Signs of the Times and Expositor of Prophecy [Himes], vol. 3
May 18, 1842
Vol. III.—No. 7. Boston, Whole No. 55
Joshua V. Himes & Josiah Litch, Editors. Office No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
AND EXPOSITOR OF PROPHECY.
Extracts from Fitch’s Sermons.—No. 5
III. I am now prepared to go into a consideration of the third general head of my discourse. Is there any reason to believe, that the second coming of Christ, and the accomplishment of these mighty wonders is near at hand? On this point, my hearers, let us just look to the Bible, and to plain matters of act. There is no necessity of passing a single step into the field of vague conjecture. HST May 18, 1842, page 49.1
For light on this subject let us look to the prophecies of Daniel, given for the express purpose of showing the time of the end, Daniel 2. Remember, my hearers, that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream; which, on waking, he had forgotten, and that Daniel was called in to tell him the dream, and to make known the interpretation. Before proceeding to this work, Daniel and his friends had prayed to God, and God in answer to prayer had made Daniel know the whole secret. As he came in therefore to the king, he said, “There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known unto the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” He then said—“Thou O king sawest, and behold a great image.” His head was of fine gold, his breast and arms of silver, his belly and thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet, that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors, and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them, and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. This is the dream, and we will tell the interpretation before the king. “Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that breaketh all things, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided, but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay; so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men, but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings, shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all their kingdoms, and shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver and the gold; the great God hath made, known to the king, what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” HST May 18, 1842, page 49.2
Here, then, my hearers, we have a chain of events given us, which are to lead down to the coming of Christ, when all the kingdoms of the earth are to be broken in pieces and consumed. And now if we wish to know whether that coming of Christ is at hand, we have just to inquire, where are we at the present time, in this chain of predicted events! How many of this series of prophecies have been fulfilled? There were to be four kingdoms of which Nebuchadnezzar was the first, the head of gold. This was the Chaldean kingdom. Next after him arose the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, in place of the Chaldeans—these were the breast and arms of silver. Next arose the Grecians, with Alexander at their head—which kingdom, according to the prophecy, did bear rule over all the earth. This was the kingdom of brass. HST May 18, 1842, page 49.3
Next came the Romans, the kingdom of iron, which in most exact fulfilment of prophecy did break in pieces and bruise. We come then to the feet and toes: and we find in history the Roman kingdom divided into ten—and we have come to the time when these kingdoms do not cleave one to another—some of iron, some of potter’s clay—some apparently strong, others weak. And now what remains in this whole chain of predicted events, all of which have been so strikingly fulfilled up to the present time, but for the stone cut out of the mountain without hands to smite the image upon his feet, and break up the nations as chaff, and consume them? HST May 18, 1842, page 49.4
“The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Nothing can be clearer, than that the interpretation has been sure up to the present time; and that we are now on the very last events predicted previous to the setting up of the kingdom of God. In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall not be destroyed, and shall not be given to the people, but shall break in pieces and bruise the kingdom and shall stand forever. Judge for yourselves, my hearers, whether we are to look for the coming of Christ as at hand. HST May 18, 1842, page 49.5
In the first year of Belshazzar Daniel had a dream. (Daniel 7.) “The four winds of of the heaven strove upon the great sea, and four great beasts came up from the sea diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard; and the fourth beast was dreadful, and terrible, and strong exceedingly, and it had great iron teeth. It devoured and break 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. I considered the horns, and behold there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots; and behold in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as a burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth before him; thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice which the horn spoke; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame.” Here, my hearers, we have another chain of events, reaching from the time of Daniel to the second coming of Christ, when the judgment shall set and the books be opened, and the beast be given to the burning flame. Another evidence, you perceive, that the wicked are to be burned at the burning of the world. Would you know then whether the coming of Christ is at hand, just inquire where we are in this chain of given events, which is to reach unto His coming. His vision of Daniel was explained to him by one from the heavenly hosts who stood by. He was told that those great beasts were four kings, which should arise out of the earth. The vision, we are told, was in the first year of Belshazzar. He was the first beast and was the last of the Chaldean kings. Then the Medes and Persians, the second beast—then the Grecians under Alexander, the third beast. Then the Romans, the fourth beast, dreadful and terrible. Daniel says, “Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails brass, which devoured, break in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet—and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a man that spoke great things, and whose look was more stout than his fellows, the same horn which made war with the saints and prevailed against them, until the Ancient of days came. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth, and shall devour the whole earth, and tread it down and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall arise after them, diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And shall speak great words against the Most High, and wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 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 the 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. Hitherto is the end of the matter.” And now, my hearers, what will history tell us in relation to the fulfilment of this claim of prophecies? It will tell us that the Roman kingdom has arisen, and trod the whole earth beneath its feet. That it has been divided into ten separate kingdoms, governed by ten kings, that three of these kingdoms fell—Heruli, Vandals, and Ostragoths, and that the papal church has arisen, that has spoken great things against the Most High, and worn out the saints of the Most High—and we also know that she has continued a long time, and that the very next event predicted in this chain of prophecies, is the coming of the Ancient of days, to give the body of this beast to the burning flame. All has been literally fulfilled until that coming; judge ye whether it is at hand. HST May 18, 1842, page 49.6
The Puritan—The Millennium
The first Number of the Signs of the Times weekly is received. I am interested in it. The near coming of the Lord is the “blessed hope” of the church, however faintly cherished, however misapprehended, however perverted by traditions of the elders.—Manifestly “the grace of God” in so many words, is “teaching us, 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, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity.”—And, notwithstanding scoffers oppose, and eminent divines turn a deaf ear, and religious newspapers of all denominations shrink from the publication of “these things,” yet by the authority of the holy word we “these things speak, and exhort and rebuke with all authority:” at the same time mindful of the Apostolic injunction: “Let no man despise thee.” HST May 18, 1842, page 50.1
“These things speak, exhort, and rebuke with all authority.” This authority does not justify our contempt of opposers, either by sarcastic remarks, by bitter retorts, by censuring of their motives, or by any impatience under the reproaches they may heap on us. We have “authority,” and we are commanded to speak these things “with all authority;” nevertheless, authority is given for emergencies, and not for common occasions. The continual exhibition of it is odious, even in the chief magistrate. We have authority, and we should use it; but with discretion, avoiding all harshness of speech, and tyrannical dictation. It is easy to declare our views “with all authority,” and at the same time with the utmost meekness towards those who oppose themselves. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.2
Great confidence in the Lord and his word becomes us; but no less does humility toward our fellow-men, and honest deference to the opinions they humbly cherish. Pride of opinion is a besetting sin of great minds, whether in mechanics, or physicians, or teachers; and it is a dangerous passion in those who are required to become as little children before they are permitted to enter the kingdom of heaven. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.3
The articles from the Puritan attracted my attention. The first admits the novelty of the doctrine of “a spiritual millennium,” and calls on the learned to search it out, and exhibit the results of their labor in the pulpit and through the press, persuaded that the doctrine is not “the product of this age.” The Puritan refers to John Howe, to Henry’s Commentary and to Richard Baxter, and concludes that tin notion of “a spiritual millennium” is therefore two centuries old!—Let the Puritan take courage, and push its researches. Truth and charity are alike important to us. In this sinful world the truth may be hid, and men be almost blameless; but charity may never be hid. Let the Puritan push its researches: John Howe did write of happy times to come in this world and Henry sometimes gives color to the same notion; but Henry’s ideas on this point are in coherent, undefined, and self-contradictory, and John Howe’s are in no way by himself connected with the millennium, 1 think. So far as, I understand him, he defines the prospect of a glorious scene in the church on this side of eternity, but without giving an intimation of its being “the Millennium.” And for Richard Baxter, Jeremy Taylor, John Bunyan, and all that family of renowned believers, much proof exists in their works, that the Lord’s coming was their constant hope, their blessed hope, and their sure expectation. If any thing appears in their writings to the contrary it has escaped my notice; and it must certainly be opposed to the prevalent doctrine of their faith and works. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.4
