VOLUME IV.  NEW-YORK, THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1843.  No. 9.  
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may ran that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the eni it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wail for it : because  
i will surely come, it will not tarry.  
JOSHUA V. HIMES, Publisher.  WEEKLY-NO. 51® PARK-ROW.  N. SOUTHARD, Editor.  
THE MIDNIGHT CRY,  
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY,  
KY .1". V. IISMES,  
3 6 PARK ROW, N E W-Y O R K.  
(Brick Church Chapel.)  
TERMS-ONE DOLLAR I'ER VOLUME OF 26 NOS.  
$5 for Six Copies—$10 for Thirteen Copies.  
THE MIDNIGHT CRY,  
A GOLDEN SENTENCE.—The following,  
from Matthew  Henry, on Luke 12: 45, 46, is  
worthy of being printed in letters of gold, and  
placed where it would strike the eye of every 
human being every day : " OUR LOOKING  
ON CHRIST'S SECOND COMING A'S A 
THING AT A DISTANCE, IS THE  
CAUSE OF ALL THOSE IRREGU-
LARITIES WHICH RENDER THE  
THOUGHT OF IT TERRIBLE TO US."  
LECTURES  
Will be continued at the corner of Catharine and Madi- 
son streets each evening (except Saturday) and three  
times on the Sabbath.  
New and Interesting Hooks.  
BR. BROWN'S EXPERIENCE.—Our readers do not need  
to be told that this is intensely interesting. Letters of  
Br. Cook are added, making in all a valuable pamphlet of  
72 pages. It should be put into the hands of all who 
know what heart-religion is. Price 12 12 cents.  
BR. STARKWEATHER'S NARRATIVE.—This is a pamph- 
let of 48 pages, containing copious references to the  
Scriptures which have a bearing on the great question of 
Christ's coming this year. It is highly prized by those 
who have read it, and should have a wide circulation. 
Price 10 cents.  
SEVEN YEARS' INSURANCE.—The false statement that  
the Tabernacle at Boston has been insured for seven 
years has been repeated by many newspapers. We are  
authorized by the Secretary of the Committee to say the  
building is insured for one year, as a matter of necessity,  
for the security of the payment of expenses. A com- 
pany offered to insure it for seven years, but the offer was  
declined.  
A Second Advent Camp-Meeting  
Will commence, (the Lord permitting,) on Thursday,  
June 1st, at Forked River, in the township of Dover,  
Monmouth county, N. J , in a grove on the farm of David 
S. Parker.  
Br. J. McChesney, Br. Salters, and others, expect to  
be present.  
Editors in New Jersey will confer a favor on their  
readers by copying the above.  
[Published by request.]'  
LARGE CHAPEL OF THE N. Y. UNIVERSITY.—Dis- 
courses in the above Chapel on the Unfulfilled Pro- 
phecies of Scripture, by the Rev. Mr. Shimeall, every  
Sunday evening. Services commence at quarter past  
7 o'clock. Next subject in the series : Scriptural ac-
count of Antichrist. Part II.—Number of Antichrists 
—Prophetic symbols which denote them—Foundation  
necessary to their right application, &c.  
N. B.—To be accompanied by large diagrams, &c.  

THE CAUSE IN ENGLAND.  
We have received another communication from our  
! brother, R.  Winter, of England, and who was convert- 
| ed to our views at the East Kingston camp-meetuig.  
He writes that he is preaching, and printing, and  
| scattering abroad light upon this subject, and God has  
greatly blessed his labors. He has found many pre- 
cious souls ready to receive the truth. Many who 
were living in their sins, have turned to the Lord, and  
are waiting with joyful anticipations for his glorious ap- 
pearing. He has a press in London, in operation, which  
supplies different booksellers. He has printed 2000  
of Miller's Lectures, 2000 Fleming's Midnight Cry,  
6000 Clue to the Time, 2000 Fitch's Reasons, 3000  
Evidences of Christ's Second Coming ; and many 
others which they have extracted from the " Signs of  
the Times."  
He says, "We are at work all the time, and many  
preachers have received the truth by reading these 
wrorks. I preach about the streets with my chart  
hoisted up on a pole. Another preacher and myself 
are passing all through the country. Others are pro- 
claiming the cry. Methodists, Baptists, and Indepen-
dent preachers have embraced the doctrine, and are at 
work. We intend to hold a Second Advent Camp- 
Meeting in May, if time continues; but if the Lord  
comes, we will hold it in the new earth. The way  
is now prepared for any of you to come over if tbe  
time is not too short. They will more readily receive  
this doctrine in England, than in America. I have 
preached about the streets of London, our books are 
flying about, and are making quite a stir in this great 
city. Some have written against us, but have found  
themselves not competent to refute Mr. Miller's argu- 
ments ; and their writings against him, have caused  
many to look into it, embrace it, and then proclaim it,  
"I have written to Mr. Pratt, of Lowell, but received  
no answer; if you can, please tell him to write me a  
letter immediately. I have written to others, but had  
no answer. One man who has  embraced this truth, has  
expended ,£45, in circulating publications. We  
are now raising a fund that we may circulate them free- 
ly all over England. Pray for us, and give my love to 
all the friends of the cause in America. I thank  you  
for your goodness in conferring so many favors upon 
ine ; I also thank all my other friends, for the help they 
gave me to come over here. The Lord will reward  
them. I believe I shall soon see you again, in the new  
Jerusalem. Our friends want to see Mr. Miller here ;  
they say he shall want for nothing if he will come. He  
would be a great blessing to England. Do send us a  
good lecturer, although the time is short, yet the field 
is white for the harvest."  
A MODERN THEOLOGY SERMON.—The last Nationa1  
Preacher contains a Sermon on the Triumphs of the  
cross, in opposition to the modern theory of Second Ad-
ventism. By Hubbord Winslow, successor to Dr. Beech-
er. It is mostly  made up of glowing assertions, and flights  
of fancy, in opposition to Christ's words : " Broad is the 
road that leads to death."  
If, by " second adventism," he means tbe doctrine  
that Christ's personal coming is to be constantly looked  
for and expected, the term modern is sadly misapplied.  

ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC,  
AT THE OPENING OF THE TABERNACLE, BOSTON.  
God, in his providence, has permitted us at length  
to realize tbe accomplishment of this long-hindered  
work—the erection of our Tabernacle. The object  
for which it is specially designed, the plan and char- 
acter of the edifice, together with the unfoieseen, 
and of course uncontrollable circumstances which  
have marked its history thus far, have combined to  
make it the subject of general public interest. We  
have no doubt, however, that more important pur-
poses have been effected by its delay than could  
have bgen by its earlier completion. It has been the 
means of calling attention to the views intended to 
be promulgated in it, though mirth or malice may  
have employed the means, at the same time that the  
story of its varying fortune, as the representative of a  
most important cause, has served as a test upon the 
candor and Christian liberality of the public; and al-
though a source of perplexity to its friends, we trust  
it has not been without some salutary influence upon  
them. Well, let God's work be done in his own way,  
whether our plans succeed or fail. In this case, how- 
ever, the work was begun with a view to the glory of 
God, as well as our own convenience in his worship.  
He has directed the circumstances of its history, and 
we would say, as Solomon said of the more wonder- 
ful and imposing temple, at its dedication, " The  
palace is not for man, but for the Lord God."  
Of our views as believers in the Second Advent  
doctrine, as declared to the world by Mr. Miller, all 
certainly must have beard. And although they have  
been widely promulgated in accordance with the  
means God has given us, still, as we had reason to  
expect of a certain portion of the community, who  
are too indolent or self-conceited to read with candor  
that which has not the sanction of popular favor, or  
perhaps offended that the truth and reasonableness of  
what they have read, gave them every thing to fear,  
and determined to oppose the doctrine as they must,  
if at all, with sophistry and falsehood, our views are  
not unfrequently ' misrepresented. It may not be  
amiss, on the opening of the Tabernacle, to give a  
brief exposition of our position.  
With the Synopsis of Miller's Views, already pub- 
lished to the world, all Second Advent believers in  
the main agree. In the application of particular pro- 
phecies, there is often a variety of views, but which  
in no case affects the fundamental principles of our 
faith.  
It has been generally supposed that the passing by  
of a mere point of time would test the truth or falsity 
of our views. This is by no means the case. Our  
views are based upon Divine truths, which will be  
none the less true, however great a lapse ol time  
may intervene before their fulfilment. That much  
time will intervene, we do not believe ; but till the  
fulfilment of the events for which we look, we shall  
even hope and pray, " Come, Lord Jesus, come  
quickly."  
We will not knowingly embrace any principles  
not plainly taught in the word of God ; and if we 
cannot stand on the plain letter of that word, we  
choose to fall.  
In believing that this earth, regenerated, is to be  
the eternal abode of the " children of the resurrec- 
tion ;" and that the great and glorious promises of  
Isaiah and the other prophets, which are applied to  
a millennial state, are to be then fulfilled, we are 
sustained by the belief of the church in its purest 
and best ages; and in proof of which we have the  
testimony of not a few divines and historians in every  
age.  
In opposition to this view, there is no trace of  any  
belief in the primitive church from the time of our  
65


j Saviour prior to Origen, who flourished  in the middle  
' of the third century.  
j Bishop Newton says " the doctrine of the mil-
l lennium was generally believed in the first three and  
| purest ages : and this belief, as the leained Dodvvell  
has justly observed, was one principle cause of the 
fortitude of the primitive Christians—they  even  
coveted martyrdom, in hopes of being partakers of 
the privileges and glories of the martyrs in the first 
resurrection."  
In the first two centuries, there was not an individ- 
ual who believed in a resurrection ofthe dead, whose  
name or memory has come down to us, that opposed 
it ; nor does there exist any fragment of the writings  
of any author that denied it. The testimony  also is,  
that it was received from those who saw our Lord,  
and heard of him respecting those days.  
Thomas Burnet, in his " Theory of tbe Earth,"  
printed in London. A. D. 1697, states that it was the  
received opinion of the primitive church, from the  
days of the Apostles to the Council of Nice, that this 
earth would continue six thousand years from orea- 
j tion, when the resurrection of the just and conflagra- 
jl tion of the earth, would usher in the millennium  and  
I reign of Christ on earth.  
As Popery arose, it became less prominent, but  
was revived at the Reformation, and was not sup- 
planted by the doctrine of a temporal millennium  till  
the time of Daniel Whitby, who died 1728. It is also 
admitted by all that this was taught by Barnabas, Pa-
pias, Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna and disciple of  
John, Justyn Martyr, Irenseus, Tertullian,  bishop of  
Carthaee, Cyprian, Lactantius,  Methodeus, bishop of  
Olympus, Epiphanius, Paulinus,  bishop of Antioch,  
Sic., who were contemporaries  and successors of  
the Apostles. This belief was adopted A. I). 325  
by the Council of Nice, which consisted of 318 bish-
ops from all parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. In  
the Reformation, this was trie belief of Tyndal, Knox,  
Melancthon, Luther and Calvin- It was also the be- 
lief ofthe martyr Bradford, Goodwin, Gouge, Lang- 
ley, Bunyan, Wesley, the learned Joseph Mede,  
Fletcher, Horsley, Bishop Newton, Sir Isaac New- 
ton, Milton, Sterry, Cotton Mather, and a host of 
others. In asserting this doctrine, we therefore only  
comply with the apostolic command, to earnestly  
contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.  
The accomplishment  of this glorious promise must  
be the next great event in historical prophecy, when 
have been fulfilled all the events predicted, which  
were to'precede the consummation;  and be it re- 
membered, that the only prophecies claimed by our  
opponents to be unfulfilled,  are those which they  
claim belong to a temporal millennium,  and the res- 
toration ofthe Jews.  
These predictions we have shown, by thus far un- 
answered arguments  drawn from the word of God,  
to apply only to the eternal state ofthe righteou3 in  
the regenerated earth, and in the restoration of the 
true Israel of God lo their everlasting  state, accord- 
ing to the sure promise of God made to our father 
Abraham. As, therefore, no events of prophecy, now  
unfulfilled,  precede the Second Advent, we shall not  
turn aside from the expectation of the immediate ful- 
filment of these glorious promises—even if there  
should be any seeming delay, until we  can say, " Lo,  
this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will  
come and save us." We have no expectation of re- 
tiring from the contest till our King appear. We 
have enlisted for the war. Should time continue, 
the contest is well begun. Should the Saviour come 
to-day, we intend to be at our posts. With regard to  
the time of that event, we expect it in the " fulness  of  
times;" in the fulfilment  of all the prophetic periods,  
none of which have yet been shown to extend beyond 
A. D. 1843. We are therefore looking for it at this  
time. Six thousand years from creation wa3 the 
time when the primitive  church was expecting the  
Advent. And Luther, Bengel, Burnet, Fletcher,  
Wesley, and others, all had their eye at about this  
period of time. But now the fulfilment,  of the pro- 
phecies, the end of the prophetic periods, and the  
signs ofthe times, admonish us that it is truly " at  
j the very doors."  
The public have been deceived by the secular and  
religious press, with regard to particular days and  
months that it is said the Savior was expected.  
There are too many difficulties  in the way of fixing  
with certainty on any particular day, to render it safe  
to point to such with any degree of positiveness,  al- 
though, to some minds, more probable circumstances  
may seem to point to some particular days, than others.  

