Signs of the Times and Expositor of Prophecy [Himes], vol. 3
September 7, 1842
Vol. III.—No. 23. Boston, Whole No. 71
Joshua V. Himes & Josiah Litch, Editors. Office No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
AND EXPOSITOR OF PROPHECY.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 7, 1842.
“Of that Day and that Hour.”
Conversation on Matthew 24:36. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.1
Objector.—Good morning, Mr. Believer; I am happy to meet with you; I have long wished to have some conversation with you on your favorite theme, the second coming of Christ. How does your faith hold out? Do you not sometimes waver in regard to the time? HST September 7, 1842, page 177.2
Believer.—Waver! Hold out! Why do you ask that question? Do you suppose I have entered on this great truth without due deliberation; and an assurance that the WORD OF GOD most clearly teaches it? And with such a foundation, why should I waver? No, my friend; although heaven and earth are strong, yet I believe God’s word to be stronger. And although heaven and earth may pass away, that word will never fail. But, permit me to inquire, in turn, how you stand affected on the subject. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.3
Obj.—Well, sir, I don’t believe you or any body else knows anything about when it will be. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.4
Bel.—How so? Has not the history of the world been several times portrayed by the prophets, beginning in ancient times, and extending to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven? Now, if we can trace the events predicted, in the history of the world, and can find all these predicted circumstances accomplished, except the last, will it not afford us some information on the subject? Must we not come to the conclusion that the great event is nigh, even at the door? HST September 7, 1842, page 177.5
Obj.—I do not so much object to your teaching that it is near, as I do to your fixing the exact time. For Christ said, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only.” To say that he only meant the day and hour literally, and that you do not pretend to fix either the day, or hour of the day, but only the year, is only evading the question. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.6
Bel.—Very well; then I will not say thus. But you grant that the Savior teaches that the Father did know the day and the hour. Then, of course, he had fixed it. He did not say that it never should be known, but that it was not then known to men or angels. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man,” etc. That was said to the world 1800 years ago, and in the present tense, and of course could have no bearing on us. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.7
Obj.—That is a mere quibble; do you not sometimes state that God calls those things which are not, as though they were; i. e., speaks in the present tense of things thousands of years in the future? This principle will hold good in this place. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.8
Bel.—The correctness of the principle I grant, but not its application to this declaration of Christ. The instances where the principle is applied are prophecies of events yet future; this text is an answer to the question of the disciples; “When shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?” He gave them the signs, and then told them, “but of that day and hour knoweth no man,” etc. There is another important principle to be observed in interpreting the Sacred Oracles. It is this, that the Bible, if rightly understood, will harmonize throughout. And if in any instance this is not the case, we may be certain we are wrong in our constructions of the infallible Word. Now let us read the text with the addition of a clause. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man,” nor ever shall know, not even “the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” By the side of this reading, (which is the true one, if your construction of it is correct,) we will place another text. Daniel 12. Speaking of the reign of Christ, the deliverance of all his people, the resurrection of the just, and their eternal glory, the question was asked, “How long [it should] be to the end of all these wonders?” The answer was given in time and events. But when Daniel would further inquire, he was told, “Go thy way, Daniel, the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end.” “None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” Is there not in this text a plain declaration that the words were not to be understood till the time of the end; that until then they were closed up and sealed? And is it not as plainly declared that the wise shall understand? Are we to believe, then, that these texts contradict each other? HST September 7, 1842, page 177.9
Obj.—The prophecies are so obscure, full of mysteries, and withall so figurative, that we cannot tell much about them. There is enough in the Bible that is plain, and I think we had better attend to that. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.10
Bel.—But that is evading the question. Do Christ and Daniel contradict each other? The one saying that neither men or angels knew, or ever would know, the time of his coming? The other, saying, that although revealed, it was shut up and sealed to the time of the end, and could not be understood till then: but that the wise shall [then] understand? HST September 7, 1842, page 177.11
Obj.—But it is not so clear after all, that there is any reference in Daniel 12. “the wise shall understand,” to the time of Christ’s coming. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.12
Bel.—Indeed! How is that? Was not the promise given in answer to the angel’s question, “How long shall it be to the end of all these wonders?” viz. the resurrection and eternal glorification of the saints? And Daniel’s question for information respecting the import of that answer? Where, then, is the uncertainty about it? HST September 7, 1842, page 177.13
Obj.—I confess it looks more clear than it did. But yet I do not know as you have the right understanding of it. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.14
Bel.—That is not the point in hand. The only question now to be settled is, Has God revealed the time of the resurrection of the just, which is to be at Christ’s coming? Is it not clearly revealed in the 12th of Daniel? And then the reason assigned why Daniel did not understand? It was closed and sealed to the time of the end. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.15
Obj.—Why, yes; that seems to be so. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.16
Bel.—I ask again, then, can the event come, before the wise understand, without breaking God’s promise, “the wise shall understand?” Is not the promise positive? But the time of the end has now come, and came with the fall of the Pope in 1798, and the seal is broken. The wise may now understand what neither angels or men knew when Christ was on earth. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.17
Parsons Cooke in Trouble.—It will be remembered that the believers in the Second Advent at hand, held very interesting and important meetings this season, during the anniversary weeks in New York and Boston. At one of these meetings money was raised among our friends for the diffusion of light on the Second Advent. These meetings being full, and withal very effective, it seems Mr. Cooke was very much troubled by them. But what to do, he did not find, till he heard of a certain Home Missionary Society in London, which, according to his story, [we have no other evidence before us,] who were a class of impostors. Well, now was a good chance for him to let off some of his spleen, at least by “insinuations.” 1. He nicknames a respectable denomination of Christians as “Christyans!” In this he shows, first, low breeding, and, secondly, a want of knowledge, or respect for the English language; for there is no such word in the king’s English. 2. He has nicknamed a large and respectable body of believers in the Advent near, from all denominations, as “Millerites,” which is an insult. 3. He endeavors to unite and associate them with a vile class of impostors, [if his statement is true,] and thus, so far as his influence will go, to destroy all public confidence in us. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.18
Well, Mr. Cooke, this is very smart, for one of the sons of the “Puritans!!” But seeing we perfectly understand you in this trick, you will have to try again. We give the article entire, that our readers may judge of the design for themselves. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.19
Imposture Exploded.—The late religious anniversaries in London, wound up with a scene which, we are happy to say, is a novelty. It seems that for three or four years past, a few individuals in England, entertaining views similar to our Christyans and Millerites, have been at work on a system of shameless imposture, to organize and build up a sect. They had sent forth some twenty persons under the name of “missionaries,” to solicit funds for their own support. The object to which the funds were to be applied, was carefully concealed. The funds were solicited for the “Home Missionary Society.” And if any questions were asked, the solicitors showed a card, containing the name “Home Missionary Society,” in common type, with the name General prefixed in a faint letter, so as to be hardly perceptible. The truth was, they had assumed the name of General Home Missionary Society, so as to avail themselves by stealth of the reputation of the existing Home Missionary Society, and secure money from its friends by false representations. This scheme had advanced with some success for four years. And its projectors concluded that it was time to take their place before the British public as one of the national benevolent societies. HST September 7, 1842, page 177.20
So they advertised a public meeting among the other anniversaries at Exeter Hall. About 200 persons attended the meeting. The platform was occupied by 12 or 14 missionaries, who, for the most part, constituted the Society, the solicitors, the collecting agents and executive officers, all in their own persons. In the body of the house were Doctors Campbell and Matheson, and several other congregational ministers, who came for the purpose of exposing the fraud, having previously prepared themselves with facts. The chairman, one of the missionaries, opened with a speech detailing his own services, trials and successes, and closed his remarks by saying; “We court investigation, we want the world to sift us through and through. And if we cannot stand on the ground of Christian integrity, and principle, in the name of God, let us fall.” HST September 7, 1842, page 178.1
