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Signs of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 48.

The Millennium

Signs of the Times

Oct 21, 1875

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 21, 1875

The Millennium.

THE Sacred Scriptures do not teach that at any period of time all men will be converted to God. There were but few righteous men from Adam to Moses. And their numbers in the Jewish age, compared with the multitudes of the unbelieving, were very small. Neither does God's plan in the Christian age embrace the conversion of all men. The gospel must be preached to all nations. Thus God visits "the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name." Acts 15 : 14. Among the finally saved will not be found all of any one generation, or all of any one nation; but some out of every age, and every tongue will join in the song to the Lamb: "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Rev. 5 : 9.
From the very nature of the case, the conversion of the world is an impossibility. God is the same during all time. He deals with men and nations impartially. The devil is the same, excepting that the experience of six thousand years has made him more artful in seducing men and women into sin. The fallen race is the same, only that each succeeding generation degenerates physically, mentally, and morally, till the world becomes fully ripe for her final doom. This is seen in the metallic image of Dan. 2. Here five universal kingdoms are the subject of prophecy. Four of these pertain to the mortal state, one to the immortal. The four earthly monarchies, Babylon, Persia, Grecia, and Rome, are severally represented by gold, silver, brass, and iron. We not only see in the symbol the depreciation of value from gold to silver, to brass, and to iron, but the last divided condition of earthly governments, just before the opening glories of the immortal kingdom, is represented by iron mixed with miry clay.
God's plan to convert sinners, and to save all who would obey him, and believe in Jesus, has been in operation about six thousand years. A crucified and risen Jesus has been preached with the Holy Spirit sent down from Heaven for more than eighteen centuries; yet the world has not been converted. And the prospect of its conversion to Bible holiness never looked darker than at the present time. In the forcible words of another we would inquire:—
"And what are the present prospects of a church that has set out in all confidence to convert the world? How may those now putting on the harness boast of greater expected success than is warranted by the experience of those who have put it off after having fought the good fight? The prophets could not convert the world; are we mightier than they? The apostles could not convert the world; are we stronger than they? The martyrs could not convert the world; can we do more than they? The church for eighteen hundred years could not convert the world; can we do it? They have preached the gospel of Christ; so can we. They have gone to earth's remotest bounds; so can we. They have saved 'some;' so can we. They have believed their report; so can we. They have finished their course with joy, and the ministry they have received to testify of the gospel of the grace of God; we can do the same. Can we reasonably hope to do more? 'It would take to all eternity to bring the millennium at the rate that modern revivals progress,' said the venerable Dr. Lyman Beecher, before a ministerial convention, held close by old Plymouth rock. And what hope is there that they will progress more rapidly? Is it in the word of God? Glad would we be to find it there. Sadly we read that 'evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.'
"Has God a mightier Saviour—a more powerful Spirit? Has he another gospel which will save the world? Where is it? Is there any way to the kingdom other than that which leads through much tribulation? Is there another way to the crown besides the way of crosses? Can we reign with Him unless we first suffer in his cause?
"No doubt the world might be converted if they desired to know the Lord. And so, had all who heard received with gladness the word of God, the world might have been converted within twenty years of the day of Pentecost. If each Christian had brought one single soul to God with each successive year, the calm splendors of the millennial era might have shone upon the declining years of the apostles of Jesus Christ. But instead of this, ages of darkness came on. The world did not repent, but the church apostatized. If the gospel were to convert the world, we should have seen tokens of it ere this. But where are such omens to be found? Shall we look to Judson, who labored ten long years before one sinner yielded to the claims of the gospel? Shall we look to the dense darkness of the heathen world? Shall we look at the formalism of the professed church? Shall we look at the wide extension of infidelity? Shall we look at the abounding of iniquity and the waxing cold of love? Shall we look at a world where eighteen hundred years of toil and tears have not brought one-twentieth part of mankind even to a profession of true Christianity; and where not more than one-fifth claim for themselves the dubious title of Christian nations? Shall we look over a world in which we cannot find one nation of Christians, nor one tribe of Christians, nor one city of Christians, nor one town of Christians, nor one village of Christians, nor one hamlet of Christians, save here and there where a questionable faith has led a few, with hypocrites even then in their midst, to withdraw themselves from the world, and cherish the untried virtues of secluded life? Surely, after eighteen hundred years of experiment with that system which was to convert the world, men might point to some country, to some province, to some nation, and say, Behold the commencement of a converted world.
"But will not the gospel then prove a failure? That depends upon what is to be expected of it. If the gospel was to effect the eternal salvation of all mankind, then failing to accomplish that work is a failure of the gospel. If it was to convert the world and then, if it is not done, it will prove a failure. But if the gospel was preached 'to take OUT OF THE Gentiles a people for His name,' then it is not a failure. If it was given that God might in infinite mercy and love 'save SOME,' then it is not a failure. If it was given that every repentant sinner might have eternal life, and that every good soldier might receive a crown of glory, then it is not a failure. If it was given that an innumerable company might be redeemed OUT OF every nation, and kindred, and tongue under heaven, then it is not a failure. If it was given that the vales and hills of Paradise restored might teem with a holy throng who shall be 'equal to the angels, and be the children of God, being the children of the resurrection,' then it is not a failure. If the elect might be brought into one great family of holy ones, then it is not a failure. And was not this its object, rather than the exaltation of a worldly church to the splendors of earthly prosperity, while beneath the theater of their easy triumph there slumber the ashes of prophets and the dust of the apostles? Are they to hold jubilee a thousand years, while the martyrs' unceasing cry, 'How long! O Lord,' goes up to God? Are they to have their songs of triumph, while the whole creation groaneth for deliverance, and while that longed-for day of the redemption of our body is postponed? Nay, verily, the hope of the one body is one hope. The hope of the church stops not at death, it sweeps beyond earth's scenes of tempest and of storm, and reposes in the calm beamings of that Sun of Righteousness which shall glow above the bosom of Paradise regained."

