R. F. COTTRELL by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 16, 1869

R. F. COTTRELL

By Roswell F. Cottrell

THE CLOSING MESSAGES.—No. 14.

Allusion has been made to the fulfillment of these messages in the preaching of the doctrine of the soon coming of Christ. The experience and progress of those who truly herald the second advent at hand, are marked out in this prophecy. Adventism that perfectly harmonizes with this prophecy, announcing in regular succession these three messages, is genuine; all other is spurious. The road that the Adventists of the last days were to travel was surveyed and recorded eighteen hundred years ago, and those who cannot by this record point out their progress, though they may bear the name of Adventists, have lost their way. And it is our honest conviction that those who expect to go through, by translation, into the kingdom of God, and yet do not become acquainted with the three successive divisions of this road, will be disappointed. If they have no acquaintance with the third and last division of the road, how can they reach the city? for it is this division alone that terminates there.

It was by three distinct and successive stages of progress the counsels of God were to be proclaimed in the last generation, and a people prepared for translation at the second coming of Christ. And it is reasonable to suppose that the whole scheme would not be comprehended at once, but that at the arrival at the second and third stages in succession, something new and unlooked-for would surprise the traveler, and the Guide-book would have to be referred to, to satisfy him that this is the way. In this way the providence of God in leading the host would be more clearly seen; and it would be demonstrated that the fulfillment of the divine plan was itself divine and not human. Such have been the facts in our Advent experience.

When Wm. Miller and his fellow-laborers were engaged in preaching the message, “Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come,” pointing to the ending of the 2300 days, and demonstrating the true reckoning of prophetic time, it was farthest from their thoughts that those who believed the message were to be separated from the various churches to which they belonged. And when those converted under the preaching of Mr. Miller, would ask him with what church they should unite, his reply was, “Join any church where you can feel at home, but get ready for the coming of the Lord.” The second message—that concerning Babylon—was all unseen; and there was no intention of calling out Advent believers from the several churches to which they belonged. The end of the days was at hand; and it was expected that those who were to be translated at the coming of Christ, would be found in all the various churches where they were, and where many of them now are.

But God would not have it so. This would not follow out his published programme. So he overruled the hatred of those in the churches who did not love the appearing of the Saviour, to stir up the nest, pushing believers out. Churches began to expel their members for no other crime than believing that the blessed Jesus, whom they loved, was about to fulfill his promise, that he would come again, and making this their chief theme of conversation and exhortation, from which they could not, with their views, forbear. This was the initial of separation. And while these outcasts consoled themselves with the words of the prophet, “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” (Isa. lxvi, 5,) light began to spring up concerning the message of the second angel, and the cry was raised, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” It was crushing to them, especially to the leaders, to take so sudden a turn; but these were compelled, as it were, though reluctantly, to join in the cry. And when arrived at the point of expectation in the autumn of 1844, fifty thousand believers, it is estimated, stood separated from the churches to which many of them had belonged, thinking that their earthly work was accomplished, and they were about to enter into the promised rest.

How little did they realize the great work of the last, most solemn and important message which was still before them! How little did they think that that happy, united band would be severely tried, wounded by apostasy, torn by factions, divided and subdivided, till those who should wear the Advent name would compose a perfect little Babylon of themselves!

But there is light ahead. God lives and reigns. The prophetic programme is not yet filled out. There is a final gathering call—the message of the third angel. This will perfect the saints and complete the work. This division of the road will end in the land of rest.