The report was then read, stating that the Society had 22 missionaries in the field, and had collected L966, 17s. 4d. This was followed by a speech by Rev. H. S. Sleep, setting forth the glories of Millerism. And he was seconded by Mr. Marwood, much in the same strain, courting investigation; and they soon had investigation to their hearts’ content. Rev. Mr. Ainslie rose and put to the chairman a list of questions, such as “Where are your head quarters? What accredited ministers of any denomination are attached to the Society? Whether the missionaries are collectors of the Society? Whether six of them have been collecting in London for the last six weeks? Are the missionaries themselves an irresponsible body, appointed by each other? And he closed his catechism by informing the meeting that he had evidence to show that they had been collecting funds in the name of the Home Missionary Society. And, after some interruption, he went on to exhibit evidence. After bringing out some startling facts, the chairman wished to know how long he was to speak. He intimated that he would give way for the chairman to answer his questions. The chairman said he could not remember them all. This was but the commencement of a searching operation, which was continued till past 11 o’clock at night, when a resolution was proposed to this effect, “That the General Home Missionary Society, in its present constitution, does not appear to the meeting to deserve public confidence.” The chairman hesitated to put the motion, said that it would crush the Society; and they were in debt L200, and would have no means of paying. If it must be put, he proposed to leave the chair. The meeting insisted on his keeping it. His fellow-missionaries protested against his putting it. The meeting insisted on it. He did it, and there was a large vote in its favor, and only four against it. Thus ended a nefarious scheme of imposture to promote Millerism and Christyanism. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.2
The Turkish Empire.—By the late news from Europe, we find the old world in great agitation. Scarcely any part of Europe or Asia are at rest. The Ottoman Empire partakes largely of this agitation. We give the following extracts from a London paper, which may be of interest to those who still contend for the stability of that power. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.3
Turkey.—Constantinople letters of the 14th July, represent the affairs of the Ottoman empire to have assumed a serious aspect. Complications and embarrassments of various kinds-menace the Porte on every side. War with Persia is reported to have been declared, or to be upon the eve of declaration; and it will be remarked that Russia, not great Britain, has been appealed to as a mediator by both parties. Taking advantage of the supposed hostile intentions of England and other powers, the Belgarian and Greek-Servian agitators, stimulated by foreign emissaries, have raised the standard of revolt in the vicinity of Nissa, and similar outbreaks are expected in Thessaly. The Martinigrons are in a disorderly state and the Pacha of Bagdad has defied the orders of the Grand Vizier, commanding him to exchange with Nezib Pacha, of Damascus. Without any open declaration of Independence, Ali Reza Pacha acts as if he proposed to imitate the example of Mehemet Ali. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.4
Delegates have reached Constantinople from the Maronites, declaring that peace cannot be re-established unless a Christian governor is re-appointed. Troops are marching in every direction toward the menaced points, and the Porte is anxiously waiting to ascertain whether the British Government will range itself among the number of its enemies. Some hope exists of the Grecian negotiation being resumed; and the affair of Wallachia has been temporarily settled through the mediation of Russia. [London Chronicle, Aug. 4. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.5
Our Constantinople correspondence of the 13th ult. contains most important news—no less than the breaking out of war between the Ottoman Porte and Persia. Rumors of an approaching struggle had lately prevailed in the Turkish capital, to which our agent had given no belief, but it appears now that hostilities have broken out in good earnest, and that a Persian army is already in march to the Turkish frontier. The Shah of Persia has also given orders to all his subjects resident in Turkey to return home; but it appears that the Porte will not allow any of them to depart until their pecuniary engagements be all fulfilled. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.6
The Porte, though taken by surprise, has got ready an army of 30,000 men to resist the invaders, and it is possible that we may soon hear of actual hostilities. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.7
It is said at Constantinople that this war has been fomented by foreign influence, and we have no doubt the foreign influence alluded to is that of Russia, which is determined that Turkey shall have no repose. London Herald, Aug. 3. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.8
Still Later. By the arrival of the steam-ship Caledonia we have received Liverpool papers of the 19th ult, from which we give the following: HST September 7, 1842, page 178.9
The East.—The Augsburg Gazette of the 5th instant publishes accounts from Constantinople of the 20th ult. They state that considerable reinforcements were then on their march to Bagdad. Two regiments of infantry of the Imperial Guard embarked for Smyrna on the 19th, under the command of Mustapha Pasha. They were to proceed hence to Damascus where Nedschib Pacha the new governor of Bagdad, was to join them with 3000 men. The Pasha of Aleppo had also been directed to form a junction with those troops with all his disposable forces, once united, the three corps were to march in the direction of Bagdad. The two regimentals of cavalry of the guard and the artilery were to proceed overland to Samsoon, and thence to Bagdad through Koordistan. A regiment of infantry was advancing in the same direction from Sivas, and a regiment of cavalry from Angora. The Pasha of Mossul was also on his way hither at the head of 10,000 irregulars, and was to assume the command-in-chief of the army. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.10
To Correspondents. The editors and publishers of this paper, would make an apology to correspondents for the apparent neglect of some of their communications. The editors from a necessity have both been absent the most of the time for some time past. They hope to be able in future to attend to all important questions and communications connected with the vital interests of the cause. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.11
Agents, will much oblige us by sending in what is now due, both for books, and the “Signs of the Times.” Promptness in this matter will save us much trouble. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.12
An Incident—Land for Sale.—During the campmeeting at Gilmanton, N. H., at the close of a lecture, a brother by the name of Wm. Thomson of Wolfborough, came forward and asked the privilege of speaking for a few minutes from the stand. He stated that he had a full conviction of the truth of the Second Advent doctrine, and that Christ would come in 1843. He had more of this world’s goods than he needed, and wished to dispose of it for the advancement of the Second Advent cause. He had 2000 acres of land in the north part of the state, which he then and there pledged himself to sell and convey by a good and sufficient title, to any man who would pay him two thirds its real value; and the avails should go to advance the cause of God, by giving the midnight cry. Who will come forward and advance the money for the land. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.13
The Gilmanton Campmeeting closed on Friday last, and has been a great and good meeting. We have never witnessed a more gracious outpouring of the Spirit, on both saints and sinners, ministers and people. A number of ministers of the different denominations who went on to the ground unbelieving, and some of them strongly opposed to the Second Advent doctrine, before the close came forward and declared their conviction of the truth of the doctrine, and their determination to give the midnight cry. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.14
Springfield Campmeeting.—Bro. Himes writes (Sept. 2) from Springfield, “The meeting is going on triumphantly—Bro. Miller is here, and is now lecturing.” The meeting continues over two Sabbaths. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.15
Fruits of the Littleton Campmeeting.—We learn that a glorious revival has broken out in Acton Mass as the fruits of the campmeeting in Littleton; from 76 to 100 have already professed to find peace in believing. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.16
To those concerned in washington Co.N. Y., or Rutland Co. Vt.—If the friends of the cause in those counties wish a Second Advent Campmeeting in either county, they can have one, to commence October 20th, if they will make immediate arrangements, and send word to the office of the Signs of the Times. The following persons are appointed as a Committee of Arrangements. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.17
Brethren H. J. Baldwin, Hartford, Wash. Co. N. Y.
Simeon Fletcher, Sandy Hill, N. Y.
J. O. Nason, Fort Ann, N. Y.
Wm. Stoors, Benson, Vt.
---- Church, Whiting, Vt.
C. A. Thomas, Brandon, Vt.
The great Tabernacle Tent will be present.
HST September 7, 1842, page 178.18
Extract of a Letter from H.G. Corley
Brother Himes:—Although a stranger personally, I take the liberty to obtrude myself before you with my pen, to give you some account of the prospect we have in view. In the course of the season past, towns around us have been blessed with lectures on the Second Advent of Christ into the world—viz. Dixmont, Monroe, Swanville, Troy, etc., have all been supplied by Brother Oakes, who is now laboring in Unity with a good prospect before him, and all the above named places have been blessed with revivals, I think; and God’s believing children have been strengthened, enlightened and encouraged to look for the coming of the Lord Jesus near at hand, and in this place we have just been favored with a course of lectures by brother Jonathan Hamilton. It has been an awakening time, the children of God have been revived in this place, the wanderer has been reclaimed, the sinner awakened, and a general interest is felt, and the prospect is, God is leading his people up from the wilderness into higher and more holy ground. Jackson, Me. Aug. 12. HST September 7, 1842, page 178.19
THE GREAT CRISIS
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED FORTY-THREE
No. 2. BOSTON, AUGUST 4, 1842. Vol. I.