Wheil these days have been named by our brethren,  
the)'' have been only their own individial  opinions,  
and not the opinions of their friends. The cause is  
therefore not responsible  for any such limited views  
and calculations.  
We occupy the same ground that we have always  
occupied, in accordance with the title page of all Mr. 
Millers lectures, viz. that the second advent will be  
"ABOUT the year 1843." The 23d of April to which  
all of our opponents have looked, was never named by 
any of our friends, hut only by our enemies. To main- 
tain the belief of the coming of Christ now at the  
doors, to restore this earth to its Edec state, and re- 
store to the righteous, we claim the same right that any  
of our opponents have to present a contrary belief.  
And we mean to be put down neither by the spiritualiz- 
ing of the word of God. and wresting its alphabetical 
and common sense meaning ; or by the sneers, scoffs,  
sarcasms, of those who oppose us—the only forms of  
opposition with which we have to contend.  
When it is shown by sound argument, and the sure  
word of God, that no personal coming of Christ, and 
restoration of this earth to its Eden state, is taught in 
the Scriptures, then we shall cease to look for the com- 
ing of the Lord : and not till then. Wre are ready and  
anxious to meet any and all candid arguments which 
may appear to any to militate  against these truths ; and  
Ave claim an equal privilege to present in return, the  
strong arguments and the promises of God upon which 
alone we stand. In the discussion of this great ques- 
tion, the truth or falsity of which vitally  affects every  
son and daughter of Adam, we ask for a candid hearing,  
and are willing to abide an impartial examination.  
In support of our positions we rest solely upon tbe  
testimony  ofthe word of God, in its plain, obvious, and  
literal acceptation, as understood by the apostles and 
their immediate successors. To the law and testimony  
we appeal: for we expect none other things,  but what  
Moses and the prophets have said shall come. We  
place no reliance whatever upon any visions, or dreams,  
mere impressions  or private revelations.  " We have a  
more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well if 
ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth  in a dark  
place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in jrour 
hearts." " Search the Scriptures,"  said our Savior ;  
and from them we profess to be able to give a reason 
for the hope that is in us, to every man that asketh us.  
Neither have we any confidence in tbe stability  of those  
whose hopes are based upon impressions,  and not upon  
the word of God : for when their impressions  are  gone,  
their hopes will disappear with them. But the word of  
God endureth forever, and those whose hopes are 
grounded upon it cannot be shaken, whatever may be- 
tide.  
We have no sectarian designs ; our sole object is  
to convince the churches and the world that the 
Bridegroom cometh, that all who will may prepare  
for his glorious appearing. We never have, nor do  
we now recommend that any leave their respective 
communions.  We have no controversy with any of  
the religious  sects ofthe clay, or existing  ecclesiasti- 
cal organizations.  Our standard of Christian charac- 
ter and fellowship, is to love the Lord our God with  
all our heart, and strength, and mind, and our neigh-
bor as ourself—walking  soberly, godly, and right- 
eously in this present evil world, doing good as we  
have opportunity.  
Second Advent believers are found in all branches  
ofthe Christian Church, and when we come together  
we all meet on common ground. We therefore deem 
it. highly improper that any professed Second Advent  
believer should make his peculiar individual  oi sec- 
tarian views prominent in his professed Second Ad- 
vent labors. We claim no right to dictate to any  
one what shall be his individual belief, or in refer- 
ence to his ecclesiastical  relations. W« have no  
ecclesiastical  relations ; and wish none. Wre permit  
ail to worship God according to the dictates of their 
own conscience; and expect the same privilege for 
ourselves. We have nothing to do with any of the  
contested doctrinal points that agitate the churches ; 
nor have we approved the introduction  of personal  
and private speculations,  which may have led to un- 
profitable discussions.  
It has been claimed by our opponents that the ten- 
dency of these views is to produce insanity.  But it  
is questioned whether a single case can be produced  
where a believer has become insane on account of 
such belief. Those who cannot appreciate the truth 
may suppose them insane, as some of old were sup- 
posed to be full of new wine, and Paul was said to be  
mad ; or those whose views only rest on dreams and  

impressions  may exhibit insanity  in their excesses ;  
but these are not principles we advocate. It is also 
believed that fewer cases can be found of insanity,  in :  
connection with Second Advent views, in proportion ;  
to the believers, than can be produced in connection t  
with ordinary religious teachings. The promises we I 
present are so glorious and cheering, being none oth-
er than those the primitive church were told to com- •  
fort each other with, that to the humble inquirer after 
truth, they would be much more likelv to restore to  
sanity, than to render insane ; and such it is believed i 
have been their practical tendency.  
The above is a condensed statement of our views j  
and expectations  ; we will now give the object for j  
which the Tabernacle is opened. This has been j 
erected for the accommodation of those citizens of  
Boston, and vicinity,  who may wish to come and  
learn from the word of God the reason of the hope j  
that is in us. It. will be occupied principally  for lec- j  
tures, where, it is intended, the truth shall be pre- 
sented in a clear, rational, and candid manner, so  
that it may commend itself to the reason, and good j 
sense of all impartial hearers, and taking root in their  
hearts, lead them to repentance, that they may bring j 
forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness.  We in- '  
tend to permit here no extravagances, but have every ! 
thing done decently and in order, so that those who  
assemble may not only have their hearts benefited, 
but their minds enlightened  ; we repudiate all fanati- 
cism. Our wishes are to reach the heart through the  
intellect, rather than the feelings. We therefore cor- 
dially invite all disposed to an impartial examination 
of the Bible, to come and hear for themselves.  
" Come now, and let us reason together," saith the 
Lord.  
For the Midnight Cry- 
LETTERS OP ISAAC TO ABRAHAM.  
Read the following attentively  : it is excellent.—ED.  
My Dear Father.—In the following numbers, I will  
attempt an examination  of the "promises made to the  
Fathers," and also of certain passages in the Hebrew  
Prophets, to which you refer—and which are supposed  
to contain unfulfilled  predictions of the restoration and  
prosperity of the Jews according to the flesh.  
I undertake this with the greater pleasure, as the  
peculiar privileges of the Jews, and particularly  their  
restoration to the land of Canaan, are subjects upon  
which we have conversed much, and on which until  
ately we were agreed.  
I admit, if the carnal Jews are to possess the land  
of Canaan, according to the terms of the original  pro- 
mises, in a mortal state, it must prove fatal to the doc- 
trine of our Lord's speedy coming.  
As the shortest and most satisfactory way which  
occurs to me of arriving at truth in these matters, I  
proceed to enquire —  
1. Whether the original promise of Canaan as a  
possession, made to Abraham and his seed, regard his  
descendants according to the flesh only, or chiefly, or  
in any sense as such ? And,  
2. Whether these promises regard the present  
life only or chiefly ? The first promise made  
to Abraham and his seed is recorded in Genesis  
12: 6,7. After passing through the land, "when the  
Canaanite was in the land," the Lord appeared unto  
Abraham and said, "Unto thy seed Will 1 give this land.''  
Again, Gen. 15 : 14, 15.—"Lift up now thine eyes and  
look from the place where thou art; northward and 
southward, and eastward, and westward, for all the 
land which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy 
seed forever." Gen. 15: 18.—"Unto thy seed have I  
given this land from the river of Egypt to the great  
river Euphrates." In Gen. 17: 8, the language in  
which the promise is repeated varies somewhat from  
the preceding, but chiefly in that it is more expressive  
and definite : "And I will give unto thee and to thy !  
seed after thee tbe land wherein thou art a stranger—  
all the land of Canaan for an EVERLASTING pos- j  
session.'''  
It is not questioned that the seed of Abraham are heirs j  
of these promises. Bat that reference is had in them,  
to his seed according to the flesh, only or chiefly or 1  
in any sense as such, is denied. In Rom. 9 : 6—9,  
Paul declares 1. "That they are not all Israel who are  
of Israel." 2. That all the seed of Abram (car-
nally) are not children—that  the children of the flesh  
are not the children of God. 3. "That the children  
of promise are counted for the seed." In the 27th verse, 
Paul expresses a hope that "a remnant of Israel would 
be saved." That is—that of the multitudes  of Jews,


