The Advent Herald, and Signs of the Times Reporter [Himes], vol. 7
July 31, 1844
Vol. VII. No. 26. Boston, Whole No. 170
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. 26. Boston, Wednesday, July 31, 1844. WHOLE NO. 170. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.1
THE ADVENT HERALD
IS PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY
J. V. HIMES,
AT NO. 14 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON.
J. V. Himes, S. Bliss, & A. Hale, Editors. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.2
Terms.—One Dollar per Volume, of 26 Numbers. Five Dollars for 6 Copies, Ten Dollars for 13 Copies. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.3
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THE TRIAL OF FAITH
When temptations seize the soul,
When sin holds its dark control
O’er the heart, where all should be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee;
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.7
O ‘tis sweet to think that still
Thou wilt work thy sovereign will,
And that thou can’st ne’er forget
Those on whom thy love was set!
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.8
Yet the promise, clear and bright,
Shines in characters of light—
“Ye are safe whom God foreknew;
There’s reward in heaven for you.
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.9
Though in heaviness you be
Sorely tried from infancy,
Yet ye shall be sanctified—
Ye for whom the Savior died!”
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.10
Jesus! our Almighty Friend,
Bid these fiery trials end;
And our faith, refined like gold,
To thy praise let all behold!
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.11
Purify each sinful heart;
Make us holy as thou art;
Visit us with thy full grace;
Join us to thy chosen race—
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.12
That at thine appearing we
May be found approved of thee;
And receive that great reward,
E’en our soul’s salvation, Lord!
HST July 31, 1844, page 201.13
The Pope and the Bible
A new specimen of the “deceivableness” of Popery, has just been exibited. The Pope has issued a bull, in which he pretends an earnest desire to have the Bible known and understood by the people, but instead of taking measures for that object, he furnishes renewed and abundant evidence of his horror at the free circulation of the word of God. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.14
The extracts we give, though long, will be read with deep interest. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.15
The amount of the decree is this: Keep the people in blind subjection to our authority; but do not let them hear God’s voice in the only language they can understand, if you can prevent it. What a striking exhibition of that blasphemous power which exalts itself above all that is called God.—Midnight Cry. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.16
Circular Letter from His Holiness the Pope—To all Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and Bishops
Venerable Brothers, health and greeting Apostolical—Amongst the many attempts which the enemies of Catholicism are daily making to seduce the truly faithful, and deprive them of the holy instructions of the faith, the efforts of Bible societies are conspicuous, which labor every where to disseminate the books of the Holy Scriptures, translated into the vulgar tongue; consign them to the private interpretation of each, alike amongst Christians and amongst infidel; continue what St. Jerome formerly complained of—pretending to popularise the holy pages, and render them intelligible, without the aid of any interpreter, to persons of every condition. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.17
They only care audaciously to stimulate all to a private interpretation of the divine oracles, to inspire contempt for divine traditions, which the Catholic Church preserves upon the authority of the holy fathers—in a word, to cause them to reject even the authority of the Church herself. This is the reason why the Bible societies care not to calumniate her (the Church) and the august throne of St Peter, as if she had wished for ages to deprive the faithful of the knowledge of the holy books, when the most forcible evidence will prove the immemorial and particular care which the Sovereign Pontiffs even down to the most modern times, and in conjunction with their Catholic pastors, have taken to ground the people in the word of God, whether written or delivered by tradition. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.18
It is long since pastors found themselves necessitated to turn their attention particularly to the versions current at secret conventicles, and which heretics labored, at great expense, to disseminate. Hence the warning and decrees of our predecessor Innocent III., of happy memory, on the subject of lay societies and meetings of women, who had assembled themselves in the diocese of Metz for objects of piety and the study of the Holy Scriptures. Hence the prohibition which subsequently appeared in France and Spain, during the sixteenth century with respect to the vulgar Bible. It became necessary subsequently to take even greater precautions, when the pretended Reformers, Luther and Calvin, daring, by a multiplicity and incredible variety of errors, to attack the immutable doctrine of the Faith, omitted nothing in order to seduce the faithful by their false interpretations and translation into the vernacular tongue, which the then novel invention of printing contributed more rapidly to propagate and multiply. Whence it was generally laid down in the regulations dictated by the Fathers, adopted by the Council of Trent, and approved by our predecessor Pius VII., of happy memory, and which (regulations) are prefixed to the list of prohibited books that the reading of the Holy Bible translated into the vulgar tongue, should not be permitted except to those to whom it might be deemed necessary to confirm in the faith and piety. Subsequently, when heretics still persisted in their frauds, it became necessary for Benedict XIV. to superadd the injunction that no versions whatever should be suffered to be read but those which should be approved of by the Holy See accompanied by notes derived from the writings of the Holy Fathers, or other learned and Catholic authors. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.19
Before the establishment of Bible classes was thought of, the decrees of the church, which we have quoted, were intended to guard the faithful against the frauds of heretics who cloak themselves under the specious pretext that it is necessary to propagate and render common the study of the holy books. Since then our predecessor, Pius VII, of glorious memory, observing the mackinations of these societies to increase under kis pontificate, 16 did not cease to oppose their efforts, at one time through the medium of the apostolical nuncios, at another by letters and decrees, emanating from the several congregations of cardinals of the Holy Church, and at another by the two pontifical letters addressed to the Bishop of Gnesen and the Archbishop of Mohilif. After him, another of our holy predecessors, Leo XII, reproved the operations of the Bible societies, by his circulars addressed to all the Catholic pastors in the universe, under date May 5, 1824. Shortly afterwards, our immediate predecessor, Pius VIII, of happy memory, confirmed their condemnation by his circular letter of May 24, 1829. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.20
We have good cause, however, to rejoice, venerable brethren, inasmuch as supported by your piety, and confirmed by the letter of our several predecessor, which we have referred to, you have never neglected to caution the flock which has been entrusted to you against the insiduous manouvres of the Bible societies. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.21
The partisans of the Bible societies little doubted in their pride that they could at least bring over the unfaithful to the profession of Christianity by means of the sacred books translated into the vernacular tongue;—moreover they took care to disseminate them by innumerable copies and to distribute them everywhere, even amongst those who wanted them not. Some have been found, who giving another direction to their manouvres, have betaken themselves to the corruption of minds, not only in Italy but even in our own capital. Indeed, many precise advices and documents teach us that a vast number of members of sects in New York, in America, at one of their meetings held on the 4th of June last year, have formed a new association, which will take the name of the Christian League. This society strains every nerve to introduce amongst them by means of individuals collected from all parts, corrupt and vulgar Bibles, and to scatter them secretly amongst the faithful. At the same time their intention is to disseminate worse books still, or tracts designed to withdraw from the minds of their readers all respect for the Church and the Holy See. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.22
Scarcely were we made aware of these facts, but we were profoundly grieved upon reflecting upon the danger which threatened not only remote countries, but the very centre of unity itself; and we have been anxious to defend religion against the like manouvres. Wherefore, having consulted some of the Cardinals of the Holy Romish Church, after having duly examined with them everything and listened to their advice, we have decided, venerable brothers, on addressing you this letter, by which we again condemn the Bible societies, reproved long ago by our predecessors, and by virtue of the supreme authority of our apostleship, we reprove by name and condemn the aforesaid society called the Christian League, formed last year at New York: it together with every other society associated with it, or which may become so. HST July 31, 1844, page 201.23
Let all know then the enormity of the sin against God and his Church which they are guilty of who dare to associate themselves with any of these societies, or abet them in any way. Moreover, we confirm and renew the decrees recited above, delivered in former times by apostolical authority against the publication, distribution, reading and possession of the Holy Scriptures translated in the vulgar tongue. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.1
