The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

IX. Last of General Conferences Held in Boston

The last of the General Conferences to be held was again in Boston, during the Anniversary Week of May 1, 1843. Most of the sessions were held in the Millerite Tabernacle, seating nearly four thousand, with certain smaller meetings in Himes’s old Chardon Street Chapel. Apollos Hale was chairman, with Nathaniel Southard as secretary. It had an imposing list of speakers-Whiting, Fitch, Litch, Hawley, Hale, Barry, Himes, Brown, and Skinner. Meetings were held morning, afternoon, and evening. PFF4 619.1

At the night meetings objections were answered, and the history of the advent cause rehearsed—such as the fact that prior to 1798 there was no emphasis on “1843,” but since then a host of expositors in different lands have arisen simultaneously acclaiming it. The loss of the evangelical faith in the churches is noted, with the denial of evangelical beliefs, and marked inroads of Rationalism, Socinianism, Transcendentalism, and Neology that were all too evident. The Historical School of prophetic interpretation was now being challenged by newly arisen adherents of Futurism and Preterism. ⁴¹ The identification of the Man of Sin as the Papacy was reaffirmed, and cognizance taken of Protestant daughters of the Man of Sin and Mother of Harlots. ⁴² PFF4 619.2

An important “Declaration of Principles” for the public, prepared by a committee of five, was passed by the assembled conference. It is the fullest and clearest statement yet made of Millerite positions. Epitomized, it sets forth the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice; the personal, second, premillennial advent of Christ; the prophecies as almost all fulfilled; the literal resurrection of the righteous dead at the second advent, and the change of the righteous living at that time; the destruction of the wicked and the earth, the eternal abode of the righteous, or eternal kingdom, the kingdom forever; repentance and faith essential; and the restitution of all things. PFF4 620.1

The theory of a temporal millennium along with the restoration of the Jews is again declared false. The signs of the times are asserted as all pointing to “1843.” But again it is stated that this point of time is not pre-eminent. The Judge is nigh and will not tarry. No confidence is to be placed in private revelations, and all fanaticism and immorality are repudiated. The sole object of the movement is to spread a knowledge of the times, for here all Adventists meet on common ground. Missions to Nova Scotia and England are planned, as well as aid to the colored folk Matters are now moving at high tempo. PFF4 620.2

So the General Conference idea began and closed in Boston, and started in Himes’s Chardon Street Chapel and ended, in part, in that historic spot. PFF4 620.3