—some would embrace the Lord Jesus—the "Hope of  
Israel," and in Him, inherit the promises. He dared  
t.o hope that a remnant only would be saved! ! In  
Rom. 2 : 25—29, Paul declares "he is not a Jew who  
is one outwardly: but he is a Jew who is one inward- 
ly—and that is circumcision which is not in the flesh, 
but in the heart." Does not the Apostle here teach the  
doctrine, that regeneration is necessary to heir-ship 1  
In Gal. 3 : 4, Paul teaches distinctly, that the bless- 
ings of Abraham, (or'promises to him) were designed to 
reach the Gentiles through Jesus Christ : and in verse  
16, that the promise to Abraham and his seed do not in- 
clude any out of Christ. It may be asked why the  
law was given to the Jews, with so strict a discipline,  
if it did not secure to thsin the blessings promised to 
the Patriarchs 1 In verse 19 of this chapter, Paul an- 
ticipates and answers the question as follows : "the  
1 iw was  added because of transgressions,  till the seed  
should come to whom the promises were made." But  
reading through the chapter carefully, pause at the 
29th verse. "If ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's  
seed, and heirs according to the promise.'''' If the con-
dition of heirship is not here clearly expressed, and if 
that condition is not. regeneration, then I cannot under- 
stand language. Any person reading carefully the  
2nd, 4th and 9th chapters of Romans—the 3d and the  
4th chapters of Galatians, with their connections, and  
still thinking that according to the teaching of this  
Apostle, any nationality or form of religion could con- 
stitute an unbeliever, a child of Abraham, or an heir of  
the promises—cannot be convinced by any thing I can  
find time to say now on  this subject.  
It is true the Jews have affected to consider them- 
selves the peculiar favorites of God. When John  
came in the wilderness of Judea preaching and baptiz- 
ing, the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded the rite at  
his hand, because they were children  of Abraham after  
the flesh. But John reproved them, and taught them that 
they were none the more acceptable to God because  
they "had Abraham to their Father." See Mat. 3 : 7—  
10. The greatest enemies of our Lord claimed to be  
children of Abraham—and there is a sense in which he  
allows the claim.—John 8 : 37. But in the 39th verse,  
he tells them IF THEY WERE children of Abraham they 
would do the works of  Abraham: and because they did  
not theivorks of Abraham, the Savior declares they are 
children of the Devil. Can the children of the Devil  
inherit the promises of God ? !!  
Peter was slow to learn that the promises included  
any but Jews according to the flesh, until the sheet  
was thrice let down from Heaven. Finally, from a  
careful examination of this subject in the New Testa- 
ment Scriptures, I should be disappointed if any un- 
prejudiced mind did not arrive at  the following con- 
clusions. 1. That all the promises made unto the Fa-
thers, centre in the Lord Jesus Christ, and will be ful- 
filled in him. And 2nd. That God has made no dif-
ference in this matter, between the Jew and Gentile,  
the same Lord oyer all is rich unto ail who call upon  
him.  
In my next I will attend to the 2nd question, and if  
the Lord spare us, endeavor to show, that the promises  
to the Fathers cannot be fulfilled in a-mortal state.  
Your son in hope, ISAAC.  
For the Midnight Cry.  
THE TRUE SEED AND TRUE KINGDOM.  
With unequalled and most absorbing interest, I have  
been engaged for two years past in investigating for  
myself the prophetic Scriptures. One by one, my old  
prejudices have melted away, and now, with most un- 
doubting assurance, I am waiting for the coming of our  
Lord.  
How such an unscriptural and fanatical notion ever  
entered the mind of any good man as that of the con- 
version of the world by preaching, has been a matter of  
intense curiosity to me. I myself believed it, not be- 
cause I had satisfactory evidence, but because it was 
instilled into my young mind with my eailiest catecheti-
cal instruction, and because it grew with my growth,  
and strengthened with my strength. Why I was thus  
taught,—why such an opinion had crept into the church 
—why it now sways the best and purest minds, con- 
trols  our theological seminaries, gives the tone to al- 
most all preaching, and in fine, directs the entire be- 
nevolent action of the day—this to me is a worse locus  
vexatissimus,than that which so harasses Prof. Stuart.  
The root of the evil is undoubtedly to be traced to  
the insane love of power and fame, which is the be- 
setting sin of human nature. But so far as scriptural 
interpretation is concerned, it seems to me, that the  

doctrine of the conversion of the world, and the resto-
ration of the Jews, is to be imputed specially to a radi- 
cal misapprehension of the Abrahamic covenant. Be 
it ever remembered that this Promise made to the 
spiritual Father of all believers, is the leading text of 
the Scriptures. Upon this the Psalmist, in sweetest 
strains of heavenly music, hangs with pious, delightful  
hope. Isaiah, " rapt with seraphic fire," looked through  
the vista of dark ages to come to the Land of Promise. 
The more sombre and mournful strains of Jeremiah,  
are ever and anon lightened up with gorgeous visions 
of the glory promised to his pious Father Abraham.  
Job, covered with loathsome sores, forsaken for a time 
of his God, was not bereft ofthe hope inspired by this  
promise. Through the thick darkness that surrounded  
him, he too caught a dazzling glimpse of his Lord and 
Redeemer, the Son of Abraham. All the Prophets of  
the Old Testament, delighted to folbw the leading of 
the Holy Spirit, and break away from the utter and  
final desolations of the natural descendants of Abra- 
ham, into the "glorious light and liberty" of his spiritual  
children. And when, under a better dispensation, the  
apostles of our Lord preached the speedy fulfilment  
of this great and precious promise, they took particu-
lar pains to show that it involved at once all the hopes  
of the good and all the fears of the bad. And lest the  
poetic rhapsodies of many of the Old Testament wri-
ters should be misapprehended, they furnished plain,  
prosaic, and ample comments, to make assurance  
doubly sure, that the gracious covenant of God with 
Abraham reached down to the end of time, the resur- 
rection of the  dead, the coming of Christ, and the res- 
titution of all things to more than their pristine glory  
before the fall.  
The seed of Abraham, who are they—or rather, who  
is it! Why, JESUS CHRIST. Eighteen hundred  
years ago, this Son of Abraham came to this his estate  
(in reversion) and most graciously and benevolently  
promised, that all who would believe on him, should be  
joint heirs with him to his great and glorious inherit- 
ance. He told the Jews, his kindred according to the  
flesh, that they were the real children, not of Abraham,  
but of the Devil. He sent his disciples,  (for a few  
believed on Him) with this good news to all parts of  
the world; namely, that he had come unto his own  
natural kindred, but they had received him not, and that  
therefore he would extend the blessings of this heir- j  
ship to all men, Jews and Gentiles, who would believe  
on Him. But first, said He, I must suffer and die, and 
be laid in the grave. You also must suffer in this, the 
Devil's world, and also die and be buried. Many other  
generations of believers on me shall also suffer perse-
cution, and be laid in the house of death. But mark ! 
remember !—watch ! I shall rise from the dead—I 
shall despoil death and him that hath the power of 
death—I shall ascend to my Father and your Father.  
But I shall surely come again to my inheritance at the 
appointed time, and I will not tarry. I have -given  
three of you, (Peter, James and John.) an exhibition  
of mv power and coming on the holy mount of Trans-
figuration. Be net dismayed when you see me die on  
the cross. I shall conquer death, and come again to 
this world. Watch ! watch ! watch ! ! Daniel and all  
the Prophets have spoken of me, and of my glory as a  
King and conqueror. Read, mark, reflect, and watch !  
I shall come speedily and suddenly, and bring my saints  
with me to eternal glory !  
Come thou and behold the kingdom ofGod. See in  
this promise, the rest that remaineth to the people of  
God. If you are a meek and righteous believer, you 
shall inherit the earth for an everlasting possession, as  
co-heir with Christ. Let nobody cheat you out of this 
eternal inheritance. Be not satisfied with a thousand  
years' possession. Let the dead bury the dead. Let  
the Jews get  back to Palestine if they can. But do  
thou hope only in the resurrection of the dead. Let a 
faithless church convert the world if they can, but do  
thou arise and follow Christ, and look for Him, who is 
your life, to appear from heaven. You shall not be dis-
appointed. "Hope on, hope ever." If He come not  
this year, look for Him still. Be thou sure, that  
Christ will surely come, and will not tarry. He will con- 
found the vain calculations of those  who rashly trust in  
Rothschild, and dare to narrow down the infinite pro- 
mises of God to the insignificant compass of a Millen- 
nium of doubtful triumph. W.  
If thou canst not make thyself such a one as thou  
wouldst, how canst thou expect to have another in all  
things to thy liking 1  
It is vanity to wish to live long, and to be careless to  
live well.  

For the Midnight Cry.  
« SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS."  
Brother Southard,—Having just returned from Patch- 
ogue, Long Island, I would say that the account you lately 
published of the appearance of two suns at a time, is cor- 
roborated by persons in that place. Several credible  
witnesses of Patchogue, two of whom I questioned my- 
self on the subject, affirm that, some months ago they 
saw an exact image of the sun, at about three quarters  
of an hour high, which so remained for the space of an  
hour before the sun-rise, in a clear east, though it did not  
enlighten the earth, as the natural sun does on rising. It  
finally disappeared, by going into a cloud, just as the true  
sun was also seen to arise below it. Some six or eight  
other persons, they say, witnessed the same.  
Other credible witnesses, of the same place, on  
being visited for the purpose, made open declaration, 
that they and others, saw on Saturday evening, Aprd  
29th, between nine and ten o'clock, a very brilliant light  
in the north-west, brighter than the moon, which in- 
creasing and diminishing  in size, sometimes appeared  
nearly as large as the moon itself, apparently two or three  
hours high, which continued something like three-fourths  
of an hour. And what was  
most singular, they say that  
there were streaks of fiery 
light, resembling red hot bars  
of iron, which emanated from  
it, upward and downward, to  
a considerable distance, some  
of which would remain for a 
minute or so, and then vanish.  
Its disappearance was sudden  
and at once, and at a time  
when brightest.  
The same witnesses, with others, testify that some six  
or eight weeks ago, they saw very nearly the same image  
or appearance ofthe moon, in the west, somewhat above 
the horizon, which continued, as they thought, about an  
hour. The singularities of it differed from that of April  
29th, in its having streaks of  
light, much more red than it-
self, of apparently three inches 
width, which passed directly 
through its centre, forming a 
perfect cross, and extending  
beyond the edge of it, twice the  
diameter of the light, with sev-
eral spots like blood on its sur- 
face. Its size, like the other, 
increased and diminished, with  
occasional seeming sparks of  
fire thrown out from it in  
various directions ; and, like the other, its disappearance 
was sudden and all at once.  
That I may not  seem alone responsible for the above,  
I refer you to Br. B. Matthias, Pastor of the Cong,  
church, in Patchogue, who is knowing to all this testimo- 
ny, and spends this week in our city. >  
While my hand is in, I give you the following account  
of another phenomenon, which I took a few months since  
from the lips of the witnesses, at their residence, who  
sanctioned this account, on its being read to them, viz :  
ICP "Mr. Asahel Towner ard family of Oxford, Ct.,  
now solemnly affirm that in the summer of 1828 they saw  
a very white breadth of light, which lighted the earth, so  
that they could see to pick up a pin on the ground in the 
middle ofthe night. The light, they say, rose gradually  
in the E N. E., and came over head even to the 
horizon of the W. S. W., which seemed to them of  
the equal width of 4 or 5 yards, and so remaining for 
several hours. And while the latter end of it sunk be- 
low the horizon, the first end appeared to rise to the  
height of an hour. Waves of dark or light arose in the  
same belt of light, from both ends of it, and met over  
head, one succeeding another as often as every minute  
or two. It disappeared about midnight. Many others, 
they say, witnessed the same sight, and that they saw an 
account of it published in the papers afterwards, as hav- 
ing appeared in other places."  
And let me say further, that in a town of my late resi- 
dence, there were three very respectable witnesses, who 
affirmed live years ago, that they saw in the dead of night  
the natural full moon with apparently two other moons  
of something like half its size, hanging just below, or 
closely connected with it, which appeared for about an  
hour. One witness was a person watching the sick, and  
the other two were, a physician, and the man who came  
after him to visit the sick in another section of the town. 
They were much reserved in speaking of the phenom-
enon, choosing not to he considered weak-minded by 
their neighbors.  
None of the witnesses to the foregoing phenomena, so  
far as is known, were believers in Christ's Second Ad-
vent at hand. Let all make their own comments.  
HF.NRY JONES.  
New York, May 9, 1843.  
67


THE MIDNIGHT CRY.  
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1843.  