General Articles.

Our Creed--The Bible.

WITH all confidence we appeal to the Book of books as true and inspired authority.
  1. It is the oldest book in existence.
  2. It gives the only rational account of the creation of our world.
  3. It contains the best code of laws.
  4. It foretells events to come with a certainty that should silence all caviling.
  5. There is general harmony in all its parts.
We propose, therefore, to test all religious opinions by this divine standard.
Says the apostle Paul, "Prove all things."
Says Dr. Adam Clarke, "The doctrine which cannot stand the test of rational investigation, cannot be true."
Says Bishop Watson, "Whoever is afraid of submitting any question, civil or religious, to the test of free discussion, seems to me to be more in love with his own opinions than with truth."

The Power of Love.

By Ellen G. White

LOVE is power. Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle, and cannot be separated from it. The power of wealth has a tendency to corrupt and destroy; the power of force is strong to do hurt; but the excellence and value of pure love consists in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else but good. Whatsoever is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of men, is wholly fruitful; for God measures more with how much love one worketh, than the amount he doeth. Love is of God. The unconverted heart cannot originate nor produce this plant of heavenly growth, which lives alone, and flourishes only where Christ reigns. Love cannot live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will prevail and gain the victory when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor in love. It is diffusive in its nature, and quiet in its operation, yet strong and mighty in its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect their hearts when every other means has proved unsuccessful. Wherever the power of intellect, of authorities, or of force, is employed, and love is not manifestly present, the affections and will of those whom we seek to reach assume a defensive, repelling position, and increase their strength of resistance as they are met by another power than love. Jesus was the prince of Peace. He came into the world to bring resistance and authority into subjection to himself. Wisdom and strength he could command, but the means he employed to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength of love. Suffer nothing to divide your interest from your present work until God shall see fit to give you another piece of work in the same field. Seek not for happiness, for that never is found by seeking for it. Go about your duty. Let faithfulness mark all your doings, and be clothed with humility.
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Blessed results would appear as the fruit of such a course. "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Here are strong motives which should operate on minds to constrain them to love one another with a pure heart, fervently. Christ is our example. He went about doing good. He lived to bless others. Love beautified and ennobled all his actions. We are not commanded to do to ourselves what we wish others to do unto us, we are to do unto others what we wish them to do to us under like circumstances. The measure we mete is always measured to us again. Pure love is simple in its operations, and is distinct from any other principle of action. The love of influence, and the desire for the esteem of others, may produce a well-ordered life, and, frequently a blameless conversation. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of vice. A selfish heart may perform generous actions, acknowledge present truth, and express humility and affection in the outward manner, yet the motives be deceptive and impure; and the efforts and actions that flow from them may be destitute of the savor of life, and the fruits of true holiness, being destitute of the principles of pure love. Love, should be cultivated. It needs cherishing for its influence is divine.
Mrs. E. G. White.