THE THREE WO TRUMPETS. Wo! Wo!! Wo!!!
Fall of the Ottoman Empire, or Ottoman Supremacy departed, August 11, 1840. 50
BY JOSIAH LITCH.
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Wo, wo, wo, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound....... Revelation 8:13. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.1
The second wo is past; and behold, the third wo cometh quickly...... Revelation 11:14. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.2
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.. Revelation 11:15. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.3
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth...... Revelation 11:18. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.4
Revelation, ninth chapter
The book of Revelation has long been looked upon as a book of inexplicable mysteries, altogether beyond the reach of the comprehension of mortals. And this opinion has received too much encouragement from professed teachers and expounders of the word of God, many of them of eminent talents and various learning. It is greatly to be feared much evil has been done by their unguarded remarks respecting the obscurity of unfulfilled prophecy in general, and the book of Revelation in particular. Can it be otherwise than that the Holy Spirit is grieved, and the God of Revelation slighted and insulted, by such insinuations and remarks as are frequently made in reference to the sure word of prophecy? How differently has the author of the book expressed himself in reference to it! He calls it, “The Book Of The Revelation Of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to SHOW unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John, who bare record,” etc. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.5
If it is a revelation, then it is not an inexplicable mystery, but the mind of God made known to man. “Blessed,” then, “is he that readeth, and they which hear the words of the prophecy of this book.” If God, then, has pronounced a blessing on the reader of this book, who shall disannal it? We may say, “Let them curse, but bless thou.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.6
It is admitted that the book is highly figurative and cannot be readily understood without labor and pains-taking. But at the same time this admission is made, it is maintained that there is a key for interpreting all the figures of the Holy Scriptures, if we will but take the pains to reach for it, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.7
But to our subject. The text is a part of a prediction of a long series of events, presented under the sounding by seven angels of seven trumpets. What events were shadowed forth by the sounding of the first four angels, we shall not now stop to inquire, but shall come at once to the fifth trumpet, and the events which accompanied its sounding. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.8
When the fourth angel ceased to sound, it was said, “Wo, wo, wo to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.9
Revelation 9:1: “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth; and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.10
A star, in the figurative language of Revelation, is a minister of religion. See Revelation 1:20: “The seven stars are the angels (or ministers) of the seven churches.” A fallen star, then would signify a fallen or heretical minister of religion. This was undoubtedly the Arabian impostor, Mahomet. There is so general an agreement among Christians, especially protestant commentators, that the subject of this prediction is Mahommedism, I shall not enter into the argument at large to prove it; but in passing, shall merely give a brief exposition of the emblems used, and their application in the text. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.11
Verse 2: “And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.12
If Mahomet was the fallen star who opened the bottomless pit, then the smoke was the cloud of errors which arose through his instrumentality, darkening the sun, (gospel light,) and the air, (the influence of Christianity on the minds of men.) In this enterprise, he and his followers were so successful that the light of Christianity almost disappeared wherever he gained an influence; and the smoke of the pit produced nearly total darkness throughout the eastern church. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.13
Verse 3: “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.14
Locusts upon the earth. That these locusts were emblems of an army, is clear from verses 7, 8: “And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions,” etc. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.15
This description corresponds strikingly with the description history gives us of the Mahommedan horsemen. 1. The shape of the locusts, like horses prepared for battle. 2. Their headdress. “Faces of men, hair as the hair of women, and crowns like gold on their heads.” Such is the description of a Mahommedan horseman prepared for battle. A horse, a rider with a man’s face, long flowing beard, woman’s hair, flowing or plaited, and the head encircled with a yellow turban, like gold. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.16
“Was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.17
“The scorpion is generally two inches in length, and resembles so much the lobster in form, that the latter is called by the Arabs the sea-scorpion. The poison of this animal is in its tail, at the end of which is a small, curved, sharp-pointed sting, similar to the prickle of a buckthorn tree; the curve being downward, it turns its tail upward when it strikes a blow. Some are yellow, others brown, and some black. The yellow possesses the strongest poison, but the venom of each affects the wounded part with frigidity, which takes place soon after the sting has been inflicted.” 51 HST September 7, 1842, page 179.18
Discarides gives an account of the effect produced by the sting of a scorpion. “Where the scorpion has stung, the place becomes inflamed and hardened. It reddens by tension, and is painful by intervals, being now chilly, and now burning. The pain soon rises high and rages; sometimes more, sometimes less. A sweating succeeds, attended by a shivering and trembling; the extremities of the body become cold; the groin swells; the hair stands on end; the visage becomes pale; and the skin feels throughout it the sensation of perpetual prickling, as if by needles.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.19
Martinicus says of the attack,” Scorpions have nippers, or pincers, with which they keep hold of what they seize, after they have wounded it with their sting.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.20
The Mahommedan armies were principally horsemen; and these armies were the principal instruments by means of which the Mahommedan religion was propagated. Like the scorpion, Mahomet stung the subjects of his proselytism, and infused the poison of his doctrines, and continued to hold them by the force of arms, until it had affected the whole man, and the subject settled down in the belief of his delusive errors. For ten years Mahomet labored in Mecca to propagate his religion by moral means; but it made but slow progress. He then was obliged, by flight to Medina, to save his own life. In Medina he was cordially received, and soon assumed both the regal and sacerdotal characters, enlisted an army, and commenced the extension of his religion by the power of the sword. Wherever his arms triumphed, there his religion was imposed on men, whether they believed it or not. It was not a gentle infusion of truth by moral suasion, but a violent, forcible imposition of falsehood, or poisonous error, and a retention by force of the victim, until the poison took effect. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.21
“The successors of the prophet propagated his faith and imitated his example; and such was the rapidity of their progress, that in the space of a century, Persia, Syria, Egypt, Africa, and Spain, had submitted to the victorious arms of the Arabian and Saracen conquerors.” 52 HST September 7, 1842, page 179.22
Verse 4: “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” HST September 7, 1842, page 179.23
Grass, green thing, and tree, are here put in opposition to those men who have not the seal of God, etc. If so, they must mean those who have the seal of God—his worshippers. HST September 7, 1842, page 179.24
“Among the torments inflicted by the Mohammedan powers upon the conquered, were the following:—Infidels, who rejected the Christian religion, and also all idolaters, they forced to receive the Mohammedan religion, upon pain of death. But Jews and Christians, who had their Bibles and their religion, they left to the enjoyment of them, upon their paying large sums, which they exacted. But where the payment of such sums was refused, they must either embrace the new religion or die.” 53 Thus it was commanded them not to hurt grass, green thing, tree—Christians; but those who had not the seal of God—infidels and heathen. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.1
Verse 5: “And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.2
As the language thus far has been figurative; so it must be here also. To kill, signifies a political death, or subjection. The nation of Christians who were the subjects of this plague were to be tormented five months, but not politically slain. Five months is one hundred and fifty days; each day a full solar year; the whole time one hundred and fifty years. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.3
Verse 6: “And in those days men shall seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.4
This, of course, is the same death as that in verse 5, viz., political. Such was the misery of the Greeks, occasioned by the wars in which they were almost continually embroiled with the Mohammedan powers, that very many would have preferred an entire subjection of the empire to them, to the protracted miseries the war occasioned. But this was not permitted; political death fled from them. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.5
The torment of the Greeks one hundred and fifty years
Verse 10: “Their power was to hurt men five months.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.6
1. The question arises, What men were they to hurt five months? Undoubtedly, the same they were afterwards to slay; (see verse 15.) “The third part of men,” or third of the Roman empire—the Greek division of it. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.7
2. When were they to begin their work of torment? The 11th verse answers the question:—“They had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek hath his name Apollyon.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.8
