Conference in New York on the Second Advent
By Editor
Conference in New York on the Second Advent. THE doctrine of the near coming of Christ is certainly an unpopular one. A deep-seated prejudice exists against "Second Adventism." Considering the importance and the prominence which are given to this subject in the Scriptures it seems strange indeed that so many professors of religion, so many professed ministers of the gospel, and religious papers, persist in denouncing the lovers of the coming of Christ, and in meeting their arguments and reasons with sneers. Having so constantly met this prejudice for years we were somewhat surprised at the long array of names of eminent men who favored the object of this Conference. It was quite brief—only a session of three days—and largely attended. The audience which thronged the house listened to the reading of the several papers with deep attention. We have read some of these papers carefully, and glanced over the others, and we feel assured that nothing but prejudice and religious bigotry could ever give rise to the remarks which some of the papers styling themselves religious have made about the Conference and the truths presented there. The arguments were dignified, Scriptural, and breathed a Christian spirit. Of course the writers and speakers had no time to enter into particulars on the subject. They dwelt upon the great facts that Christ will come the second time; that his coming will be literal and visible; that it will be pre-millennial; that it is now near; and that it is "the blessed hope" of the church, (Titus 2: 13) inciting to personal godliness and to Christian effort. Dr. S. H. Tyng, Sr., was chairman of the Conference, and Major D. W. Whittle, secretary. The opening address of Dr. Tyng was brief but impressive. The following paragraph contains an important truth which should be read carefully and treasured up by all:— "We are saved, not merely by believing facts about Him, or truths which He has taught, but by our living participation in Him and with Him through the power of His spirit. He is the vine. We are the branches. The living connection which we must have with Him, He has thus illustrated: as the branch cannot bear fruit if severed from the vine, so, also, must we be dead and helpless if separated from Jesus. Our whole spiritual heavenly life depends upon this vital connection with Him and our participation in the blessings which He has obtained, and which He alone can impart. Thus He presents His historic future to His disciples: In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. This future, glorious coming of Jesus is the very life of the hopes, the inheritance of his people. To the soul that really loves Him, where He is, is heaven, and prisons would palaces prove, if Jesus would dwell with us there." We cannot refrain from giving a further extract from this address on the hope of the church. It is cheering to read and contemplate such truths, so soon to be realized; when we shall be like our Lord, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3: 2. "This divine scheme of spiritual and heavenly relationship has been the history of the True Church of Christ, through all the succeeding ages of the Christian era. Union with Christ, living in Christ, following Christ, looking forward to the promised coming of Christ, and to an everlasting dwelling with Christ, have made up the character, the joy and the hope of true believers in every age, and these constitute their significant description with equal certainty in our day. The lovers of a Saviour are looking for his appearing, longing with increasing desire to see Him as He is, to be with Him where He is; and thus He offers for them all the earnest supplication: For all who shall believe on Him, through His word; that they may (all) be one; that they may be with him where He is; that they may behold His glory which He had before the foundation of the world. Thus in the day of His ascending triumph they beheld His glory, as a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while in wonder they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He ascended, angelic messengers addressed them: 'This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.' In the belief of this coming the church of Jesus has been one in every age. In the thankful anticipation of this new manifestation of their glorious Saviour, His church on earth have always been in union, believing in his future advent; looking for his appearing; striving to seek the things which are above, that when Christ who is our life shall appear, we may also appear with Him in glory. In this sure confidence in the reality of this personal advent of the Saviour to the earth on which he died; in the certainty of the confidence that the time of His glorious advent draweth near, we stand and wait. Many of its preliminary facts have been accomplished; much that was necessarily antecedent in the history and condition of man has already past, and every passing year brings the great fact in this history of earth still nearer, and diminishes the number of earthly events which are to precede its manifestation. Knowledge and interest in connection with this great event on earth have vastly increased, and increasing multitudes are looking for the Lord's appearing, with enlarged understanding, with new convictions, with constantly brightening hopes." We intend to quote further from these papers. We confidently expect that such utterances will arrest the attention of many, and help to rescue the doctrine of our blessed Saviour's coming from the reproach which worldly-minded professors and unprofessing worldlings have so unjustly heaped upon it.