A  new  edition  of  his  Observations  on  the  Prophecies  of  Daniel,
was  edited  by  P.  Borthwick,  Esquire,  of  Downing  College,
Cambridge,  and  was  published  in  London,  in  1831,  the
very  year  that  William  Miller  began  prophetic  lecturing
in  this  country.  This  edition  was  dedicated  by  its  editor
to  Henry  Drummond,  Esquire,  of  Albury  Park,  in  whose
mansion  the  first  Prophetic  Conference,  the  notable  gath-
ering of  1826,  was  held.  Here  also,  William  Whiston,
M.A.,  the  learned  Bengel,  and  Dr.  Gill  should  be  men-
tioned, but  we  pass  to  speak  a  word  of

5.  The  sainted  Wesleys,  John  (1703-1791)  and  Charles
(1708-1788).  It  is  a  matter  of  abundant  record  in  ser-
mons. Scripture  comments,  and  hymns  that  these  men,
justly  famous  in  Christian  work  and  history,  were  ardent
believers  in  the  prfemillennial  coming  of  Christ  and  His
glorious  reign  on  earth.  Charles  sang  it  in  many  strong,
sweet  hymns,  and  John  preached  it  earnestly.  In  1788,
when  some  objected  to  the  frequent  changes  of  the  preach-
ers, John  Wesley  wrote:  "For  fifty  years  God  has  been
pleased  to  bless  the  itinerant  plan,  the  last  year  most  of


20  ADVENT  CHRISTIAN   HISTORY

all.     It  must  not  be  altered  till  I  am  removed,  and  I  hope
it  will  remain  till  our  Lord  comes  to  reign  on  earth. "^

6.  Bishop  Thomas  Newton,  D.D.  (1704r-1784),  was  a
d^igent  student  of  prophecy,  and  his  notable  work,  Dis.-
sertations  on  the  Prophecies,  Which  Have  Been  Remarkably
Fulfilled,  surely  gave  a  fresh  impetus  to  its  more  general
study.  It  was  published  in  three  vols,  in  1754-'58,  a:nd
in  1804  its  tenth  edition  was  issued  in  two  volumes.  The
work  is  said  to  have  been  "very  popular;"  many  students
of  prophecy  and  many  Adventists  have  been  greatly  aided
by  its  perusal.
