my dear brother, my heart is pained when I contemplate the sinking fulfilment of this prophecy, that has come under my own observation. When the faithful servants of Jesus Christ came along here, and, like Peter, called the attention of the people to the sure word of prophecy, and the prophets, on this of all subjects the most interesting to the Christian, and held up the light that emanates from these sources, there was a great number who seemed to receive it and rejoice in it; they bid fair and run well for a time, seemed happy in the expectation of soon seeing Jesus. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.9
“They arose trimmed their lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom,” but where, O! where are they now? I have asked many of them the reason why they do not believe the doctrine as the once did, and none have I found that can give a reason from the Bible; all they are able to say is, we don’t believe it, and many have confessed to me they knew not why. It seems that the light that was in them has become darkness; do they not answer to the stony ground hearers, “for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Matthew 13:20, 21. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.10
The persecution coming, as it has in this case, from the professed ministers and followers of Christ, a source which they least expected, they were easily ensnared. Had they read the above description, they might have known, when they see those who have endeavored to explain the prophecy of Daniel in a way so as to throw out his testimony in relation to the second advent, by finding a fulfilment of his visions in Antiochus, that in so doing they have answered this description of false teachers, by calling the “Prince of Princes,” Daniel 8:25, which is Jesus Christ, Revelation 1:5, nothing more than a Jewish high priest, thus “denying the Lord that bought them;” they might have known that those who receive the truth and obey it, would be called mad or crazy, as Paul was, and that all manner of evil would be said concerning them. “If they call the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more theyof his household?” They might also have known that those who have more concern for their church or sect than they have for truth, would with feigned words endeavor to make merchandise of them; they might have known that there would be those yet, though they acknowledged that those prophecies are dark to them, and that they cannot, at least do not understand them, yet they would even dare to “speak evil of the things they understood not,” and they “cannot cease from sin,” yes, this is what they preach, as well as practice, “beguiling unstable souls” how true is this, if they know of any who are inclining to follow the exhortation [original illegible] to take heed to the sure word of prophecy, to examine the prophets on this subject, how expeditions they are to dissuade them from it. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.11
Another thing, it seems to me, renders these teachers dangerous, and that is, they have once been in the right way, as Peter’s testimony is, that they “have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the ways of unrighteousness,” 2 Peter 2:15. I will now close by warning all my dear brethren who are “looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appealing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ,” in the language of Peter in closing up his 2nd epistle, 3:17, 18, “ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware, lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your steadfastness, but grow in grace, and in. the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; to him be glory, both now and forever. Amen. Yours, daily looking for Christ. J. W. Spaulding. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.12
Letter from Sister Martha N. Thurston
Lowell, January 6th, 1844. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.13
Bro. Himes, Sir:—If it will not weary you, Sir, I will give you a few words in relation to my views of the “Second Advent near.” In the first place, however, I will remark, that in the early part of my life, I experienced a hope in Jesus Christ, and some one or two years after which, I felt deeply impresed with the value of immortal souls, who were urging their way to the gates of death, and my obligation in view of their condition. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.14
The exercises of my mind continued to increase upon me, until I viewed myself arraigned before God without a hope in Christ, if I continued to resist the movement of his Spirit on my mind. The only course for me, was, in order to resist with safety those feelings of obligation, I must be convinced they were the workings of my own imaginations, as the temptation of Satan to accomplish my ruin. I reasoned with myself, but no argument could I find, unless it were purely Atheistical, namely the denying of revelation, and the operations of the Spirit on the heart. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.15
For the exercises of my mind were identically produced by the same agency, the operations of which had led me to see myself a sinner against God, and also gave me to enjoy the divine evidence of my acceptance with him. Hence the only alternative was obedience to God or to suffer forever the consequences of His displeasure. Upwards of two long, dreary years, I suffered this contest in my mind. Even then, had I not been fast wasting away for the tomb, with this responsibility upon me, I should not have yielded myself to God. This course, however, I should not justify in any one. I yielded, but not willingly. In this state of mind I labored as extensively as my health would admit, for some three or four years, with now and then a most severe conflict with an unreconciled heart: but one day while alone with God, and having his word before me, I was led to contemplate the excellency of his character. I was blessed with a view of the honors of God, and the honors of the world, in contrast; and indeed there was a contrast! The world receded from my view, and never since have I comparatively desired its honors: but have either rejoiced that God should condescend to reveal his Son in me, and call me by his grace, that I should declare among the people, the unsearchable riches of Christ. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.16
For quite a number of years past, I have been lain aside from indisposition, yet I have never seen the time that I were ready to die, and enter into rest, while God’s people had yet a work to do; but rather have ever desired to remain on the field until victory was gained and the spoil divided; and then, and not till then, have I been willing to enter into rest. I have never seen any one whose mind has been similarily exercised. I have thought I could see; (in some sense of the word,) how this infinite desire could be realized, but have been denied even a partial realization of its accomplishment. And when I would strike out of my anticipation this glorious object of my earthly being, life would dwindle (in my estimation) until it was scarcely desirable. HST February 21, 1844, page 18.17
But, glory to God, since I have been made to believe that the mystery of God is about to be finished, when the kingdoms of this world, will become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, my former exercises have been vividly brought before my mind. Glory to God that I have lived to see this day. I now believe my former exercises were given me in referance to this time; for I realize far more in prospect than I have ever desired. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.1
When Bro. Miller called at my house, some three or four years since, and proposed the question to me, “Do you not rejoice that the Lord is so soon to make his appearance?” My answer was, No, we are not ready for such an event. I was then a strong believer in the spiritual reign of Christ. But when I considered the “little horn” of Daniel, and Paul’s “man of sin” which alone, in my view, were illustrative of papacy, and seeing their co-existence with the church of God until the last end of the indignation, when the kingdoms of this world should become the kingdoms of our Lord, I was constrained to become premillennial; and, to my utter astonishment, I found myself a thousand years nearer the judgment scene than what I was before. I was now left without an argument excepting the conversion of the Jews. From this time I was disposed to speak favorably on the subject, and also to understand many adverse providences, we were all to experience. “Many shall be purified, made white, and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly.” In the midst of our affliction I have truly desired to be passive in the hand of my heavenly Father until the work of refinement should be consummately effected. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.2
About four months since, while reflecting upon the Second Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the question arose in my mind, shall I be justified before God, if I let this subject pass without an investigation? The answer was in the negative. I immediately commenced an investigation, and also an examination of my own heart, at the same time. And what was the result? Why, I found more objections to believing it in my own heart, than I did in the word of God. I soon became satisfied of its reality, but the importance of standing in its defence, at this time, was my greatest conflict. Just at this moment my former exercises and desires to remain upon the field, to aid in fighting the last battle, came vividly before me, with all the glories of such a conquest, I truly was melted into humble joy, that God should so deal with me, and spare me to behold this day HST February 21, 1844, page 19.3
I am convinced of this truth, that nothing short of entire sanctification will give us victory over the world so as to stand in defence of this truth, and do honor to the cause of God. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.4
We must lay ourselves upon the alter a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.” I bless God, that while I am now standing in defence of this truth I have no fear of consequences. I am astonished at such a change. Nothing short of divine power could have effected such a change upon a mind so sensitive to the sound of every word connected with the subject of the “Second Advend.” I never so fearlessly engaged in the cause of God, as at the present. Never did I enter into the sympathies of the Savior, who died for a lost world, and who is now making intercession for us, as what I now do. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.5
What infinite condescension characterizes our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has committed the instrumentality of the world’s conversion to his Church! I would ask in the most abased humility, in view of the present state of the Church, how can we labor efficiently for this glorious result, namely, the salvation of souls, unless we have the spirit of Christ, and are thereby able to enter into all the sympathies of his soul, who was rich, but for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might become rich? who valued not sufferings, but endured the cross; despising the shame; and is now at the right hand of the throne of God, making intercession for us. Granting us every possible assistance to achieve this glorious work; consoling us at the same time with the divine promise, that, If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.6
The question now arises, Is there any space of time commencing at any given point, prior to the Saviors’s leaving the in ediatorial seat, that mercy cannot be obtained for sinners? I find not the least intimation from the word of God, to favor such an idea; but rather a strong declaration by the apostle Peter, to the reverse of it. The only reason he assigns for the delay of this tremendous scene of the world’s drama, is, “His not being willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Then after assuring his brethren that “that day would come as a thief in the night,”—to the world of ungodly, He then comforts his brethren with the participation of that glorious promise of “The new heavens, and new earth wherein is to dwell righteousness.” He then admonishes them, in view of such glories, “to be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless, accounting the long-suffering of our Lord salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you.” HST February 21, 1844, page 19.7
In the 15th verse, which I have just quoted, the apostle assures us the second time, that the design of Christ’s delay in coming, is for salvation; and to prove that point to a demonstration, he refers us to the writings of the apostle Paul, who spake also by inspiration. We learn from the sequel, that a correct knowledge of the glorious Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in all of its practical bearings, is of infinite moment. To whom? To all who are concerned in the event. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.8
