J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 20, 1914

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

By John Norton Loughborough

The Second Advent Movement — No. 7

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” Matt. 25: 6-8. Not only was there to be a tarrying time connected with the advent movement, but another event, called “the midnight cry.” This, like all other features of the prophecy, had an accurate fulfillment in the proclamation in 1844. A day in prophecy as a symbol of a year is now so well established that further discussion of it is unnecessary. That point being established, a night would be half a year, and midnight three months. Now, it is an undisputed fact that just three months from the passing of the time in the spring of 1844 the Adventists did begin to give just such a message as is here indicated, calling attention to the scripture already quoted, as setting forth the fact that such a midnight cry would be proclaimed.

The manner in which this powerful message started was on this wise: In the month of July, at Exeter, N. H., a mammoth camp meeting of Adventists was held. It was estimated that about three thousand were encamped. On Sunday morning Elder Joseph Bates addressed the people, and in reviewing the waymarks in the movement, used one of his seafaring experiences of nearing port on the home trip, to encourage steadfastness and courage as they were near the final close of the heavenward voyage. Just then a man approached, riding a horse at a furious rate, to the place where the campers kept their horses. This man was Brother S. S. Snow, who soon came into the audience. He seated himself by a family of his acquaintance, and with an open Bible explained in whispers the cause of their disappointment, and the midnight cry. The power of God accompanied the explanation. The sister arose and beckoned to Brother Bates. He said, “Sister, what is it?” She replied, “What you are saying is very good, but there is a man here who has light on the midnight cry.” Brother Bates said, “Then let him come up on the platform, and give it to the people,” and sat down.

In a few sentences Brother Snow explained matters. This he did by drawing out the congregation by questions, on this wise: Question.—Where are we in our experience? Answer.—In the tarrying time. Ques.—How long is the tarrying time? Ans.—Till midnight. Ques.—What is a day in prophecy? Ans.—A year. Ques.—What would a night be? Ans.—Six months. Ques.—What would midnight be? Ans.—Three months. Ques.—How long have we been in the tarrying time? Ans.—Three months. Then he continued, “It is now the midnight, and I am here with the midnight cry.” All were then filled with the most intense interest. He continued, “We commenced the vision of the 2300 days in the spring of 457 B. C., whereas the decree restoring Jerusalem did not go into effect until the autumn of 457, when Ezra, having arrived at Jerusalem by the good hand of God, restored the Jewish commonwealth, appointed magistrates and judges, and commenced the building of the wall. So the 2300 days, commencing with the seventh month of 457 B. C., extended to the seventh month of 1844, which, according to the ancient Karaite calendar, for this year is October 22.” Then, in a strong voice, he said, “Behold the Bridegroom cometh on the tenth day of the seventh month, October 22; go ye out to meet him.” As he uttered these words, a mighty wave of the power of God passed over the camp. Many persons lost their strength, being prostrated to the ground. Suddenly the meeting assumed the form of a consecration service. Parents confessed to their children, and children to their parents. Those who, in the delay, had begun to display signs of pride, stripped themselves of their jewelry, and cast it from them. At the close of the service of an hour or more, the people requested Brother Snow to remain with them. But he said, “No. You have the light now. I must go on to another meeting tonight, thirty-five miles away, to give them the light.” And his steed bore him fairly flying from the camp.

Of the sudden development of this movement the editor of the Midnight Cry said: “It seemed to be so independent of human agency that we could but regard it as a fulfillment of the midnight cry, after the tarrying of the Bridegroom. There seemed to be an irresistible power attending the proclamation, which prostrated all before it. It swept over the land with the velocity of a tornado, and it reached hearts in different and distant places almost simultaneously, and in a manner which can be accounted for only on the ground that God was in it. It produced everywhere the most deep searching of heart and humiliation of soul before high Heaven. It weaned the affections from the things of the world, and put an end to controversies and animosities. It led to the confession of wrongs, and to penitent, broken-hearted supplications to God for pardon and acceptance. It caused abasement and prostration of soul such as we never before witnessed.” George Storrs said of the movement: “There is a leaving of all that I never dreamed could be seen. When this cry gets hold of the heart, farmers leave their farms, with their crops. There is strong crying with tears, and a consecration of all to God, such as I never before witnessed. There is a confidence in this message which was never felt in the former in the same degree, and a weeping and melting glory in it that passeth all understanding, except to those who have felt it.”

In “Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. IV, page 250, we read of the movement: “There went with it an impelling power that moved the soul. There was no doubt, no questioning.”

The “virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps;” that is, adjusted their teachings according to Scripture facts now discovered. And it was the Adventists themselves who “trimmed their lamps.” In all the opposition raised against them, none of their opponents ever suggested anything about a wrong date for the beginning of the seventy weeks.

Lodi, Cal.