Signs of the Times and Expositor of Prophecy [Himes], vol. 6
November 15, 1843
Vol. VI.—No. 13. Boston, Whole No. 133
Joshua V. Himes
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
AND EXPOSITOR OF PROPHECY.
Terms.—$1, 00 per Vol. (24 Nos.) in advance Office No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston.
J. V. Himes, J. Litch, and S. Bliss, Editors.
Dow & Jackson, Printers, Boston.
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, restored to its Eden state as it came from the hand of its Maker before the fall, and is to be the eternal abode of the righteous in their resurrection state. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.1
II. The only Millenium found in the word of God is the eternal state of the righteous in the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.2
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 November 15, 1843, page 105.3
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. And HST November 15, 1843, page 105.4
V There are none of the prophetic periods, as we understand them, that extend beyond the year 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.5
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 November 15, 1843, page 105.6
The Midnight Cry,
As Given in England and Europe!—Extracts from English Authors
No. 1
The subject of an English mission having been agitated, an impression has obtained among some that the “Cry,” had not been effectually made in that country. But we are assured from writings of distinguished clergygymen and laymen, which we have received from that country, that the cry has been faithfully made in England, Scotland and Ireland, and also on the Continent. It is true, they differ from us in some of their expositions, and in the nature of events to take place after the Advent, particularly in reference to the Jews; but we agree most fully in the fact, that Christ is now “at the door,” and that all “prophecy,” and “signs,” designed to precede the Advent have been fulfilled, so that, they with us, look and watch for the Bridegroom every hour. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.7
We intend to give, from time to time, some specimens of their stirring and burning appeals to the church, and the world, on the necessity of preparation. The following extract is taken from the concluding remarks of a tract by Wm. Cunningham, Esq., of Lainshane, Scotland, entitled “the Political Destiny of the Earth, as revealed in the Bible—1834.” Let the Watchmen, Laymen, Worldlings, Politicians, and Infidels of this Country, read, and ponder it well. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.8
“Let us now therefore go on to consider how the subject addresses itself to various classes of persons. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.9
1st. To the Ministers of Christ. You, Brethren, are the Watchmen appointed to sound the alarm in Zion. Now, the very first qualification of a Watchman, is to know the hour of the night. ‘Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, the morning cometh and also the night.” The morning of the resurrection cometh to the just—also the night of judgment to the wicked. But how is this to be known, but by giving heed to that sure word of Prophecy, ‘which as a lamp shineth in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts? It was by not giving heed to the prophetic word, that the Pharisees brought upon themselves the sharp rebuke, ‘O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times.’ And if they, who now have the high office of opening to their brethren the mysteries of the kingdom, desire to emerge from the condition of spiritual infancy, in which so many still remain, we tell them that they cannot advance a step beyond the first elements of the doctrine of Christ, without the study of the Prophetic word. It is not, indeed, to be denied, that this study attended with difficulty. The difficulty is, however, greatly magnified, by those who desire to find excuses for their sloth, or their secret aversion to the subject. Moreover, the knowledge of the very first principles of Prophetic truth, is sufficient to convince every candid and inquiring mind, which is willing to discern the signs of these times, that the awful crisis is now at hand, when ‘the stone cut out of the mountain shall smite the Image upon its feet, and when the gold and silver, and the brass, and the iron, and clay, shall become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors, and the wind shall carry them away, and the stone shall become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth.’ In other words, the time is at hand, when the Son of Man, with his Saints, shall be revealed in flaming fire, and shall abolish all earthly rule and authority, and establish his everlasting kingdom of peace and righteousness. Now, as the Watchman placed on the walls of Zion of old, was found faithful in announcing the approach of the chariot of asses, and the chariot of camels, which were the symbols of the armies of the Medes and Persians, coming to destroy Babylon, so will the Lord require it at the hands of the Shepherds and Watchmen of our Israel, when He is speaking by signs and wonders in the Political heavens, and the casting down of the thrones of the Kings of the earth, and by Pestilence, and by the roaring of the sea and waves, and by distress of nations, and by men’s hearts failing them for fear, for looking after the things which are coming on the earth, that they be found faithful in announcing the approach of the Great Day of the Lord. HST November 15, 1843, page 105.10
2nd. To the Professors of Religion. Brethren, we remind you, that the parable of the ten Virgins, is a representation of the state of the professing Church, when the Bridegroom shall come. It is evident, that the foolish Virgins who took their lamps, but took no oil in their vessels, are professors of religion, for the character does not at all suit the ungodly and profane. They take no lamps—they do not even pretend to wait for the Bridegroom. But it is otherwise with the professors of Religion. Their very profession includes in it a professed going forth to meet the Bridegroom. From the above Parable, we therefore learn this most alarming fact, that of the most devout part of the Churches of Christ, when he cometh, only one half shall be found ready. The other half shall be cast into outer darkness, where there is weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Let then, every professor of Religion who may cast his eye on these pages, retire in secret and commune with his own heart before God, crying to him for the earnest of the Spirit in his heart. Let every religious professor remember, that it is to them only that love the appearing of the Lord Jesus, that is promised the crown of righteousness. And certainly, this character does not belong to those, whether Ministers or Professors of Religion, who treat with levity, or with it scorn, the annunciation of the speedy Advent and glorious reign of the Lord Jesus Christ and all his Saints, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing and kingdom; or even to those who will not listen to the Scriptural evidence of these truths. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.1
3rd. To the Careless and Ungodly and the Worldly-Minded. To you, fellow-men! the report of the coming of the Lord with the clouds of heaven addresses itself with the voice of terror. It is only by the entire disbelief of it that you can have a moment’s quiet. But even when you try to disbelieve it, suspicions will force themselves into your minds, that there must be something in this doctrine. It is, indeed, true, that few of the ministers of Christ give heed to it; but on the other hand, you cannot but feel that we who hold it, do so with the Bible in our hands, and that we challenge our opponents to meet our arguments from the Word of God. But this challenge is offered in vain. Our adversaries are reduced to silence. Let every one, then, who has been leading a careless and ungodly life, into whose hands this Tract may fall, be persuaded not to neglect or despise the warning here given of the approach of the Son of Man with clouds, but let him instantly repent and turn to God, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he shall not only be saved from the wrath to come, but shall receive that spiritual illumination which will enable him to discern, whether this doctrine of the speedy advent of the Lord, with all his Saints, be the truth of God, or a fiction of our imagination. But on entering on the examination of it, let him beware of saying, as some did of old, ‘Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed it?’ HST November 15, 1843, page 106.2
4th. To Worldly Politicians. We include in this class, men of every party, who are giving their minds and supreme affections to the Political affairs of this World, whether they be Tories, or Whigs, or Radicals. Let them be all warned, that their schemes will end in utter and equal disappointment. The Tories who desired to resist all change, and to keep every thing as it was, are already laid in the dust. The Whigs have placed their confidence in the Reform Bill, as that which was to cure all the maladies of the State; and the People have worshipped it, almost as the Ephesians did their great goddess Diana, and the Image that fell down from Jupiter. They, however, who brought forward this measure, expecting it to settle every thing, will speedily be, if indeed, they are not already undeceived. It will settle nothing. Turning now to the Radicals, their great doctrine is that of the Sovereignty of the People, and if we are to believe the present leaders of the populace, the Sun has never shone on a generation so wise and so virtuous as they are, and therefore so fit for the exercise of absolute sovereignty. They publicly proclaim to the world, ‘the ignorance and barbarity of our ancestors,’ as one of the main sources of the evils of the body politic. When He who sitteth in the heavens stretches out his hand ‘to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,’ they refuse to see it; for ‘God is not in all their thoughts.’ They all but proclaim it as the fool did of old, that ‘there is no God. ’ HST November 15, 1843, page 106.3