A Tart Temper

A TART temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.

God's Beautiful City.

FAR, far away, amid realms of light, Hid deep in the azure beyond our sight, Stands a beautiful city, so high and so bright, Where is known no sorrow, nor death, nor night. Beautiful city! O blest abode! O home of God! Whose streets by the feet of the sinless are trod.
They roam through the gardens of endless spring, They crowd all thy portals on rushing wing; While the echoing domes of the palace ring With the hymns of the angels that shout and sing. Beautiful city!
Hark! hark, again! the angelic strain, As gleams through the crystal that burnished train. There the life-fires brighten, and burn, and roll Over diamonds that sparkle, o'er sands of gold, Where to breathe the sweet air yields a bliss untold, And the dwellers immortal shall never grow old. Beautiful city!
We pierce the skies with longing eyes, And yearn to inherit the golden prize. It is said that the King, in his power sublime, When the last sands drop from the glass of time, And our world shall be robbed in her Eden prime, Will bring down that city to gladden earth's clime. Beautiful city!
Bright capitol where saints will dwell, And reign on the throne with Immanuel. As jewels flash on the brow of a queen, As the jasper and ruby in crowns are seen, God's city, wrapped in silver sheen, Will be set like a gem in the new earth's green. Beautiful city!
City of flowers and beautiful bowers! Come down and illumine this dark world of ours.

The Pacific Mission.

