p. 23 | [From Bro. Holt.] by George W. Holt

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Sep 2, 1851

[From Bro. Holt.]

By George W. Holt

[From Bro. Holt.]

DEAR BRO. WHITE: I still feel to rejoice and give glory to God, the rock of our salvation, for all the glorious truths that have shone out from the sacred pages of the holy Bible, and illuminated our pathway for a few years past. The words of the holy prophets that were dark and mysterious to us, a few years ago, now throw a glorious light on the past Second Advent history, making it perfectly clear and explainable, proving it to be the word of God, and a fulfillment of a certain portion of his word. Thus inspiration has marked our path, and we can now see clearly our present position and duty. We can now look back with confidence on the past, and believe that the angel with the everlasting gospel, [Rev. xiv, 6, 7,] who proclaimed the “hour of his judgment,” did not misunderstand his message; but that trumpet of alarm gave a certain

sound, and we can with the same reliance speak of the angel that followed, and also the midnight cry, that are now all in the past.

We can now see with clearness the termination of the 2300 days in the autumn of 1844, at the end of which the Sanctuary was to be cleansed. And we can as clearly see by the divine testimony, [Heb. viii and ix,] that the Sanctuary to be cleansed is in the heavens, where Jesus the high priest ministers, and that we are now in the day of atonement, and in the time when the third angel is following in his train with a loud voice, giving the last fearful warning against worshiping the beast, and his image, and receiving his mark, and proclaiming the commandments of God of which the Sabbath is the crowning testimony. The brethren in the present truth are united on these points, while our opponents are in confusion. One says the earth is the Sanctuary, another, the land of Canaan, the third contradicts the two, saying, the church is the Sanctuary. On the Babylon cry they differ widely. Some say it is the Catholic Church, and that the cry Babylon is fallen, and come out of her, was in the days of Martin Luther. Others contend that the city of Rome is Babylon, and the destruction of that city by fire will be the fall of Babylon. Then after the city is burnt up the cry will be given, "Come out of her my people," must be the conclusion. Another says, the world is Babylon. Then the message would be, the world is fallen, and the cry, come out of the world my people.

On the Sabbath they agree no better. One class contend for the first day of the week; the second, for no Sabbath; the third, for one seventh part of the time; the fourth, that the first day is the original seventh. Then to cap all the rest, J. Litch comes out with a new interpretation of the Greek, to show us that the first day is called Sabbath in the New Testament, and speaks as though it should put an end to all controversy on the Sabbath. Thus they try to get rid of the third angel's message. But all this will not satisfy the honest seeker after truth. And while our opponents are divided and subdivided, the cause of God is rising, and his people are growing stronger, and more united, and some are continually leaving their ranks, and coming to the standard of truth, raised and sustained by the third angel's message.

Our Conference at Irasburgh, Aug. 9th and 10th, was one of interest. This meeting was one of labor, but God crowned it with success. The truth triumphed, and the saints were much blessed and strengthened in the Lord. The Holy Spirit fell upon us, and shouts of victory ascended while tears of joy flowed freely from many eyes. The number present, united as one, were about thirty. A preacher of the Freewill Baptist order, an honest seeker after truth, attended this meeting, and here stated that he read a little on the subject of the Advent in 1844, and then believed it, and still regarded it as being very near. He listened to the subject of the third angel's message with interest, and with tears. At the close of the meeting he confessed the truth, and in the most affecting manner, expressed his determination to leave a fallen church, and all that was near and dear in this world, and come and suffer affliction with the people of God.

I met with the brethren in Melbourne, (C. E.) the 16th and 17th. We had a joyful time. The brethren in that vicinity are strong and united. The Lord graced the meeting with his Holy Spirit, and we were not a little comforted. Some came to hear that I think will yet receive the truth.

GEO. W. HOLT. Sutton, (Vt.) Aug. 21, 1851.