Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-06
The Prophetic Conference.

An unexpected degree of popular interest
being manifested in the pre-millennial
convention which held its sessions in New
York city during three days of last week
4 number of prominent gentlemen, clergy
men and laymen, representing all the vari-
Gus denominations, came together to listen
TO a series of papers on the pre-milennial
advent of Jesus Christ and such discus
sions as the topics might suggest. The
precise aim which the conference had III
view, was tersely stated by DR.. Gordon,
who, after reading the call under which
those present had assembled, remarked
>" the object is not controversy or to make
issues, but to set forth the truth and COM
mend it to those who do not believe it,"
All Christians OF whatever name believe
in "the coming of the Lord But when
they are inquired of as to what they mean
by his coming; when they are asked to give
an account of his second appearance, as
they understand it is to be, they divide into
anumber of classes. Rev. Stephen H. Tying,
Jr., one of the most prominent of the pre-
millennialists, aud who presented the initial
paper at the opening, on "Christ's Coming:
viii it be personal and visible ?" recog-
nizes five distinct sets of opponents of hi
way of thinking. 1t is held by some, as he
stated in the paper referred to, that the com
ing of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pente
cost is the fulflment Of the Lords promise
to return. Other expositors hold that the
prediction referred to the fall of JERUSALEM.
A third theory resolves many passages of
the Elistles into what is styled a spiritual
coming and presence A fourth holds
that the progress of the gospel and
church is meant, and fifth identifies
the prediction with the death of believers.
The e-milennialists antagonize all these
phases of belief, holding that Christ's COM
ing is to be personal and visible, and that
it is not to be postponed until the worlds
conversion and thousand years after that
consupmation. They argue that every de-
tail of literally interpreted prophecy sup
poses the Lords presence in his gloriied
humanity made perceptible to the sense OF
sight Their opponents say that one thou
sand years of peace should prevail before
the Lords coming, and that therefore the
coming cannot be expected for at least one
thousand years hence but are met by the
reply that such state of peace and CONVEX
sion is not necessary or implied until after
the advent Of the Lord on earth-that the
Scriptures nowhere hold that the CONVEX
sion of the world is an antecedent necessity
to his coming. Even as the Lords resur
rection was visibly demonstrated, so will his
coming be again. The appearance, because
personal, must be visible.
The list of subjects presented covered {
wide field, and the outcome of the con
ference must be greater degree of harmon.
as to the details OF great event in respec
to the occurrence of which substantial
uniformity has long prevailed.
Among the papers presented, aside from
that Of DR.. Tying, was one by Rev. DIR. Ke
logg Professor of Theology in the Presby
terian Seminary at Allegheny, on "Christ'
, Coming: is it Pre.millennial 7" The Rev
/, DR.. Gordon of the Baptist church, on " Tn
First Resurrection !" the Rev. DR.. Macka
on "The Rapture of the Church = the Rev
t DR.. Duffield, Princeton professor, on Tn
/ Times of the Gentiles !" Professor Lumm
; a Methodist, on "The Kingdom and tn
I Church; !" the subject chosen by the Rev. |
. NJ Parsons, of Buffalo, was The Preset
0 Age and Development of Anti.Christ
n that Of Bishop Nicholson was "The Gatl
e ering of Israeli" the Rev. DR.. Cooper,
e Professor of Presbyterian Theology, told {
i "The Judgment of Judgments the Re
e DIR. West, Presbyterian, gave History
the Doctrine of the Pre-millennial Comir
II of Christi" the Rev. DIR. Brookes, who
n the author of book on Pre-MillennianisI
IS spoke of " The Coming OF the Lord in
IS Relation to Christian Doctrine !" and Il
d Rev. DIR. Clarke of the Dutch Reform
al church, treated of "That Blessed Hope"