As for yourselves, my venerable brethren, you are enjoined to remove from the hands of the faithful alike the Bibles in the vulgar tongue which may have been printed contrary to the decrees above mentioned of the Sovereign Pontiffs, and every book proscribed and condemned, and see that they learn, through your admonition and authority, what passages are salutary, and what pernicious and mortal. Watch attentively over those who are appointed to expound the Holy Scriptures, to see that they acquit themselves faithfully, according to the capacity of their hearers, and that they dare not, under any pretext whatever, interpret or explain the holy pages contrary to the tradition of the Holy Fathers, and to the service of the Catholic Church. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.2
Moreover, venerable brothers, we recommend the utmost watchfulness over the insiduous measures and attempts of the Christians League, to those who raised to the dignity of your order, are called to govern the Italian churches, or the countries which Italians frequent most commonly, especially the frontiers and ports whence travellers enter Italy. As these are the points on which the sectarians have fixed to commence the realization of their projects, it is highly necessary that the Bishops of those places should mutually assist each other, zealously and faithfully, in order, with the aid of God, to discover and prevent their machinations. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.3
Let us not doubt but your exertions, added to our own, will be seconded by the civil authorities, and especially by the most influential sovereigns of Italy, no less by reason of their favorable regard for the Catholic religion, than that they plainly perceive how much it concerns them to frustrate these sectarian combinations. Indeed, it is most evident from past experience, that there are no means more certain of rendering the people disobedient to their princes than rendering them indifferent to religion, under the mask of religious liberty. The members of the Christian League do not conceal this fact from themsselves, although they declare that they are far from wishing to excite disorder; but they notwithstanding, avow, that, once liberty of conscience amongst Italians, these last will naturally soon acquire political liberty. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.4
Given at Rome from the basilic of St. Peter, on the 8th of May, of the year 1844, and the fourteenth of our Pontificate. (Signed) HST July 31, 1844, page 202.5
Gregory xvii, S. P. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.6
Bible Societies.—A circular letter, under the date of May 8th, has been issued by the Pope to all Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops and Bishops, against Bible Societies, as institutions employed by “the enemies of Catholicism, under whatever denomination they may appear,” “to seduce the truly faithful, and deprive them of the holy instructions of the faith.” Those noble associations, which have accomplished so much for the extension of christian truth, are stated to “labor every where to disseminate the Books of the Holy Scriptures, translated into the vulgar tongue; consign them to the private interpretation of each, alike amongst Christians and amongst infldels; continue what St. Jerome formely complained of—pretending to popularize the holy pages and render them intelligible without the aid of any interpreter, to persons of every condition, to the most loquacious woman, to light-headed old men, to the worldly caviller, to all, in short, and even by an absurdity, as great as unheard of, to the most hardened infidel.” The chief thing complained of is the tendency of the distribution of the Bible, to favor “private interpretation,” and break down the influence of “tradition;” and such particular stress is laid upon the fact that efforts have been made to circulate the Scriptures, in the language of the Pope, “not only in Italy, but even in our capital,” that it is apparent no little alarm is felt in Rome as to the issue of these attempts. Other circumstances, indicating cause for apprehension, are also referred to, and then follows this remarkable passage, shewing, we think, that “the very centre of unity itself,” is not insensible to the signs of the times. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.7
“Scarcely were we made aware of these facts but we were profoundly grieved on reflecting upon the danger which threatened not only remote countries, but the very centre of unity itself; and we have been anxious to defend religion against the like manouvres. Although there be no reason to apprehend the destruction of St. Peter’s See at any time, in which the Lord our God has placed the immovable foundation of his Church, yet we are bound to maintain its authority. The holy duties of our Apostolical ministry remind us of the awful account which the Sovereign Prince of shepherds will exact of us for the growing tares which an enemy’s hand may have sown in the Lord’s field during our sleep, and for the sheep which are entrusted to us, if any perisheth through our fault.”—Ex. paper. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.8
Worldly Honor
The following extract we copy from “The Congregational Visitor.” The same principles which caused men to turn away from the Savior at his first advent, are now in operation to turn away the hearts of men from the Second Coming of Christ. “Worldly Honor,” fear of men, and love of reputation, are stumbling blocks in the way of multitudes:— HST July 31, 1844, page 202.9
If those chief rulers, of whom Inspiration predicates the startling fact, that “they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God,” had been inquired of individually for their reasons in withholding an open avowal of their belief in the Messiahship of Jesus, the true cause would have been the last to be assigned; and while it exerted a controling influence over their actions, its very existence might not have been suspected. Such is the deceitfulness of the human heart, that when interest has caused the adoption of a particular course, a perseverance therein is easily reconciled with the requirements of duty. In the present case, the penalty for such an avowal was expulsion from the synagogue,—an utter loss of influence with their fellows,—the contempt and withering hatred of the Pharisees. And might they not, for the present, conceal their belief, and thus retain their influence, until an opportunity presented, when they might effectually exert themselves to promote his cause? How could they advance the interests of his kingdom, when shunned and despised by their countrymen, with the brand of excision stamped upon their foreheads; while, concealing their convictions, they might hope for a season to arrive when they could aid the cause of their Master with all their energies, together with an entire reputation and an unbroken influence. Such may have been their reasoning; and plausible as it may appear to us, it may have been conclusive with them. But what would justify them in thus refusing an avowal, would do the same office for others, since all incurred the same hazard; and in consequence, the Savior might not have had the companionship even of the twelve. “Come out and be ye separate,” is the command of God; and when he requires obedience, no circumstances can possibly justify a refusal. He demands devotedness to himself, not treachery to his enemies. He sees the end from the beginning, and whatever he requires, we may rest assured, is the perfection of wisdom. Disobedience is rebellion, and none the less so, because gilded over with a pious motive. Palliate it as you will, and it still impugns the wisdom of the Infinite; it endeavors, by the rush light of our feeble minds, to illumine the blazing glories of Omniscience; it places man above his Maker, blots humility from the Christian soul, and tears faith from his diadem. But this preference of human to divine praise, which was early developed in man’s history, has been among the most distinguishing characteristics, through all succeeding ages. In one form and another, it has continued to manifest itself, and our race has groaned under its dreadful consequences. It has let loose the fury of the conquerer, and to entire generations has made earth a charnel-house, and life a “bridge of sighs.” Man has given all his energies to the earnest chase, and found, in the moment of success, that he embraced an airy phantom. Such is the testimony of the past, and yet that syren voice has still a richer music for his ear than all the choirs of heaven.—In his foolish estimation, one word of mortal praise exceeds in worth a crown of glory, and his eye, turned to the earth, refuses to behold the beatific vision. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.10
Men receive Truth slowly: but Error promptly
The author once conversed with an able statesman, and in the confidence of a private and social interview, inquired after the main prop of his unbelief. He answered that he had read a statement in a respectable print, which seemed to him strong indeed against the common faith. It was, that at a given spot in Europe, bones had been found under a rock, six hundred feet in depth. He said the Mosaic account allowed the world a youthful date but that to him it was utterly incredible that a sheet of rock could be formed and grow above these bones six hundred feet thick, within the space of five thousand years! After a class of facts connected with such subterranean discoveries, he did not seem to have inquired. It is a fact, that God’s record speaks of the fountains of the great deep having been broken up. It is a fact, that if those waters were ever called to the surface, so as to cover our highest mountains, they retired again, for they are not there now. It is a fact, that the billows of a sinking ocean would be strong enough to carry bones, or more massy bodies under the largest rocks, and into the deepest caverns of the earth; and the turmoil of the mighty deep, could sweep hills of clay and sand upon that which was once exposed. It is as hard to believe that bones remained undecayed during the growth of six hundred feet of rock above them, as it is to suppose that a rushing stream carried them far along into a rocky cave. If this learned man were asked to account for the forests which were found with an hundred feet of earth heaped over them, or how it is that all really learned chemists and geologists agree that the present surface of the earth is a young surface, he did not seem to have thought on such facts. If asked concerning extracts from Berosus the Chaldean, Nicolaus of Damascus, Manetho the Egyptian, or others, what they may have said of the ruins of a great ship in their day remaining on the mountains of Armenia, he did not appear to have read, or to have noticed points of this nature. Whether any ancient author mentioned the remains of this vessel as covered with pitch, which the natives used as a charm against disease, stating that a man once landed there, when the world was covered with water—why a village at the foot of mount Ararat should always have borne a name which signified the city of the descent, or of a thousand incidents of this nature, he seemed never to have enquired. He knew nothing of historic fragments of this kind; but that bones had been found deep under a rock, and that therefore the Bible was not to be obeyed, he seemed to conclude readily, and to remain confident. Dr. Nelson. HST July 31, 1844, page 202.11
