Signs of the Times and Expositor of Prophecy [Himes], vol. 4
November 30, 1842
Vol. IV.—No. 11. Boston, Whole No. 83
Joshua V. Himes
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
AND EXPOSITOR OF PROPHECY.
Terms.—$1, 00 per Vol. (24 Nos.) in advance Office No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.1
Vol. IV.—No. 11. Boston, Wednesday, November 30, 1842 Whole No. 83. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.2
MILLER’S REPLY TO STUART, on PROPHETICAL INTERPRETATION, AND THE DESIGNATIONS OF TIME IN DANIEL AND JOHN in a series of letters to JOSHUA V. HIMES
LETTER I
Dear Bro. Himes:—I have read the book you sent me, “Hints on the Interpretation of Prophecy, by M. Stuart.” I find the writer, after an elaborate introduction, has divided the subject which he discusses into three distinct parts: 1st. “Occult or double sense of prophecy.” 2. “Prophecy not intelligible until it is fulfilled.” 3. “Designation of time in the prophecies.” I have been pleased, edified, and instructed, by reading this work. I was pleased to see the Christian spirit in which, apparently, the book was wrote, so unlike Mr. Dowling; the “Puritan,” or “Watchman,” or any of the scurrility with which I have been assailed by a selfish priesthood, or a hireling press, that I must confess I felt a union of heart and soul, for the writer, which I rarely feel for any of our modern writers on theology. They are manifestly the most Christian, candid, and reasonable arguments that I have ever met with, from any source whatever; and if I have not the truth, as it respects time—for on the two first points we exactly agree—I would as readily yield the palm of victory to Moses Stuart, the writer of this book, as any man I have any knowledge of at this time. To be conquered by such a writer, would be an honor my vanity would almost covet: yet I dare not yield the truth of God’s word to any man, nor for any consideration whatever, however glorious it might be in the sight of my fellow-men, or gratifying to an unbelieving multitude. One thing I ask, and that will I seek after. If truth compels me to disagree with this writer, whatever I may write, may it be done in the same spirit, as to me appears to possess the excellent writer of this little book before me. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.3
On his first head or question, “Are there many occult passages in prophecy which are pregnant with a double meaning?” I answer, very few, and with the writer I agree, “that if such a principle be admitted, how is it possible to ascertain within what bounds it shall be confined.” By this, I do not understand the writer to mean, that there are no types, nor analogies in the Bible, which types and analogies were once prophecies; for instance, the destruction of the old world by water, which was a prophecy in the days of Noah, is by our Saviour applied as a type, or an analogy of the destruction of the world by fire. Again, the travel of the children of Israel through the wilderness into the land of Canaan is applied unto us, by Paul, as a sample: if we conduct as they did, we shall meet with like judgments. Therefore I am perfectly agreed with the writer, that there is no double meaning to words in the prophecies of the Old and New Testament. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.4
In his second part, as I have named it, “Prophecy not intelligible until it is fulfilled,” I am pleased to see our views so perfectly harmonize. I say with the writer, if God has revealed any truth, that truth may be understood; but I would not say, neither do I understand the writer of this book to say, that men will all see the truth and know it, and in all ages of the world, and at all times. No, for if that were the case, we should have no need of this book which he has written to teach us how to understand prophecy. Although God may have revealed things plainly and intelligibly, yet it may by us be rejected, or clothed in a mantle of mysticism, and so hid for ages, for aught I can see, and then brought to light by the diligent application of some of his servants. Surely, the writer will not deny this, for his object in writing this book is, as he says, to do away with an error, that has for years become almost or quite universal. So, you can see, we are happily and clearly agreed on this point. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.5
His next, and third part: “Designations of time in the prophecies.” On this point, his rule, which he has laid down on page 65, is perfectly right, and must, I think, stand the test in all cases. “Every passage of Scripture, or of any other book, is to be interpreted as bearing its plain, and primary, and literal sense, unless good reasons can be given why it should be tropically (figuratively) understood.” HST November 30, 1842, page 81.6
Thus far I can agree with the learned author; but here I must stop: his rules of interpretation are good, his general remarks on the nature and manner of prophecy I admire; but when he comes to apply those rules, I see neither reason nor common sense in the application. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.7
I shall not follow him through all his arguments and explanations; but shall select a few. And first, his views of the little horn, in Daniel 7:7, 8, 20, 21-26, meaning Antiochus Epiphanes, are wholly without evidence; not even a color of testimony can be brought from the Scriptures to prove that point. Yet he asserts it as though no one ever doubted it: this proves that his reading on that point has been very limited. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.8
This horn does not belong to the Grecian kingdom, nor is it one of the four into which Grecia was divided. See Daniel 7:7: “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” Now read the heavenly teacher. Daniel 7:23: “Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” After Daniel had given the account of the Grecian kingdom in the sixth verse, he says he saw in his vision another beast, which is explained to mean the fourth kingdom upon earth. Is it possible to prove that a third can be the fourth? A third may have four heads, but it is the same beast still. Here we have another one, different from all other kingdoms that were before it. Where was the wide difference between the Syrian and the other three kingdoms into which Alexander’s was divided? All arose in the same manner, all made war on each other, and each in its turn succeeded in its warlike enterprises. Neither one of them was able to subdue all the other three. Yet Daniel tells us that “three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots,” and by the little horn, which our author calls Antiochus. Again, this kingdom was to have ten kings when this little horn should rise up: for he is to rise after them, and among them, and subdue three of them. This, then, cannot, by any fair construction, be applied to Antiochus. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.9
This little horn is to make war with the saints, and prevail against them until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. See verses 21, 22. What kingdom? See verses 26, 27: “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” It is a “great kingdom,” “under the whole heaven,” and an “everlasting kingdom,” and, “all dominions serving and obeying him.” Now if the Jews mean the saints, as our author tells us, according to his own showing, the Jews have not yet got the everlasting kingdom. See his own remarks, on page 139, on Acts 1:6, 7. And of course Antiochus is yet alive, making war, and prevailing against the Jews. No wonder our author complains against the English and American commentators; if he follows them, all their wisdom, and his too, is not able to extricate him from a very foolish dilemma. Let him apply this to the Roman kingdom, and all will be clear and natural. HST November 30, 1842, page 81.10
We cannot avoid seeing, as I sincerely believe, that the kingdom which is given to the saints of the Most High at the destruction of the little horn, cannot be any kingdom possessed by the Jews at that time or at any time subsequent. If it is figurative, then the rules of our good brother will not apply—for it is not used in the 27th verse as a symbol or representation; but as an explanation of the 14th and 22nd verses, by the heavenly visiter himself. See verse 16: “I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.” HST November 30, 1842, page 81.11
Then by what stretch of imagination we can apply this little horn to Antiochus is to me ten times more mysterious than the occult sense, of which the writer so justly complains. Why not then make the application where it belongs, to the fourth or Roman kingdom, and the little horn to Antichrist making war against the true saints, until the glorious appearing of the great God (Ancient of days) and our Saviour Jesus Christ, in the clouds of heaven? Surely there can be no objection against this hypothesis, because all must admit that then, when Christ shall come the second time, he will come to receive unto himself a kingdom which will be eternal. Luke 19:15: “And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” Then will the saints possess the kingdom promised, James 2:5: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” Why, I ask again, in the name of all that is dear in heaven or earth, cannot our teachers apply the prophecies of the Old Testament to the precious promises in the new? 1 Peter 1:9-13: “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Here is a plain rule of the application of Old Testament prophecy. Why not follow it? Has God blinded the eyes of our seers and our teachers, so that they cannot see? Or have our sectarian quarrels produced a confusion in the ranks of our expositors of the word of God, so that truth has fallen in the streets, and but few men left? In Daniel 7th chapter, how perfectly plain do we trace the prophetic history of our world, from the days of Daniel to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven, the judgment of the saints, and the everlasting kingdom of the glorified children of God. And yet this good man, this teacher in Israel, sees not a single ray of light this side of Antiochus, a Syrian king, who died 164 years before Christ was born. If Christ should come now, would he find faith on the earth? O God, have mercy, and open the eyes of our teachers! Again; he