Rare and Important Millerite Periodical in Washington Adventist University's Library Sheds Light on Early Adventism

Michael Campbell, director of the North American Division (NAD) Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, has identified the copy of the inaugural issue of The Hope of Israel in the Washington Adventist University Heritage Collection as the only copy of this important Millerite publication known to exist.

Dating from July 19, 1844, The Hope of Israel was edited by Joseph Turner and John Pearson, Jr. As Campbell explained in a recent podcast, the Millerites were a group of believers who thought the second coming of Christ would occur sometime in 1843–1844, thus the name of the periodical reflected the hope they had of God returning to His people. Some of those who were “disappointed” when Christ did not return went on to form the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This copy of The Hope of Israel, then, helps to provide more details about early Adventism.

The Hope of Israel was on public display at WAU in
the Weis Library in 2015 as part of an Honors Program exhibition on the 170th anniversary of the Great Disappointment, along with other Millerite and early Seventh-day Adventist items from the Heritage Collection. It took a scholar with Campbell’s expertise, however, to recognize the rarity, importance and possible uniqueness of the periodical.

Campbell has already discovered key insights into The Hope of Israel’s publication history, including confirmation of its initial launch date. It also provides information about an early Millerite conference held in Maine in 1844, as well as an article on the abolitionist movement, showing that early Adventists during the Millerite period were concerned with social issues, even as they were expecting the world to end with Christ’s return.

“It was an exciting moment when Dr. Campbell saw the periodical and immediately recognized its importance,” says Professor Bradford Haas, director of the WAU Honors College. “Seeing that WAU is in Takoma Park, which was an epicenter of Adventist culture and leadership for many decades, it isn't surprising that historically significan material was deposited in our library. We are proud of the archival material in the Heritae Collection, especially when many colleges and universities are jettisoning hard copies in favor of digital resources. I hope this brings more scholars to our campus to use the collection."