Should one dear soul who is irreconciled to such an event read these lines, let me assure you that your heart is not right with God, however, great may be your profession; for we should have no interests separate from God’s Glory. We are taught to pray that that day may be hastened, when the “kingdom of God will come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” And are we not ready for the event? May we be aroused from our slumbers seasonably, to prepare, lest we shall be found among the foolish virgins, knocking at the door when it is too late. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.9
Should the eyes of one precious soul chance to fall upon these lines, whose heart is not right with God, let me assure you, the Savior still remains upon the mercy seat for your salvation. Let not this day—this hour—or this moment pass without laying hold of the hope set before you in the gospel. He will soon leave the seat of mercy, and give you no further warning of the event! HST February 21, 1844, page 19.10
O sinner, what will you do in that tremendous day? You may call for rocks and mountains to hide you from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: but all in vain. O sinner, be wise—seek mercy—rest not—lest you should be one hour too late, and ALL IS OVER!! HST February 21, 1844, page 19.11
Fredericktown, N. B
Bro. W. Wilmot writes:—I have seen nothing to effect my belief, but every thing to confirm it; that we are living in the last years of this world’s history. On this point I have never entertained a doubt; and I may add, that I would be one of the most ungrateful beings that God ever made, to wish a change in my mind; for it has created a continued antepast of heaven, ever since I embraced the belief; and it has had the effect of weaning me entirely from the world; that all earthly pleasures, or any thing connected with a world doomed to be burned np, appears to me like an empty bubble, possessing no charm worth my stay for one moment. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.12
It has also given me new light, and a veneration for the Lord’s word that I never experienced before. That holy book is my constant study, and the subject of the Second Advent my daily theme. I neither think of, or speak on any other subject; and I find it enough to keep my little cup continually running over. I improve every leisure moment from study, to recommend it to others; and I trust my labor has not been in vain in the Lord. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.13
I continue to lend all my books and papers, scattering them in every direction, and like so many little quiet preachers, I believe they are doing their duty; and the good will not be known till we meet above. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.14
For the last fifteen months, every day has been a Sabbath, and a Bethel season. I have therefore come to the conclusion that the Second Advent believers, collectively, have taken the same ground occupied by the apostles, and their immediate successors; and I am bold to say, that it must carry conviction to every reflective mind, that when they see Christians of any creed unite like a band of brothers, and contend for one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, that the cause is the cause of God; for nothing but the all prevailing influence of the love of God could create such a feeling, and produce such corresponding effects. This fact alone ought to silence gainsayers, except they are given over to a reprobate mind, which it is to be feared is the case in many instances. It is my earnest prayer that every minister and member may be found to stand in the liberty wherewith God has made them free; and never more be entangled in the yoke of bondage. Wishing you all grace, and God speed, I remain your waiting and anxious brother. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.15
W. Wilmot HST February 21, 1844, page 19.16
Jannary 13th, 1844. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.17
“These deceivers are incurring a fearful responsibility.”—Christian Watchman. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.18
The above is an extract from an article on the subject of the Advent, and was made in reference to those who advocate it. On that point, Bro. L. Hersey remarks as follows; but it was denied a corner in the Christian Watchman. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.19
“When I read this I thought you could not be aware who among our Baptist ministers were committed to this question, and preaching accordingly. Brn. N. Hervey, F. G. Brown, J. B. Cook, Asahel Chapin, who, I believe, all graduated at Newton, would not knowingly deceive in a matter of such magnitude as the second advent of Christ. Besides, there are others who have been in good standing in our denomination, such as Chester Tilden, Jacob Weston, S. C. Chandler, J. S White, Prospect Powell, Prof. N. N. Whiting, and Elon Galusha, etc., etc., who are all (to say nothing about the Methodist, and Presbyterian ministers who have stood high in their respective denominations) I believe, fully committed to this time. If you will give this a corner in your Watchman, you will oblige one of your oldest subscribers. Lewis Hersey. HST February 21, 1844, page 19.20
The Advent Herald
“The Lord is at Hand.”
BOSTON, FEBRUARY 21, 1844.
All communications for the Signs of the Times or orders for Books or remittances, should be directed to “J. V. Himes, Boston, Mass,” post paid. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.1
Post Masters are authorized by the Post Office Department to forward free of expense all orders for, or to discontinue publications, and also money to pay for the ame HST February 21, 1844, page 20.2
Subscribers’ names with the State and Post Office should be distinctly given when money is forwarded. Where the Post Office is not given, we are liable to misdirect the paper or credit to the wrong person, as there are often several of the same name, or several Post Offices in the same town. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.3
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES on which the SECOND ADVENT CAUSE IS BASED
I.—The word of God teaches that this earth is to be regenerated, in the restitution of all things, and restored to its Eden state as it came from the hand of its Maker be fore the fall, and is to be the eternal abode of the righteous in their resurrection state. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.4
II.—The only Millenium found in the word of God, is the 1000 years which are to intervene between the first and second resurrections, as brought to view in the 20th of Revelations. And the various portions of Scripture which are adduced as evidence of such a period in time, are to have their fulfilment only in the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.5
III.—The only restoration of Israel yet future, is the restoration of the Saints to the New Earth, when the Lord my God shall come, and all his saints with him. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.6
IV.—The signs which were to precede the coming of our Savior, have all been given; and the prophecies have all been fulfilled but those which relate to the coming of Christ, the end of this world, and the restitution of all things. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.7
V.—There are none of the prophetic periods, as we understand them, extending beyond the [Jewish] year 1843. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.8
The above we shall ever maintain as the immutable truths of the word of God, and therefore, till our Lord come, we shall ever look for his return as the next event in historical prophecy. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.9
Anecdote of Mr. Miller.—About six years since, the family physician of Mr. Miller had remarked at various places, that Esquire Miller (Mr. Miller had been a Justice of the Peace among his neighbors) was a fine man, and a good neighbor; but on the subject of the Advent he was a monomaniac. Mr. Miller heard of this; and; one of his children being sick one day, he sent for the Doctor. After he had prescribed for the child, he noticed that Mr. Miller sat very mute in one corner, and asked him what alled him. “Well, I hardly know, Doctor. I want you to see what does, and prescribe for me.” The Doctor felt of his pulse, etc., and could not decide respecting his malady; and inquired what he supposed was his complaint.—“Well,” says Mr. Miller, “I don’t know but I am a monomaniac; and I want you to examine me, and see if I am; and if so, cure me. Can you tell when a man is a monomaniac?” The Doctor blushed, and said he thought he could. Mr. Miller wished to know how. “Why,” said the Doctor, “a monomaniac is rational on all subjects but one; and when you touch that particular subject, he will become raving.” “Well,” says Mr. Miller, I iusist upon it; that you see whether I am in reality a monomaniac; and if I am, you shall prescribe and cure me. You shall therefore sit down with me two hours, while I present the subject of the Advent to you, and if I am a monomaniac, by that time you will discover it.” The doctor was somewhat disconcerted, but Mr. Miller insisted, and told him, as it was to present the state of his mind, he might charge for his time as in regular practice. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.10
The Doctor finally consented; and, at Mr. Miller’s request, opened the Bible and read from the 8th of Daniel. As he read along, Mr. Miller inquired what the ram denoted, with the other symbols presented. The Doctor had read Newton, and applied them to Persia, Greece, and Rome, as Mr. Miller does. Mr. Miller then inquired, how long the vision of those empires was to be. He replied, 2300 days. “What!” said Mr. Miller, “could those great empires cover only 2300 literal days?” “Why,” said the Doctor, those days are years, according to all commentators; and those kingdoms are to continue 2,300 years.” He then asked him to turn to the 2nd of Daniel, and to the 7th; all of which he explained the same as Mr. Miller. He was then asked if he knew when the 2300 days would end. He did not know, as he could not tell when they commenced Mr. Miller told him to read the ninth of Daniel. He read down till he came to the twenty-first ver., when Daniel saw “the man Gabriel,” whom he had “seen in the vision.” “In what vision?” “Mr. M. inquired, “Why,” said the Doctor, “in the vision of the 8th of Daniel.” “Wherefore understand the matter and consider the vision.” “He had now come, then, to make him understand that vision, had he?” “Yes,” said the Doctor. “Well, ‘seventy weeks are determined;’ what are these seventy weeks a part of?” “Of the 2300 days.” Then do they begin with the 2300?” “Yes,” said the Doctor. “When did they end?” “In A. D. 33.” “Then how far would the 2300 extend after 33?” The Doctor subtracted 490 from 2300, and replied, 1810; “why,” said he, “that is past.” “But,” said Mr. Miller, “there were 1810 from 33; in what year would that come?” The Doctor saw at once that the 33 should be added, and set down 33 and 1810, and, adding them, replied, 1843. At this unexpected result the Doctor settled back in his chair, and colored; but immediately took his hat and left the house in a rage. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.11
The next day the Doctor again called on Mr. Miller, and looked as though he had been in the greatest mental agony. “Why, Mr. Miller,” said he, “I am going to hell; I have not slept a wink since I was here yesterday; I have looked the question in every light, and the visions must terminate about A. D. 1843; and I am unprepared, and most go to hell.” Mr. Miller calmed him, and pointed him to the ark of safety; and in about a week, calling each day on Mr. Miller, he found peace to his soul, and went on his way rejoicing,—as great a monomaniac as Mr. Miller. He afterwards acknowledged that till he made the figures 1843, he had no idea of the result to which he was coming. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.12
Editorial Correspondence
Bro. Bliss,—We had a tedious passage to New-York, being detained some time in the Sound by the ice. But our time was occupied, while delayed, in conversation on the subject of our hope, with various candid persons who are disposed to look into the matter. Br. Miller was much respected by all on board. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.13
Mr. Fowler, the Phrenologist, was on board, and by request gave a lecture on that science. After the lecture he examined a number of heads, while blindfolded, among whom, at the request of the company, Mr. Miller’s head was examined. All were eager to hear the opinion of the learned lecturer. Among other things he said: This man has large benevolence; his object is to do his fellow beings good. He has great firmness—is a modest man—open, frank, no hypocrite—good at figures—a man of great power, might make a noise in the world—has no personal enemies; if he has enemies, it is not because they know him, but on account of his opinions, etc. At the conclusion of the examination, the blindfold was taken off, and the lecturer was introduced to Mr. Miller, to the no small amusement of the company. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.14
