VOLUME 3 FOURTH QUARTER, 1993 NUMBER 4 ADVENTIST PIONEER LIBRARY

"We have nothing to fearfor the future, except as we shallforget the way the Lordhas led us, andHis teaching in our past history. " LS 196

MOHAMMED, 560-632 A.D. ..6\ ~em{[fk([ble PROPIIE--

n the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment ofprophecy excited widespread interest. T.wo @ years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preachingthe secondadvent,published an exposition ofRevelation 9, predictingthe fall ofthe Ottoman Empire. According to his calcu­ lations, this power was to be overthrown "in A.D. 1840, sometime in the month ofAugust;" and only a few days previous to its accomplish­ ment he wrote: "Allowing the first period, 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled before Josiah Litch Diacozes ascendedthe throne by permissionofthe Turks,andthatthe 391 years, fifteen days, commenced at the close ofthe first period, it will end on the 11th ofAugust, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected predicts the to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case."-Josiah Litch, in Signs ofthe Times, and Expositor ofProphecy, Aug. 1, 1840. At the very time specified,Turkey,throughherambassadors,acceptedthe Fall of the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction .... When it became known, multitudes were convinced ofthe correctness ofthe principles ofprophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and Ottoman a wonderful impetus was given to the advent movement. Men oflearning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended.• Empire. The Great Controversy,pp. 334,335.

IN THIS ISSUE: JOSIAH LITCH, his place in the Millerite Movement and his interpretation ofthe prophecies ofRevelation 9. PAGE 2 4th Quarter, 1993 PULL OUT CENTER SHEETTO VIEW Born PAGES 2 & 7. • •••

TIlE Qlc, ...... 1\LL of AS INTERPRETED

5th Trumpet begins'>------First "woe" ------­ 1 622 632 732 I !

1 Injust one century,---.J 1-Islam spreads through­ I outPersia, Syria, Egypt, I Africa,and Spain. I Verses 3,7,8 describe the Muslim Mohammed dies, his followers army's appearance and methods. continue conquering territory.

July27: Othmanbecomes Sultan,invadesGreek Mohammed, the great Arabian leader, enters Medina, gains followers & be­ Empire, part of Eastern Roman Empire, and gins extending his power. succeedsinconsolidatingprincipalMuslimtribes into one monarchy. ! I .I Verse 1: "Fallen star" given key to bottomless pit. See Rev. 1:20. Star = religious minister. Fallen = Verses 5,10: Prophetic period of5 months hereticalorfallenminister. IdentifiedasMohammed. (150 years) oftorrnentbegins with establish­ ment ofEmpire. Mohammedism spreads. ,I I Verse 2: "He (Mohammed) opened the bottomless I pit," releasing "the smoke of the pit," (cloud of Verse II: Othman is identified as "king over errors) which "darkened the sun" (gospel light) and them," whose names in Hebrew, "Abaddon" "the air" (Christian influence.) (destroyer) and in Greek,"Apollyon,' (exter­ minator), aptly describe this period ofdomi­ nation by Muslim Sultans. Verse 4: Commanded not to hurt the grass, green things, or trees-meaning Christians; but only "those men which have not the seal of God,"-meaning infidels, heathen.

