Signs of the Times and Expositor of Prophecy [Himes], vol. 3
May 4, 1842
Vol. III.—No. 5. Boston, Whole No. 53
Joshua V. Himes & Josiah Litch, Editors. Office No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
AND EXPOSITOR OF PROPHECY.
Lectures on Prophecy,—No. IV
by james a. begg, glasgow.
The value of Scripture Prophecy as a light to the Church.
But the dangers to which men will be exposed from the various forms of evil and of error, give additional value to the word of prophecy which warns us of them. It tells of false Christs, and false prophets, and intimates their character, with the nature and extent of their devices, from a study of which the church will derive the advantage of knowing and avoiding them. The close of this dispensation is indeed one of fearful trouble; but God, who has said that as our day is, so shall our strength be, has by prophecy forewarned us of these dangers, and animates us to the conflict by the prospect and assurance of victory and glory. Prophecy has been little understood aright, chiefly, I believe, because the need of its light has been less felt than it will be. But when, in the extremity of their necessities, men, fearing God and desiring to please Him, seek safe guidance, taking good heed unto his prophecy, its valued light will doubtless grow brighter and brighter. Our poor sin-tossed world has indeed a deep and dark midnight to pass through, but the visions of the coming day—“the day,” of which the peculiar grace and glory mark it out in the emphatic language of the apostle as sufficiently definite and distinct—will they become more precious than now they seem. For the wisdom of God has been displayed in this, that while prophecy has been the source of consolation to believers in all ages, it is specially designed for, as it specially relates to, the last, “perilous times.” When the world waxes worse and worse, when gross darkness concerning the character of God covers the nations that once knew and in some measure honored Him, the light of prophecy comes in as upon a dark place, to enlighten those who will avail themselves of it. It is our consolation, and the cause of deep thankfulness to God, that he has so provided help and adapted it to our need. And as, when near the time of emancipation from this long-continued bondage, the Israelites had light in their dwellings, while darkness covered the land of Egypt; so the love of God has provided the light of prophecy for his church in the time of darkness that has yet to precede their entire deliverance. HST May 4, 1842, page 33.1
What we affirm, then, is that relative to the final struggle God has given a perfect outline, and has in many points, even condescended graciously to fill up that outline with important details. Now let the unbeliever but suppose for a moment all this to be true, and surely he cannot but see that our case will be a blessed one compared with his own. How different the case of the man who knows with the certainty of divine assurances, and of him who but darkly and dimly guesses at what is to follow, at each successive movement of God’s providence, and calculating the possibilities or the probabilities according to his own light—making all necessary allowance, as he must, for these calculations, all important as they are to him, being falsified by the event. At best, without prophecy, men can see God’s scheme only partially developed. But tracing, in the word of inspired truth, the progress of events, we are taught to contemplate them in the light of that final triumph which God and Christ and Christians shall have over all the power and malice of the devil, and of those who love to do his evil work. We can thus trace the progress of the great spiritual temple, from the foundation, through the period of its building, till its final completion; and in the enjoyment of the grace, and for the glory, we can ascribe now the praise of all, with understanding, to the Lord. We can thus even grow in faith, join in the anthems of the four living ones, and of the four and twenty elders, who unitedly give glory to the Lamb on his opening the long-sealed book, saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hath redeemed us to God, by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9, 10. And thus beholding the end and consequence of Christ’s sufferings and death, in His triumph and glory, we are further taught to connect our own trials and sufferings, as the needed preparation for that blessed exaltation, with our share in His glory and reign upon the earth. HST May 4, 1842, page 33.2
Many talk of the light of prophecy as if it were a light which would endanger Him who used it. But such, you perceive, my dear friends, is far from being God’s mode of speaking of it. In the mind of the inspired apostle, it has the place of a light expressly designed to be used, and which must be helpful to us to whom it is given, and for the use of which—for the right use of which—we are held responsible. It is a light which shows that the work of the wicked shall not always rest upon the lot of the righteous—and, therefore, encouraging us to bear up under our present trials. In this murky night of the church’s poverty and degradation, it promises safe guidance through the dangers which it more distinctly reveals. It is a light which streams from our Father’s House, directing forward our contemplations, and cheering by its sweet associations with home, telling of the dawn of a blissful day, and of a glorious inheritance safely reserved for us. And when we may often be ready to faint, let us therefore think of what is in store for us, if found faithful, when at length all evil shall pass away, and praise, honor and glory shall be bestowed upon us, and we shall enter with triumph into the joy of our Lord. HST May 4, 1842, page 33.3
My dear friends, the apostle does not take the place of humble apologist in regard to the consideration of prophecy. He does not deem it necessary to anticipate and reply to the objections of luke-warm brethren, now so freely urged against those who esteem it a privilege to possess and to use the “sure word of prophecy,” and who delight in the prospect of the joys it unfolds. Peter stands here on higher ground than that which we are often called to occupy, of disproving that the man who gives his time and attention to a prayerful meditation on the mighty purposes of Jehovah must needs be an enthusiast, whose “day-dreams” are unworthy the consideration of sane and sober minds. The apostle and God’s spirit in him, regard the knowledge of all prophecy as truly practical, as well as sure; important, yes, and necessary for the safe guidance of the church of Christ. It is not a mere statement of facts in which we might be little interested, but is as a lamp unto our path. HST May 4, 1842, page 33.4
But although Peter thus enforces upon us the duty and the privilege of being mindful of all that the holy prophets have spoken, and testifies of it all that it is “a light shining in a dark place,” he nevertheless has been led to speak of this, chiefly as it stands in connection with the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; and therefore he again enlarges upon the receptions which this truth should meet from men: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. In this they willingly are ignorant of that, by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water, perished; but the heaven and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:3-7. HST May 4, 1842, page 33.5
The apostle, therefore, in the verses immediately proceeding those of our text. Impresses upon us the reality and certainty of the promised glory of Christ in His kingdom, recalling to rememberance the transfiguration scene of which he was one of the favored witnesses. It was a most remarkable instance of the Father’s acknowledgment of Christ, visible to the eyes and audible to the ears of the awe-struck disciples—an embodied representation of the glory of the kingdom: “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father, honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven, we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount,” 2 Peter 1:16-18. It is not only a glorious confirmation of the truth of his testimony concerning the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to which the apostle thus adverts, but a perfect illustration of it. The King himself was there with irradiated countenance, and some of the noblest subjects of the kingdom. Moses appears as the representative of the righteous dead, and Elias the representative of the translated saints, while the disciples who had not passed through their great change by either portal, stood the representatives of men in the flesh, rendering willing allegiance to Him who by the travail of His soul was about to purchase for himself the throne of universal umpire in the nature He had assumed—while the approving voice of the Father testified His pleasure in the Son. This voice the apostle heard, and he bears witness to the whole as a glorious reality, and no cunningly-devised fable. The heathen, indeed, were accustomed to avail themselves of devices for deceiving the people into a belief of that for which they desired to obtain credit. By fraudulent means, the oracles of the gods were made to utter what was really only the will and words of the priests; and, by their deceptions, they practieds upon the credulity of those of whose superstition they made gain. The apostle, however, in his testimony to the coming kingdom of Christ, used no such stratagems. However wonderful, it is not the less true, that the Savior who had expired upon the cross shall come again, visibly to reign in glory. In confirmation of this, he appeals to the scene of which he and others had been eye and ear-witnesses, when a glory, precisely similar in kind, had to their comfort and joy been vouchsafed to their Lord, even in the days of his humiliation. HST May 4, 1842, page 33.6
