The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-09
Their Prophecies Says End Of
World Is Drawing Near.
MRS. WHITE MAY FIX DATE.
Great CsnfsTsnes at Battle Creek, Mlch., 10
b Attended BY Delegates FrSm
All Over the Woht.
Is the world coming to an end in this.

the first year Of the twentieth century?
That is the question that hundreds OF
Adventists are asking with more or less
fear and trembling. for even the most
pious has an awe of the day when the
earth shall cease to exist
Mrs. Ellen White, the famous prophet
ess- OF -ths-Ssct, announces that the sec
ond coming of Christ is near at hand
Thus far she has not been explicit con-
cerning the exact time. but she declares
that the hour is not far Off
This statement adds a peculiar interest
To the biennial meeting OF the General
conference. which will convene I'm Battle
Creek. Mich, April 2, and close April *.
Is Il the last assembling of the dele
gates? Many OF the Adventists believe
that before the date of the next con-
ference the last Judgment shall have
come. For this reason special prepara-
tions are being made and this general
conference VIII he the most important
ever held by the people who give liter
al Interpretation TO the prophecies OF the
Bible
II is estimated that there are more than
'o,Wo Adventists I'm the world. OF this
number 5000 are in the United States
while Chicago is the home of about 500
All these persons will watch with breath
less interest the meeting at Battle Creek,
the headquarters OF the faith Mrs
White, who has been I'm Australia for
many years. has reached America, and
is now on her way 10 Battle Creek
What she viii have To tell the conven-
tion will be OF great moment She has
recommended that much OF the time al
lotted TO the conference. which will be in
session from April 10 April %. be spent
In earnest prayer.
DELEGATES ON LIE WAY.
Many OF the countries OF the world will
be represented at the convention which
viii have about 25o members. Delegates
from Europe, Asia, Australia, South
America. and the islands OF the Pacific
are now on their way To Battle Creek
and II is expected that in addition 10
these more than 1000 Adventists will at
tend the sessions and watch the delibcra-
tions OF the body.
The conference will sit In the taber-
nacle. the largest church I'm Michigan,
which is being remodeled and newly dec
GRATED for the occasion.
To accomoda To the many visitors rooms
have been reserved at the sanitarium,
which WAS founded forty years ago by
Elder and Mrs. White. the hotels, aud
many private houses. The large gymna-
sium OF the Battle Greek college will be
u
Although the Adventists believe that all
their temporal possessions may be wiped
out at any time. the conference will de-
vote certain sessions TO the transa ctions |
OF business Connected with the numerous |
conducted by the sect
In addition To the prosperous institution !
at Battle Greek there are others at the 1
following places: Chicago. III. College 1
View, Neb.; Boulder Colo. Portland |
Ore: Basel, Switzerand Guadalsjara. /
Mexico. Cape Town. South Africa: Sa- |
moa: sydney. South Australia; Honolulu, !
Hawaii; Buluwayo, Zambesia; Heads |
burg, Cal; Skodsburg, Denmark, and /
staten Island, New York. Many smaller
have been established I'm va /
rious parts of the world with all 4
The vast interests of these numer-
Gus in stitutiops at stake, IL is neces-
sary 10 devote many hours 10 the CON
OF worldly affairs. and yet the
main feature OF the conference will be the |
NOtional exercises.
All the best speakers of the sect will |
be present, among them Captain Joseph
Bates who enjoys the honor OF having
started the first teetotal society IN the
'uitcd States.
lfut after all. IL Will me Mrs. White who
will stir the vast assemhlage. for since
2il, when the followers OF William Miller
waited in their white robes for .Le second
coming of Christ, such general interest
md enthusiasm has not been manifested
among adventists
THE Scriptures contain prophecies
rom which can be computed the exact
late OF the end OF the world" declares
Yrs. White "If we read the words or
Daniel Alright, we shall know when the
Lord will come"
II IL all In the Interpretation OF the
prophecies. The wrong reading OF the
ag.lr faf Nam Il l,l
n 1874.
MILLERITEs' STRANGE VIGIL.
William Miller was a Baptist preacher
Who studied the prophecies with unrc-
hitting zeal lie was a man of limited ed
lcation, but he was learned I'm the Bible.
nd when. In 1883. he began TO lecture on
he fuiillmcnt of the prophecies, he at
raCted Wide notice.
Founding his estimates Of time on the
'ook OF Daniel. Miller first set the date
# the second coming i'm October, 1872.
.ater this was changed TO October. 1894.
n his eleven years OF evangelical work |
iiller had gained hundreds OF followers.
He preached the approach OF the iudg- |
lent day with such fervid faith that the |
rhole country took superstitious inter
st in the possible fulhllment of his pre-
ictions. In various states the Adven-
lists rallied around thir elders when the |
81 day OF October. 1884. arrived
clad In long flowing white robes. the
sang and prayed from sunrise
o sunset, waiting in solemn awe for the |
wfll day of judgment. As the time
assed without bringing about any super
aturew phenomena, those wcake.. In the
nth seeded but the enthusiasts
'atched FOR weeks with unfagginE zeal.
The white robes became soiled and
lany Of those who remained loyal 20 MIL
r until he had To acknowledge that he
al made n mistake. became wearied
nd sick from the anxiety and suspense
I their long vigil.
Again, IN iM7. some OF the Adventists
atchcd for the end of the world. Dis
ppointmcnt did not diminish the hope
lat the second coming was at hand
In the tenth chapter 80 Hebrew they
scoNered "a refereDce to- disappOint-
ient and took new courage u lS4S
81. aud ls6l the second coming was pre-
cted. but 40 forecast after thst Df 1S44 [
,ok general hold or the sect
Since the early COS there have been
mcrous isolated Instances IN which tho
blowers of an overconiid-uf elder have
'licved that they he'd solved the riddle
ven bN Daniel