By James White

JULY 18, 1868, Elders Loughborough and Bourdeau landed in San Francisco with their church tent to enter upon the work of proclaiming the great gospel message for our time, which embraces the soon second coming of Christ and the preparation for that event. For some years previous to this date requests had come up to our General Conference from two or three persons on this coast, who were in heart Seventh-day Adventists, that a missionary should be sent to the distant State of California. But from want of men to spare from the eastern field the Conference took no action upon the subject until its annual session in May, 1868.
The amount of funds raised at that time to purchase tent, pay the passage of the two missionaries to their new field of labor, and to give them a very humble support for a short time till the mission should become self-sustaining, was only $1,700.
God greatly blessed the labors of his trusting servants so that in ten months from the time they left New York City, the mission was reported self-sustaining. Under the judicious management of Elder Loughborough the mission increased in numbers and efficiency so that in about three years from the time it was first opened the sum of $3,000 in gold coin was raised by the friends in California and sent over the mountains and across the plains, for the benefit of our eastern institutions. Probably there has not been in any of the States during the brief history of our cause a more confiding, liberal people than in the good State of California. And could Elder Loughborough ever have had prudent, true fellow-laborers, none need to have been shaken in confidence.
We forbear to give names, or to enter into particulars. It is sufficient to remark here that in no State are ministers watched with a more suspicious eye than in California. And in no part of the world is it more necessary to take heed to the injunction of the apostle, to "Abstain from all appearance of evil," than on the Pacific Coast. This general distrust is mainly in consequence of the conduct of those ministers from the East who found it agreeable to their feelings to seek homes on this coast, leaving the plains between them and a broken down reputation. But as they did not succeed in leaving the Devil on the other side, they found it an easy matter to duplicate a miserable reputation in the West. Elder Loughborough's correct deportment, indefatigable labors, and firm purpose for the right in times of trial, have given him favor with the people and with God.
It is cruel in a minister to create a feeling of distrust in the hearts of a confiding people by imprudent movements, self-caring habits, and a willingness to take from the treasury for the good he has not done.
It was in the autumn of 1872 that Mrs. W. and the writer made our first trip to California. We attended the first California Camp-meeting held in the autumn of that year at Windsor, Sonoma Co. The brethren came to that meeting in rather a discouraged condition in consequence of the apparent failure of the tent-meeting in Woodland, which had occupied nearly the whole season, and the state of things in the church at San Francisco, caused by the imprudences and wrongs before alluded to. But the camp-meeting accomplished good. And by the united pleadings of Mrs. W. and the writer the tent returned to Woodland, where we assisted in reviving a wasted interest, which resulted in establishing one of the largest churches in the State.
But the work to be done in San Francisco was more difficult. There are preachers whose labors are so directed as to secure very strong personal friends, and, on the other hand, to make very decided enemies. Imprudence and rashness in the labors of such a man make a deep and lasting impression. The cause in San Francisco had suffered greatly by such labor, and when the tent was moved from Woodland to that city, we found, to our great discouragement, that differences of opinion existed, resulting from the imprudence before mentioned, and but few of the church were in a condition to co-operate with us in the work. Some precious souls, however, were reached by this meeting who are now with the church.
It has been one considerable branch of our work, for more than twenty-five years, to go into churches where divisions and fanaticisms have existed, and there labor to correct existing wrongs, and to restore union of sentiment and feeling. God has used Mrs. W. in this critical work, wonderfully. And to him be the glory for the state of harmony now existing generally among the Seventh-day Adventists. But in San Francisco we found ourselves among a people who were, with few exceptions, decided and impulsive. And the position which the Lord would have us take to help all, suited the feeling of but a few. Some regarded us too severe on the one who had caused the difficulty, while others drew away from us because we made efforts to help and save him. We were, for several months nearly alone in that city, seeking every possible opportunity to help that church, and build up the cause in San Francisco. But the discouragements we met on almost every hand were injurious to the feeble health of the writer, and in March, 1873, we returned to Michigan.
And right here we wish to state that we have not one word of reflection to cast upon the brethren in San Francisco. We state the facts in the sad history of that church to show how cruel it is for indiscrete and rash men to take a course to shake the confidence of a confiding people. Not only is confidence shaken in himself; but more or less for a longer or shorter time, in all others who may be associated with him. This makes the labors of those who follow him extremely embarrassing and hard.
But God has helped his people in San Francisco. At the several visits we have made to this State, each winter, it has been our pleasure to labor some with this people, and we have been happy to witness progress toward Bible unity, and real efficiency. None have been more liberal in helping to build up the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association than those of the San Francisco church who were able to help. And in addition to this they are at the same time donating liberally toward their house of worship, now being hastened toward its completion.