The Conference had commenced when we arrived. The meetings, for the two first days, were held in the Franklin Hall, which was filled to overflowing. The last two days we occupied the Broadway Tabernacle. Mr. Miller lectured afternoons and evenings to immense audiences. The evening services were much crowded—the audiences could not have been less than 5000. I have seldom witnessed more solemn and attentive congregations. I think a deep religious impression was made upon all classes. Br. Miller has now had a fair hearing in that great city. I never heard him speak with greater clearness and power, than at the Broadway Tabernacle in New York. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.15
The brethren of the conference recommended some things to brethren abroad, for their consideration at this critical time. [They will be found in another column.] All seemed to feel the importance of united action in spreading more widely and effectually the the glad tidings of the kingdom at hand. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.16
We came to this city on the 10th inst. and commenced our meeting in the Saloon of the Chinese Museum the 11th. The place was filled to overflowing all day. Br. Miller lectured. The place was filled morning and afternoon of Monday and Tuesday, up to this time, and the interest seems to be increasing. Lectures have been given at Juliana St. Chapel, evenings, and some at other Chapels, opened to us. The colored people have opened the Wesley Chapel in Sixth St. to us, and seem to be much interested in the doctrine. We shall continue here, Providence permitting, over the Sabbath. We commence in Washington the 20th inst. Our stay in that city will depend upon circumstances. We intend to do our duty. Public feeling, relating to Adventists, at this time, is more kind, candid and respectful, than at any former period. At the very time when the opposing clergy supposed we should be rejected, and put down by public sentiment, we find ourselves more respected, and have a greater influence upon the public mind than ever. Our congregations are crowded; many are embracing the faith, many more are giving up the old theology and are anxiously enquiring for the better way. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.17
The cause is prospering in this city. So also in New York, and in Boston; in fact in every part of the country, the faith of Adventists “groweth exceedingly.” Besides, the call for lectures in all parts of the country, shows the confidence of the public in the faith of our several expositions of the Bible. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.18
“The Advent Herald” is just received. I trust it will publish its mission in all faithfulness. Indeed, no labor or expense will be spared to make it a medium of light and truth on the blessed advent now at the door. As Bro. Litch is not able to aid much in the editorial department, in consequence of his multiplied duties in this important field of labor, (Philadelphia) he wishes his name dropped from the editorial department. I wish the name of Bro. A. Hale to be put in its place. His integrity and faithfulness in the cause, as well as his piety and talents, entitle him to the highest confidence of all the friends of the Advent cause. We cannot dispense with his important services at this crisis. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.19
J. V. Himes.
Philadelphia, Feb. 14, 1844.
Backing Out
Since Mr. Miller has shown that, according to principles of interpretation adopted by all the standard protestant commentators, we must be near the end of the present dispensation, we find that many are leaving the old landmarks, and adopting views on the prophecies in accordance with the philosophy of Germany and of France. Not only prominent clergymen, but religious papers are departing from the faith once delivered to the saints; and as we hear not the warning voice raised among the patrons of those, we conclude the contagion is extensively spread. HST February 21, 1844, page 20.20
The Boston Recorder, in speaking of the German notion of Prof. Chase respecting the book of Daniel says, It must needs be acknowledged however, that our faith is greatly shaken in the interpretations on which in common with most of our brethren, we have heretofore relied, and which forms the foundations of the baseless theories of Miller.” HST February 21, 1844, page 21.1
Again He says:—Stuart and Chase have given us new views of the design and purport of Daniel’s prophesyings, and such as we strongly suspect, will ere long obtain universal evidence among the reflecting and sober minded. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.2
Here is an acknowledgement that the views of Mr. Miller are based upon principles of interpreiation which they formerly admitted; and that their faith is shaken. It will seem that they sooner relinquish their faith, than admit the coming of Christ; and are obliged to change their faith to avoid such a conclusion. This be it remembered, is the confession of one of the oldest and most influential papers in the Orthodox ranks, and shows that this moral leprosy has eaten deep into the public mind. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.3
After doing all they can to bring contempt upon the Advent brethren, and excommunicating those who are looking for the Lord, they now come out and acknowledge that we have remained on the old foundation, while they are the ones that have embraced new positions. We have had a desire to preserve the great body of the churches, but evidence of such a sad departure from the truth on their part, we fear will render it necessary for us to excommunicate the whole of them. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.4
Matthew, Chap. 24, last four verses.—One of the worst perversions of scripture ever committed is to apply these passages to honest men, christians, and ministers of the gospel of every class, except those who believe that the coming of Christ will take place at a particular time. If this is a correct exposition and application of the passage, then eternal damnation is the lot of all such. And if this is the true and proper application, how long has it been so? Was it so ten years ago? If so, then there was scarcely more than one man to be saved, or in a safe state, at that date. But did that become the proper application at any particular period? If so, at what period? HST February 21, 1844, page 21.5
But who has authority to say God has changed the meaning and proper application of the passage in question, from the time that Jesus sat with his disciples upon the mount of Olives to the present day? And if no such change has ever taken place, and it applies to all, who do not believe in the coming of Christ at a certain period, then what has become of the millions of past ages? A deluded fanatic can see no reason in all I have here written; but cool reflection will enable all unprejudiced persons to appreciate the merits of this reasoning. Yet some will tremble to say so. But enough anathemas have been hurled through the medium of this passage at the heads of God’s people, to justify a word of defence. S.of Chr.Herald. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.6
The objectionable texts referred to in the above are the following, Matthew 24:48-51. “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looked not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrite: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” HST February 21, 1844, page 21.7
These texts are only applicable to those who deny the immediate coming of the Lord, smite their fellow servants for proclaiming his coming, or eat and drink with the drunken. Doubtless many have felt this scorching application, while their consciences have said to them, “thou art the man;” and would willingly have torn them from the word of God. Our brother of the Herald takes exception to the application; and intimates that they are applied to all who do not believe in a “particular time.” That was a wrong intimation; for those texts are applicable to none, but those whose conduct is specified therein, to all they are applicable. Those who love the appearing of the Lord would never take exception to such an application, or dream of its having been applied to them. The article above reads very much as if it was written by some one, who had written to prove that the Lord could not immediately come; and then, to turn away the force of those texts, had endeavored to excite the prejudice of those to whom the texts are not applicable, by claiming that they are applied to them also. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.8
He enquires when those texts became thus applicable? The context will show him that our Savior was speaking of the time of his coming, after the appearing of all the signs which were to precede it; and therefore these texts could be applicable to no previous period of time. As the “evil servant” would not deny the coming of the Lord, only when his coming was affirmed, it follows that they could be applicable to none of those who died before the kingdom at hand was preached. They also could not be applicable only at such time when those that proclaim the Lord’s approach are beaten for so doing. “Cool reflection will enable all unprejudiced persons to appreciate the merits of” such “reasoning.” If not a “fanatic,” he must be “deluded” in the extreme who “can see” any “reason” in such “reasoning.” HST February 21, 1844, page 21.9
We again have a supply of No. 33 of the Library, “Storr’s Bible Examiner,” of which we have been unable to supply some orders of late; also of the “Reasons of our Hope,” and “Prepare to meet thy God,” by L. Hersey. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.10
An edition of Gun’s work will also be out the last of the week. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.11
The Hartford Christian Secretary is informed that the Rev. Elon Gulusha, late pastor of the Baptist church in Lockport, N. Y., has embraced the time of the Advent in full, and is now in the field, being regularly dismissed from his people, and proclaiming the coming of the Lord. We make these remarks on account of a paragraph in the Secretary, giving the impression that it was only a son of Bro. Galusha who had embraced these views, and who is also strong in the faith. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.12
Believing the time, a Sin! Such is the intimation of the Christian Advocate and Journal, the official organ of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After endeavoring to show that the time is past, it says:— HST February 21, 1844, page 21.13
So, then, it was the preaching of the time that did, the work, that accomplished the good, that carried with it power and conviction to the heart, that God most signally blessed to the quickening of his people, and the awakening and salvation of souls. But as no preaching can be effectual unless it be believed, it turns out that it was the belief of a falsehood that did the work! For this weakness on the part of those who believed there may be mercy, but let them take heed next time, when any other new thing comes up, lest God should send them strong delusion that they should believe a LIE, and so be damned because they believed not the truth. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.14
There may be mercy for those who have believed the coming of the Lord is at the doors! Who would have supposed such a paragraph would have appeared in an official Wesleyan Journal? It may be then there is mercy for John Wesley, who believed the Lord would come about 1836; and also for John Fletcher!! These Methodists have forgotten, some of them, “the rock from whence they were hewn.” But they must not again believe the Lord will come, lest they believe a lie, and so be damned because they do not deny the coming of the Lord!!! Is it possibie that any of the readers of the above Journal are so bound in the bonds of this world, as to see no sophistry in such reasoning? May the Lord in his mercy enable them to look for and love his appearing, that they may receive that crown, which is promised in that day to only such. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.15
The New York and Western Midnight Cry are for sale at this Office. Also bound Vols. of the Signs and Cry. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.16
Washington—Brother Miller is expected to commence a course of Lectures at the City of Washington on the 20th inst., and continue one week or more. God bless the mission in the capital of our nation. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.17
Second Advent Conference,
Held in New York, February 7, 1844.