The assertion that the doctrine of “a spiritual millennium” is a novelty in the church, ought not to be taken or made without including one other most important idea; when it will stand thus: The doctrine of a millennium without the visible and personal presence of Christ with his saints, is a doctrine which now extensively prevails in christendom, and is, I verily believe, no older than Dr. Daniel Whitby, who died A. D. 1727. Whitby seems to be the father of it. The millenaries, the Anabaptists, the fifth monarchists believed the Millennium would be in this world chiefly; on the contrary the Roman Catholic church, and the Protestant fathers believed it would be after the resurrection and in the world to come. The latter is “a spiritual millennium,” but Christ is its visible king; the former would be a temporal millennium, but every man who professed to expect it, also protest to expect the Lord himself to introduce it, and personally to uphold the glorious state. And the first among men to separate the personal presence of the King of glory from the Millennial throne, was Daniel Whitby D. D. who formally sets forth and claims the new doctrine as his own, in his treatise on the Millennium; and I cannot tell a man who is able to dispute his claim. He dissents from the Millenaries by excluding the personal presence of the Lord Jesus from the millennial kingdom; and from the Protestant Fathers and the ancient church he dissents by including the millennium in this world, before the resurrection; and thus he begets the doctrine of “the spiritual millennium without the manifest presence of the Lord,” which is at present so generally and fatally cherished in the bosom of the church. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.5
With the Puritan “it is a subject of much interest, and we should be glad to see it thoroughly exhibited.” But allow me to caution the inquirer, carefully to distinguish in all his researches on this subject, between the promises or prophecies, relative to this world, and those relative to this earth: this world being doomed with these bodies to dissolution; and, this earth having with these bodies the promise of a reconstruction, resurrection, and “restitution of all things.” (The good Lord prepare his people for it, and hasten it in its time.) Failing to take this distinction, the church seems to have fallen into the error of interpreting the eternal promises, for things of this transitory world: as the Jews interpreted the promises of Messiah for a deliverer from the power of Cesar.—Even so. H. D. W. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.6
Truth taken on Trust
How incumbent it is upon us who believe our “blessed hope,” “the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies,” at “the appearing” and kingdom of our blessed Lord Jesus, “whom having not seen we love;” “and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” in the hope of seeing “him as he is,” being “like him,” in 1843, that we should faithfully and frequently, with fervent prayer, examine the grounds of our faith and hope, that we may know in whom we have believed; and to see to it that our faith standeth in the “power of God.” For it is only the partakers of this faith, which was “once delivered to the saints” that will be kept by the “power of God” unto “the salvation” which shall “be revealed in that day;” when all the wisdom of men, and all faith and hopes standing in it, shall perish; as will also every other foolishness, and be shown, with all its pretensions and pretenders, with all their pride and self-will, and “scoffing” according to “their lusts,” to be altogether lighter than vanity. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.7
But how many thousand professing Christians, are sleeping fanciedly secure in the slimy coils of this soul-devouring serpent; its beguiling is so subtlely adapted to their carnal propensities. How common it is for them to place implicit faith in the wisdom of man; hence whatever emanates from the pulpit or the press, of all the productions of man is received with all readiness of mind, examined, readily understood, and believed with delight. But the word of God is taken on trust without examination: whatever their minister says, they believe, if he is a popular one; question them on the grounds of their faith and hope, and you will find more admission and knowledge of what they profess. They have strong faith in nothing but what is recommended by the popular wisdom of the day. And there is nothing popular but what flutters their pride. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.8
Let for instance a holy man of God come along, and in the fearlessness ofWesley, preach “ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not the friendship of the world is enmity against God!” and enforce it in the spirit of his Master, and you hear them exclaim “What a lack of charity!”—“that is going too far!” “coarse, coarse indeed!!” But let one of his (Wesley’s) modern disciples come preaching, 3 the loftiest panegyrics on the “march of intellect,” and how the wisdom of man has lit up the page of Revelation, and holding out the prospect that the light of science will soon make the “cross of Christ” no more “a stumbling-block to the Jew” nor “foolishness to the Greek,” and you will see him loaded with honors, caressed by religious institutions, who admire and believe; applauded by the Casars of the world, and praised even by wicked men. Why? Because it flatters the pride and self-will of each, which are quite congenial to falsehood. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.9
Or, let another come, giving conclusive evidence that he is a favored servant of God by the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit which attend his labors, proving by the word of the living God, corroborated by unquestionable historical data, and strengthened by present obvious fact in the signs of the times, that our blessed Jesus will come, in person, to raise his people into the air, and the “salt of the earth” being taken away, burn up the chuff with fire, and remove all things which can be shaken in 1843; and you cannot prevail on them to go and hear two lectures together, nor to read proofs for themselves, though you give them the hooks;—but you will hear them loud in their declamations against the doctrine in which they will evince as little knowledge of the Bible as if they had never professed to believe it. But lot a doctor A. or B. with numerous high-sounding appendages to his name (such as neither apostle nor prophet of our blessed Master ever wore) telling his great pretensions to the wisdom of this curse-burdened world, come along, who shall undertake to show the discrepancies of the prophets—(who, according to Peter, “spake by the will of God,” which is perfect wisdom, righteousness and power;)—and how inconsistent the plain testimony of the word of the Most High, especially in its account of the beginning and end of this world (which is so much loved,) is shown to be by our now very great wisdom: and prophecying out of their own hearts that the church, the bride of a risen Savior, who is the bridegroom, and her Head, who has gone away to prepare a place for her,—shall in this life, in this flesh of old Adam, in which St. Paul and many living witnesses says “we groan being burdened” earnestly desiring to be delivered, and exclaim, who shall deliver me from this body of death!” And we can sing a fanatic hallelujah, which would offend a Pharisee or frighten an infidel, when we find the faithful and true witness responds through Jesus Christ our Lord” who shall change our vile bodies, etc. to great eminence. Aye, even “sit as, a queen and be no widow!” and that all “shall be subdued to her” and telling them that this glorious day is at hand; and you will see the same persons receive this with “all readiness of mind;” and they believe it so firmly, right off upon trust, that they never see the need of searching the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so. Yes, they believe it, and pray for it, and labor for it: but if you converse with them on the subject, you will find by the way they quote detached Scripture, that they do not understand what they profess to believe. And you will soon find, too, that they are afraid to search the Scriptures lest they should find these things are not so. And they will tell you they are satisfied with their belief, and they have as great a right to their opinion as you have to yours. HST May 18, 1842, page 50.10
Yes, they are satisfied with their faith in fables of wise men, and no wonder. Why? Because there is no cross in that. It is just the very thing that the devil and wicked men desire, therefore they will give them no uneasiness on that score. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.1
But there is not the least analogy in either the doctrine or the faith taught by the apostles full of the Holy Ghost. This doctrine troubled the Casars and the authorities of the cities. For it they were stoned and drawn out of the city and left for dead, scourged, imprisoned, for teaching this:—“That therein another king, one Jesus. Acts 17:7. And that God hath appointed a DAY in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that same Jesus, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that ho hath raised him from the dead,” and the gross offensiveness of this doctrine, was that it was all contrary to the decrees of Caesar, Acts 17. (See 2nd Psalm, Daniel 2:34, 45, and 7:13, with numerous other places.) And those who received the word with all readiness of mind, searched the Scriptures daily to see whither these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and bore joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and counted not their lives dear unto them, looking to that blessed hope, etc. Why? Because; their faith stood not in the wisdom of men, but in the wisdom of God, and of course they were kept by the power of God. They loved one another, even as heir beloved Lord had loved them, consequently they had all things in common. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.2
This was the faith once delivered unto the saints, proved by their works, witnessed too by the Spirit of God, and standing in the power of God. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.3
Let all who love the Lord contend earnestly or this same faith; for the reasons too given by Jude,—read it, bretrren—and the doctrine of the second advent in 1843 will not be a hard saying at all, either as to time, manner, or object. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.4
O brethren, lift up your heads, and rejoice in the brightening prospect of his near approach. O blessed hope! J. Walstenholme. Providence, April 16, 1842. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.5
Armeno-Turkish Old Testament,
Prepared by Rev. Mr. Goodell. Constantinople, Nov. 6, 1841.