Afternoon. After a season of prayer, au address was ! of the 2d advent—and whereas, the existing prejudices  
given by J. V. Himes. on prophetical history. j  ancl jealousies ofthe South on the subject of slavery,  
SECOND ADVENT CONFERENCE.  
Tuesday morning, May 9th, the Conference met at  
the corner of Catharine and Madison streets. Among  
the brethren present, were N. N. Whiting, F. G.  
Brown, J. V. Himes, T. F. Barry, N. Hervey, S. S.  
Brewer, J. Litch, George Storrs, B. Matthias, J. Reed,  
A. A. Stevens, M. Bacheldor, J. B. Cook, D. Plumb  
J. Marsh, Thos. J. Meltish, H. Jones, J. McChesney'  
L. D. Fleming, J. R. Gates, &c. &c.  
J. V. Himes was chosen chairman, and L. D. Flem- 
ing Secretary, with whom N. Southard and E. Jacobs  
were constituted a committee of arrangements.  
The subject of the resurrection was then discussed  
in a Bible class. It was agreed that the Bible teaches 
two distinct resurrections, which, in the 20th of Reve-
lations are clearly shown to be 1000 years apart. The  
various references to " the resurrection of the just,"  

In the evening, Professor Whiting, of Williamsburg,  
gave a very important lecture on the influence of Ne- 
ology, upon the faith ofthe church in the Bible.  
Thursday, l\th inst., at 10 A. M. Met and devoted  
a season to Bible study and enquiry on the subject of  
the New Jerusalem. Rev. 21 : 9—27 was read—com- 
pared with Zech. 14. By comparing views and colla- 
ting scripture, much light and interest were drawn out.  

renders it difficult and next to impossible, for us to meet  
those solicitations,—Therefore  
Resolved, That we heartily express our deep sympa- 
thy with our brethren there who are interested on the  
subject, and are lcoking for  the coming of the Lord ;  
and we would most gladly go to their help could it be 
done. As it is, we earnestly pray the Lord ofthe har- 
vest to raise up laborers among themselves, against  
whom those jealousies may not exist, and send them  
forth to give the midnight cry,—while we will most  
Mr. Himes then proceeded to make suggestions re- j cheerfully do what we can for them by furnishing pub- 
specting immediate efforts for extending the truth in ' Hcalioiis on the subject.  
Western New York, Ohio, and elsewhere. A com- 
mittee was accordingly chosen to present resolutions  
on the subjects he had referred to, consisting of N. N. 
Whiting, J. V. Himes, and L. D. Fleming.  
In the afternoon, it was determined to spend the  
time in giving a relation of experiences on the subject 
of the speedy coming of Christ.  
Brother Reed, of New Hartford, N. Y. ; Brother  
M. Bacheldor, of Wallingford, Conn. ; Brother B. Mat- 
he resurrection of " those who are Christ's at his lhias, of Long Island ; Brother Stevens, from Yale Col- 
coming," and " the dead in Christ," who " shall rise 
first," and the like, all seem to harmonize perfectly  
with the text in Revelations : " Blessed and holy is he  
that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the  
second death hath no power, but they shall be  priests  
of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thou- 
sand years ;"—" but the rest of the dead lived not  

lege ; Brother Hervey, of  Mass. ; Brother Cook, of  
Middletown, Ct., and Brother Barry, of Portsmouth, 
each related personal narratives of the process by  
which they had been led to embrace the truth; and  
their experience in preaching it. The audience were  
intensely interested, by the manifest tokens of God's 
providence in guiding those who were willing to receive  
again, till the thousand years were finished;' plainly | his truth with bumble faith, and preach it with unshrink- 
sbowing that then they will live again. I inS reliance on his protection. As several of the  
It is common for the writer of the Revelations to take brethren had not spoken, it was decided to spend the  
up one line of events, and follow it down to the end, j next afternoon a  s™llar way;  
and then take up another, and go over the same space Evening. A large assembly was addressed by Bro, 
of time again.  
In Rev. 20 : 11—15, two judgment scenes are seem- 
ingly brought to view. In the first, which may har- 
monize with the first resurrection, the book of life is  
opened. In the second scene, no righteous persons  
are mentioned, but whosoever was not found written in  
the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  
It was objected that the sea must have passed away  
at the first resurrection, when the righteous begin to  
reign with Christ, Rev. 20 : 11 and 21:1, yet, in the se- 
cond scene, when the wicked are judged, the sea gave  
up its dead. To this, two replies may be made :  
1. The sea did not appear, because it had sunk to  
the centre of the earth. The earth was made to ap_  
pear at creation by the retiring of the waters, and they  
may all retire, so that in the new earth, there may be j Christ's speedy coming, and the calls for  light on the  

Brown, of N. H. Text, Heb. 10 : 21, " Let us hold  
fast the profession of our faith without wavering." The  
discourse was one of great interest, evinced by the  
most profound attention of the audience.  
Friday, 12^. Met for the purpose of considering the  
best mode of forwarding our glorious enterprise, when  
the following resolutions were adopted :  
PREAMBLE TO RESOLUTIONS.  
Believing the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus  
Christ is now " at the door,"—and being fully aware  
that we may have only time to resolve on doing, yet  
we deem it our duty to " occupy till" our Lord "come,"  
and to be found doing when he comes ;—in this view,  
we unite in the "following;  
CINCINNATI AND VICINITY.  
Whereas the "state of interest, on the subject of  

Bro. Matthias then presented the claims of Lnng  
Island to an appropriation of efforts, to proclaim the  
gospel of the kingdom there.  He proposed a camp- 
meeting as an important means. It was committed to 
the N. Y. Association to arrange the plan, &c.  
Adjourned.  
Afternoon. Brethren Jacobs, Whiting, Plumb, and  
others, related their own experience, and brother Ilimes  
made some interesting remarks on the concessions  
which our opponents have made to Jews, Papists, 
Universalists, and Infidels, in their zeal to oppose us, 
so that they have given error a great advantage, and 
the question naturally comes up, What will they do, to 
oppose Popery and Infidelity if Christ does not come 1  
In the eyening, brother George Storrs addressed a  
large audience on the popular fallacy respecting the  
descendants of Abraham, (in the flesh,) after which the 
brethren separated, praising the Lord for the evidences 
of his presence during the meetings.  
LONG ISLAND CAMP-MEETING.—Brother Mathias  
has made arrangements for a camp-meeting, to com- 
mence Monday, June 5th, near Hempstead, on the  
ground of Mr. Pettet, one mile south of the railroad 
depot. More full notice hereafter.  
ENGLAND.—It will be seen that brother Winter is  
doing what he can, in a humble way, to spread the cry  
in England. We have a strong desire that an effort 
should be made to arouse the old world. A mission 
was recommended, at the New York Conference ; but  
the calls are so urgent from every part of our country,  
that we fear it will be impossible for any of our efficient 
lectures to leave. The question will be decided at the  
Boston Conference.  
no body of water but the pure river of the water of  
life. In Ps. 24 : 2, it is said ofthe earth,- 
" For he hath founded it UPON the seas,  
And established it UPON the floods."  

subject by way of lectures, &c., from Cincinnati and  
that region of country are so pressing ; ana whereas  
Brother J. B.Cook, late of Middletown, Ct., is at liber- 
ty to travel abroad and preach the glad tidings of the 
kingdom at hand; and as he is acquainted in that part 
of the country, having preached for a time in that  re- 
gion,-some years ^ince, and regarding him as a brother  

The same view is confirmed by Job, 38 : 8,—  
" Or who SHUT UP THE SEA with doors."  
In this view ofthe subject, the sea, being the recep- 
tacle of the dead, would naturally be mentioned, as  
giving them up, but in any other view, we can scarcely  
understand why the sea should have such prominence. | ren in giving the midnight cry. We would also recom  
2. " Sea," in Rev. 21: 1, may be figurative. The J mend that Bro. Stevens, late of Yale College, New  
wicked are compared to a troubled sea ; or it may indi-
cate commotion, confusion, turmoil. This view is con- 

important field, in connexion with brethren Caldwell, ; ner in which Christians, 200 years acr0, habitually  
Bennett, and others, we would heartily recommend that „(.,, e • * A , 
Bro. Cook go to that section, and unite with our breth- bp°ke, °f th® corain* °f Chnst AmonS olhers- re"  
firmed by the fact that the sea was made at first, when  
man was innocent, and pronounced good, and in " the  
times of restitution," (Acts 3 : 21) it may be restored.  
Adjourned to half-past 2, P. M , when Bro. T. F.  
Barry gave an interesting address.  
Evening. Bro. J. Litch gave an address on the his- 
tory of the Second Advent cause—its rise—progress—  
success, &c., which was listened to with very deep in- 
terest for two hours. We expect its publication.  
Wednesday, 10th. Met at half-past 10, A. M., and  
held a Bible class on the question of the Jews' return  
—or ivho are the true Israel. Much interest was mani-
fest, and light elicited. Adjourned to half-past 2, P. M.  
68  

Haven, accompany Bro. Cook to that important field.  
WESTERN NEW YORK.  
In consideration of the state of affairs, touching this  
subject,—and the numerous and pressing calls in Cen- 
tral and Western New York, we would recommend 
that measures be taken to present the claims ot Christ's  
speedy coming, throughout that populous region. This  
we apprehend can he best accomplished, by opening a  
book room, and commencing a weekly paper at some  
important point, by which means a flood of light may  
be thrown upon that region. The city of Rochester  
strikes us as the most eligible.  

HP Agents and Subscribers to the Midnight Cry,  
will confer a special favor by making'a prompt remit-
tance of what is now due.  
We are in special need of all that is due us, to meet  
our bills.  
WHAT CONSTITUTES A MILLERITE ?  
We were conversing with one of the editors of a  
fitted, in every respect, to occupy, successfully, that j popular religious paper recently, respecting the man- 
ferred to Baxter, as one who was constantly looking 
for that great event.  
" He, doubtless, meant his own death," said our  
learned brother.  
We then quoted some of Baxter's language, to show  
that he was speaking of Christ's coming from Heaven,  
but still he said—  
" I don't believe Baxter was a Millerite." 
This was a pleasing definition. A Millerite, then,  
according to this, is one who habitually looks for  
Christ's coming. The believers in the advent in 1843,  
are but a branch of the great family. Let us look over  We would suggest,  
also, that connected with these facilities, lecturers be the past 1800 years, and see if we can find any Millerites.  
enlisted to give the alarm throughout this whole field. Mr. Shimeall, in his recent Sabbath evening lecture  
THE SOUTH. at the University Chapel, said the doctrine that Christ's  
Whereas, there have been urgent and repeated soli- coming to introduce the Millennium is held by emi- 
citations from the South, for lectures upon the subject nent bishops, presbyters, and laymen ofthe established


hurch, in England. We know this is true. The  
I Church of England Magazine, recently received, has a  
sermon 011 this text,— " When the Son of Man cometh  
| shall lie find faith on the earth 1" Here is an extract :  
" O may we be enabled by the Iioly Spirit to set our  
hearts on  a better world, and have our treasure in  
heaven—in that heaven ' from whence we look for the  
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ !'  
" Do we indeed look for him, my brethren 1 Do we  
sufficiently think of that great day which we profess to  
expect 1 The apostles speak of it much more frequent- 
ly than we should imagine, if we judged by the little  
mention of it in sermons and religious books. I for 
one take shame to myself for having too seldom spoken  
of it. Without pretending in the least to fix the time 
of Christ's second coming, Ave might let our minds 
dwell on the certainty that there shall be a time. To  
do otherwise is in effect to fix the time in a certain  
sense ; it is to say that it will not be in our days, and  
we 110 more know when it will not be than when it will  
be. Come when it will, the  prospect of its coming is  
meant to be most useful to us. It is meant to awaken  
us when falling asleep—to comfort us when awake,  
but weary. The struggle with sin is hard and 
wearisome, but it may end at any moment. Not only  
may death end it, but THE SAVIOR HIMSELF MAY 
COME ; not only may our part which God has given us  
to act be over, but the stage itself may suddenly be  
cleared of all its actors, and the great theatre of this  
world be closed forever. 0 for faith to REALIZE these  
truths ! 0 for such a holy, heavenly frame of mind,  
| such a devotion of all our powers to God, such dead-
1 ness to the world, that we may be able to look on the 
j possibility of such an occurrence, not only calmly, but 
I with joy and consolation! Happy, thrice happy, is  
the man who can use the petition in the Lord's prayer, 
'Thy kingdom come,' in this its largest and sublimest  
sense !"  
In one of the early sermons of Whitefield, on Mark  
13 : 33, written about 100 years ago, he says :  
" Yet a little while, and the Lord will ease him of  
his adversaries. Methinks, by faith, I see the heavens  
opened, and the holy Jesus coming, with his face 
brighter than ten thousand suns. * * *  
AYatch, that is, be on your guard, and keep your graces  
in continual exercise, for, as when we are commanded  
to watch unto prayer, it signifies that we are to con- 
tinue instant in that duty ; so, when we are required to 
watch, in general, it means, that we are to put on the  
whole armor of God, and live, each day, as if it were  
our last.  
" And 0 that, the Lord may now enable me to  lift up  
my voice like a trumpet! for had I a thousand tongues, 
and could I speak so loud that the whole world might  
hear me, I could not sound a more useful alarm than 
that contained in the text. Watch, therefore, my  
brethren, I beseech you : by the mercies of God in  
Christ Jesus, watch ; be on your guard ; ' Awake, ye  
that sleep in the dust; for ye know neither the day nor 
the hour when the Son of Man cometh ;' perhaps to- 
day, perhaps this midnight the cry may be made ; for  
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the trump is to  
sound."—Whitefield, Sermon 15, p. 500.  
In the same sermon  he exhorts Christians, in words  
which are truly appropriate now :  
" Watch and pray, at this time especially, for per- 
haps a time of suffering is at hand. The ark of the  
Lord begins already to be driven into the wilderness.  
Be ye therefore on your watch, and still persevere in  
following your Lord, even without the camp, bearing  
his reproach ; the cry that has been lately made has 
awakened the devil and his servants ; they begin to 
rage horribly; and well they may ; for I hope their 
kingdom is in danger. Watch, therefore, for if we are  
not always on our guard, a time of trial may overtake  
us unawares ; and, instead of owning, like Peter we  
may be tempted to deny our Master. Set death and  
eternity often before you. Look to Jesus, the author  
and finisher of your faith, and consider how little a 
while it will be, ere he comes to judgment ; and then 
our reproach shall be wiped away; the accusers of us  
and our brethren shall be cast down, and we all shall be  
lodged in heaven forever, with our dear Lord. * *  
Let that cry, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,'be con- 
tinually sounding in your ears, and begin now to live,  
as thoiigh you were assured, this night you were to go 
forth to meet him."  
" But did not Whitefield refer to death here 1" it may  
be asked. Read the next sentence.  
"May the Lord so closely unite you to himself by  