Scoffers shall come
“Knowing this, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, saying, Where is the promise of his coming?” HST July 31, 1844, page 203.1
2 Peter 3:3-5. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.2
In the preceding chapters, some objections often urged against revelation have been noticed. They are certainly characterized by imbecility. It is more than probable that the youthful reader is ready to exclaim,—“These are not my objections: my difficulties are of another kind, and remain unanswered in all the productions I have ever read in favor of Christianity.” And they are likely to remain unanswered, unless some author should be able to write a book as extensive as all the volumes contained in a well-filled library. There are many faces belonging to the inhabitants of the earth now alive, but no two of them are just the same. So it is with the unending difficulties and objections in the minds of those who lean towards error, rather than the light of the sacred volume. We might remind any one reader that we do not know what his particular objections are, therefore cannot answer, unless we should take up the millions of cavils on the surface of the ocean of darkness. If your difficulties could be known, they would resemble such as have been noticed and met by many authors. Some additional examples will be given, as we attempt fairly to hold up to view the general principle, or the cause of unbelief, viz—wilful ignorance. But before we proceed, it will be necessary to guard by preliminaries, against mistake. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.3
Many are ready to suppose that the wilfully ignorant have no desire for knowledge. This is a misunderstanding, against which we should be well guarded. The boy at college, who has passed off his weeks of study, in idleness and frivolous amusement, as the day of public examination approaches, he has a very strong desire to know as much as his classmates. He is still censured as wilfully ignorant The careless, loitering, and work-hating apprentice may have a desire for knowledge and skill in the business of his employer, yet his deficiencies are punished as wilful ignorance. Many unbelievers desire knowledge on the great subject, but they never undergo the labor of research. We suppose that of all the scoffers who were to come in the last days, and who were to be wilfully ignorant, there is scarcely one but would be willing to receive historic knowledge at least, provided an angel could just grasp it in his hand, and throw it into his brain, without any exertion on his part. But the toil of research he never encounters. He may snatch at some plausible objection to truth, as he hears it repeated; but to impartial investigation, he is an utter stranger. As for those who think they have investigated very laboriously, but who have not investigated at all, we will notice them in considering another part of this subject. The million of scoffers who have come, and who now live, are ignorant of [original illegible] and Bible language. To some, this may sound strange, but it is not hard to prove. The matter may be easily tested. The scoffers live now; and you may approach and converse with them. During a ten year’s search, you are not likely to find one exception to the general statement. There was one who tried this for eighteen years, to see if he could meet with any one who cast away the Bible, and who was at the same time acquainted with its contents, and with the ancient literature connected with the Bible. He found some who at first declared themselves acquainted with the subject, but really were not. After asking them, in an affectionate manner, a few questions, they generally confessed that their knowledge did not extend far. But this fact can be seen more clearly whilst looking at examples of wilful ignorance Dr. Nelson. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.4
Popery in the United States.—Dr. Guistiniani gives the following opinion of Popery in the United States. “America is the promised land, the land of Jesuits’ operations.—To obtain the ascendency, they have no need of a mercenary Swiss guard, or the assistance of the mighty bayonets of the Holy Alliance, but a majority of votes, which can be easily obtained by an importation of Roman Catholics from Ireland, Bavaria and Austria. Rome viewed at a distance is a colossus; near at hand its grandeur diminishes, its charm is lost. But the Jesuits are every where the same—cunning, immoral, and sneaking intriguers—until they have obtained the ascendency. Rome feels her weakness at home; she knows herself to be a mere political institution, dressed in her garment of Christianity. She takes good care to uphold that holy militia, the Jesuits, in order to appear what she is not. It is a strife for existence. I am not a politician (says the doctor,) but knowing the active spirit of Jesuitism, and the indifference of the generality of Protestants, I have no doubt whatever, that in ten years the Jesuits will have a mighty influence over the ballot-box, and in twenty, they will direct according to their own pleasure. Now they fawn, in ten years they will menace, and in twenty command. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.5
Ministerial Scandal in France.—The following is extracted from the Sentinelle de l’ Armee:— HST July 31, 1844, page 203.6
“Morals are nearly on a level with what they were under the regime of the Oil de Bouf, except that the vice is now less elegant, and more hypocritical. In the same manner as during the period of La Pompadour and Dubarry, petticoat influence is particularly felt in military promotion. Certain Ministerial Cabinets are transformed into boudoirs. Certain favors are made the price of the most shameful complaisances, and there is no hesitation in telling a woman that if she wishes that her friend should be promoted, she must come herself, and alone, to remind the protector. We could add a long and curious chapter to the Mysteries of Paris, if we published all that has reached our personal knowledge.” HST July 31, 1844, page 203.7
“The Bible says so.”—We cannot begin too soon to communicate principles to the young, which shall govern their minds. Lasting impressions are made on them at a much earlier age than many persons suppose. It is remarkable, that the most important and sublime truths are, at the same time, the simplest. For instance, a very young child may be taught that there is a God; that we are made to do his will; that we are all sinners; that there is to be a judgment; that Christ died for sinners; and that those who love God shall be forever happy in heaven. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.8
Children should early be taught that the Bible is the great authority; and that when it speaks on any point, the question is settled for ever. They should be taught to go directly to the Scriptures, to find what is good and what is bad, what is true and what is false. Thus, with the blessing of God, they will acquire the habit of constantly giving up their own notions and inclinations, when they find a plain declaration of Scripture. I therefore think it a good sign, to bear a child often use the expression, the Bible says so. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.9
A Good Rebuke.—Abon Honnifah, chief of a Turkish sect, once received a blow in the face from a ruffian, and rebuked him in these terms, not unworthy of Christian imitation: “If I were vindictive, I should return you outrage for outrage; if I were an informer, I should accuse you before the caliph; but I prefer putting up a prayer to God, that in the day of judgment he will cause me to enter heaven with you.” HST July 31, 1844, page 203.10
The following inquiries are extracted from the London Patriot: HST July 31, 1844, page 203.11
Ecclesiastical Titles.—Could you not get some good Churchman to tell us the broad general meaning of that passage in Matthew 23:9, “Call no man your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in heaven?” HST July 31, 1844, page 203.12
We should like very much to know whether it has not a very strong bearing upon the titles “The Right Reverend Father in God, Lord Bishop of ---,” and “The Most Reverend Father in God, Lord Archbishop of ---.” We cannot suppose that our Lord Jesus Christ was speaking of natural paternity; if not it must have been of some spiritual paternity—if not spiritual paternity, then either of actual—as Paul, when he says, “My little children,” etc.—or of official. The actual being clearly exempt, it seems inevitable that our Lord must have uttered these words expressly of the very title in hand—the official title. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.13
Then we want to know whether we, expressly calling ourselves a Christian nation in all our acts, and actually constituted a nation by our common consent on this point, are not bound by this distinct command of our Lord Jesus Christ’s? HST July 31, 1844, page 203.14
And whether the non-protestation of those who consent to the forbidden thing, bind dissentients also to consent? or, on the contrary, is an additional reason for our being loud in our protest? HST July 31, 1844, page 203.15
A Meteor.—The Post of June 24th says:—“About ten o’clock last evening, a splendid meteor was visible from most parts of the city. It resembled a ball of fire, about twice the size of a man’s head, and passed over nearly the whole arch of the heavens, rising a few degrees above the horizon to the south-west, and moving a little north of east, until it seemed to be lost behind the hills of Long Island. For more than ten seconds, the appearance of the phenomenon was exceedingly beautiful, and excited a general expression of wonder and admiration from all the spectators.” HST July 31, 1844, page 203.16
There are too many who reverse both the principles and the practice of the apostles; they become all things to all men, not to serve others but themselves; and they try all things only to hold fast that which is bad. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.17
Jews.—It is said that the total number of Jews throughout the world, is estimated at 3,163,700, and it is said that this number have never materially varied from the time of David downwards. HST July 31, 1844, page 203.18
ADVENT HERALD & REPORTER
“The Lord is at Hand.”
BOSTON, JULY 31, 1844.