The following recommendations were unanimously passed by the Conference, for the consideration of Adventists scattered abroad. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.18
Being satisfied that “time is short,” and that what is done must “be done quickly,” we do most affectionately urge upon you, and by the publication of this paper, upon all who love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, to adopt the most efficient method of bringing directly before the whole people all the light we possess on the glorious subject of the near approach of Earth’s exiled King, whose right it is to reign. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.19
As the best means which occurs to us to facilitate this object, we recommend the immediate distribution, throughout the whole country, of such Tracts and other publications, as are available to us on the subject. Especially do we recommend increased exertions to increase the usefulness and extend the circulation of the Advent Herald and Signs of the Times Reporter, published in Boston, and the Midnight Cry, published in N. York. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.20
And in connection herewith your committee most sensibly realize the importance of increasing the number of public lectures—men full of faith and the Holy Spirit—who count not their lives dear unto themselves—men who will give themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Lord. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.21
We reccommend to our dear brethren who are already in the field as lecturers, to remember the noble example of those holy men, who in every age have been martyrs to the testimony and truth of God, not accepting deliverance “that they might obtain a better resurrection,” but especially the example of Him who endured the contradiction of sinners against himself, lest they be weary and faint in their minds. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.22
We further recommend to our dear brethren, in all places where they are denied the privilege of the open advocacy of the doctrine of the Lord’s speedy coming, to withdraw themselves from all sectarian organizations, since they cannot remain in such fellowship but at the expense of piety, peace and usefulness. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.23
But we would most particularly recommend that any separation of this kind, which duty readers necessary in order to your greater enjoyment or more extended usefulness in the cause of Christ, be effected in the most Christian manner—and never with a view to any sectarian organization among themselves; as the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” seems to us alone sufficient. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.24
And to avoid the numberless evils growing out of divisions amonst brethren, which could not but weaken and bring into disrepute the cause of the Second Advent—we recommend to all leading brethren and others to be particularly on their guard against giving any occasion for offence or divisions, and to use constantly the most Scriptural and efficient means to strengthen the cords of brotherly love and Christian affection. Brethren, let us labor constantly to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bonds of peace—though it be at the sacrifice of present interest and feeling. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.25
As the first Christians, on embracing the kingdom of heaven by faith, obeyed Christ immediately in consecrating themselves, their houses, and lands, and goods, and all they possessed, to spread the glad tidings of the kingdom at hand,—so we recommend to all Christians to examine the following passages of Scripture with prayer and fasting—determined to act immediately, as the Lord requires, lest when he appears they be found with goods laid up in store for many years, and their hearts wedded to the effeminate luxuries and vanities of this sinful world: Matthew 6:19, 23, 34; Acts 5:1, 10; 1 Timothy 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3.; Luke 14:13, 14; Acts 2:41 to the end. HST February 21, 1844, page 21.26
[Concluded from page 15.] HST February 21, 1844, page 22.1
after the great voices in heaven pour forth their strains of joy that the kingdoms of this world are given to Christ; and the four and twenty elders give thanks to God, that he has taken to him his great power and reigned, and that the time is come that he should reward his saints, and destroy the wicked, the actual scene is introduced as follows: “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” The mission of the angels of wrath, with their plagues, is brought to view at the 5th verse of chapter 15: “And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power: and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” HST February 21, 1844, page 22.2
The vision of the last plagues is thus stated: “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” Revelation 16:17. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.3
It is thus made very plain that all this work of wrath against the wicked bears an important relation to this view of the temple. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.4
“The temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven” agrees with the holy of holies in the ancient tabernacle of Moses, and the temple of Solomon. It is undoubtedly the “true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man,” into which our great High Priest has entered, and from which he is to “appear to them that look for him, without sin (a sin offering) unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:2-11, 24-28. The time of opening the holy of holies, and the right to perform its service, were among the strictest regulations of the Mosaic law. Any intrusion was death. Leviticus 16:2. Hebrews 9:7. The opening of the temple of God, so as to disclose the ark of his testament, must denote that the work of “our great High Priest in the presence of God,” is ended. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.5
The work of Christ, “the captain of the host of the Lord,”—like that of Cyrus, (one of the most eminent typical agents of Providence,) in the case of ancient Babylon,—when he comes to the earth, is to execute “the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.” Jeremiah 51:11. And the same power which has trodden the earthly sanctuary and host under foot, has also “opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” Revelation 13:6. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.6
In the ancient theocracy, all the important movements of the hosts of God were indicated in connection with the ark. Exodus 25:10-22. Numbers 9:15-23; 10:33-36. The standing formula, to be repeated at the setting forward of the ark, which expressed their prayer to God, and their expectation in reference to their and his enemies, was this: “Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee before thee.” Psalm 68:1 This temple view of the revelator exhibits something of this character; and if what he sees is not identical with the standing up of Christ, it is certainly preparatory to it; for by the standing up of Christ is meant his actual exaltation to authority and power as a king: and his exaltation is followed by the sudden and certain destruction of all his enemies. In reference to them he standeth up to execute judgment. Isaiah 3:13. Psalm 82. Isaiah 2:11, 17, 19, 21; 33:3, 10. Micah 5:4, (margin) 15. Psalm 76:8, 9. Psalm 82, Psalm 94., Psalm 110. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.7
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.8
As soon as his exaltation takes place, and the deliverance of his people is effected, the work of vengeance begins. As to order and time, therefore, the next view of our Lord is undoubtedly given, Revelation 14:14. He comes forth from the holy of holies; he is seated on the white cloud, which is doubtless the white throne also, with his golden crown; and, at the direction of another angel out at the temple,” informing him that “the time is come,” he thrusts in his sickle and the earth is reaped. “Unto them that look for him shall he appear—unto salvation.” HST February 21, 1844, page 22.9
The work of vengeance begins by “his angels;” it is closed op by the personal interposition of Christ. This takes place at “the great battle,” which syncronizes with the treading of “the wine-press of the wrath of God,” under the sixth and seventh vials. But the whole series of plagues follows the opening of the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.10
The period of silence seems to be necessarily connected with the standing up of Christ, as the latter also is with the vision of the ark and temple. A command of silence to “all flesh before the Lord,” is issued, (Zechariah 2:13,) in connection with his coming “to dwell in the midst of the daughter of Zion.” And the reason given is, “for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.” See Habakkuk 2:20. Isaiah 41:1. Such a silence was commanded by Joshua in the conquest of Jericho, the first city of the Canaanites which fell before the presence of the ark, in the overthrow of the enemies of God, of his purposes and people. Joshua 6:1-16. This overthrow was distinguished by the presence of “the captain of the host of the Lord,” as well as that of the ark of God. Joshua 5:13-15. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.11
The possession of old Canaan, the inheritance of the old covenant, was the pledge of the possession of the “better country,” the “eternal inheritance” of the new and everlasting covenant. Genesis 15. May not the conquest of the former be typical, in some respects, of what is to take place when the Captain of our salvation shall interpose to bring the church of the first born unto Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem? If it may, and we may be guided in this particular by Zechariah, above, the silence would coincide with the final overthrow of great Babylon. But would this accord with the order of events as brought to view by the seals, under the 7th of which the silence takes place? Let us see. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.12
The sixth seal unfolds the signs which were immediately to precede the end of the world, with the end itself, beginning with “a great earthquake.” The order of events in the scene contemplated, as to their character, and the parties introduced, is like that observed by Christ. Matthew 24:29-31. Luke 21:25-28. That is, it begins with the signs in the physical world, Revelation 6:12-14; passing next to the fate of the wicked, 15—17. The finishing of the mystery of God is then brought to view, which includes the sealing of the heirs, 7:1-8, and the gathering together in one all things in Christ. “Therefore are they before the throne,” 9—17. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.13
The presentation of the church, as here, “faultless before the presence of his glory,” is an important item in the grand series now under consideration. Jude 24. Colossians 1:22. Ephesians 5:25-27. They are to “stand before the Son of man,” to “be glorified together.” Is it not here that the organization of the kingdom of Christ takes place? Matthew 20:21-23. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.14
“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” No beast (living creature) says, come and see! No earthquake or thunder! No loud voice or multitude of voices! No song, or harp, or trumpet! What means this silence! Is it that “God is raised up out of his holy habitation?” and has “great Babylon come into remembrance, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath?” The temple in heaven has been opened—the ark has been seen—the Saviour has received his golden crown, and has been seated upon his throne, the white cloud—the earth has been reaped—the wheat, the righteous, gathered; the church presented before the throne; the trouble of the wicked has begun; but has the King of kings entered upon the vindication of the sanctuary, to execute “the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple?” It would seem that the destruction of great Babylon must form a part of that work; but at what point of the process is it to fall? HST February 21, 1844, page 22.15