one spirit., that, when he shall come in terrible majesty, 
to JUDGE MANKIND, you may be ready to go 'in  
with hinr to the marriage."  
See the excellent remarks of Caroline Fry, in the  
Cry of May 11, p. 62, teaching us that we are to expect  
Christ's coming, and to KNOW the period of it.  
MATTHEW HENRY, who died in 1714, aged 52, wrote  
that "Christ shall appear the second time, to the salva- 
tion of those who look for him. He will then perfect  
their happiness. It is the distinguishing  character of  
true believers that they are looking for Christ. They  
expect his second coming, and are preparing for it, and  
though it will be sudden destruction to the rest of the  
world, it will be the eternal salvation of  those who look  
for it."—Commentary Heb. 9 : 28.  
We might quote pages of similar sentiments from this  
excellent man, of whom it has been truly said : " His  
works supercede all eulogium on his character. The  
mere plans of his sermons and expositions contain more 
vivid lucid instruction than the finished discourses of  
many other divines."—See Enc. Rcl. Knowl.  
Please read the above again, and think how our reli- 
gious editors would be horror-struck if they could quote  
from Wm. Miller, the  sentiment, that it is "the distin- 
guishing character of true Christians that they are 
looking for Christ." Would it not seem uncharitable 
towards the present church 1  
J'LETCHER'S SENTIMENTS.—-The  extract from Fletch- 
er, written in 1775, corresponding so precisely with our  
views, has excited much attention among the admirers  
of that godly man. We found the article in a book en-
titled, " Extracts on Prophecy, cluefly the approaching  
Advent and Kingdom of Christ, from the writings of  
Burgh, Anderson, Noel, Irving, Cunninghame, Begg, 
Madden, Simon, Mede, Campbell, Sabin, Hooper, 
Pym, Newton, Fletcher, Dodsworth, Goodvyin, Topla- 
dy, Hawtney, Daltoi), Melyill, Bickersteth, Maitland,  
Keith, Fry, Erskine, Marsh, Stewart, Cowper,  
Keeble, &c. GLASGOW, Published by James A, Begg ;  
J. Burns & J. Nisbett, LONDON, 1835. In the preface  
the editor says his "sole desire has been to increase the  
interest now aivakened to the Redemer's second and 
glorious appearing." We might swell this article to a 
volume. To be continued.  

FALL OF THE OTTOMAN SUPREMACY.  
Though the fulfilment of the prophetic periods re- 
lating to this subject, has deeply impressed many minds,  
by its striking confirmation of the fact that a "day 
stands for a year," and that the sixth trumpet has  
ceased, yet some think we have not brought the facts  
before the public so largely as wre ought. We wish to 
make no display of man's ingenuity, but the circum-
stance that Bro. Litch gave his views to the world in  
1838, respecting an event which actually occurred in 
1840, should certainly draw the attention of the candid  
to the principles  upon which he founded his conclusion,  
and incline them to regard the signs of the times as  
iving notice that the seventh trump sounds quickly.  
Some who have not informed themselves on this sub- 
ject, have lately expressed their doubts whether such  
views were ever published before the departure of Ot- 
toman Supremacy, Aug. 11, 1840.  
Wre have in our hands a book with this title, "The  
Probability of the Second Coming of Christ, about  
A. D. 1843, shown by a comparison of Prophecy with  
History, up to the present time, and an Explanation of  
those Prophecies which are yet to be Fulfilled.  By J.  
Litch, Minister of the Gospel. 'Believe in the Lord  
your God, so shalt ye be established; believe his 
prophets, so shalt ye prosper,'—BIBLE, Boston ;  
Published by David H. Ela, No 19 Washington street.  
The Preface reads thus :  
"MR. MILLER'S ORIGINALITY."  
We are anxious the world should know that the doc- 
trine brother Miller preaches is not original with him.  
It is undeniable, however, that no one preached the com- 
ing of Christ in {843—previous to 1798. Since then,  
i there have been several, unconnected with each other, 
j Brother Miller first came to his present conclusion about  
1819. Though he was not the first in this belief, he did  
not borrow it from men. The editor of the Wrayne  
County Herald made a great mistake respecting a 
pamphlet he recently received, entitled ;  
"FREE THOUGHTS  
ON  
THE MILLENNIU M,  
OR  
GRAND SABBATICAL YEAR OF THE WQKLD :  
ADDRESSED TO  
THE CANDID AND CONSIDERATE,  
Wheth'r Skeptics, Jews, or Professors of Christianity.  
BY ROBERT SCOTT.  
" Behold the Bridegroom cometh.''—Matthew SO: 6.  
" Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thou- 
sand three hundred and five and thirty d^ys."—Daniel  
12; 12.  
NEW YORK,  
Printed by John Gray, 110 Fulton Street.  
1834."  
He says : "This pamphlet, written some  nine years  
ago, is evidently the groundwork of Millerism, and de- 
prives Millerism of all claims to originality.  Its style is  
less presumptuous than Miller's, and it appears to be  
written by a sincere and humble inquirer after truth."  
We have mentioned these  facts, not because brother  
Miller seeks honor from men, but we wish to have all  
men know the whole truth.  
IE? Our brother of the Herald will oblige us greatly by  
sending the pamphlet to this office, as we have not been  
able to find a copy.  

" The writer would here acknowledge himself in?  
debted to Mr. William Miller's valuable Lectures for  
the leading ideas of the  following pages. Although the  
views of Mr. M. may not be correct on every point, yet,  
so far as his calculation of time is concerned, the writer  
can but consider his plan irrefutable. The above nam- 
ed lectures are worthy the attentive perusal of all lov- 
ers ofthe Sacred Scriptures. The writings of Bishop 
Newton, andofFaber on the Prophecies, have furnisl>  
ed some most valuable information. Also, Smith's Key  
to Revelations has been read with deep interest, and  
lias afforded many new ideas of the meaning of that  
deeply interesting book. The historical authorities 
who have been principally  consulted, are Rollin's Anci- 
ent History, Gibbon's Decline and Fall) Sabine's Ec- 
clesiastical History, Mosheim's Ecclesiastical Jljstory, 
and Milner's do., Life of  Napoleon, by an American  
Citizen, Mignet's French Revolution, Hawkins' Otto- 
man Empire, &c. Several valuable Commentaries  
have also t>een consulted on the subjects here discuss- 
ed. In the interpretation of figurative language, the  
most approved authors have been consulted and gene-
rally followed. But in some instances the writer has  
found reasons for dissenting from the views of* all au- 
thors with whom he has met.  
The motive which has called forth this work may be  
asked. The reply is, the principal reason of its publi- 
J cation is, the scarceness of Mr. Miller's book, together  
i with the importance ofthe subject. This work, liowe- 
j vev, is not designed to supercede any existing work on  
j the Prophecies. The writer flatters himself, that he  
| has presented some new views on the subject, and ar- 
i ranged and illustrated former views and facts, so as to  
render them more clear and striking ; however, on that  
point a candid public must  judge.  
All pretensions to a spirit of prophecy, or to infalli- 
[ bility in the interpretation of prophecy, are utterly dis- 
i claimed. It has often been asked,—If the event does 
i  not come out as you believe, what will you then think I  
j will it not destroy your confidence in the BioJe 1 To 
J this it is replied, NOT AT ALL: the writer has, in 
j  the course of his research on this sbuject, seen so  
j much which has been literally fulfilled as predicted,  
that although all he has written on this subject should 
prove to have been founded in ignorance, he cannot 
doubt but the prophecies have a meaning, and that they 
were written by the unerring Spirit of the Holy One, 
and will, in due time, be fulfilled. But, at the same  
time, he must be permitted to EXPRESS HIS FIRM CONVIC- 
TION that these calculations are founded in truth, and  
will stand the ordeal they must very soon pass—the uner-
ring test of time. In conclusion, a candid examination  
of the subject is requested of the reader, before judg- 
ment is rendered; he is then at perfect liberty to re- 
ceive or reject, as the strength of the evidence will dic- 
tate. For the purity of his motive in presenting to the 
public the following, the writer must appeal to that day,  
of which he writes. He believes that those, even, who  
©9


