566
The Great Controversy 1888
1844. And to this day the computation of the prophetic periods placing
the close of the 2300 days in the autumn of 1844, stands without
impeachment.
Note 4. Page 373—The story that the adventists made robes with
which to ascend “to meet the Lord in the air,” was invented by those
who wished to reproach the cause. It was circulated so industriously
that many believed it; but careful inquiry proved its falsity. For many
years a large reward has been offered for proof that one such instance
ever occurred; but the proof has not been produced. None who loved
the appearing of the saviour were so ignorant of the teachings of the
scriptures as to suppose that robes which they could make would
be necessary for that occasion. The only robe which the saints will
need to meet the Lord will be that of the righteousness of Christ. See
Revelation 19:8
.
Note 5. Page 374—Dr. Geo. Bush, professor of Hebrew and Ori-
ental Literature in the New York City University, in a letter addressed
to Mr. Miller, and published in the Advent Herald for March, 1844,
made some very important admissions relative to his calculations of
the prophetic times. Mr. Bush says:—
“Neither is it to be objected, as I conceive, to yourself or your
friends, that you have devoted much time and attention to the study of
the chronology of prophecy, and have labored much to determine the
commencing and closing dates of its great periods. If these periods
are actually given by the Holy Ghost in the prophetic books, it was
doubtless with the design that they should be studied, and probably, in
the end, fully understood; and no man is to be charged with presump-
tuous folly who reverently makes the attempt to do this.... In taking a
day as the prophetical term for a year, I believe you are sustained by
the soundest exegesis, as well as fortified by the high names of Mede,
Sir Isaac Newton, Bishop Newton, Kirby, Scott, Keith, and a host of
others, who have long since come to substantially your conclusions on
this head. They all agree that the leading periods mentioned by Daniel
and John do actually expire about this age of the world, and it would
be a strange logic that would convict you of heresy for holding in
effect the same views which stand forth so prominently in the notices
of these eminent divines.” “Your results in this field of inquiry do not
strike me as so far out of the way as to affect any of the great interests
of truth and duty.” “Your error, as I apprehend, lies in another direction