But, however interesting and pleasing to the church the glory and majesty which was witnessed by the disciples on the mount, the apostle attaches even a still greater importance to the testimonies of sacred prophecy, for he adds, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.” He is far from making small account of the transfiguration to which he had referred as of such consequence; but still he reminds us that we have a more sure word—the word of prophecy. That word is stored with assurances and details of the Messiah’s glory. Although recorded by inspiration, and absolutely true, the transfiguration was but a single transaction, while there are in prophecies of older times, as well as in those more recently bestowed, a thousand harmonizing predictions, each recorded under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit who witnessed in the apostles and evangelists concerning that event. And although from the circumstances which we have already noticed, the transfiguration appears to us plainly and beautifully illustrative of the relation of those having part in the coming kingdom, all this is an application wholly inferential, and for which we have no express warrant of the Spirit of God. The same events and relations, as seen in the statements of prophecy, are, however, most certain, being the explicit entrances of the Holy Spirit, and may thus be referred to as “more sure.” HST May 4, 1842, page 34.1
The words, “we have also a more sure word of prophecy,” have likewise been interpreted as containing no comparison between the transfiguration and prophecy, but as simply intimating that prophecy, by the more recent fulfilment of many particulars concerning the humiliation of Christ, is confirmed, or made more sure to us, in what it relates of His glory in His future coming; and that we are, therefore, called by the apostle to rest in its predictions with the greater confidence on that account. But whether we regard him in the one sense or the other, prophecy is commended to our believing reception as a steady and certain light in the darkness of this gloomy moral night. In either case, we are called to see in prophecy the certainty of the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, however true, and however wonderful, the vision which Peter, James, and John, had of the glory of our Lord upon the mount of transfiguration, while the voice there declared Him to be the beloved Son of God, that which the word of prophecy contains concerning both is full, clear, and explicit, embracing in its manifold utterances, much to establish, comfort, and cheer the hearts of those who love his blessed name. HST May 4, 1842, page 34.2
Extracts from Fitch’s Sermons.—No. 3
4. Another thing which Christ will do at his coming, is to burn up the wicked, with the world. On this point the prophets give more abundant testimony than on the last. HST May 4, 1842, page 34.3
Isaiah says, “Come near ye nations to hear, and hearken ye people—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 up out of their carcasses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.” This in found in the same connection with the declaration, that the streams shall be turned into pitch, and the dust into brimstone, and that the land shall become burning pitch. The same prophet however declares, “For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire, and by his word will the Lord plead with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many.” God has also declared by Ezekiel—in relation to Gog, by whom is meant the multitude of the wicked: “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood, and I will rain upon him and his bands, and the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.” In the Psalms it is declared: Upon the wicked God shall rain waves, fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest; this shall be the portion of their cup. Again—“A fire goeth before Him and burneth up his enemies round about.” HST May 4, 1842, page 34.4
Daniel in vision saw the beast destroyed, and his body given to the burning flame. By this beast was meant, it is believed, the wicked who shall be on the earth at the coming of Christ. This fearful destruction of the wicked is believed to be brought fully into view, by nearly all the prophets. Zechariah says, “And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord shall smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem.” Jerusalem here, probably, means the true church of Christ. “Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongues shall consume away in their mouths.” Here he has described precisely the effect of fire. Malachi says—“Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall; And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet, in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.” It is not possible for language to be more explicit. The wicked shall be burned up saith the Lord of hosts, and neither root nor branch left. They shall be ashes under the feet of the saints, saith the Lord of hosts, and in order to this they must be burnt to ashes. HST May 4, 1842, page 34.5
Christ has taught us most unequivocally, that this shall be the doom of the wicked. In explaining to his disciples the parable of the tares of the field, He said,—He that sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world: the good seed are the children of the kingdom, and the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil: the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be at the end of the world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear let him hear. How absurd to suppose that Christ explained one figure by giving another. This must be the literal interpretation.—In the same chapter he says, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, which was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind. Which when it was full they drew to shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Here is the figure. Now for the interpretation. So shall it be at the end of the world—the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. This must be literal. A single quotation from the apostle Paul, will close all that I shall now present on this part of my subject. To the Thessalonians he says, the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. Thus you see, my hearers, that the Bible teaches, in the plainest manner, that at the coming of Christ the wicked are to be destroyed by fire. Burned up with the world, so that neither root nor branch remain; and at the end of a thousand years, Satan is to be loosed out of his prison, and the wicked are to be gathered as the sand of the sea, and are to come up around the camp of the saints, and around the beloved city, the abode of those who have lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years, and fire shall then come down from heaven and devour them. And they shall be cast, with the devil, into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. HST May 4, 1842, page 34.6
Truly, my hearers, it will be found “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” HST May 4, 1842, page 34.7
Sermon for the Times
BY a layman.
Keep out of debt. Avoid it, as you would war, pestilence and famine. Hate it with a perfect hatred. Abhor it with an entire and absolute abhorrence. Do any thing that is honest and useful, rather than run in debt. As you value comfort, quiet, independence, keep out of debt. As you value good digestion, a healthy appetite, a placid temper, a smooth pillow, sweet sleep, pleasant dreams and happy wakings, keep out of debt. HST May 4, 1842, page 34.8
As you love freedom, keep out of debt.—Debt is the hardest of all task-masters, the cruelist of all oppressors. It is a mill-stone about the neck. It is an incubus on the heart. It spreads a cloud over the whole firmament of a man’s being. It eclipses the sun, it blots out the stars, it dims and defaces the beautiful blue of the sky. It breaks up the harmony of nature, and turns to dissonance all the voices of its melody. It furrows the forehead with premature wrinkles, it plucks the eye of its light, it drags all nobleness and kingliness out of the port and bearing of a man. It takes the soul out of his laugh, and all steadiness and freedom from his walk. Come not under its accursed dominion. Pass by it as you would pass by the leper, or one smitten with the plague. Touch it not. Taste not of its fruit, for it shall turn to bitterness and ashes on your lips. Fiually, we say, to each and to all, but we speak especially to you, young men—keep out of debt. HST May 4, 1842, page 35.1
From the Quarterly Paper. HST May 4, 1842, page 35.2
Roman Catholic Missions
Appropriations
To the Foreign Mission Seminary, Rua de Bac, Paris, the sum of 208,883 fr. 30c. for the following missions, viz: HST May 4, 1842, page 35.3
| Fr. | |
| For that in Corea, | 18,648 |
| For the mission in Tartary, comprising | |
| Leao Tong Mongolia and Mantchouria, | 17,390 |
| For those in Su Tchuen, Yu-Nan and | |
| Koui-Tcheou, in the Chinese empire. | 23,748 |
| For that in Western Tong-King, | 30,604 |
| For that in Cochin-China, Combodia, and Laos, | 28,708 |
| For those of Siam and the kingdom of Queda, | 28,298 |
| For the Malabar mission, | 30,518 |
| For the seminary at Pulo Pinang, | 6,600 |
| For extra expenses of the agency at Macao, | 24,333 |
To the Lazarists, the sum of 130,333 fr. 30c. for the following missions, viz: HST May 4, 1842, page 35.4
| Macao, Chinese seminary and agency, | 15.000 | ||
| Si-Vang, in Tartary, mission and little seminary, | 8,000 | ||
| Mission in the province of Pekin, | 11,000 | ||
| “ | “ | Nankin, | 3,000 |
| “ | “ | Tche-Kiang, | 5,000 |
| “ | “ | Kiang-Si, | 3,000 |
| Expense of erecting the apostolic vicariate | |||
| for the two provinces of Tche-Kiang and Kiang-Si, | 3,000 | ||
| Mission in Abyssinia, | 15,000 | ||
| “ | at Antoura, in Syria, | 5,000 | |
| “ | at Aleppo, | “ | 4,000 |
| “ | at Damascus, | “ | 4,000 |
| “ | at Tripoli, | “ | 2,000 |
| “ | at Constantinople, | 6,000 | |
| “ | at Smyrna, | 10,000 | |
| “ | at Salonica, | 3,000 | |
| “ | at Naxos, | 1,000 | |
| “ | at Santorin, | 1,000 | |
| New mission in Texas, | 8,000 | ||
| Missions in Missouri and Illinois, seminary | |||
| and college of St. Mary des Barrens. | 7,000 | ||
| Passage of missionaries who have gone | |||
| to these missions in, | 9,333 | ||
For the Missions of the Company of Jesuits, the sum of, fr. viz: HST May 4, 1842, page 35.5
| For those of Missouri and New-Orleans, U. S. | 15,000 | |