tells us, on pages 86 and 87, that the events predicted in the 11th chapter, from 21—45, and the whole of the 12th chapter, are to be referred, altogether, to Antiochus Epiphanes. This to me is still more unaccountable, how men of such erudition as Moses Stuart, can for a moment suppose that all the description given here, can or ought to be applied to one man. Yes, and that too, describing the events that were to happen to the people of God in the latter days, beginning with the fifth king of Persia, and ending with a resurrection; Daniel 10:14 to 12:4. I know that Moses Stuart has the authority of some of the expositors in the Roman Catholic church, for his understanding of these prophecies. He has given their sentiments in their own words, and I am afraid he has not been careful enough to compare their views with the word of God. They were too much interested in the conclusion, to be received by me without a careful examination. And if it can be shown that the prophecy fails to be fulfilled in Antiochus, in any one point, then the whole must fall. Matthew 5:17, 18: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Let us then examine the first verse of the 12th chapter. “Then shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people.” When did this happen? If these expositors are right, “then” at the death of Antiochus or immediately afterwards, Michael stands up. Has any one been able to show satisfactorily who this is? I answer, no. “And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time.” Was there a time of trouble after Antiochus’s death? This is not tropical language; remember our rules. Can any man produce such a historical fact as to warrant this expression? Mr. S. tells us, page 92, “No wonder that the angel pronounced those of the pious and believing Jews to be blessed, who lived to see such a day of deliverance. The great enemy of their nation and their God had fallen; Judas Maccabaeus had become everywhere victorious; the sanctuary was now cleansed of its pollution, pure worship was restored, and the Hebrews had every prospect of independence.” I will agree that the description given of these times by this writer, is highly wrought up, to meet another event in the prophecy under contemplation. Yet our time of trouble fails: “and at that time,” in this time of trouble, “thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Who are these, and what book is this they are written in? Was this accomplished at that time? I answer, No. The author of this book dare not assert it, although he apparently wrought up our minds, by the glowing description which I have just quoted, to expect something very graphic; yet when he comes to the point, he slips over in perfect silence in this place, although he had before (page 88) acknowledged Daniel 12:1-3 difficult to interpret. Why not then tell us what it does mean? But as it happens, to the glory of God, we are not dependent on Mr. Stuart to tell us; the angel himself has informed us. “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” HST November 30, 1842, page 81.12
We must remember the rules given in this book of “Hints,” etc. No tropical words where the sense is plain; no occult or double meaning in this passage. One of two things, then, must be true. Either the resurrection did take place in the time, times and a half, under Antiochus, and all the people of God, every one of them whose names are written, or ever shall be written in the Lamb’s book of life, did awake to everlasting life; or Antiochus is not the one designated in this prophecy, as Mr. S. says. Now which [original illegible] shall we take? I answer, I will choose to let Antiochus go, and take a resurrection to come, and I think our good Br. Stuart will do the same, if he is wise. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars, forever and ever.” HST November 30, 1842, page 82.1
This grand and sublime description cannot, without doing the utmost violence to tropical language, be applied to so barren and insignificant a circumstance as the Jews in their corrupt state, into which they were sunk, between the last of the prophets and the birth of the Messiah, being released from one petty tyrant to fall under others more severe within four or five years. See 1 Maccabees 7th and 9th chapters. HST November 30, 1842, page 82.2
Common sense would forbid such a construction of this prophecy, and I am well satisfied, that with all Mr. Stuart’s knowledge, he has not a clear knowledge of the history of the Jews at the time specified. This prophecy cannot have reference to Antiochus. The next verse shows that the book of Daniel was shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Mr: S. says, to the end of these troubles with Antiochus; but that would be departing from his own rule, unless he can prove that the resurrection, which is immediately mentioned before, was fulfilled at that time, which he has not done. Then, I am at liberty to fix my own construction; and he tells us, plainly, that there cannot, with any propriety, be an occult or double meaning in prophecy. And when the Bible tells us that “those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,” and to “everlasting life” too. I cannot, to accommodate myself to any man’s theory, call it spiritual, when I believe in a literal one to come. This I am satisfied is Br. S. ’s rule. Neither can I apply the words in Daniel 7:10-13, to a mystical sense, and in other places make the same words and sentiments literal, without a “thus saith the Lord.” Therefore, when the angel tells Daniel that “those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,” and Christ tells me “the hour is coming when all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and come forth,” I cannot believe one a mystical and the other a literal sense, without any further cause being shown, than my, or another’s anxiety to have Antiochus mean the little horn. Daniel 7:8-25, and 11—12 chap. And if this view which Br. S. has given of these prophecies be true, then his principles of interpretation cannot be correct, without he allows himself, what he is not willing to grant to others, to depart from his own rules, where his own views require such a departure. HST November 30, 1842, page 82.3
As it respects his exposition of times in Daniel 7 and 12, we shall reserve it for future remarks, and examine now into his views on Daniel 8th chapter, p. 93. He says, “One, and only one more period in the book of Daniel claims our present attention; this is in chapter 8:14. In the vision seen by Daniel, as there related, one angel inquires of another, ‘How long the sanctuary and the host were given to be trodden under foot.’ The answer is, ‘to two thousand three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’ ” HST November 30, 1842, page 82.4
Our teacher has made a very sad misstatement in stating his question, not by design, we cannot believe; for he is too good a man to mislead any one. True, my critical neighbor says, he discovers a trick or design in thus stating the question; but wherein? say I. Do you see he has enclosed the question in a single comma, showing that it is but partially stated, while he has enclosed the answer in double commas, showing it is all true? says my neighbor. No, No, said I, this is all jealousy. Mr. S. is too good a man to favor deception at all; it is an inadvertency; he will correct it in a moment when he sees it. The question is not ‘How long the sanctuary and host are given to be trodden under foot?’ but it is, as Br. Stuart will acknowledge, “How long shall be the vision?” or as some translate it, “For how long time shall be the vision,” “concerning the daily (or continual) sacrifice (or wicked) and transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and host to be trodden under foot?” The answer must be according to the question, or one of these heavenly messengers must be in an error—either the one asking, or the one answering the question; and surely I dare not say either is wrong. Then the question resolves itself into the following particulars: “How long shall the ram push against Grecia, or westward, northward and southward; and the he-goat coming from the west, breaking the two horns of the ram, smiting him and casting him down to the ground, and stamping upon him, and then becoming very great; and he must be broken, and then four more rise up in his room, and they continue to be very wicked, notably so; and when they have accomplished their wickedness, then shall arise another horn, which waxed exceeding great above all the horns before it, towards the south east and north, it waxed great to the host of heaven, cast down the stars and stamped upon them, magnified himself in his heart, even to the prince of the host, and stood up against the Prince of princes, the Lord Jesus Christ, cast down the truth to the ground, and practised and prospered, until the Ancient of days came, and the Son of man comes in the clouds of heaven, and these will be broken without hand? HST November 30, 1842, page 82.5
This last horn is the one which takes away the daily sacrifice, and places in the room of it, the abomination that maketh desolate, and is himself the desolator, and will only be destroyed at the consummation. See Daniel 7:11, 26: “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” 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, and for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” In this verse the same abominations are spoken of, as in Daniel 8:13, and this sweeps away at one blow, Br. Stuart’s exposition of the little horn being Antiochus; for no one can pretend that Antiochus lived after Christ; and yet we find the same desolator overspreading abominations until the consummation, and that determined is poured upon the desolator. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.1
This too harmonizes with Christ’s word as given by Matthew 24:15: “When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand;”) and if our Br. S. would divest himself entirely of his prepossessions for Antiochus, and not be continually harassed by that old spectre, he would at once see that the Scriptures harmonize, and would not have to resort to such ridiculous subterfuges as he has on pages 99 and 100, to do away the force of Christ’s words. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.2