We are told by the wise man, ‘that there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See this is new? It hath already been of old time which was before us.’ The doctrine of the Sovereignty of the People, which is the boast of the present generation, and for which it gives credit to its own wisdom, is very ancient. It was first broached in the following memorable words:— ‘Yea hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Ye shall not surely die. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.’ The same doctrine was in most vigorous operation among the children of Israel in the wilderness. We learn in Numbers 14:2, that ‘all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and they said one to another, Let us make us a Captain, and let us return to Egypt.’ And when Joshua and Caleb remonstrated with them for their rebellious conduct, it is recorded, that ‘all the Congregation bade, stone them with stones.’ Had not the Lord immediately interposed, there is no reason to doubt that these eminent persons would have been immediately killed by the people, and it would be easy to produce many other examples of the working of the same principle in that people. But to be brief, I shall only add, that the very last act of rebellion which is predicted in the Scriptures, being that of Gog and Magog, at the the close of the Millennium will also be the final act of the people. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.4
The Scriptures assure us, that sovereignty and power belong to God only, and that ‘the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ All power is delegated by the Eternal Father to his Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth. Whether, therefore, they be kings or people, who attribute to themselves inherent sovereignty or autocratical power, it is Blasphemy against God and his Christ. Accordingly, we learn that one of the first acts of Christ when he cometh again, will be to rule the nations with a rod of iron and to break in pieces as a potter’s vessel, those who thus usurp his sovereignty. ‘Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces, and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves and ye shall be broken in pieces.’ The Sovereignty of the people will then be laid in the dust, no less than the former power of the Tories already is, and that of the Whigs shortly will be. In that awful day, ‘by fire and by his sword, will the Lord contend with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many.’—‘Come near, ye nations, and hearken, and hear ye peoples, let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and all things that come forth of it, for the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies, he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come out of their carcasses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.’ The last clause signifies the dissolution of Kingdoms in the blood of their people HST November 15, 1843, page 106.5
Such is the end prepared for the Sovereignty of the people; and, in the day when Christ shall effect this awful work, he himself shall be revealed with his new name of King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and all nations shall and must obey him, or perish. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.6
He is now giving a short space to men of all political parties, to repent and bow the knee to him, and cry for mercy; but the time is at hand, when, if they listen not to this call, they must be broken in pieces with his iron rod. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.7
5th. To Infidels. Their guilt is of a very aggravated nature. Though surrounded with the light of Revelation, they wilfully and perversely refuse to see that light, and they treat the Lord of Life and of Glory as an Impostor, and the Scriptures of truth as a lie. Should any of these unhappy persons cast their eyes on this Tract, we entreat them to consider seriously what has been laid before them. The prophecies of Daniel, which we have briefly reviewed, contain an accurate and comprehensive outline of the Political history of the leading Kingdoms of this Earth, with whose fortunes have been linked the interests of religion and civilization, and as it were the moral destinies of the human race for the last 2400 years The kingdoms of Babylon, of Persia, of Greece, and of Rome, pass successively before the eyes of the prophet. He then sees the rise of the Gothic Kingdoms, which were erected on the platform of the Western Empire, and of that anomalous ecclesiastical power exercised by the Pope, which, during a period of 1260 years, dated from the Decree of Justinian, in A. D. 533, and ending at the fall of the French Monarchy, in 1792, was to wear out the Saints of the Most High. Lastly, he beholds the events which we of this generation are actually witnessing, and of which we are not simply spectators, but are suffering their awful effects. These events are the Coming of the Ancient of Days, invisible to mortal eyes, and the Judgment that follows, and is now going on, the purpose of which is to prepare the way for the revelation of the Son of Man, with his holy angels, to break in pieces all power, all authority, all dominion, and all nations; and having cast every wicked person into the furnace of fire, to subject to himself and his Saints the whole world in that irresistible and Despotic sovereignty, which shall fill the earth with judgment, and justice, and peace, and righteousness, and love. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.8
Let the Infidel then see and acknowledge, that He who enabled Daniel thus to delineate the history of the most distant ages, must be that God to whom past, present, and future, are equally present, and let him confess the sin of his infidelity, and seek the forgiveness of it through that blood which was shed for the salvation of a lost world. Let him be assured, that if he follow this friendly counsel, he shall receive mercy; but if he despise it, then the great truths set before him in this Tract, shall certainly aggravate his condemnation. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.9
Conclusion
That the present moral and political condition of the world is altogether without parallel in the past history of mankind, will be denied by no accurate observer. This is, indeed, universally acknowledged by thinking men, as well as by our leading political Journals. And if any further evidence of it were wanting, it is to be found in that indescribable sensation of fear and expectation, which everywhere fills the minds of men of some mighty event, they know not that which is coming. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.10
The Political Destinies of this Earth, as summed up in Daniel 2:34, 35, and 44, 45, also Ch 7:9-14, and 26, 27, may be briefly imbodied in the two following propositions:— HST November 15, 1843, page 106.11
I. “All human Rule, Authority, and Power,” which now exist, “shall cease,” and be abolished. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.12
II. The Son of God is about to appear with his Saints, and into their hands all Rule, all Authority, and all Power, are to be transferred. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.13
The awful Political Phenomena which now arrest the attention of men are a part of the process of judgment, preparatory to the demolition of all human rule, authority, and power. Hence it is that the stamp of fatuity, and disappointment, is, in the present day, so evidently put upon every scheme of every worldly Politician. There are two reasons for this. First. Our Politicians of every party refuse to humble themselves before God, and ask wisdom from Him; therefore are they given up to their own vain imaginations. Secondly. Their schemes are all for the purpose of upholding, or mending, or reforming, that which now exists, but is destined to perish, and is already under the process of judgment—while that which is hereafter to exist by the power of the Son of God, is yet hidden from our eyes. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.14
We exhort, therefore, and in much love we beseech every reader of this Tract, to prepare for the Coming of the Son of God, with all his Saints, to judge the world in righteousness; for that day ‘shall come as a snare on all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth,’ and all the signs of its approach, spoken of by our Lord, have passed before the eyes of this generation. HST November 15, 1843, page 106.15
To the Saints of God
To you, brethren, who with loins girded, and lamps burning, and vessels filled with oil, are waiting for his coming, it will be a blessed day, when the Son of God shall descend ‘with the voice of the Archangel and the Trump of God,’ for ‘in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye ye shall be changed,’ and together with the raised saints ‘shall be caught up to meet Him in the air.’ Ye shall be with Him when he breaks in pieces the nations. ‘He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers. This honor have all his saints. ’ HST November 15, 1843, page 107.1
Repent, O Sinner! and prepare to meet thy God!” HST November 15, 1843, page 107.2
The following is from the Lectures of Mr. Winthrop, M. A. Minister of St. Pauls’s Church, Cin. It is quoted from Cunningham. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.3
