The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-01
THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH.
Seyenth-Day Adventists Have Not the Date
Fixed, but Expect His Appearance Soon.

Rev. William G. Wales, pastor of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church, was seen
by a Journal reporter, yesterday. and asked
regarding the press dispatch stating that
certain religious scots had liked upon the
9th inst. for the coming of the Messiah.
He had not seen the article referred to, but
answered promptly that the Seventh-day
Adventists had no connection whatever
with any sect or individual that pretended
TO fix a certain date for the coming of
Christ. 1--WE oppose all such movements
said he, "for we do not believe there is any
authority for such definite dates. The
Bible declares no man knows the day
or the hour of the Savior's coming, and
that is our position exactly. We believe,
however, He will come soon, as certain signs
are given by which we may determine the
near approach of the event. The Advent
ist movement has arisen in the present
century and the subject has been brought
to the front very prominently in all de-
nominations. While nearly all profess to
believe in the second visible coming of
Christ. we are distinguished from them by
teaching his speedy coming. They have a
kind of latent faith which looks to His
coming at some time, but we expect to see
Him, expect that He will come in the pres
ent generation. We believe the prophecies
are now or are being rapidly fulfilled. and
by these signs we are taught to look for
His early coming. Joseph Cook said in o
recent lecture that one of the seven modern
wonders of the world is the current fulfill
Then the Seventh-day Adventists are
not in any manner believers in the Miller
ties of fifty years agof" suggested the re-
porter.
Not in any sense. Miller was a Baptist
minister. and some three hundred in this
country and seven hundred in England
were associated with him In his teachings
and in his belief that Christ would come in
1874. While we do not indorse Miller's pO-
sition. we believe he was nearer right in
his belief than those who opposed him. He
advocated Christ's coming in 1874, and that
will take place sometime. His opponents
said that instead of Christ's coming, the
world would be converted in 1874, and that
will never occur, for we are told the dark
est period of this world, morally, will be
just before His coming. There were no
Seventh-day Adventists in the time of Mill
er, and while there have since been va
rious dates fixed for the advent of the Mes
slab. Seventh-day Adventists have had no
connection with them, hut nav always de-
nouneed them"
/. I'm what respect, then, do You differ in
belief from other Christian denominationsf"
In nothing save the advent of the
Savior, as / have already stated. We are
Baptists in the distinctive doctrine of
immersion, and Methodistsi in the distinctive
doctrine of free grace. In these things we
agree, and we differ only IN the time when
the Messiah shall come
In speaking of his work in this city, Mr..
Wales said he is the first regular pastor of
the church now under his charge; that he
has sustained the relation for some nine
months, and during this time the member
ship has increased from nineteen to forty.
the regular attendance upon the services
being about seventy-hve. The congrega-
ton has a commodious house of worship on
Central avenue. and is apparently in a
prosperous condition.
The annual camp-meeting will be held at
Kokomo next week, and all the churches in
the State will be represented.