He would also see the exact agreement between Daniel’s little horn, (Daniel 11:36,) “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done,” and Paul’s man of sin, (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4,) “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” ‘But there is but little hope for such men. Pride of opinion goes a great ways with men of his standing, and they are slaves to popular applause; and all you can say or write will do him no good, nor the class in which he moves,’—whispers Satan in my ear, while I am writing. Get behind me. Satan, say I. A man who writes with so good a spirit, and gives us such good rules, will see that it is all a fable about Antiochus being prophesied of anywhere in Daniel, except in Daniel 11:11, 12; and that from the 14th verse of the 11th chapter to the end of the 12th, all is a relation of the things which have been literally and will be fulfilled to the end of the gospel period, and the coming of Christ; and is all concerning the fourth and last earthly kingdom in our world. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.3
My limits will not allow me now to show that every word of Daniel 11:14-45, has been literally fulfilled under the history of Rome, the fourth kingdom in Daniel’s vision; and that that vision carries us to the end of all indignation, and to the consummation, when the body of this beast (Roman kingdom) is given to the burning flame. If then it can be shown that the history of Rome better fulfils the prophecy, and leaves no difficulty but what may be easily surmounted, why not leave the Antiochus system of explanation to its fate, with all its insurmountable difficulties, and take that which harmonizes with all Daniel’s visions, the history of the world, and New Testament writers? HST November 30, 1842, page 83.4
I shall now examine Mr. Stuart’s remarks on the “designation of time,” by his own rule. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.5
1st. Time, as specified in Daniel 8:14: “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” We have already examined the question, and find it does contain a history of the world, from the Medo-Persian kingdom to the end of indignation, when that which God hath determined shall be poured upon the desolator, or to the end of the transgression of desolation, which is the end of the Roman, or fourth kingdom in the world. Thus far the vision is as plain to my mind as the rays of the sun in its meridian splendor. The answer then is, “unto 2300 days;” but, says the critic, it is “evenings, mornings.” No matter, all men seem to understand it days; for it is so translated in every language with which we are acquainted at the present day. Therefore this can never be made plainer, if this compound Hebrew word should be criticised upon until the judgment shall set. I am sick of this continual harping upon words. Our learned critics are worse on the waters of truth, than a school of sharks on the fishing banks of the north, and they have made more infidels in our world than all the heathen mythology in existence. What word in revelation has not been turned, twisted, racked, wrested, distorted, demolished, and annihilated by these voracious harpies in human shape, until the public have become so bewildered, they know not what to believe? “They have fouled the waters with their feet.” I have always noticed where they tread, the religious spirit is at a low ebb; it becomes cold, formal and doubtful, at least. It is the mind of the Spirit we want, and God’s word then becomes spirit and life unto us. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.6
The words “evenings, mornings” convey to our mind the idea of days; thus this vision is 2300 days long, says the reader. Yes. But how can all this be? says the inquiring mind. Can three kingdoms rise up and become great; from a small people become a strong nation; conquer all the nations of the earth, and then in its turn be subdued and conquered by a kingdom still more fortunate, and so on through three successive kingdoms, and do this in little over six years? Impossible. But God has said it, and I must believe. Now the only difficulty is in time. How can this be? Very well, says the dear child of God, I remember me; God says I must “dig for the truth, as for hid treasure.” I will go to work, and while I am digging, I will live by begging. Father in heaven, I believe it is thy word; but I do not understand it; shew me thy truth. I had rather have one humble prayer of this kind, with an English Bible in my hand, than all the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin Br. S. ever knew. The child then takes the word day, and compares spiritual things with spiritual, to find what his heavenly Father means by days in a figurative sense; for he is satisfied it cannot be literal. The first text he lights upon is in Numbers 14:34, “each day for a year.” May this not be it? says the child. He takes hold of it by faith, carries it home, lays it up in his cell of sweets, richer than a lord, and again goes forth in search of more. He now lights upon Ezekiel 4:6: “I have appointed thee each day for a year.” He is now rich in very deed—two jewels in one cell. He does not stop to criticise like a Stuart, and query, and reason himself out of common sense and reason too; but Abraham-like, he believes, and lays up his treasure at home. I see, says the child, this use of days was so ordained by my Father in two cases, and two witnesses is enough: but I am not certain that I have a right to use these jewels in this place; I will go and beg, and dig again. In this excursion, he lights on Daniel 9:23-27: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people,” etc. Seventy weeks of what? says the critic. I do not care a fig, says the believing child, whether you call it days or years; I know how long it was in fulfilling. How long? Exactly 490 years, from the decree given in the seventh year of Artaxerxes, 457 years before Christ, unto his death, 33 years after the birth of Christ, making exactly 490 years, or seventy sevens of years of the vision. But of what vision? says the critic. Why, says the child, it is the last vision Daniel had, in the 8th chapter. Are you certain of that? I am; it can refer to no other; and as the seventy weeks were a part of the vision, cut off from the vision, and did seal the vision and prophecy, I want no better evidence to show that these jewels which I have laid up, now have an application; for 490 years cannot be a part of six years, and of course the 2300 must be so many years; and if all the skeptics in Christendom, and the Stuarts in the habitable earth, should try to make me believe that the vision in the 8th chapter of Daniel was fulfilled under Antiochus Epiphanes, I could not do it. Thus would the believing child reason. This I know too by experience. But let me state this in another way. I find in the vision of Daniel things spoken of as the “abomination that maketh desolate.” I find my Saviour mentioning the same thing, and showing that it would exist even forty years after his time. I cannot believe that he was mistaken, and the end of that same thing was two hundred years before. “For at the time appointed, the end shall be.” But Br. S. may say that it was the end of the pollution of the sanctuary; but this cannot be true, for we learn that twenty years or more after the death of Antiochus, Simon, the high priest, drove out the heathen who had polluted the sanctuary and the holy place; 1 Maccab. xiv. 36. Also our Saviour found the temple a den of thieves; therefore it could not mean the end of pollution. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.7
These reasons, with more which can be and have been presented, are evidence strong that this vision could not have been fulfilled in six years. Then the conclusion is that days are used in a figurative sense. HST November 30, 1842, page 83.8
Then I find, in the two cases above mentioned, they were used in that sense. Have we no right to compare Scripture with Scripture? Surely Br. S. is wise above what is written. 1 Corinthians 2:13: “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” HST November 30, 1842, page 83.9
The writer has admitted (page 76) that days in these two cases are symbols of years. Then why not use them so in Daniel and Revelation? Because God has not told us plainly here to so use them, says Br. S. But I say he has told us what is equal to it. He has given us definite time; he has told us what shall happen in that time. Common sense and a few years of experience show clearly it could not be, neither was it true, in a literal sense. Shall we charge our heavenly Father with folly? No. Let us first take the precaution to be wise, compare Scripture with Scripture, as did Daniel, (Daniel 9:2,) pray as did Daniel, (9:4-20.) It may be, after all, a symbol, methinks Daniel might have said. God revealed unto Belshazzar the end of his kingdom by a symbolic writing on the wall. Why not reveal unto us the end of all earthly kingdoms in symbolic language on the sacred wall of his word? HST November 30, 1842, page 83.10
Do not start so, Br. S.; I am only reasoning from analogy, and I perceive you have done the same, pages 137, 138. But let us pursue our analogy. When God revealed this to this proud and wicked monarch, he saw the fingers and symbolic writing, and was afraid; Daniel 5:7, 8: “The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed in scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king’s wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known the interpretation thereof.” Now the analogy. God has revealed by symbolic language the end of the world; Luke 21:26: “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” The world call on their D. D. ’s, A. M. ’s, Professors, Rev. ’s, etc.—(Isaiah 21:11: “The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”)—but they are all confused, no two of them can agree; some cry one thing and some another. We have seen the D. D. ’s calling it all “moonshine;” the A. M. ’s putting it off for “ages yet to come;” the professors throwing it all upon the back of Antiochus; the Rev. ’s charging it all to old Jerusalem; and thus we are, “confusion worse confused.” HST November 30, 1842, page 84.1
But the analogy: Daniel 8:13-26: “Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man; for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.” HST November 30, 1842, page 84.2