“Amidst this commixture of dread and alarm, and these groanings of distressed nations, and fond whisperings of ‘peace, peace,’ suddenly as the blaze of forked lightning, unexpectedly as the fall of the trap upon the ensnared animal, and as the dark and concealed approach of the midnight thief, a voice like that of ten thousand thunders shall burst on the ears of the astonished inhabitants of the earth. It is the voice of the Archangel. It is the trump of God. It is the descent of the Son of God. He cometh—he cometh to judge the earth. His dead saints spring from the dust—his living saints, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, are changed, and both together are rapt up far above the clouds, to meet Him, (1 Thessalonians 4:17) long before he is seen by the inhabitants of the earth. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.4
“This, I conceive, is the great event that we are now to look for. So far as I can discern, no further signs are to be expected; as it seems to me, we have entered into that last period of awful expectation during which the church is likened to the Ten Virgins.” HST November 15, 1843, page 107.5
“Mr. Winthrop’s Lectures are published in a handsome volume of nearly 300 pages, and are not unworthy, either of the person who had the honor of first addressing our citizens on the Second Advent, or of that party to which, under divine Providence, the world is indebted for the most learned treatises on the holy prophecies. It is for sale at J. B. Wilson’s Book Store, Fourth Street. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.6
The following is an extract of a letter from Elder J. Gates, now laboring in Central Pennsylvania. He says: HST November 15, 1843, page 107.7
“The Lord is doing wonders in this “hill country” of Central Pensylvania. I have just closed a course of lectures at Bellefonte, the County seat of Centre county, which were well attended. I spoke in the Court House, which is very large, and, notwithstanding its size, it was filled every night to overflowing. Many are now seeking the Lord with full purpose of heart. Many are strong in the faith of the Lord’s speedy coming. The little horn uttered some great words at Bellefonte. My life was threatened, and some of the Romanists were seen with pistols in the congregation. But I found, although the horn spake great words, yet his dominion was taken away. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.8
Visit to Indiana
The heavy rains had made the roads bad, so that our tour was not the most pleasant. The air also was too chilly to hold our meeting on the Camp Ground as intended. We met there, however, on the Sabbath; and we judged there were between one and two thousand persons present; some had come from fifteen to twenty miles distant, and all listened with deep attention to two discourses on the glorious theme of our Lord’s speedy coming in the clouds of heaven. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.9
After the Sabbath, our meetings were continued at Brownsville, with deep interest. The people were of a ready mind to receive the truth; and the cry on every side, through that region, was—“Come over and help us.” We left Brn. Stevens and Boyer there for a week or two; but it is utterly impossible for us hardly to begin to supply all the applications that are made for help and light on this subject. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.10
Cannot some of our brethren in the East, who congregate by scores, as at the Exeter (New Hampshire) Camp Meeting, be sent out this way, into Indiana, Illinois, etc. We know they have not the funds to come on their own expense; but have not our brethren there funds for the Lord’s cause, that they have not yet appropriated? And can they not send us out Brn. J. Hazelton and I. Jones? The call to England, in our opinion, is not stronger than the call here in the West, at present. England, and all Europe, is bcoming too agitated to heed the cry, if we were to go out there:—the “nations,” in the East, are becoming “angry,” and are preparing for the outpouring of the last vials of God’s wrath. The time is short, very short,—the West is stretching out its hands for help; and there are abundance of places that want help here. It is true, those who ask help are poor in this world’s goods, but our Lord has said—“When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsman, nor thy rich neighbors; lest—a recompense be made thee,—but, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Praise the Lord for the privilege of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to the poor! O, it does our souls good to see how gladly the poor receive the glorious truth. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.11
Now we invite any of our brethren at the East, who want to share the bliss of preaching the truth to the poor, to come into the West quickly.—Western Midnight Cry. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.12
The Rage of Prosely ism
The Millennial Harbinger, speaking of the rage for making proselytes, by the different sects, says:— HST November 15, 1843, page 107.13
“But the best of these parties are suicides at last. They fatten upon their own devices, they enlarge their bodies, and die of plethora. The unconverted mass of carnality which by their proselyting machinery is piled upon their diseased frames superinduces dropsy, paralyses or apoplexy. They become puffed up, proud, supercilious and disdainful, until every semblance of piety vanishes, and all that remains are large meeting-houses, crimsoned canopies, gilded sofos, plump parsons, polished sermons, sleeping congregations, and sublime organs. Satan himself will call their worship a very decent affair, and their performances classic, literary, elegant and in good taste. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.14
But some exciting incident arises. Puseyism is born—New Schoolism is hatched—Episcopal or Protestant Methodism unfurls her flag, and all the hive are sharpening their stings and preparing for a new swarm. It comes: a new foundation is laid, a new costume is invented, a new collar is forged, and the name of the master indicates the servility of the wearer. The cowl, the triangular cap, the ribbonless bonnet, the unruffled garment—the cut, the button, or the skirt of the mantle, indicates that a new spirit has made a new corporation; that there is an essential and most salutary difference between black and brown, lilac and orange, a pin and a diamond, a cape or a handkerchief, a shoe or a buskin. The preacher is soon furnished with a suit of new texts, and the war advances; till at last the new party so assimilates to the old, that were it not for the discriminating powers of ecclesical metaphysics, no man, angel or demon, could fully reveal or compute the difference. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.15
The times are sadly out of joint. All men love a popular religion if they could by it gain both earth and heaven. But, alas! a popular religion is always either a false or a corrupt religion. The majority have always been wrong. Christ’s flock has always been small, and will be so till Babylon the Great is no more. Men never will be honorable in their church relations and in heaven too, while there is a Pope in Rome, or a Cesar on a throne. He that cannot brook to commune with the poor and the lowly, and to rejoice with all that know the truth for the simple truth’s sake, will never sing one hallelujah in heaven. If a man must have Popes, Cardinals, Archbishops, Princes and Peers of the Realm for his brotherhood, or no religion, he must go with these Popes, Cardinals, Archbishops, Prelates and Princes to their eternal destiny. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.16
Extract from Brother Jones’s Letter
Dear Brother:—I have found Bro. Miller’s situation much as I expected. There is a heavenly atmosphere here; and I see nothing which I would have any different. They appear to be equally distant from all extremes, strongly established on God’s word, in deed and in truth, without either affectation or reserve. They make a band of singers that would charm you. Throughout the family filial and reciprocal confidence and love appear to reign. In a word, the description given some time since in the Signs, I think by brother Spaulding, is true; only, one must be here to realize and feel its force. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.17
My feelings are peculiar, whilst I sit here in the very room where the great truth so soon to be realized, “Christ’s coming to judge the world in 1843” was first unsealed, searched out of the prophecies, and written in this part of the world. Here is the old fashioned desk, and the “old family Bible,” and the concordance which was used in searching out the great truth and writing it. How many prayers have here been put up, how many tears shed, how many sighs have here escaped to heaven, and how many sleepless nights have here been spent, as light on the prophecies has been variously communicated at different times. Am I here? The feelings of another world seem to steal over me, whilst I reflect that the scene here unsealed in prophecy, may occur before this letter is received or even finished. HST November 15, 1843, page 107.18
“Great day! for which all other days were made;
At thought of thee, each wish lets go of earth,
And grasps at every reed of hope in Heaven.”
HST November 15, 1843, page 108.1
The cause of the Second Advent is rising in many places in this state. We had a heavenly time in Concord, Sabbath Oct. 29 HST November 15, 1843, page 108.2
Low Hampton, Oct. 31st, 1843.
The letter was not received in season to insert your notice. Ed. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.3
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
“The Lord is at Hand.”
BOSTON, NOVEMBER 15, 1843.
