The Second Advent Movement by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1914

The Second Advent Movement

By John Norton Loughborough

— No. 4

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

LET us look at the situation after the Turkish crisis of 1840. According to Revelation 10, at the close of the sixth trumpet a message, already given to the Lord’s messengers, must go in a powerful manner, by sea and land, proclaiming that the time had come for the finishing of “the mystery of God,” the gospel work.

Previous to that time very few were engaged in publicly preaching the soon coming of Christ. In the Midnight Cry of Sept. 13, 1844, Elder Himes said: “When we commenced the work with Brother Miller in 1840, he had been lecturing nine years. During that time he stood almost alone.” In other countries some were speaking and printing on the subject; Hentzepeter in Holland, Mason in Scotland, Kelber in Germany, Wolff, etc. But suddenly scores came to the front to proclaim the message.

In September, 1844, Brother Miller stated that he had the names and addresses of three thousand in various parts of the world who were preaching the faith, and the most of these were in America and the British provinces.

As an illustration of the sudden rise of public interest, I will relate an incident. In 1840 E. C. Williams, of Rochester, N. Y., an extensive tent and sail maker, embraced the advent doctrine, and invited Brethren Miller and Himes to come to Rochester and speak to the thousands of that city. He also gave them the free use of a 120-foot circular tent. In telling this to me, he said: “They came, and the

tent would not hold half the people who came to hear. I put in a 40-foot splice, making a tent 160 x 120 feet. This was filled with people daily, and hundreds outside crowded near to hear.” This tent was used also in Cincinnati and other Western cities. A tent that would seat 3,000 persons was made for Eastern city work. Crowds came to hear, and a power went with the work which reminded one of the face like the sun and the feet like pillars of fire. See Rev. 10:1. Whether the message was sung, prayed, or preached, the mighty power of God sent home the truth to hearts.

I call to mind the first advent meeting I attended. It was the last week in December, 1843. The largest meeting-house in that section was crowded to its utmost capacity of both seating and standing room. Though such a crowd, there was almost breathless silence. A solemn awe pervaded the place. The meeting was opened by the singing of a peculiar hymn. In a clear and musical voice came from one corner of the room the words, “Hail you! And where did you come from?” From the opposite corner a melodious response, “I am come from the land of Egypt.” Then the question, “Hail you! And where are you bound for?” followed by the reply, “I am bound for the land of Canaan.” Then a full choir of all parts gave the chorus,—

“O Canaan, bright Canaan! I am bound for the land of Canaan. O Canaan, it is my happy home; I am bound for the land of Canaan.”

Then, in the same manner, came questions and answers relative to captain, pilot, cargo, etc. Simple as were these words, the power of God filled the house, and the people were in tears.

In the pulpit was the pastor of the church, and James Barry, the advent minister, whose topic for the evening was “The Judgment.” What a solemn place! As the Spirit of God sent home the truth, it seemed as if we stood at the judgment bar of God. And when, at the close of the discourse, a call was made for sinners to seek God, there was a crowding for the “anxious seats,” the writer among the rest. Not much attention, however, seemed to be paid to the twelve-year-olds. One of the class leaders, as he passed along, said, “Johnnie, you want to be a good boy?” I replied, “Yes, sir.” In my adolescent state, I was, like other boys, up and down. But from that night I almost daily prayed to God, but did not make a public profession of religion until the spring of 1848, under the advent revivals, when that confusion of nations was on in the Old World.

From 1840-44 the advent message not only spread with great rapidity and mighty power, but it was also given in the right place to fulfill the prophecy. The call is represented as the call to supper, the last meal of the day. That call was to go to “them that were bidden.” Luke 14:17. These were in the churches, and to them the message went. In those revivals 256,000 sinners were converted to God. Elder Himes, in speaking of Brother Miller’s labors up to the spring of 1844, said, “He labored among all parties and sects, without interfering with their organization or discipline.” Of his own labors, as combined with those of Elder Miller, he said, “Most of the ministers and churches that opened their doors to us and our brethren who were proclaiming the advent doctrine, cooperated with us until the last year,” the spring of 1844.

Those preaching the message said, “The period may terminate with the close of the Jewish national year 1843, about the equinox of our year 1844.” With such manifestations of God’s power in connection with the preaching of his coming “at the doors,” and with the rejoicing of thousands who were turning from sin to serve the Lord and to wait for his Son from heaven, they came up to the date of their expectation. “But the Lord did not come. The conviction with the devoted and thoughtful, however, was that they had moved in harmony with the mind of the Lord, and that in due time all would be made plain.”

*Lodi, Cal.