do not accord with the peculiar views herein maintain- 
ed, will find themselves amply compensated for their  
pains, in giving the book an attentive perusal.  
" To God, and the word of his grace, the author  
would now commend himself, his work, and all who 
may read; praying that the spirit of wisdom and of a  
sound mind may be granted us, to lead us into all truth. 
The exhortation ofthe king of Judah (2 Chron. xx. 20) 
may perhaps be appropriate on this occasion. ' Hear 
me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem ; believe  
in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; be- 
lieve his prophets, so shall ye prosper.' J. L.  
" May 30,- 1838 "  
In commenting on the 8th of Revelation, he de- 
scribes the rise of Mohametanism, under the fifth  
trumpet, and says :  
This scene changes in the fifth verse, and power is  
given them to torment, but not to kill the men who had  
not the seal of God in their foreheads, for five months.  
To kill, is to conquer, in figurative language ; and to  
torment, is to harass by sudden excursions and assaults. 
Five prophetic months are one hundred and fifty years,  
there being thirty days in a Jewish month.  
" It was given them after the rise of the Ottoman  
empire, to torment or harass and weaken men (the Ro- 
man empire in the east) five months. If these are  
prophetic months as is probable, it would be one hundred  
and fifty years. But when did that empire rise ? Mr.  
Miller has fixed on  A. I). 1298. Others, among whom  
is GIBBON, in his Decline and Fall of the Rom tn Em- 
pire, 1299. He says—Othman first invaded the terri- 
tory of Nicomedia, on CF the 27th of July, 1299. ,£{1  
He also remarks on the singular accuracy of the date,  
a circumstance not often found in the history of those  
times. He says—' The singular accuracy with which 
this even is given, seems to indicate some foresight of  
the rapid growth ofthe monster.'  
" If we date the origin of this empire in 1299, the  
hundred and fifty years would end 1449. During that  
length of time, the eastern empire of Rome was haras- 
sed beyond measure by the Ottoman power, but was not  
subjected entirely to it. The year 1448, Amurath the  
Turkish sultan, besieged Coria, one of the strongest 
cities in the Roman empire. The end of the five  
months would come the next year. We should natu-
rally look for some great defeat of the Christian empe- 
ror's army. But was it so 1 So far from it, that after  
a long summer's siege, and a great loss of men, the fall  
coming on, and rains setting in, the Turks raised the 
siege and retired. The empire was now left in peace. 
One would be almost inclined  to think the word of pro- 
phecy must now fail.  
" But the time came, and the word of God was con- 
firmed by the event. 'John Paleologus emperor of  
Constantinople, was dead, and his brother, Constantine  
Deacozes, would not venture to ascend the throne with- 
out the permission of Amurath, the Turkish sultan. He  
sent ambassadors to ask his consent before he presu- 
med to call himself sovereign. This happened A. D.  
1419. 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.' Hau-kins' Olio• Em .p. p.  
113. Gibbon, an infidel, is so struck with the singular  
accuracy of the record ofthe origin of this empire, that  
he attributes it to some foresight in the historian, of  
the rapid growth of the monster. But would it not be- 
come Christians better, to attribute it. to the superintend- 
ing providence of that Being who. had set a bound for  
that and other empires, which they may not pass ? who  
had given them power to harass and torment the empire  
of Constantinople five months ; and to kill or subject it  
to their own sway, an hour, a day, a month, and a year ; 
the whole being DZP FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY-ONE  
YEARS AND FIFTEEN  DAYS.  
" But when will this power be, overthrown ? Accord- 
ing to the calculations already made, that the five  
months ended 1449, the HOUR, fifteen days, the DAY,  
one year, the MONTH, thirty years, and the YEAR, three  
hundred and sixty years; in all, three hundred and 
ninety-one years, and fifteen days, will end in A. D.  
1840, some time in the month of August. The prophe- 
cy is the most remarkable and definite, (even descend-
ing to the days) of any in the Bible, relating to these 
great events. It is as singular as .the record of the  
time when the empire rose. The facts are now before  
the reader, and he must make what disposition of them  
he thinks best. The sixth woe yet continues, and will  
70  

till the great river Euphrates is dried up, and the sev- 
enth trumpet sounds."—pp. 153—158.  
Let us compare the points here set  forth. The Ot- 
toman supremacy was to depart at the end of the 6th 
trumpet, or 541 years and 15 days from July 27, 1299.  
This term expired Aug. 11, 1840, ID" ON WHICH  
DAY THE CONTROL OF THE OTTOMAN  
EMPIRE PASSED INTO THE HANDS OF THE  
(so called) CHRISTIAN POWERS.  
Those who can refer to Zion's Watchman for Feb.  
29, 1840, will find the same calculation in substance, 
with a reference to the book as having been first seen 
by Brother Miller, in May, 1839.  
For the Midnight  Ury.  
VERSION OF DANIEL VII.  
1 In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon,  
Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head on his  
bed : then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of  
the matters.  
2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by  
night, and behold the four winds of the heaven rush- 
3 ed upon each other on the great sea. And four  
great beasts came up from the sea, different one  
4 from another. The FIRST was like a LION, and  
had eagle's wings ; I looked until its wings were 
plucked off, and it was raised from the earth, and  
made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's  
5 heart was given to it. And behold another beast,  
a SECOND, like a BEAR, and it raised up itself 
on one side, and had three  ribs in its mouth, and  
6 they said thus to  it, Arise, devour much flesh. Af- 
ter this, I saw and behold ANOTHER, like a  
LEOPARD, and it had four wings of a bird on its 
back : the beast had also four heads ; and dominion  
7 was given to it. After this I saw in the night visi- 
ons, and behold a FOURTH beast, DREADFUL 
and TERRIBLE, and exceedingly strong : and it  
had great iron teeth : it devoured and broke in  
pieces, and trampled the remnant with its feet: it 
ivas different from all the beasts that were before it :  
8 and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and  
behold, another little horn came up among them, be- 
fore which there were three of the first horns pluck- 
ed up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were  
eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking  
great things.  
9 I looked until thrones were placed, and the An- 
cient of Days did sit, whose garment  ivas white as  
snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his  
throne ivas flames of fire, and his wheels burnino- 
10 fire. A fiery river flowed and came forth from be- 
fore him : a thousand thousands ministered to him,  
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before  
11 him: the judgment sat, and books were opened. I  
beheld then because of the voice ofthe great words  
which the horn spoke : I beheld even till the beast 
was slain, and its body destroyed, and given to the  
12 burning fire. As to the rest of the beasts, they had  
had their dominion taken away : yet their lives had  
13 been prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the  
night visions, and behold, one like a Son of man  
came with the clouds of the heaven, and came to the  
Ancient of days, and they brought him near before  
14 him. And to him was given dominion, and glory,  
and a kingdom, that all the people, the nations, and 
the languages, should serve him : his dominion is  
an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,  
and his kingdom, that shall not be destroyed.  
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst  
of my body, and the visions of my head terrified  
16 me. I came near unto one of them that stood by,  
and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he  
told me, and made me know the interpretation of 
the things.  
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings,  
18 who shall arise from the earth. But the saints of  
the Most High shall take the kingdom, and pos- 
sess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.  
19 Then I wished to  know the truth concerning the  
fourth beast, which was different from all the others, 
exceedingly dreadful, whose teeth ivere of iron, and  
his nails of brass : which devoured, broke in pieces,  
20 and trampled the remnant with his feet: And con- 
cerning the ten horns that ivere in its head, and  
the other which came up, and before which three  
fell; even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth 
that spoke very great things, whose look was bolder  
21 than its companions. I had seen, and the same horn  

had made war with the saints, and prevailed against  
22 them; until the Ancient of Days came, and the  
judgment was given to the saints ofthe Most High ;  
and the time came that the saints possessed "the  
kingdom.  
23 Thus he said, The FOURTH BEAST shall be  
the FOURTH KINGDOM on the earth, which 
shall be different from all the kingdoms, and shall  
devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down,  
24 and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of  
this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise : and  
another shall rise after them; and he shall be dif- 
ferent from the first, and he shall bring down three  
25 kings. And he shall speak words against the  
Most High, and shall oppress the saints of the Most  
High, and think to change times and law : and they  
shall be given into his hand until a time and times  
26 and the dividing of a time. But the judgment shall  
sit, and they shall take away  his dominion to ruin  
27 and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom  
and the dominion, and the greatness of the king- 
doms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the 
people of the saints of the Most High, whose king- 
dom is an everlasting kingdom, and all the do- 
minions shall serve and obey him.  
28 Thus far is the end of the matter. As for me  
Daniel, my thoughts troubled me much, and my  
countenance changed on me : but I kept the matter  
in my heart.  
NOTES.  
Verse 13, " a son of man.''] The Chaldaic word Mr  
is not in the emphatic slate, and hence it is not to be  
translated " the son," but " a son." Though it refers to  
Christ, still a literal translation seems the most proper.  
Verse 22, "and the judgment was given.''] In modern  
phraseology the idea may be expressed thus—" and sen-
tence was given in favor of the saints," &c.  
Verse 25, "oppress" or "afflict."  
BRETHREN CAMPBELL AND IIEYES.  
These zealous laborers have just returned from a tour  
of nearly five weeks, in which they have been highly 
blessed, and have been made a blessing. Several breth- 
ren would go out in answer to pressing calls, if the means  
were furnished. Who will help?  
Dear Brother Southard,—In company with brethren  
Archer and Gunner, we left New York city on the even- 
ing of Wednesday, April 12th, and arrived at Fishkill  
Landing the morning following.  We immediately com- 
menced the distribution of tracts, leaving one or more at  
every house we passed. At Mattewan, we met a number  
of children, to whom we gave some of the pamphlets—  
with the swiftness almost of " winged messengers" they  
carried them to their parents, and in a few minutes the  
inhabitants ofthe village learned that " Milierites" were  
in the place. Brother Langdon, (Protestant Methodist  
minister) kindly allowed us the use of his chapel to lec-
ture in for two evenings. We had large and attentive  
audiences On Saturday, we reached Fishkill Village.  
None seemed, at first, disposed to receive us. A kind  
brother, however, invited us to his house, (two miles off)  
and we availed ourselves of his liberality. The day fol-
lowing, (Sunday) according to appointment, brother  
Campbell and the writer of this, preached (out of doors)  
to the people of Fishkill. I never addressed a congrega- 
tion who behaved with greater decorum, or manifested  
deeper interest in any subject. We held meetings every 
evening throughout the ensuing week in a  large room  
belonging to Mr. J. Bogardus. God owned His word, the 
lukewarm were aroused, and the careless awakened. To 
Him be all the glory.  
Mr. Bogardus entertained us at his house; may God  
reward him and his family at the resurrection of the just 
for their unbounded hospitality to us. I must not omit 
to mention also the kindness of Dr. Watson, a gentleman  
residing with Mr. Bogardus' family. Being very unwell 
while in Fishkill, he attended and supplied me with medi- 
cines gratuitously. We visited Glenham, Hughsontown,  
Frariklindale, Barnigat, and Poughkeepsie—lectured in  
all those places, and humble as has been the instrumen-
tality, Almighty God has not suffered His word to return 
unto him void. May those dear friends who witnessed a  
good confession before gazing congregations, hold fast  
whereunto they have attained, and may the God of all  
grace enable them to endure unto the end, that they with  
us may at last be numbered with the company whose 
robes are washed and made white in the blood of the 
Lamb, and therefore live continually in his presence.  
H. HEYES.  
It is vanity to mind this present life, and not those i  
things which are to come. I