The 2300 Days
Dr. Hales says that “there is no number in the Bible whose genuineness is better ascertained than that of the 2300 days. It is found in all the printed Hebrew editions, in all the MSS. of Kennicatt and De Rossi’s Collations, and in all the ancient versions, except the Vatican copy of the Septuagint, which reads 2400, followed by Symmachus; and some copies noticed by Jerom, 2200; both evidently literal errors in excess and defect, which compensate each other, and confirm the mean 2300. 4 New Anal. Chro. Vol. 2 p. 557. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.4
Dr. H. renders Daniel 9:21-23, ‘Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel whom I had seen in the foregoing vision, (8:16) flying swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation, and informed me, and spake to me and said: O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee understanding and information. At the beginning of thy supplications The Oracle came forth; and I am come to tell thee [His response,] for thou art greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.” See p. 559. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.5
The 27th verse he renders, “But one week shall establish a [new] covenant with many; and half of the week shall abrogate the [daily] sacrifice and oblation. And upon the pinnacle [or battlement of the temple shall stand] the abomination of desolation, even until the consummation [of the 2300 days.] But then the decreed [desolation] shall be poured [in turn] upon the Desolator.” HST November 15, 1843, page 108.6
He then adds, “This chronological prophecy (which I have attempted to render more closely and intelligibly, supplying the ellipsis necessary to complete the sense of the original,) was evidently designed to explain the foregoing vision, especially in its chronological part of the 2300 days; at the end of which the predicted desolation of the Jews should cease, and their sanctuary be cleansed.” p. 563. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.7
He admits that the one week commenced A. D. 27, and terminated A. D. 34, when Stephen was martyred, and the Sanhedrim had formerly rejected Christianity, but denies that this one week was the last of the seventy. It is a pity that the learned Doctor, while he saw much of the truth, was not enabled to discern the whole. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.8
Freewill Baptists.—“Conversion of the World.”—At a late meeting of the Foreign Missionary Society connected with the F. W. Baptist society, some thirteen resolutions were passed, relating to the “conversion of the world.” We commend these brethren for their zeal and liberality in this cause of Missions. We hope they will continue to do their utmost for the salvation of men at home and abroad. But to talk of the conversion of the world, is a matter which they ought, ere this, to have known, is unscriptural, and has no foundation but in the pride and ambition of men. Of this fact, some of the members seemed to be aware, and hence some pertinent questions. We give the first Resolution. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.9
Resolved, That the conversion of this world to Christ is an event which Christians are taught both to desire and expect; and that in effecting it, two agencies are employed, namely, that of the Holy Spirit and that of the church. These are united. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.10
Brother Steere propounded the following questions. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.11
Do we understand that we are to expect, as a matter of certainty, the conversion of the world, or are we to expect it, the same as we expect the conversion of sinners by the use of the proper means, that is, that many will be converted? If there is a difference of opinion, I wish it might be drawn out. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.12
Brother Dick. I suppose it is to be taken in the same sense as it is said Christ came to save the world. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.13
Brother P. S. Burbank. If it conflicts with the idea contained in the parable of the tares and wheat, I should not be in favor of the resolution. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.14
Brother Davis. I don’t believe the time will ever come when every individual will be converted; but that a period will arrive when the law of God will generally be the governing principle of the world, and every nation as such, will be subject to it, not every individual. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.15
Brother Theodore Stevens, of Springvale, Me. I think the resolution not sufficiently definite. I wish to enquire whether the Bible warrants the expectation of the conversion of the world? HST November 15, 1843, page 108.16
After some further discussion, in which it was admitted, it was not expected that all the world would be converted, but the greatest part; the resolution was passed. We could have wished that those brethren who seemed to see the truth, had pushed this question, and exposed this “humbug,” of the world’s conversion in its true colors, by the word of prophecy and doctrine, as given by the prophets and apostles. It is all talk, as facts abundantly show. It is an opiate also to put the church and world to sleep, on the eve of the Advent of our glorious king who is to have the “Heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” This is the destiny of the world! HST November 15, 1843, page 108.17
The First Believer of the Advent in 1843
Dr. Hales says, “This simple and ingenious adjustment of the chronology of the 70 weeks, considered as a part of the 2300 days, was originally due to the sagacity of Hans Wood, Esq. of Rossmead, in the county of Westmeath, Ireland, and published by him in an anonymous Commentary on the Revelation of St. John, London, 1787, Payne 8 vo. Whence I republished it in the inspector, 8 vo, 1799. And afterwards in the Orthodox Churchman’s Magazine, 1803; and now more correctly 1809.” Dr. Hale’s New Anal. Chro. Vol.II. p. 564. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.18
From what Dr. Hales says in this connection, we should suppose Mr. Wood ended the 70 weeks at the destruction of Jerusalem; but in another place, in giving the various dates for the ending of the 2300 days, he gives 1843 as anonymous, and says “this is proposed in the Christian Observer, Nov. 1810, p. 668, and is perhaps the most ingenious of its class. Dating with Prideaux, the beginning of Daniel’s 70 weeks, B. C. 457, they ended A. D. 33, and counting from thence 1810 years (the remainder of the 2300 years,) it will give the same ending, 1843. Ib. p. 1358. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.19
The Gospel Preached in all the World
Dr. Skinner, in his sermon before the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, quotes the martyr Williams as saying “We do not know of any group or any single island of importance within two thousand miles of Tahiti, in any direction, to which the glad tidings of salvation have not been conveyed.” p. 21 HST November 15, 1843, page 108.20
The Wisdom of the Wise
We are forced to believe from continual observation, that the Doctors of our land have not examined the doctrine of the advent enough to comprehend our true position. Thus Dr. Skinner, in the sermon referred to, says: HST November 15, 1843, page 108.21
“The view of prophecy in question is that which postponing the triumph of Christianity to the personal return of Christ, and making unprecedented corruption in the church, and in the world the occasion of that return, renders all previous attempts at evangelization a wasteful and vain expenditure. But can there be a reasonable doubt as to the unsoundness of an exposition or use of prophecy which makes the Bible at variance with itself; which sets the prophecies against the commandments, the plans and purposes of God against obedience to his revealed will; and which makes void his gracious promises. With whatever ingenuity and power such teaching may be maintained, is it to be received as the true sense of Scripture; is it to be believed in, or regarded for one moment with the least allowance? It is the charge of Christ to us, that we give ourselves to the evangelizing of the world: this we certainly know. Shall we now hearken to expounders who would discourage us from obeying our Divine Master? It is not for any man to know with certainty the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power: these are the secret things which belong to the Lord our God. Among the things which are revealed, and which belong to us and our children, none is plainer, none more imperative, none more important, than that we go forward as fast as possible with the work of propogating the gospel; and to cease from, or to be at all hindered in this work, because a prophetic theory is against it, is to hearken unto man more than unto God.” HST November 15, 1843, page 108.22
The Dr. seems to reason that if we are to have no temporal millennium, it is useless to labor to save souls; but because we are commanded thus to labor, then the doctrine of Christ’s coming cannot be true. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.23
Now we say improve the time, because the time is short. The necessity of being diligent is so much the more imperative, that souls may be saved from perdition. The doctrine of the coming of Christ is not against the propogation of the gospel; and it is evident that none would make such an assertion if they had examined this question, unless they were anxious for an excuse for rejecting it. The Dr. however is forced to admit page 45, that, HST November 15, 1843, page 108.24
“We do not certainly know that the world’s end will not come ere our anticipated importance as a people can be realized.” HST November 15, 1843, page 108.25
Crime and Causality
The following is a list of the articles with their captions in the order which they stand in a single column of a weekly religious paper. HST November 15, 1843, page 108.26
Murder; Convicted of Bigamy and Arson in Broadway; Another Tragedy; Father shot by his son; Infamous Act; Another murder in West Jersey; Accident; Death by burning clothes; Melancholy Suicide; An Old man murdered; Death from Intemperance; Railroad collision; Murdered by Brandy; A minister killed; A Sheriff robbed; Murder in Maryland; Steamboat Explosion; Deplorable; Lynching in Mississippi; A Guilty family; Extensive loss; Robbery and probable murder of a Southern gentleman; Railroad Accident. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.1
The above is but a small portion of one week’s history. Crime and frightful accidents have now become so much a matter of course, that the commission of crime has ceased to excite surprise. Thus we are advancing with railroad velocity to the consummation of the Millennium. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.2
Brother Miller writes from Low Hampton, Oct. 26th, that he is “now at home resting a few days; my health is better, my faith stronger, my hope more stable, my prospects for glory brighten, my expectations are increasing that I shall see the King in all his glory soon. We need not fear, the Lord knows we have the truth, our enemies are afraid of it; or they would never descend to such low abuse, misrepresentation and blackguardism as they do. If they had any better weapons they would use them in preference is their low witicisms.” HST November 15, 1843, page 109.3
