The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

IV. Fleming-Guides “Glad Tidings” Acceptably

LORENZO D. FLEMING (1808-1867), minister of the large Casco Street Christian Church of Portland, Maine, was also a native of New Hampshire. In 1830 he was for a time in Boston and had become deeply devoted to reform work. He was an active and aggressive supporter of educational, temperance, and antislavery efforts, and for a time was also acting editor of the Emancipator. But, impressed with his duty to preach, he consecrated himself to that work. Later he heard the advent message, and after most careful and prayerful study of the evidence upon which its emphasis was based, he heartily accepted it, and preached it ably. PFF4 633.1

Upon Fleming’s invitation in the autumn of 1840, Miller gave a series of lectures in his church (pictured on p. 979), continuing for thirteen days, and arousing a deep interest among the godless as well as the Christians-the converts including a group of twelve gamblers and profligates. ⁸ Shortly after, Fleming wrote to Miller stating that, in addition to two hundred who had professed conversion since his visit, there was “a good work ... spreading all over the city” and out into the country. At least 250 more were deeply interested. Grogshops were closed and gambling establishments were broken up and turned into gospel meeting places. From four thousand to six thousand persons witnessed one of the baptisms of thirty from the bay shore. Prayer meetings were started in different parts of the city, and there was an impressive fast day. ⁹ In fact, the editor of the Maine Wesleyan Journal stated that the meetings had made “a decided impression on many minds.” ¹⁰ Before Miller’s quiet work, infidelity melted and Universalism withered. His was declared to be sound revivalism and evangelism. PFF4 633.2

Fleming was, for a time, editor of the Glad Tidings in Rochester, New York, and wrote constantly in “press and pamphlet” for the promotion of his new-found faith. Then the Glad Tidings was transferred to Joseph Marsh, who changed its name to The Voice of Truth. In 1842 Fleming served as assistant editor of the Midnight Cry. He wrote several large works on the imminent coming of Christ, including The Midnight Cry (1842), and First Principles of the Second Advent Faith (1844). He was very energetic, but because of serious difficulty with his voice he was obliged to give up public speaking, though continuing to use his pen with telling effect. PFF4 634.1

Fleming had already started writing on the prophecies in 1839. In a small and compact New Testament Companion, his purpose was to foster a larger view of Scripture through book study, thus to get away, from considering the Bible as a book of “detached sentences.” So he gives biographical sketches of each apostle and a terse introduction to each book. In connection with the Revelation Fleming gave a condensed history of Christianity. Following the persecution under pagan Rome comes- PFF4 634.2

“The Apostasy of Christians under Papal Rome; the rise, progress and catastrophe of the son of perdition; the anti-Christian system—are all distinctly narrated in the sacred symbols of prophecy. The ultimate downfall of all opposition;, the subjugation of the kingdoms of this world to the dominion of the King of Kings; the final consummation of the present system of things, and the glorious introduction of a new and heavenly state of things—are the wonderful and sublime topics, which are exhibited in this book.” ¹¹ PFF4 634.3