East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-09-07

Every Sunday afternoon for seven
years (says the Portland Telegram)
little group of people who believe
that Christ is on earth and the mil
lennium is at hand, have gathered in
a room at Second and Morrison
streets, where they quietly and unos-
tentatiously worship and return
thanks for the light they believe has
been granted them to see what to
others is dark. students of the Mil
lennial Dawn" they style themselves,
and in the year 1914 they believe great
things will happen.
According to their belief, Christ re-
turned on his second and permanent
visit to this earth in 1874, and al
though he is now here, has not made
himself known save to those who
know him in spirit. They must ac-
cept his presence now as matter of
faith. These he is engaged in gather
ing to him, and te Students of the
Millennial Dawn are the chosen ones.
From 1874 to 1914 is 40 years, cor
responding to the period of Christ's
first visit. The year 1914, they say,
will also mark the 6000th anniversary
of the fall of man from grace. cul-
minating in his expulsion from the
Garden of Eden.
In 1914 Christ will proclaim him.
self; the Millennial Dawn students
believe period of 1000 years will en-
sue, during which man will be on
probation. Good will finally over
come and conquer evil, resulting in
the uplifting Of man to his original
place in the eyes of God.
Between this and 1914 a great up
hcaval will take place among the ma
tions of the globe. The climax will
come when all institutions and gov
ernments will fall and be crushed out
OF existence. Anarchy will rule the
land, and for awhile terrible deeds
will be committed. With the pro-
claiming of Christ, however, these
will gradually give way to an era of
good, in which evil, although present,
will be in the minority, and the devil
will be held in subsection for 1000
years to give good the upper hand.
The students say the present upris-
ings and upheavals in Russia are but
part of the general order of events
as prophecied in the Bible, as is the
warfare against graft. New govern
ments and institutions founded on the
principle of good will take the place
of those that perish by anarchy. The
pastor, c. I. Russell, of Allegheny.
Pa, saws he prophesied that the Rus
sian troubles would take place.
The hopes and religion Of the Mil
lennial Dawn Students are founded on
passages in the Bible, where, accord
ing to their Interpretation, the COM
ing of Christ is heralded. In the
scriptures, it is found that the Jews
were in power for 1S45 years, while.
the Gentiles were promised similar
time. Adding the 90 years Of christs
me oefore his ministry (allowing for
a discrepancy OF one year between the
actual and reckoned times of his
BIRTH, to 1S45 years, gives 1874.
The golden age of scripture and
probation. The sons of men will
know naught but good. During the
thousand years, the sitting OF the
tares from the wheat will go on, and
the followers of Christ will be sep
arated from the others. This will
not be a sudden change. however;
the good and the had will be allowed
to grow together, drawing their nour-
ishment from the same soil.
In the religion of the Millennlal
Dawn hell is represented to be death.
Four words in the scriptures, which
in the versions of today are translated
as hell, mean death in the Hebrew
and Greek. All persons undergo their
hell only when they die, and those
who are resurrected are the ones who
are redeemed. In 1914 there will be
partial resurrection of those who
have been the most loyal supporters
Of the Lord, but the resurrection of
the masses will not take place till
the period of 1000 years have elapsed.
The religion of the Millennial Dawn
Is a broad one, and does not teach that
will be saved, but rather that they
will be saved first and will become
angels Of the Lord. Hope is held out
for every mortal on earth. In the
final resurrection, the Jews will once
more occupy their place at Jerusalem.
The services of the Millennial
Dawn Students consist of song praises
and prayer, testimonials and the in
depreciation of text. All members
are supposed to be called by the Di-
vine Spirit.
There Is no leader of the flock in
Portland, but different members take
turns in conducting the services. The
number of those who hold the faith
Is small, but the students believe that
though many shall be called. few
shall be chosen"
Elliott EnIarQin0