| “ | Kentucky, | 6,000 |
| “ | Jamaica, | 1,000 |
| “ | Madura, East Indies, | 31,500 |
| “ | Calcutta, | 5,000 |
| “ | Tinos and Syra, | 3,000 |
| “ | Syria, | 10,000 |
For the Missions of the Capuchins, the sum of, fr. viz: HST May 4, 1842, page 35.6
| For those of Constantinople and the Archipelago, | 6,400 | |
| For that in Georgia, | 2,000 | |
| “ | Syria, | 2,000 |
| At the disposal of the agent of the missions, | 2,000 |
For the Missions of the Carmellies, the sum of, fr. viz: HST May 4, 1842, page 35.7
| For that in Syria, | 2,000 | |
| “ | Persia, | 4,500 |
Missions in Occanica:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.8
| To my Lord Rouchouse, bishop, apostolic vicar of Eastern Oceanica, | 80,431 |
| To my lord Pompallier, bishop, apostolic vicar of Western Oceanica, | 78,000 |
| To my lord Polding, bishop, apostolic vicar of Australi, | 21,500 |
Missions in China:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.9
| For the apostolic vicariates of Chunsi of Hon. Quouang, | |
| and the Italian agency at Macao, | 89,000 |
| For the Spanish missions in Fo-Kien, | 16,900 |
Missions in Ton-King:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.10
| For the missions in eastern Ton-King, | 12,000 |
Missions in the East Indies:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.11
| To my lord Cao, bishop, apostolic vicar of Pegu and Ava, | 9,900 |
| To my lord Pessoni, bishop apostolic vicar of Thibet and Hindostan, | 17,700 |
| To my lord Carew, bishop, apostolic vicar of Madras, | 13,000 |
| To my lord St. Anne, bishop, apostolic vicar of Verapolis, | 26,000 |
| For the apostolic vicariate of Calcutta, (outfits of missionaries,) | 6,000 |
Missions in Africa:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.12
| To my lord Griflitz, bishop, apostolic vicar of the Cape of Good Hope, | 13,000 |
| For the mission at Tripoli in Barbary, | 1,300 |
| To my lord Dupuch, bishop of Algiers, | 41,883 |
| To my lord Perpetue de Solero, bishop, apostolic vicar of Egypt, | 16,900 |
Missions in the Levant:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.13
| For the apostolic delegation to Babylon and Persia, | 13,000 |
| For the mission in Tauris, | 6,000 |
| To the reverend fathers, the Guardians of the Holy Land, | 32,500 |
| To my lord Vilardell, archbishop of Philippi, apostolic | |
| vicar and dele gate to Lebanon, | 32,500 |
| To my lord Mussabini, archbishop of Smyrna, | 13.000 |
Missions in Europe:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.14
| To my lord Hillereau, archbishop of Petra, patriarchal apostolic | ||
| vicar of Constantinople, | 26,500 | |
| To my lord Marusci, archbishop primate of the Catholic | ||
| Armenians at Constantinople, | 6,900 | |
| To my lord Mulajoni, bishop, apostolic vicar of Bulgaria and Wallachia, | 8,800 | |
| For the mission at Philippopolis, | 1,300 | |
| ” | Tynos, | 2,600 |
| To my lord Blancis, bishop of Syra, apostolic vicar of Continental Greece, | 19,500 |
For the missions in Albania Servia, and Macedonia, the sum of, fr. viz: HST May 4, 1842, page 35.15
| To my lord Louis William, titular bishop of Scutari, | 2,500 |
| To my lord, the bishop of Alessio, | 543 |
| To my lord, the bishop of Sappa, | 1,097 |
| To the reverend apostolic vicar of Scoppia, | 1.087 |
| For the reverend fathers, the Franciscans of Pulati, | 271 |
| For the reverend fathers, the reformed Minorites of Pulati, | 500 |
North America:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.16
| To my lord Fleming, apostolic vicar of Newfoundland and Labrador, | 22,100 |
| To my lord Provencher, bishop for the mission at Hudson’s Bay, | 7,800 |
| To my lord Frazer, bishop, apostolic vicar of Nova Scotia, | 18,200 |
| To my lord Gaulein, bishop of Kingston, Upper Canada, | 4,000 |
| To my lord Eccleston, archbishop of Baltimore, | 7,327 |
| To my lord Loras, bishop of Dubuque, | 52,827 |
| To my lord Purcell, bishop of Cincinnati, | 39,827 |
| To my lord Fenwick, bishop of Boston, | 20,327 |
| To my lord Kenrick, acting Bishop of Philadelphia, | 20,327 |
| To my lord Hughes, acting bishop of New-York, | 831 |
| To my lord Miles, bishop of Nashville, | 26,827 |
| To my lord Flaget, bishop of Bardstown, | 21,409 |
| To my lord Hailandier, bishop of Vincennes, | 65,827 |
| To my lord Rosati, bishop of St. Louis, | 20,327 |
| To my lord Blanc, acting bishop of Natchez, | 10,827 |
| To my lord England, bishop of Charleston, | 13,827 |
| Outfit of missionaries to Detroit, | 4,000 |
South America:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.17
| To my lord Macdonald, bishop, apostolic vicar of the English Antilles, | 26,000 |
| To my lord Clancy, bishop, apostolic vicar of English Guaina, | 13,000 |
| For the Dutch missions, | 6,500 |
Incidentals:— HST May 4, 1842, page 35.18
| Publication of the Annals, Prospectus, etc., | 117,395 |
| Expenses of administration, | 25,237-142,632 |
| Total, | 1,537,075 |
| Remaining in the treasury, | 802,941 |
| Grand total, | 2,340,016 |
American Bible Society
The twenty-sixth anniversary of this institution will be held in New York, on the second Thursday of May next, at 10 o’clock, A. M. in the Broadway Tabernacle. The monthly periodical of the Society contains the following impressive appeal for funds. HST May 4, 1842, page 35.19
“The friends of the Society are reminded that another Biblical year is drawing to its close. The inquiry should arise in the mind of every reader, Have I done all my duty to the sacred cause which this institution is endeavoring to promote? Has it been a subject of reflection and prayer? Has it received from me that pecuniary support which its importance demands? There are many, it is believed, who can give an affirmative response to all these inquiries. There are others who must be constrained to acknowledge that they have thus far neglected this cause, have thought of it but little, prayed for it little, and contributed to it nothing since the last anniversary. HST May 4, 1842, page 35.20
“During the former part of the year the receipts were good, and the Managers were led to hope that in addition to the carrying forward of their domestic operations, they should be able to meet most or all the calls from abroad, though these calls require the sum of $50,000. They regret to state that during the last few months the receipts have fallen off, and many of the above calls are not likely to be met, unless an unusual effort is put forth now in the months of March and April. It is urgently requested that every Auxiliary which has not made its remittance the present year, would take this matter at once in hand, and do something. Those which are indebted for books can see that payment is made at least in part. Those which are out of debt can obtain individual or congregational donations, and see them remitted to the Treasury. Funds are called for in greater or less sums for Greece, Turkey, Syria, India, at four stations, and for the Sandwich Islands. It remains with those to whom this appeal is made whether these calls referred to shall be met or not. The Annual Report in May will show how far they are met, and how far the needy are left to ask for the bread of life in vain. We cannot but add here, that pastors would do well to remind their congregations that every life director of the American Bible Society, (paying $150) receives back five Bibles a year while he lives; and every life member contributing $30, receives back in the same way, two Bibles a year. Many pastors, now life members, could they be made life directors by an additional $120 furnished by their congregation, would receive five Bibles per annum for the benefit of some who might need them.” HST May 4, 1842, page 36.1
Economy for giving
Multitudes practise a rigid economy in giving; that is, they give as little as they possibly can give. The same economy in the ordinary expenses of the family would be set down as meanness; and those who practised it would be esteemed accordingly. But there are very few who practise economy for the sake of giving; who save their sixpences that they may have pounds to bestow, when the calls of the suffering world come home to their hearts. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.2
And we have never been able to settle satisfactorily to our minds, the degree of self-denial which Christians at the present day are required to exercise, that their means of contribution to objects of benevolence may be increased. But there are certain expenditures, more or less common to all Christians in easy circumstances, that should be retrenched, if not entirely saved. There is not a doubt that the income of all the religious societies in this country is exceeded by the useless expenses of the church members. We have not the means at hand for furnishing the statistics of intemperance and luxury in our land, but here is the table for Great Britain in the year 1838: Customs and excise on spirits, British and Foreign, $36,745,062 Malt and Hops, 23,266,504 Wine, 8,204,698 Tobacco and Snuff, 15,830,275 Horses, 1,677,575 Carriages, 1,967,809 Dogs, 694,222 Post horses, 1,072,293 Total, $89,448,638 HST May 4, 1842, page 36.3
In connexion with this table is published a schedule of the receipts of the principal charities of Great Britain, by which it appears that the whole amounts is short of $3,000,000. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.4
Probably the disproportion is not so great in this country. There is less wealth and less luxury here. But if we could ascertain the sum expended for intoxicating drinks, for tobacco and other useless and injurious articles of consumption, and add to these the cost of habits that are the fruit of idleness or pride, we should have a sum far exceeding all that has been contributed for public charity since the country was discovered. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.5
What hope is there, then, that the church will ever do more for the world’s conversion than she is now doing? Her Missionaries are all in debt, and her operations crippled. When is the world to be converted, at this rate? When? Eds. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.6
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
BOSTON, MAY 4, 1842.
