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Page 23
Response: Criticism accepted, and wording changed to harmonize with the precision of demonstrable facts and authentic records.
1888 book read: "When France publicly prohibited the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired," et cetera.
1911 edition reads: On page 286: "When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired,--" et cetera.
C. C. Crisler's General Observation on the Chapter, "The Bible and the French Revolution:"[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] (Discussed in points 56 to 63.)
In all this historical work, we are eager to have the MSS that may be submitted, given the most searching tests. We need never be afraid of historical truth. However, we would do well to avoid accepting the conclusions of some of the more modern historians who are attempting to rewrite history so as to shape it up in harmony with their philosophical viewpoint. We find it necessary to exercise constant vigilance in this respect; and this leads us to set considerable store by the original sources, or fountain heads of history. . . .
The more closely we examine the use of historical extracts in Controversy, and the historical extracts themselves, the more profoundly are we impressed with the fact that Sister White had special guidance in tracing the story from the time of the Destruction of Jerusalem, down through the centuries until the End. No mortal man could have done the work that she has done in shaping up some of these chapters, including, we believe, the chapter on the French Revolution, which is a very remarkable chapter, in more ways than one.
And the more we go into these matters, the more profound is our conviction that the Lord has helped not only Sister White in the presentation of truth, but that He has overruled in the work of other writers, to the praise of His name and the advancement of present truth. Our brethren in years past have used many quotations, and as a general rule, the Lord surely must have helped them to avoid making use of many extracts that would have led them astray.
Page 24
Of course there is still a great deal of room for improvement, even in a book like Elder U. Smith's Daniel and Revelation. But not so much needs to be done, as might have had to be done if the Lord had not given special help to these various writers.--C. C. Crisler to Guy Dail, January 3, 1911.
64. Page 288: The statement that Adoniram Judson was sent as a missionary to Burma under the auspices of the American Board of Foreign Missions, does not seem warranted, as I understand the facts. Judson sailed under the auspices of the American Board, but on the voyage changed his views on baptism, and became a representative of the Baptists. His going to Burma was not a direct design on the part of anyone. On account of trouble which he got into in India, he was obliged to leave the country suddenly, and, going to the harbor, sought to find some ship sailing to any other country. Finding one going to Burma, he took passage. It would not seem that he was sent to Burma by anyone, but that he merely went there to get away from India.
Response: Criticism accepted, and the two sentences ealing with Carey and Judson were deleted to avoid what seemed to be a technical error and then a one-page Appendix note was prepared reviewing the point of a surge in mission advance. Ellen White had introduced in her 1888 book only a quick survey naming two men illustrating the point made. The Appendix note gave opportunity to elaborate.
1888 book, on pages 287 and 288, read: "The devoted Carey, who in 1793 became the first English missionary to India, kindled anew the flame of missionary effort in England. In America, twenty years later, the zeal of a society of students, among whom was Adoniram Judson, resulted in the formation of the American Board of Foreign Missions, under whose auspices Judson went as a missionary from the United States to Burmah. From this time the work of foreign missions attained an unprecedented growth."
The 1911 edition reads: "From this time the work of foreign missions attained an unprecedented growth. (See Appendix.) "
65. Page 292: Of the Pilgrim fathers it is stated: "The freedom which they sacrificed so much to secure for themselves, they were not equally ready to grant to others."
But on page 441, it says: "The Christian exiles who first fled to America, sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, and they determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty.
Response: Criticism considered, and no change was made on page 292. A word was added on page 441, modifying the statement.
1888 book, (page 441) read: "The Christian exiles who first fled
Page 25
to America, sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, and they determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty."
1911 edition reads, with the addition of the word "Among:" "Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America, and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty."
66. Page 306: It is here again stated that the 1260 years terminated in 1798. And the express "In those days," found in the text, "In those days, after the tribulation," is made to refer to the 1260 days. On this basis the statement is made: "Between these two dates [1773-1798] according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened."
This interpretation involves the necessity of explaining why all the other signs mentioned in Matthew 24 come outside this period, and this is a difficult matter to establish satisfactorily. It seems to me a much more consistent interpretation of this passage to regard the expression "In those days, after that tribulation," to refer to the indefinite period beginning with the close of the period of tribulation and extending to the time of the second advent, thus taking in all those events mentioned in Matthew 24: 29, 30.
Response: Criticism considered and the phrase: "following this persecution" was substituted for "Between these two dates."
1888 book read: "Between these two dates, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled."
1911 edition wording reads: "Following this persecution, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled."