Though much is said in reference to her by the revelator, perhaps there is not a single point that is so difficult to settle as the chronological position of the final doom of Babylon. That it is to be by “the Lord God,” we are distinctly told; that it is to be sudden and violent, is indicated by the action of the “mighty angel” with the millstone, the casting down of which assures us that Babylon is “no more!” This would seem to fall under the seventh vial, Revelation 16:17-19, were it not for the phrase in verse 17, “It is done,” which seems to imply that the wrath of God, which the seven plagues filled up, was completed by the seventh vial, and that the remaining verses are a recapitulation, or statement, of the principal things which had taken place in the process of the vials, but which had not been noticed in the account of either. It seems also to be connected with the marriage of the Lamb, chap. 19.; but that, again, is almost equally obscure, as to the time in the process when it takes place. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.16
When an event of this kind is left so obscure in the text, we may be guided by the typical events of the old system. In the conquest of old Canaan, Jericho was the first city that fell, and her fall was the pledge of all the rest; the violent sundering of great Babylon is accompanied, or followed, by the fall of “the cities of the nations.” Seven days were occupied in the overthrow of Jericho; “about half an hour,” is the period of the silence, which we have supposed to be contemporaneous with the destruction of great Babylon; and, understood prophetically, would amount to “about” seven and a half days. But does her destruction follow or precede the great battle? HST February 21, 1844, page 22.17
The destruction of “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, the great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth,” the centre and fountain head of all abominations and blasphemies, in whom “was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth; is to constitute one of the most commanding exhibitions of the wrath of God: sufficient to startle every beholder with terror and apprehension. May it not immediately precede the actual coming of Christ to Mount Zion, and of course, the great battle?—and thus her destruction would be to the angry nations, what the fall of Jericho was to the nations of Canaan. Joshua 6:27; 9:1, 2. The silence would also be connected with her destruction, as in the case of Jericho, and her fate precede the great battle, as the fall of Jericho did the conquest of Canaan. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.18
This affords a natural arrangement of events, and a scriptural, though not direct, explanation of this portion of prophecy. In such a case, however, we cannot be positive. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.19
The history of the church, in the days of Moses and Joshua, also furnishes an answer to the objection that may arise, whether the wicked would marshal themselves to fight against God, after they had witnessed so many wonders and plagues, as this view of the subject supposes. The answer is this. If the hosts of Egypt would pursue the armies of Israel, after the judgments they had experienced, and if the Canaanites would dare to fight against them, after what they had seen at Jericho, what may we not expect from those who are left to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming? Joshua 11:20. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.20
In settling this question of the order of events, some light is afforded to us from the analogous cases referred to in the word of God. As it was in the days of Sodom, and the flood, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man. In these cases the deliverance of the righteous was secured before the wicked were destroyed. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.21
We will notice the bearing of the words of Christ upon the question, and we have done. He says, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.” How are we to escape? “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds.” When is it to be done? “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.” HST February 21, 1844, page 22.22
Now if the watchful and prayerful are to “escape all these things,” in this manner, and at the time Christ descends from heaven to the air, it must be that all these things are to come afte the appearing of Christ, and our gathering together unto him. HST February 21, 1844, page 22.23
By every one of these general views, by the most obvious bearing of every one of the prominent events, and more minute particulars, considered—by all the analogous cases—and by the only construction we can put upon the plain words of Christ, it is clear, then, that WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOOK FOR BUT THE APPEARING OF OUR LORD TO THE SALVATION OF THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM! HST February 21, 1844, page 22.24
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Profit of Persecution.—God schooleth and nurtureth his people, that so, through many tribulations, they may enter into their rest. Frankincense, when it is put into the fire, smells the sweeter; the earth, when it is torn up with the plough, becomes more fruitful; the seed in the ground, after frost and snow, and winter storms, springs the ranker; the nigher the vine is pruned to the stock, the [continues at bottom of next page] HST February 21, 1844, page 22.25
Diagram exhibiting the events of Prophecy considered in the preceding article, from the fall of the Papacy, down to the Millennium, with their probable order
The letters A, B, C, etc., refer to sections in the article marked to correspond. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.1
The Italic letters, a, b, c, etc., refer to the notes which explain the diagram. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.2
a We have allowed to the two horned beast—the European system under Napoleon—the whole period from 1799 to 1815. Though France actually held a controlling away in Europe at the first date, Napoleon was not in power, as consul, till 1799. He was crowned emperor of France and king of Italy in 1804. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.3
Fall of the Papacy. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.4
1799. A. The two horned beast, 1815. B, The four angels, 1843—1. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.5
a Revelation 13:11-18. b Revelation 7:1-3. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.6
End of the days. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.7
b The coalition of the four great powers was formed in 1813, but they did not occupy a position to hold “the four winds,” till the fall of Nepoleon in 1815. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.8
d The phrases, “the coming of Christ,” “the coming of the Son of man,” etc., when used in speaking of the great day, comprehend all the parts of his work at that day; but his coming in its particular meaning, is distinct from his appearing. There is no reason to think he will come to our earth, till after be appears to save his people. How long a time may intervene, we do not presume to know. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.9
e That the great earthquake precedes the great battle, appears evident from this fact:—the earthquake fills the kings of the earth with terror. Revelation 6:14. As they are destroyed in the battle, that must follow the earthquake; it must also follow the destruction of great Babylon, for the same reason. See Revelation 18:9. 19:19, 20. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.10
f Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. It is intimated that he is to be bound before his goods or house, is destroyed. We therefore suppose he will be bound just before “the air,” of which he is the prince, and his earth, the theatre of his operations in reference to man, are purified by fire. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.11
g That Christ will return to heaven, or to the clouds, before the conflagration, is evident from these plain texts which tell us that he is to dispose of the physical world, and that he occupies the white throne at the time. Compare Hebrews 1:10-12. Revelation 20:11. 21:5. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.12
h The marriage of the Lamb does not appear to have taken place at the time of the view given, Revelation 19:7, 8; nor when John saw the holy city descending, Revelation 21:2, 9, 10. Of course it must take place on the new earth. It probably denotes the adoption of the New Jerusalem by Christ as the metropolis of his immortal kingdom. Compare Isaiah 54:1-5. Galatians 4:26, 27. Hebrews 12:22. 13:14. Jeremiah 3:17-19. 62:4, 5. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.13
Millenial and everlasting kingdom established. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.14
15 The New Jerusalem descends. Revelation 21:2, 9, 10. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.15
14 Rejoicing in heaven. Revelation 19:6. 14:2. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.16
13 g Christ ascends from the earth. Revelation 20:11. 21:5. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.17
12 All enemies over overthrown. Matthew 25:41. Revelation 19:21. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.18
11 The sanctuary vindicated. Isaiah 49:25, 26. Zephaniah 3:8, 14-20 HST February 21, 1844, page 23.19
10 Christ comes to Mount Zion. Revelation 14:1. Zechariah 14:4. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.20
9 Silence in heaven. Revelation 8:1. Zechariah 2:13. Joshua 6:10. 114—29. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.21
8 The kingdom organized. Luke 22:28-30. Revelation 2:26. 27. Matthew 25. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.22
7 The church confessed before his Father. Matthew 10:32. Revelation 7:9-12. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.23
6 The church gathered together unto him. 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Matthew 24:31. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.24
5 He appears to them that look for him. Hebrews 9:28. Acts 1:11. Philippians 3:20. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.25
4 d Christ descends to the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. [Revelation 14:14. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.26
3 Christ with his golden crown upon the white cloud awaits the command to reap. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.27
2 The holy of holles opened. Revelation 11:19. 15:5. Hebrews 9:24-28. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.28
1 The kin g dom given up. 1 Corinthians 15:24. Revelation 3:21. Hebrews 1:13. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.29
Probable order of particular events to come at the end. c HST February 21, 1844, page 23.30
1 Day of grace ended. Revelation 10:5-7. 11:15-19. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.31
2 The kingdoms of this world given to Christ. Psalm 2:8, 9. Luke 19:15. Revelation 11:15. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.32
3 Believers waiting, the wicked scoffing. Luke 17:22-37. 18:1-8. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.33
4 First resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:23. Revelation 20:4-6. 1 Thessalonians 4:16. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.34
5 All the righteous caught up. 1 Thessalonians 4:17. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.35
6 Waiting of the wicked. Matthew 24:31. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.36
7 The plagues begin. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. Revelation 16:1. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.37
8 e The great earthquake. Revelation 6:14. 16:18-20. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.38
9 Great Babylon destroyed. Revelation 16:19. 18:21. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.39
10 The great battle. Revelation 16:12-16. 19:19-21. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.40
11 The hail storm. Revelation 11:19. 16:21. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.41
12 f Satan bound. Revelation 20:1, 2. Matthew 12:29. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.42
13 The heavens and earth on fire. 2 Peter 3:7, 10, 12. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.43
14 The new creation. 2 Peter 3:13. Revelation 21:5. Acts 3:21. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.44
15 h Marriage of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.45
c It is not to be supposed that every particular of this scene can be placed in the exact order in which it will occur, though the main points are evidently made known to us. The particulars are put into two branches, as the events stand related to this world or to heaven. By beginning with No. 1 in the upper branch, “The kingdom given up,” and passing to No. 1 of the lower branch, “Day of grace ended,” and so from one to the other through the two branches, the natural order will be seen more plainly. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.46