1. “They had a king over them.” From the death of Mahomet until near the close of the 13th century, the Mahommedans were divided into various factions, under several leaders, with no general civil government extending over them all. Near the close of the 13th century, Othman founded a government, which has since been known as the Ottoman government, or empire, extending over all the principal Mohommedan tribes, consolidating them into one grand monarchy. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.9
2. The character of the king. “Which is the angel of the bottomless pit.” An angel signifies a messenger, or minister, either good or bad; not always a spiritual being. “The angel of the bottomless pit,” or chief minister of the religion which came from thence when it was opened. That religion is Mahommedism, and the Sultan is its chief minister. “The Sultan, or Grand Signior, as he is indifferently called, is also Supreme Caliph, or high priest, uniting in his person the highest spiritual dignity with the supreme secular authority.” 54 HST September 7, 1842, page 180.10
When the address of “The World’s Anti-Slavery Convention” was presented to Mehemet Ali, he expressed his willingness to act in the matter, but said he could do nothing; they “must go to the heads of religion at Constantinople,” that is, the Sultan. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.11
3. His name. In Hebrew, “Abaddon,” the destroyer; in Greek, “Apollyon” one that exterminates or destroys. Having two different names in the two languages, it is evident that the character rather than the name of the power is intended to be represented. If so, in both language he is a destroyer. Such has always been the character of the Ottoman government. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.12
Says Perkins, “He,” the Sultan, “has unlimited power over the lives and property of his subjects, especially of the high officers of state, whom he can remove, plunder or put to death at pleasure. They are required submissively to kiss the bow-string which he sends them, wherewith they are to be strangled.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.13
All the above marks apply to the Ottoman government in a striking manner. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.14
But when did Othman make his first assault on the Greek empire? According to Gibbon (“Decl. and Fall” etc.) “Othman first entered the territory of Nicomedia on the 27th day of July, 1299.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.15
The calculations of some writers have gone upon the supposition that the period should begin with the foundation of the Ottoman empire; but this is evidently an error: for they not only were to have a king over them, but were to torment men five months. But the period of torment could not begin before the first attack of the tormentors, which was as above, July 27th, 1299. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.16
The calculation which follows, founded on this starting-point, was made and published in “Christ’s Second Coming,” etc, by the author in 1838. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.17
“And their power was to torment men five months.” Thus far their commission extended, to torment, by constant depredations, but not: politically to kill them. “Five months;” that it is, one hundred and fifty years. Commencing July 27th, 1299, the one hundred and fifty years reach to 1449. During that whole period the Turks were engaged in an almost perpetual war with the Greek empire, but yet without conquering it. They seized upon and held several of the Greek provinces, but still Greek independence was maintained in Constantinople. But in 1449, the termination of the one hundred and fifty years, a change came. Before presenting the history of that change, however, we will look at verses 12-15. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.18
The Ottoman supremacy in Constantinople three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days
Verse 12: “One wo is past; and behold, there come two woes more hereafter.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.19
Verse 13: “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice, from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.20
Verse 14: “Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.21
Verse 15: “And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, a day, a months and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.22
The first wo was to continue from the rise of Mahommedism until the end of the five months. Then the first wo was to end, and the second begin. And when the sixth angel sounded, it was commanded to take off the restraints which had been imposed on the nation, by which they were restricted to the work of tormenting men, and their commission extended to slay the third part of men. This command came from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God. “The four angels,” are the four principal sultanies of which the Ottoman empire is composed, located in the country of the Euphrates. They had been restrained; God commanded, and they were loosed. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.23
In the year 1449, John Paleologus, the Greek emperor, died, but left no children to inherit his throne, and Constantine Deacozes succeeded to it. But he would not venture to ascend the throne without the consent of Amurath, the Turkish Sultan. He therefore sent ambassadors to ask his consent, and obtained it, before he presumed to call himself sovereign. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.24
“This shameful proceeding seemed to presage the approaching downfall of the empire. Ducas, the historian, counts John Paleologus for the last Greek emperor, without doubt, because he did not consider as such a prince who had not dared to reign without the permission, of his enemy.” 55 HST September 7, 1842, page 180.25
Let this historical fact be carefully examined in connection with the prediction above. This was not a violent assault made on the Greeks, by which their empire was overthrown and their independence taken away, but simply a voluntary surrender of that independence into the hands of the Turks, by saying, “I cannot reign unless you permit.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.26
The four angels were loosed for an hour, a day, a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men. This period amounts to three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days; during which Ottoman supremacy was to exist in Constantinople. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.27
Commencing when the one hundred and fifty years ended, in 1449, the period would end August 11th, 1840. Judging from the manner of the commencement of the Ottoman supremacy, that it was by a voluntary acknowledgment on the part of the Greek emperor that he only reigned by permission of the Turkish Sultan, we should naturally conclude that the fall or departure of Ottoman independence would be brought about in the same way; that at the end of the specified period, the Sultan would voluntarily surrender his independence into the hands of the Christian powers, from whom he received it. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.28
When the foregoing calculation was made, it was purely a matter of calculation on the prophetic periods of Scripture. Now, however, the time has passed by, and it is proper to inquire what the result has been—whether it has corresponded with the previous calculation. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.29
1. Has the Ottoman independence in Constantinople departed, and is it in Christian hands? HST September 7, 1842, page 180.30
Let the following testimony answer the question. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.31
First Testimony. The London Morning Herald, after the capture of St. Jean d’Acre, speaking of the state of things in the Ottoman empire, says:—“We (the allies) have conquered St. Jean d’Acre. We have dissipated into thin air the prestige that lately invested as with a halo the name of Mehemet Ali. We have in all probability destroyed forever the power of that hitherto successful ruler. But have we done aught to restore strength to the Ottoman empire? We fear not. We fear that the Sultan has been reduced to the rank of a puppet; and that the sources of the Turkish Empire’s strength are entirely destroyed. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.32
“If the supremacy of the Sultan is hereafter to be maintained in Egypt, it must be maintained, we fear, by the unceasing intervention of England and Russia.” HST September 7, 1842, page 180.33
What the London Morning Herald last November feared, has since been realized. The Sultan has been entirely, in all the great questions which have come up, under the dictation of the Christian kingdoms of Europe; and on them he has been dependent for support against Mehemet. HST September 7, 1842, page 180.34
Second Testimony. The following is from Rev. Mr. Goodell, missionary of the American Board at Constantinople, addressed to the Board, and by them published in the Missionary Herald for April, 1841, p. 160. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.1
“The power of Islamism, is broken forever; and there is no concealing the fact even from themselves. They exist now by mere sufferance. And though there is a mighty effort made by the Christian governments to sustain them, yet at every step they sink lower and lower with fearful velocity. And though there is a great endeavor made to graft the institutions of civilized and Christian countries upon the decayed trunk, yet the very root itself is fast wasting away by the venon of its own poison. How wonderful it is, that, when all Christendom combined together to check the progress of Mahommedan power, it waxed exceedingly great in spite of every opposition; and now, when all the mighty potentates of Christian Europe, who feel fully competent to settle all the quarrels, and arrange all the affairs of the whole world, are leagued together for its protection and defence, down it comes, in spite of all their fostering care.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.2
This, let it be remembered, is the clear, positive testimony of an eye-witness, a man who is on the spot, and who knows whereof he affirms. For truth and veracity, he has the confidence of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and they, in their official organ, have given publicity to the testimony. Reader, please review this witness’s testimony, and mark its point and strength. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.3