And we might here state that whatever affects the cause in San Francisco has its influence, more or less, in all parts of the State. The wrongs we have alluded to had their influence in other places. And when the cause took a favorable turn at the metropolis of the Pacific Coast, and prosperity attended judicious labor in Oakland and San Francisco, general good cheer, hope, and confidence were restored in all parts of this Western field.
For a time the influence of Elder Grant against the cause was felt on this coast. At his first visit he gained many personal friends by calling to his aid great affected piety and flattery in connection with what truth he set forth. But his warfare against our people, managed very badly by himself, exposed his real spirit, and weakened his influence, which met a death-blow at the Napa discussion with Elder Canright. He succeeded in dividing his own people in this State, so that they took sides as the Grant party and the Fassett party. Of his course here, an appeal from seven Adventists of San Francisco, persons of the Fassett party, says:--
"Eld. Grant has had his way and sway. He 'fought it out on that line' with an obstinacy untempered by common sense. His senseless assaults upon the Seventh-day people, who were not intruding upon ground occupied by us, provoked them to retaliation, and they have pitched their tent in Vallejo, Santa Clara, and San Jose, and drawn away members from and weakened all of these churches. The field was large enough, and Eld. Fassett's policy was to let them alone while they did not molest our churches. The result has shown the folly of Eld. Grant's course in this, as in almost every item of his policy on the Pacific Coast. In Napa City, Eld. Grant's boasted discussion has ended in helping the Sabbatarians. Their society is stronger than ever, while of Elder Grant's influence there is scarcely a trace."
One of the most important periods in the history of the cause on the Pacific Coast was when the mission was opened in Washington and Oregon by Eld I. D. Van Horn, and the tent meetings at Oakland and San Francisco in 1874. At Walla Walla, a large church has been raised up, and there are smaller companies in other places, in all at least one hundred active members resulting principally from the North Pacific Mission. At Oakland, a church has been established of eighty members, and the church at San Francisco received the same year valuable accessions. During the same year good work was done at San Jose, Santa Clara, and Vallejo. The labors of Eld. D. M. Canright in connection with the cause in the State of California, including the Napa discussion, during the memorable year 1874 have by no means been over estimated by our people here. And we are happy to learn of his freedom in the word in a broader sphere of usefulness across the plains.
It was in 1873, while in the Rocky Mountains for health, that our mind was greatly exercised upon the subject of broader plans, and there we wrote articles which appeared in the Review and Herald, in which we suggested that the time was not far distant when the Seventh-day Adventist press would be established both on the Pacific and the Atlantic. Had not difficulties been thrown in our way the press could have done sooner and better service on the Pacific, so that now we might have sustaining lists of subscribers, and not a debt on the SIGNS. The enterprise will prove a success. It is a matter of time only.
June 4, 1874, the first number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was issued at Oakland, Cal. And this, in the midst of a tent meeting at Oakland which demanded much of our attention, among strangers, and where the business customs of the people differ very much with those of the East, was a severe tax upon our strength. We soon found it necessary, on account of the high prices for printing at other offices in California, to purchase printing material, with the exception of printing press, sufficient to print the SIGNS. Here again, to get together at the least possible cost just that material necessary for present use, and which would constitute a valuable portion of a future complete Office, was still another pressure of care and labor in addition to a former double burden. But we here acknowledge to the glory of the sustaining grace of God, that the divine hand has guided and upheld.
The arrival of our son, J. E. White, a practical printer, was an important event in the history of our publishing work on the Pacific. With his assistance lists of subscribers were made up, and before the California Camp-meeting seven numbers of the SIGNS were issued. We left for the Battle Creek, Mich., Camp-meeting the last of July, so that several numbers were issued in our absence. Our small Office was in little, dingy, rented rooms, and the press work was done on the press of another, at quite a distance, at high prices, demanding considerable cash, patience, and hard work in moving heavy forms and paper on a wheelbarrow.
Under these circumstances we looked forward with no small degree of interest to the time when we should have a good building and Office complete at our command. The time to lay this matter before our people, and make definite arrangements for a united effort, was at the California Camp-meeting in 1874. And right here a mistake was made. We should have been at that meeting, and immediately after the liberal pledges of our people in this State, should have been on the ground to conduct the SIGNS, and the incorporation of the Pacific S. D. A. P. Association, and to carry out our first plans relative to the circulation of the paper. But circumstances we could not control held us in the East, and decided the matter that the T. and M. Society should put 10,000 copies of the Voice of Truth in the very field we had designed for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. And after this was done we were urged to come to California to take charge of the paper and the incorporation of the California Publishing Association.
