The Lord Returns Before the Close of 1873
Nelson Barbour, 1871: Christ's Return 'Before the Close of 1873' Is So Plain 'You Cannot Question' It
A New York Adventist sold a book of evidence for an 1873 return. When 1873, then 1874, passed, his circle decided Christ had come invisibly. That idea fed into Charles Taze Russell's movement.
What was said
“before the close of 1873, are of such a nature, so simple, and to the point, that you cannot question them”
— Nelson H. Barbour (Adventist writer and publisher, Rochester, N.Y.) · said 1871 · due Before the close of 1873
1873 ended with no return. Barbour's followers, gathered at Terry Island, then looked to 1874, which also passed.
The fine print
The full sentence: 'For I tell you truly, that the prophecies and signs of the coming of the Son of God, "to wipe away the tears from off all faces," and restore this sin-cursed earth, before the close of 1873, are of such a nature, so simple, and to the point, that you cannot question them.' Elsewhere the book says 1873 'will usher in the glorious morning of the restitution.' Wikipedia: 'Many gathered at Terry Island to await the return of Christ in late 1873.'
Later spin
After 1874 also passed, Barbour's group adopted the view that 'Christ had indeed come in 1874' invisibly and 'would soon become visible for judgments' (Wikipedia).
As of Oct 9, 2026
since it didn't happen
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