. From Zion's Herald and Wesleyan Journal.  
EXPERIENCE OF BRO- G. F- COX.  
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED FORTY-THREE.  
I think it was in 1837, when my father-in-law, Rev.  
Mr. Merrit, put into my hands a small pamphlet, writ- 
ten by brother Litch, containing a short synopsis of Mr.  
Miller's views on Christ's coming a second time, in  
1843. He requested me to examine it, saying, at the  
same time, he was unable to attend to it. I was, at  
that time, Editor of the Maine Wesleyan Journal. I  
gave the pamphlet a cursory glance, and announced in  
the paper that Mr. Miller expected the end of the 
world at the time specified. Here the matter rested  
for one or two years. At length, inquiry becoming rife  
upon the subject, and finding I must give some answer, 
I was induced to turn to the prophecy of Daniel. I 
went to this prophet because, in the first place, his pro- 
phecies were in part fulfilled,  and in the second place,  
he had appeared to me the plainest prophet in the Bi-
ble. Whenever, however, I turned to him, I did as I  
had generally done before, examined rather the opinions  
of other expositors, than the prophet himself. Their 
views were so diversified, that I invariably turned  
away with the idea, that I could know nothing about it.  
But this did not satisfy me. Coming in contact with  
so many, inquired of at every step—I felt restless for  
the truth. At length (1840) I said to- myself, I am  
forty years of age. I have been in the ministry nearly  
twenty years. During that time I have made the Bible 
almost my exclusive study. I have no doubt God has 
called me, by his Spirit, to this great work. I have 
read the Bible somewhat in the original language, tri-
fling to be sure, but to me to be valued at such an hour.  
I have studied, to sprne extent, history. And I now  
said, if I cannot understand the Bible for myself, with- 
out note or comment, is it a revelation to man 1 Is Pa- 
pacy, or is Protestantism true 1 Must the Bible be  
expounded by one clergyman among ten thousand, or 
may we all read and judge for ourselves 1 Nay, may  
not the common people know something of these things, 
by the enlightening influences of God's Spirit"? I  
thought they might. I thought, peradventure, I might 
also. I laid aside my commentaries, excepting as a  
rare reference, for matters in history or custom ofthe  
ancient world. 1 betook myself to prayer, as I never  
i did before, to ascertain truth. God has promised me  
his Spirit. This I sought with all my heart. My first  
object was to transcribe the prophetic parts of Daniel,  
that I might first get a birds-eye view of the whole  
ground, or its outlines. I was surprised to see what  
force I often beheld in a single word, and that, too, a 
monosyllable. After looking over this remarkable pro- 
phet awhile, I deemed I saw the " consummation" of  
something not far off, and it looked like the end of the  
present dispensation. My next inquiry was, the cha- 
racter of the millennium. Of this the public know  
something of my views at the time. Suffice it to say,  
I became as satisfied as I well could be, that we can 
have no millennium in the present state, or as man and  
society are now organized. I mean, as the laws of na- 
ture are impressed upon man and beast, that a change,  
like " mortality being swallowed up of life," must come 
upon all, or the same evils must prey upon man, that  
have preyed upon him from the beginning. And a re- 
j view of the subject has given me as strong a conviction  
as I have ofthe being of a God, that no such thing is 
allotted to the church in this world, as a thousand years 
repose  and triumph. It is not in the nature of man ; it  
is not in the promises ofthe gospel. Tribulation belongs  
to the church here; glory hereafter.  
When I became satisfied that we could have no tem- 
poral millennium, I preached Christ at the door, per- 
haps then, perhaps within a year, or ten years, or a  
hundred or hundred and fifty, I knew not; perhaps 
others did or did not; it was not for me to say. But I  
was not yet satisfied. My mind was not at rest ; yet I  
had peace in my soul. The question was so often put  
tome, "What do you think of Christ's coming''" I  
could not well have put it out of my thoughts, and I  
would not if I could. It wasone of too absorbing inter- 
est to my soul. I " loved his appearing," and I loved  
to dwell upon it, as my preaching for the last ten or  
fifteen years proves.  
One day I called at a store in Portland, and a good  
brother came to me with deep anxiety, to know if Jesus 
were indeed coming in 1843. I replied to him, I did  
not know ; it might be so ; it might not. " Then,"  
said he, "you are non-committal, are you 1" I believe  
he intended me no disrespect, but the reply stung me  
' to the heart. Here I am, I said to myself, as I leisurely  
walked from him, a minister of Christ, sent to preach  
| his coming again; hundreds believe that day is just  

upon us ; but I know nothing of it; my trumpet hath in  
it n« certain sound. Again I betook myself to the Bi-
ble and prayer. I thought, if the time were to be known,  
peradventure I might know it. I passed many an anx- 
ious day. I cried to God for help. A sweet, heavenly 
light stole upon my heart and upon the Bible, present- 
ing clear views as to the termination of all prophetic  
periods. New views broke upon my mind from many  
passages in the New Testament, the dispensation of  
the " fullness of time," the 24th and 25th chapters of  
Matthew, the Revelation of John, the two Epistles to 
the Thessalonians, the Epistles of Peter, the Prophe-
cies of Isaiah, and finally the whole Bible became in-
creasingly interesting to me. I saw, too, that some of 
the best minds that God ever created, some  of the most  
learned that ever adorned any age,* had regarded it as  
an established mode of Biblical interpretation, that a  
day in some of the prophetic Scriptures meant a year,  
that in one instance in Daniel it certainly meant this. I  
looked upon his Prophecy as a testament or will, and  
the interpretation of one part in history, as a clue to the  
other. At length it appeared to me quite certain, that  
Christ would make his second advent in 1843, or with- 
in a few months of it.  
I paused and looked at it again and again. I prayed  
over the subject; I said it is a momentous question, and  
ought I to take it for granted, without having some di-
vine evidence upon my heart of its truth 1 I knew that  
God had heard my prayer. He might do it on this 
great question. I wanted no sign, no vision, no dream.  
I knew my weakness too well, to believe, if I had such,  
that it would help me, unless of a remarkable character,  
and even then it seemed less certain than light from  
God's Spirit. But all I gained was light. It appeared  
true. But my brethren thought differently. The whole 
church, nearly, was on the opposite side. While look- 
ing at the church, and some particular brethren for  
whom 1 had great respect, and on their account hesita-
ting to believe the truth, those sweet views faded par-
tially from my heart, and I receded nearly to my for- 
mer place, looking for Christ, I knew not when.  
Finding these sweet views vanishing, I became  
somewhat alarmed. It appeared to me this might be  
truth. Christ, too, was truth ; and if I hesitated to  
believe this through fear or reproach, or against the  
wisdom of man, or if I rejected this light, 1 rejected  
Christ. I humbled myself under his mighty hand, wept  
before him that any reproach should move me any  
way, that anything should move me but God and truth.  
I then thought I would go over the ground again with  
care. I began to pray for truth, nothing but the truth,  
that God would seal this doctrine on my heart, if true,  
if not, let me see where truth was. I prayed thus in my 
family, in the public congregation, in private. And I  
can never convey to  any one what a desire I had for  
many weeks for truth, nor how I longed and prayed 
that "it should go through and through me till nothing 
was left in me but truth.  
Very soon, those sweet views and that cheering light,  
returned. 1 wept for joy. Yet there was mingled  
with these exercises strong temptations to neglect the  
subject and turn from it; but my heart was on it. I  
finally came back to the place which I had left. I had  
a clear light on my soul, and not one objection from the  
Bible to the doctrine of Christ's advent in 1843. And  
the question returned, " Will you believe it 1" I again 
paused, although I did not falter. I said, shall I believe  
with no other evidence than the Bible, the Bible alone,  
as I understood it, and what light I could get from the  
Spirit of God by prayer. I reasoned thus : Do you re- 
quire sinners to believe your testimony on experimental  
religion 1 I do. Do you require them to believe the  
Bible on its own testimony 1 I do. What would you  
do, if you had another testimony 1 Must not the Bible 
be the ultimate standard ? I answered, yes. Then why 
not believe it 1 1 was then going to a Sabbath appoint- 
ment.. I was passing over Cape Elizabeth bridge.—  
The prophetic periods were presented to me in a re-
markably clear light, the 2300 days especially, as be-
ginning in the Medo-Persian empire, and ending in 1843;  
and I said to myself, this appears to me to be the truth 
of God ; offend whom I may, live or die, I will believg 
God's truth and abide the result. At that moment, al- 
though entirely unexpected to me, when I said I will,  
God helping me, believe, a divine substance was put into  
my soul, " the substance of things hoped for, and the  
evidence of things not seen," giving me as clear a con-
sciousness of this truth as I ever had of any spiritual  
truth whatever. It seemed certain it would be so.—  
Moreover, when I said, I will believe, my heart, as  
though moved by some other power, (and I know it  
t Sir Isaac Newton, Mede, Fabcr, Wesley, Clarke, and others.  

was,) went out and seized upon this truth as is unex-
plainable. I could then look up and say with the cer- J  
tainty of sins forgiven, " Though all the world condemn  
me for believing this truth, 1 know that God does not."  
And it appeared to me certain that 1 then obtained the 
testimony that Enoch did that he pleased God.  
Moreover, it inspired me with such meekness and  
willingness to suffer, and such courage to endure, that 1 
felt as though, if required, I could have lain my head  
down upon burning faggots, and been burned to a crisp 
without changing a muscle in me, or as easily as  I  
could have sat down to breakfast. I state it as it then 
appeared to me, as I then felt it in my heart. And I  
now doubt not that then I could, though 1 know I could  
not have done it of myself. This state of mind remained 
with me about a week. I then began to reason with the  
tempter, and ere I was aware, this remarkable some- 
thing had nearly faded away, although the conviction  
of the truth remained, and has remained to this day. I  
want it understood that this was not a sudden flow of joy, 
not an impression, not a presentiment. Joy I had before,  
and peace and love. Yet it was accompanied by sweet 
rest and peace. But it was, what I understood to be 
the testimony of the Spirit, sealing the truth on my  
heart, its direct witness.  
I experienced religion in 1820, but did not feel cer- 
tain, doubted, believed, hoped, rejoiced, and again  
doubted: but after some months I obtained a witness  
that I never doubted more, no, not for one moment, for 
23 years. Some months after experiencing religion, 1 
experienced a deeper work of grace on my heart, but  
knew not what to call it. I was praying for sanctifi-
cation, but I doubted whether or not this was the bless- 
ing I had found. I continued the pursuit about four  
years, but could only get at one spot, and questions  
would come to me, WThat more do you want 1 believe ; 
but I doubted; When I did believe, the work was 
wrought, the fire would burn within me, but again I 
w^ould doubt. At length, while meditating on the sub- 
ject, and in silent prayer, a witness came, clear as the  
light of heaven, so that I have never doubted since but 
what God once sanctified my soul, although I have  
often doubted whether at specific periods since, I have 
enjoyed it. Yet I can come to no other conclusion 
than, with all my short-comings and infirmities, that I  
have enjoyed generally and what we mean and what  
the Bible means by the term holiness and sanctifica- 
tion when applied to man, and that, too, for years.—  
This witness which followed my believing in the doc-
trine of Christ's coming in '43, or the ending, then, of  
the prophetic periods, especially the 2300 days, reach- 
ing to the cleansing of the sanctuary, and embracing 
Christ's second advent, gave me as ""clear a conscious-
ness of their truth as did the other witnesses of my  
state in grace, and, if possible, clearer; although I  
have not always been able to see it with the same clear-
ness that I then did. My faith, however, I think, has  
never let go its hold, and I now trust it will not till the  
day of consummation. Thus things passed from  
March, 1842, till the following October, during which  
time I often felt it my duty to preach on the subject 
and on the time of Christ's coming, moved by the same  
spirit and the same laws in the selection of my texts,  
that I trust. I have been governed by for twenty years. 
And I resolved, on this subject, to proceed with great  
care, and hence I would rarely, if ever, preach on the 
subject, unless I judged it a particular duty. I was  
often importuned to do so by my good brethren, but  
would not; judging, too, from reason, that as I was  
passing round a district, a single sermon on this sub- 
ject would not meet the wants ofthe church.  
In October referred to above, we had a quarterly  
meeting in Orrington: At that time I preached on the 
subject of Christ's immediate coming, but did not spe-
cify the time, only at the door ; and that we might 
know that it was at the door, after certain signs had 
occuned, as laid down in Matthew's gospel, which I  
contended had come, or were now fulfilling before our  
eyes. The Presiding Elder made some remarks at  
the close against the  doctrine. This threw many of  
the church into affliction. It gave me a heavy bur-
den. My brethren in the ministry were nearly all  
against me. I said again, "Is it not possible, after  
all, that I am wrong 1" Well, I thought, if it be so,  
I shall be glad to acknowledge it. It would really  
take from me a  responsibility that at times seems  
difficult to bear. I passed three days in solitude. I 
saw no reason why I was wrong, only the judgment of  
my brethren and the scoffs of the world. On Thurs- 
day, while praying in my family, I had fall upon me a  
spirit of prayer; this I know. It was not the outbreak 1  
of my own feelings, for I almost doubted if it were j