Third Testimony. The following is an extract from a London paper. The article is headed, “The Waning of the Ottoman Empire.” It has been copied into most of the leading journals of this country, without one word of dissent on the part of any. Thus the whole editorial corps in this country have given it their official sanction. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.4
The object of the writer is to show the relative condition of the Turkish and Christian powers of Europe. In former times the Turkish empire exceeded in power every kingdom in Europe. But the scene is changed; the Turks are weakened, and the Christian nations strengthened. The article concludes thus: “The day they (the nations of Europe) counted their numbers was to be the last of Constantinople; and that day has everywhere come.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.5
So, according to all our leading periodicals, the last of Constantinople has come. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.6
Fourth Testimony. Dr. Bond, editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal, New York, in one of the May numbers of that paper, concludes his account of Eastern affairs thus: “The Mahommedan nations are effectually in the hands, and at the mercy of the Christian governments.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.7
Fifth Testimony. Rev. Mr. Balch, of Providence, R. I., in an attack on Mr. Miller for saying that the Ottoman empire fell last year, says: “How can an honest man have the hardihood to stand up before an intelligent audience, and make such an assertion, when the most authentic version of the change of the Ottoman empire is that it has not been on a better foundation in fifty years, for it is now re-organized by the European kingdoms, and is honorably treated as such.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.8
But how does it happen that Christian Europe re-organized the government? What need of it, if it was not disorganized? If Christian Europe has done this, then it is now, to all intents and purposes, a Christian government, and is only ruled nominally by the Sultan, as their vassal. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.9
The foregoing testimonies on the question in hand are explicit, and show conclusively that Turkish independence is gone, and that the Christian powers of Europe have it in their hands. 56 HST September 7, 1842, page 181.10
2. When did Mahommedan independence in Constantinople depart? HST September 7, 1842, page 181.11
In order to answer this question understandingly, it will be necessary to review briefly the history of that power for a few years past. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.12
For several years the Sultan has been embroiled in war with Mehemet Ali, Pacha of Egypt. In 1838 there was a threatening of war between the Sultan and his Egyptian vassal. Mehemet Ali Pacha, in a note addressed to the foreign consuls, declared that in future he would pay no tribute to the Porte, and that he considered himself independent sovereign of Egypt, Arabia, and Syria. The Sultan, naturally incensed at this declaration, would have immediately commenced hostilities, had he not been restrained by the influence of the foreign ambassadors, and persuaded to delay. This war, however, was finally averted by the announcement of Mehemet, that he was ready to pay a million of dollars, arrearages of tribute which he owed the Porte, and an actual payment of $750,000, in August of that year. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.13
In 1839 hostilities again commenced, and were prosecuted, until, in a general battle between the armies of the Sultan and Mehemet, the Sultan’s army was entirely cut up and destroyed, and his fleet taken by Mehemet and carried into Egypt. So completely had the Sultan’s fleet been reduced, that, when hostilities commenced last August, he had only two first-rates and three frigates, as the sad remains of the once powerful Turkish fleet. This fleet Mehemet positively refused to give up and return to the Sultan, and declared if the powers attempted to take it from him, he would burn it. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.14
In this posture affairs stood, when, in 1840, England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, interposed, and determined on a settlement of the difficulty; for it was evident, if let alone, Mehemet would soon become master of the Sultan’s throne. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.15
The following extracts from an official document, which appeared in the Moniteur Ottoman, Aug. 22, 1840, will give an idea of the course of affairs at this juncture. The conference spoken of was composed of the four powers above named, and was held in London, July 15th, 1840. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.16
“Subsequent to the occurrence of the disputes alluded to, and after the reverses experienced, as known to all the world, the ambassadors of the great powers at Constantinople, in a collective official note, declared, that their governments were unanimously agreed upon taking measures to arrange the said differences. The Sublime Porte, with a view of putting a stop to the effusion of Mussulman blood, and to the various evils which would arise from a renewal of hostilities, accepted the intervention of the great powers.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.17
Here was certainly a voluntary surrender of the question into the hands of the great powers. But it proceeds: HST September 7, 1842, page 181.18
“His Excellency, Sheikh Effendi, the Bey Likgis, was therefore despatched as plenipotentiary to represent the Sublime Porte at the conference which took place in London, for the purpose in question. It having been felt that all the zealous labors of the conferences of London in the settlement of the Pacha’s pretensions were useless, and that the only public way was to have recourse to coercive measures to reduce him to obedience, in case he persisted in not listening to pacific overtures, the powers have, together with the Ottoman Plenipotentiary, drawn up and signed a treaty, whereby the Sultan offers the Pacha the hereditary government of Egypt, and all that part of Syria extending from the gulf of Suez to the lake of Tiberias, together with the province of Acre, for life; the Pacha, on his part, evacuating all other parts of the Sultan’s dominions now occupied by him, and returning the Ottoman fleet. A certain space of time has been granted him to accede to these terms; and, as the proposals of the Sultan and his allies, the four powers, do not admit of any change or qualification, if the Pacha refuse to accede to them, it is evident that the evil consequences to fall upon him will be attributable solely to his own fault. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.19
“His Excellency, Rifat Bey, Musleshar for foreign affairs, has been despatched in a government steamer to Alexandria, to communicate the ultimatum to the Pacha.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.20
From these extracts it appears,— HST September 7, 1842, page 181.21
1. That the Sultan, conscious of his own weakness, did voluntarily accept the intervention of the great Christian powers of Europe to settle his difficulties, which he could not settle himself. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.22
2. That they (the great powers) were agreed on taking measures to settle the difficulties. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.23
3. That the ultimatum of the London conference left it with the Sultan to arrange the affair with Mehemet, if he could. The Sultan was to offer to him the terms of settlement. So that if Mehemet accepted the terms, there would still be no actual intervention of the powers between the Sultan and Pacha. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.24
4. That if Mehemet rejected the Sultan’s offer, the ultimatum admitted of no change or qualification; the great powers stood pledged to coerce him into submission. So long, therefore, as the Sultan held the ultimatum in his own hands, he still maintained the independence of his throne. But that document once submitted to Mehemet, and it would be forever beyond his reach to control the question. It would be for Mehemet to say whether the powers should interpose or not. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.25
5. The Sultan did despatch Rifat Bey, in a government steamer, (which left Constantinople Aug. 5,) to Alexandria, to communicate to Mehemet the ultimatum. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.26
This was a voluntary governmental act of the Sultan. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.27
The question now comes up, When was that document put officially under the control of Mehemet Ali? HST September 7, 1842, page 181.28
The following extract of a letter from a correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle, of Sept. 18, 1840, dated “Constantinople, Aug. 27th, 1840,” will answer the question. HST September 7, 1842, page 181.29
“By the French steamer of the 24th, we have advices from Egypt to the 16th. They show no alteration in the resolution of the Pacha. Confiding in the valor of his Arab army, and in the strength of the fortifications which defend his capital, he seems determined to abide by the last alternative; and as recourse to this, therefore, is now inevitable, all hope may be considered as at an end of a termination of the affair without bloodshed. Immediately on the arrival of the Cyclops steamer with the news of the convention of the four powers, Mehemet Ali, it is stated, had quitted Alexandria, to make a short tour through Lower Egypt. The object of his absenting himself at such a moment being partly to avoid conferences with the European consuls, but principally to endeavor by his own presence to arouse the fanaticism of the Bedouin tribes, and facilitate the raising of his new levies. During the interval of this absence, the Turkish government steamer, which had reached Alexandria on the 11th, with the envoy Rifat Bey on board, had been by his orders placed in quarantine, and she was not released from it till the 16th. Previous, however, to the Porte’s leaving, and on the very day on which he had been admitted to pratique, the above named functionary had had an audience of the Pacha, and had communicated to him the command of the Sultan, with respect to the evacuation of the Syrian provinces, appointing another audience for the next day, when, in the presence of the consuls of the European powers, he would receive from him his definite answer, and inform him of the alternative of his refusing to obey; giving him the ten days which have been allotted him by the convention to decide on the course he should think fit to adopt.” HST September 7, 1842, page 181.30