THE CLOSE OF THE VOLUME
With this No. we close the present volume of the Advent Herald—the next paper being the commencement of Vol. 8. We wish to be grateful to God, and also to the patrons of the cause who have contributed, by their prayers and means to the arduous work in which we are engaged, for all the past favor we have received; and we are much encouraged by the steadfast adherence which the Bible Adventists manifest to the great principles for which we contend. In the passing by of the published time, we had reason to expect that many who were weak in the faith would return again to the flesh-pots they had left; but we have cause of thankfulness, that while so few have forsaken the Advent hope, so many have been led to see and embrace, even at this late hour, the faith which was once delivered to the saints. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.1
We have also been gratified that when we have reached that period of time when it was supposed by the enemy that an Advent paper would be no longer needed, our friends are more than ever determined to sustain and patronize those periodicals which are devoted to the Second Advent question; and, instead of that indifference which has been predicted, our subscription list has received a continual addition of new subscribers during the entire volume. We shall, therefore, if the Lord will, enter upon the next volume with renewed confidence that God will own and bless our endeavors to extend the knowledge of the evidence of Christ’s immediate appearing. To do this effectually, we need the constant, the earnest, the effectual prayers of the righteous man, which availeth much. We also need the little sums which may be due us from those subscribers who are in arrears, that we may be prompt in paying our printers, paper-makers, etc. and thus be honest in the sight of all men, and conform to the admonition of the apostle, to “owe no man anything.” HST July 31, 1844, page 204.2
“Your Interpretation.”
Often, in presenting the scriptural evidence of the Advent near, in the language of the Scriptures, to those who believe in an opposite theory, when we inquire of them what they can do with such plain and positive assertions against the position they occupy; they reply, “it proves your views if your interpretation of those Scriptures is correct.” HST July 31, 1844, page 204.3
Now we protest that we do not interpret those Scriptures at all, that we let them speak for themselves, in the usual acceptation of the English language. Riddles, enigmas, parables, figures of speech, etc. etc., need an interpretation; but positive commands, plain declarations, and definite predictions, need no such interpretations. To depart from the literal acceptation of those positive Scriptures, is to launch out on a sea of conjecture, and to substitute fancy for the word of God. Taking the Bible in its literal acceptation, no one would attempt to prove a temporal millennium. That, and all kindred questions look for their support only to a spiritual and etherial interpretation of positive texts. Nothing can be more positive than that the Man of Sin is to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming; that the tares and wheat, explained by Christ to be the wicked and righteous, are to grow together till the harvest, which he has assured us is the end of the world; or that the horn of papacy is to prevail against the saints until the Ancient of Days shall come, judgment be given to the saints of the Most High, and the time come that the saints possess the kingdom. And shall such positive predictions be set aside for a fancied interpretation? No. Neither should their force be obviated by the plea, that their literal signification is only “your interpretation.” HST July 31, 1844, page 204.4
NEW WORKS
“The German Rebuke of American Neology; a discourse by Prof. Gaussen, of Geneva, to the theological students at the opening of the course in October last, entitled, ‘Popery, an argument for the Truth, by the fulfilment of Scripture Prophecies.” Translated for, and first published in this country in the New York Observer. With a Preface, Notes, and Diagrams. Price 6 cts. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.5
This is considered a very important discourse by those who are interested in the prophetic Scriptures—and it is spoken of with respect by our opponents. It is another evidence that our views respecting the pre-millennial Advent, which are so despised by the church, are the same with the good and learned of other lands. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.6
“Duty of Prayer and Watchfulness in the Prospect of the Lord’s coming.” By Rev. James Haldane Stewart, M. A. Incumbent of St. Bride’s, Liverpool, Eng. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.7
We have selected, for No. 45 of the Second Advent Library, this discourse from a new English work, containing twelve sermons on the “Second Coming” of Christ. They were delivered in London by twelve clergymen of the Church of England, in the year 1843. We have selected this as being eminently practical, and suited to the present time. We hope it may have an extensive circulation, as it will tend to dissipate worldly-mindedness and scepticism, so rife among the professed people of God at the present time. Price 6 cents. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.8
Articles of Faith very commonly received
1. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God,”—the prophecies are among the secret things, therefore they are the Lord’s, and we should have nothing to do with them. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.9
2. God’s Spirit will not show us things to come as has been vainly promised. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.10
3. Notwithstanding the prophecies are not to be understood, we have abundant proof from the prophetical Scriptures, that the Jews will be restored to Palestine, and gathered into the church, and that there will be a millennium—a golden age in which the subjects of the kingdom of heaven will reign on the earth undisturbed by the presence of their King. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.11
4. Although we will not allow that the Spirit shows us things to come, yet, we maintain that we have the witness of the Spirit that these things are so. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.12
5. God cannot vindicate his character and be just, if he “makes a short work upon the earth, cutting it short in righteousness,” by setting up his Everlasting Kingdom, immediately on the ruins of worldly dominions. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.13
6. We must pray, Thy spiritual kingdom come—for if the real literal kingdom of God should come, it would be destructive to the wicked, and indeed all the works of Satan. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.14
7. The world is rapidly getting better, and was never convalescing so fast as at present—consequently we know the Lord will not come to judgement in the midst of our great improvements, and many inventions. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.15
8. In regard to the speedy Advent, we feel to pray, “That be far from thee, Lord!” We are trying the experiment of setting up thy kingdom spiritually, without thy presence, and we pray thee Lord not to come until we get our Babal built up to heaven? Let us make us a name lest we be scattered—let us reign on the earth after the manner which we have marked out for ourselves. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.16
Why men receive this faith
“For it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the Lord of Jacob: and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2.” From the connection of these passages we learn that the many people who prophecy these things, “are soothsayers like the Philistines, and please themselves with the children of strangers,” being “replenished from the east,” for of the very time of which they predict such great prosperity to the church, Paul exhorts, “Thus know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” For these would loudly join in the cry, The secret things belong to God, forgetting that “those that are revealed belong unto us,” and that His holy word is a revelation, and not a hidden mystery—forgetting that we should search the Scriptures, and if we search prayerfully and diligently, and will do the will of God, we shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether it be of man. God thus deals with his children. The Lord said, when about to destroy the cities, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do? Why should Abraham know it? we naturally inquire—he was at a distance from the scene of the coming destruction and he would not be injured by it, neither could he avert it, why was it necessary for God to inform him? Because he was the friend of God—the father of the faithful, and because God hides nought of his dealings with men from his servants the prophets. It is believed that God has some children in every age who are willing to sacrifice all for him, who have Abraham’s faith, and to them will the Lord show things to come. Not that necessarily there is a direct revelation from heaven aside from the written word, but the things of the kingdom are made plain to the meek, the trusting, and the tractable children of Abraham. To those that have a willing and obedient heart, and who are ready to take God at his word, that word will be known. They have not “cunningly devised fables” to follow, but “a sure word of prophecy, whereunto they 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 their hearts. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” HST July 31, 1844, page 204.17
Thus we see that vain is the faith of those who suppose that the prophecies are among the secret unrevealed things of God, and the Lord is dishonored by those that advocate and adopt like faith. HST July 31, 1844, page 204.18
e. c. c.
Thoughts in Harmony Grove,—
A Place for Burying the Dead in Danvers, MS
Brother Hervey, after writing that he visited this place a short time since, says:— HST July 31, 1844, page 204.19
“One would infer from reading the words engravened on several of the monuments which mark the place of the departed, that the surviving friends were believers in the personal Advent of Christ, the resurrection of the body, and the consummation of all things. The place suggested many profitable reflections. Many lie there who once mingled in the busy crowd, and will remain till the heavens be no more. To a believer in the blessed hope, the tomb is more sacred than sad. It has its attractions. Jesus has lain there— HST July 31, 1844, page 204.20
“The grave of all his saints he blest,
And softened every bed.”