67. Page 304: A quotation is here credited to "Herschel the astronomer." I have spent some time in running down this quotation, and find no basis upon which it can be stated that these words were uttered by Herschel, the astronomer. On the contrary, there is good ground for inferring that he never did make such an expression. This statement is here quoted as found in a book entitled Our First Century, by R. M. Devens, being used as a sort of "text" at the beginning of his article on the "Dark Day," where it is attributed simply to "Herschel." No one seems to know who this "Herschel" is, although it has been suggested that it was Dr. Herschel, a converted Jew, who believed in the near coming of Christ, and preached on this subject in this country in 1845.
Response: Criticism accepted, and the point of issue was cared for by the
Page 26
deletion of reference to Herschel the astronomer, and the substitution of another quotation describing the dark day.
68. Page 325: In connecting the prophecy of Daniel 9 with that of Daniel 8, it is said: "There was only one point in the vision of chapter eight which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time."
It seems to me, however, that there are several points in the vision of Daniel 8 which were not explained by the angel, as recorded in that chapter; namely the daily, the transgression of the desolation, the sanctuary and the time period.
Response: Criticism accepted, and wording changed to read, "one important point."
1888 book read: "There was only one point in the vision of chapter eight which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time,--the period of the 2300 days."
1911 edition: "There was one important point in the vision of chapter eight which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time,--the period of the 2300 days."
69. Page 326: Of the decree releasing the Jews from Babylon, it is said: "In its completest form it was issued by Artaxerxes," et cetera. Does not Ezra 6:14 regard the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes as really one decree, all of which went to make up the full decree?
Response : Negative, no change made.
70. Page 327: In dealing with the decree of Artaxerxes, it is stated that it went into effect in the autumn of B.C. 457."
On the basis of this interpretation the 483 years are made to extend to the autumn of A.D. 27, when, it is stated on the same page, that: "Christ was baptized by John."
Further interpreting "the midst of the week" to mean the middle of the week, it is stated, on the same page, that: "In A. D. 31, three and a half years after His baptism, our Lord was crucified."
The same method of beginning the 2300 days in the autumn of B. C. 457 is used in the argument on pages 398, 400, and 410; and the time of the baptism is definitely fixed as the autumn of A. D. 27, and the crucifixion as the spring of A.D. 31. No proof is given, except the claim that the 2300 years commenced in the autumn of B.C. 457. But the Scripture statement is very plain; it says: "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks," et cetera.
It is very difficult for me to see how the expression "From the going forth of the commandment," can be made to mean from the time that Ezra commenced to build the city, at least six months after the
Page 27
commandment went forth.
Furthermore, in my investigation of this subject, I find much good argument for placing the baptism in 27, either the spring or the summer of 27; and for placing the crucifixion either in A.D. 29 or 30; but I find no authority for making it as late as 31, except the marginal chronology of the Authorized Version of the Bible, which is Usher's chronology. This chronology has been accepted by our writers to establish the baptism in A.D. 27, but has been rejected so far as it relates to the crucifixion, which is placed by it in A.D. 33.
It seems to me abundantly evident from the Scripture and history that the 2300 days commenced in the spring of B.C. 457; that the baptism was not later than the early part of A.D. 27; that the crucifixion was not later than the early part of A.D. 30; and that the 2300 days must end in the spring of 1844. This interpretation appears to me to be in harmony both with Scripture and history.
And this was the original interpretation of William Miller, as stated on page 328: "Miller and his associates at first believed that the 2300 days would terminate in the spring of 1844 whereas the prophecy points to the autumn of that year."
I am unable to see that the prophecy does point to the autumn of that year. The diagram inserted between pages 328 and 329 places the crucifixion in A.D. 31, the setting up of the papacy in 538, the ending of the 1260 years in 1798, and the ending of the 2300 years in the autumn of 1844."
Response: Negative. No change made in the text.
Observation: W. C. White in describing Ellen White's work and its relation to the visions declared: "The framework of the great temple of truth sustained by her writings was presented to her clearly in vision. In some features of this work, information was given in detail. Regarding some features of the revelation, such as the features of prophetic chronology, as regards the ministration in the sanctuary and the changes that took place in 1844, the matter was presented to her many times and in detail many times, and this enabled her to speak clearly and very positively regarding the foundation pillars of our faith."--W. C. White to L. E. Froom, January 8, 1928 (Published in 3SM 462).
71. Page 334: A quotation given in the first paragraph is credited to Henry Dana Ward. I have looked up the original article from which this quotation is taken, as found in the NEW YORK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, of November 14, 1833, and find a long article to which no name is appended, and it appears that Henry Dana Ward was not one of the editors of the paper. If he wrote this article, there is no proof of it in the paper itself.
Response: Criticism accepted, and text changed to delete the name. The quotation retained.