Bible Reader, Nos. 3 & 4.—Bro. Jones has issued a synopsis of the Psalms, as No. 3. of his Bible Reader. It was written seven years ago, and is now published for those who love to study the Bible. It is now published, and for sale at this office. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.4
It exhibits a summary of each Psalm, and clearly shows that most of them are prophetic, applying to Christ’s second coming, and the everlasting kingdom, which is to follow, with occasional reference to the state of trial which we are placed in here. Price 10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.5
No. 4 is a similar work on Isaiah. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.6
The Word of the Kingdom
Hear what saith our Lord Jesus Christ respecting those who cannot understand what God has revealed in his word. Matthew 13:19. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and UNDERSTANDETH IT NOT, then cometh the WICKED ONE and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” HST November 15, 1843, page 109.7
Our Savior has thus explained what would otherwise have remained a mystery, the reason why those who oppose the “word of the kingdom,” have seemed to loose their religion. The Wicked one has caught away that which was sown in their hearts. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.8
Advent meetings are held at the Tabernacle in Howard Street, every Sabbath, day and evenning, at the usual hours of public service. The prayer meetings and lectures during the week, are held in other places. We shall give notice hereafter, of the time and place, that friends from the country may be able to attend when in town. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.9
Brother Johnathan Wood, of Salem, Tuscawawas, Co. Ohio, will apply to H. B. Skinner, at the Depot, in Buffalo, N. Y. for the books he wished for. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.10
Alarming.—A writer over “J. L.,” in the N. England Puritan, gives the whole of the 24th of Matt. to the Universalists, and admits it was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem. Ten years ago such an admission would have caused three fourths of the clergy to withdraw their fellowship from the paper containing it. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.11
Persecution in Maderia.—We learn by the Edinburgh Witness, that the work of Papal persecution has been revived in the Portuguese Island. A woman has been prosecuted for refusing to worship images; and a Dr. Kalley, a Scotchman, has been twice imprisoned and threatened with death for preaching in his own house. The Portuguese government has had a reconciliation with the Pope; and it is ominous that persecution should be the immediate result. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.12
The Dawn of the Millennium.—We learn that one evening last month, the 24th ult., an event occurred not a thousand miles from Dr. Codman’s church in Dorchester, that must be the commencement of the millennium. A brother quoted a few passages of scripture applicable to the Advent, and without saying a word except quoting the scriptures, he was taken by the collar and thrust out of the house. A female member of the church, was very sorry, as one lady had her bonnet somewhat injured. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.13
To a Friend.—A vessel will sail for the Sandwich Islands the 1st of December. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.14
This Gospel of the Kingdom
The blessed Savior gave as a sign of the near approach of the “end,” the following; “this gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; then shall the end come.” HST November 15, 1843, page 109.15
Is this the gospel in its common acceptation? Or is it a particular part of the glad tidings? It seems to be a reference to the question of the disciples, “What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?” The first sign given, then, is, “this gospel of the kingdom,” etc. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.16
Does not “this gospel,” refer to the glad tidings of Christ’s coming to set up his everlasting kingdom? Did not the Savior mean to say, that just previous to his coming, there would be a general proclamation of his coming? That it is not the ordinary proclamation of gospel truth, is clear from the fact that in that sense it was preached to the world in the apostolic age. First, on the day of Penticost, it was published to devout men out of every nation under heaven. Of course, they would carry it abroad. Then Paul affirmed in his day, that “the gospel” was “preached to every creature which is under heaven.” Colossians 1:23. That glad tidings was, “To you is born in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10. But “this gospel of the kingdom,” proclaims “the hour of his judgment is come.” Revelation 14:7. This last, is the everlasting glad tidings of the kingdom or reign of Christ. It is to be proclaimed by the flight of the messenger or angel who bears it, to every kindred, nation, tongue and people. When this is accomplished, “then shall the end come.” HST November 15, 1843, page 109.17
Is this everlasting glad tidings now preached in all the world for a witness to all nations? HST November 15, 1843, page 109.18
So far as we have the means of knowing, it is. Within the last few years, there has been a continuous effort by the believers in the speedy coming of the Lord, to send light on this subject to the whole world. And so far as the opportunity has offered, publications have been sent to every English and American Mission in the world. These publications have gone to the various parts of the four quarters of the earth and various islands of the sea. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.19
The English Adventists, have also, for the last twenty odd years, been engaged in the same work, and their efforts have sounded through the world. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.20
Joseph Wolfe, some ten years since, went through the interior and southern parts of Asia, proclaiming the coming kingdom of the Lord. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.21
Something like 20 years ago, an English Missionary wrote, that it was believed that about this time (about 1844) Christ would come. The recent account of the emigrants from Norway, of the spread of the doctrine in that country, is but a sample of its spread over the world. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.22
A young man in this city, who has recently returned from a whaling voyage around Cape Horn, relates the spread of the doctrine in the Pacific, and on the western coast of South America. It will show at the same time how our enemies have assisted in spreading the cry. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” HST November 15, 1843, page 109.23
The Whale ship, William C. Neyl, of New London, Ct., fell in with a New Bedford ship, some time in the month of February off Cocas Island. The crew of the New London ship received from the New Bedford vessel, the news from the United States. Among many other things they were told that “Miller predicted the end of the world on the 23rd of April.” HST November 15, 1843, page 109.24
They were on their homeward voyage, and the latter part of March, they put into the port of Talkahouna, on the coast of Chili. It was a Spanish Catholic settlement. But when they arrived, they learned the same story had been circulated there, which had met them on the ocean. They were in port on the 23rd of April. When the day arrived, the whole community were in a state of consternation, and during a dreadful thunderstorm, which occured that day, they were in momentary expectation of the coming of Christ. Mr. Wardell, our informant, says that the thing was understood far back in the interior; and that persons from a hundred miles back in the country had been brought together at the town for the occasion. It is thus the New York Sun has given light to the world, and sent it to the regions and places we could not have reached. But it will be asked, “If the news that such a truth is preached, is a sufficient proclamation to fulfill the prophecy? The answer is, If it was sufficient in the days of the apostles, it is now. That it was then is clear from Acts 19:8-10. Where Paul preached as taught in Ephesus two years and three months, so that all they in Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of Jesus. They could not all have heard a sermon, but they heard the sound of the gospel. In this sense I have no doubt but the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world. L. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.25
Philadelphia, Nov. 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.26
The Cause in England
We have received from brother Litch, the following very interesting letter, addressed to him, from brother Robert Winter of England. We have been favored with brother Litch’s reply, which we publish, that our friends may have the pleasure of perusing it. It gives a brief account of the progress of the cause in this country. Both will be read with interest. HST November 15, 1843, page 109.27
Lynn, Sept. 23d, 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.1
Dear Brother Litch:—I send you an account of our mission to England. I have spent the greatest part of my time, in giving the midnight cry, and sounding the alarm in this country, since I left America. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.2
I have met with much opposition in so doing, especially from the professing Church; but I have labored with great success in many parts of England. The writings of brethren Miller, Litch, and others, have been made a great blessing to thousands in this country. I believe there is not a county in England, where their works have not been circulated. Myself and others have travelled into several counties; and we hold correspondence with friends in Ireland. We have second advent brethren lecturing there on this glorious subject; and many are looking into it, and sinners are converted. One of their lecturers assisted us in holding a camp-meeting in England. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.3
We have held eleven camp-meetings this summer, in different parts of this country, so that now the sound of the midnight cry has gone through the length and breadth of England, and a great part of Ireland; and I understand it is doing wonders in Scotland, and the different isles of the sea. We have letters sent to us from various quarters, and as we travel through different parts of England, I find many who have received letters and second advent books and papers from their friends in America. We have also found two large charts, which have been sent over here. Although the second advent doctrine has met with much opposition in this country, yet many preachers are now giving the midnight cry; and vast numbers who believe the Lord is coming this year, are going from house to house, and exhorting sinners to prepare to meet their God. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.4