My dear Brother,—Through the kindness and blessing of God, the translation of the Old Testament into Armeno-Turkish is at length completed. This I had hardly the least idea of living long enough to see, when I commenced the work; but the Divine forbearance towards me has been great. I came in course this morning to the last verse of the last chapter of the last book, which I corrected “with shoutings, grace, grace unto it.” At the bottom of the page I wrote, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” I then arose, and shut up all the books that have been lying open before me these many years, and fell on my knees to give thanks unto the name of the Lord; who “hath not dealt with us after our sins;” who hath given us his blessed “Word to be a light unto our feet;” and whose wondrous love permits us to hold it up to “lighten every man that cometh into the world.” O may the nations “no longer have to walk in darkness;” but may they all be speedily furnished with “the light of life!” HST May 18, 1842, page 51.6
To me this work has been, next to preaching the Gospel, a most delightful employment. The land through which I have passed has not been a wilderness to me—a land of drought and barrenness; but it has been a country of fertile vales, and hills of the richest mines, abounding with such beautiful prospects, and refreshing shade, and cooling fountains, that I have often stopped to enjoy the scenery, to listen for the sweet songsters of the grove, to “drink of the brook in the way,” and thus to “go on from strength to strength.” My feelings have gone along with those of the sacred writers to such a degree, that often, when alone in my study, I have been reading a page perhaps for the seventh time, I have had to stop in order to wipe away the fast-flowing tears, or to offer up such prayers and praises as the subject called forth. And then, only think of such a song as that of Deborah’s! Having in such perfection all the softness, and delicacy, and minute detail, and lively description of female composition, who could translate it without feeling his very heart dance within him? I could almost wish that all the Lord’s people were translators, as Moses wished them all prophets, in order that they might see with their own eyes the very words and the very manner (often inimitable in translating) in which the great God expressed his thoughts to man, and might thus enter more readily into all the scenes, and circumstances, and feelings of those “holy men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” God’s word is indeed a great deep; who can fathom it? It is divinely beautiful; who that once looks upon it can help gazing forever with ever-increasing delight? It is fraught with the riches of eternity; who shall not prize it “above gold, yea, above fine gold.” HST May 18, 1842, page 51.7
And now may the blood of the everlasting covenant be sprinkled upon the book; upon those who have had any thing to do in preparing it; and upon all who shall read it! May it be made use of in softening and sanctifying the hearts of men, and “in bringing many sons and daughters unto glory!” Already is God pouring out his Spirit upon this people; and your Society is at the same time sending among them the very “words which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” What a wonderful coincidence! What an encouraging fact! Let it excite our gratitude, and awaken us to more prayer and faith. Tell your Society that “the blessing of many ready to perish will come upon them.” Tell them “not to be weary in well doing; for in due Season they shall reap if they faint not.” Tell them not to wait for a vote of thanks, or for a formal expression of obligation and lasting gratitude from this great community—these hundreds of thousands—the object of their bounty; but in this respect to “be perfect, even as their Father in heaven is perfect,” who “sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” HST May 18, 1842, page 51.8
With Christian and affectionate salutations to yourself, and through you to them, I remain your brother in the faith and work of the Lord. W. GOODELL. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.9
Letter from J. R. Gates
Dear Brother Himes:—Thinking perhaps your numerous readers would like to hear of the prosperity of the cause of God, I hasten to inform you of the good work in this place. At Milton, the town adjoining us, God has poured out his Spirit, and revived his work the winter past, and quite a number have been converted, and baptized. And I have recently organized a church there as a branch to the Burnt Hill, consisting of 24 members. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.10
Soon after the above revival, I had the blessed privilege of attending the Second Advent Conference at Sandy Hill, where I for the first time saw and heard you, and Bro. Litch. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.11
That Conference to me proved a great blessing. 1. In witnessing ministers and brethren of different orders, dwelling together in “unity,” and not a discordant note heard. 2. Seeing the Scriptures so beautifully harmonized, and the chain of events mentioned in prophecy traced from the Chaldean kingdom, down to the end of time, when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.12
3. In witnessing the success of Bro. Miller and Litch and yourself, in not only answering and refuting the arguments and objections of the opposers, but in seeing scores of sinners, under the influence of this doctrine (the Advent near) crying out what shall we do to be saved, etc. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.13
I returned from Conference much refreshed, and resolved to buckle on the armor of righteousness, in the strength of God, to go into the field, and sec what could be done for poor sinners. I adopted this plan; as my congregation was quite scattering, to appoint my meetings at private houses in different parts of the church, and give a short lecture at each meeting, and close up with prayer and Conference season. This course I pursued about three weeks, almost every evening, during which time quite a number found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. HST May 18, 1842, page 51.14
Elder S. Ross Jr. from Union, Mills, came to my assistance, and staid 12 days—I found him to be a true yoke fellow, he came in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, and a new impulse was given to the work. We continued our meetings almost night and day at the Christian Chapel on Burnt Hills. The power of God was wonderfully displayed in the conversion of sinners to God. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.1
There are upwards of 50 that give evidence of being hopefully converted. To God be all the glory. Yours in hope of Eternal Life, HST May 18, 1842, page 52.2
J. R. GATES.
Burnt Hills, March 13, 1842.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
BOSTON, MAY 18, 1842.