Editorial Correspondence—No. I
Dear Bro. Litch:—In my absence from Boston a few weeks, I propose to give you some facts relating to the progress of the cause in which we have embarked, and which, to us, is the most important and soul-cheering in the universe. It is no less than the ushering in of the new heavens and earth—paradise restored—the re-blooming of Eden, in which, in the language of Watts: HST May 4, 1842, page 36.7
“The sons of Adam (will) boast,
More blessings than their fathers lost.”
HST May 4, 1842, page 36.8
The creation of this world was a theme for angels’ songs. “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” They beheld Eden, the place of delights in innocence, beauty and glory. The smile of the Lord was upon all the work of his hands. Angels and men, with all the animate and inanimate creation, were then pronounced good, “very good;” consequently the rational and brute creation were innocent and happy—the smiles of their God, and blooming Eden, in the midst of whose bowers they were placed, constituted their perfect bliss. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.9
But the song of angels ceased; man, weak foolish man, put forth his hand—took the forbidden fruit, and forfeited his inheritance—all, all, in a moment was lost. Eden’s bowers were dressed in mourning heaven in sadness, and man in guilt and sham. All was lost! What a change? A dark and dreary scene succeeds. Man, ungrateful, sinful man, is doomed, with his posterity, to sufferings, toil, pain, and death. He must go to the dust from whence he came; the decree went forth: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” HST May 4, 1842, page 36.10
It is our happiness to live in a time when we, according to the promise of God, look for a “new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous persons.” It is true that the righteous have looked for this in every age since the fall. The patriarchs, in their time, both in the antediluvian world, and the succeeding patriarchal age of Noah’s earth. So of the kings, prophets, and holy ones of the Jewish, and of the saints under the gospel age, all, having no “continuing city,” here, “looked for one to come. But we, dear brother, according to our understanding of the Scriptures, look for it to be ushered in, in the course of a very short time. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.11
“When all its glory will stand revealed
To our admiring eyes.”
HST May 4, 1842, page 36.12
Then will the second grand song be sung by angels and redeemed man, at the birth of a new world that shall not be subject to any contingency connected with the will of man. “But the new heavens and earth that God shall create will abide forever.” And the saints in this new and heavenly dynasty, “Shall take the kingdom and posses it forever, even forever and ever.” Then HST May 4, 1842, page 36.13
“His own soft hand shall wipe the tears
From every weeping eye,
And pains, and groans, and griefs, and fear,
And death itself shall die.”
HST May 4, 1842, page 36.14
What a glorious hope? How full of bliss; unmingled, uninterrupted and eternal bliss. And shall we be among the sons of God, who shall be born of him in the resurrection to life, to inherit this possession? Have we the faith of father Abraham? I confess to you, my brother, that I sometimes fear, lest I should come short. May God keep us from falling, and preserve us blameless unto his heavenly kingdom. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.15
Believing as we do, that this kingdom is nigh at hand, “even at the doors,” we have been constrained to give up every unnecessary worldly consideration, that we might publish the “glad tidings” of the bridegroom’s speedy approach, to the church, and the world. And so far as we may be able, by the blessing of God, to wake up the “slumbering virgins.” HST May 4, 1842, page 36.16
It is for this object, that I am now on my way to New York, with our beloved brother Miller, to give a course of lectures on the speedy approach of the Lord Messiah. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.17
It will give you pleasure to hear that brother Miller’s health is much improved, and that the prospect now is, that he will be able to go through with his lectures in that city, as advertised in the “Signs of the Times.” We shall no doubt have a hard siege; but God is able to give triumph to his truth through Christ. Besides, I doubt not but we shall have the united prayers of the saints, (who believe the advent nigh) “scattered abroad.” HST May 4, 1842, page 36.18
In giving this course of lectures in New York, it will be one object, 1. To establish the doctrine of the personal reign of Christ in the millennium,instead of a spiritual one. 2. To show by historical prophecy, and the signs of the times, that Christ is at the door, and will very soon make his appearance a “second time” in his royal and magnificent robes, without a sin-offering, to the eternal salvation of his people. 3. To show, from history and the Scriptures, that every link in the chain of historical prophecy has been fulfilled but the last—“the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven.” HST May 4, 1842, page 36.19
We shall be met in this work by several classes of opposers. The first will be the advocates of the “world’s conversion.” The church has made her arrangements, and laid her plans for the world’s conversion. She will not easily give it up. She is bent upon it. She thinks she is really accomplishing it; though the world is growing worse; and the Catholics are girdling the globe and making ten converts to the papal beast, to their one to true Christianity. They will have it that the field shall all be cultivated, and every tare rooted out, although the Head of the church has absolutely assured her that the wheat and the tares should grow together till the harvest—and that the harvest is the END OF THE WORLD. Will it be strange, if we meet with strong and combined opposition from this class of our opponents? Such infatuation will lead its subjects to a spirited defence of what they conceive to be the truth. But we must meet them with the word of God. If they will hear, they will be enlightened, disarmed, and will receive the truth. HST May 4, 1842, page 36.20
A second class of opposers will be found among Judaisers. Some of them perfectly agree with us in the pre-millennial advent; and many of them think it is nigh. But they mix it up with Judaism, so that the whole effect of the doctrine of the advent nigh is lost. It is like all error, it puts the world to sleep on the grand question of eternity—the preparation NOW to meet the Lord in peace. What does it avail to talk to the wicked about a preparation for eternity at the speedy coming of the Lord: when at the same time the idea of the scattered descendants of Abraham to be gathered before he comes. Any poor rebel against the king can see, that if the Lord is not to come till carnal Israel is gathered, that he will not witness the coming of the Lord in his day, though he should be a second Methuselah! Those also, that look for his return at the advent, generally teach, that probation will be continued to the race, at least a thousand years afterwards, and some, three hundred and sixty-five thousand years!! This doctrine is stupifying to the last degree: it is not easy to say which is the most deleterious, the former or the latter. They are both fables. But from men who believe them to be the truth, we rationally expect opposition. Well, let it come, we are ready to meet it. The first principles of the Christian faith have set this matter to rest, in our minds. “THERE IS NO MORE JEW.” Well, if there is no more Jew, then there are no promises for him! There can be no promises for that which does not exist! HST May 4, 1842, page 37.1
Another class, and the third, which I may mention among opponents, will be found among the “scoffers of the last time.” We shall find them in every sect, but more particularly among the Universalists, Deists, and Infidels. But many of these will be found among the anxious inquirers after the truth of these things, and the more candid among them, no doubt, will be converted to the faith. Their opposition will not retard the progress of the cause. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.2
But I must close. I did not think of filling my sheet when I commenced, but so it is.—In my next I shall report what progress we may make in our work, by the permission of Providence. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.3
Yours in the blessed hope,
Joshua V. Himes.
Steam Boat Albany, North River, April 23rd, 1842.