According to the foregoing statement, the ultimatum was officially put into the power of Mehemet Ali, and was disposed of by his order, viz., sent to quarantine, on the Eleventh day of August, 1840. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.1
But have we any evidence, beside the fact of the arrival of Rifat Bey at Alexandria with the ultimatum on the 11th of August, that Ottoman supremacy died, or was dead, that day? HST September 7, 1842, page 182.2
Read the following, from the same writer quoted above, dated “Constantinople, August 12, 1840.” 57 HST September 7, 1842, page 182.3
“I can add but little to my last letter on the subject of the plans of the four powers; and I believe the details I then gave you comprise everything that is yet decided on. The portion of the Pacha, as I then stated, is not to extend beyond the line of Acre, and does not include either Arabia or Candia. Egypt alone is to be hereditary in his family, and the province of Acre to be considered as a pachalic, to be governed by his son during his lifetime, but afterward to depend on the will of the Porte; and even this latter is only to be granted him on the condition of his accepting these terms, and delivering up the Ottoman fleet within ten days. In the event of his not doing so, this pachalic is to be cut off. Egypt is then to be offered him, with another ten days to deliberate on it, before actual force is employed against him. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.4
“The manner, however, of applying the force, should he refuse to comply with these terms,—whether a simple blockade is to be established on the coast, or whether his capital is to be bombarded, and his armies attacked in the Syrian provinces,—is the point which still remains to be learned; nor does a note delivered yesterday by the four ambassadors, in answer to a question put to them by the Porte, as to the plan to be adopted in such an event, throw the least light on this subject. It simply states that provision has been made, and there is no necessity for the Divan alarming itself about any contingency that might afterwards arise.” HST September 7, 1842, page 182.5
Let us now analyze this testimony. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.6
1. The letter is dated “Constantinople, Aug 12.” HST September 7, 1842, page 182.7
2. “Yesterday,” the 11th of August, the Sultan applied, in his own capital, to the ambassadors of four Christian nations, to know the measures which were to be taken in reference to a circumstance vitally affecting his empire; and was only told that “provision had been made,” but he could not know what it was; and that he need give himself no alarm “about any contingency which might afterwards arise!!” From that time, then, they, and not he, would manage that. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.8
Where was the Sultan’s independence that day? GONE. Who had the supremacy of the Ottoman empire in their hands? The great powers. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.9
According to previous calculation, therefore, Ottoman Supremacy did depart on the ELEVENTH OF AUGUST into the hands of the great Christian powers of Europe. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.10
Then the second wo is past, and the sixth trumpet has ceased its sounding; and the conclusion is now inevitable, because the word of God affirms the fact in so many words, “Behold, the third wo cometh quickly.” And “in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished.” But what will take place when the seventh angel sounds? I answer, Great voices will be heard in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” 58 Nor is this event a mere spiritual reign over the kingdoms of this world; but the Revelator goes on to say, “and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged; and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great, and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth.” This, then, is the consummation, when every one shall receive his retribution, according to what he has done. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.11
“The third wo cometh quickly.” It cannot be afar off; it is nigh, even at the door. Men may scornfully inquire, “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning.” “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” There are abundant promises of his coming, and that speedily. But I do not expect another sign equal in strength and conclusiveness to the one now spread out before us in the present discourse. The present calculation was before the world two years and more before the time of fulfilment; and the attention of the whole community was turned toward it. There are few persons, in New England at least, whose minds were not arrested and turned to the 11th of August; and vast multitudes were ready to say, ay, did say, If this event takes place according to the calculation, at the time specified, we will believe the doctrine of the advent near. But how is it with them now? Why, just as it was with the old Jews in the days of Christ; when he was every day performing the most stupendous miracles in then sight, they said to him, “Master, we would see a sign of thee.” So now: men desire a sign from heaven. But let them be assured, they can never have a more convincing one than this;—the last great prophecy with which a prophetic period is connected, except the concluding period, when Christ will come, has been filled up in the exact time, and has brought us to the very verge of eternity. There is no time to be whiled away in idleness or indifference by those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. They have a great work to do, both for themselves and others. Nor should the sinner delay to awake from his slumbers, and lay hold on eternal life. Grace be with all who love the Lord Jesus Christ. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.12
The conclusion to which the foregoing article brings us, is, that the time for the sounding of the 7th and last trump is nigh, even at the door. That trump is a Wo! on the inhabiters of the earth; NOT a greater manifestation of God’s grace than ever the world saw, even the conversion of the whole world. Reader, think again; can the third WO be the conversion of the world? Must it not rather be the destruction of those that destroy the earth? But when will that time come? Do the Scriptures reveal the time? They do. Let it be understood, the question is not now whether we or any one else understand the time, but is the time revealed? HST September 7, 1842, page 182.13
Let us hear Daniel 12:1-3 on this point. 1. He predicts the reign of Michael, the great prince of Israel; a great time of trouble; the deliverance of all God’s people; the resurrection of many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth; the glorification of the wise, and they that turn many to righteousness, forever and ever. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.14
2. He heard (verse 6) the question asked, “How long shall it be to the end of all these wonders?” HST September 7, 1842, page 182.15
3. He heard the, answer given, (verse 7,) under the most solemn oath. “It shall be for a time, times, and a half, and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.16
The time is here most distinctly given by the Divine messenger. “How, then,” it is asked, “did Christ say, ‘Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only?’ “I reply, on the same ground that he said to Daniel, on his saying “I heard, but I understood not,” “Go thy way, Daniel, the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end.” HST September 7, 1842, page 182.17
Can we now understand the time? HST September 7, 1842, page 182.18
Until the time of the end should come, Daniel could not understand, nor could any one else do so; but at “the time of the end,” the word was, “THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND.” ALMIGHTY GOD has promised, and he will perform; and before Christ comes these things must and will be understood, or God’s promise fail. But when Christ was on earth the time of the end had not come. It has now come, and the word is unsealed. Many are now running to and fro, and knowledge is increased on this subject. Measuring rods, were then put into Daniel’s hand, by which the time was to be understood at “the time of the end.” They are these: Daniel 12:11, 12. And from the time the daily (paganism in Rome, which persecuted the church) shall be taken away, and the abomination which maketh desolate (Popery, which afterward persecuted the church) be set up, a thousand two hundred and ninety days. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.19
The first papal war ever waged against the saints, was, according to Gibbon, 508 of our Lord. From that, 1290 days or years would bring us to 1798, when, according to Dr. A. Clarke, “the French Republican army, under general Berthier, entered Rome and entirely superseded the whole papal power.” HST September 7, 1842, page 182.20
“Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335 days” or years from the same point, viz. the first papal war. 508 added to 1335 years, brings us to A. D. 1843. “Go thou thy way till the end be; thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” Then in 1843 the 7th or lost and resurrection trump will come, and the wicked be destroyed. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.21
SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
AND EXPOSITOR OF PROPHECY
This paper is published weekly at 14 Devonshire street, Boston, Mass. The design of the paper is, to illustrate the prophecies which relate to the second coming of Christ in the year 1843. The sentiments of those who reject the time and the manner of the advent in 1843, are also freely given in this paper, so that both sides of the question are given. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.22
Published at 14 Devonshire Street, Boston. HST September 7, 1842, page 182.23
Prof. Stuart’s Hints on Prophesy
No. II
In our last paper we took notice of the first two Hints of the Professor, the one denying the double sense of any prophecy; the other denying in all cases that a prophecy has any mystical sense explicable only by the events itself; and we endeavored to show in few words by the scriptures themselves, that the usual interpretation of English and American commentators contrary to Prof. Steuart’s Hints, is the right interpretation. We now address ourselves to his third and last Hint, to wit: that the times named in Daniel the Prophet, and in Revelation are not designed to be understood as meaning, that each day is the representation of a year; but each day represents only literal time, or a revolution of the earth on its axis. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.1