*Litch, J., "TheThreeWo Trumpets, Fallofthe Ottoman Empire, or OttomanSupremacy departed, August II, 1840," The Midnight Cry,January 6, 1843, pp.7-10; and "The Rise and Ptogress of Adventism," TheAdvent Shield, May, 1844, PI'. 46-93. Moon, J.,Josiah Litch: Herald of "TheAdvent Near, " Andrews University S.D.A. Theological Seminary, May, 1973,53 pages. LEST WE FORGET 4th Quarter, 1993 PAGE 3 RID TE LE ERSIIIP hen William preacher was later to be referred to promoter and defender ofthe Miller started as the Uriah Smith ofthe Millerite Second Advent Movement. One preaching that movement. example oftheir wise leadership is Christ would come Between November and the list ofnine specific sugges­ in 1843, he fully December of 1839, Joshua V. tions to believers regarding how to believed the churches would Himes also joined Miller [See accomplish the solemn task of receive the message with joy and LWF Volume 2:4.], and with Litch witnessing about the nearness of proclaim it everywhere. Seven became united in an informal the Lord's coming. These nine years later, in early 1838, Miller leadership ofthe movement. suggestions formed part ofan was tired, ill, and discouraged. It Miller continued as the central address drafted at the second was evident the message was figure with the key prophetic Advent Conference, June 15, unpopular. Miller didn't know message; Himes-as the dynamic 1841, and were, in effect, a strat­ that God was already leading in publisher and public relations egy for non-sectarian evangelism. the lives oftwo men who would manager; and Litch-as the great [See center box.] soon become his co-workers One evidence ofLitch's forming a triumvirate leadership leadership, daring, and faith was for the great advent movement STRATEGY FOR the decision to rent the great that was destined to rock the EVANGELlSM'~ Chinese Museum Auditorium in forties. By J. V. Himes & J. Litch Philadelphia which seated six Miller's lectures had been I. Maintain personal consccra­ thousand. William Miller lectured published in 1836,1 but all the tion, watchfulness and pruyer. twice a day, for nearly two weeks ministers who believed the view 2. Conduct onc-on-onc convcrsa­ in the over-crowded building. previous to 1838, relapsed and tion about the second coming of Litch reported that this campaign abandoned preaching it, except for Christ. rocked Philadelphia from center to a certain Elder Fuller ofwhom 3. Form Bible study classes, circumference. little is known. "The current of -to Schedule social meetings for With the blessing ofGod and public opinion was too strong for 'J prayer and preaching. in the power ofthe Holy Spirit, them...."2 5. Question ministers as to thc this triumvirate leadership worked At this precise moment, God meaning of certain key texts. an astounding increase and spread enlisted in the cause a powerful 6. Circulate the Advent books. ofthe message just as Himes preacher and student ofBible but in this to ncglcct neither a predicted in his famous words, Prophecy, Elder Josiah Litch. He preparation for the second com­ "...doors shall be opened in every had read Miller's lectures and was ing. nor one's earthly business. city in the Union; and the warning impressed in a dream to preach the 7. Remain in the churches and shall go to the ends ofthe earth." message. When he decided to do seek to bring about a more posi­ -MS • (1)(2) Litch, this, he wrote"...[1was] alone, as tin attitude regarding the sec­ J., "Rise and Progress ofAdventism," an advocate ofthe doctrine, [but ond coming. The Advent Shield, May, 1844,p. 80, 81. (3) not discouraged]...by the report S. Endure persecution, opposi­ that Mr. Fitch had given it up." Ibid., p. 56. tion. and scorn with patience. (4) Moon, J., Josiah Litch: Herald of Josiah Litch is therefore consid­ 9. Establish Second Advent Li­ ered by most historians to be the 'The Advent Near, " Andrews Uni­ braries in all towns and villages. versity Thesis, May, 1973,p. 6. "first well-known minister to adopt Source: Nichols. F.D .. Ille .\fidlligh! (5) Nichols, F.D., The Midnight Cry, Miller's views, and the first to Crl'. Review and Ilcruld Publishina Review and Herald Publishing join him as a full-time ministerial Associution, Wnshingion, D.l".. 19..j...r, Association, Takoma Park, Washing­ associate." This talented p, Xf>. X7. ton, D.C., 1944,p. 72. ,~ PUI'Ujl!ll'used mQI~E & fALL of~ JOSIAII LITCII bp olftrrhniJ QiJtdl1l17e§