Editorial Correspondence No. 4
Dear Bro. Litch:—Since my last, things have gone on well, and the doctrine is evidently taking deep root in this city. Those who have hitherto been sceptical on the time, having now heard the arguments on the prophetic periods, are convinced that time is revealed, as well as manner; and those with whom we have conversed, assure us that our calculations have more weight in their minds than any with which they are acquainted. But it requires much courage and independence to make the avowal of faith in the time, in this city. The prejudice against it is very strong. Yet many have, and others will publicly avow their faith. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.3
The subject of Christ’s second coming will not sleep till he shall appear. It will be agitated, discussed, and proclaimed throughout the land, and world. It is now being discussed in one form, or another, by almost every denomination in the world, even the Papists, in some places, are waked up to a discussion of the question, to defend themselves against the truth which cuts them to the very heart. The Beast will ere long rage with greater indignation against us. We must prepare to meet it. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.4
Several new works on the prophecies I understand are now in press. These will advocate the pre-Millennium Advent. One by the Rev. Mr. Shimeall, of this city, is just published. I obtained a copy to-day and have given it a slight examination. The following is the title of the book: Age of the World, as founded on the Sacred Records, Historic and Prophetic, and the “Signs of the Times,” viewed in the aspect of premonitions of the speedy establishment on the Earth, of the Millennial state, by the Second Personal, Pre-Millennial Advent of Christ: with an Introductory Essay, vindicating the claims of Sacred Chronology against the Atheist, Antiquarian, and Infidel. By the Rev. R. C. Shimeall, Presbyter of the Prot. Epis. Church in the Diocese of New York. I shall at this time notice only two things in this book. First. His misrepresentation of Mr. Miller’s chronology. He says, on page 213, He (Mr. Miller) inserts for the 6th Servitude under the Philistines, 40 years— HST May 18, 1842, page 52.5
| Sampson, | 20 | years |
| Eli, | 40 | “ |
| making a total of | 100 | years. |
If these dates in his table, therefore, can be shown us obviously incorrect, we may spare ourselves the time and labor to point out its other inaccuracies. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.6
In reply to the above statement, I remark first, that Mr. Miller has not included Sampson in his chronology at all. His name is not given in the list of the judges by Mr. M. to give any time. It is a strange fact that Mr. Shimeall, with all his learning, and critical acumen, should make such a posiitive misrepresentation. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.7
This is the same course, you know, as Mr. Dowling pursued, in his review of Miller. But we hope that Mr. Shimeall will have more moral honesty, than to persist in misrepresentation, when his error is pointed out, and that he will frankly confess it. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.8
Mr. S. in correcting Mr. Miller’s chronology, predicates his arguments upon mere conjecture, instead of the word of God. He includes the 40 years of Eli, and the 20 years of Sampson in the sixth servitude. And here, says Mr. S. “is a clear loss to Mr. Miller’s chronology of 60 years!” HST May 18, 1842, page 52.9
Now the word of God declares, Judges 13:1. that the Philistines did rule over Israel 40 years. It will be seen that Sampson was not born till after the Philistine servitude commenced. If he judged Israel 20 years in the days of the Philistines, as in Judges 15:20, it must have been the last twenty years of his life. Mr. Miller has always contended that the 20 years of Sampson were included in the Philistine servitude. It is very clear that Eli was not cotemporary with Sampson, and therefore, his administration could not be included, either in the Philistines, or of Sampson’s administration. Mr. S. has no positive scripture proof for it. But Mr. Miller will set this matter right at a future time. We will not now say more on the subject; but will; HST May 18, 1842, page 52.10
Secondly, Notice the conclusions to which Mr. S. has come, on the subject of the end of the world, or the gospel dispensation. We give an extract from his work under the following head: HST May 18, 1842, page 52.11
Prophetic Chronology. It will be seen that our deductions, as founded upon Sacred Historic chronology, furnish an aggregate number of 3679 years, from the Creation, down to the commencement of the 70 prophetic weeks of Daniel. Of prophetic chronology, the numbers upon which we are dependent to complete the 6000th year, as the period within which all God’s purposes in relation to this world will be accomplished, are the following:— HST May 18, 1842, page 52.12
| Daniel’s 70 weeks, or 490 years from which deduct A D. 37, | 453 |
| Commencement of 1260 day, in A. D. | 533 |
| The 1260 days of Daniel and St. John | 1260 |
| Excess of 1290 days of Daniel 12., over 1260 | 30 |
| Excess of 1335 of Daniel 12., over 1290 | 45 |
| Total, | 2321 |
| Add the historical years as above, | 3679 |
| 6000 | |
| From | 2321 |
| Deduct | 453 |
| And it gives you, | 1868 |
as the period when, in the time of the 7th angel, Revelation 16:17, who pours out the last vial of judgment into the air, “a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,” will be heard, “saying, IT IS DONE!” From 1868 Deduct 1842 Which leaves 26 HST May 18, 1842, page 52.13
In 26 short years, therefore, if the above prophetic numbers can be demonstrated to have their support in Scripture, that blessed period, the consummation of the devout believer’s faith and hope will have arrived, when he who is “the Alpha and Omega,” from his high and holy throne will proclaim, “behold i make all things new.” HST May 18, 1842, page 52.14
But, these prophetic numbers, if viewed in their relation to the events with which they stand connected, past, present, and future, all conspire to admonish us “upon whom the ends of the world are come,” that THE GREAT DAY OF CRISIS, both to the Church and to the world, is “just at hand,” No—we are not to calculate upon 26 years additional probation, under the proem existing economy of the Gospel! Look to 1847! May Heaven prepare us all to meet undismayed, the terrors, and to share triumphantly, in thy glories of “that day!” HST May 18, 1842, page 52.15
Perhaps, however, some one will ask, if, upon a peradventure, an error in the department of historic chronology as above, should have escaped observation, what then becomes of all those deductions? To this I reply, that, confident as I feel in the correctness of the historico-chronological department of my work, as herein exhibited; if the great Head of the Church has sent forth the Spirit of his grace, to reveal to the faithful a knowledge of prophetical numbers, and these prophetical numbers, as interpreted m the sequel are in accordance with “Holy Scripture;” then, I ask but a single admission, in order to demonstrate that, independently of immutable accuracy in giving the length of each link in the first half of our golden chain, the crisis, in A. D.”, 1847, and the “finishing of the mystery of God,” in A. D., 1868, is established upon grounds of equal certainly. Prophecy points out to us the things that shall be hereafter, even to the last act of the Almighty’s government and providence over the world. The admission that I ask, is, that the present is the year of our Lord 1842, from the Nativity. The following passage, the inaccuracies of Scriptural computations of Historical Chronology to the contrary notwithstanding, will fully explain our meaning. O that it was inscribed upon our hearts as with the finger of God, and with the pen of a diamond forever! “We have also a more sure woud ok prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” HST May 18, 1842, page 52.16
Thus it will be seen, that Mr. S., in his calculations, has brought us within FIVE YEARS of “THP GREAT CRISIS,”—1847, instead of 1843. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.17
Yours in the blessed hope, J. V. HIMES.
New York, May 5th, 1842.