Editorial Correspondence.—No. II
Dear Bro. Litch:—We arrived at New-York at 5 o’clock, on the 23rd inst., and took lodgings at the Atheneum. Bro. Miller, however, commenced his lectures in the large hall of the Oppollo, and gave three discourses at the usual hours of public service, to very good and attentive audiences. His health is now quite good. I never heard him speak with greater clearness, and power, than yesterday. In the morning he took up the subject of the personal coming of Christ, and the contemporaneous events. In the afternoon and evening, he illustrated the visions of Daniel,connected with the twenty-three hundred days. In the evening the audience was large, and while he gave his proofs of the time, of the coming and kingdom of God, they listened with the most profound attention. I have no doubt conviction was carried home to many minds, of the truth of the time, as well as the manner of Christ’s second coming in his kingdom. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.4
The prospect now is, that he will have a fair and candid hearing in this community. We saw several of the city clergymen in the congregation, who appeared to listen with deep attention. What effect it may have upon them we of course cannot divine, as, you know, we do not profess to be prophets. However, one thing we are assured of, the subject will be taken up by most of the ministers in some public way, and whether they preach against it, or for it, the cause will be advanced. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.5
I learn that a sermon was delivered on the subject at the Tabernacle last evening, but did not learn the special topic of discourse, only that it was on the second advent. Prof. Bush, also, gave one of his series of lectures on the prophecies at the College Chapel. Thus you see that the subject is being agitated in high places, as well as among the common people, and that “knowledge must increase.” HST May 4, 1842, page 37.6
In relation to our expenses here, I will just say, that the prospect is that we shall fall considerably short. The collections do not meet the daily expenditures. But if we are doing the work of the Lord, I doubt not but he will open the hearts of his servants to aid us. We are breaking up new ground. We shall have friends here in time to come, if they are not multiplied while we are now here. Our friends abroad will readily see that this is a most important place, and that from this city the word will go out into all parts of the country, and into many parts of the world. The influence of these lectures will be immense. Under these considerations we think the friends of the cause will not see us suffer for the proper means to accomplish the design without embarrassment. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.7
Yours, in the work of the Lord,
J. V. Himes.
New York, April 25, 1842.
Christian Confidence
“Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” The importance of this apostolic injunction cannot be too highly appreciated by the Christian. It is forgetfulness of it which so often involves the disciples of Christ in trouble and darkness—fills them with gloomy fears and foreboding of future evil, and of coming short at last. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.8
But come, Christian brother or sister, and let us reason together:—How was you at first saved: was it because you was worthy of the unspeakable blessing of pardon and adoption that you were received? Or, was it because God for Christ’s sake had mercy on you, sinful, unworthy and hell-deserving as you was? And have you ever, since that hour, had any thing, or done any thing to render you more worthy except what his grace has bestowed? If not, is his arm shortened that it cannot save? Or, is his ear heavy that it cannot hear? Rather, is he not the same, and the conditions of his grace the same; that by grace are ye saved, through faith? Yes, it is this gospel faith, faith in Christ as the resurrection and the life, by which ye are saved, if ye hold fast the beginning of your confidence steadfast unto the end. This faith unites us to Christ and secures to us his omnipotence while we hold it fast; it is the victory that overcometh the world. But, perhaps you say, “It is all true; but I am so prone to unfaithfulness and wanderings that I feel condemned and cannot trust as I used to do.” That indeed may be. But will you gain any thing even then by letting go your hold on Christ? The rather take hold of him with a firmer grasp, and confess all your wanderings, and his grace is still sufficient for you. All things are possible to him that believeth. True, say you, HST May 4, 1842, page 37.9
“But the most impossible of all is
That I ere from sin should cease;”
HST May 4, 1842, page 37.10
But can you not add,
“Yet shall it be, I know it shall,
Jesus look to thy faithfulness;
If nothing is too hard for thee,
All things are possible to me.”
HST May 4, 1842, page 37.11
Were the Christian set in his own strength to resist and overcome the world and sin, he might well despair. But it is not so; it is only to confess our sins, and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is “he who is able to do exceeding abundant above all that we can ask or think,” that has called us, and who also will do it. O what a rock on which to rest; Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to day and forever; a rock that never shall be moved. He is made of God unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. And he too is the hope of eternal life. Cast not away then your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. In every emergency, and in temptation’s darkest hour, look up to Jesus and say, the Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I trust in him, and you will surely find deliverance. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.12
Bro. T. F. Oaks,—Has just returned to the city from a tour in the state of Maine, where he has been lecturing on the Second Advent. He brings encouraging news of the success of the cause in that quarter. He will commence a course of lectures in Belfast, in the congregational meeting-house, Monday, May 9th, 7 o’clock, P. M. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.13
Hartford.—We learn that the brethren in this place are much encouraged since the Conference. The clergy have made but little or no opposition. Their strength is to sit still. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.14
Conference in Pitsfield, N. H
There will be a Conference of Christians, expecting the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to raise his saints who sleep in the dust of the earth—to change those who are alive on the earth at his appearing, that they may be caught up and enter together with Him into the marriage—to destroy the wicked, who are alive on the earth—to cleanse the sanctuary by fire, and make it a dwelling-place of righteousness, and then to descend with his saints in the New-Jerusalem, take possession of the new earth, and set up that kingdom which shall never be destroyed. The conference will not be a place for unpleasant controversy,but to comfort one another with the promises of Christ’s coming, and to cultivate that love and union among brethren, which will be perfect when we see Christ and are made like him. HST May 4, 1842, page 37.15
The Conference will commence on Monday, May 23, in the Free-will-Baptist meeting-house in Pittsfield, at 10 o’clock A. M. Ministering brethren and friends who love Christ’s appearing, are invited to attend and unite in the privileges of the Conference. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.1
Bro. Calvin French will commence a course of lectures in the above named place on Saturday evening, May 21st. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.2
Boston, April 27, 1842. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.3
Lectures in New York.—Bro. Miller was to commence his lectures on the 24th in the Opollo Rooms, 410 Broadway. His health is quite improved, and on the 23rd inst. in company with Bro. Himes, were on their way to the city. We shall duly report the progress and success of the lectures. We trust much good will be accomplished in that great city by them. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.4
True.—A correspondent writes—“I shall try to procure another subscriber, and if all your patrons will add another, then your number will be doubled.” HST May 4, 1842, page 38.5
The Troubles in Rhode Island—For some months past have kept the people there in a state of constant agitation, in consequence of each of two parties attempting to exercise the supreme power of the state, or to administer the government under two separate constitutions or forms of Government, one being the old form under which the state officers were chosen under the old charter before our separation from the British Government—the other, being that which was recently formed by delegates chosen by voluntary meetings of the people, somewhat irregularly, called, “the People’s Constitution.” “The Suffrage Party,” as they are called, a majority of whom voted for this constitution, numbered about 14,000 at the polls, but in choosing their state officers under this irregular constitution, there was a falling off, of more than one half, many towns not choosing representatives, or voting for them, which showed their want of confidence in the legality of the proceedings. The legislature of the state on the other hand, sent out a form for a constitution to be voted for by those who had been accustomed to vote for state officers, viz. the freeholders, of whom a majority voted against it. Whereupon those opposed to “the People’s Constitution,” considered the old form in force, and chose their state officers—Governor, Senators, Representatives, etc. accordingly. A special session of the legislature of these was called by the special power of the Governor at short notice, and met together at Providence, on Monday, April 25. The legislature under “the People’s Constitution,” were to convene on Tuesday, May 3rd, and military preparations were being made by their party, to secure their attendance, and by the other party and the legislature to prevent it. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.6