.AII'-~""""" hat a dream! Josiah trembled as he ofChrist About A.D. 1843," in which he pre- remembered its forceful message. dicted the fall ofthe Otto- Why did he have this dream? What did man Empire in August of it mean? How would it effect his future? 1840, as a direct fulfillment ofthe prophecies ofRev­ Early Glimpses elation, chapter nine. This Josiah Litch was born in Higham, awakened a great deal of Massachusets, in 1809. We know little about his interest throughout the early life and training except that he was con­ northeast and, as the time verted at age 17, that at one time he studied to be approached, many oppo­ a physician, and that he became an itinerant nents declared that the minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church event would not occur, and when he was 24 years old. Through his prolific that "then the spell would writings it is evident his formal education was be broken, and Adventism more than adequate. He became a man ofconvic­ would die." Infidels were tion who had the "courage to advocate what he ready to jest; while believ­ believed to be truth." I ers trembled for fear that it In early 1838, as he skeptically read Miller's should not come to pass as Lectures, he was convicted ofits truth. The anticipated. More impor­ arguments were so clear, simple, and scriptural tantly, ifthis prophecy were that his own great arguments against the coming fulfilled as predicted, many ofthe Lord vanished and he was delighted with thought it would corrobo­ the idea ofthe glorious reign ofChrist on a rate Miller's use ofthe renewed earth.' He then reasoned with himself, year-day principle in "Ifthis doctrine is true, shouldn't I try to under­ interpreting the 2300 days stand and proclaim it!" He resisted this convic­ ofDanieI8:14. JOSIAH LIT( tion, however, fearing that, ifJesus did not come When the Ottoman as predicted, his having preached the doctrine Empire effectively lost its independence on the would hurt his reputation. precise day predicted by Litch, at least one Then he had his spectacular dream through thousand infidels accepted the Bible "as God's which the Lord humbled him and made him revelation to man,"! and the year-day principle willing to bear reproach for Christ.4 He had been received incontrovertible support. [See "The Rise "called to this cause by such forceful evidence andFall ofthe Ottoman Empire," pp. 2, 7, & [that] ...to resist would be tantamount to turning Insert A.] Some modern Bible scholars disagree from the Lord....'" Without hesitation, he with Litch's interpretation and application. resolved to preach the truth on the subject ofthe Nevertheless, this fulfillment impressed Bible Second Coming ofChrist. Twenty-nine years old scholars and many infidels at that time in history. at the time, Litch had been an itinerant minister Early in 1841, Litch was impressed to discon­ for five years," He immediately began writing tinue his itinerant ministry with the Methodist about and preaching the doctrine wherever he Episcopal Church, but it was hard for him to do went. so. He didn't want to sever the strong ties he had with that church, and he was also concerned about Litch Attains Prominence "The feelings and welfare of[his] beloved family Litch published an article in June of1838, ••••"9 These two concerns formed an apparently entitled "The Probability ofthe Second Coming insurmountable barrier against devoting himself

