p. 277 | Interesting and Curious by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 19, 1878

Interesting and Curious.

By John Norton Loughborough

‘‘The Interior furnishes the following list of the Presbyterian clergy who hold to Second Adventism:—

‘‘Dr. S. H. Kellogg, professor of theology in Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny city; Dr. John T. Cooper, professor of theology in the W. P. Theological Seminary, Allegheny city; Dr. W. G. Moorehead, professor in the U. P. Theological Seminary at Xenia, O.; Dr. Willis Lord, late professor in the Theological Seminary of Chicago; Dr. N. West and Dr. J. G. Reaser, late professors in the Theological Seminary of Danville; Dr. John T. Duffield, professor in Princeton College; Dr. E. R. Craven, of Newark; Dr. Charles K. Imbrie, of Jersey city; Dr. Chas. S. Robinson, of New York; Dr. S. R. Wilson, of Louisville, Kentucky; Dr. Robert Patterson, of San Francisco; and others.

‘‘The Presbyterian Weekly pronounces the doctrine of Second Adventism ‘certainly unscriptural according to Evangelical Standards.’ What especial relation this doctrine holds to what is called ‘Evangelical Standards’ we will not undertake to say. There must be liberty of opinion somewhere; and as the Westminster Confession does not touch upon the subject it is possible one may hold to the doctrine and be a true blue Presbyterian. But to preach the doctrine even though it create dissension in the church—that is quite another matter, and we believe none of the brethren named have been guilty of that folly. Some forms of belief, like truth itself, are not to be declared at all times.’’

It is a matter of interest to the believer in the truly scriptural doctrine of Christ’s coming to learn that men occupying prominent positions are giving attention to the subject. It is a little curious to us what kind of ‘‘Evangelical Standard’’ the Presbyterian Weekly has which ignores a doctrine which is taught in every thirtieth verse in the New Testament, and is made the only hope of God’s people.

The spirit which inspired the belief that none of the above named ministers had been guilty of the ‘‘folly’’ of preaching the doctrine if it made ‘‘dissensions in the church’’ must be a different spirit from that which actuated John in Revelation when he prayed ‘‘even so come Lord Jesus.’’