The Rhode Island War, which we have thought might end in smoke, has not quite disappeared yet, at least it continues on paper. Some few arrests for treason have been made by the Charter party of the officers of the Suffrage party, and the latter have been bailed out. Both parties have sent Commissioners to the General Government. Governor Dorr as Commander in Chief of the Suffrage party, and one or two of his subordinate officers, went on to negotiate a treaty at Head Quarters, where they would be conveniently out of the power of their antagonists, and more honorably employed than they were like to be at home. Messrs. Randolph and Potter, who, on the other hand, represented the Charter party, went on to Washington about the same time, and returned on Wednesday with “a communication from the President in which he fully assures the General Assembly [of the Charter party] of his determination to maintain the government of the stale, as it exists and always has existed, under the old Charter.” Two companies of the U. S. forces have been, as before mentioned, sent on from the State of New York to man the forts about Newport. D. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.18
New York City, in organizing her government, found herself in much the same dilemma as Rhode Island, in consequence of the irregularity of proceeding in the election of the sixth ward. The officers from the other wards were sworn in, after which the Mayor and democratic members withdrew, and the whig members admitted the member from the sixth ward, and proceeded to organize, by the election of a President and Clerk for the ensuing year. This will of course be objected to, as illegal, by the democratic members, and as the Board are equally divided, may result in a collision. HST May 18, 1842, page 52.19
Editorial Correspondence.—No. 5
A New Movement. A new project has been started in this city for the purpose of having more talk, about the world’s conversion. The following call for a Convention on the subject was published in the Observer of last week. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.1
A Call for a Convention
On the subject of Evangelizing the present generation of the heathen. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.2
That Christ requires and expects his people of the present generation to do what they can to give the gospel to all nations before another generation of the unevangelized shall go down to the grave, cannot he reasonably questioned. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.3
As the object of evangelizing the world is one of such magnitude, it requires the co-operation and united energies of the friends of Christ of every name. It is plain that it calls for vastly more vigorous efforts than the majority even of the most healthy churches of Christendom are accustomed to make. The great question is, how shall the collective body of the friends of Christ be the most successfully enlisted in the work so as to apply promptly their proportionate amount of means for the accomplishment of this most desirable object? It is thought that the cause of the world’s evangelization might be advanced, if a Convention composed of the friends of missions of various evangelical denominations of Christians, should beheld at some suitable time and place, for the purpose of mutual counsel and united prayer. It is not the object of the Convention contemplated, to instruct or control any society now in existence, or to organize any new society; but to discuss the claims of the heathen world upon the Christian church: to look at the resources of the church to accomplish the work of fulfilling the parting command of Christ to his disciples; to excite to more vigorous action; to unite in special prayer to the great Head of the church for his blessing upon the cause of missions, and to promote the spirit of missions among the churches of the respective denominations which shall be represented. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.4
We desire that this Convention should be composed of ministers and members of Protestant churches of all denominations who have missionaries in the foreign field, and who are willing to cooperate with the American Bible Society, and the American Tract Society in their endeavors to evangelize the world. The delegates to be appointed as the several churches to which they belong shall think proper. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.5
We, therefore, the undersigned, do hereby express our wish that such a Convention may be held in the city of New York on the 10th day of May 1842, (the place and hour to be hereafter designated,) and desire that such churches and ecclesiastical bodies as feel interested in the object con emplated would seasonably appoint some of their number to attend and take part in its deliberations. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.6
It is understood that when this Convention shall have been organized, it shall be authorized to invite such other persons as they may think proper, to unite with them in their deliberations. (!) This Convention is called for the express and only purpose of discussing the question of evangelizing the world; while the various topics which agitate and divide the friends of Christ shall not be introduced. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.7
Rev. N. S. S. Beman, D. D., Rev. J. Lindsay, Rev. T. A. Merrill, D. D., Rev. T. McAuley, D. D., Rev. Elisha Yale, D. D., Rev. M. L. R. P. Pomeroy, Rev. T. H. Skinner, D. D., Rev. Mr. Thompson, Rev. W. B. Sprague, D. D., J. C. Bliss, M. D. Rev. E. N. Kirk, Rev. J. Marsh, Rev. J. Wood B. F. Butler, Esq., Rev. M. S. Goodall, Rev. E. Hedding, D. D., Rev. A. Proudfit, D. D., Hon. R. H. Walworth, Rev. J. W. Monteith, Hon. G. C. Bronson, Rev. J. Clancy, Rev. B. T. Welch, D. D., Rev. Mr. Sherman, Mr. J. N. Wilder, Rev. E. Nott. D. D., Hon. J. P. Cushman, Rev. A. Yates, Rev. M. Allen, Rev. J. Van Vechten, Rev. E. Pond, D. D., Rev. Prof. Yates, D. D., Hon. N. W. Howell, Rev. N. Levings, D. D., Rev. S. H. Cox, D. D., Rev. D. Kennedy, Rev. E. F. Haifield, Rev. J. N. Wyckoff, D. P., Rev. J. B. Waterbury, D. D., E. C. Delavan. Esq., Rev. W. Patton, D. D., Rev. J. N. Campbell, D. D., Rev. E. S. Janes, Rev. J. M. Mathews, D. D., Rev. J. O. Choules., Rev. A. D. Smith, Rev. G. B. Cheever, Rev. G. Peck, D. D., M. L. North, M. D., Rev. G. Coles P. Codwise, Esq. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.8
You will perceive that it is a sectarian thing, although they invite “the friends of Missions, of the various evangelical denominations,” to participate in the convention; yet, they must “co-operate with the American Bible and Tract Society, in their endeavors to evangelize the world;” in order to be eligible to a seat in the Convention. Will the Baptists as a denomination co-operate with an antagonist society? Never! HST May 18, 1842, page 53.9
The idea of evangelizing the world, is a noble one. But the prospect looks dubious, while the professed evangelical sects refuse to co-operate with each other in the work. We predict that it will end in mere talk. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.10
The Church of England.—Her designs. Our readers are aware that the government of Great Britain have formed the design, in connexion with the king of Prussia, to establish the protestant faith in Syria. To carry out this design, the English have made an effort to establish a bishop at Jerusalem. It should be understood, that this contrivance is not exclusively for the spread of Christianity in that apostate land, but to sustain their political power and influence, against the French Catholics, whose power and influence they fear, in that country. It is a political manouvre. The following article will show how the Bishop was received. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.11
Bishop of Jerusalem. The ensuing intelligence from Jerusalem is among the remarkable “signs of the times.” HST May 18, 1842, page 53.12
“A correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle, in a letter dated Constantinople, February 25, states, that soon after Dr. Alexander’s arrival at Jerusalem, groups of Christians, men and boys, collected at different times round his abode, and expressed their hostility by groans and offensive exclamations. When he went forth for exercise, he was followed by many low vagabonds, among whom were several Jews, reviling and insulting him; and lastly, when he performed divine service, which took place, it is said, publicly, greater crowds assembled and interrupted him, not only with hooting and menaces, but by acts amounting almost to personal injury. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.13
The Consul complained to the Governor, who ordered that any persons who repeated such conduct should be seized and chastized; but he declined to appoint a regular guard, or issue any firman, which might be construed into a recognition of the Bishop’s rank. A report was then forwarded to Sir Stratford Canning; and his excellency addressed a communication to the Porte, demanding that orders should be issued to the Governor of Jerusalem, to grant the required protection. No specific answer has been returned.” HST May 18, 1842, page 53.14
