vol . 1 , pt . 2 , ch . 2 , pars . 49 , 54-56 . See also Index of Prohibited Books ( Vatican Polyglot Press , 1930 ), pp . ix , x ; Timothy Hurley , A Commentary on the Present Index Legislation ( New York : Benziger Brothers , 1908 ), p . 71 ; Translation of the Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII ( New York : Benziger Brothers , 1903 ), p . 413 .
But in recent years a dramatic and positive change has occurred in this respect . On the one hand , the church has approved several versions prepared on the basis of the original languages ; on the other , it has promoted the study of the Holy Scriptures by means of free distribution and Bible institutes . The church , however , continues to reserve for herself the exclusive right to interpret the Bible in the light of her own tradition , thus justifying those doctrines that do not harmonize with biblical teachings .
Page 373 . Ascension Robes . --The story that the Adventists made robes with which to ascend " to meet the Lord in the air ," was invented by those who wished to reproach the Advent preaching . It was circulated so industriously that many believed it , but careful inquiry proved its falsity . For many years a substantial reward was offered for proof that one such instance ever occurred , but no proof has been produced . None who loved the appearing of the Saviour were so ignorant of the teachings of the Scriptures as to suppose that robes which they could make would be necessary for that occasion . The only robe which the saints will need to meet the Lord is the righteousness of Christ . See Isaiah 61:10 ; Revelation 19:8 .
For a thorough refutation of the legend of ascension robes , see Francis D . Nichol , Midnight Cry ( Washington , D . C .: Review and Herald Publishing Assn ., 1944 ), chs . 25-27 , and Appendices H-J . See also Leroy Edwin Froom , Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers ( Washington , D . C .: Review and Herald Publishing Assn ., 1954 ), vol . 4 , pp . 822-826 .
Page 374 . The Chronology of Prophecy . --Dr. George Bush , professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature in the New York City University , in a letter addressed to William Miller and published in the Advent Herald and Signs of the Times Reporter , Boston , March 6 and 13 , 1844 , made some important admissions relative to his calculation of the prophetic times . Dr . Bush wrote :
" Neither is it to be objected , as I conceive , to yourself or your friends , that you have devoted much time and attention to the study of the chronology of prophecy , and have labored much to determine the commencing and closing dates of its great periods . If these periods are actually given by the Holy Ghost in the prophetic books , it was doubtless with the design that they should be studied , and probably , in the end , fully understood ; and no man is to be charged
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