Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 01.djvu/179

ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. and engineering; E, geology and geography; F, zoölogy; G, botany; H, anthropology; I, social and economic science; K, physiology and ex- perimental medicine. The association also serves as a centre for the meeting of a number of important special scientific societies which have become connected with it. The association publishes annually a volume of Proceedings, and in 1901 became affiliated with the journal Science, making it the semi-official organ of the society. The membership of the society is about 3000. The British Association for the Ad- vancement of Science was founded in the city of York in 1831, under the leadership of David Brewster and with the coöperation of many of the most prominent men of the time. The annual meetings of the association are held

for a week each summer, .and consist mainly of papers read before the several sections of the society and of conferences following them. The society is divided into ten sections, each having its own president and governing committee. The society sets aside yearly a large sum for the prosecution of scientific researches which re<iuire sjiecial apparatus and the em])ly- nient of assistants. The membership of the association is about 5500. Kcports have been published since 1831. The French Associa- tion for the -Vdvanccment of Science (L'Asso- elation Francciisc pour I'Avancement des Sci- ences) was formed in 1805 at Lille and now includes nearly all French scientists of jjromi- nencc. The work of the society is carried on through general meetings, publications, and the bestowal of prizes for brilliant scientific work. The four sections into which the society is di- vided are those of the mathematical, the phys- ical and chemical, the natural, and the economic sciences. Records of its proceedings and of the scientific work accomplished under its guidance have been published since the a.ssociation's or- ganization.

AD'VENT (Lat. adventus, the approach, coming), or TIME OF ADVENT. A term applied by the Christian Church to certain weeks before Christmas. In the Greek Church the time of Advent comprises forty days; but in the Roman Church and those Protestant churches in which Advent is observed, only four weeks. The origin of this festival as a church ordinance is not clear. A synod at Saragossa. Spain, in 380, enjoined that every one must attend church from December 17 to Epiphany: but not till the sixth century was advent fully adopted as a church season. The four Sundays of Advent, as observed in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, were probably intro- duced into the calendar by Gregory the Great. It was common from an early period to speak of the coming of Christ as fourfold: his "first coming in the flesh;" his coming at the hour of death to receive his faithful followers (accord- ing to the expressions used by St. John); his coming at the fall of Jerusalem (Matthew xxiv: 30), and at the day of judgment. According to this fourfold view of Advent, the "gospels" were chosen for the four Sundays, as was settled in the western church by the Homilarium of Charle- magne. The season of Advent is intended to accord in spirit with the object celebrated. As mankind were once called upon to prepare them- selves for the personal coming of Christ, so, ac- cording to the idea that the ecclesiastical year should represent the life of the founder of the

Church, Christians are exhorted, during this season, to look for a spiritual advent of Christ. The time of the year when the shortening days are hastening toward the solstice — which almost coincides with the festival of the Nativity — is thought to harmonize with the strain of sentiment proper during Advent. In opposition, possibly, to heathen festivals, observed by ancient Romans and Gernnins, which took place at the same season, the Catholic Church ordained that the four weeks of Advent should be kept as a time of penitence; according to the words of Christ: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." During these weeks, therefore, public amusements, marriage festivities, and dancing were prohibited, fasts were appointed, and sombre garments were used in religious ceremonies. The Protestant Church in Germany has also abstained from public recreations and celebrations of marriage during Advent. In the Greek Church the season dates from a period much later than in the Latin, perhaps not till the tenth century.

AD'VENTISTS. A family of religious denominations which, accepting the inspiration of the Scriptures, taking the Bible as their rule of faith, and holding to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian churches generally, expect the near approach of the end of the world and the personal second coming of Christ. They arose from the preaching of William Miller, who taught, from 1831 on, as the results of his studies of the prophetic books of the Bible, that the end of the world would come in 1843, and be followed by the coming of Christ and the installation of the millennium. When 1843 had passed the date was changed to October, 1844. Mr. Miller was joined by other preachers, and several thousand followers were gathered from many churches. The Adventists now, as a rule, simply await the second advent without attempting to fix a date for it. A declaration adopted at Albany, N. Y.. in 1845, set forth a belief in the visible personal coming of Christ at an early but indefinite time; the resurrection of the dead, both the just and the unjust, and the beginning of the millennium after the resurrection of the saints: but denying that there is any promise of the world's conversion, and that the saints enter upon their inheritance at death. The Adventists baptize by immersion; and, except the Seventh Day branch and the Church of God, are congregational in polity.

The American Millennial Association was formed in 1845 for the publication and circulation of denominational literature. The Evangelical Adventists began to call themselves by that name in 1845. They believe that all the dead will be raised, the saints first, to the enjoyment of the millennial reign with Christ and eternal bliss after the judgment, and the wicked last, to be sent into everlasting punishment, and that the dead in Hades are conscious. They have about 34 ministers, 30 churches, and 1147 members. Literature: H. F. Hill, The Saints' Inheritance (Boston, 1852); D. T. Taylor, The Reign of Christ (Boston, 1889); J. Litch, Discussion on the Millennium (Boston, between 1860 and 1865).

The general association of this body was formed in 1861. The Advent Christians believe that man was created for immortality, but forfeited it through sin, and can become partner of the divine nature and