The question will probably arise with our readers, How long a tune is to intervene between the appearing of Christ, and the full establishment of the immortal kingdom? We know not that there any intimation of the period given. It may be seven years, the time brought to view, Ezekiel 39. It may be more or less. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.47
We now occupy the position to which we believe the word of God points, for the opening of the drama which is to close up our probationary state. In this all should feel the deepest interest. All that can be associated with the idea of “damnation,” all that can be meant by “glory, immortality, and eternal life,” is then to be realized! The fate of all for eternity is then to be decided! And while we feel called upon to look the subject full in the face, and to be prepared for the scene it unfolds; and that it is our duty to call upon our fellow-men to do the same, the question cannot but present itself, Is there any reason to expect the event will tarry; is there room to suspect any mistake in our calculation? Before God we answer, we can see no such reason—no room for any mistake. But every investigation of the ground of our calculations, only adds to the evidence of their correctness. If there is any mistake, it can arise only from the errors of chronology and history; and as we have invariably adapted the most competent standard authorities for our guides, we have no right to assume that there is any mistake on their part. And, further, as there have been so many cases of fulfilment in accordance with these dates, especially in the case of the seventy weeks, which was designed to “seal up” [make sure] the vision, a mistake seems hardly possible. It can only he equal to the incorrectness of the dates, at farthest. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.48
We add here a more particular view of the commencement and termination of the 2300 days or years, than has yet been given to the public, which we have no doubt will be of great interest to our friends, as it is furnished by the very highest authorities in chronology, the canon of Ptolemy and the era of Nabonassar. This era was to the Persians, and others, what the era of Independence is to us of the United States. The canon of Ptolemy gives the collected years of each king’s reign, just as our national archives give the several administrations of our presidents. Of this era and canon Dr. Prideaux, says,—“Being fixed by the eclipses, the truth of it may at any time be demonstrated by astronomical calculations; and no one hath ever calculated those eclipses but hath found them fall right in the times where placed; and therefore this being the surest guide which we have in the chronology, and it being also verified by its agreement everywhere with the Holy Scriptures, it is not far the authority of any other human writings whatsoever to be receded from.”—Hist. Jews, Vol. i. p. 242. Dr. Hales, in whose work on chronology, it is found (vol i. pp. 268—288,) in a perfect form, it having been compared with a copy in a work on Astronomy by Ptolemy himself, says, “The commencement of the era of Nabonasaar, B. C. 747, is critically defined, both from history and astronomy. And Ptolemy himself has recorded a great number of eclipses, whose times he has marked by the Nebonassarean years, in which they happened throughout the whole canon, which may therefore justly be styled the most scientific in its construction of any within the whole range of ancient chronology.” “It began with the reign of Nabonassar, Feb. 26, B. C., 747.” But as the year of this era consisted invariably of just 365 days, without any leap year, as in our reckoning, their new-year’s day varied one day every four years. By the “table” in the work of Dr. Hales, in which the “Nabonassarean years are adjusted to Julian years,” the 7th of Artaxerxes, began “Dec. 16,” of the Julian year, 457 B. C. Now the reign of each king in this canon was always reckoned from “the new-year’s day before his accession;” his first year beginning with “the current year, though a considerable part of it should have actually past.” The relation of the 7th of Artaxerxes, according lo the Nabonassarean era, to the Jewish and Julian years, and its bearing upon the commencement and termination of the prophetic period of Daniel 8. may be exhibited in the following diagram. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.49
A 2300 years beginning with the 7th of Artaxerxes A HST February 21, 1844, page 23.50
2300 years, beginning at the time Ezra left Babylon in accordance with the decree D Exodus 7:9 E HST February 21, 1844, page 23.51
B C 2300 years beginning at the end of the 7th of Artaxerxes HST February 21, 1844, page 23.52
7th year of Artaxerxes. year of termination. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.53
10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 a Jewish years. 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HST February 21, 1844, page 23.54
| De. 16 | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May. | June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. 16 | |
| Dec. 16 | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May. | June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. 16 | |
| B. C. | B. C. | B. C. | F | ||||||||||
| 457 | 456 | 456 | A. D. 26-7. | 1843. | 1844. | 1844. | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | b. | |
Nabonassarean years.
a The names of the Jewish months, are, 1, Nisan, or Ahib; 2, Ijar, or Zif; 3 Sivan; 4, Thamuz; 5, Ab; 6, Elul; 7, Tisri, or Ethanim; 8, Marchesvan, or Bul; 9, Chisteu; 10, Tebeth; 11, Shebat; 12, Adar; 13, Veadar HST February 21, 1844, page 23.55
“The Jewish months being regulated by the phases or appearances of the moon, their years were consequently lunar years, consisting of twelve lunations, or 354 days and 8 hours. Therefore the Jews added a whole month to the year, as often as it was necessary, which occurred commonly once in three years, and sometimes once in two years. This intercalary month was added at the end of the ecclesiastical year, after the month Adar, and was therefore called Ve Adar, or the second Adar.”—Horne. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.56
On account of this variation in the Jewish year, it is impossible, as Prideaux remarks, to determine the agreement of their years with the Julian year nearer than a month. If the year in which Ezra went up to Jerusalem, were an intercalary year, it would make his journey a month later than if it were not, In the diagram, therefore, the starting point embraces a whole month. The first month in the year of the king would agree with the 9th or 10th Jewish month. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.57
b The names of the months the Nabonassarean year are, 1, Thoth; 2, Paophi; 3, Athyr; 4, Chaac; 5, Tybi; 6, Mechir; 7, Phamenoth; 8, Pharmuthi; 9, Pachon; 10, Pauni; 11, Epiphi; 12, Mesori. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.58
According to the era and canon, the 7th of Artaxerxes began 2300 years ago the 16th Dec. just past, and this last date is the point at which we entered the year in which the period must accordingly terminate. See A, A, in the diagram. It will also be seen that the 7th of Artaxerxes, must have been nearly synchronical with the year B. C. 456, and of course the year in which the 2300 years terminate, is nearly synchronical with A. D. 1844. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.59
Proof. From 2300 or from 2300 HST February 21, 1844, page 23.60
sub. 457 sub. 456 HST February 21, 1844, page 23.61
1843 remains. 1844 remains. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.62
The decree must have gone forth between Dec. 16, B. C. 457, and the time when Ezra went up from Babylon to Jerusalem in the first month of the Jewish year following, marked B C in the diagram. And the anniversary of the decree must fall between the corresponding points, of the year of termination, D E. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.63
F, The seventy weeks were “cut off” of this long period, expressly to “seal up,” or make sure “the vision,” of which it expresses the chronological duration. Does their fulfilment give us the assurance that the end will come as we suppose? In 69 weeks of years there are 483 years Beginning B. C. 457 or 456, they would bring us to A. D. 26—7. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.64
Did “the Messiah the Prince” make his public appearance at this time? His public manifestation took place at his baptism. To this John testifies as follows: “But that HE SHOULD BE MADE MANIFEST TO ISRAEL, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” John 1:19-34. This took place when he “began to be about thirty years of age.” He was born “in the fourth year before the account called A. D.” If from 30 we deduct 4, 26 remain; if 3, which number of full years would carry us to “the fourth,” 27 remain. Now we know that he was baptized when “about thirty years of age,” and “in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Casar.” Luke 3:1-23. An extract from Horne’s Introduction, vol. i. p. 346, will explain this statement of Luke, and give us the year of the Christian era in which Christ was baptized. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.65
“Now we learn from the Roman historians that the reign of Tiberius had two commencements; the first, when he was admitted to a share in the empire, (but without the title of emperor,) in August 3 of the year 764 from the foundation of the city of Rome, three years before the death of Augustus; and the second, when he began to reign alone, after the emperor’s decease. It is from the first of these commencements that the fifteenth year mentioned by Saint Luke is to be computed, who, as Tiberius did not assume the imperial title during the life of Augustus, makes use of a word, which precisely marks the nature of the power exercised by Tiberius, viz., in the fifteenth year (tes hegemonias) of the administration of Tiberius Casar. Consequently this fifteenth year began August, 778.” HST February 21, 1844, page 23.66
Dr. Hales, after going into an examination of the details of the case, speaks as follows: “This solution, of dating the 15th of Tiberius from his joint reign with Augustus, U. C. 765, his been adopted in the margin of our English Bible, dating the 15th of Tiberius A. D. 26, or U. C. 779, and either U. C. 764, or U. C. 765, are reckoned the beginning of the joint reign of Tiberius, by Usher, Pagius, Herwaort, Clericus, Prideaux, Mann, Playfair, etc. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.67
The 69 weeks terminated then in A. D. 26—7, and of course the last week of the 70 began at the same point. It is of no consequence at all as to the termination of the 70 weeks, whether the Saviour preached 3, 4, 5 or 6 years. If he was crucified 3 1-2 years after his baptism, his crucifixion must have been in A. D. 30 or 31; if in the last year of the 7, it must have taken place in A. D. 33, or 34. His death does not appear to be connected with any chronological point in the prophecy: the only clause which brings it distinctly to view is this: “and AFTER three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off.” The history on that point is equally dark. It says nothing of his age, or any cotemporaneous historical event, by which we may be guided in determining the date of his death. Before the defect in the data of Ferguson’s calculation was discovered, the year 33 was considered the true date. It is now otherwise; but it does not affect the calculation. The vision is made sure by those parts of the inspired record, which God has clearly marked for that purpose. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.68
Here then we stand relying on the promise of God, “at the time appointed THE END SHALL BE.” As sure as this is the word of Abraham’s God, who has shown to the heirs of promise, the immutability of his counsel, confirming it by an oath, and by his faithfulness in the past, so surely will the vision speak at the end, and not lie! HST February 21, 1844, page 23.69
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greater grapes it yields; the grape, when it is most pressed and beaten makes the sweetest wine; fine gold is better when it cast into the fire; rough stones, with hewing are squared, and made fit for building; cloth is rent and cut, that it may be made a garment; linen is bucked and washed, and wrung and beaten, and is the fairer. These are familiar examples, to show the benefit and advantage which the children of God receive by persecution.—Bishop Jewell. HST February 21, 1844, page 23.70
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
BOSTON, FEB. 21, 1844.