PAGE 4 LEST WE FORGET 4th Quarter, 1993 PAGES

exclusively to the work ofproclaiming the Lord's coming. This conflict was resolved at an annual Methodist Episcopal ministerial conference held that summer. On June 9, at Providence, Rhode Island, he appeared before the examination committee to answer for the doctrine he was teaching. The committee decided that Litch "held Birth -t 1809 nothing contrary to Methodism, although he went in some points beyond it."!" After this, he was left at liberty to devote his time to Converted 1826 preaching the soon second coming.II Litch attended three other Methodist Episcopal conferences that Becomes Itinerant summer, where he was able to preach the Advent for Methodist Episcopal 1833 Minister his fellow ministers and distribute about forty dollars worth ofliterature. He reported that the publications were eagerly seized upon by those Reads Miller's Lectures. "ambassadors ofChrist" and long-cherished preju­ Has dream, begins rromoting dices began giving way." the "new doctrine. 1838 During the time interlude between the summer of 1841 and the Disappointment, Litch never once Writes The Probability ofthe 2nd Coming, predicting the turned aside from the inspiration ofhis dream. He fall ofthe Ottoman Empire. worked full-time as a general agent, and also on the 1839 editorial staffofThe Signs ofthe Times. He wrote Continues preaching prolifically and preached eloquently, often holding Second Coming. the Unwearied interest ofthousands for an hour and Fall of Ottoman Empire, 1840 a halfas he spoke on the imminent return ofChrist. Aug. 11, as he predicted. Some modern Bible Scholars disagree. Disappointment and Decline Leaves itinerant ministry. When S. S. Snow's seventh-month movement Becomes general agent; also 1841 caught on in the mid-summer of 1844 [See LWF editor for Signs ofthe Times. 3:2.], Litch was very cautious and only accepted the Nov., visits Charles Fitch. new date eleven days before the fact. He declared, "I Opens work in Philadelphia cannot praise God sufficiently that He has [permit­ & Washington, D.C. 1842 ted]. ..me to behold this great light. I feel myself humbled...and now lift up my head injoyful Continues work in Philadelphia andPittsburgh, expectation ofseeing the King ofkings within ten PA, and Baltimore, MD. days.?" 1843 Interestingly enough, Litch once said regarding Sept.: J. L. baptized by the eventto occur on October 22,1844, "It yet remains to be shown immersion by C. Fitch. J. L. also baptizes his own wife. that our calculations oftime are not correct, and are only in error 1844 relative to the event which marked its close. This is the most Accepts seventh-month message & Oct. 22 as date likely.'?' This indicated he was so sure ofthe time that he thought it for Christ's Coming. more probable to err in the prophetic interpretation regarding the event. However, when Christ failed to come on October 22, he began Disappointment, Oct. 22. 1845 to readjust his thinking. Declares October 22, In May of 1845, he reversed his position regarding the seventh­ seventh-month movement month movement stating, "I believe we erred and ran offour track to be an error. about one year ago."" He continued for a time believing that Miller's first view was true and that the cry would continue till Jesus appeared On editorial stafffor Messiah's in the air." At this time he joined the formal Adventists with Himes, Herald, probably until his death. Bliss, and Hale, who believed the error was the time and that the event was still future; that the "door" was still open and would be Repudiates year-day principle in Harmony of 1873 closed when Christ came. He opposed both the extremist branch with Daniel & the Apocalypse. Turner and Snow, and the Sabbatarlanbranch with Bates, Edson and the Whites." Death 1886 continued onpage six PAGE 6 4th Quarter, 1993 LEST WE FORGET