I have travelled in Surry, London, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Hampshire; I am now in the county of Norfolk, my wife is at Boston, in Lincolnshire, exhorting all to prepare to meet the Bridegroom. Mr. Burgess, who has been with me all summer, is still my companion, and we are travelling together through town and country, sinners are converted, the Church made alive to God, and ministers are writing and preaching on this glorions subject, and thousands now read the Bible, and pray, who entirely neglected these duties before; so, bless God, my labors have not been altogether in vain in the Lord; for hundreds if not thousands, now bless to God for sending me to England, and for the use of second advent publications; to God he all the glory, for glory is his due. We are constantly scattering books and papers abroad. We have lately printed some thousands of the Voice of Warning, and Synopsis of Miller’s views, but the people are very poor in this country, and unable to purchase much, so we give away. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.5
I am satisfied that a fire is now lit up in England, that the breath of mortals cannot put out the whole community is now in agitation about what is coming upon the land. It may be said now, truly, “men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth.” I have every reason to believe the end oi all things is at hand, when I compare the present state of things with the Bible. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.6
The doctrine of peace and safety, the return of the Jews, and the conversion of the world, are very much afloat here; but the midnight cry is breaking it up, and blowing it away. Now dear brother, I have given you a short account of the second advent cause in England, and I hope you will send me an account of its progress in America; I have received several letters from friends in America, and also papers. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.7
I have received a letter from brother Watts, (July 29, 1843,) stating that he had sent me some papers, and Mr. Miller’s likeness, but I did not receive them, because the duty was, L2 6s. They came to my door, but I refused them on account of the duty. There would have been no duty on them, if the likeness had not been sent with them. I hope therefore this will be made known, that others may not send anything with papers, but let them come by themselves, and they will cost only 2nd. I should be pleased to receive some papers, from the brethren at any time; for it does my soul good to read them, and they are of great help to me, as I have no other help, only from the Lord. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.8
Give my love to all enquiring friends; tell them I am strong in the faith of 1843, and doing all I can to spread the truth of this doctrine in England. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.9
Yours in the blessed hppe of soon seeing my Lord. R. Winter. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.10
P. S.—Direct to the care of W. D. Summer, hair dresser, No. 11 Blackfriars Road, Lynn, Norfolk, England. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.11
Philadelphia, Oct. 24th, 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.12
My Dear Brother Winter,—Your very welcome epistle, giving an occount of your labors in England, was duly received. You may be assured that there are thousands of hearts in America which vibrate with strong emotions of joy at the name of England, Ireland or Scotland, especially when named in connexion with their welfare; so that a letter to an individual detailing the progress of the Second Advent cause in those countries is not private property, nor does it minister to individual happiness. There is a strong bond of sympathy binding the two countries together. And whatever affects the one, must interest thousands in the other. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.13
You wish me to give you an account of the progress of the cause in America. This I will most cheerfully do, at least so far as I can in one short epistle. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.14
I shall begin, of course, about the time you left the country, a year ago. At that period, as you will recollect, we were in the full tide of successful operation with our Second Advent camp-meetings. Those instrumentalities, eternity alone can value. When in the month of May, during the Boston anniversaries, it was proposed to start this enterprise, so feeble was the cause, and so few its advocates, that it was questioned by many, even of its friends, whether we should be able to go through with one camp-meeting the course of the season. But in less than one month from that time, there had been two meetings held in Canada, and two in the United States. From that beginning, the work spread as on the wings of the wind, and the advocates of the doctrine began to multiply like the drops of the morning. The Summer and Autumn, until late in November, were spent in this work; one or two camp-meetings being in progress all the time—at least as fast as we could go from one to the other—and all of them numerously attended both by ministers and people, professors and profane. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.15
During these campaigns, the great Tabernacle was built and reared up in our large towns and cities, where no house could be obtained for lectures. But by this means, not only the cities were reached, but the entire community around. The interest thus waked up was wonderful. The public press was excited by the novelty of the thing, and began to spread the news of what was going on, at the same time giving reports of some of the lectures. Thus the whole country was awakened and interested more or less on the question. Multitudes who until then knew nothing of the subject, began to investigate with the help which even the penny papers gave them, and light broke in upon their understanding. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.16
After the season for camp-meetings closed, winter operations were commenced. One mission was started for Canada East, by brethren Skinner and Caldwell. They commenced the publication of a Second Advent paper in that province, and continued it through the winter; at the same time travelling and lecturing through the province. When they left in the spring, brother Hutchinson, a Wesleyan missionary, took up the work and removed the paper to Montreal, where he has continued to preach and publish. A large part of his papers are sent weekly to England. The work thus goes on in Canada. The upper province has also been visited by brethren Fitch and Himes. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.17
Brother Fitch went to Ohio, and spent the winter in laboring in the vicinity of the lakes, with great success. He commenced the publication of a weekly paper in Cleveland, Ohio, and circulated it through the west. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.18
Brother Himes commenced a daily paper in the city of New York, the latter part of November, and published 10,000 copies per day for 24 numbers. These were most of them scattered gratuitously all over the land, to every post office in the Union. As you may suppose, this kindled a fire not easily to be put out. Calls for light began to pour in from every quarter. All who could lecture found full employ, and those who had money found a use for it. At the end of four weeks, the daily Midnight Cry was changed to a weekly, and has been so continued ever since, and is a weekly messenger of glad tidings to a great many thousand hearts in every part of the land. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.19
My own mission for the winter was Pennsylvania. We first commenced our operations in the city of Philadelphia, in the month of November, under difficult and embarrassing circumstances. Brother Apollos Hale and myself labored here for about a month, disputing the ground inch by inch, until at length the cloud burst, brethren came forward and embraced the doctrine and stood in the breach to defend it. A place of worship was opened, and in February, a general conference was held in the city, at which brother Miller was present, which fairly rocked the city from centre to circumference. That meeting will not soon be forgotten. We also commenced a paper in this city, which was continued through the winter. From this city and New York the cry has gone all through the Southern and Western States, so that there are very few, if any, villages which have not heard the cry. HST November 15, 1843, page 110.20
The depot at Boston, in connexion with the Signs of the Times, our first paper, has been the grand centre and radiating point, and has given energy to the whole machinery. Probably from all our offices, in various parts of the country, not less than four millions of publications of various kinds have been circulated. A large number of them bound volumes. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.1
The opening of the spring brought with it a new train of events. Our enemies had raised a story that Mr. Miller had fixed on the 23rd of April as the time for the Lord to come. This fabrication was industriously circulated by the public journals. And then when the day came and past, they had an imaginary triumph. Many who had read this fabrication, and did not read our denial of it, of course calculated that it was all a failure, and many who had believed in part, were discouraged and went back. Some among us had fixed on the anniversary of the ascension, some on the time of the crucifixion, and others the day of pentecost, as the time when the Lord would probably return. When these times had all passed by, some became disheartened and yielded to temptation to give up the doctrine. But we can but be filled with wonder, under all these circumstances, at the smallness of the number who fell back. It very clearly shows that those who embrace the doctrine, as a general thing, know what they believe and why they believe it. They are not easily moved from their steadfastness. The believers of the Advent this year were never more strong than now. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.2
In May, we held three anniversary meetings. One in New York, one in Philadelphia, and one in Boston. They were each of them seasons of refreshing and encouragement. From those meetings the brethren went forth again to their work with new zeal. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.3
The anticipated end of Adventism, which our enemies anticipated after the spring passed by, has ended in a most rapid and wide spread of the doctrine into the west and south. Brethren Himes, Fitch, Storrs, Barry, and others have been into Western New York with the large tent, and spread the doctrine through that quarter. And from thence to Cincinnati, where brother Storrs is now publishing a paper. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.4
Camp-meetings and conferences have been held in all parts of the country, and the wise virgins are waking up to prepare for going forth to meet the bridegroom. We have our depots for publications in most of the cities, especially in the Eastern, Northern and Western States, and to a limited extent in the South. There are Second Advent meetings held regularly in most of our cities, and hundreds of men devoting their whole time to the work of giving the cry. Within the past year God has raised up men of learning and talents to defend the cause, and that, too, at a time when it was most desperately assailed both from pulpit and press. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.5
You may be assured the assaults which have been made on us, have only been for the furtherance of the cause on the whole, and have confirmed many wavering minds. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.6