And now we will be as wise as Belshazzar; at least we will call in Daniel. Hear him. Daniel 9:20-27: “And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know, therefore, and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, unto Messiah the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 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, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” What do we learn from him? We learn that days are to be understood years in his prophecy; (not the historical parts of it;) for the seventy weeks were to seal up the vision and the prophecy, which it could not do, if the vision was only six years and a third in length; it would far exceed it. We see, in the 27th verse Daniel carries us far beyond the death of Christ, until the burning day, and destruction of the abomination that maketh desolate, or the desolator. Then this seventy weeks, for so it must be rendered, (Professor S. to the contrary notwithstanding,) is 490 years of the vision of Daniel 8:14: “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Then if 490 years was a part of this symbolical hand-writing, showing the end of earthly kingdoms, and especially the end of mystical Babylon, I ask what night must she be slain? When will the kingdoms of this world be weighed in the balance of God’s justice and be found wanting; be dashed to pieces like a potter’s vessel, and carried away like the chaff of the summer’s threshing-floor, and no place found for them? HST November 30, 1842, page 84.3
But what does Daniel further tell us? See Daniel 12:10-13: “Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” “Many will be purified and made white.” Was this done when Antiochus died? If so, then I cannot understand what being clothed in white means. But it is explained, Revelation 19:7, 8: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” It is the marriage of the Lamb, which could not have been 164 years before Christ was born. “And tried.” When is this? Let the apostle James tell us, (1:12): “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” “And the wicked shall do wickedly.” So they were doing in Babylon, eating and drinking, and so they will be doing when Christ comes. Matthew 24:48-51: “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “And none of the wicked shall understand.” So it was in Babylon. Daniel 5:15: “And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing.” And so will it be in the end of the world. See Luke 21:35: “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” “But the wise shall understand.” So it was when Babylon fell. Daniel 5:14: “I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light, and understanding, and excellent wisdom, is found in thee.” And so will it be when mystical Babylon shall be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. 1 Thessalonians 5:4. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8: “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” HST November 30, 1842, page 84.4
You need not be alarmed for your rules, br. Stuart. I am only reasoning from analogy; and surely you will not deny me the same privilege you have so abundantly improved upon yourself. And now, my dear Br. Stuart, let me give you some two or three good pieces of advice, as part payment for those you have given me, and I will pay you the remainder anon. HST November 30, 1842, page 84.5
1. Say not, God cannot symbolize time, when he reveals all other parts by symbols. HST November 30, 1842, page 84.6
2. Never write a book against any man, until you have read him, and thoroughly understand him. HST November 30, 1842, page 84.7
3. Say not in your heart Christ will not come in 1843, lest he come and find you sleeping. HST November 30, 1842, page 84.8
4. Take 490 from 2300, and add the life of Christ, 33, and you will find the true sanctuary cleansed, of which the temple at Jerusalem was only a shadow. HST November 30, 1842, page 84.9
5. Take away the veil of Judaism from before your face, and you will look for the better promise; as did Abraham. W. M. HST November 30, 1842, page 84.10
(To be continued.)
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
J. V. Himes, Josiah Litch, and S. Bliss, Editors
BOSTON, NOVEMBER 30, 1842.
Some additional Thoughts in expla nation of the 24th of Matt.—(See No. 8.)—Those that contend that the end of the world spoken of in this chapter denoted the end of the Jewish age, say that that end came at the destruction of Jerusalem, and that the whole chapter was then fulfilled. HST November 30, 1842, page 85.1
According to the 14th verse, this end was to come when “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations;”—And those who contend that it was thus preached, before the destruction of Jerusalem, quote Colossians 1:23: “If ye continued in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.” But this text proves too much for those who thus reason; for they contend that this was the fulfilment of the preaching of the gospel for a witness to all nations, and that when the gospel was thus preached, the end did come. It therefore follows that if it had been thus preached when Paul wrote, as he wrote before the destruction of Jerusalem, that the end had already come; and consequently could not be the end of the Jewish age, and did not take place at the destruction of Jerusalem. Therefore the preaching of the gospel to every creature under heaven, spoken of by Paul, could not be the preaching of the gospel of this kingnom in all the world, as a witness to all nations, predicted by our Saviour; and could only be spoken in that general sense, as when it was said, that all Jerusalem and Judea went out to be baptised of John in Jordan. HST November 30, 1842, page 85.2
Again, those who confine the tribulation of those days to the destruction of Jerusalem, claim that Christ then came the second time, during those days of tribulation, and that the signs which were to take place after the tribulation of those days, and before the coming of Christ, and were to be signs of his coming, also took place at the same time when the the events occurred which they were to follow and precede. It will readily be seen that the three events could not synchronize with each other; and if the tribulation of those days denoted the destruction of Jerusalem, then the signs which were to follow immediately after the tribulation of those days could not take place till after the destruction of Jerusalem. And as they were to precede the coming of Christ, and were to be signs, that Christians might know that his coming was near, even at the doors, that coming could not have been at the destruction of Jerusalem, before the signs were seen which were to denote his coming. Furthermore, as these signs were to be signs of the end of the world, as well as of his coming, therefore the end of the world which was to follow these signs, could not have been the destruction of Jerusalem when Paul wrote that the Gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven; nor at the destruction of Jerusalem, as the signs which were to precede it were not to take place till after that destruction. Consequently the end of the world could not be the end of the Jewish age, and was then future. HST November 30, 1842, page 85.3
It is said, in the 22nd verse, that for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened. It has been generally supposed that those days of tribulation were to be shortened to all, but they were only shortened for the elect’s sake, and will be continued for the reprobate until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out upon the desolater. For this tribulation spoken of by our Savior was to be “such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” It must therefore be the same “time of trouble” spoken of by Daniel 12:1, “such as was not since there was a nation, even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” HST November 30, 1842, page 85.4
This proves that the time of trouble spoken of by our Savior and Daniel, must be one and the same, and that it will continue until the resurrection of the dead, according to Daniel, and must commence, according to the words of our Savior, with the siege of Jerusalem, before which the Christians were to flee to the mountains. HST November 30, 1842, page 85.5
This same tribulation is predicted in the 25th chapter of the prophecy of Jeremiah 15-38th verses. “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me; Take the wine-cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. Then took I the cup at the Lord’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the Lord had sent me: to wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, a hissing, and a curse; as it is this day; Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people; and all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Askdod, Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon, and all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea, Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners. and all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert, and all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes, and all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth; and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them. Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thy hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Ye shall certainly drink. For lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore prophecy thou against them all these words and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture. And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the Lord. He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.” HST November 30, 1842, page 85.6
It is thus seen that it is to begin with Jerusalem, and to extend to “all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth,” and then the “king of Sheshach shall drink after them.” He says, “for lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name.” This we have seen accomplished in the destruction of Jerusalem. It was also to extend to all the nations of the earth, and when that is fully accomplished “the slain of the Lord shall be in that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; they shall not be lamented, neither gathered nor buried.” This is to be when the Lord hath forsaken his covert as the lion,” or, as our Savior expresses it, when he shall come “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west.” HST November 30, 1842, page 85.7