Response: Criticism accepted, and wording changed to harmonize with the precision of demonstrable facts and authentic records.
1888 book read: "When France publicly prohibited the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired," et cetera.
1911 edition reads: On page 286: "When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired,--" et cetera.
C. C. Crisler's General Observation on the Chapter, "The Bible and the French Revolution:"[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] (Discussed in points 56 to 63.)
In all this historical work, we are eager to have the MSS that may be submitted, given the most searching tests. We need never be afraid of historical truth. However, we would do well to avoid accepting the conclusions of some of the more modern historians who are attempting to rewrite history so as to shape it up in harmony with their philosophical viewpoint. We find it necessary to exercise constant vigilance in this respect; and this leads us to set considerable store by the original sources, or fountain heads of history. . . .
The more closely we examine the use of historical extracts in Controversy, and the historical extracts themselves, the more profoundly are we impressed with the fact that Sister White had special guidance in tracing the story from the time of the Destruction of Jerusalem, down through the centuries until the End. No mortal man could have done the work that she has done in shaping up some of these chapters, including, we believe, the chapter on the French Revolution, which is a very remarkable chapter, in more ways than one.
And the more we go into these matters, the more profound is our conviction that the Lord has helped not only Sister White in the presentation of truth, but that He has overruled in the work of other writers, to the praise of His name and the advancement of present truth. Our brethren in years past have used many quotations, and as a general rule, the Lord surely must have helped them to avoid making use of many extracts that would have led them astray.
Of course there is still a great deal of room for improvement, even in a book like Elder U. Smith's Daniel and Revelation. But not so much needs to be done, as might have had to be done if the Lord had not given special help to these various writers.--C. C. Crisler to Guy Dail, January 3, 1911.
64. Page 288: The statement that Adoniram Judson was sent as a missionary to Burma under the auspices of the American Board of Foreign Missions, does not seem warranted, as I understand the facts. Judson sailed under the auspices of the American Board, but on the voyage changed his views on baptism, and became a representative of the Baptists. His going to Burma was not a direct design on the part of anyone. On account of trouble which he got into in India, he was obliged to leave the country suddenly, and, going to the harbor, sought to find some ship sailing to any other country. Finding one going to Burma, he took passage. It would not seem that he was sent to Burma by anyone, but that he merely went there to get away from India.
Response: Criticism accepted, and the two sentences ealing with Carey and Judson were deleted to avoid what seemed to be a technical error and then a one-page Appendix note was prepared reviewing the point of a surge in mission advance. Ellen White had introduced in her 1888 book only a quick survey naming two men illustrating the point made. The Appendix note gave opportunity to elaborate.
1888 book, on pages 287 and 288, read: "The devoted Carey, who in 1793 became the first English missionary to India, kindled anew the flame of missionary effort in England. In America, twenty years later, the zeal of a society of students, among whom was Adoniram Judson, resulted in the formation of the American Board of Foreign Missions, under whose auspices Judson went as a missionary from the United States to Burmah. From this time the work of foreign missions attained an unprecedented growth."
The 1911 edition reads: "From this time the work of foreign missions attained an unprecedented growth. (See Appendix.) "
65. Page 292: Of the Pilgrim fathers it is stated: "The freedom which they sacrificed so much to secure for themselves, they were not equally ready to grant to others."
But on page 441, it says: "The Christian exiles who first fled to America, sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, and they determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty.
Response: Criticism considered, and no change was made on page 292. A word was added on page 441, modifying the statement.
1888 book, (page 441) read: "The Christian exiles who first fled
to America, sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, and they determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty."
1911 edition reads, with the addition of the word "Among:" "Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America, and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty."
66. Page 306: It is here again stated that the 1260 years terminated in 1798. And the express "In those days," found in the text, "In those days, after the tribulation," is made to refer to the 1260 days. On this basis the statement is made: "Between these two dates [1773-1798] according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened."
This interpretation involves the necessity of explaining why all the other signs mentioned in Matthew 24 come outside this period, and this is a difficult matter to establish satisfactorily. It seems to me a much more consistent interpretation of this passage to regard the expression "In those days, after that tribulation," to refer to the indefinite period beginning with the close of the period of tribulation and extending to the time of the second advent, thus taking in all those events mentioned in Matthew 24: 29, 30.
Response: Criticism considered and the phrase: "following this persecution" was substituted for "Between these two dates."
1888 book read: "Between these two dates, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled."
1911 edition wording reads: "Following this persecution, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled."