“The Leipsic Gazette of the 23rd, has an article from Constantinople of the 2nd, confirming the personal dangers incurred by Bishop Alexander at Jerusalem, and the insults to which he was exposed from both Jews and Christians, whilst preaching in the open air. The Bishop appealed to Sir Stratford Canning, and represented that if his person was not in safety, he should be under the necessity of quitting the country. The Ambassador immediately addressed the Divan on the subject. Negotiates went on for eight days, when the Porte at last decidedly refused to acknowledge the New Bishop declaring that the Turkish government would not risk creating discontent among a vast number of its subjects who hold the Greek and Roman faith, and whose privilege it is not to admit into Jerusalem what they term a heretic prelate. Izzet Pacha persisted in this resolution, and after some more representations from Sir Stratford Canning, the Porte gave the following final answer:—“As we cannot, without evident danger, acknowledge by a special firman your Anglican Bishop, we, however, out of respect for Her Majesty Queen Victoria, grant to the said Bishop the protection and toleration which we allow to all other Christian ecclesiastics who make a temporary residence in our empire. Instructions to this effect will be sent to the Tahir Pacha, to whom we will recommend the Bishop of Jerusalem.”—Herald. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.15
“The last accounts stated that he had broken with Tahir Pacha, because that functionary refused to recognize him as any thing more than an English traveller; and his relations with the Christian population seem yet more unsatisfactory. The Augsburg Gazette tells us, ‘It appears certain that the English Bishop of Jerusalem was pelted with stones by the Christians, whilst he was preaching a sermon. The Mussulmans remained neutral, (and no doubt much edified) ‘on the occasion.’ And from another source we hear, that of many reports prevalent in Constantinople with respect to Syrian affairs, the only one which has obtained confirmation from the mouth of an Ambassador is the attack on the Protestant Bishop of Jerusalem; and it is added, that his life was actually in danger.” HST May 18, 1842, page 53.16
“What is to be the result oft he Bishop’s troubles, we do not pretend to foretell; but we cannot admire the foresight or management of those who have exposed him to the peltings of the community which he comes to conciliate; and would earnestly desire his withdrawal from a position where, with the credit of the English church and nation depending on him, he can hardly tell whether it is his business to avenge or to suffer—to make himself respected as a representative of our State, or embrace the crown of martyrdom as the Missionary of our church.” HST May 18, 1842, page 53.17
The Millenium.—The want of harmony, the opposition, the irritability discernible in the political, moral and religious world, the splitting up of political parties, the quarrelling of religious bodies of the same denomination, and the division of moral societies, are among the signs of the times indicating any thing rather than the approach of that long and universal reign of peace, looked for by the believers in Christ’s spiritual reign of a thousand years on earth, commonly called the millenium; and yet many of these believers consider the time at hand, when it is to commence. Are not these among the signs of the latter days—the end of the world, when the tares and the wheat are no longer to grow together. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.18
We spoke of the irritability in the public mind. Every man of ordinary reflection must have noticed in all public bodies, and even among many individuals at the present day, a certain uneasiness and impatience of contradiction and restraint, falsely called independence, but truly self-will, which is the opposite of that charity so beautifully described by Paul, as being “first pure, then peacable, gentle, easy to be entreated,” etc. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.19
The present state of the public mind is like that impure state of the public atmosphere which requires the thunder and lightning of heaven to cleanse it. Is there not a terrible storm at hand—“a horrible tempest?” “The approach of some great event” is predicted even by those who speak with contempt of Miller and his doctrine. Look at Congress and see the discord and anarchy, the censuring and the quarrelling, and the threatening of dissolution. Look at the political parties, and see them divided among themselves. Look at the state of Rhode-Island with her two legislatures, passing laws in opposition to each other. Look at the religious community, and see an ambitious avaricious priesthood, opposing every salutary reform and wholesome truth, which happens not to chime with their narrow selfish and pharisaical views. Look at the churches of our land, cold, selfish, intent on building up sectarianism as a substitute for Christianity. Then ask whether these signs are the forerunners of a thousand years of peace and righteousness, or the separation of the righteous from the wicked. We merely throw out these suggestions for consideration. D. HST May 18, 1842, page 53.20
A Prediction.—Bro. Fitch’s letter was put into the hands of a friend in this city a few weeks since, who soon returned it with the following note, in pencil marks on the title page. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.1
“This pamphlet contains a misrepresentation and a misapplication of Scripture of most unhappy tendency. After 1843 has shown the reasoning unsound, and has given the author’s theory to the winds, well may the infidel ask, What can you prove from the Bible? HST May 18, 1842, page 54.2
N. B. Such a use of the word of God causes it to be disrespected and denied. J. S. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.3
April, 1842. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.4
How easy it is, to judge—to predict—to assert. But it is not so easy a matter to prove such assertions and predictions. Yet these are the principal arguments of our opponents. Shall such things shake our faith? Never. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.5
The Oberlin Institute—Is believed to have a more rapid growth, than any literary institution in this country. It is but eight years since the ground, on which the college buildings now stand, and the whole town, were a wilderness, and already she numbers more than 600 students. Six young people as students, five of them of this city set out for Oberlin on Tuesday morning, 3rd inst The manual labor system, to a certain extent, has been adopted both in the male and female departments. This, while it contributes to health, defrays a considerable portion of the expense, and has also a good effect on the morals. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.6
Horse-Racing—Would seem to a strange the most important business of the United States, especially if he should notice the desertion of Congress by the duellists, and those who claim to be the most prominent and influential members, to at tend these sports, at a distance of several hundred miles. At the Long Island race last week, between the celebrated horses, Fashion and Boston, the number of spectators present were supposed to be at least 60,000, and the sums of money which were bet or “changed hands,” $300,000. It is remarkable that H. A. Wise, the duellist of Virginia, an Stanley, of North Carolina, who have been quarrelling in Congress for one or two weeks past, were not only there, as might have been expected, but mounted their horses to leave the course, at the same time, and close together; and whether their horses caught their master’s spirit, or had it spurred in them by their riders, they moved but a little way before they ran violently against each other, knocking their master’s feet from the stirrups, when Stanley’s horse ran furiously forward, and as his master began to check him, in order to apologize to Wise for the accident, the latter struck him a blow over the head with a heavy loaded cane, which nearly killed him, at the same time saying, “I called you a coward in Congress, and now have struck you. If you can bear that, you may;” meaning if possible to compel him to a duel, which will be pretty likely to ensue. Horse-racing and theatrical dancing fill our newspapers, and command the largest assemblies, and the most money of any thing seen or done in this Christian land, while the second coming of Christ and the end of the world, are treated as subjects comparatively of little importance! HST May 18, 1842, page 54.7
The Dark Day
The following lines, written soon after the event to which they refer, were handed us by a friend, and afford a view of the impression the dark day made on the community at the time. One circumstance is noticed which we had never before heard named, viz. the darkening of the moon. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.8
ON THE DARK DAY, May 19th, A. D. 1780. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.9
Let us adore and bow before
The Savior, Lord of might,
Who turns away the shining day
Into the shades of night.
HST May 18, 1842, page 54.10
All nature stands when he commands,
Or changes in its course;
His mighty hand rules sea and land;
He is the Lord of hosts.
HST May 18, 1842, page 54.11
Nineteenth of May, a gloomy day,
When darkness veiled the sky;
The sun’s decline may be a sign
Some great event is nigh.