These days are therefore only shortened for the elect’s sake, and not for those who will continue reprobate. And after those days were shortened for the elect, then those signs appeared. (See Signs of the Times, No. 8.) HST November 30, 1842, page 85.8
Even the chapter under consideration proves that they were not shortened for any but the elect; for, after the shortening of the days for them, the signs of the coming of Christ and end of the world were to be seen, then Christ was to come, and then the tribulation was to be continued upon the wicked, for “all the tribes of the earth shall mourn.” But every one whose name is written in the book, will be delivered. “The one shall be taken and the other left.” HST November 30, 1842, page 85.9
The tribulation, therefore, spoken of by our Savior, was the same as was predicted by the prophets Daniel and Jeremiah, which began on the city of Jerusalem, was continued in the fiery persecutions of the church, was shortened for the elect’s sake in the last century, immediately after which the signs appeared which were to denote the coming of Christ, and end of the world, and which will be continued upon the wicked until “every one shall be delivered whose name is written in the book, and upon the wicked have been poured out the seven last plagues of God’s wrath, and their flesh has been consumed away, while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes have consumed away in their holes, and their tongues have consumed away in their mouths, and the slain of the Lord has been from one end of the earth, even unto the other end of the earth. HST November 30, 1842, page 85.10
The following extracts from “Observations on Meteors,” by Prof. Olmsted, of Yale College, will show the nature and extent of the falling stars, the last sign given by Christ of his coming, and seen Nov. 13, 1833. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.1
“The extent of the shower of 1833 was such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth’s surface, from the middle of the Atlantic on the east, to the Pacific on the West; and from the northern coast of South America, to undefined regions among the British possessions on the north, the exhibition of shooting stars was not only visible, but every where presented nearly one and the same appearance. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.2
“The duration and maximum, or period of greatest display, were characterized by a similar uniformity. In nearly all places, the meteors began to attract notice by their unusual frequency as early as eleven o’clock, and increased in numbers and splendor until about four o’clock, from which time they gradually declined, but were visible until lost in the light of day. The meteors did not fly at random over all parts of the sky, but appeared to emanate from a point in the constellation Leo, near a star called Gamma Leonis, in the bend of the sickle. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.3
“A similar phenomenon was witnessed on the 12th of November 1799, and at the same season of the year in 1830, 1831, and 1832. The meteoric shower was repeated on the morning of Nov. 13th or 14th, for several years, but on a scale constantly diminishing until 1838, since which period the exhibitions have been too little remarkable to be worthy of particular notice. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.4
“I feel assured that this is no atmospheric or terrestial phenomenon, but that these fiery meteors come to us from the regions of space, and reveal to us the existence of worlds of a nebulous or commetary nature, existing in the solar system, and forming constituent parts of that system. Nor are these conclusions built on mere hypothesis, but are necessary inferences from certain facts. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.5
“The present generation may consider itself privileged in having witnessed grander displays of fiery meteors, than are to be found recorded on the pages of history.” “In displays of the Aurora Borealis, also, we have been similarly favored. Such visitations of this spectacle, as we have enjoyed since Aug. 1827, to the present time, are by no means of constant occurrence.” HST November 30, 1842, page 86.6
“Those who were so fortunate as to witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of Nov 13, 1833, probably saw the greatest display of celestial fire-works that has ever been seen since the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of history.” HST November 30, 1842, page 86.7
“This is no longer to be regarded as a terrestial, but as a celestial phenomenon; and shooting stars are now to be no more viewed as casual productions of the upper regions of the atmosphere, but as visitants from other worlds, or from the planetary voids.” HST November 30, 1842, page 86.8
“Subsequent inquiries have led me to the belief, that the body was so distant as hardly to exhibit any apparent parallax, but was projected on very nearly the same part of the sky by all observers. This fact at once shows that the source of the meteors was far beyond the atmosphere, and confirms the preceding conclusion that it was wholly independent of the earth.” HST November 30, 1842, page 86.9
Our Duty.—What is the duty of those who believe in the Second Advent of our Lord near, with regard to the churches with which they are connected? Is it their duty to remain silent in their respective churches? Or should they separate therefrom? God in his providence has raised up a few believers in almost every church in the land, as witnesses of this truth. And the fact that they are thus everywhere raised up in all parts of Zion, may be considered as an evidence that God intends that no part of the church shall remain unwarned. In this view of the subject each individual believer has an important and solemn duty to perform, in faithfully presenting the evidence from the word of God, upon which his belief is based. There is no one who has examined and embraced this glorious doctrine, but can do something in calling the attention of others to the examination of this question, and in interesting them in it. By remaining where they are they can reach and influence those over whom otherwise they would have no influence. It is accordingly the duty of all, who love the appearing of their Lord, to improve every opportunity that presents itself, to arouse their fellow men, and save the souls of perishing immortal beings. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.10
This truth should be as a fire shut up in their bones, and they should do their duty fearlessly and faithfully, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. By so doing their duty will be discharged to God, themselves, and their fellow men. But by withdrawing from such connection, occasion is given for censure, and an opportunity is lost to reach those who are thus accessible. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.11
Persecution alone should dissolve such connexion, and the impossibility of being heard should be the only cause of silence on the part of any. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.12
Editorial Correspondence
Dear Brother Bliss:—I have a moment just to say to the readers of the Signs of the Times, that my visit to Philadelphia has been most encouraging. The first course of lectures was given in the N. E. church, 8th street above Noble. This house was kindly opened by the trustees, for the lectures, free of charge. The impression on the public mind, so far as I can judge, was good, and a deep interest is awakening up on the subject of the Second Advent in 1813. There are now four or five churches open for lectures, in and near the city, as soon as we can return and give them. Brother. Miller closed his lectures in this city, on Friday, P. M. and left Saturday morning for New Haven. Brother Hale has been lecturing the past week in the house of the Protestant Methodist in Allorney St. in this city, with good success and a large audience. A number were converted during the week. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.13
Our daily, the “Midnight Cry,” goes well. I spend a week here in lecturing, and then return, in connection with brother Hale, to Philadelphia. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.14
Yesterday was a day of interest in this city on account of the death of Colt, who stabbed himself to the heart just before his execution was to come on. About the same hour the cupola of the prison where he was confined took fire. The people were also much excited on the appearance of Venus most of the afternoon. Yours, J. Litch. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.15
New York, Nov. 19, 1842. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.16
Letter from Elder J. D. Marsh
Brother Himes:—Sir, after writing you a brief sketch a few days since, concerning the meeting held here by Bro C. French, in perusing the Signs of the Times, I saw a letter in your paper of Nov. 9th, from the pen of the Rev. James Sabine, an Episcopalian minister of Bethel. Vt. giving a description of the same meeting; there are some things in that letter which are calculated to injure brother French’s influence abroad, (not here) I feel it due to brother F. and the cause of Christ, to notice some of the mistakes found in that letter. The doctrine of the destruction of the wicked, instead of being introduced so late in the meeting as Wednesday afternoon, was taken up in the Bible class on Monday morning, and also on Wednesday afternoon in his lecture, and it was distinctly understood from Monday morning, that he believed in the destruction of the wicked; brother Sabine also states that this was like the touch of a torpedo, etc. As to his own feelings, and perhaps a few others, no doubt he is correct; but a very large majority received it with joy, as a plain Bible doctrine, as one which had long been hid by tradition and mysticism. As to minds being prejudiced against him on this subject, we will let the concourse of people that heard him, (which was very large) judge. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.17