~GREAT TIlE m£E &FALL OF JOSIAII LITCII continuedfrom pagefive He alsojoined with somelead­ tinctivepointofthemessage hehad aD.R.MAN ers who sought to influence Miller helpedtoproclaim. Histragicexpe­ against the light from heaven re­ rience is a warningfor us all."21. osiah Litch was a talented gardingthe Third Angel's Message (I) Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, publishing and public re­ andthecommandments ofGod. [See CommentaryReferenceSeries, Volume 10, box below.] These men failed to Review & Herald Publishing, p.705. cf/ lations man.. He worked (2) Litch, J., "Rise and Progress of as a general agent, trav­ recognize and accept the message Adventism," TheAdvent Shield,MJiy,1844, eling widely in behalf of the Mil­ which would have best explained p.55. lerite publications. As he traveled, the "disappointment andcasta light (3)(4) Ibid, p.55. he preachedandopenedupthe work and glory on the past.?" (5) Moon, J.,Josiah Litch: Herald of"The AdventNear," Andrews University Thesis, in new places. He was well known Elder Litch progressively de­ May, 1973, p.13. forhismanyarticles on awide range clined from his former position on (6) The Advent Shield, p.64. of subjects-some refuting sup­ prophetic interpretation,untilhepub­ (7) Ibid., p.59. posed doctrinal error -others sup­ lished in 1873, A Complete Har­ (8) Loughborough,J. N., The GreatSecond porting Miller's doctrine. monyofDanielandtheApocalypseP Advent Movement, Review & Herald Publishing Association, Washington,D. C., While editor ofthe Signs ofthe inwhichherepudiated almostevery 1909, p.132. Times since July, 1841, his schol­ portionof Millerite prophetic in.ter­ (9) The Advent Shield, p.62. arly articles appeared in its columns ' pretationincludingtheyear-dayprin­ (10)(11)(12) Ibid.,p.64,65. as well as in many other advent ciple. Hisnewinterpretation placed (13) Litch, J., "Letter," The Midnight Cry, newspapersoftenwithn.othing more all ofRevelationfromchapter4 on­ October 12,1844,p.125. (14) The Advent Shield, p.8!. than a simple "L." to identify the ward to be fulfilled in the future." (15) Litch, J., "Letter," TheAdvent Herald, writer. In Philadelphia, he edited a May 21, 1845. powerful advent paper, the Phila­ A Warning (16) Froom, L. E., The Prophetic Faith of delphia Alarm, which later became "ElderLitchhadthatexperience ourFothers, Volume IV,Review& Herald the TrumpetofAlarm. Some ofhis of genuine submission to the willof PublishingAssociation, Washington,D. C., 1954, pp, 828-842. publications are listed below. God, but he failed to maintain it. (17)(18) White, Ellen G., Early Writings, Thisfailure ledhimto minimize the Review & Herald Pub. Association, ,Publication Date markedway the Lord had led in. his Washington, D.C., 1945 edition, p.257. The Midnight Cry Early 1838 ownpastexperience andinthemove­ (19) Litch, J., A Complete Harmony of Probability ofthe Second menthe had been calledto be a part Daniel and the Apocalypse, Claxton, Coming ofJesus About May/June, Remsen, & Haffelfinger, Philadelphia, A.D. J 843 1838 of HewasusedbyGodasamighty 1873. Eight Fundamental Errors herald of 'the advent near,' but he (20) Moon, p.5!. in Miller's Theory eventually deniedalmosteverydis- (21) Ibid., pA8. (Rebuttal.) Mar., 1840 Address to the Clergy May, 1840 Our Work June, 1841 Address to Clergy LEADERS INFLUENCE MILLER AGAINST TRUTH (Enlarged.) July, 1841 Prophetic expositions "...Satan andhisangels were busily engaged inlaying snares tounsettle (Refuting Dowling's Reply the faith of the body. He affected the minds of persons who had had an to Miller's Judaism Overthrown.) Nov., 1842 experience inthemessages, and who hadanappearance ofhumility.... Many Ami-Annihilationist (Refutes who hadledinthefirst and second messages nowdenied them, and there was Conditional Immortality.) Dec., 1842 division and confusion throughout the body. Rise & Progress ofAdventism May, 1844 "Isawleading men watching him [William Miller], fearing lest heshould Messiah's Throne & Traces receive thethird angel'smessage and thecommandments ofGod. And ashe ofMillenial Glory 1855 would leantoward thelight from heaven, these men would laysome planto Everlasting Punishment 1859 Prophetic Significance of draw hismind away. Ahuman influence wasexerted tokeep him indarkness Eastern & European andto retain his influence among those who opposed thetruth. Movements 1867 "He leaned to human wisdom instead of divine, butbeing broken with Complete Harmony ofDaniel & the arduous labor inhisMaster's cause and by age, hewasnotasaccountable as Apocalypse, (Repudiates year-day principle.) 1873 those who kept him from thetruth. They are responsible; thesinrests upon them." Early Writings, p. 257. LEST WE FORGET PAGE 7

