Advent Harbinger alias Prophetic Expositor.
By John Nevins Andrews
"CAN the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil." We are forcibly reminded of this language of inspiration whenever we read the so-called Prophetic Expositor. This sheet at first styled itself the Voice of Truth; but after some time changed its name to Advent Harbinger, assigning as one of its reasons the fact that all which it published was not truth. Under the name of Advent Harbinger it has for years manifested its venom and malice toward us whenever opportunity has presented itself. During the same period it has been diligently engaged in warring against the Advent faith, until at length it drops the name under which it has betrayed the Advent cause, and assumes that of Prophetic Expositor. This time it assigns as a reason for the change, the propriety of a less odious name than the one it had been wearing for some time. We could have wished that with its new name it had begun to lead a new life; but to our regret we discover that though the serpent has shed its skin, it remains the same serpent still. Apparently every item of scandal against the REVIEW that falls into the ear of the Editor of the Expositor, meets a ready reception. No sooner does an infamous sheet commence its attack upon us, than he extends to it a helping hand, as to a fellow laborer. A good illustration of this may be seen in the editorial columns of the Expositor for Oct. 7th. But for deliberate falsehood, perhaps the following from the Expositor of Nov. 18th, is worthy of notice. The Editor informs his reader that "The Messenger of Truth" published "by a number of sincere Jewish Sabbatarians, to expose the gross corruptions of the ADVENT REVIEW, of this city and its publishers—has been enlarged, and is now generally supported as their organ by these honest but mistaken brethren." In making the foregoing statement, he could but be aware that he was uttering a deliberate falsehood. It is true that the conductors of the sheet referred to, have imposed upon every friend of the REVIEW, whose name they could obtain, by sending to their address a quantity of their sheets. But the Editor of the Expositor has no other ground than that of pure malice, for the falsehood which he utters that that sheet is now generally supported by the Sabbath-keepers. In this case it is very evident that the wish is father to the thought. Anything that will war against the REVIEW, no matter how, or with what materials, meets his unqualified approbation. But we can assure him that those who have been delivered from the carnal mind, that is at enmity against God and his holy law, have not the same relish for such things that he seems to have. The only excuse that he has for this statement is this: he judged the Sabbath-keepers by himself, a very false standard indeed. But how does it happen that he has thus suddenly become convinced that certain whom he styles "Jewish Sabbatarians" are "honest," "sincere" "brethren?" It was not long since that he published several of these "honest, sincere brethren" as wicked fanatics, designating one of them by the brotherly appellation of "liar." He has in time past seized on the faults of these very persons to brand with infamy all that keep the fourth commandment. For attempting to correct the faults of these persons, we have made them our enemies, and thus transformed them into brethren of the Editor of the Expositor. It is no mystery, therefore, that Herod and Pilate have thus become friends. The Editor of the Expositor very well understands that it is not merely against us, but also against the faith which we cherish, that these men are making their attack, as they now place the Third Angel's proclamation in the future. In regard to the ADVENT REVIEW, it is proper that we say a word. It was formerly sent out gratuitously. When the terms were changed to $1 per year it might have been expected that there would be a considerable falling off from the names on our list. But instead of this, it would be safe to say that at least two have been added for every one that has fallen off. And those who have requested their paper discontinued, were not, to our knowledge, Sabbath-keepers. And more recently we have been receiving new subscribers almost daily. Whatever may be the trials of the way, we have no fears for the REVIEW so long as it continues to proclaim the truth of God. We would express our gratitude to God that hitherto the Lord hath helped us; and with cheerfulness we commit ourselves into his hands. J. N. A.