I. Interdenominational Prophetic Congress Called by Representative Group

Following the year 1844 there was a rather general collapse of interest in the second advent and in Bible prophecy in general. This characterized practically all Protestant churches. And it came, quite understandably, as a natural reaction to the widespread expectation and subsequent disappointment of the Millerite Adventists, with inevitable effect upon all Protestant groups. In fact, some three decades passed before there was any concerted revival of interest in, or demand for, further widespread discussion of this age-old theme that had gripped afresh the minds of hundreds of thousands in the Old World and New during the third, fourth, and fifth decades of the century.PFF4 1178.2

There were, of course, various individuals and small groups who had never ceased their study of prophecy or their belief in the nearness of the advent. This increased. And when the year 1878 was reached, a unique interdenominational call was issued by a committee of eight prominent clergymen of various faiths. And this invitation was sponsored by an additional 116 “Bishops, Professors, Ministers, and Brethren,” or approximately 125 in all. The call was for a three-day “Prophetic Conference” to be held in the Church of the Holy Trinity (Protestant Episcopal) in New York City, of which Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, Jr., was rector. ^{1Tyng’s father, the Senior, had long been an expositor, as noted in Part 1, chapter 15, and gave the welcoming address to the conference upon its assembly. For his biographical sketch, see Part I, p. 342.} (Picture of conference in action, from contemporary New York Tribune, on p. 1176.) Those interested were asked to meet from October 30 to November 1, to study “the pre-Millennial advent of our Lord Jesus Christ and connected truths, and to participate in such discussions as the topics may suggest.” ^{2“Call for the Conference,” in Premillennial Essays of the Prophetic Conference, Held in the Church of the Holy Trinity (1878), p. 12.}PFF4 1178.3

The interdenominational character-or more accurately the intradenominational aspect-of this call to special study is significant. And the breakdown of the religious affiliation of this large list of signatories to the summons is highly illuminating. There were 33 Presbyterian, 24 Baptist, 10 United Presbyterian, 9 Methodist, 8 Protestant Episcopal, 8 Congregational, 4 Adventist, 2 Dutch Reformed, 2 Reformed, 2 Evangelical, 1 Lutheran, and 1 Independent signatories, just on the roster of the call.PFF4 1179.1

And by categories they divide themselves as follows: 76 pastors, rectors, and ministers, 21 laymen (including John Wana-maker), 7 evangelists (including George F. Pentecost), 4 theological professors (including Dr. John Duffield of Princeton), 2 other educators (including a college president), 2 editors, and 2 bishops-or a total of 114 from 12 denominations. It was a highly creditable group. And of these, only two had been prominent participants in the former Millerite Adventist movement—Dr. Henry Dana Ward and Dr. Josiah Litch, both now of Philadelphia, but having no part in the discussions.PFF4 1179.2

On the authorizing committee were such well-known names as Dr. James H. Brooks, Presbyterian of St. Louis; Dr. A. J. Gordon, Baptist of Boston; Dr. S. H. Tyng, Jr., Episcopalian of New York City; and Bishop W. R. Nicholson, Reformed Episcopalian of Philadelphia. Thirteen papers were presented and three addresses given, with at least one speaker from England. And the addresses were by Protestant Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Reformed Episcopal, United Presbyterian, and Dutch Reformed clergymen. Such was the scope of the active leadership of the conference.PFF4 1179.3