On the whole we have reason to bless the Lord for his grace, and continue to look for the glorious appearing of the Savior. We rejoice in the hope of soon seeing our blessed Redeemer in glory. Then, dear brother, we will meet again, and tell over the story of our pilgrimage. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.7
I did expect at one time, in the spring, to spend the summer with you in England, but the way did not open for me to do so, and I am yet here. May the Lord bless and prosper you and your fellow laborers in the work, until He comes, and gives you and us an honorable discharge, and takes us home to meet Him in the air Yours most affectionately. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.8
Josiah Litch. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.9
Cincinnati, Ohio, October 18th, 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.10
Dear Madam:—It is my duty,—a painful one to me,—as the organ of the Session of the Associate Reformed Congregation, to adress you this note, accompanied with the Resolution of the Session, in your case, recently brought before them. With your personal views in regard to the “Second Advent,” or the “time” thereof, we would not probably have interfered in any way. But when you have seen fit to be immersed by persons preaching those doctrines, thereby, to say the least, gainsaying your baptism in your infancy. And when to this you have added communion with these persons, and a use of their hymnody, contrary to the “strict communion,” and Scriptural Psalmody” principles of the Church of which you were a member; and of which, as a member, you had expressed your belief and approbation, and promised observance, the Session are constrained to notice it. To pass it by in silence, or with neglect, were to gainsay, and manifest utter disregard for our principles. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.11
Much, therefore, as we all regret it, we have been constrained to pass the following Resolution: HST November 15, 1843, page 111.12
Whereas, Mrs. Hannah Dunning, having embraced the doctrines lately preached in this city, concerning the “Second Advent” of the Savior, has been immersed by those preaching these doctrines, thereby gainsaying her first baptism; and has also communed with them and used their hymnody: And whereas, these are all contrary to the doctrines and practices of the Associate Reformed Church, HST November 15, 1843, page 111.13
Resolved, That Mrs. Hannah Dunning be, and she hereby is, suspended from Church privileges, until she repent; and notice of this suspension be given her. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.14
JAMES PRESTLY, Moderator of Session. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.15
“Immersed”—“communed”—“and used their hymnody,”—“all contrary to the DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES [not of the Bible, but] OF THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH”!!! HST November 15, 1843, page 111.16
“Come out of her my people.”—Western Midnight Cry. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.17
A Fact for our Opponents.—Frederick Winans, who some three months since was so deranged as to render it necessary to keep him constantly lashed to the floor, is now clothed and in his right mind He has been in this condition for months. The first thing that arrested the attention of his shattered mind, was hearing a brother speak of the “Midnight Cry.” He enquired of his wife what the Midnight Cry meant, what it was, etc. She told him it was a paper devoted to the subject of the Lord’s coming. He wanted to see one of them. It was procured. He read it through, and wanted another, and another. He was then supplied with a bound volume, which he read entirely through in a very short time. He was then taken to an Advent meeting. During this time he was visited by Advent brethren, who administered to him, and he was constantly improving in mind, and in a short time became perfectly rational, and remains so up to the present time. He is now perfectly rational, is engaged in business, and is rejoicing in the hope of the speedy coming of the Lord. L. D. Fleming. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.18
This certifies that the foregoing statement is correct. Frederick Winans. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.19
The Time of the Judges
This is the most disputed period in chronology. In support of the view which we have taken, we make the following extracts from Jackson’s Chronological Antiquities of the Hebrews.” He says, page 133, HST November 15, 1843, page 111.20
“There is no period in the Scripture history in which both the ancient and modern chronologers so much differ and mistake, as in this, from the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to the foundation of Solomon’s temple. Eusebius has given occasion to most of this confusion and difference, by following a groundless tradition of the Jews, and including the times of their captivities in the times of their judges, and thereby shortening this period an hundred years. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.21
The modern chronologers, Archbishop Usher, Bishop Lloyd, and others, have been led by his example, into the greatest perplexity and confusion; and have made successive times contemporary, and confounded years of rest and bondage together, in an arbitrary manner, to suit a mistaken hypothesis, and a corrupt number in 1 Kings 6:1, without regard either to the plain sense of Scripture, or the judgment of the most ancient writers, Jewish and Christian: nor have any been hitherto able to clear this era from the difficulties with which it is embarrassed, or to settle the true number of years which it contains. I shall therefore endeavor to set this period in a true and clear light, by following the plain narration and sense of Scripture concerning the times of the Judges and of the several captivities which intervened, and shall distinguish the years of the one from those of the other; and I shall also demonstrate that the number in 1 Kings 6:1, which makes this period no more than 479 years, is a Jewish interpolation or corruption, and was not known to the ancient Jewish and Christian writers.” HST November 15, 1843, page 111.22
Mr. Jackson then enters into a learned and labored argument in proof of the position which we occupy respecting the chronology of this period, and says, page 146—148, 150. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.23
“By the computation above, the temple was begun 579 years after the exodus, and in the year of the world 4412, and in the year before the Christian era 1014. There were besides seven months more which I have mentioned, but have not reckoned, to keep the numbers in entire years, and this is sufficiently exact. It is certain from the Scripture account of the times of the judges, that the term from the exodus to the temple could not be fewer years than I have computed them: but yet we find in the present Hebrew copies of 1 Kings 6:1. That it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. This number has puzzled all our modern chronologers, and put them to make several absurd hypotheses, in order to reconcile the history of the judges to it: but it gave no trouble to the most ancient Jewish and Christian chronologers; because they found no such number either in the Hebrew or Greek copies. And as they had no other rule to compute this famous era by, but only the years of the judges; in which calculation there was room for the difference of a few years, in the times of some of them, which are not expressly set down in Scripture, as I have observed: so, accordingly, we find that some writers made this term from the exodus to the temple, more years than others did; but not one of them followed the number mentioned in the before-cited text, or made it 479 years, till Eusebius mentioned its being wrote in the first book of Kings; whereas had this number been originally there, it would undoubtedly have appeared in the version of the Septuagint, and the ancient Greek writers would have followed it unanimously and without variation. That this number is spurious, and a corruption of the text where it is written, will be demonstrably shown in the following sheets. And that it was not originally either in the Hebrew or Greek text, may with great certainty be inferred from the computations of all the ancients, both Pagan, Jewish, and Christian writers. Theophilus, the ancient bishop of Antioch says, that it appeared from the Tyrian Records, that Solomon’s temple was built five hundred fifty-six years after the exodus. These records Josephus speaks of as of great antiquity and authority: and they differed no more than thirteen years from my calculation, and cannot be supposed to be so exact as the Scripture history is in the Jewish affairs. HST November 15, 1843, page 111.24
In a calculation from the barbarians, as Clemens of Alexandria calls the ethnic writers; and which seems to be the calculation of Demetrius who wrote in the time of Ptolemy Philopator, the history of the Jewish kings, there are reckoned from the division of the land, and thence from the judges, including Joshua to Samuel 463 years and seven months, so these 463 years and seven months commenced forty-six years after the exodus: and so by this ancient account collected from the Greek version of the Septuagint, the sum of the years from the exodus to the temple, was 463, 7 months,-|-46-|-83 years, or 592 years and seven months; which agrees exactly with the account of Josephus which is 592 years, as will be shown presently. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.1
Josephus had no number in his Hebrew copy of the book of Kings: because as he never fails to mention his chronological numbers, he would undoubtedly have taken notice of this, had it been in his copy, and would also have made his computation by it. But in the place where he gives the account of the building of the temple, he says: Solomon began to build the temple in the fourth year of his reign, in the second month, after 592 years from the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. Could Josephus have said this, if he had found in the text the number 480, as it is found at present? and that 592 is the genuine number of Josephus, (though he has 612 years in two or three other places) is evident from several observations made before on his chronology; and chiefly from the distinct particular numbers of the years of Joshua, and of every judge set down in his fifth book of antiquities. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.2
This number of 592 years which Josephus reckoned from the Israelites going out of Egypt to the building of the temple in the fourth year of the reign of Solomon, is agreeable to his computation of 515 years from the government of Joshua after the death of Moses to the time of David’s conquest of Jerusalem in the eighth year of his reign, 2 Samuel 5:5-9, for to 515, add the 40 years of Moses and 33 years of David, and three of Solomon, the whole sum is 591 years. The same reckoning is again confirmed from another computation, where he says that it was 470 years and a half and ten days from the building of the temple to the destruction of it by Nebuchadnezzar; and 1062 years and a half and ten days, from the exodus to the building of the temple, being added to four hundred and seventy years and a half and ten days, the term from the building to the burning of it, the whole sum is exactly ten hundred sixty-two years and a half and ten days.” HST November 15, 1843, page 112.3
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
BOSTON, NOV. 15, 1843.