HST May 18, 1842, page 54.12
Let us remark, how black and dark,
Was the ensuing night;
And for a time the moon declined,
And did not give her light.
HST May 18, 1842, page 54.13
Can mortal man, this wonder scan,
Or tell a second cause?
Or did our God then shake his rod,
And alter nature’s laws?
HST May 18, 1842, page 54.14
And now let all who hear this call,
And saw that day so dark,
Make haste away without delay,
And get into the ark!
HST May 18, 1842, page 54.15
Sure enough, What do the Scriptures mean
In the Christian Herald of March 31, 1842 there is a question by Eld. Shaw, What does the Bible mean? HST May 18, 1842, page 54.16
I answer, read the connection, and the Bible will explain itself. Micah 4:1-5. “But in the last days it shall conic to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword again nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” Last days are the gospel days, see Hebrews 1:2. God “hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also hath he made the worlds.” Mountain of the house of the Lord, is the gospel of Jesus Christ, Psalm 72:16. “There shall be a handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.” People shall flow unto it, Gentiles coming to Christ, and saying, as says our text, “he will teach us of his ways,” his works, John 5:36”. “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” And we will walk in his paths, his ordinances and laws, Psalm 119:35. “Make me to go in the path of the commandments, for therein do I delight.” For the law shall go forth of Zion, etc. Luke 24:47. “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, Ezekiel 5:15. “So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee, in anger and in fury, and in furious rebukes. I the Lord have spoken it.” Also 25:17. “And I will execute I great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.” Isaiah 17:12, 13. “Wo to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.” And they—Who? The nations who go up to Zion and walk in his commandments, shall beat their swords into plough-shares, etc. No true children of God, who follow the example of Christ, ever have, or ever will, learn war any more, or use carnal weapons any more. This is certainly fulfilled to the letter. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation. The converted Jew will no more fight against the converted Gentile. It cannot mean wicked nations, and have a spiritual? for all say there must be a battle before or at the time Christ comes. Revelation 16:14, 15. “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief, Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” HST May 18, 1842, page 54.17
They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, etc. This verse has been literally fulfilled in the gospel day, as much so as in the days of Solomon. See 1 Kings 4:25. “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under he is fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” And none shall make them afraid, see Acts 18:9, 10. “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee, to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” This part has been fulfilled, the writer’s opinion in the Herald to the contrary notwithstanding. Ver, 5, “For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” This verse shows clearly what Scripture means, “all people walking after their gods.” All must mean a very great multitude, more than those who walk after the Lord our God, and “this,” says, brother S., “has not been fulfilled yet.” Then I say it never can be. But what a millennium this will be, all people walking after their gods of War, of Honor, of Mammon, of the World, and, I am afraid, this god has blinded the eyes of our writer, so that he cannot read his Bible without a blurr, at least, before his eyes. Who has pretended to have such a Bible, as to give this passage for a millennium? No one but opposers of Christ’s coming, Yet this writer told us, a few months since, that he had been preaching the Second Advent doctrine, save the exact time, for twenty years: and is now inquiring, “What does the bible mean?” Let him divest himself of his worldly spirit, and pray God for his Holy Spirit to lead him into all truth, and he will soon understand that such passages as Micah 4:1-5 can never support a spiritual millennium, as he evidently tries to make us believe. What does our bother mean? Does he try to make us all sceptics, by such dark hints against the Scriptures? If this is his object, I would call it more honorable for him to come out plainly, and tell us why he thus tries to throw darkness on the blessed Word. HST May 18, 1842, page 54.18
I would ask him two or three questions, and if he is honest, he will give as well as ask. HST May 18, 1842, page 55.1
1. What does the passage mean, Daniel 7:21, 22? “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed 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.” HST May 18, 1842, page 55.2
2. What does Paul mean, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8? “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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 May 18, 1842, page 55.3
3. What does Christ mean, Matthew 13:30? “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” And what is meant by Acts 14:22? “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” HST May 18, 1842, page 55.4
Also, 1 Corinthians 15:50, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” Let these plain texts be answered, and he will oblige A Believer. HST May 18, 1842, page 55.5
Letter from S. C. Rugg
to the second advent meeting in boston
To all the dear friends in Boston, who meet at the Second Advent Prayer Meetings: I say unto you, all hail! lift up your heads, and rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh; it is nearer than when we believed. We have heard the midnight cry, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. And this cry has reached many hearts, and resulted in their salvation; and now they are watching, and looking for the glorious appearance of the great God, and his Son, Jesus Christ. HST May 18, 1842, page 55.6
Dear friends, is it so with us? Is it heartfelt and deep, and an abiding faith; such as will stand in the hour of trial? Are our lamps trimmed and burning? Are we waiting upon God, ready and willing to bear the cross for Christ’s sake; and be known of all men, as believers in this unpopular doctrine, which brings odium and contempt upon us? Or are we careful for our reputation, and so keep back part of the price? These are important points to be decided; and the great day of decision will soon arrive, when the judgment will sit. Let us count the cost. Salvation is ours HST May 18, 1842, page 55.7
THE HEAVENLY REST
Andante
1 There is an hour of peaceful rest,
To mourning wander’rs given;
There is a joy for souls distress’d,
A balm for every wounded breast,
‘Tis found alone in heaven.
HST May 18, 1842, page 55.8
2 There is a soft, a downy bed,
As fair as breath of even;
A couch for weary mortals spread,
Where they may rest the aching head,
And find repose in heaven.
HST May 18, 1842, page 55.9
3 There is a home for weary souls,
By sin and sorrow driven;
When tossed on life’s tempestuous shoals,
Where storms arise and ocean rolls,
And all is drear—but heaven.
HST May 18, 1842, page 55.10
4 There faith lifts up the tearless eye,
To brighter prospects given;
It views the tempest passing by,
Sees evening shadows quickly fly,
And all serene—in heaven.
HST May 18, 1842, page 55.11
5 There fragrant flowers immortal bloom,
And joys supreme are given;
There rays divine disperse the gloom:—
Beyond the dark, the narrow tomb
Appears the dawn of heaven.
HST May 18, 1842, page 55.12
at the loss of all things. Who will pay the price? A preparation of heart is a necessary requisition. A short article in the last Signs of the Times, on Christian Holiness, was to the point. Literal fire cannot cleanse the heart of the church; the fire of God’s truth must purify the heart, the temple of the Holy Ghost must be occupied by its rightful owner; and then, and not till then, will the church be ready as a bride adorned for her husband. Do not let us be deceived with the shadow of a belief, without the substance. I have seen some who, it seemed to me, had a sort of intellectual belief of the head, while their hearts did not seem to be prepared to receive other truths of the gospel as well as this. Such, it seems to me, are making this belief the turning point of their salvation; and they don’t want to hear anything about any other doctrine. Such, I am afraid, will not be ready. With such we have a duty to do; are we willing to be faithful to such, and tell them that this is not the whole Gospel, but essential to the whole.
