p. 56 | Lectures at Oakland by James White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 14, 1878

Lectures at Oakland.

By James White

Brother Healey's lectures at the house of worship are well attended. The audience last Sunday night, the 10th was the largest that ever convened in the house, even larger than at the dedication of the house one year since. Mrs. White has spoken one evening; besides this Brother Healey has done all the evening speaking. The interest seems permanent. Many of the same hearers are in their seats to listen to each lecture. We hope for good results.

WHAT THE OAKLAND DAILIES SAY.

[Daily Times, February 7.]

There was a good attendance Monday night, at the Seventh-day Adventist church, considering the unfavorable weather. Mr. Healey resumed the subject of Sunday evening, viz: "Infidelity and Christianity compared." His lecture was sharp, to the point, and full of good things. He asserted that there was no pure specimen of infidelity in this country, because the principles of the Bible enter more or less into the education of every person. Even infidel parents impart them to their children, for they themselves have been reared under the influence of the sacred word. All the principles that protect and bless society are derived from the Bible. He maintained that we find the only pure specimen of the infidel in heathen lands, where the Bible is unknown. The Cannibals of the Fejee Islands, and our North American Indians are the pure product of what Nature brings forth without divine revelation.

The speaker declared that infidelity does not pay. It promises us nothing; presents to us no prospect of a future, whereas Christianity is a guide that professes to lead us to eternal happiness. If the chances of truth were the same on both sides, it would still be wiser to trust the latter than the former. But the Bible is a sure guide. It gives us valuable information. It reveals to us how far we have traveled in time, and what we may expect in the future. The prophecies are a chart by which we may learn our whereabouts, and which establish the truth of our religion.

We prophesy an unusual degree of interest in these lectures, as the subjects and the manner of their treatment are entirely off the beaten track of the ordinary religious lectures.

[Evening Tribune, February 6.]

The Seventh-day Adventist church was well filled last night with interested listeners. The singing was conducted by J. E. White, who also played the organ. Elder James White then made an appropriate prayer, after which Elder Healey resumed the subject of Monday evening, proving from the Bible that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. He affirmed that the great difficulty with man is lack of faith. Many of us have a nominal belief in Jesus Christ because it has been taught us from infancy; but if we had a living faith that he is the Saviour of man we would intuitively change our course; our lives would become purified and ennobled.

The speaker recapitulated the proof that had been adduced the preceding night, that Jesus of Nazareth was the divine Son of God. Prophets had conclusively testified of his coming. Daniel declares the year of his coming in prophetic days—each one of which is equal to one ordinary year, as all commentators agree. Scripture was quoted showing the prophecy of Christ's first coming, and the fulfillment of prophecy in his crucifixion and resurrection.

The speaker finally came to the question of the second, or future, advent of Christ to earth. Prophecy having been exactly fulfilled as to his first coming, and the events of his life and death, it was but fair to presume that it would be fulfilled as to his future coming. If he said he would return to earth, he will do so. Jesus did declare that he would come to earth, Matt. 26:64. And the angels who appeared to the disciples, as they stood looking up into the sky where he had disappeared in his ascension, assured them that he should come again in like manner as he had gone from them. Then his coming would be literal. Every Bible believer should be an Adventist.

[Evening Tribune, February 7.]

Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather, a congregation of over 200 persons listened to Mrs. E. G. White's lecture in the Seventh-day Adventist church. Her subject was the triumphant ride of Christ into Jerusalem, just prior to his crucifixion. A vivid picture was presented of Jerusalem, as viewed by Jesus from the Mount of Olives, and of the entrance of Christ into the temple at Jerusalem, and the mighty power by which he cast out the money changers and dealers in merchandise.

The speaker concluded by drawing a strong likeness between the people of Jerusalem and those of our own time. We are unmindful of our privileges, we heed not the warning of the Spirit of God, and our day of probation is fast expiring. Having promised the audience to close at 8:30 o'clock, Mrs. White was obliged to stop abruptly, promising, however, a resume of the subject soon. J. W.