HST July 31, 1844, page 204.21
And as he arose, so will all his followers. The promise of Christ is to this effect,—“Thy dead men shall live, together with, or like my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out her dead. The triumph of the grave is certainly limited as to its subject. “If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his spirit that dwelleth in you.” As I lingered around in “Harmony Grove,” how soon, thought I will the voice of the Archangel be heard and those who have fallen asleep in Christ rise first! There was a tomb opened ready to receive its victim. But perhaps the sexton may be performing his office in laying away the cold image of some departed Christian, and even, before it is enclosed in the tomb, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” be reanimated by the voice of God and “come forth,” and the weeping mourners, if in Christ, be suddenly changed, and together rise, “to meet the Savior in the air.” The question if the subtle and philosophizing Greeks, “How are the dead raised up, and with what body do they come?” formed no place in my reflections. God’s word declares the great fact of the resurrection. It was engraven on one of the monuments, viz:—“As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” We left this place, believing that “Death will soon be swallowed up in victory.” We know what it has done, what it is now doing, what it will do, until, as “the last enemy,” it will be destroyed, and this mortal put on immortality, and there be no more sickness—no more death. We shall then, dear brother, cease from our labors on earth—our toils will be ended—our pens laid aside for the hopes of glory, our voices engaged in the song of Moses and the Lamb. This Hope should nerve us up to occupy until the Lord shall come, for the good of souls. May the Lord grant us an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom. Yours in the blessed hope, HST July 31, 1844, page 204.22
N. Hervey. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.1
Milton, July 9th, 1844. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.2
Br. R. Montague writes:—“The subject of our Savior’s Advent is no less interesting to me now than it was a year ago, and the enjoyment I have felt when contemplating that glorious event, has exceeded what I ever felt before. I believe it to be very near, and if I ever enjoyed what the Christian enjoys, it has been the year past. And sometimes I have thought if I should behold the Savior coming in the clouds of heaven, attended with a retinue of angels, I should rejoice, and would praise him for coming so soon, to deliver his saints, from this sin cursed earth; but I will wait patiently until the glorious morn shall dawn, for he that shall come will come and will not tarry, and then all the saints will rise in their Savior’s image. But what shall the sinner do, who dreads even to think of that day, when all that are in their graves shall hear the trump of God? And though the event will be glorious to the saint, it will be awful and confounding to the sinner. My joy has been mingled with sorrow when reflecting upon the condition of the multitude that will be unprepared for such an event. O that all would be wise and seek the salvation of their souls before it shall be too late, before the judge shall come in his wrath and sware, ye that despise my promise sent, shall have no portion there. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.3
Bernardston, June 18, 1844.
Barre Vt. Bro. L. F. Billings writes:—“The past winter and spring I have been laboring in this vicinity. In most of the towns between this and Claremont, N. H. there has been a glorious work. My brother, A. M. B., and Bro. Bennett have labored through this part of the country. Lectures have been given—conferences have been held—and there are a tried people in this northern country, who are looking for the blessed hope. Br. Himes’ visit has had a glorious effect. Last winter I gave a course of lectures in Orange; there was only one brother there who obtained the Methodist house; and though there was great opposition, yet it was borne down by God’s truth, which prevailed. On visiting the place I find the brethren anxious to have a Conference, and the people generally want to hear again, for, say they, ‘there is no life in any other preaching.’ HST July 31, 1844, page 205.4
Brimfield, Mass. Br. J. E. Ainsworth writes:—“There is a blessed little band in Brimfield, who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although we have no stated preaching, yet we feel it good to meet every Sabbath, and spend it in exhortation, prayer and praise. We hope our brethren in the adjoining towns, as often as they can, will meet with us; and we hope no Advent lecturer, who may come near this place, will go by without giving us a call.” HST July 31, 1844, page 205.5
Liberty, Me. July 13. A Bro. writes:—“It may be interesting to you to know that Br. A. Stinson and wife of the Free-will Baptist connection have lately embraced the Advent views. Bro. S. has been a respectable minister of that denomination for several years, and highly esteemed as such by the denomination. This brother will do much to forward the cause in this vicinity. He is a regular graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.6
The Church—its Theory and practice
theory
Therefore I say unto you, take no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink.—Jesus. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.7
practice
Will you attend the Tea Party?—The ladies connected with the Congregational Society in Grafton, under the pastorial care of Rev. E. B. Wilson, will hold a Tea Party at the Town Hall, on Wednesday, the 22nd inst., the proceeds of which will be applied to replenish the Library belonging to the Sabbath School. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.8
Refreshments will be served at 6 o’clock P. M. The Grafton Band will be in attendance, and every effort used to make the meeting interesting and instructive. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.9
For particulars, all are hereby invited to be present and participate in the enjoyments of the occasion, thereby encouraging the ladies in their enterprise. Tickets, 12 1-2 cts., to be had at the door. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.10
Per order of the Com. of Arrangements. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.11
Grafton, May 15th, 1844. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.12
Church Feasting.—The Ladies of the First Baptist Church would respectfully announce that they design giving a Tea Party at College Hall next Monday evening, April 8th, for the special benefit of said Church. A distinguished gentleman of the Bar will address the company, and professional musicians will contribute to the entertainment of the evening. Tickets may be had at the door.—Cincinnati Daily Commercial. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.13
Medford Breakfast and Fair.—There will be a Breakfast and sale of Useful and Fancy Articles by the Ladies of the Rev. Mr. Stetson’s Society in Medford, on Wednesday, June 12, at the Medford House. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.14
Breakfast at 6 o’clock. Tickets for the Breakfast, 25 cents; for the sale 12 1-2 cents. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.15
In the hall of the sale will be found tables of refreshments, cake, lemonade, ices, etc., etc. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.16
“All their works they do to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues.”—Jesus. Boston Investigator. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.17
Remarks.—Such is the manner in which the infidels of the Boston Investigator compliment Jesus, by making his words to condemn the sensuality of his professed followers, or rather perhaps, I ought to say, condemn the sensual professed followers of Christ. The infidel is at least to be regarded as consistent with his principles, when he sets at nought the precepts of Jesus; but those who are clamorous for evangelical piety and yet trample on the plainest precepts of the Messiah, ought not to complain of even infidels, if their hypocrisy is pointed at, in the eye of the world.—Gen. of Christianity. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.18
Enter into thy Closet.—The retirement of private devotion is strongly inculcated in the expression, “Enter into thy closet.” Retire from company. Go by thyself. Be alone. The word closet means any retired place, at home or abroad, where we may escape from the observation of others, and be undisturbed by them; not that the closet itself possesses any sanctity, or will work in the way of a charm. You are not to so into your closet on that account; but you retire from the notice of others to avoid ostentation on the one hand, and distraction on the other. “Shut the door.” Keep out the world, and prevent every intrusion: thou hast a great business to transact with thy God, and let not the nearest friend or relative interfere with thy intercourse with him. The privacy of prayer, is what is here enforced. Poor persons, who have but one apartment, can enter into the spirit of this direction by praying wherever they can be retired. Isaac’s closet was a field. “He went out to meditate in the field at even tide.” David’s closet was his bed-chamber. “Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still.” Our Lord’s closet was a mountain. “When he had sent the multitude away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray, and when the evening had come, he was there alone.” Peter’s closet was the house-top. “Peter went upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour.”—Hezekiah’s closet was turning “his face towards the wall, and praying to the Lord.” HST July 31, 1844, page 205.19
Churchquakes.—We read and hear of earthquakes, but this seems to be a day of churchquakes. The Presbyterian church divided a few years since, and there is more prospect of still further subdivisions than union, in that branch. The Episcopal church is undergoing a mighty agitation on one subject, the Methodists have nearly or quite divided on another, and the Baptists, having no central government, and showing their union only by their co-operation in voluntary societies for the promotion of specified objects, talk of dividing even in those societies. What all this portends we cannot foretell. Certain it is that we are fallen on critical times, and perhaps even the beginning of the end doth not yet appear. We live in the railroad age—more than that, in the lightning age, steam has become altogether too slow for the transmission of intelligence, too sluggish to use as a figure. We are sweeping rapidly past the roots of mighty mountains, on whose dim and distant tops, our forefathers long and anxiously gazed. Crises, which we had placed far in the future, are hurried upon us, and we find ourselves in positions in, which we had, in our dreamy imaginations, wondered how our posterity would act. The rapid progress in the arts has ceased to excite our astonishment, yet these are but the index, the type, the forerunners of the progress that must succeed in the religious world. History shows that this has been the case hitherto, reason and revelation both assure us that it will be so hereafter. New elements of unknown power, are rapidly coming to the light, and they must be computed by those who would calculate the future. This much only can now be foretold, and in this communities and individuals may both find consolation, the church will triumph in the end, and, the Lord knoweth those that are his.—Cross and Journal. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.20