A Jaunt
The cause in New York is in a flourishing state. We spent last Sabbath with them, and lectured three times in Franklin Hall to full and interesting assemblies. The brethren are united, and much engaged, and have frequent conversions among them. They have another meeting at Constitution Hall, which is well attended. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.4
Philadelphia, has a host, both in number and in strength. We spoke to them on Monday and Tuesday evenings last. The seasons were truly refreshing, some of the most pious and influential of about all the churches, have come out fully on the advent in 1843. Their Sabbath congregations at the saloon of the Museum, are about as large as any in the city. Brother Litch labors with them most of the time. His labors have been blessed beyond example. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.5
Hartford, Ct. We spent Wednesday evening with the faithful band of brethren in this city. Brother L. C. Collins is with them, and is very useful among them, as also in the vicinity, where he labors as much as his health will permit. The brethred are strong in the faith of the advent this year. Here I had an interview with brother J. H. Kent, now lecturing in Middletown, Ct. He is doing well. Their place of worship is full. He, however, expects to go West soon. He is a worthy and faithful lecturer. We also had an interview with brother M. Stoddard, of Glastenbury. He has resigned his charge, and now enters the field as an advent lecturer, to devote his entire time and talents. He is full in the faith that the Lord will come this year. But we shall hear from him soon, through the “Signs of the Times.” HST November 15, 1843, page 112.6
The virgins are truly waking up, in every part of the country. The saints are “lifting up their heads, and looking up.” The scoffers are raging and “foaming out their own shame.” But the Lord is at the door. “Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Amen. J. V. Himes. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.7
Boston, Nov. 11, 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.8
All communications for the Signs of the Times, orders for books, or remittances, should be addressed to J. V. Himes, Boston, Mass, post paid. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.9
Brother Litch was with us Sabbath last and gave three very interesting lectures. His visit was cheering to the advent friends in Boston and vicinity. He gives a course of lectures in East Greenwich, R. I. this week. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.10
SECOND ADVENT CONFERENCE,
At Eastport, Ct
To commence on Monday, the 4th of Dec. next, in the Methodist meeting house, (if the Lord will.) It may be expected to continue one week or more. Brother M. Stoddard, H. P. Knox, are engaged to attend. L. Bolles. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.11
Oct. 30th, 1843. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.12
Bro. J. S. White has removed from North Wrentham to North Attleboro’ Ms. and wishes his correspondents to direct accordingly. Mid. Cry will please copy. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.13
Br. Snow,—Friends in Kingston would like to have you stop with them awhile, if time continue; will you write us? HST November 15, 1843, page 112.14
Letters received to Nov. 11, 1843
P C Moore, Fort Ann NY; PM Hartford Ct; P M Sandy Hill; PM Lancaster Ms; 5 for E Burditt et al. NY; PM Kensington NH 1; L F Worster and Mary Bump 1; PM Home’s Hole Ms; A Wood worth; Stephen Smith 7; Mrs. Fisk 1; J Litch; W H Ireland 1, Post Master New Bedford Ms; Post Master West Prospect, Me; Robert Allen, Jamaica Vt 1; PM Burlington Vt; E Cross 5; John Wilder 2, by PM; E Jacobs; H Patten; Rev O Robins 2, by PM; W Hacking 1; Isaac C Park 1; James Langley; J D Marsh; O B Tenney; N W Wait 1 by PM; B Irish 1 by PM; Mrs Elizabeth Richtmyer 1 by PM; S Hale 1 by PM; Daniel Kendall 1; Wm Miller; J E Jones; Dwight Nutting 1 by PM; Geo. Storrs; Silas Hawley; W P Stratton 1; PM Fort Ann N Y; PM East Washington N H; J Felton; L L Woodruff, by P Master; PM Northboro’ Ms; PM Sharon Vt; O R L Crosier 1 by PM; PM Columbia Ct; E Jacobs; PM Oswego NY 2; Machias NY; Josiah Fairfield 1 by PM; PM Chickopee Falls Ms; D Farnsworth 2 by PM; J A Huber 3; AH Brick; J S White; D Gun 1; W Daniels; W Richard 1 by PM; M Proctor; PM Portsmonth NH; J Lakin 25 cts by PM. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.15
Bundles Sent
T Cole, Lowell, Ms; E Cross, Palmer Depot Ms; J V Himes, 9 Spruce St NY; R Plumer, Newburyport Ms. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.16
CHEAP LIBRARY
The following Works are printed in the following cheap periodical form, with paper covers, so that they can be sent to any part of the country, or to Europe, by mail. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.17
The following Nos. comprise the Library. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.18
1 Miller’s Life and Views.—37 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.19
2. Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ.—37 1-2cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.20
3. Exposition of 24th of Matt, and Hosea 6:1-3. 18 3-4 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.21
4. Spaulding’s Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ.—37 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.22
5. Litch’s Address to the clergy on the Second Advent.—18 1-4 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.23
6. Miller on the true inheritance of the saints, and the twelve hundred and sixty days of Daniel and John.—12 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.24
7. Fitch’s Letter, on the Advent in 1843.—12 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.25
8. The present Crisis, by Rev. John Hooper, of England—10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.26
9. Miller on the cleansing of the sanctuary.—6 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.27
10. Letter to every body, by an English author, “Behold I come quickly.”—6-cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.28
11. Refutation of “Dowling’s Reply to Miller,” by J. Litch.—15 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.29
2 The “Midnight Cry.” By L. D. Fleming. 12 1-2. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.30
13. Miller’s review of Dimmick’s discourse, “The End not Yet.”—10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.31
14. Miller on the Typical Sabbaths, and great Jubilee.—10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.32
15. The glory of God in the Earth. By C. Fitch.—10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.33
16. A Wonderful and Horrible Thing. By Charles Fitch. 6 1-4 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.34
17. Cox’s Letters on the Second Coming of Christ.—18 3-4 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.35
18. The Appearing and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. By J. Sabine. 12 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.36
19. Prophetic Expositions. By J. Litch. Vol. I. 31 cts.—20, “ ” “ ” Vol. II. 37 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.37
21. The Kingdom of God. By Wm. Miller. 6 1-4 HST November 15, 1843, page 112.38
22. Miller’s Reply to Stuart. 12 1-2 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.39
23. Millennial Harp, or Second Advent Hymns. Price 121 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.40
24. Israel and the Holy Land,—The Promised Land. By H. D. Ward. Price 10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.41
25. Inconsistencies of Colver’s ‘Literal Fulfilment of Daniel’s Prophecies,’ shown by S. Bliss. 10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.42
26. Bliss’ Exposition of Matthew 24th. 121 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.43
27. Synopsis of Miller’s Views. 61 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.44
28. Judaism Overthrown. By J. Litch. 10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.45
29. Christ’s First and Second Advent, with Daniel’s Visions Harmonized and Explained. By N. Hervey. 183 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.46
30. New Heavens and New Earth, with the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. By N. Hervey. 121 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.47
31. Starkweather’s Narrative. 10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.48
32. Brown’s Experience. 121 HST November 15, 1843, page 112.49
33. Bible Examiner, by George Storrs. 183 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.50
34. The Second Advent Doctrine Vindicated,—a sermon preached at the dedication of the Tabernacle, by Rev. S. Hawley, with the Address of the Tabernacle Committee, pp. 107. 20 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.51
35. A Solemn Appeal to Ministers and Churches,—especially to those of the Baptist denomination. By J. B. Cook. 10 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.52
36. Second Advent Manual, by A. Hale. 183 HST November 15, 1843, page 112.53
37. Millennial Harp, 2nd Part. 121 cts. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.54
38. The Chronology of the Bible. By S. Bliss, 61 HST November 15, 1843, page 112.55
This Library will be enlarged from time to time, by the addition of new works. HST November 15, 1843, page 112.56