[We give the following excellent remarks upon “The Seventh Month” from the “Voice of Truth,” copied into the “Advent Herald,” of Jan. 8th, 1845, which shows the “original,” and at that time, the unanimous faith of the Advent body. Brethren, “call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions.”]
The Seventh Month.
We have now reached a point in our investigations where a very important question arises. If the scriptures do not warrant the expectation of the appearing of Christ on the tenth day of the seventh month, more than on any other day, then it is asked, in what light are we to view the recent proclamation of his coming on that day? Was it all the work of man? or did God guide and bless the work?
1. Supposing the “tenth day” had been preached abstractly, it would have been powerless; it would have produced no more effect this, than on any previous year. There were other evidences which did, and we still believe do define the year of Christ’s coming. These evidences we then thought, and still believe, justified us in strongly looking for the coming of the Lord at the commencement of the present Jewish civil year, which answered to our October. And had the tenth day been left out of the question, we believe the virgins would have been waked up to some extent at least, to the work of trimming their lamps, by the proclamation of the approach of the first day of the Jewish civil year, the point of time in which we had good reason to expect the termination of the prophetic numbers. Hence, the foundation on which the recent cry was based, has not been in the least impaired by the mistake detected in the tenth day.
2. Judging a tree by its fruits, or a fountain by its stream, we cannot doubt that God was in the late movement among us. We admit there were some extravagances and wrongs, as might be expected, in a high state of religious excitement. Yet the general fruits are what give character to the cause that produces them. The fruits have been deep searchings of heart, full consecration of self and all to God, turning from sin, following the Lord in baptism, and a willing submission to all of his commandments and ordinances. A parallel cannot be found in the history of the church, since the days of primitive christianity. In short, if the nature of any cause can be determined by its fruits, we think we may safely decide that this work was of God.—With our present light we cannot honestly decide otherwise.
3. Admitting as we must, that the coming of Christ is at the door, then the parable of the ten virgins has a most striking fulfillment in the late movement among us. If the cry at midnight, was to be made in probationary time, then we have not a doubt that it has been made in the proclamation of the coming of Christ in the seventh month. And that it was to be made in probationary time, appears evident from the fact, that after being made, the virgins arise, trim their lamps; some call for oil—they are told what to do—they go to buy; and after all this, the Bridegroom comes. From these considerations we are constrained to look upon this work, though disappointed and mistaken in a certain point, as having the hand of God in it. Just such a work as the parable of the ten virgins, and other portions of scripture warrant us in looking for immediately before the coming of the Lord.
In answer to the question how can this be the work of God, and yet be attended with so many disappointments? we simply answer, Moses expected an early deliverance of his people, but was disappointed, and cried out under his disappointment. “Wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? for since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.” Ex. v, 22, 23. God however, did subsequently justify his own ways in their deliverance. And we doubt not he will deliver his people now when he has sufficiently tested their faith and love for him.
Jonah was told to predict the day of Nineveh’s destruction; yet God spared the city. He also told Abraham to sacrifice his son; yet he commanded him to stay his hand from obeying his command. And will any one say the work of the Lord was not in these cases of disappointment and seeming contradiction? They will not, if they are believers in the bible. Then why say that God cannot be in a cause now that has been attended with some mistakes and disappointment on the part of his imperfect children? On this principle you may sap the foundation of every good cause.
The conclusion of the whole matter is,
1. That though we have been disappointed and mistaken in the application of some scriptures, we are not disheartened, nor discouraged; from the consoling consideration that we have good evidence, that God has been with us. And though he has suffered us to meet with these trials, he has guided us by his hand, humbled us at his feet, caused us to search his word with more prayerful attention; and will, when sufficiently tried, work out our eternal deliverance.
2. That notwithstanding, to the church and the world, we have met with a complete defeat; yet we think we know, from the very best of evidence, that our victory will soon be won. And their perfect security is a strong evidence in our favor. Now that day could come upon them as a snare—when they least expected it. Till now, it could not have so come on them; for very many who were not ready, were looking for it. Nothing but a little delay has in the least impaired a single evidence on which our precious faith and hope rest. And shall we give all up because of a few moments delay? No, never! We will exercise patience, that after we have done the will of God we may receive the promise.
3. That we have now passed all the prophetical land-marks, from the first down to the very last, before the actual coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. The only time we now have in which to look for this glorious event, is daily, nay hourly.
4. That our chief work now is, to “comfort one another,” “hold fast the profession of our faith,” not “draw back unto perdition,” “let no man take our crown,” have our loins girded, our lamps burning, and we constantly watching and ready to meet the Lord at his coming. It now appears that we can do but little more for the church and the world. “None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”—Advent Herald.