Previous to the first assembling of the legislature, however, application was made for advice and aid to the President of the United States, who was decidedly in favor of the legislature or old legislative party, in this affair, but thought himself not authorised to send on a military force, till the occurrence of some actual insurrection, or out-break. The letter from the President containing this information had an evident effect in disheartening the new party, or “Suffrage party,” and several of their candidates resigned. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.7
A new project for calling a convention for forming a constitution was brought forward by Mr. Jackson, in the legislature, on Tuesday, April 26, which provided for meetings in June of all the male citizens over twenty-one who had resided in the state one year, and in the town or city where they were to vote, three months, and had paid a tax on property within the state, all within a year of the election, who were at such meetings to choose delegates to a convention to be held the first Monday of August next to form a constitution. This proposed constitution had not been acted upon when this article was written or the action of the legislature had not reached the writer, April 28. In this newly proposed plan an objectionable feature in the old, of excluding colored people from the privilege of voting, was omitted, and no distinction of color proposed. Some constitution embracing equal rights, will soon be adopted. D. H. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.8
Second Advent Conference in Canada
A Conference on the second advent of Christ will be held in the Union meeting house, at STANSTEAD, LOWER CANADA, to commence Tuesday, May 31, at 10 o’clock, A. M. Bro. Litch and others from the States are expected to be present on the occasion. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.9
Colchester, Vt., and Vicinity.—We are requested to say that individuals in the vicinity of Colchester, can obtain a supply of second advent publications of Dea. E. Spencer, near the Congregational and Baptist meeting-house in Colchester. Also subscriptions for the Signs of the Times may be paid to him. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.10
COMMUNICATIONS
The New Heavens, etc
When I hear men, in order to evade the force of argument, which lays prostrate the theory of their selfish natures, declare, that the New Heavens and Earth were the Gospel dispensation, set up nearly 1840 years ago, it reminds me of “the drowning man catching at a straw.” HST May 4, 1842, page 38.11
The only way to elude the force of Paul’s “habitable Earth to come,” the Apocalyptical “New Jerusalem,” and the “New Heavens and Earth” of Peter, with the marked time of their introduction, viz. after the conflagration of the present heavens and earth; I say the only way to elude the force of these and others, is to make the new heavens and earth to be allegorical. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.12
This is a bold attempt of some modern authors, who choose rather to strain the word of God, than their own notions. 2 Peter 3:13. “Nevertheless we according to his promise look for a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Is this real, or only figurative? The words are clear, and why not interpret in the literal sense, unless it make an absurdity in the subject matter; but it does not, it cannot, unless the power of God’s word has failed. The very sense of the context is a sufficient proof for a rendering in a literal one. St. Peter uses the same phrase twice before in the same chapter. “The old heavens and earth” verse 5th. “The present heavens and earth,” verse 7th. and now again, in the 13th verse he uses it, “The new heavens and earth.” That he used them in a literal sense in verse 5th, 7th, none can honestly question; and as there is no mark of a new signification given from verse 13th, we are bound to understand that also in a similar sense. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.13
The Apostle informs us, that this new world is to appear after the conflagration.—Therefore it cannot be understood of any moral renovation at the setting up of the gospel dispensation, as these allegorists pretend. And if we follow some of our literalists still farther, who refer the conflagration spoken of by Peter, to the destruction of Jerusalem; and the new heavens and earth, to the setting up of the gospel dispensation, we discover at once that their fallacious allegorical theory dates the setting up of the new heavens and earth about 40 years previous to the conflagration. Peter’s express to the contrary notwithstanding; he says, after speaking of the present heavens and earth being dissolved, that nevertheless, that is, not-withstanding that wonderful dissolution of the present heavens and earth, we do according to God’s promise expect a new heaven and earth to be a fit habitation of the righteous. The apostle was looking for a new heaven, etc; he was looking for something yet to come. The gospel had already come, consequently we infer that the gospel dispensation is one thing, and the new heavens and earth another. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.14
If the above cited passage is not to be understood in a literal sense, I know not what bars the Spirit of God can set to keep us from allegorizing any and every passage of scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.15
For one I am looking for that new heaven and earth which is to succeed the first resurrection, “into which there shall in no wise enter, any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Yours, etc, loving the substance rather than the shadow. Hudson, N. H. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.16
Encouraging Letter
The glorious doctrine of the near coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, is fast gaining ground in this thriving village, Brother L. C. Collins has just closed a course of nine lectures in the Methodist Chapel, which have been well attended, many of whom are anxiously inquiring after the truth. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.17
I have no doubt but that from thirty to fifty are thoroughly converted to the truth of the doctrine. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.18
A very deep, religious state of feeling pervades the minds of very many in the community, and some are seeking the Lord with all their hearts. The last evening that Brother C. was with us, from 12 to 15 came to the altar for the prayers of Christians, and it was a melting and glorious time—some of the ministers of Christ, and many of the professed followers of the despised Nazarine, stand aloof and are suspicious of the result of the midnight cry—but I pray God that their eyes and hearts may be opened, and that all the friends of Jesus may join in giving the alarm. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.19
My soul is deeply interested in this work, and my faith is as strong as the pillars of heavven of the truth of the coming of Christ within 2 years of this date.—Glory be to God for the hope of having a part in the first resurrection. RANDOLPH E. LADD. Cabotville, April 16, 1842. HST May 4, 1842, page 38.20
DEPOT OF SECOND ADVENT PUBLICATIONS. DEVONSHIRE THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, 14
Miller’s Life and Views
CONTENTS. Part I—Memoir; His Influence upon the People; His Rules of Scripture Interpretation; Explanation of Prophetic Figures; Synopsis of Religious Views; A Bible Chronology from Adam to Christ; Dissertation on Prophetic Chronology. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.1
Part II.—An Address to the Believers in the Second Advent near; Lectures on the Battle of Gog; On the Two Sticks; On the Times and their Duties; On What is Truth; On the Visions of Ezekiel; On the Harvest of the World; On the Final Judgment; On the Great Sabbath. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.2
Part III.—Reviews of Ethan Smith’s and David Cambell’s Exposition of the “Little Horn,” and Return of the Jews; Dowling’s Reply to Miller, No. 1; Dowling, No. 2; S. Cobb’s Lectures on the “Miller Mania;” “A Bible Reader” on the Two Witnesses; Remarkable Fulfilment of Prophecy relating to France and the Two Witnesses. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.3
Letters.—On the Second Advent; On the Return of the Jews; To Mr. Cambell on the Little Horn, Evening and Morning Vision, Jews’ Return, and Millennium before the Resurrection; Closing of the Door of Mercy; Millennium and the Chronology; On his Recovering, Disappointment in being deprived of meeting the Conference, his Resignation, etc. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.4
Appendix—Extract from Ferguson’s Astronomy; Extract from the “Present Crisis;” Views of the Closing of the Door of Mercy, pp. 252. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.5
Price—50 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.6
Miller’s Lectures
CONTENTS. Introduction. Section I.—The Second Appearing of Christ, Titus 2:13. II. The First Resurrection, Revelation 20:6. III. The Two Thousand Three Hundred Days, Daniel 8:13, 14. IV. The Seventy Weeks, Daniel 9:24. V. Pagan Rome Numbered, Revelation 13:18. VI. Vision of the Latter Days, Daniel 10:14. VII. Daniels 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 Days Explained, Daniel 12:8. VIII. The Three Woe Trumpets, Revelation 8:13. IX. and X. The Epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia, considered as applying to the Seven Periods of the Gospel Church, Revelation 1:20. XI. The New Song, Revelation 5:9. XII. The Seven Seals, as representing Events to the End of Time, Revelation 5:5. XIII. The Two Witnesses, as having been slain in the French Revolution, Revelation 11:3. XIV. The Woman in the Wilderness, Revelation 12:6. XV. The Seven Last Plagues, or Seven Vials, Revelation 16:17. XVI. The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1. XVII. The Punishment of the People of God Seven Times for their Sins, Leviticus 26:23, 24. XVIII. Song of Solomon 8:5. Signs of the Present Times, Matthew 26:3. pp. 300. Price—50 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.7
Miller’s Exposition,
