Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-02-09
Seventh Day Adveutists.


their work may be of interest to the
readers of the HERALD.
Seventh-day Aiventists-a rame sig
nifcant of the two Distinguishing fea
lures of the faith of this people, viz:
The observance of Saturday, the seventh
day as the Sabbath, and belief in the
personal advent OF Christ-have arisen
since the movement known as the
Millerite movement" Of 1744.
Seventh day Adyentists have never
set definite time for the coming of
Christ, belieyidg that the day or time ie
not known, but that all may know by
the tulfliment of prophecy and the signs
of the times when it is near, "eyen at
the DOORS" Their work has been in
some respects phenomenal. They are
not numerous probably less than 10000
in the world; neither are they possessed
of means generally, yet their work has
grown marvelously in all branches.
They have 30 organized state confer
ences, which cover nearly every state
and territory in the Union.
They have also Aourishing conferences
aud missions in England, Norway,
S yedeu, France, Switzerland, Germany,
Italy, Russia, South Africa, Australia,
New Zealand and the Sandwich Islands,
Their organized churches number over
1000, with 300 ministers and about as
many more bible workers and mission
aries, The ministry is supported by
the tithes of the people, which they pay
Systematically into the various confer
ence treasures. The amount of the
tithes and free will offerings of the
denomination last year was over $780,
600. The publishing and educational
branches of their work are especially
successful.
At Battle Creek, Mich, they have the
largest publishing house in the state;
it covers more than three and one-half
acres of floor space, and employs $50
hands, periodicals, etc, issued by this
house alone during last year was over
$4,000.
The largest publishing house on the
coast, the Pscifc Press, of Oakland,
Cal, is owned bethem. They also have
extensive publishing houses and branch
houses in London, New York, Basel,
Switzerland; Christiana, Norway; Cape
Town, South Africa; Melbourne, Aus
tralia; and Tahiti, FIJI Islands. Many
publications are issued in y or 10 diff
ferent languages. A fine missionary
ship. the Pitcairn" is cruising amc ng
the South Sea Islands.
They have eight denominational
schools, the Walla Walla college being
one of the best in the Northwest; others
are located in various parts of the United
States; while there is one in Australia,
another in South Africa, and others are
under contemplation.
The largest sanitarium in the world
is located at Battle Greek, Mich. Be.
tween 500 and 400 trained nurses and
helpers are i'll connection with the iusti-
tuition. Another one is at st. Helena,
Cal; both are under the control of these
people A large hospital and two
'homes," one for orphans, the other for
old people, are established at Battle
Greek, in connection with the sanItarium,
at cost of $4,000.
The principal points Of difference be-
tween them and other denominations are
that they keep the seventh Cay as the
Sabbath, agreeable to the fourth com
mandment of the decalogue. They
believe in the literal, personal coming of
Christ in the clouds of heaven, the
second time, and hold that this event is
nigh at hand; although they make no
claim of being able to set the dav or
hour They also believe in the sleep Of
the dead and in the literal resurrection
Of the righteous at the second advent
They believe that the wicked will be
raised 900 years later, and will then be
burned up and entirely destroy ed; that
this will occur when God shall purify
the earth by fire at the day of Judge
ment
After the earth has been purged from
the curse Of sin, they believe that para
disc will be restored on the earth and |
that TIE righteous will then return and
live here eternaly. In common with
other Christian bodies, they believe in
faith. repentance, conversion, baptism,