The ground on which commentators usually take a prophetic day for a common year may be firm or not, and still Professor Stuart’s Hint, as he carries it out, may be very absurd; for he makes a prophetic day a natural day, which sense compels him to limit some of the most magnificent scenes of prophecy to a space of time enduring only three and a half years, and these long, long gone by; and in their passage being filled by Antiochus Epiphanes and Nero for the principal figures, two of the vainest, bloodiest tyrants that ever disgraced the earth. Whether a day for a year is a right interpretation of prophetic time or not, it is plain to most men that a prophetic day is more than one revolution of the earth on its axis; for no man can understand willingly that a great power would be raised up to universal tyranny, and be overthrown by violence in three and half years. Napoleon’s was a most wonderful exaltation and overthrow; but his empire did not extend universally; and yet it was nearly twenty years from his triumph in Italy to the battle of Waterloo. Considerations of this sort have led our commentators, for the most part, to take a prophetic day for a revolution of the earth around the sun, instead of its own axis: and this with warrant of Scripture in which we find sometimes a day typically put for a year. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.2
But we will not spend time on the common interpretation; we would rather see the results of Professor Stuart’s interpretation. He makes the monarch of Daniel 7:24, (the same which rises after the ten and subdues three kings,) to be Antiochus Epiphanes. Hints p. 83. “For the fourth beast in Daniel 7:7, 8, 11, 19-26, as all must concede, is the divided Grecian dominion which succeeded Alexander the Great.” Idem. So far from all conceding this, nearly all English and American Commentators, certainly those in highest repute, expound this fourth beast by the divided Roman empire, instead of the Grecian dominion. It is new to us that any respectable Protestant divine supposed the fourth beast to be “the divided Grecian dominion.” It seems vain in any man to depart so widely from his compeers on a point of this importance, and only to write in his own support: “all must concede.” We do not think the Professor’s lamp reflects to his credit in this assumption. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.3
Not satisfied with giving the seventh chapter of Daniel from the seventh verse, to “the divided Grecian dominion” and to the tyrant Epiphanes; the learned Professor goes on to give the eleventh chapter of Daniel from the 21st to the 45th verse to the same tyrant “past all question:” (Hints p. 86.) and also chapter 12th from verse seven to the end. “Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335 days.” (Daniel 12:12.) for then Antiochus is dead, and the Jews are “secure from the assaults of such an unrelenting tyrant.” (Hints p. 93.) One would from this be tempted to think the Jews obtained liberty and peace with the death of Antiochus; but the history of the Maccabees removes the temptation. The great Maccabees himself fell in battle three years after the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, and the glory of this family was gained in subsequent wars for the deliverance of their country from the Syrian yoke after the fall of their elder brother Judas. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.4
It is commonly understood that in one sense the prophecies of Daniel were greatly fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes; but that they have a larger sense, and one in which we are more personally interested, is very justly conceded by most commentators. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.5
But if “the little horn that waxed great and magnified itself” in Daniel was the tyrant of three years and an half in Syria only; who, it may be asked, is that seven headed beast in Revelations? who, but Nero, the tyrant by whom Vespasian was sent against Judea; though Jerusalem was not taken until three or four years after Nero’s death? The books may be searched in vain for plainer proof of much-learning-gone-mad than this interpretation of the beast of Nero furnishes in the Hints on Prophecy. “The persecuting power of Imperial Rome, and specially that power as exercised by Nero, is, beyond all reasonable question, symbolized by the beast in question.” Hints p. 115. The seven heads—are seven kings—five are fallen; one is; the other has not yet come; but when he shall come, he will continue but a short time. “The five fallen are Julius Casar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. Of course Nero is the sixth; and he is, therefore, the one who now is. Galba who reigned but seven months, makes the seventh.” Hints p. 115. Then one might be led to suppose the imperial succession in Rome ceased; but it continued with increase of glory and of persecuting spirit, for centuries—pagan emperors reigned in Rome 250 years after Nero’s death. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.6
One of the heads was smitten to death, “and his deadly wound was healed.” Revelation 13:3. This also was Professor Stuart’s Nero. “Common report, says the Professor, made Nero, after reigning awhile, to disappear for some time, then to make his appearance again, as if he had come up from the regions of the dead, and finally to perish.” Hints p. 120. Not that any such things happened to Nero; but it was reported of him that such would be his lot; the soothsayers foretold it of Nero; and when Nero was assassinated at Rome, many “for a long time decked his tomb with flowers, expecting and hoping that he would revive.” Hints p. 117. But Nero did not come to life according to the soothsayers, Nero remained among the dead: yet the renowned and learned Professor thinks that Nero fulfilled the prophesy, through the report circulated by the soothsayers! We can hardly conceive of any thing in the shape of exegesis more ridiculous. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.7
It is well to scrutinize carefully the Professor’s works; for great waywardness is discoverable in these Hints. We would notice the taking for granted in all the Hints that the apostle John wrote the book of Revelations in the reign of Nero, without which Nero cannot be made the wounded head of the beast; while the great majority, of English and American authorities at least, suppose that book was written later by thirty years, in the reign of Domitian; but enough is said. We looked for the publication of the Professor’s Hints for some seasons; and now it comes at length with internal evidence that no delay of publication could have much improved it. We looked for some excellent thing, honorable to our Lord’s word, useful to his church, reputable to our country, and worthy of the author: and our disappointment is unqualified. H. D. W. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.8
This Generation
Messrs Himes and Litch.—In your paper of the 20th inst. over the signature of B. there is an attempt to remove the cloud which hangs over Matthew 24:34. “This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled,” upon the ground, that our Lord is speaking of the generation of the righteous. And to show that it is so, seven quotations from the Bible are exhibited, where the word generation bears that sense. In Mr. Ramsay’s “Second Coming,” in the “Literalist,” and among the commentators, I find similar attempts to reconcile the passage above quoted, with the predictions to which it refers; but to me they are unsatisfactory. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.9
I will state my objections to brother B’s solution of the difficulty, and then offer him my own. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.10
1. The continuance of the Righteous generation was not the subject in hand—nor was a new topic introduced.—Our Lords obvious purpose in this declaration, was to establish the confidence of his Disciples in the truth of the predictions, just delivered. And hence He immediately adds “Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” HST September 7, 1842, page 183.11
2. It was not our Lord’s manner, to introduce a new subject, and then drop it. He never lost sight of his object, and though sometimes interrupted, was never diverted from it. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.12
3. The continuance of the Righteous generation, it seems to me, could have no connection, or importance, in this part of our Lord’s discourse.—Why should it be introduced? Could any inference be drawn from what had been said, that the generation of the Righteous should become extinct? HST September 7, 1842, page 183.13
4. Although the usage of the word generation, in a few instances, will bear the sense of a Class or Race as Brother B. has it, yet a vast majority of the cases found in the Bible denote the then present inhabitants, or those who did live at some former time—In every instance in which the word generation escaped the lips of our Lord, it is used in this sense, unless the present case be the exception. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.14
Matthew 12:41. “Themen of Ninevah shall rise in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonas, and behold, a greater than Jonas is here. See also verse 42, 45. Luke 11:32. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.15
Matthew 17:17. “Faithless and perverse generation” Mark 9:19. Luke 9:41. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.16
Matthew 23:36. “Verily I say unto you, all these things (all this) shall come upon this generation.” HST September 7, 1842, page 183.17
Luke 1:50. “From generation to generation.” HST September 7, 1842, page 183.18
Luke 11:30. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation, and see, also, verse 50. HST September 7, 1842, page 183.19
Luke 16:8. “The children of this world, are in their generation, wiser than the children of light. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.1
Luke 17:25. “But first must He suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.” HST September 7, 1842, page 184.2
Acts 13:36. “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation.” HST September 7, 1842, page 184.3
These examples I apprehend, are sufficient to settle the question of probability, as to what is meant by generation in the passage under consideration. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.4
Now to my own explanation of the difficulty. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.5