Of the Twenty-Fourth chapter of Matthew; Of the Two Days in Hosea, as illustrated in the Chronology of the Roman Government; Glorification of the Church the Third Day. Hosea 6:1-3. Address to the Second Advent Conference, held in Portland, Me, Oct. 12, 1841; A Scene of the Last Day, being the supposed reflections of a sinner witnessing the solemn events which immediately precede and follow the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Conflagration of the World; Extract from Dr. Mather’s Latin Preface on the Second Coming of Christ. pp. 126. Price—25 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.8
Spaulding on the Second Coming
Section I.—The Coming of Christ, Revelation 1:7. II. The Last Trumpet, Revelation 10:7. III. The First Resurrection, Philippians 3:2. IV. The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty, Isaiah 63:4. V. The Kingdom of Christ, Daniel 2:44. VI. The Restitution of all Things, Hebrews 2:5. VII. The New Heavens and the New Earth, 2 Peter 3:13. VIII. The New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:2, 3, 4. IX. Gog and Magog, Revelation 20:7, 8. pp. 7—214. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.9
Appendix. No. 1—Opinions of the Primitive Church concerning the Millennium; Mr. Mede; Rev. Thomas Prince, of Boston. No. 2—Return of the Jews considered; Fulness of the Gentiles. No. 3—The New Heavens and New Earth,—extract from Burnet. pp. 215—255. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.10
Note, by the editors, on the Two Thrones now advocated by the believers in the Advent near. To p. 258. Price—50 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.11
Litch’s Address to the Clergy
Section I.—The Nature of the Kingdom of God; Prevailing Opinion on the Millennium; Objections to the Theory of a Temporal Millennium; Nature of the Kingdom of God, as shown by the apostles; Kingdom to be Everlasting; The Resurrection, Gog and Magog; Distinction between the Resurrection and Judgment. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.12
Sec. II.—The Resurrection of the Jews; The Original Promise; Promise not made to their Literal Descendants; The Time when these Promises are to be Fulfilled. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.13
Sec. III.—The Kingdom of Heaven at Hand; A Falling Away, and Revelation of the Man of Sin, before the Day of the Lord; Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts; The Time, Times, and Dividing of Time, of Daniel 7:25; Identity of the Apocaliptic Beast, with the Horn; The Two Horned Beasts, and Image of the Beast; The Number of the Beast, and Number of his Name. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.14
Sec. IV.—The Sanctuary Cleansed, or Epoch of the Kingdom; Design of the different Visions of Daniel; The Ram and Goat, his Four Horns and the Little Horn; The Time when the Sanctuary shall be Cleansed. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.15
Sec. V.—The Time of the End, and End itself; The Medo-Persian and Macedonian Kingdoms; Roman, Jewish and Christian History; The French Revolution and the Reign of Buonaparte; Great Time of Trouble; The Words and Book Closed and Sealed. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.16
Sec. VI.—The Three Woes and the Two Witnesses; Encouragement for Studying the Book of the Revelation; Angel of the Bottomless Pit; Sounding of the Sixth Angel; Accomplishment of the foregoing calculations; The Little Book and its Contents; The Two Witnesses Prophecy in Sackcloth, pp. 132. Price—25 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.17
Miller’s Dissertations, viz
On the True Inheritance of the Saints; The Meek shall Inherit the Earth; Who are the Meek; What Earth is promised as their Inheritance; General Thoughts. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.18
On the Twelve Hundred and Sixty Days by Daniel and John; The beginning of the Little Horn or Papacy; End of the Papal Dominion; The 1260 Days of the Church in the Wilderness. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.19
Circular Address of the Low Hampton Conference, Nov. 2—5, 1841; Importance of obtaining Incorruptible Inheritance; Of turning away from False and Judaising Teachers; Nature of the Promised Kingdom; First and Second Deaths Explained, etc pp. 72. Price 12 1-2 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.20
Fitch’s Letter on the Advent in 1843
Introduction; Process by which the writer’s mind was brought to its present conclusions on this subject; The Two Resurrections, they are literal—first, the saints; secondly, the wicked at the end of the thousand years; Reasons; Those on the Earth at Christ’s Coming, how Disposed of; The Earth to be Burned up; The New Heavens and New Earth; The Accomplishment of these Things Near at Hand; Reasons from the Old Testament, as compared with History, from the New; Why this Wisdom is Withheld from so many of the Wise; These Truths neither New nor Confined to Ignorant Men; Cotton Mather; Thomas Prince; Joshua Spalding; Address to the Reader; Remarks on the 24th chapter of Matthew; The Warning—Poetry. Price—12 1-2 cents. pp. 72. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.21
The Present Crisis.—By Rev. John Hooper, of Westbury, Eng. Preface by J. V. Himes
Correspondence between the Times in which we live, and the Prophetic Declarations of the Scriptures, particularly the specific duties to which these signs call us. pp. 54. Price—10 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.22
Miller on the Cleansing of the Sanctuary
What is Meant by the Sanctuary? How will it be Cleansed? When? pp. 16. Price—6 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.23
Letter to Everybody.—By an English Author. Revised and Abridged by J. V. Himes
Signs of the Second Coming; General Exhortation to all Persons, pp. 18. Price—6 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.24
Refutation of Dowling’s Reply to Miller.—By J. Litch
Chapter I.—The Argument of Mr. D. on the 70 Weeks. II. The Ram and the Goat; Objections to the Argument of Mr. D. that Antiochus Epiphanes was the Little Horn; The True Meaning. III. Mr. D’s Explanation of the 2,300 Days in Daniel 8:13, 14, shown to be false. IV. Further matters in regard to the 2,300 Days. V. The Time, Times, and Dividing of them Fulfilled; Extracts from Justinian, giving the Supremacy to the Pope; The 1,260 Days began A. D. 538, and not 533; Great Babylon not to be at once Destroyed when the 1,260 Days End, but to be consumed unto the End. VI. Import of “the Daily and the Abomination that maketh Desolate;” Date of the 1,290 and 1,335 Days; They extend to the Second Coming of Christ, and the Resurrection, pp. 90. Price—15 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.25
The Midnight Cry.—A Synopsis of the Evidences of the Second Coming of Christ about A. D. 1843. By L. D. Fleming. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.26
Chapter I.—Christ’s Second Coming yet to take place; Its Object. II. The Second Coming to be pre-millennial; Reasons against the prevailing Opinions in the Christian Church. III. The Kingdom of God, as spoken of in the Scriptures, yet to come. IV. Visions of the Future, showing the time of the Second Coming, as by various prophetic scriptures. V. The Signs of the Times, showing various prophecies which are now being fulfilled before our eyes. pp. 76. Price—12 1-2 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.27
Miller’s Review of Dimmick’s Discourse
The Gospel to be Preached to all Nations, but all are not to be Evangelized; Men may Know when the End shall be. A variety of arguments and texts of Mr. Dimmick on other points considered and discussed, pp. 36. Price—10 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.28
Miller on the Typical Sabbaths, and Great Jubilee.—Isaiah 61:1, 2
Meaning of the Texts, “good tidings unto the meek,” “bind up the broken-hearted;” “proclaim liberty;” “opening of the prison;” “acceptable year, and day of vengeance;” “acceptable year” explained at length; typified by the seventh-day Sabbath; also by the Jubilee, or fiftieth year; reckoning of the times; situation of the wicked; what will be the condition of the reader? Poetry, pp. 34. Price—10 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.29
The Glory of God in the Earth.—By C. Fitch
The meaning of the Glory of the Lord; Will fill the Earth, not before, but at Christ’s Coming; No Temporal Millennium; The Righteous, after Christ’s coming to possess the earth forever; How these Things are to be Ushered in; Synopsis of the 24th of Matthew; Certain Signs of the Times Specified that have been fulfilled; Everything mentioned by our Savior as preceding his Coming has transpired; Conclusion. pp. 36. Price—10 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 39.30
Note.—The above 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 May 4, 1842, page 39.31
Second Advent Library
The following works comprise the Library. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.1
1. Miller’s Life and Views.—37 1-2 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.2
2. Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ.—37 1-2cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.3
3. Exposition of 24th of Matt. and Hosea 6:1-3. 18 3-4 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.4
4. Spaulding’s Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ.—37 1-2 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.5
5. Litch’s Address to the clergy on the Second Advent.—18 1-4 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.6
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 May 4, 1842, page 40.7
7. Fitch’s Letter, on the Advent in 1843.—12 1-2 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.8
8. The present Crisis, by Rev. John Hooper, of England—10 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.9
9. Miller on the cleansing of the sanctuary.—6 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.10
10. Letter to every body, by an English author, “Behold I come quickly.”—6 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.11
11. Refutation of “Dowling’s Reply to Miller,” by J. Litch.—15 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.12
12. The “Midnight Cry.” By L. D. Fleming. 12 1-2 HST May 4, 1842, page 40.13
13. Miller’s review of Dimmick’s discourse, “The End not Yet.”—10 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.14
14. Miller, on the Typical Sabbaths, and great Jubilee.—10 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.15
