The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

III. Fourth Conference in Large Broadway Tabernacle

The formal call for the fourth conference, to be held in the large Broadway Tabernacle, in New York City, on October 26, 27, 1841, was published in the Christian Herald and Journal and in Zion’s Herald, as well as in the New York Herald, which gave a daily report. The Tribune also noted the conference at some length. A copy of the call, with an explanatory note, was addressed personally to all the clergy of New York City, many of whom read the “call” in their churches. There were addresses by various clergymen, including Litch, Jones, Himes, and Ward. The topics included the leading prophecies, the great apostasy, the premillennial advent, preparation for the coming day of the Lord, and the resurrection. Business transactions were held to the minimum, evidently waiting until Miller could be with them and give his views and counsel. PFF4 605.1

One of the unique sessions, under the chairmanship of the well-known Methodist pastor, John Lindsey of New York City, was introduced by him in these words: “The kingdom of heaven preached in the Gospel is a future dispensation near to come.” Then followed a symposium on the kingdom—its nature, glory, and imminence-with Josiah Litch of Boston, Henry Dana Ward of New York City, and J. V. Himes of Boston as speakers. It was the first successful impress on the nation’s metropolis. The New York Tribune’s retrospective comment on this session was: PFF4 605.2

“The meeting was profoundly attentive, and the remarks of the speakers were received with unequivocal approbation, save only the fixing a time, which ... failed to convince and satisfy the audience. But so far as the awakening of public attention goes, the Convention has been attended with the happiest results. The pastors of churches direct their studies toward the interesting theme in many cases with new emotions; and many Christians read the Bible with an inquiring mind, to learn whether these things are so, and some are becoming daily more and more convinced of the truth and importance of the sentiment expressed by the chairman and made the theme of the evening’s discourses.” ¹⁴ PFF4 605.3

At the closing session a remarkably large audience was present. The report says: PFF4 606.1

“The most profound attention was paid to the stirring eloquence of the last speaker, and stillness of the audience throughout the services was proof of their deep interest in the sentiment of discourse, that the kingdom of God preached in the gospel is a future dispensation near to come.” ¹⁵ PFF4 606.2

“A deep and solemn impression was made on many hearts” as J. V. Himes presented the basis on which he rested his belief. The 1260 days, the 2300 days, the overthrow, the jubilee, and the end of the sixth millennium, all lead to the consummation and the sounding of the last trump. The signs of the times, the wars and rumors of wars, and the Laodicean state of the church, all indicate the nearness of the consummation. Christ will soon “dash” the nations with the rod of His power, and give them, with the Beast and false prophet, to the burning flame, which devours before Him as He comes again to judge the earth with righteousness and the people with equity. Again the glow and the fervor and the heartbeat of men on fire for God were felt. The impression was profound. PFF4 606.3