right to ask God for any other evidence of the truth  
than what I had before received. But a spirit of  
prayer, deep, solemn prayer to God the Almighty, 
through Jesus Christ, that he would now give me the  
truth, if it cost, me my life, fell upon me, and j felt, while  
praying, that God would certainly grant that petition. I  
felt that he would do it. It was upon me, put into my  
heart to believe he would do it, and do it quickly. I  
looked up to God during that day to settle the question.  
The next morning, while bowed with my family, the  
same spirit fell upon me again.—It came unexpectedly 
in both instances. I know it was not myself, and I 
know it led me to God in a sense unusual in Christian 
experience. I continued looking to God at every turn  
till Sabbath evening, when, after my family had retired,  
I was engaged in secret prayer, when, of a sudden, my  
mirid was carried to the prophetic periods of Daniel, and  
as quick as thought, every thing seemed demonstrated : 
and it looked so certain to me Christ would come in 1843,  
that it appeared impossible it should be otherwise, and  
that all my efforts must be directed to this point. Holi-
ness must be urged upon the Church, and all that was  
done must be done to prepare her for the coming of Je- 
sus. I arose satisfied and at rest. The next morning  
the same exercise nearly passed my mind while kneeling  
at my bedside in prayer My soul now had rest; Al- 
though my faith, I believe, has not since been moved,  
yet like a prudent mariner whose reckoning js about up,  
within a few days I have gone over the ground again. I  
have returned with the same result. I am now satisfied  
it the trutli carl be obtained from the Bible, I have it.  
I think, without doubt, though not without temptation,  
I have the truth. I know I have, if I have the ability  
to obtain it. I am willing  to abide the issue. I have  
given all for Christ, and, may I not say, all for this one 
truth. Yes, Jesus will come in 1843. 1 reckon the  
solar year as did the Jews. But Jesus will come, and  
may the reader prepare for the blessed moment.  
The above, Mr. Editor, is but an item in my experi- 
ence on the subject of Christ's coming near, for the last  
three years. I have read nearly every important thing  
that has been written against these views. My friends  
have been so kind to me as, that when an article in a  
newspaper appeared, or a work was published, if it did  
not come to me directly, it was forwarded by them. In  
this way, all that could be said against the subject, has  
been before me. But these works were read, in every  
instance, I believe, with an increased conviction of the 
truth as I first received it. This was especially true of  
Stuart, Folsom,and others of less weight. Neither has  
my experience been a solitary one. Many have been led  
in the same way, men of talent and learning, men of  
piety and sound minds. And, dear brethren, it appears 
to me, I say again, that we must have the truth as it is  
in Jesus. Oh, that the church and the world might see it  
arid believe, drtd get ready for that coming day. A day  
of darkness as well as of light—a day of gloominess as  
well as of joy. But I weary, I fear, the patience of the  
reader. Go, reader, yourself to God; fall upon your  
knees, cry mightily, for you will meet with many oppos 
ing influences. Hold God at his word, that you may  
know of the doctrine, if it be of God, or if I teach it my- 
self alone. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God,  
who giveth to all liberally, and it shall be given. Give  
up your reputation. This I had to do. Give up your  
foolish desire to please men ; be willing to bear their re-
proach ; choose the reproach of Christ, and count it  
greater riches than all the treasures in Egypt. God may  
bless you with a knowledge of this truth. At least lie 
Will prepare you for that day.  
" Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling,  
and present us faultless, before the presence of his glory,  
with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be  
glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and 
ever. Amen." G. F. Cox.  
Orrington, April 6, 1843.  
LETTER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.—A. brother send- 
ing $10 for publications, writes concerning those he 
had before circulated :  
"I trust the result of their free distribution has been  
a blessing to some. I have loaned them out to indivi- 
duals, for a short time, and by so doing they have ob- 
tained a wider circulation than they otherwise would,  
had I given them to a few. There are many here that 
have the name  of being ' Millerites,'but have not the  
independence to declare it to the world, with the ex- 
ception of one Dr. C. J. W., who has formerly op-
posed this doctrine. He has had free access to the  
Midnight Cry, and the truths there taught—has become  
a firm believer in the advent nigh.  
" ' Dowling's Reply to Miller,' has found its way out  
here, but the absurdities are too plain to be received by  
a seeker of the truth ; for instance, in saddling the 
'little Horn' on Antiochus, he says, page 15: 'Thus  
the abomination of desolation was seen in the temple of  
God,' &C., 168 years B. C., which Christ directed his  
72  

j disciples to look for as something future, Matt. 24 : 15  
i Please send me Litch's refutation."  
fat the Midnight Cry.  
VISIT TO THE N. V. CITY PRISON,  
CALLED THE TOMES.  
DEAR BROTHER SOUTHARD,—Yesterday,  in company  
with two faithful sisters in Christ, I visited the City  
Prison, to proclaim spiritual deliverance from the  
shackles of Satan, and speedy salvation to those 
awaiting with readiness the coming of Christ. We  
took with us a large number of Second Advent pub- 
lications for distribution. We entered the Prison  
yard, and made known our wishes and intentions to  
one ofthe keepers. He received and treated us with  
the greatest cordiality. The doors of the prisoners'  
cells were unlocked, unbarred, and thrown opensuc-
cessively* and we were allowed to address the in- 
mates with freedom, as long as we wished.  
They apparently received our visits with pleasure,  
and listened to our conversation with serious atten- 
tion. The hardened wretch, who, when ranging free  
in community, would spurn the Christian from his  
presence, here cowered under the faithful application 
of truth. Some of these convicts would stand speech-
less, as if covered with shame. Others would, with 
frank confession of their misconduct, make solemn  
promises of amendment. Others still, Would, with  
their confessions and promises, give evidence at 
least of their sincerity, by their tears. Many had  
been but for a short time engaged in their career of  
crime, and were of respectable connections. Manys  
too, had once been members of our orthodox church- 
es. Deep remorse harrowed their souls, as they  
thought of heart-broken friends, lost reputation, a  
disgraced church, and an insulted Jehovah.  
After spending several hours in conversation, dis- 
tributing papers, and seeing that the cells occupied  
were furnished with Bibles, we made a short call at  
the female department ofthe Prison. Here the scene 
was heart-sickening. The regulations of this depart-
ment Were far less deserving of praise than the for- 
mer. There were indeed separate cells, in which 
the prisoners could be confined, bat they were not. 
All were romping abjut the Prison halls, free. Some  
were sitting or walking, solitary and disconsolate,  
with the very picture of despair oil their countenan- 
ces ; while others were gathered in groups, endea- 
voring to gratify themselves, in some small degree,  
by not only childish, but almost idiotic diversions.  
Their strange gibberish and unearthly laughter,  
evinced clearly to what an alarming degree their 
minds bad been belittled by profligate lives. We felt  
that but little could be done for these pitiable ob^  
jects. I had not one word to say. My companions  
spent some time with a few individuals, who seemed  
overwhelmed with grief in view of their miseries, in 
attempting to apply to their deeply diseased souls the  
balm of the Gospel. We could not help cherishing 
the hope, that some of the seed sown would bring 
forth fruit to God's glory.  
Yours in Christian affection,  
A. A. S. - 
New York, May 12, 1843.  

,. .- • , , rrr,'"^s^iajjiiijrf'r-j;^  
FROM A PASTOR IN OHIO.  
" BRO. HIMES :—Dear Sir—In the providence of  
God, it appears as if it were my duty to lecture on  
the Second Advent, and I have not the appropriate 
books or chart. I have been preaching to this church 
and the church in Bazetta. For preaching the near 
approach of Christ, the church in Bazetta immediate- 
ly dismissed me, so that 1 now have one-half of my  
time to lecture wherever the Lord wills. With this 
church I am engaged for some time. Thus the Lord  
has opened the way for me to devote a portion of my 
time to proclaiming the " midnight cry." Could you  
aid me any, it will be thankfully and prayerfully re-
ceived. Affectionately yours,  
"JAMES BOGGS."  
LETTERS RECEIVED DURING THE WEEK END- 
ING MAY —.  
POSTMASTERS—Greenville, N Y, 37 l-2c; Chambfcrs- 
burgh, Pa.; Union Mills, N Y, 50 cts each; Ashfield, Ms,  
5G cts; Centre Sandwich, N H; Avison, 111; Salisbury,  
N H; Wilmington, Vt; Franklin, Pa; Lowellville,  O;  
Strafford Corner, N H; Owego, N Y; Brownsboro', Ky;  
We a, Ind; Bel'eview, Geo; Akron, O; Economy, Pa; 
Vergennes Vt; Old Point Comfort, Va; Litchfield, Conn; 
Ware, Mass, $1 each; Montrose, Pa; Boutoust Springs,  
Va; Westford, Conn; Lewistown, N Y ($2 and $3 were  
received) Honesdale, Pa, ©2 each; Harrodsburg, Ky, $3;  
Akron, O; Mercer, Pa; Marion, Iowa; Paris, Md; Wil- 
liamsport, N Y; Copley, O; Warsaw, N Y; Hadersville, 
Ky; Ei. Bera, N Y; Louisville, III; New Richmond, O;  
Powashend, Mass; Port Hope, Cleveland.  
INDIVIDUALS.—Reves Wood; D. Wise, $1 each; R.  
Dorman, $2; Elis S., of Md; Den H. Vail, G. P. Tain-
tor, (pays for Vol. 4,) $5 each; Jairus E. Davis, $6;  
Newburg, C. H. S. C., $10: J. J. Jackson; Arthur Crich-
field; D. A. Vindex; H. Heyes; S. II. McHerrick; M.  
Stoddard; Jt B. Scott; Thos. Nash; James Bogg, (a chart  
would be subject to letter postage,) Joseph Smith; L. D. 
Fleming; J. Litch; D. P. Putnam; D. Cambell; J. Kilton, 
Chas. Burross.  
In thy closet thou shalt find what abroad thou often  
losest  

For the Midnight Cry.  
DIALOGUE.  
Church. 0, Watchman in Zion, awake!  
We're fearful that danger is near,  
Earth's pillars are ready to shake,  
O, tell us where we shall appear?  
Our eyes are uplifted to thee !  
We wait for thy trump's certain sound,  
For sure thou art able to see  
In all this deep mystery profound.  
The mouth of our God thou hast been  
Hitherto ; and we rest on thy word,  
We'll not be deceived by men ;  
O, say shall we look for our Lord I  
0, what are the signs ofthe times 1  
What, what is the hour of the night 1  
O, tell us, for thou canst discern :  
If we are all wrong—thou art right.  
An instrument chosen of God,  
Through whom he communicates light,  
With an eye ever fix'd on his word,  
With a heart ever pure in his sight.  
Watchman. Hush ! rest thee, for here I have stood  
For thirty or forty long years,  
Sure God hath not spoken the word  
Unto me : so banish thy fears.  
Church. Then safely We'll rest, take our ease,  
Our Lord doth his coming delay,  
And him who disturbs us, we'll seize  
And beat him, and send him away.  
Williamsburgh,. April 17, 1843. L. N. C.  
JESUS IS THERE.  
TUNE-Robin Adair.  
This old and popular hymn is reprinted for those who  
delighi to sing it at second advent meetings.  
Haste, my dull soul arise—  
Shake off thy care ;  
Press to thy native skies—  
Mighty in prayer.  
Christ, he has gone before—  
Count all thy sufferings o'er;—  
He all thy burdens bore :  
Jesus is there !  
Souls for the marriage feast,  
Robed and prepared ;—  
Holy must be such guests :  
Jesus is there !  
Saints, wear your victory palms,  
Chant your celestial psalms :  
Bride of the Lamb, thy charms,  
Oh ! Let me wear.  
Heaven's bliss is perfect, pure—•  
Jesus is there !  
Heaven's bliss is ever sure—  
Thou art its heir.  
What makes its joys complete—  
What makes its hymns so sweet;  
There we our friends will greet—  
Jesus is there,  
DEPOTS OF SECOND ADVENT BOOKS.  
Brick Church Chapel, 36 Park Row, New York.  
14 Devonshire st.,Boston. Address J. V. Himes.  
40 and 41 Arcade, Philadelphia. Address J. Litch. 
67 Greene-st. Albany G. S. Miles.  
SSSKIFFIEH