Mr. Sabine speaks of his (French’s) not being happy in broaching old and long ago exploded errors, etc. and he (French) is much offended to be classed with Universalists, who resort to that bush when hard pressed by their adversaries. Brother French, while here, was happy in proclaiming what he believed to be truth, without the love or applause, of fear of reproach, and what added to his happiness, he had the privilege of hearing a number confess their former prejudices against, and now present faith in the sentiments advocated by him. Mr. S. refers to Mr. French as your lecturer, and you disown him as yours, I wish you to state in your paper, if you disown him on account of his sentiments, or on the ground that every lecturer is accountable to God and him alone. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.18
The blessing of God has attended our meetings, in the conversion of souls, and reviving the church: and with this evidence before us, we can with confidence recommend him to the world as a competent lecturer and fellow laboror, and do it in hope of a seat with him in God’s everlasting kingdom on the new earth in 1843. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.19
West Randolph, Vt. Nov. 15, 1842. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.20
We the undersigned, believing that the above letter is a statement of facts as they exist in relation to this meeting, have hereto affixed our names. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.21
Micah Mann Lewin Fisk
Samuel Mann Henry P. Gould
W. W. Ringe Samuel W. Cobb
Moses Fisk Gilbert Tilson
Elisha Herrick Winthrop Sargent
Micah Mann, Jr. Lazarus Biford
HST November 30, 1842, page 86.22
Remarks. We insert the above, that no injustice may be done brother French by the communication, or our remarks which accompanied it, two weeks since. We are confident that no injustice was intended by our correspondent, and that nothing was said in anger, nor aught set down in malice; but that it was dictated for the purpose of advancing the cause of God. We made the statement that brother F. “was not our lecturer,” not from any invidious feelings towards him, but because we have no lecturers. All who lecture—Bros. Miller, Fitch, Litch, Hale, or French, all do so, each one on their individual responsibility for their respective opinions. It is however painful to us, that one who advocates these glorious truths, should mix up with them any “old exploded opinions,” and thereby attach to the cause an odium for which it is not responsible. We have no sympathy with brother French’s view of the end of the wicked, and again protest against being responsible for those sentiments. Eds. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.23
Second Advent Conference, in West Wrentham, Mass
There will be a Second Advent Conference in the Baptist Meeting house in West Wrentham, to commence Dec. 9th. This meeting will not be one of controversy, but to present practically, the whole truth relating to the coming of our Lord. It is hoped that all in the vicinity, who can, will attend this meeting. The friends of the cause from abroad, will find a warm-hearted people, who will feel it a privilege to afford them comfortable accommodations during their stay. The meeting will commence on Friday at 10 o’clock P. M. and continue one week. J. S. White. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.24
North Wrentham, Nov. 21st. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.25
SECOND ADVENT CONFERENCE, AND LECTURES IN WORCESTER, MASS
By divine permission, Br. Calvin French will commence a course of lectures, in the town hall on Saturday evening, Dec. 3rd. 1842, at 6 o’clock. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.26
The Conference will commence on Monday Dec. 5th. at 10 o’clock A. M., to continue one week. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.27
The object of the Conference will not be for controversy, or to get a victory over those who have not examined, and received the evidence that “the Judge standeth before the door.” But to present our reasons from the word of God, in love, why we believe that Christ will appear in the clouds of heaven in a few months, without sin unto salvation to those who look for him. HST November 30, 1842, page 86.28
All Brethren and friends, who love Christ’s appearing, are cordially invited to unite with the Conference. Provisions will be made for those who come from a distance. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.1
Let there be a general rally, “the time is short” what we do must be done quickly. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.2
“Second Advent Witness” Subscribers.—This number of the “Signs of the Times” is sent to the former patrons of the “Witness,” aggreeably to a proposal lately made in an extra “Witness.” If any to whom it may be sent, do not wish to become subscribers for this paper, they will signify it immediately by sending this number back to this office, directed to the “Signs of the Times, Boston Mass.” not forgeting to write their name and Post Office on the margin of the paper. Don’t neglect this. Those who retain the paper, will be expected to pay. All who have not yet payed for the “Witness,” are requested to do so immediately, as it will save the expense of bills, which otherwise will be sent to them—the Editor of the Witness has not received enough to meet the expenses of the paper. Do not longer withhold the trifling sum which is his just due, and which he so much needs. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.3
We copy the following from the Witness extra.— HST November 30, 1842, page 87.4
“Notice.—The intense and increasing interest on the subject of prophecy, and the coming and kingdom of our Lord, has induced us to make arrangements for supplying our subscribers with the “Signs of the Times,” a large weekly quarto sheet, published at Boston, at one Dollar for a volume to be published in six months.” HST November 30, 1842, page 87.5
One reason for adopting this course, and introducing to our readers the “Signs of the Times,” is, the Witness being small, and issued only once a month, does not meet the demands of the present crisis. The subject is one of unutterable interest, and has the highest claims upon the attention of all. And if the views which we entertain are correct, as we believe they are, there are no means or time to be lost. Every facility should be brought into immediate and vigorous requisition, for the purpose of spreading the midnight cry far and wide without delay. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.6
Lectures in Newhaven, Ct.—Brs. Miller and Himes commenced a course of lectures in that city, on the 19th inst., we learn, and are lecturing to crowded houses. They hold their meetings in the Methodist church, which was kindly opened to them by the trustees. We trust much good will result from this effort. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.7
Letter from Wm. Miller
Dear Bros. Himes and Litch,—I saw in your paper an extract of a letter from Connecticut, stating that “a communication had been read in a public congregation in his town, purporting to be from several influential men in Low Hampton, N. Y., which states that Mr. Miller is not the author of those lectures published in his name, but that they are the production of a Baptist clergyman, who died a few years since in that place.” In the first place, let me say it is a base fabrication, not a word true. I pledge my word that no influential man in Low Hampton can be found to state a fact of the kind, or that any man ever wrote or preached either of, or any of the lectures which have been presented to the public in my name. No Baptist clergyman has ever died in this place; Elder Miller died in Whitehall some 16 years since, was once a pastor of the Baptist church in Low Hampton. Yet I never knew of his writing a sermon in my life; I know he was not a man who wrote or read his sermons, and he never preached or talked on the subject of Christ’s second coming, but was a strong believer in Andrew Fuller’s system of Divinity. If there is any such communication I wish to obtain it, or the names of these influential men. There is not a word of truth in the same. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.8
As no story of the kind has ever been circulated in this vicinity publicly, I cannot believe that such a falsehood had its origin this side of Connecticut; and if it is not manufactured there, they will be willing to give up the names of their informer, that the public may be disabused, and the author be treated as a base slanderer ought to be, by all honest men. Yours, etc. Wm. Miller. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.9
Low Hampton, Oct. 31st, 1842. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.10
Benson Tent Meeting
Dear Brother Himes.—Believing that you will feel an anxiety to learn the result of the great tent meeting in this place, I have the pleasure of saying to you that it has been glorious. The strong towers of prejudice formed by tradition that the world is secure against the threatening vengance of God, for at least a thousand years, were demolished in the minds of many far beyond our most sanguine expectations. The learned and rude are together astonished at the clearness of proof with which the word of the Lord abounds, in proof that God designed that man should be informed that the Lord will come in 1843 and burn the wicked as stubble, and receive those who are waiting for his appearing. Since your’s and brother Miller’s labors closed here, it has often been said here that all beyond 1843 looks like Eternity. In the labors of the meeting, therefore, truth has achieved a mighty conquest over error, and light over darkness. The popish idea of their being a part of the revelation of God which was unrevealed.—(Unrevealed parts of the revelation of God, absurdity) has been swept from the docket. It is now said often, “my Bible is light to me now.” HST November 30, 1842, page 87.11
Not only has truth triumphed over error, but the Prince of peace has triumphed over the Prince of darkness. In addition to the number baptized while you were here, I baptized six more the next Sabbath. We are holding meetings every evening. Last evening more than twenty took the anxious seats, and expressed a great anxiety for a preparation that when the Bridegroom comes, they may be ready to go in before the door is shut. May your labors be crowned with abundant success. Yours in the labors and patience of the gospel, expecting to meet you at the great assemblage gathered by the trump of God next year. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.12
William Storrs.