nn OTTOMAN EMPIRE FROM REVELATION 9 & HISTORY BY JOSIAH LITCH*

---)'16th Trumpet begins> Second "woe" ------;;.,)1 IE Verse 15: Hour-Day-Month-Year prophecy fulfilled. (391 yrs.+15 days) -~~ I --)1449 1451 1453 1582 - Gregorian Calendar 1838 1840 1843 ---~, '--·I~-I- II' ! I r I I I Verse 18: The Ottoman Sul­ Mohammed Ali, Pasha of I tanMehmedll, conquersCon­ Egypt declares independence I stantinople, employing gun­ from Empire and sovereignty I powder, the "fire,' "smoke," over Egypt, Arabia, and Syria. I and "brimstone" that "issued I out oftheir mouths." I With the Empire thus threatened by I the Pasha of Egypt, Turkish Sultan resorts to alliance with Christian na­ Verse 15: "Four angels" are the four tions, England, Russia, Austria, and principal sultanies of Ottoman Em­ Prussia, for power to settle problem. pire. Amurath (one ofthe four) dies and is succeeded by Mehmed II. Based on this inter­ I pretation of Rev. 9, End of150 years, downfall Litch predicts Otto­ of the Greek Empire sig- man Empire will naled when Greek emperor "Fall"August, 1840. John Paleologus died, I Diplomatfrom Sultan gives His successor, Constantine ultimatumto Pasha on Aug. Diacozesrecognizessubser- 11, 1840, threatening war vience to Turkish power by by allies ifPasha does not asking permission of comply with treaty. Proph­ Amurath, the Turkish sul- ecy fulfilled as predicted. tan, to ascend the Greek I throne. (Litch believed the 7th Trumpet and third Turks would lose power in "woe" begin. Projected the same way.) time ofthe end.

THE OTTOMAN SULTAN MEHMED n, 1430-1481

---_ .....~._-_._------PAGE 8 4th Quarter, 1993 LEST WE FORGET IIOLY PQOFE~~ION bp cJdsidk (2itdt* .------.....

HRISTIAN PROFESSOR,-You profess tohave This is an employmentworthy ofthe holy profes­ put on the Lord Jesus Christ: butremem­ sion you have made; and should constitute the great [ill ber, "If any man have not the spirit of and all absorbing business oflife...Thejudgeis even Christ he is none ofhis." Again "Ifany nowatthedoor ,howcontemptible should all worldly man says that he is Christ's, he ought pleasure appear, and how vastly important everlast­ himselfalso so to walk:,even as he walked." And it ing things. is only while we exhibitChrist's spiritthatwe either give to others orhave ourselves a good evidence of being his. UNCONVERTED SINNER, -This is your working day. Whatthenwas the spiritofChrist? Itwas a spirit ... Your sins have separated between you and your oflove toward the wretched and perishing. He left God, and unless removedthey mustruinyou forever. all his glory behind, to humble himself, suffer and Do you ask what you can do? I reply, cease to sin, die for sinners; that they might not perish but have repent and believe on the LORD JESUS CHRlST, andyou everlasting life. And shall we call ourselves Chris­ shall be saved. Do notimagine you will ever be any tians, the disciplesofthis Jesus, while we in fact do better by any process you can pursue, until you notand are not willing to make any sacrifice for the believe in Christ as your Savior, and through his salvation of those for whom the Redeemer died? merits that God can be justand yet be yourjustifier. Have youspokento thatfriendor neighborofyours, Itis the only way to pardon and salvation.... Why, with whom you daily converse in the merest trifles, then,ifsalvationis so importantand the time so short respecting the awful subjects OfHEAYEN••• JUDGMENT in which you may secure it, can you fmd time to and ETERNITY? Have you prayed and wept over that attend to every thing else rather than to this great unconvertedparent, brother, sister, child, oritmay work? "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom ofGod is be, husband or wife? Have you spoken to them of at hand; Repent ye and believe the gospel."e-L. their danger? ·Signs of/he Times, January 1, 1841,p. 1.

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