67. Page 304: A quotation is here credited to "Herschel the astronomer." I have spent some time in running down this quotation, and find no basis upon which it can be stated that these words were uttered by Herschel, the astronomer. On the contrary, there is good ground for inferring that he never did make such an expression. This statement is here quoted as found in a book entitled Our First Century, by R. M. Devens, being used as a sort of "text" at the beginning of his article on the "Dark Day," where it is attributed simply to "Herschel." No one seems to know who this "Herschel" is, although it has been suggested that it was Dr. Herschel, a converted Jew, who believed in the near coming of Christ, and preached on this subject in this country in 1845.
Response: Criticism accepted, and the point of issue was cared for by the
deletion of reference to Herschel the astronomer, and the substitution of another quotation describing the dark day.
68. Page 325: In connecting the prophecy of Daniel 9 with that of Daniel 8, it is said: "There was only one point in the vision of chapter eight which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time."
It seems to me, however, that there are several points in the vision of Daniel 8 which were not explained by the angel, as recorded in that chapter; namely the daily, the transgression of the desolation, the sanctuary and the time period.
Response: Criticism accepted, and wording changed to read, "one important point."
1888 book read: "There was only one point in the vision of chapter eight which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time,--the period of the 2300 days."
1911 edition: "There was one important point in the vision of chapter eight which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time,--the period of the 2300 days."
69. Page 326: Of the decree releasing the Jews from Babylon, it is said: "In its completest form it was issued by Artaxerxes," et cetera. Does not Ezra 6:14 regard the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes as really one decree, all of which went to make up the full decree?
Response : Negative, no change made.
70. Page 327: In dealing with the decree of Artaxerxes, it is stated that it went into effect in the autumn of B.C. 457."
On the basis of this interpretation the 483 years are made to extend to the autumn of A.D. 27, when, it is stated on the same page, that: "Christ was baptized by John."
Further interpreting "the midst of the week" to mean the middle of the week, it is stated, on the same page, that: "In A. D. 31, three and a half years after His baptism, our Lord was crucified."
The same method of beginning the 2300 days in the autumn of B. C. 457 is used in the argument on pages 398, 400, and 410; and the time of the baptism is definitely fixed as the autumn of A. D. 27, and the crucifixion as the spring of A.D. 31. No proof is given, except the claim that the 2300 years commenced in the autumn of B.C. 457. But the Scripture statement is very plain; it says: "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks," et cetera.
It is very difficult for me to see how the expression "From the going forth of the commandment," can be made to mean from the time that Ezra commenced to build the city, at least six months after the
commandment went forth.
Furthermore, in my investigation of this subject, I find much good argument for placing the baptism in 27, either the spring or the summer of 27; and for placing the crucifixion either in A.D. 29 or 30; but I find no authority for making it as late as 31, except the marginal chronology of the Authorized Version of the Bible, which is Usher's chronology. This chronology has been accepted by our writers to establish the baptism in A.D. 27, but has been rejected so far as it relates to the crucifixion, which is placed by it in A.D. 33.
It seems to me abundantly evident from the Scripture and history that the 2300 days commenced in the spring of B.C. 457; that the baptism was not later than the early part of A.D. 27; that the crucifixion was not later than the early part of A.D. 30; and that the 2300 days must end in the spring of 1844. This interpretation appears to me to be in harmony both with Scripture and history.
And this was the original interpretation of William Miller, as stated on page 328: "Miller and his associates at first believed that the 2300 days would terminate in the spring of 1844 whereas the prophecy points to the autumn of that year."
I am unable to see that the prophecy does point to the autumn of that year. The diagram inserted between pages 328 and 329 places the crucifixion in A.D. 31, the setting up of the papacy in 538, the ending of the 1260 years in 1798, and the ending of the 2300 years in the autumn of 1844."
Response: Negative. No change made in the text.
Observation: W. C. White in describing Ellen White's work and its relation to the visions declared: "The framework of the great temple of truth sustained by her writings was presented to her clearly in vision. In some features of this work, information was given in detail. Regarding some features of the revelation, such as the features of prophetic chronology, as regards the ministration in the sanctuary and the changes that took place in 1844, the matter was presented to her many times and in detail many times, and this enabled her to speak clearly and very positively regarding the foundation pillars of our faith."--W. C. White to L. E. Froom, January 8, 1928 (Published in 3SM 462).
71. Page 334: A quotation given in the first paragraph is credited to Henry Dana Ward. I have looked up the original article from which this quotation is taken, as found in the NEW YORK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, of November 14, 1833, and find a long article to which no name is appended, and it appears that Henry Dana Ward was not one of the editors of the paper. If he wrote this article, there is no proof of it in the paper itself.
Response: Criticism accepted, and text changed to delete the name. The quotation retained.
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