"We are the Adventists,"
By Editor
SAYS the leading man among those who profess to adhere to the views taught by Wm. Miller, when, in fact, they have given up many of those strong points of difference between Wm. Miller and his opponents. But what has called out this new sect, or a class of believers from which this sect has been formed, which claims, and glories in the name of "Adventists?" We answer:—First, the doctrine of the second Advent as taught by Wm. Miller, or the announcement of the first angel, [Rev. xiv, 6, 7,] the hour of God's judgment come. Second, that strong movement in 1844, occasioned by the proclamation of the words of the second angel, [Verse 8,] which brought them away from the different churches to which they belonged. These two great movements called out the Advent people from the different churches, and a portion of them now claim the name of Adventists. But—strange to tell—they regard the very movements that called them from the churches, and made them a distinct people, decidedly wrong!! Most of them call the doctrines they then held errors, and the influences which moved them to separate from their brethren of the several churches, delusive! Then why have they not like honest men and women, retraced those steps they took in error's path? Why not frankly confess to their former brethren of the churches who stood so nobly (?) against the Advent movements in 1843 and 1844, that those movements were delusions? Now those movements were either wrong, and a complete delusion, or they were under the special providence of God, and, as a whole, right. If they were wrong, then those who were influenced by them to leave the churches, should at once go back to those churches, confess their errors, and unite with them again. Is it not perfect folly to glory in the distinguishing name of Adventists, then turn round and curse the very means that made them a distinct people? If those movements were right, then it is right to remain separate from those churches, which the Advent people separated from to enjoy their freedom; but let such highly prize those angels' messages [Rev. xiv, 6-8] which made them a distinct people. Now if it be right for any people to claim the101name of "Adventists" (but we doubt the propriety of claiming any such ists.) certainly that class who have given up the strong points of the original Advent faith as taught by Wm. Miller, and now regard as error and delusive, the very messages and influences which called them from the churches and made them a distinct people, should be the very last to claim the name of Adventists! We claim to stand on the original Advent faith, therefore do not reject the past movements on this great question, which have called out a people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. And as to the great fundamental doctrines taught by Wm. Miller, we see no reason to change our views. We claim all the light of past time on this glorious theme, and cherish it as from Heaven. And we cheerfully let the providence of God, and plain Bible testimony correct our past view of the Sanctuary, and give us a more harmonious system of truth, and a firmer basis of faith. While the ADVENT REVIEW occupies its present position, it may be expected that its columns will be enriched with spirited articles upon the Second Advent from the pens of Wm. Miller, Litch, Fitch, Hale, Storrs and others, written ten or twelve years since.