Thus they dream on. Ed. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.21
True Papacy.—Maria Joaquino, a Christian lady at Funchal, island of Madeira, has been condemned to be burnt by the papal authorities on that island, for “maintaining conversations and arguments condemned by the church.” This sentence was passed May 2, ‘44. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.22
Disguised Papacy.—The papal bishops and priests in the United States, are prating about the blessings of religious liberty, establishing schools and colleges, and talking kindly and pleasantly about their “Protestant brethren.”—Cross and Journal. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.23
He who writes against the abuses of the age in which he lives, must depend on the generosity of the few for his bread, and the malice of the many for his fame. HST July 31, 1844, page 205.24
A Solemn Question
“Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?”—Malachi 3:2. HST July 31, 1844, page 206.1
To bring this tremendous question home with power to our hearts, let us for a moment imagine that the event which must be near at hand, is now arrived. Let us suppose it to have overtaken us now, just as we are, for in some such way it will come—sudden, short, terrific—“As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” “Behold, I come as a thief in the night.” Suppose, then, that the blast of the archangel’s trumpet were this moment to ring in our ears—suppose that the kindling heavens, the falling stars, the sights and sounds of terror broke at this moment upon our astonished senses—that all bespoke that Time had run its course and “the end of all things was at hand:”—how would this dreadful summons find us? How would it find us at this moment—this night! Oh! think of the hundreds and of the thousands at this moment, and on this day of holy rest, to be found in the haunts of guilt and shame! Think of the thousands, on this Sabbath of the Lord, engaged in sinful pleasure, or immersed in secular employment; “doing their own ways, and finding their own pleasure;” marking the sacred day with deeper turpitude than any other of the seven. What would be the effect on them, did this dread announcement grate upon the ears? Oh, what pangs, what terrors, what wailings, and blackness of despair would it cause! “Every heart would melt; all hands would be feeble; every spirit would faint: all knees would be weak as water.” Where then would be the wisdom of the wise, the ranks of the mighty, the gold of the rich? The knell, the last knell, which told of dissolving Nature, would herald in their everlasting doom. Then would they call upon the rocks to fall upon them, and hills to cover them. And the cry, the exceeding bitter cry, “Too late! too late!” would break from despairing myriads. Ah! with what weepings and wailings would they then think of time mis-spent, opportunities neglected: goodness, mercy, longsuffering, love vast as eternity, abused and slighted; while conscience, quickened into agony, would ring the fearful words in their ears, “Because I called, and ye refused, I stretched out my hand, and no man regarded, but ye set at naught my counsel, and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as a desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind.” HST July 31, 1844, page 206.2
Where, then, O thou profane, scoffing, and hardened sinner—desecrating the Sabbath, des-despising the word of the Lord, breaking the everlasting covenant, forsaking the assemblies of his pepole, insulting thy God and injuring thy neighbor, oppressing perhaps, the being confided to thee by God, setting an example of what is vicious and profane to thy children—where wilt thou appear? “Can thy hands be strong or can thy heart endure?” Alas! the sound will be like the hissing of the fiery serpent, and the lightning of his wrath will blast thy soul. O false and hypocritical man! like the whited and gilded sepulchre outside, while the inside is full of loathsomeness; using religion as a pretext; concealing under the mask of it pride and malice, and impurity—where wilt thou appear? Alas! it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for thee. When thou rememberest the light against which thou hast sinned, the convictions thou hast stifled, thou wilt envy the doom of the lowest, the basest in human eyes. So with the formalists, so with the worldly-minded, the indifferent hard-hearted, all who have “lived without God and Christ” in the world: all who are unwashed in his blood, unsanctified by his Spirit, and not interested in the covenant. These shall not “abide the day of his coming.” These shall not stand when he appeareth.” HST July 31, 1844, page 206.3
But the question still remains to be answered, “Who may abide the day of his coming?” And it is not, blessed be God! a dark impenetrable secret, left for that day to divulge. We know (for it is revealed) that there are those who will hail his second advent with joy. The thunders may roll; but they will have no terrors for them. “The earth may be moved, and the mountains carried into the middle of the sea;” but they will fear not. (O what a glorious contrast! The calm, imperturbable spirit of holy and humble confidence, amidst “the tremblings of heart” of others!) And who are they? They who know and love him as their Saviour now, will never feel terror before him as their Judge. O ye who now believe on him with the Christian’s appropriating faith, know this! Your persuasion, firm and unshaken, is that he will not desert you. “Neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come shall separate you.” And what inspires this confidence? Any thing in yourselves? Oh not so, but the stability of his word, the inviolability of his covenant engagements, the unchangeableness of his love. What have you found him here? A Savior ever as good as his word. He said, and he fulfilled it—yea, and all he has promised he will fulfil. He said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” You went in tears, and in shame and self-reproach, and “he received you graciously, loved you freely,” forgave you, and remembered your iniquities no more. You found there was virtue in his atonement to lull your fears to rest; to speak peace to your troubled conscience. And what is now the basis of your confidence in the view of judgment? It is the assurance that his word shall never fail, that his love is unchangeable, that “his faithfulneess is to all generations.” This is what props and supports you. The ground of it is not any thing in yourself, it is wholly in him. It is not the child that supports itself on the mother’s bosom: it is the mother that supports the child. And so “it is the everlasting arm beneath you, which holds you up.” The word on which you have ventured, he will never break. The hope he has himself inspired he will never disapoint. The rock on which you have built, will never fail. It has not failed hitherto, and it will not fail in the last judgment. No! and we believe, did he at this moment “come in the clouds of heaven” to judge the world, that the assurance you now feel “that he will never leave you nor forsake you, unworthy as you are, (yet grieving over that unworthiness daily, and striving to love him more, and serve him better,) that this assurance would keep you tranquil amidst the solemnities and terrors of the scene, and that a calm confidence would soon be exchanged for a holy joy, as the thrilling words greeted your ears—“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,”—Prof. Churchman. HST July 31, 1844, page 206.4
Confirming the Covenant
Dear Bro. Southard:—I propose to say a few words, through the columns of the Cry, concerning the week of the confirmation of the covenant. When I have presented my views, with the reasons for them, let them be tested by the word of the Lord, and if then found to be unsound, let them be condemned and rejected, but not before. The angel Gabriel says in Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,” etc. The pronoun “he” in this passage, refers to the Messiah, spoken of in verses 25 and 26. It is declared, then, that the Messiah shall confirm the covenant with many for one week. The question now arises, What is it to confirm the covenant? I answer, it is to establish the Gospel. In proving this, it will be necessary, first to inquire what is meant by the term “covenant.” It must be either the Jewish law or the gospel, as fully appears from Galatians 4:22-26, “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. But he who was of the bond-woman was born after the flesh; but he of the free-woman by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Here we have the old covenant and the new—the law and the gospel. One is by Moses, the other by Christ. One relates to mount Sinai, the other to mount Sion. See Hebrews 12:18-24. Now which of these did Messiah come to confirm? Certainly not the former, as is abundantly proved by the testimony of Paul in Romans 6:14. “For ye are not under the law, but under grace.” And in Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Also in Galatians 3:24, 25, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a school-master.” It must therefore be the Gospel, which Messiah confirmed. But how was it confirmed? I answer to confirm a thing is to establish it on a firm foundation. And what is the foundation of the faith and hope of the gospel, on which the church of God is built? It is Jesus and the resurrection. See. Ephesians 2:20. How was the gospel established on this foundation? By testimony, and that testimony accompanied by miracles. John 5:31, 86. “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true,” i. e. not valid. “But I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me.” It was necessary that this testimony of Christ concerning himself, should be accompanied, not only by the testimony of the Father (see John 5:37, and 8:17, 18.) but also that it should be confirmed by publicly-wrought mighty works, or miracles. But this kind of proof was not confined to the personal ministry of Christ, as appears fully evidant from Hebrews 2:3, 4, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them who heard him. God also bearing witness both with signs and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.” The apostles of Christ had a special work assigned them, to which they were chosen, and for which they were duly qualified, viz., to testify to the fact of his resurrection. It was not to them a matter of faith that Christ had risen from the dead, but a matter of fact. By their testimony to this glorious fact, and the miracles which they wrought in confirmation of the truth of this testimony, they were co-workers with God and with Christ, in laying the immovable foundation, on which rests the faith and hope of all God’s children. The work of confirming the covenant, therefore, by testimony accompanied by miracles, was not confined to our Lord’s personal ministry, but was performed first by him, and then by his apostles, while he, by the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit wrought with them. In further proof that they were special witnesses, both of the mighty works of Christ and of his resurrection, let us take first his own declaration in Luke 24:46-48, “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead on the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And we are witnesses of these things.” And then the testimony of Peter, Acts 1:21, 28. “Wherefore, of these men which have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be with us a witness of his resurrection.” Again, in chap. 2:32, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” And also in chapter 3:15, “And killed the Prince of life, whom God had raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.” Again, in chapter 5:30-41, “And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day and showed him openly: not to all the people, but onto witnesses chosen before God, even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Paul also declares in 1 Corinthians 15:8, “And last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time.” From the connection between this verse and the 9th, we see clearly that the apostles were qualified to their apostolic work, by having been eye-witnesses to the fundamental fact of the resurrection of Christ. Therefore, when the last of these witnesses was thus qualified, and had commenced his testimony, accompanied by those miraculous proofs which were indispensably necessary, the Gospel as a divine system was established on its true foundation. In other words, the covenant was confirmed. More of the same subject in my next. Thine in the hope. S. S. Snow. Worcester, Mass., June 29.—Mid. Cry. HST July 31, 1844, page 206.5