It is a great thing to become a little child, and to receive the gospel as a little child. It is too simple for manhood. Hence the necessity of Christ’s instruction when he was asked, who should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And Jesus took a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall hnmble himself, as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Here is a lesson well adapted for our instruction, if we have the spirit which Christ said should bring all things to our remembrance, whatsoever he had said. May the Lord be with you by his spirit, in all your meetings, and sit as a refiner with you, in all your deliberations. Groton, April 4, 1842. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.1
The Opposition—Mr. Miller
Several persons who dissent from us on the doctrine of the advent near, are now writing in the “Christian Palladium,” in opposition to our views. Among these Elder S. Clough stands conspicuous. Elders Barr, Bailey, and others, have made some objections to the doctrine: Bro. Fleming is replying to Bro. Clough at length. The following brief notice of their productions by Bro. Miller, will give our readers some idea of the strength of the opposition to his views. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.2
Dear Bro. Marsh.—I did not see your letter till I arrived at home from Hartford, Ct. last Saturday. This is my only apology for not answering your kind letter before. I have also received No. 22 of the Palladium for which I thank you. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.3
As it respects Bro. Clough’s remarks on my chronology as he is pleased to call it, the reader will duly appreciate his unchristian remarks, about my “bias” and “going over it again and again, and re-arranging and altering, till he has made his figures bring out the result which he desires.” Yet with all of his own bias and unchristian spirit, he has given my “re-arranged and altered chronology” down to the Exode, lacking one year the time of the flood! Then from the Exode to the building of the temple, he has given but 480 years, according to 1 Kings 6:1, which every unbiassed mind must acknowledge cannot be correct, and have the chronology of the Judges true which I have given, the declaration of Paul, in Acts 13:20. And Josephus, who says, “From the death of Moses to the death of Eli was 476 years,” agreeing with Paul and the chronology of the Judges into three years certain, as I have given it. Now let every candid mind judge which of us have the most testimony: he has 1 Kings 6:1. I have the history of the Judges, the apostle Paul, and the account Josephus has given, which destroys, at one blow, all his Yankeism about Josephus “probably eight years in ancient copies, instead of eighty.” This he calls “plain and positive declaration.” Surely Bro. Clough will be entitled to a doctorate soon, if he can make guess work such positive proof. Error might have crept into the text, as he says, in 1 Kings 6:1, and ten times more likely than in Judges, Paul and Josephus all different writers, and at different times. If I am “biased” in my judgment by my fondness for 1843, what must be the bias of that mind who will reject all this testimony, and even one king’s reign, Jehoiakim, of 11 years entirely, in order to make his favorite 4004 before Christ!!! It is plain as the sun that the 70 years began when all the vessels of the house of the Lord was carried away; see 2 Chronicles 36:9-10; also 17—21; here we are expressly told when the 70 years began, in the days of Jehoiakim, who reigned but three months and ten days; then was the house of God burnt and all the vessels, great and small carried away, and the three score and ten years began. Jehoiakim reigned 11 years before that. Put this, and the addition of Paul and Josephus to Br. Clough’s own chronology, and we have 6000 years ending 1842. Let him give me the credit as he ought, of having the weight of testimony in favor of those two periods, and I care not a fig whether it comes this year or next. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.4
Elder Bailey, and Elder Barr’s objections are so foolish and show such a want of Scripture knowledge and common sense, that I hope when they study their Bibles more they will learn Bro. Bailey that Abraham was not Terah’s oldest son. And Bro. Barr that Jehoram reigned three years with his father. And that Amaziah reigned but 15 years under Joash king of Israel, and 15 years under Jeroboam, 2 Kings 14:17. Then 11 years added to fifteen makes 26 years of Jeroboam’s reign and Azariah reigned in the 27th year, the time is all told, and I cannot get but 11 years inter regnum. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.5
As it respects Samuel’s reign I cannot prove by Bible but 24 years, and when my chronology was made, I did not know what elder Barr did “think,” nor what the Pope of Rome thought, and if I had, I do not know as I should have paid any attention to either. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.6
As it respects Bro. Clough’s remarks on the time of Manasseh’s captivity 677 years be fore Christ, he well knows how Prideaux makes it 673, B. C. by supposing Christ to have been born 4 years before our era, and he cannot be so ignorant, as not to know that it will make no difference in my calculation, whether we say 673 and 1847 makes 2520; or whether we say 677 and 1843 making 2520. Both calculations are the same year. As it respects the captivity of Daniel, 607 and the 70 years are two events, one is the last regular jubilee kept by the Jews, the other when the house of God was burned and the land laid in desolation. I am truly astonished to see the pretended servants of God take so much pains to blind people when it is so easy to obtain light. I remain yours in the blessed hope in the second advent in 1843. Wm. Miller. Low-Hampton, April 4, 1842. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.7
To Agents.—A remittance of what they have on hand will be thankfully received. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.8
New York.—We have just returned from the Conference and Lectures in that city. The prospects there are cheering. Particulars in our next. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.9
General Conference in Boston
Will commence on Tuesday, May 24th, at the Melodeon, and continue through the week. We anticipate 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 trilling excuse should he 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 18, 1842, page 56.10
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 in 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, und act promptly. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.11
We are happy to state that, (Providence permitting,) the Rev. G. F. Cox, of Portland, Me. and Mr. William Miller, will attend the above Conference. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.12
Conference in Pittsfield
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 18, 1842, page 56.13
Bro. Calvin French will commence a course of lectures in the above-named place on Saturday evening, May 21st. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.14
Boston, April 27, 1842. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.15
Letters
Received up to May 14—From P. M. South China, Me.—Ballston Spa, N. Y.—West Woodstock, Ct—New Lebanon Springs, N. Y.—Vergennes, Vt.—North Danville, Vt.—New Ipswich, N. H—Fort Ann, N. Y.—Sudbury, Vt.—East Sheldon, Vt.—West, Boylston, Mass.—Greenville, S. C.—Columbus, Miss.—Greenville, S. C.—Haverhill, N. H.—Barbersville, Orange Co. Va.—Woodstock, Vt.—Exeter, N. H.—Portsmouth, N. H.—Kellingley, Ct.—Goshen, Ga.—Cornville, Me.—Tunbridge, Vt.—North Penobscot, Me.—East Newport, Me.—Essex, Ct.—Union Mills,—N. Y.—Canaan, Wayne Co. Pa. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.16
From Durius Fowle, Jonas D. Johnson, Hiram Shipman, Solomon Perry, A. J. Williamson, rem. Charles A. Hastings, Henry W. Cutler, Wm. H. Nason, Israel T. Rundall, Josiah Green, Jr. E. B. Crandall, Ira Mann., Peter Hough, W. &. C. B. Roberts, N. J. Clark, John J. Dadmun, D. Burgess, Franklin Lumbard, S. P. Gilbert. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.17
Books Sent
One bundle to Isaac Vaughn, South Carver, via. Plymouth, Mass. One to Wm. H. Nason, Plymouth, Me. via. Bangor Me. One box to James Tolman, Washington City, D. C. via. Alexandria, D. C. One bundle to U. J. Clark, St. Johns, N. B. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.18
New Publications
Cox’s Letters on the Millenium.—Just published, and for sale at this office. 132 pages. Price 25 cts. in board, 18 3-4 in paper covers. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.19
Mormon Delusions and Mo strosities.—Just published, and for sale at this office. 90 pages. price 15 cts. $10 per hundred. HST May 18, 1842, page 56.20