But the golden period to extend the circulation of the SIGNS and make it self-sustaining, was past for awhile, and the accomplishment of this object made more difficult, which has resulted in a debt on the paper. But with united vigorous action the past can be redeemed, and the paper can soon be self-sustaining. As we now contrast the past with our present ample, light, and pleasant rooms, and the best press in the Union at our service, which saves cash, perplexity, and much hard labor, we devoutly thank God and take courage. We have no rents to pay; and better paper than that which cost us in small lots from San Francisco $4.40 per ream, now costs, by the car-load from Michigan, only $3.60 per ream.
Not far from $14,000 has been expended in the purchase of the site, and on the new building. The amount of the $20,000 pledged in 1874, by the friends in California already paid, is $11,000, leaving a debt of $3,000, which greatly cramps our business. At the same time $10,000 has been actually paid by eastern brethren for a complete Office. And less than $7,000 of this has been laid out for presses and material, leaving $3,000 on hand. Not one dollar of this liberal sum of $10,000 will be used up in publishing. It will be kept for the very object for which it was donated.
The cost of printing in California is at least twenty per cent. above eastern prices. And from careful estimates of Michigan prices, the Review and Herald, the size of the SIGNS, has been repeatedly reported at $8,000 for 4,000 copies one year. But in spite of the higher prices for labor and stock in California, 4,000 copies of the SIGNS have been sent out, postage paid, for $6,190.93. The receipts during the year, in coin value, have amounted to $2,658.05, leaving still due, $3,532.88. Add to this sum the excess of expenditures on the building of $3,000, and both show a debt of $6,532.88, every dollar of which is needed today to meet demands, and properly carry forward the business of publishing.
Our relation to the cause in California makes it necessary that we should plainly state facts relative to our financial management.
1. The brethren in California have not paid one dollar of the expenses of the several trips we have made to and from the State. This has been paid by the General Conference.
2. We have drawn from the Review and Herald Office $12 per week as our salary for our entire services in the several branches of the work, which has amounted by way of support during the time we have been in the State, to the sum of $10.50 in coin. Mrs. W. has received from the California S. D. A. B. treasury for a few months when actually laboring from church to church in the State. Besides this, we accepted about one-half the sum raised at the Windsor Camp-meeting at the time of our first visit, to meet traveling expenses in the State, and a few other incidentals.
3. We have already paid $1000 in coin as a donation to the house of worship now being built in San Francisco.
4. When the California Conference put $500 into the General Conference in 1874, we put it back again into their treasury in view of demands for means in this State, at this time, which we saw then as clearly as now.
5. We have never taken one dollar for our services on the SIGNS OF THE TIMES from first to last. And it is proper here to state that Elder Loughborough has taken nothing for his labors in the SIGNS Office; but has drawn his support from the S. D. A. B. treasury.
6. We paid out $1000 in coin for the printing material of the SIGNS Office, took nothing for the use of it ten months, and when the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association was formed donated the entire Office to the young institution.
7. We have paid from our own purse $650, with neither wish nor expectation to receive it back again, which is the amount of fare of five persons from Michigan, now connected with the SIGNS Office. Our object in this was simply and solely to secure experienced help, with whom we could leave the Office when duty called us to go the round of eastern camp-meetings. Such help was not to be found in California.
8. Three members of our present family, selected from the most efficient help of which we had knowledge in Michigan, or anywhere else, have labored at the SIGNS Office, editing, proof-reading, book-keeping, type-setting, and mailing the paper, the past six months for less dollars than they have done hard days' works. We gave them the rent of our house on Eleventh street, and they boarded themselves at trifling cost to save expense to the SIGNS, and to help bear the incidental expenses of the church.
By this time the reader will be able to see how 4,000 copies of the SIGNS can be sent out, post paid, one year for $6,190.93, when the same amount in Michigan costs $8,000, where printing can be done at least twenty per cent. lower than in California.
In the foregoing we have labored to give a correct report. The task has been a painful one as we have been in a strait betwixt a desire that the friends of the cause should know the true state of things and understand how to govern their actions, and the disgust we have felt in making them public. A sense of these things pressed upon us toward the close of the late camp-meeting and made us very unhappy. But, in deciding to toil on, and to hope on, whether our labors and sacrifices be few or many, and whether they be appreciated or not in this world, we find relief. Our highest ambition is to labor to establish the publishing house in Oakland on a self-sustaining basis, as we have succeeded in establishing the one in Battle Creek, Mich., then we will cheerfully leave this, as we have left that, for others to manage and to enjoy, while we will, with God's help, take another new field. But while laboring to do this without drawing a dollar from the Association for support, and while sacrificing more means in it than any one on this coast, we do ask the confidence and co-operation of all who profess to be governed by the great law of equity and love which is the basis of the Moral Code.
JAMES WHITE.
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