Conference & Campmeetings
A Second Advent Conference at Esperance, Schobarie county, N Y (26 miles west of Albany) will commence if time continues, on Tuesday, August 6th, to continue over the succeeding Sabbath. It is hoped these conferences will result in extensive usefulness; to this end lectures will be given during the Conferences (evenings until Sunday,) in such adjoining places as may be deemed expedient. The Advent friends in the vicinity of these Conferences, as well as the undersigned, particularly request the attendance and labors of those Advent lectures who may find it their duty to be present. And all other friends of the Advent cause, and indeed all who are willing to give heed to the sure word of prophecy on the subject of the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, are respectfully invited to attend. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.1
Camp-meeting at Brooklyn Conn. Aug. 20th. The ground selected ties on the farm of Mr. John Allen, about two miles east of Brooklyn village, and two and a half miles from Danielsonville Depot, on the Norwich and Worcester Railroad. Conveyance can be had to the camp ground from either of the above named places, and Mr. Allen will make preparation to accomodate all who may wish, with board, and horse keeping, on reasonable terms. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.2
Committee.—Thomas Huntington, Thomas Farnum, William Wheeler. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.3
The Midnight Cry will please copy. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.4
Brooklyn, Conn. July 17, 1844. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.5
A Campmeeting will be held, if time continue, in Hillsboro’, N. H. on hand of G. W. Barns, half a mile east of the road leading from the Upper Village to East Washington, to commence on Tuesday, August 20th, and continue over the Sabbath. Brethren Shipman, Bennet, and others, are invited to attend. The brethren who can, are requested to come with tents: and those who wish, can be accommodated with provision for themselves and horses on reasonable terms; those who come by stage to the Upper Village, three miles distant, will find conveyance to the ground. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.6
Com.—F. Wheeler, G. W. Barns, N. Smith. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.7
There will be a Second Advent Campmeeting in Manchester Ct. on ground formerly occupied for that purpose, 9 miles cast of Hartford, commencing Monday, Aug. 19th, to continue to the Saturday following. The sole object of this meeting is to advance vital godliness in the soul. Mid. Cry will please copy. H. MUNGER. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.8
This meeting is to be on Cheney Place, so called; and is 25 miles from Springfield, Br. M. informs us that a committee of 11 have been appointed, who have made arrangements for board, horse-keeping, etc on reasonable terms. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.9
Brethren are requested to attend, and bring their tents, provisions, etc. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.10
There will be an Advent Campmeeting held in the town of Gill, Mass., commencing the 19th of August next, to continue one week. The brethren throughout that region are invited to attend, with tents prepared to tarry through the meeting. Good accommodations for horses near the ground where the meeting is held. Brn. Miller, Litch, Storrs, Preble, and as many others as can, are invited to attend. The meeting will be held in N. E. part of Gill, on the farm of Mr. Nelson Burrow, Who will provide board, horse-keeping, etc. Mid. Cry please copy. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.11
DARTMOUTH, MASS.—A Second Advent campmeeting will be held, if time continue, in a grove of Mr. David Wilson, in Dartmouth, Ms, about one & half miles west of the Providence and Taunton Rail Road, Passengers stopping at the Head of the river Depot, 3 miles north of N. Bedford, to commence Aug. 26, at 2 P. M. Br. Cole is engaged with others to be there. Come, brethren and friends, with your tents, and reasonable boarding and lodging will be furnished on the ground, about five miles north of New Bedford. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.12
David Wilson.
Brightman Collins,
Joseph Bates.
HST July 31, 1844, page 207.13
EATON CORNER, N. H.—There will be an Advent campmeeting at Eaton Corner, N. H. to commence Friday, Aug 9, and continue over the Sabbath. Churchill, Harvey, and other ministering brethren, will be in attendance. All our brethren and friends of other towns are invited to attend. T. Sanborn. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.14
Advent Campmeeting at Cabot, Vt. near the Plains, on land of Thomas Lyford, on the old camp-gronnd formerly occupied by the Methodists, two miles north of the village, to commence Tuesday, Aug. 20, and hold over the Sabbath. Brn Bennet, Shipman and others will attend. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.15
Committee. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.16
Cabot—[original illegible] Gerry, [original illegible] Kimball, Ezekiel Reed, [original illegible] Carpenter, James Walbridge, John Lund. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.17
Danville—Ebenezer Thompson, Asa Perkins. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.18
[original illegible]—L. Paine.—Wolcott, William C. Titus. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.19
Sutton—Aaron R. Morse,—Walden, Merrill Foster, and Benj. Durill. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.20
Hardwick—Wm. Drew, Seralus Blodgett. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.21
Woodbury—Stephen Champman. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.22
Calais—Britton Wheelock. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.23
Marshfield, Leonard Wheeler, John Capron. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.24
We hope the above committee will see that arrangements are made in each town to come with tents. We anticipate a glorious gathering of the saints. I. H. Shipman. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.25
EXETER, N. H.—If the Lord will, a campmeeting will be held on the ground occupied last year, two miles east from Exeter, on the Boston and Maine Rail Road, via Dover. It is appointed to commence Monday the 12th of August, at 2 P M, to continue till Saturday noon. The time will be short, and it will be necessary for the tents to be erected on the Saturday previous, or early on Monday morning. The fare on the Boston and Maine Rail Road will be reduced for camp-meeting passengers to half the usual price from Boston and South Berwick and all intermediate places, to the camp-ground. Tickets to be procured at the R. R. offices. Friends on the Eastern road can obtain tickets to the junction and S. Berwick at half the usual price, of Br. John Pearson of Portland, and Br. Gorham Greely, of Saco, Me. The following brethren are appointed a committee for their respective towns, viz. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.26
Exeter—G. T. Stacy and C Haley; Portland—J. Pearson; Portsmouth, G. Pierce and R. Walker; Dover, O. Wyatt; Boston, P. Dickenson and S. Nichols; Lowell, J. P. Hendee, M. M. George, and Dea. Downing; Newburyport, Br. Moody; Pittsfield, E. C. Drew. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.27
It is to be hoped there will be a general attendance at this meeting; the object of which is to present the scriptural evidence of the neatness of the Advent of our Lord and King. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.28
LIBERTY ME.—There will be an Advent Conference at the Liberty Tabernacle, commencing on the 16th of Aug. at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, to continue over the Sabbath. It is earnestly desired that some Advent Lecturers from the west will visit us at that time. Will Br. Churchill and Harvey attend? W. B. START, Com. of Cor. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.29
CHAMPLAIN, N. Y.—An Advent Campmeeting will be held, the Lord willing, in Champlain, Clinton co. N Y. about one mile south of the Landing on the farm of Judge Taylor, to commence Sept. 10, and continue over the Sabbath. We expect, brother Miller and Shipman will remember their pledge, and attend without fail. We earnestly solicit lecturing brethren, who can consistently attend, to come and help us. A waggon will be furnished to convey the baggage of our friends to the ground, who may come by the boat HST July 31, 1844, page 207.30
For the committee, E. S. LOOMIS. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.31
CLAREMONT, N. H—The saints of God will hold a Conference, if time continue, in Claremont, N. H. to commence Saturday, Aug. 3, at 1 o’clock P. M., to continue over the Sabbath. Brethren Cole, Shipman, Bennet, Eastman, and other ministering brethren, are expected to attend. We invite all who love our Lord I Jesus, his appearing and kingdom, to join with us in our heavenly setting together. The Cry will please copy, if in season. A. M. BILLINGS. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.32
FITCHBURG, MASS—The Lord will, an Advent camp meeting will be held in Fitchburg, Aug. 28, on ground owned by Luther Gibson, near the Free Will Baptist meetinghouse, three miles from the village, on the new road toward Ashley; brethren in the ministry, and all who love the appearing of Christ, are invited to come with tents and provisions to continue one week. Provision for entertainment in the house, and for horse-keeping, will be made on reasonable terms. Brethren in the neighboring towns are requested to meet on the ground selected for our meeting, the 1st Wednesday in August, at 10 o’clock A. M. in order to clear the ground, and make other necessary arrangements for the meeting. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.33
For the committee. S. HEATH.