New Works
Two sheets of tracts—18 of 2 pages each, on a sheet. Entitled “Words of Warning.” The individual subjects have been previously given, price 3 cents per sheet, or 2 cents per dozen, 12 1-2 per 100, and $1 per 1000. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.1
The above 36 Tracts are also folded and stitched in one pamphlet, price 10 cents. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.2
“A Scriptural Test of Saving Faith, Exhibited in an Exposition of Daniel 12:10; by J. Starkweather.” Price $4 per hundred, 6 cents single. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.3
Also, “The Reasonings of True Faith, Respecting the 2,300 Days of Daniel 8:14,” by the same author. Price $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.4
We are glad to learn that brother Southard’s health is improving. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.5
Supplement to the Harp.—As we receive new Music, we shall issue it in form of a “Supplement to the Harp,” which can be placed in the present New Harp. The present includes the six last published peices, including all not in he Harp, price4 cents. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.6
ADVENT MEETING AT MANCHESTER, MS
The Church has passed a unanimous vote to hold a protracted meeting, commencing at the dedication on Wednesday, Feb 28, and continue until Sunday. We most earnestly desire that the advent brethren in the ministry will come and help us. We want Brethren Cole, Shipman, Plummer, Jones, and my brothers Edwin and Hezekiah, and others, who can come, as time is fast wasting away, and our last meeting must soon come. I hope our brethren and sisters will come full of the Holy Ghost. Come, all that are looking for Jesus, let us have one feast more in this region HST February 21, 1844, page 24.7
Elam Burnham.
Manchester, Jan. 17, 1844.
Mobile, Alabama
Brother James Clough writes:—Here are about ten or twelve believers in the Advent near. We have held meetings three times in a week for seven months past, and God has blessed us in so doing. We have been like Adventists in all places, persecuted by the churches, yet we rejoice that we are accounted worthy to suffer it; and still go on looking with you for the coming of our Savior, when he shall set all right. We advertise in the daily papers that we hold meetings; and one of our number, Bro. Noyes, has lectured some on the Sabbath. He is not a licensed preacher, and some of the church, we hear, have prepared a charge against him, and it is expected they will turn him out of the synagogue; so be it. We all hold together, united in this great work; and we have been hoping and praying that God would send some of our brethren out here from the North. We do believe they would be heard with deep interest, and would do much good. A great change has been effected in the minds of many of the brethren in this place on this subect. It so happens that all of us here who are looking for the soon coming of our Lord, and meet often together, have but little of this world’s goods; or we would send a special request for one to come out here to lecture; but we believe should one come, God would provide for him. We promise, should one come, to provide well for him while with us, but could not pledge ourselves to pay his expenses of coming and going. Bro. Himes, will you name this to some who may be at leisure to come? Our brethren in the North, I know think it perhaps unsafe to come to the South, on account of the prejudice that exists between slave holding and non-slave holding states; but brother, Mobile is made up of people mostly from the North and East. and is in a great measure free from that prejudice that exists in other places in the South; and we do know, that any man who has not interfered with this world’s kingdom in this matter, and made himself conspicuous as an abolitionist, would be well heard and respected in Mobile HST February 21, 1844, page 24.8
Letters received to Feb. 17th, 1844
| Isaac Stearns | $1 00 |
| C.T. Bonny by PM. | 2,00 |
| Nathan Perkins | 2,00 |
| E. Tripp by PM | 1 00 |
| Jno Brown | 1,00 |
| E. Cornell by PM | 1,00 |
| N. Jones | 5,00 |
| A. Clapp. | |
| SF. Sikes & others by PM | 4,00 |
| C. Flint by PM | 1,00 |
| O. Prescott and A Davis by PM, each | 1,00 |
| H. Shipman | 3,00 |
| R. E. Ladd | 10,00 |
| S. Cook | |
| H. Hudson | 2,00 |
| W. H. Scott | 1,00 |
| E. C. Drew | 6,00 |
| G. T. Stacy | 10,00 |
| Samuel L. Moulton | 1,00 |
| Miles O. Pray | 1,00 |
| G G. Ring by PM | 1,00 |
| Robert Grey by PM | 2,00 |
| Eld. Henry Frost by PM | 3,00 |
| W. Rogers | 10,00 |
| D. B. Gibbs by PM | 1,00 |
| J. V. Himes; | |
| PM Three Rivers | |
| C. Clapp by PM | 2,00 |
| J. Wahon | 1,00 |
| D. R. Ambrose by PM | ,50 |
| B. H. Bancroft by PM | 1,00 |
| Wm Halman by PM | 1,00 |
| P. M. Leon. inster, Ms. | |
| Levi Wezwell by PM | 5,00 |
| Lydia Wooster and Mary | |
| Bump by PM, each | ,50 |
| P. M. Valparaiso, Ind. | |
| Thos Goodwin 2nd,by PM | 2,00 |
| Josiah Philbrick by PM | 1,12 |
| N. Hervey | |
| Samuel N. Davis | 1,00 |
| H Bingham | 1,25 |
| (Sent tracts by bearer) | |
| Z. Baker by Ex. | 17,00 |
| A. R. Brayton by PM | 1,00 |
| John Hillier by PM | 1,00 |
| James Brooks by PM | 1,00 |
| H. Codell by P M | 1,00 |
| Wm. Rogers | |
| Luther Willoughby by p m | 1,00 |
| J. C. Hutchins | 4,00 |
| J. Pearson | |
| J. Jewell by PM | ,50 |
| Mrs A. Colby by PM | ,50 |
| J. Greenough by J. Weston | 2,00 |
| T. L. Tullock; P. M. | |
| Venginnhes Vt.; J. H. | |
| Thompson and Eld. Jno. | |
| Shaw, by PM, each | ,30 |
| Timothy Lyon by PM | 1,00 |
| Jason steele by PM, | 1,00 |
| (how is his paper directed) | |
| R. Curtiss by PM | 2,00 |
| Wms Thayer | 5,00 |
| H. Stone by PM | 1,00 |
| John Murray by PM | 1 00 |
| Wm. Walker by PM, to end of vol. 7 | 1,00 |
| C. Hersey | 4,00 |
| Wesson Messier by P M | 2,00 |
| A. Lyford | 1,00 |
| E. Wentworth PM | 1,00 |
| Jonas Woods | 10,00 |
| F. Hart by PM | 1,00 |
| T. L. Tullock | |
| J. V. Himes | |
| J. J. Porter | |
| Capt. D. Patterson by PM | 2,00 |
| Eld. Smith, for five subscribers. | 5,00 |
| R. T. Haskins | |
| PM Naraguagus, Me. | |
| Henry Mulley by PM | 2,00 |
| J. V. Himes | |
| Bro. Benj. Davis | |
| Wainright and Adams by PM, each | ,50 |
| G. & S. Huntley and Ira Ames, by PM, each | 1,00 |
| Jno. Rice by PM | 1,00 |
| E. Elliott by PM | 1,00 |
| S. Everett by PM | 1,00 |
| R. McFadden by PM | 1,00 |
| Dea. John Pierce by PM | 1,00 |
| L. Conkey & J. Hodgkiss by PM. each | 1,00 |
| J English by PM | 1,25 |
| PM E. Harwick, Me. | |
| R. Allen, and Mrs. T Goodall by PM ea | ,50 |
| Abigail Chadwick | 2,00 |
| J. E. Stearns by PM | 1,00 |
| Austin Flint | 1,00 |
| E. Canfield by PM | 1,00 |
| S. Hawley, jr. | |
| M. A Pray | 15,00 |
| Wm E Hitchcok | 1,00 |
| A. Thompeon | |
| Mrs S. Parker by PM | 1,00 |
| P. McCain by p m | 1,00 |
| Willard Moore by p m | l,00 |
| N Trull | 5.00 |
| p m Constantine, Mich. | |
| S. Binney | 3,00 |
| Mrs S. Stone by p m | 1,00 |
| Charles Whipple by p m | 1,00 |
| Lyman Phelps | 1,00 |
| A Simpeon by p m | 3,00 |
| p m Tolland Ct., due on ac’t of C. W Moore | 1,50 |
| Loronzo Lord by p m | 2,00 |
| James Gilmore by p m | 1,00 |
| John Howe by p m | 1,00 |
| J Jewell by p m | 1,00 |
| Mr Taylor of Bolton Canada by p m of Derby Line, | 5,00 |
| no other letter received | |
| How shall it be applied? | |
| p m Derby Line for sundry persons | 8,00 |
| H. Plummer | |
| J. C. Hutchins | |
| Wm Camp by p m | 1,00 |
| J. Turner | |
| Henry Woodbury by p m | 1,00 |
| Richard! Baker by p m | 1,00 |