Benson, Nov. 14th. 1842.
N. B. Mr. Stiles, the Methodist clergyman in this village, has come out boldly since you left, saying to his people that his convictions respecting preaching fearlessly of the second advent next year, have been more powerful than his conversion to Christ or the ministry, and says he must and will preach it let come what will—He does. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.13
How We may Know
There is a guide to a correct understanding of the doctrine of the advent nigh, by which all may know whether it is true or false. There is, therefore, no necessity for ignorance in this matter. We find it in John 7:17. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” It is evident from this passage, that whoever will do the will of God, shall be able correctly to discern between truth and error, in regard to any main doctrine relating to his kingdom:—of course whether the coming of Christ, and the dread destruction and glory which is to follow, is far of or “nigh even at the doors.” HST November 30, 1842, page 87.14
What is the will of God in regard to man? Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself. Luke 10:27. This comprehends all, but we may specify, “Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:31. “Depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” Matthew 6:19. “Filled with the fruits of righteousness.” Philippians 1:11. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life.” Jude 21. “That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:12, 13. “And not be overcharged with cares of this life so that day come upon you unawares,” Luke 21:34. “Unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13. “Seek knowledge, wisdom and understanding as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures,” Proverbs 2:2-4 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith.” 1 Corinthians 16:13. “And pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.15
From the above, how clear is God’s will. “If any man will do His will”—repent, believe, exercise that living faith that unites the soul to Christ; love God with all the heart, (not a part,) placing a due estimate upon all things; consecrate ourselves, our whole being, and all we possess to him; (this is sanctification:) confide in God; search for truth as for hid treasures; keep “unspotted from the world;” “lay up treasures in heaven;” bring forth the fruits of the spirit; watch and fight and pray; “Plead the cause of the poor and needy;” “warn the wicked;” “comfort the saints with the prospect of Christ’s glorious appearing, 1 Thessalonians 4:18; and be not hearers only, but doers of the word.” This is God’s will. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine; yes, he shall know whether it is true that the millennium will succeed rather than precede Christ’s coming in the clouds of heaven; whether it is true or false, that the Judge of all the earth is soon to appear “in vengeance drest.” O how many wrong their own souls by refusing to do God’s will; and by reviling this doctrine. They pass on to be punished; and will it avail them that they joined hand in hand? HST November 30, 1842, page 87.16
But he who does his will may “know these things before.” 2 Peter 3:17. And be kept in “perfect peace,” Isaiah 26:3. May, with contrition, lie at the feet of Jesus; and yet exulting in God, may be “looking for and hasting unto (earnestly desiring) the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” 2 Peter 3:12. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.17
Watchmen! ye who receive the word from His mouth, and are giving the people warning from Him, remember the promise, “the Lord shall fight for thee.” Edward Canfield. HST November 30, 1842, page 87.18
Letter from C. Field, Jr
Dear Bro. Himes—I noticed in your excellent paper of Oct. 26th, a statement in reference to “a communication read in a public congregation in this town.” The brother who wrote that was mistaken in saying that it was “from several influential men in Low Hampton,” though it was so understood by many who heard it. The facts are these:—Mr. Thomas Salter, the Episcopal clergyman of this town, agreeable to a previous notice, some three weeks since, preached against “Millerism.” Before announcing his text, (Mark 13:32,) and as preparatory to his sermon, he read a communication the substance of which he had received from James Hewett, of Rutland, (Vt.?) He was passing through the place and stopped at Mr. Salter’s boarding place, where he gave a detailed account of Mr. Miller’s history. (Whether he was drunk or sober at the time I do not know; I am bound to presume the latter however, till I have evidence to the contrary.) Of the truth of what he said Mr. S. seemed not to entertain a doubt. I am told that the communication presented Mr. Miller’s character in anything but a favorable light. Among other things it stated that Mr. M. was not the author of those lectures published in his name, but that they are the production of a Baptist minister, of the name of Fuller, who died some time since in Low Hampton. Mr. Hewett gave Mr. S. the names of several men said to be residing in Low Hampton, some with the titles of Rev., Esq., etc. I think, who, he said, would confirm his testimony. Mr. Salter said, in the course of his remarks, that if he was not in the house of God, he would call Mr. Miller a “liar,” a “scoundrel,” etc. I have these particulars from those who heard them, and took notes at the time. From all that I can learn, I think that it is very evident that he used hard words and soft arguments. As Mr. S. said he would give any one further information on the subject who would call upon him within two weeks, I designed to have seen him myself; but as he has been at home but a very little since, I have had no opportunity, neither have I found any one that has. It is not necessary to speak of the spirit manifested in the delivery of the above. The facts themselves breathe a spirit. I have since given several lectures on the Second Advent, and the people are beginning to examine the subject for themselves. And where this is done thoroughly, we have nothing to fear. There are quite a number here who believe the end is even at the door, and several who embrace the time, and preach it. Bless the Lord, the leaven is working. I know not now of scarcely an opposer in our church. Indeed, our social meetings partake of the character of Second Advent meetings HST November 30, 1842, page 87.19
East Haddam, Ct., Nov. 4, 1842. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.1
The Spirit of Enquiry
The present is a period of high theological excitement. It is a period, too, when men of all classes, with earnestness and prayerful assiduity are investigating and searching after the truth as for “hid treasures.” A question of the most momentous and awful character is now agitating the public mind. A theory has been started and advocated, which has excited the attention of men, and they are seriously enquiring, are these things so? Is this an age of transcendent interest and importance in the drama of the world’s existence to be signalized by the occurrence of a tremendous change in the condition of this earth and its inhabitants? Are the foundations of the “everlasting hills” soon to be torn up, and the “elements to melt with fervent heat?” Are the heavens soon to be irradicated by the splendor of Christ’s appearance, with his retinue of saints and the angelic throng? Will the glories of millennial joy in the new heavens and earth, unstained by corruption, [original illegible] burst upon the vision of ransomed believers? Will the doom of the wicked soon be forever sealed, and they be sent to habitations of darkness and woe? Will “Antichrist soon be destroyed,” the “mystery of God be finished,” and his glorious, everlasting kingdom be set up? In fine, do the signs of the times sanction the belief that, in the language of Zephaniah, “the day of the Lord is near and that it hasteth greatly;” that the consummation of all things foretold by our Savior and the prophets, is at hand? These are the questions, or in other words the doctrines which at the present time are exciting the public mind. That if correct they are of vital importance every one is willing to concede. That it is possible they may be, no one has the presumption to deny. What, then, I ask is the duty of consistent, candid, truth-seeking men in relation to these matters? Such men I answer will not ignorantly condemn a doctrine though it seems to them erroneous, or conflicts with their preconceived views. As sincere enquirers after truth they will not resort to ridicule and denunciation. They are willing to hear, and if convinced, to renounce their former opinions and believe. They will not condemn because it happens to be popular to do so. They will dispassionately examine for themselves. Multitudes in our communities and cities are day after day embracing the second advent doctrine, nor will the tide be stayed till it be overthrown by argument. If then it be wild and untenable, let our learned men in their might oppose it. Let them exhibit from the oracles of truth demonstration against it. Let the advocates of a temporal millennium show from holy writ that the glorious sun of that reign of righteousness will arise prior to the advent of Christ, and that during that blessed era he will rule as a spiritual king. Let those who believe in the restoration of the Jews prove from Scripture, that that unhapy people will be ultimately gathered from the ends of the earth, and be permitted to live and worship in the beautiful vales, the consecrated temples, and by the hallowed Jordan of their long-lost land. Let those who object to the application which has been made of the prophecies of Daniel and John by Miller, give a better application, and all candid, truth-seeking men will adopt it. Let them show why they discard a literal interpretation of many important passages of Scripture. The arena of moral controversy is open. The thinking, enquiring minds of this generation are watching with impatience for the struggle. The advocates of the second advent system are stealing away the hearts of the people. It is high time then that our spiritual guides, our men mighty in the Scriptures, should stir themselves. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.2
Many at the present day sneer at this subject as unworthy of their notice. In their loftiness of mind they will not condescend to examine these great theological questions. They soar in a purer and loftier atmosphere, and look down with supreme contempt upon the poor, ignorant, deluded mortals who have the misfortune to differ from them in opinion. With Pharisaical self-complacency they thank God that they are not as weak and foolish as other men. If Professor Stuart, the great prince of New England orthodoxy, considered this subjeot beneath his attention, would he have published his Hints on Prophecy? In my opinion, a theory which has been embraced by multitudes of souls as the truth is deserving of a respectful and serious examination. It is a solemn thing to trifle with and sneer at it. It is a solemn thing to stygmatize its believers as foolish and deluded men and women, and no one should assume the high vocation of judging his brethren until he is first sure that he stands on a better foundation than they. If my brother, as I believe, has fallen into a strong delusion; if he has imbibed egregious errors, what shall I do? What course does a fraternal, Christ-like spirit dictate? Shall I ridicule his stupidity, and thrust him from me contemptuously? Shall I hurl at him the firebrands of denunciation, and use my efforts to excommunicate him from the fellowship of rational men? Justice and conscience answer no. Is not then the conduct which many manifest towards Second Advent believers highly culpable? For what, I ask, are they condemned? In opposition to the mass in Christendom, they do not believe that the “Lord delayeth his coming.” The unequivocal fulfilments of prophecy assure them that their “redemption draweth nigh.” As the blossoming of the fig-tree giveth intimation of the approaching summer, so does the aspect of the times give them confidence to believe that they shall soon witness the glorious appearing of the Savior. Their waiting eyes are under heaven, whence cometh their help and hope. They already enjoy an antepast of the bliss to come, when hope shall be swallowed up in fruition. Even now in the visions of faith they hear the trump of the archangel. Their longing hearts leap for jov at the sound. The morn of the first resurrection has come. The Prince and host of heaven appear in the clouds with ineffable splendor. The saints which sleep the sleep of death burst the bands of the grave, and are caught up into the air. They which never tasted of death, like Enoch of old, are translated to the skies. Then the world, cleansed from all its pollutions, is transformed into an Eden, lovlier than the first, and the New Jerusalem, with its crystal light, its gates of pearl, and golden streets, is seen coming down from heaven as a bride “adorned for her husband.” Such are the anticipations of second advent believers. The candid, truth-seeking man, will neither ridicule nor denounce them. He invariably manifests a spirit of brotherly love. He seeks to test their belief by the records of inspiration, and if it stands that ordeal he embraces and advocates it. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.3
There is notoriously an impression in the public mind, unfavorable to this belief. Young and old, learned and unlearned, pastor and people, and different denominations harmoniously unite in opposing it. Introduce the subject in almost any circle, and you excite the ridicule of the company, and their kind sympathy is bestowed upon those who have sunk so low in the scale of humanity, as to fall victims to the delusion. The person who ventures to read a second advent publication, runs in hazard of losing his reputation, but woe, a double woe to him who only reads but believes. The truth-seeking man does not deem the public mind infallible, nor take it for granted that this general impression is well-founded. With a true philosophic spirit he traces it to its source, and that source he finds to be ignorance. There is a strange presumption in mankind to condemn what they know nothing about, and never was this more strikingly exemplified than in relation to these matters at the present day. In conclusion let me say to the neutral truth-seeker, read, and investigate with candor. But above all search the Book of books. That you can read without the aid of commentaries, and expositions. There are the records of true wisdom, and he who builds up the fabric of his theory on that sure and solid foundation, will not fall into delusion, and believe a lie. An Enquirer. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.4
Pembroke, N. H. Nov. 16th, 1842. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.5
The truly wise may be known by the manner in which they are affected by the truth. Preach to them whatever doctrine you will, if it be true they will understand it, be edified by it, and be sure to make a wise improvement of it; self-denial, or Christian liberty, Christian forbearance, or whatever doctrine you will, it will find its counterbalance in their minds—will not carry them to extremes, but will be the instrument of their sanctification. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.6
Letters
Received up to Nov. 28th, 1842. From P. M., Manchester, N. H. North [original illegible], Vt. Schenectady, N Y. Erving, Mass. Hartford, Ct. Wales, Me. West Prospect, Me. Orrington, Me. Cape Neddick, Me. Bangor, Me. Troy, N. Y. Nolensville, Ten. Derby Line, Vt. Utica, N. Y. Clinton, N. Y Orwell, Vt. Colchester Vt. Strafford Corner, N. H. Oxford, N. Y. Wareham, Mass. Rochester, Vt. N. Bedford, Mass. Brockett’s Briah, N. Y. Dover, N. H. Salem, Mass. New Market, Ind. Eastham, Mass. Warehouse Point, Ct. Braintree, Vt. Martinsburg, Pa. Whatley, Mass. Hartford, Ct. Jay, Me. New Ipswich, N. H. Harmony, S. C. Scituate, Mass. Brockett’s Briah, N. Y. Union Mills, N. Y. Detroit, Mich. Augusta, Ill. Low Hampton, N. Y. Chelmsford, Mass. Canaan, Me. Dover, N. H. Suffield, Ct. Derby Line, Vt. Frost Village, Canada East, Jamestown, N. Y. Oneida Lake, N. Y. Wareham, Mass. Perry, N. Y. Marshfield, Vt. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.7
From Abigail Marshall, Timothy Cole, T. M. Preble, Sarah M. Case, Chs. McCoy, J. Weston, J. W. Marden, D. Cunningham, Chs. Clisson, M. M. George, Chs. Dow, J. D. Marsh, Andrew Simpson, Warren Wellman, C. S. Brown, Seth Blanchard, T. P. Childs, Benj. Spaulding, S. W. Smith, Daniel Waldren, G. F. Cox, G. S. Miles, $13,00, R. Emery, Dutton & Coburn, A. B. Huntington, I. H. Shipman, $20,00, Ch. Fitch, Moses Cummings, H. Flemming, W. Smith, Wms. Thayer, W. & C. B. Roberts, Chs. Churchill, E. W. Twing, Sam’l S. Shaw, T. Noyes, J. Weston, E. A. Poole, $3,00. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.8
Books Sent
One bundle to Chs. McCoy, Woonsocket Falls, R. I. One to T. M. Preble, Nashua, N. H. One to G. F. Cox, Orrington, Me., to be left at the Steam Boat Wharf, Hampden, Me. One to G. S. Miles, Albany, N. Y. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.9
SECOND ADVENT MEETING
There will be a course of Lectures (the Lord willing) upon the second coming of Christ in 1843, at the Methodist Chapel in this village, commencing Monday evening, Dec. 5th, and will continue afternoons and evenings through the week. Lecturers Brethren Hawks and Hastings, and others, are expected. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.10
Westfield, Mass., Nov. 27, 1842. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.11
DOW & JACKSON, PRINTERS. HST November 30, 1842, page 88.12
BOOKS AND JOBS PRINTED AT SHORT NOTICE.