In the October 22, 1823, issue of the Wayne Sentinel,
we find the following article:
Asa Wild, “Prognostication!!,”
The Mohawk Herald, repr. Wayne Sentinel 1, no. 4 (October 22, 1823):
4
One can find a discussion and transcription thereof in the
following article:
Elden J. Watson, “The
‘Prognostication’ of Asa Wild,” BYU Studies 37, no. 3 (1998): 223-30
Asa Wild also wrote a book that was published in 1824.
Recounting his prediction concerning a restoration of primitive Christianity, he
summarizes his comments in his 1823 article thusly:
That the glorious state of the
Church, would far transcend every former dispensation of divine grace, in many
respects. In point of holiness, both of heart and life;--knowledge of God, and
divine truth;--inspiration, and guidance of the Holy Ghost;--spiritual
gifts & c. That the present state of the professed church of Christ, is
notoriously corrupt, and degenerated from the purity of primitive christianity;
that every denomination, though there are hundreds in all, are involved in the
same fatal darkness, and bondage, though not all in an equal degree.—That
all the most terrible judgments denounced in scripture, against sinners and
hypocrites, are immediately to receive their grand accomplishment upon an ungodly
world, particularly the fallen church: And that these things will take place in
the course of seven solar years. (Asa Wild, A Short Sketch of the Religious
Experience and Spiritual Travels, of Asa Wild [Amsterdam, N.Y.: Asa Wild,
1824], 77-78, 200 W668s, Church History Library, copy in my possession)
He then continues with the following additional exposition
thereof:
By the express direct, and immediate
command of God, I shall now offer some further remarks on the subject.
And first. This grand event is to
be preceded by a variety of secondary events, viz: The raising up, and sending forth
of those persons who are to be the instruments of diffusing the pure light of
the gospel;--eradicating darkness, and error; and bringing forth the church
from obscurity, and the tyranny of anti-christ;--where she has remained
for “a time, and times, and half a time.” (Rev. 12, 3 to 6. 14 to 17. and other
places).
Vital religion, at this time,
having become almost extinct, by means of the numerous heresies which have
deluged the church with then deadly influence; (Luke, 13, 8).) and spiritual
tyranny, and superstition, possessing such an unlimited sway; (Rev. 13, 3.) it
is very obvious that the Ministers who shall be anointed and sent of God
(Rev. 14, 6. 7.) to receive and extend the Apostolic faith;
and to defend it against, and expose the prevailing heresies of the day,
(Jer. 1, 10.) will have to contend against greater opposition and darkness,
than did the ancient Prophets, Apostles, and Martyrs. And they
will also possess proportionally higher authority, and power from God to
execute their glorious mission. Psm. 149. 6 to 9. Luke, 10. 18, 19.—Rev. 11. 5,
6. 11, 22, 13.
These persons will be considered
by the fallen church at large, as the very worst of men; even as the reformers,
in all ages, were so considered by the false, and fallen professors of their
day. At first, their success will be somewhat gradual; but as omnipotence
is engaged on their side, the kingdom of satan and anti-christ
will shortly receive its fatal wound, and suddenly fall with a most tremendous
crash. Rev. 18th Chap.—The whole of this chapter, and other parallel passages, particularly
describe the corruptions, wickedness, and downfall of the present professed
church of Christ; comprising all its various contending parties, and
denominations.
This signal event will form an
EPOCH in the progress of the establishment of real christianity. After this,
its progress and success will be most unparalleled, and glorious. Rev.
13, 15, &c. and chapters 21, and 22, nearly all of them with their parallel
passages. (Asa Wild, A Short Sketch of the Religious Experience and Spiritual
Travels, of Asa Wild [Amsterdam, N.Y.: Asa Wild, 1824], 78-79)
