p. 171 | Ascension Robes by J. T. Dixon

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1870

Ascension Robes

By J. T. Dixon

From the World's Crisis.

Ascension Robes.

BRO. GRANT: Will you be so kind as to insert the following correspondence, clipped from the New York Independent, for the benefit of many readers of "our paper," who believe that "Millerites" once donned ascension robes to "go up" and meet the Lord?

"Mr. J. T. Dixon, of Rocky Brook, R. I., under date Feb. 10, writes: 'In the notice of a new work on the Coming of Christ in his kingdom,' in the Independent of last week, I read the statement that 'gaping believers have prepared their ascension robes, ready to be donned at a moment's warning, on the appearance of the august and descending Personage.' Will you be so kind as to announce in the Independent that the sum of one hundred dollars will be paid if proof positive can be produced that an ascension robe was ever 'donned' by any of the Second Adventists at any time. I, like others, have been misled by that slander.' Mr. Dixon will observe that the writer of the notice in the Independent did not say that ascension robes had been 'donned,' but only that they had been 'prepared, ready to be donned.' But we suspect that even this cannot be proved. The writer probably erred in assuming the truth of idle stories set afloat in a time of excitement to satirize the Second Adventists."

The following letter from Rev. Samuel Lee, pastor of the Congregational church in New Ipswich, N. H., and the affidavit accompanying the same, tell their own story:

New Ipswich, N. H., Feb. 26, 1870.

MR. TILTON—Dear Sir : As Mr. J. T. Dixon offered, through the Independent, $100 to any one who would furnish evidence that an 'ascension robe' was ever 'donned,' I suppose the evidence in point should be given through the same medium. The Mr. Chas. C. Bellows, whose testimony I send, is one of my neighbors, and a Christian gentleman, whose word would not be doubted by any who know him. Please, then, inform Mr. J. T. Dixon, of Rocky Brook, R. I., that I am happy to give him the information he so much desires; and also that I shall regard myself as entitled to the $100. Respectfully yours, SAMUEL LEE.

AFFIDAVIT.

On the 23d October, 1844, while boarding in Providence, R. I., I saw two ladies, fellow-boarders—the name of one I well remember—who firmly believed they were to ascend to Heaven that night, and appeared very anxious that I, with four or five other boarders, should go with them to the general meeting of the Millerites and place of ascension. I had frequently seen these ladies sewing on fine white goods for several days. They said to me they were ascension robes. They were made longer than ordinary dresses of that day. My engagements did not permit me; but those who went, one of them my own brother, since dead, told me there were over thirty in the company of about two hundred that were ready, with their ascension robes on, and that the excitement was very great.

C. C. BELLOWS.

State of New Hampshire, Hillsborough, ss., Feb. 26, 1870. [SEAL.] W. A. PRESTON, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public.

"Mr. J. T. Dixon, of Rocky Brook, R. I., in response to the letter of the Rev. Samuel Lee, and the affidavit of Mr. C. C. Bellows, published by us last week, writes as follows:

'I have just read the affidavit of Mr. C. C. Bellows in relation to the 'donning ascension robes,' etc. While I would not for a moment question the Christian integrity of Mr. B., or of the Rev. Mr. Lee, who sends the affidavit, I must dispute the testimony as not being positive or sufficient for any honorable man to claim the reward. It is certainly not such testimony as I demanded. I think you, Mr. Editor, and every common-sense person, will admit it. I trust Mr. B. will not regard this as too severe, neither as a plea to evade the fulfillment of the pledge. I simply reason from my own standpoint.'

"Mr. Dixon fortifies his position by an argument for which we cannot find room. His decision in the case is all that interests our readers or the public."

In my reply, or argument, as they called it, I simply asked for one living witness who would before a magistrate make oath, or affirmation, that they ever saw an ascension robe donned. C. C. B.'s brother was dead. He did not give the name of that lady; neither did he state the place of meeting. I happen to know where that meeting was: in the vicinity of Providence, on the 23d of Oct., 1844; and have positive proof from more than one living witness that no ascension robes were donned. I spoke of the two ladies making robes longer than usual, that Mr. B. noticed several days, as being of a kind that all ladies generally use; and that when gentlemen are too impulsive, modest ladies sometimes answer equivocally, as it might have been in that case; and that often in their meetings in those times they would speak of having on their robes, or of having them prepared, always meaning the spotless robes of Christ's righteousness. Prejudiced persons would report these things with their colorings, and in this way many were perhaps duped, as was C. C. Bellows. I requested Mr. B. and Rev. Mr. Lee to post themselves a little better, and they would discover that Adventists never expected to "ascend to Heaven" with or without "ascension robes."

In a private note from the editor of the Independent, after giving reasons why he could not give place in his columns for my argument, he closes thus: "As to an investigation, to decide whether anybody ever 'donned' an ascension robe, I don't believe any such thing ever happened; but if it ever did, it is not of the slightest consequence."

J. T. DIXON.