Discordant Opinions by Editor

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 12, 1854

Discordant Opinions.

By Editor

Under this head, we find the following in the Bible Examiner for December.

"We are all too apt to think others must see as we do or there can be no fellowship with them. Now we are as likely to err in this matter as others. but we abhor it in ourself and all others. The positive spirit on prophecy, relating to events future, or now passing, till more plainly developed—which is manifested by some—we deeply regret; because we think it tends to anything rather than the promotion of brotherly love. There are, at this time, several different opinions among those who believe the coming of Christ the second time is near.

"One class have believed, and taught, that the event would certainly occur this year. Though we were perfectly satisfied, from the commencement, that they were mistaken in their calculation of time, yet many of them were men we much loved and esteemed, and we did not feel called upon to take a public stand against them, believing that we could better serve them, and the cause of truth, by a kind course toward them, while at the same time they all understood we did not agree in their theory. We knew a short time would realize their expectations or satisfy them of their mistake.

"Another class maintain that before Christ can come 'the second time,' Russia must overrun Turkey, and the Jews be restored to Palestine. With this view we do not agree, at all; but we do not feel disposed to enter into a controversy about it, which must be exceedingly profitless, and call off attention from what we regard as far more important matters to this dying world. We do not affirm that this view is not correct; but we have no faith in it; and es-sentially in the positive assumption that these things 'must' be done 'before' the Lord can come.

"A third class agree with the foregoing so far as relates to Russia overrunning Turkey; affirming that Russia is 'the king of the north,' spoken of, Daniel xi, and must overflow Turkey before Christ can come 'the second time;' and that, hence, until Turkey is overwhelmed by Russia, we can have no scriptural hope of our Lord's return from Heaven. With this view we have no more sympathy than with the previous one. But, as we said of that, so say we of this; we do not say that such events will not take place before Christ's return, but to affirm that they must, positively, we think is overstepping our province as fallible mortals. We do not believe that Russia is 'the king of the north.' It is our opinion that any power that reigns over Syria is—for the time being—'the king of the north,' spoken of Daniel xi; hence that the Turkish Dynasty is now that power. If Russia, Austria, England, or France should become possessed of supreme power over Syria, then it—which ever it might be—would become 'the king of the north.' Till then none but the Turkish Dynasty occupies that position, in our opinion. Our views of Russia, Turkey, and France are known to our readers. No arguments, nor ridicule, that has yet appeared, has in the least shaken our mind; yet we do not affirm that we are right; events may convince us that we are wrong in this matter. We have no theory at stake, and shall feel, we think, no mortification to find we are—just what we believe all others to be—fallible."