Letters received to July 27, 1844
James Hard, by P. M. $1, paid in No. 196 Vol. 8; B H Cushman by pm $1 to 153 v 7; H Childs by pm $2 19, v 8; L Childs $1 196 v 8 ($2 for Cry;) N Grant $1 191 v 8; S Bradford by pm $1 195 v 8; G Godfrey by pm $1 191 v 8; Eld A V, Baldwin by pm $1 195 v 8; J Silkworth by pm $1 191 v 8; S Van Kleek by pm &1 194 v 8; L Baker by pm $1 170 v 7; J Woods $1 196 v 8; do. $1 196 v 8; M Cutter $1 196 v 8; E D Hartwell $l 196 v 8; A Woods or L G Whiting $1 218 v 9; I S Wright $1, 195 v 8; Samuel Haly by pm $1 141 v 6; Abijah Thayer by pm $2 175 v 8; A P Lynde by pm $1 195 v 8; E B Stevens $2 144 v 6; J P Hall by pm $1 178 v 8; D Mister by pm $1 144 v 6; S Everett by pm $1 170 v 7; S D Howard by pm $1 195 v 8; Miss M A Kinney by pm $1 195 v 8; E Jones by pm $2 196 v 8; A Pierce by pm $1 170 v 7; A Beals by pm $1 170 v 7; Mrs Warren by pm $1 196 v 8; C Thompson by pm $2 170 v 7; L Mills by J V Himes $1 195 v 8; Thos Sayles by do. $1 195 v 8; Wm J Oakley $1 by do. 195 v 8; O Lewis by do. $1 203 v 9; R Curtis by pm $1 170 v 7; J P Hall by pm $1 165 v 7; R Nelson by pm $1 120 v 5; J G Morse by pm $1 218 v 9; N H Stowe by pm $1 194 v 8; D Barnes by pm $1 155 v 7; W & J C Breed & Co by pm $1; 170 v 7; D Goodnough by pm $2 170 v 7; M Baringe by J Litch $1 184 v 8; Luther Jones by N Y office $2 208 v 9; C Happish by do. $1 139 v 7; D Brown by do. $1 170 v 7; B F Perry by do. $1 196 v 8; L Bolles Jr by pm $2 157 v 7; J Gates by pm $2 144 v 6; J Corwin by pm $3 144 v 6; Mary A Alger by pm $1 192 v 8; L Brown by pm $1 170 v 7; Rev S Oaks by pm $1 196 v 8; Sarah Rogers by pm 50c 182 v 8; N Crosby by pm $1 144 v 6. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.34
E S Loomis; I H. Shipman; S H Brown; E C Clemons 2 [original illegible] Perham; J Burgess by pm $1 for Mid Cry; pm Winchester N H; pm Kingsbury [original illegible] Woode himself & others $10; M M George $15; pm E Washington N H 25c, books sent to C Stow; C Stow; pm Reading Ms; pm Bristol Ct: F Robinson; pm Lewiston N Y; M H Thayer, Rev J Carleton; pm New Fairfield Ct; pm East Chester N H; pm Barre Vt $6; S Heath; M F Master papers sent; Calvin Snow $1; J. Weston; A M Billings; A A Partridge by pm $1; E Sproul; N Hervey; T W. Titus; E G Scott; A Gague and S Titus; T Cole; A D Howe; J V Himes order filled and sent; pm Warner N H; W B Start; pm N Eastham Ms. HST July 31, 1844, page 207.35
INDEX TO VOL. VII
| Address to Advent Believers | 9 |
| A Sign of the last days | 10 |
| Anecdote of Wm. Miller | 20 |
| A part of the Story | 29 |
| A New Sect | 30 |
| Adventists—Why adopt that name? | 53 |
| Another Prophet | 85 |
| A Nut for Mr. Colver | 86 |
| An Imposing Ceremony | 94 |
| “And Think to change Times” | 101 |
| A just Rebuke | 103 |
| Answer to an important question | 110 |
| An Extract | 119 |
| A Dialogue | 119 |
| A Bishop | 130 |
| “As it was in the days of Noah” | 131 |
| A Sign—The Chris. Watch. and Trumpet seeing “eye to eye” | 138 |
| Address of the Conference at Boston | 140 |
| Arrival of the Caledonia | 144 |
| A Phenomenon | 153 |
| Apology—Brother Cox | 161 |
| “Are you a follower of Miller” | 163 |
| “As it was in Sodom | 167 |
| A Singular Case | 180 |
| A solemn Question | 206 |
| Articles of faith commonly received | 204 |
| A good rebuke | 203 |
| A Meteor | 203 |
| Bible Societies | 202 |
| Backing Out | 20 |
| Believing the time a sin | 21 |
| Both Sides | 37, 41 |
| Belshazzar’s Feast | 47 |
| Barton, M. Hull, at Newburyport | 144 |
| Comfort for bereaved Parents | 27 |
| Courtesy and Frankness | 69 |
| Cause and Effect | 86 |
| Contined Watchfulness | 86 |
| Church Feasting | 119 |
| Cincinnati—The Cause in | 135 |
| Chicopee—Awful effects of Millerism at | 137, 158 |
| Christian Liberality | 147 |
| Canada West—The Voice of Elijah | 149 |
| Cause in the West | 149 |
| Confessions of Mr. Miller and others | 157 |
| Chicopee—Affairs at | 158 |
| Confirming the Covenant | 206 |
| Churchquakes | 205 |
| Close of Volume | 204 |
| Disappointment at the last Day | 64 |
| Daniel’s Fourth Beast | 95 |
| D’Aubigne on the Reformation | 185 |
| Distress of nations | 191 |
| Ecclesiastical Trial—Arbitrary Power of the M. E. Church vs. Millerism | 13, 17 |
| Editorial Correspondence | 20, 36, 52, 62, 109, 112, 120, 124, 136, 151, 157, 200 |
| Exposition of 1 Corinthians 15th | 49 |
| Eating and drinking with the Drunken | 77 |
| Episcopalians departing from the Faith | 87 |
| Elder Shaw’s Neology—A Specimen of | 93 |
| Expense of Popery | 119 |
| Elections in the church | 139 |
| Examples, St. Paul’s | 149 |
| Everything witnesses for God | 156 |
| Enter into thy closet | 205 |
| Ecclesiastical titles | 203 |
| Extremes | 192 |
| Foreign news | 64, 116, 125, 144, 160, 163, 183, 191, 199 |
| Future Operations | 80 |
| False Teachers, the antitypes of False Prophets | 84 |
| Faith | 129 |
| Flood at the West | 191 |
| Gallusha’s—Eld. E.—Address | 73 |
| Give us our Daily Bread | 125 |
| Gaudaloupe | 139 |
| Gentile Talmudists—on Spiritualism | 145 |
| Great Eclipse in 1806 | 174 |