| Nancy Clarke by p m | 2,00 |
| J. J. Porter | |
| Erastus Parker | 18,00 |
| E. P. Butler | 2,00 |
| Abner Belcher | 1,00 |
| J. P. Jewitt & Co | 6,00 |
| p m Freeport, Me. | |
| A. N. Bently by p m | 1,00 |
| p m Bristol, Ct. | |
| Polly Lee by p m, all referred to was received. | 2,00 |
| p m New Haven, Vt | |
| S. T. Hart by p m | 1,00 |
| A D. Clark by p m | 1,00 |
| A Friend in Ct. by S. L. Carroll | 15,00 |
| Miss P. Blake by p m | 1,50 |
| S. Sherburne | 4,00 |
| Mordaca Thayer by p m | 1 00 |
| all was received had 3vol and pays | |
| to the end of v.7 E. P Richardson | 5,00 |
| J. V. Himes | |
| T. L. Tullock | |
| G S Miles | 5,00 |
| N. G. Howard | |
| J. Whipple by p m | 1,16 |
| Elijah Wright by p m | 1.00 |
| Cyrus B. Whitford by p m | 1,00 |
| James Libbey by p m | 1,00 |
| L Watterman by p m | 1,00 |
| Eld. Colby by p m | 1,00 |
| Benj. Brown by p m | 1,00 |
| Stephen Lee by p m | 1,00 |
| Joseph Hart by Foster’s Expters | 1 00 |
| T. M. Read, the letter contained no money. | |
| ‘I’. M. Reid by PM | 3,00 |
| Nathan Davis, and Jacob Randlet by p m, each | ,50 |
| A. Southworth by p m | 1,00 |
| Charles Gorham by p m | 1.00 |
| Sargeant Bohonan by p m | 1,00 |
| N. Cleaveland | 1,00 |
| D. Harreman | 3,00 |
| Polly O Lawrence | 5,00 |
| James Clough | 10 00 |
| p m Waddy’s Falls N. H. | 2,00 |
| A. Morse by PM | 4,00 |
| E. S. Blackeslee | 2,00 |
| Rev R. H. Ford by PM | 2,00 |
| I. Sanborn | 1,00 |
| A. Gibbs by PM | 2,00 |
| T Lumbard by do | 3,00 |
| Thos R Wright by PM | 2,00 |
| E. H. Sherman by PM | 1,00 |
| Mrs M. Barden by PM | 1,00 |
| Andrew Flander, due to end of vol. 6. | 1,50 |
| M Davis by p m | 1 00 |
| W Barbor by p m | 1,00 |
| J C Forbush by Ex | 2,16 |
| Wm L Hopkinson | 1,00 |
| S Hurbart by p m | 2,00 |
| L A Sparks by do | 1,00 |
| E Burnham | |
| G W Gregory | 1,00 |
| N T Moulton | |
| E G Galusha sent a large box Jan 19 and another Feb 15 | |
| John Modget | 1,00 |
| C Clapp by p m | 1,00 |
| J V Himes | |
| Daniel Morrison by p m | 1,00 |
| E L H Chamberlain by do | 1,00 |
| Ruth Munson by p m | 2,00 |
| Stephen Sisson by p m | 1,00 |
| N Hervey | |
| Ezekiel Phillips by PM | 2,00 |
| F. E Bigelow | |
| G S Miles | |
| J Hall | |
| Jones Jewett by PM | 1,00 |
| B H Athu | 3,00 |
| A C Knowlton by p m | ,50 |
| Samuel Smith by p m | 1,00 |
| N Trull | 5,00 |
| Job Reynolds by p m | 4,00 |
Packages Sent
E S Blackslee, Prospect Ct by Express
J Litch 40, 41 Archde Phila.
J V Himes 9 Spruce St N. Y.
N Jones at Northfield House, Northfield Vt.
H Bhipman Fort Anne. N. Y.
W H Scott Woodstock, Vt
H Hudson Juliett III. Care of J Hudson Esq
E C Drew Pittsfield N H
M O Pray Providence R 1,78
Arcade, care of JH Lonsdale
Z Baker N Bedford, Ms
Dr Z Baker 17 Cheapsido N. Bedford Ms
H Carnell Warren Vt
J C Forbush Manchester N H
G S Miles Albany
T M Read Oswego N Y per Thompson’s Ex
Lorenzo Lord Simsbury Ct by Express
J Jewett Waterbury Vt
Abigail Chadwick E Falmouth Ms at post office
A Lyford ThorntonN H
D. C Tourk lott care of N Hervey 78 Arcade Prov R I
S Foster Derby Line Vt to be left at post office
Elder J Smith Vienna Me
S F. Bradley Square Pond Ct
Joseph Turner So Paris Mo
Henry Woodbury Francistown N H by stage
G S Miles Albany N Y
J H Hall Albany N Y care of G S Miles
J V Himes 9 Spruce St N Y
S Stone Sherburne Ms. W R R to S Framingham Depot
J Litch 40 Arcade Phila
N Hervey Providence R I 7 8 Arcade
W Rogers Hartford Ct
Mary Bump Campton N H
Joseph Philbrick Sanbornton Bridge N H
Wm Rogers Hartford Ct
J V Himes Buffalo, care of J J Porter No 8 Niagrua St
J Greenough care of C S Brown Concord N H
J Weston New Ipswich N H
J C Hutchins Dover N H
Wesson Moshier Gloversville N Y by Ex could not send by mail
E Wentworth jr P M Flag Creek III.
J English Tunbridge Vt, left at post office
Rev Dr Huntington Brooklyn Ct
J V Himes 9 Spruce St N Y
Wm E Hitchcock Brimfield
New comb Cleaveland Warren Depot
Polly D Lawence by stage the postage would be too great
J V Himes 9 Spruce St N Y
J Litch 41 Arcade Phila
Correspondence
Warren, Vt. Br. H. Cordell writes,—“Though much prejudice exists in the hearts of the people in this region, against the doctrine of the Advent near, and some seemingly shouting victory over us, I am happy that there are some willing to take the word of God as the man of their council, who are in good faith of a change from terrestrial to celestial. Who can aay, HST February 21, 1844, page 24.9
I do reloice that life was given
In these last days to me;
That deathless I may rise to heaven,
And my Redeemer see.
HST February 21, 1844, page 24.10
Phildelphia.—Brother J. V. Himes writes, the cause is prospering there; meetings going on well. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.11
Manchester, Mass.—Bro. E. Burnham writes,—“That they have secured their meeting house in their own hands, so that they now can, and are determined to proclaim to the world the truth of God on the subject, as well as on all other kindred subjects. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.12
West Alton, N. H.—Br. A. Flanders writes,—“There is a good band of Advent believers here, who are waiting for their returning Lord.” HST February 21, 1844, page 24.13
Rutland, Vt.—Br. N. G. Howard Writes,—“We have Second Advent meetings in this place, three each week. We are few in number, yet God fills our souls with joy. The effect this doctrine has on those who embrace it, is to make them love Jesus and each other better; and such influence must be safe” HST February 21, 1844, page 24.14
Providence R. I.—Br. N. Hervey writes, Feb. 15:— HST February 21, 1844, page 24.15
“On Sabbath evening ten persons arose in our meeting for prayers.” HST February 21, 1844, page 24.16
Hartford, Ct.—Br. A. Clapp writes:—“The Second Advent meetings in this place are increasing in interest and numbers. Our Hall is well filled on the Sabbath and evening with attentive hearers. Most of the Advent believers in this city have come out from their churches. Many have been excluded from the Baptist Churches, and others have come out voluntarily. We have formed no church, as you saw stated in the. Christian Secretary; but have formed an association, as in New York and Philadelphia. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.17
Woodstock, Vt. Sister L. M Case writes:—There is a strong band of Advent believers in this place; but some of them feel in bondage, and have requested their names to be taken from the church, that they may come ont to Babylon. I think it is our duty to come out from everything that is sinful and unholy: but I cannot see that the coming out from a church where we have the privilige of expressing our minds freely is coming out of Babylon. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.18
Buffalo, N. Y. Brother J. J. Porter writes:—The cause is prosperous in this city: we hold meetings every after noon and evening, and many are forward for prayers HST February 21, 1844, page 24.19
Portland, Me.—Brother John Pearson writes: The interest in this city on the subject of the advent is increasing; our hopes grow brighter: and our faith gathers strength, in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ this year. The brethren from the neighboring towns, often come in to spend the Sabbath with us, that their souls may be fed with advent food. Brother Martin on his return from the Provinces, spent the two last Sabbaths with us, to our great acceptation. Bro Stockman’s healthis poor: and we should be glad to have the brethren, as they pass through the city, give us a call. HST February 21, 1844, page 24.20