NEW TIME by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1860

NEW TIME.

By A. S. Hutchins

Bro. Smith: Not long since I heard four discourses in Wolcott, Vt., from a New Timeist, who believes the Lord will come this year, 1860. His position is that the first angel's message was proclaimed in 1844, the second in 1854, and that the present movement is the third. So you see no account is made of about a dozen set times for the Lord's coming, besides these, since 1844. Perhaps so few were interested in these times, and so feeble were their efforts that they are not regarded as worthy of notice.

But we ask, What may we expect from this move? Certainly a great, a powerful and stirring work, if it is what it is claimed to be. But is it? Can it be? The preacher believed he had more evidence for the advent of the Lord in 1854 than in 1844, and still more for it in 1860 than in 1854. He claims that the earth is the sanctuary. But three days in succession I asked him for one text of scripture teaching this view. Two weeks later I asked the same question, but was not referred to that one text either time.

At the close of the last meeting which I attended, (he had labored here about four weeks at this time,) I asked him the following questions, and received the answers given. Do you make a test of your preaching? No. Then you attach no importance to it? Certainly I do. Can I be saved if I do not believe in your time? Yes.

I had previously been told that those who rejected the '54 movement were rejected of God, were a "dead letter." Now in view of these things we ask, Can it be that this move on time again, is the last message? Can this be the last call to the supper? Is it the fulfillment of the divine command, "Go out into the highways, and hedges, and compel them to come in that my house may be filled?" Luke xiv, 23. And still it is not a testing message? Will God reject men for not receiving the first and second messages, and the third be rejected with impunity?

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice," &c. From this and other declarations respecting the last message, we conclude its truths are saving, sanctifying and testing, and that before its close it will break in upon the careless, ungodly world, and a slumbering and dreaming church, with notes awfully stirring and solemn. By it the slumbers of the sleeper will be broken for the last time.

Those who receive it and yield to its teachings will be prepared to stand when the Son of man cometh, while those who reject it will be spued out of his mouth. O, how important a wise decision! May we all make it ere it is too late!

In conclusion we ask, Can we suppose that after effort after effort has been made to fix a definite time for the Lord's return, that the right point is now found; and that its proclamation is the last message, and still that not testing? Praise the Lord for a clear, consistent and harmonious explanation of the past, and for "present truth," the ending of the 2300 days in 1844, the present work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary, and our duty to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Praise the Lord for a truth which is beautiful, powerful, and all glorious. Amen.

A. S. HUTCHINS.