15. The glory of God in the Earth. By C. Fitch.—10 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.16
16. A Wonderful and Horrible Thing. By Charles Fitch. 6 1-4 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.17
This Library will be enlarged from time to time, by the addition of new works. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.18
Other Works on the Prophecies
The following valuable Publications on the Second Advent are also sold, in connection with the above, and they should be included in collections for Libraries. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.19
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Is published weekly, at No. 14, Devonshire street, Boston. JOSHUA V. HIMES & JOSIAH LITCH, Editors. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.20
Terms.—One Dollar per Volume of 24 Nos. (6 months) payable in advance. Six copies for Five Dollars, thirteen copies for Ten Dollars. All letters and communications should be directed to “J. V. Himes, Boston, Mass.” post paid. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.21
No. I. SECOND ADVENT REPORT OF GENERAL CONFERENCE, held in Boston, October 14, 15, 1840. This is a very able and important document; it contains two discourses from Mr. Litch on the Second Advent; Chronology of Prophecy. One from Rev. Henry Jones, on the Restoration of Israel. Two from Mr. Miller on the Chronology of the Prophetic Periods—Judgment. One Discourse, in three parts, by H. D. Ward, on the Millennium. 174 pp. Price—37 cents in boards, and 25 cents in pamphlet. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.22
No. II. SECOND ADVENT REPORT OF GENERAL CONFERENCE, held in Lowell, June 15th, 16th, 17th, 1841. This is a very able and important document; it contains the proceedings of the Conference, Circular Address, Dissertation on Christ’s Second Coming, Signs of Christ’s Second Coming quickly. By Rev. Henry Jones. The Kingdom of God on Earth at hand, the Fall of the Ottoman Empire, and Dissertation on the Millennium. By Rev. Josiah Litch. Price---$20 per hundred, 25 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.23
BIBLE STUDENT’S MANUAL.—This work is compiled from Mr. Miller’s works, designed for a pocket note-book and manual. It contains the Chart, Rules of Interpretation, etc, with blank paper for notes. Price—25 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.24
SCRIPTURES SEARCHED.—By H. Jones. This is truly an evangelical work, and will be read with profit. Price—62 1-2 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.25
HYMN BOOK.—“Millennial Musings: a choice selection of Hymns, designed for the use of Second Advent Meetings.” By J. V. Himes and J. Litch. Price—$2 40 per dozen, 20 cents single; in paper covers, 17 cents. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.26
REVIEW of Eight Fundamental Errors in Miller’s Theory, pointed out by Charles R. True and Wm. C. Brown, in Zion’s Herald, March, 1840. By J. Litch. Price—$3 per hundred, 4 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.27
PRESENT CRISIS.—This is a valuable little work, by Rev. John Hooper, of England. Second American edition. Price—$7 per hundred, 10 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.28
MILLER’S VIEW AND LECTURES—In one volume. New edition. $1,00. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.29
A WONDERFUL & HORRIBLE THING. By C. Fitch. Price, 6 1-4 cts. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.30
THE SECOND COMING of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Power and Great Glory, before the Millennium. By Wm. Ramsey. 25 cts. pp. 144. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.31
Second Advent Tracts
The following Tracts contain the Discourses in the first and second Reports of the General Conference, as noticed above. The only difference is in the new and cheap form in which they are published, for a more general circulation. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.32
No. I. Proceedings of the Conference, on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, held in Boston, Mass. October 14th, 15th, 1841. Price, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.33
No. II. A Dissertation on the Second Advent. By Josiah Litch. Price, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.34
No. III. A Dissertation on the Chronology of Prophecy. By Josiah Litch. Price, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.35
No. IV. Dissertation on the Restoration of Israel. By Henry Jones, of New York city. Price, $3 per hundred, 4 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.36
No. V. A Dissertation on Prophetic Chronology. By William Miller. Price, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.37
No. VI. A Dissertation on the Judgment. By William Miller. Price, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.38
No. VII. History and Doctrine of the Millennium. A Discourse delivered in the Conference on the Second Advent near, at Boston, Mass., October 14, 1840. Price, $6 per hundred, 8 cents, single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.39
No. VIII. Proceedings of the Second Session of the General Conference of Christians, expecting the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, held in Lowell, Mass., June 15, 16, 17, 1841. Price, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.40
No. IX. Dissertation on the Nature and Manner of Christ’s Second Coming, together with the events attending and preceding it. By Henry Jones, of New York, before the Second General Conference on the Advent, at Lowell, Mass., June 15, 16, 17, 1841. $4 per hundred, 6 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.41
No. X. Dissertation on the Glorified Kingdom of God on Earth at hand. By Josiah Litch; delivered at Lowell Mass., June 15, 16, 17, 1841. $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.42
No. XI. Dissertation on the Fall of the Ottoman Empire, the 11th of August, 1840. By Josiah Litch; delivered before the Second General Conference on the Advent, at Lowell, Mass., June 15, 16, 17, 1841, $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.43
No. XII. The Doctrine of the Millennium. The Order of the Resurrection and Order of the Judgment. By Josiah Litch. $2 per hundred, 3 cents single. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.44
Bundles Sent
One to Geo. A Reed, Leominster, Mass.
One to Columbus Greene, Colchester, Vt.
One box of Books shipped to Messrs. W. & C. B. Roberts, Greenville, S C.
One bundle sent to Eld. Timothy Cole, Lowell, Mass.
HST May 4, 1842, page 40.45
Letters
Received up to April 30. From Post Masters in Edgarton, Mass.—West Boylston, Mass.—Walpole, N. H.—New-Market, N.H.—New Ipswich, N. H.—Fair Haven, Mass.—Essex, Vt.—Cowlesville, N. Y. Shrewsbury, Mass.—North Springfield, Vt.—Union Mills, N. Y—Colchester, Vt.—South Farnworth,N. H.—Sutton, N. H.—Strafford, Vt.—Londonderry, N. H.—Franconia, N. H.—Durham, Me.—N. West Bridgewater, Mass. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.46
From A Phelps, Rev, G. Cox, Rev. H. B. Skinner, Charles M. Fay, John Howes, Sheldon P. Gilbert, Moses Winchester, Henry Frost, Charles D. Gale, D. Burgess, Jonas D. Johnson, J. Harlow, Richard Walker, Thos. F. Barry, Geo. A. Reed, James Tolman, Washington City, Capt. Wm. Fitz, William Owen, Eld. Timothy Cole, D. Burgess, E.B. P. Bristol, R. I. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.47
Conference in Boston
Will commence on Tuesday, May 24th, at the Melodeon, and continue through the week. We anticipate a full representation of the friends of the cause, both of the ministry and laity, at these Conferences. The believers in the doctrine of the Second Advent at hand, are rapidly increasing throughout the country. And as our time is short in which to do up our work, no trifling excuse should be permitted to deter us from convening on the occasion. A commodious place has been secured for each of the Conferences; and our cause will not suffer, to say the least, by a comparison with any of the great causes which claim the attention of the public during these interesting weeks. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.48
Another thought is, that it may be the last Anniversary Week the world will ever see; and if it should be thus, can we be clear and not have embraced such an opportunity of giving distinctly, firmly and unitedly, and with our whole strength, the Midnight Cry to the congregated tribes of our American Israel, before the great day of the Lord come upon us? Brethren, think on this subject, and act promptly. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.49
General Conference in New York
A session of the Conference will be held in New-York City, at the Oppollo Rooms, 410 Broadway.—It will commence May 11th, at 10 o’clock, A. M. and will continue several days. Mr. William Millet will lecture evenings during the time. Friends coming into the city, will call at 410 Broadway. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.50
J. V. HIMES, Secretary. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.51
Terrible Calamity!!!—On Friday last, as the boys belonging to the Farm-School, on Thompson’s Island in Boston harbor were returning from a fishing excursion on which they had been with their teacher, Mr. Peabody, and a boat man, when near the Island so as to be cheered by the boys on shore, a squall struck the boat and capsized it; and 22 boys with the boatman and teacher found a watery grave. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.52
This was awful indeed, and will serve to increase the consternation of the public mind at the calamities of the times. But what is it when compared with that terrible day that cometh when all the proud and such as do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up! HST May 4, 1842, page 40.53
To Correspondents.—We have several communications on hand which will be forthcoming soon. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.54
Signs of the Times
Is published weekly, at No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston, by JOSHUA V. HIMES, to whom all letter’s and communications must be addressed. HST May 4, 1842, page 40.55
Terms,—One Dollar per Volume of 24 Nos. (6 months)
dow & jackson, printers.
HST May 4, 1842, page 40.56