The ambiguity of the verse, in my opinion, does not consist in the word “generation” but in the word “fulfilled.” In this expression, our translation is erroneous, and does not now convey the true sense of the original.—That the events foretold should be in progress, that is, already in a train of accomplishment during that generation, is all that is asserted. Such is the usage of this greek verb, in the New Testament, as nearly always implying progress, not completion. The Student may find it in Matthew 26:5. and in numerous instances throughout the book, and also the Septuagint. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.6
Again—Let the question be asked, what is it, which was to be fulfilled? a train of events extending many ages. How could that be fulfilled in one generation? Ans. by being begun and regularly continued. This is the true idea of the original, but our use of “fulfilled” obscures it. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.7
Again—The translators, perhaps, are not so much in fault as we are, in our loose attention to English words. Fulfilled, in Webster, is not equivalent to Finish. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.8
Further—The Student will see that “all these things” in the text, (in the plural) is the incident, the verb (in the singular) is the object. A like case also Matthew 23:36, and elsewhere. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.9
The Parallel places, Mark 13:30. Luke 21:32, are of course included in these remarks. Once more; it is a remarkable fact, that our translators have rendered the Greek verb in question “fulfilled” in this case, and one other only, (Matthew 5:18,) out of fifty instances, in the New Testament, where fulfilled occurs.—In all the other cases, a very different Greek verb, signifying completion, justifies the translation. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.10
May you have wisdom from above, while endeavoring to wake up the saints, and save sinners, with the midnight cry; and may all learn to distinguish it, from the Lo here and Lo there which we shall presently hear, in every part of the Land. Yours in Christian sympathy. W. King. Utica, N. Y. July 26 1842. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.11
remarks
We give the above as the views of our correspondent, and will here briefly state the view the junior Editor of this paper takes of the subject. It appears to us that the Savior says that heaven and earth shall sooner pass away than one generation of the three score years and ten, the age of man, should go by after the foretold sign of the darkening of the sun, before the Son of Man shall come in the clouds of heaven to gather his elect. That event did take place on May 19, 1780, and several times since, in different countries. That darkness was supernatural, and not produced by an eclipse. Sixty two of the 70 years are gone already. But the whole will not pass till all be fulfilled. Luke 21:28, says, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” This being the beginning of the series of signs, is, like the buding fig tree, the sign of approaching Summer; and so certain a sign it shall be so, that the saints shall know that it is near even at the doors. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.12
SECOND ADVENT CONFERENCE
At Cornville, Me. Oct. 5. 1842. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.13
There will be a Second Advent Conference at Cornville, Me. Providence permitting, to commence Oct. 5, at 1 o’clock, P. M. Those preachers that attend the other Conferences in this state will be expected to attend the above. Henry Frost. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.14
Cornville, Me. Sept. 7, 1842. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.15
SECOND ADVENT CAMPMEETING
At New Ipswich, N. H., Sept. 20. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.16
A Second Advent Camp-meeting is to be held in a grove, at New Ipswich, N.H. Sept. 20, on ground of Mr. George Willard, near Dr. Gibson’s. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.17
The object of the meeting, like those which have already been held, is to arouse both the church and the world to a sense of their peril, by sounding the midnight cry. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.18
There will be no room for debate on this or any other subject, at this meeting; but all who participate in its exercises will have the one great object, their own and others’ salvation, in view, and direct their labors to that one point. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.19
All who love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, are earnestly requested to rally at this Feast of Tabernacles. Our time is growing shorter, and what we do must be done quickly. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.20
It is desirable that our friends should form companies, and bring a tent with them; but ample arrangements have been made, both for board and horse-keeping, at a reasonable rate, on the ground. Let application be made to the committee. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.21
| H. B. Skinner, | Geo. Reed, | D. Blood, |
| Sam’l Heath, | C. Burgess, | C. Eastman, |
| Jacob Weston, | W. D. Walker | —Scripture, |
| L. Caldwell, | J. D. Johnson, | —Kibling. |
SECOND ADVENT CONFERENCE
At Anson, Me., Sept. 21. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.22
The Free Will Baptist brethren in Anson, have requested the writer to appoint a Second Advent Conference with them in the Free Meeting House, two miles westward of the village in said town. Therefore I appoint it to commence on Wednesday, Sept. 21st, at 10 o’clock, A. M. to continue over the following Sabbath. The object of the meeting will not be to assail each other on sectarian points of minor importance, nor for discussion; but to obtain light upon the great and all-important subject of Christ’s second advent, now specially at hand. It will be expected that the forenoon will be spent in social worship and conference upon this subject; and in the afternoons and evenings lectures will be given by the writer, or some other lecturer, if they attend. We invite lecturers Elds. H. Frost, of Atkins, and A. Bridges, and others, to attend. We also invite brethren in the ministry, without distinction of order, to attend, and hope they will suffer nothing of minor importance to hinder. All the meetings will be open and free for all to attend. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.23
Joel Spaulding.
Belgrade, Me. Aug. 18, 1841.
Whereas, there is a Second Advent Conference appointed in Anson, to commence Sept. 21st, to hold five days, we the undersigned, viewing it an important station, where multitudes will attend, and probably opposition be witnessed, renew the request made by Eld. Spaulding, for at least one lecturer to attend; otherwise bro. Spaulding will be alone as a lecturer. Cannot Eld. Atkins, or Eld. Frost leave the Eastern Conferences and come over and help us, or some other suitable one? Allbee Parsons, HST September 7, 1842, page 184.24
Lexington, Aug. 27. 1842. Henry Parsons. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.25
SECOND ADVENT CAMPMEETING,
At Exeter, Me. Sept. 28. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.26
We are requested by a large committee, from Exeter and vicinity, to give notice that the General Meeting and Conference, at Exeter, Me., will be turned into a Campmeeting, to begin the 28th of September. The grove prepared for the meeting is on the farm of Mr. John Lethens, near Capt. Dole’s farm, in the neighborhood of Kendrick Mills. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.27
The “Christian Herald,” and “Morning Star,” will please copy, by request of Committee. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.28
Campmeeting at Claremount, N. H.—A Second Advent campmeeting is to be held in Claremount, N. H., to commence the 27th. inst. The Tabernacle is to be there. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.29
Bro. Himes, will give a course of lectures on the Second Advent in Piermont, N.H. to commence the 17th of this month. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.30
Campmeeting at Salem, Mass, commencing Oct. 6th. Particulars hereafter. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.31
LARGE TENT
| Money paid out for tent and fixtures, etc | $615,34 |
| Money received by subscriptions, etc. | $374,34 |
| Amount due the Committee, | $241,00 |
The friends who have subscribed for the tent are requested to hand in their subscriptions as soon as convenient. E. HALE, Jr. for Com. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.32
Letters
Received up to Sept. 3. From P. M. Greensburg, Ind. Brownsville, Ind. Springfield, Mass. Farmington, Me. Edgefield, S. C. Monmouth, Ms., S. Glastenbury, Ct. Amelia. Ohio, Brunswick, Me. Sand Lake, N. Y. Carlisle N. Y. Appenheim N. Y. Nashua, N. H. Addison, Vt. New Bedford; Ms. Fisherville, Ct. Peru, Me Cambridge, Vt. Morristown, Vt. Wiscassett, Me. Philadelphia, Pa. Laporte, Ind. Windham, Vt. Bellingham, Ms. Royal Oak, Mich. North Hadley, Ms. Easton, Ms. Fairview, Pa. Columbus, Miss. Claremont, N. H. Holden, Ms. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.33
From H. Sanders, J. Sabine, R. Parker, R. W. Reed, A. C. Davison, S. P. Cheney, H****r, Darius Sissons, A. C. White, N. Billings, F. Searle. R. Jennings, John Porter, Morgan Safford, J. S. White, Thomas F. Barry, J. D. Johnson, J. Wolstenholme, Jr. Lewis Calkins, John Andrews, Gordon Robins, Charles R. Wood, Sarah R. Scowden, Thomas F. Oakes, Geo. W. Kilton, D. Burgess, Thomas M. Preble, J. Wolstenholme, jr. E. Du Bois, Thomas M. Read, John Andrews, W. D. Johnson, Williams Thayer, James W. Shepherd, J. Buck, Amos Fox, W. & C. B. Roberts, C. French, Martin F. Eldridge, H. B. Skinner, John Shaw. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.34
Books Sent
One bundle to D. Burgess, Hartford, Ct. via. Springfield, Mass. One to S. Locke, Manchester N. H.
One Bundle to Joel Spaulding, Belgrade, Me.
One to R. W. Pratt, Lowell, Mass.
One to Joel Shaw, Paris, Me.
HST September 7, 1842, page 184.35
LOST BY MISCARRIAGE
A Trunk, from the East Kingston Campmeeting Depot, on the last day of the meeting,—a leather travelling trunk, with the name of the owner, John W. Roberts, on the brass over the lock. If any of the brethren or friends, should know or hear of such a trunk, and will take pains to forward it to this office, 14 Devonshire st., they shall be suitably rewarded. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.36
Signs of the Times
Is Published weekly, at No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston, by JOSHUA V. HIMES, to whom all letters and communication must be addressed. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.37
Terms,—One Dollar per Volume of 24 Nos. (6 months.) HST September 7, 1842, page 184.38
dow & jackson, printers. HST September 7, 1842, page 184.39