III. Mature Harmony of Prophecies Developed

A unique development came in 1862 when, in group study, a special Bible class of men and women in the Battle Creek Sabbath school, taught by Uriah Smith, studied the book of Revelation chapter by chapter, coming to united conclusions “on almost every point.” ^{20James White, “Thoughts on Revelation,” Review and Herald, June 3, 1862, p. 4.} They then decided to go through the book again, a chapter a week----James White reporting the results each week through the Review, of which he was still editor. This discussion was started with the issue of June 3—a few verses of the prophecy, followed by comment and explanation. Five succeeding numbers continue with the plan. Then a field trip by White made a break inevitable. In September the series was resumed. But on the trumpets of Revelation 8 and 9 the published Josiah Litch exposition was offered, in lieu of the usual report, as “the best light at present.” ^{21Ibid., Sept. 16, 1862, p. 124.}PFF4 1116.2

Still another field tour made another break. Then White announced, “Bro[ther] Smith has consented to conclude the book [of Revelation], commencing with chapter x.” ^{22James White, Editorial Note, Review and Herald, Oct. 21, 1862, p. 164.} Thus it was that Smith carried on from chapter 10 to 22, with an article each week under the former James White title, “Thoughts on the Revelation.” (The series closed February 3, 1863, pp. 76, 77.) Such was really the beginning of Smith’s widely known exposition of the Apocalypse, first issued in book form in 1867. A similar article series on Daniel in 1870-1871 was followed by the companion volume, Thoughts on Daniel, in 1872. And about 1886-1888 the author made improvements and revisions to the number of thirty. ^{23Letter, W. C. White to F. Harrison, June 26, 1910.}PFF4 1117.1