“‘REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE CONFERENCE.
“‘Your committee, appointed for the purpose of taking into consideration the great principles upon which we can unite and act in advancing the cause of truth, for the edification of the body of Christ, the salvation of souls, and the preparation of man for the near advent of the Saviour, submit the following report:—
“‘In view of the many conflicting opinions, unscriptural views, leading to unseemly practices, and the sad divisions which have been thereby caused by some professing to be Adventists, we deem it incumbent on us to declare to the world our belief that the Scriptures teach, among others, the following
“‘IMPORTANT TRUTHS.
“‘1. That the heavens and earth which are now, by the word of God, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. That the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up. That the Lord will create new heavens and a new earth, wherein righteousness—that is, the righteous—will forever dwell.[30] And that the kingdom and the dominion under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.[31]
“‘2. That there are but two advents or appearings of the Saviour to this earth.[32] That both are personal and visible.[33] That the first took place in the days of Herod,[34] when he was conceived of the Holy Ghost,[35] born of the Virgin Mary,[36] went about doing good,[37] suffered on the cross, the just for the unjust,[38] died,[39] was buried,[40] arose again the third day, the first-fruits of them that slept,[41] and ascended into the heavens,[42] which must receive him until the times of the restitution of all things, spoken of by the mouth of all the holy prophets.[43] That the second coming or appearing will take place when he shall descend from Heaven, at the sounding of the last trump, to give his people rest,[44] being revealed from heaven in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel.[45] And that he will judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and kingdom.[46]
“‘3. That the second coming or appearing is indicated to be now emphatically nigh, even at the doors,[47] by the chronology of the prophetic periods,[48] the fulfillment of prophecy,[49] and the signs of the times.[50] And that this truth should be preached both to saints and sinners, that the first may rejoice, knowing their redemption draweth nigh,[51] and the last be warned to flee from the wrath to come,[52] before the Master of the house shall rise up and shut to the door.[53]
“‘4. That the condition of salvation is repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.[54] And that those who have repentance and faith will live soberly, and righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.[55]
“‘5. That there will be a resurrection of the bodies of all the dead,[56] both of the just and the unjust.[57] That those who are Christ’s will be raised at his coming.[58] That the rest of the dead will not live again until after a thousand years.[59] And that the saints shall not all sleep, but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump.[60]
“‘6. That the only millennium taught in the word of God is the thousand years which are to intervene between the first resurrection and that of the rest of the dead, as inculcated in the 20th of Revelation.[61] And that the various portions of scripture which refer to the millennial state are to have their fulfillment after the resurrection of all the saints who sleep in Jesus.[62]