p. 204 | A NEW MOVEMENT by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1860

A NEW MOVEMENT.

By Editor

We have just received No. 1, Vol. 1, of a new sheet entitled the "Voice of the Prophets," J. V. Hines, Editor and Proprietor, No. 20 Washington st., Boston, Mass. To be published quarterly, unless called for oftener, at 25 cts. for a volume of 4 numbers, of 16 pp. each, about the size of the REVIEW. In looking over its pages we find that its design is to advocate the close of the prophetic periods and of the world's 6000 years, and the coming of Christ, between the years 1866 and 1868. The following paragraph is from one of its articles, headed, "Position on the Time of the Advent."

"We know according to the position stated at the head of this article that the advent of Christ is nigh, by the prophetic periods. How nigh? We answer, Within seven or eight years as shown by Messrs. Shimeall, Elliot, and other authorities who agree in fixing the termination of the great prophetic periods in 1866 to 1868."

Our readers will recognize in the four following considerations valid reasons why we cannot sympathize with this movement:

1. In professing to be giving the true light now in reference to the time of the advent, it throws away the past movement on this question.

2. The connection between the viiith and ixth of Daniel—between the 70 weeks and 2300 days of those chapters, by which alone we can get any clue to the commencement of the latter, which we regard as the main pillar of prophetic times—must be disproved; or if not disproved, it must be shown why those periods do not commence together in 457 B. C., before we shall be prepared for any re-adjustment of this important period. We regard the 2300 days of Dan. viii, as fixed in the time of their commencement, intermediate dates and termination, beyond the possibility of removal. We still maintain the position on the commencement and termination of those days, held by the great body of Advent believers in 1844, and which their fiercest and most talented assailants could do nothing towards disproving.

3. The passing of the time in 1844 is fully explained by the glorious subject of the Sanctuary, which has thrown a flood of light upon the Scriptures, and shown a harmony and beauty in their teaching second to no other question.

4. Could it be shown that the prophetic periods do extend to the dates above set, and then expire, it is only throwing the coming of the Lord into a period subsequent to that time; for we have no evidence that these periods extend to the coming of the Lord, but much to the contrary.

The coming of the Lord is evidently at the very doors. It is all-important that sinners be warned and the saints confirmed in their hope; and we rejoice in any means by which this can be done in which the work of God in the past, is not ignored, or positions resorted to, which will not stand the test of criticism. We could therefore wish that the movement of which we here speak, which promises to be one of great extent and influence, was not open to these objections.