INTERVAL BETWEEN HIS CONVERSION AND HIS PUBLIC
LABORS—CORRESPONDENCE—DIALOGUE WITH A PHYSICIAN.
All truly great and good men who have been the honored instruments in the
hands of God of accomplishing good, and of leading his people in the way
of truth, have had wrought in them a deep experience in the things of the
Spirit of God. This being the case with William Miller, we are happy to
give in this chapter some of the important facts in his experience. His
biographer says:—
“From the time that Mr. Miller became established in his religious faith,
till he commenced his public labors—a period of twelve or fourteen
years—there were few prominent incidents in his life to distinguish him
from other men. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, an affectionate
husband and parent, and a devoted Christian; good to the poor, and
benevolent, as objects of charity were presented; in the Sunday-school,
was teacher and superintendent; in the church he performed important
service as a reader and exhorter, and, in the support of religious
worship, no other member, perhaps, did as much as he.
“He was very exemplary in his life and conversation, endeavored at all
times to perform the duties, whether public or private, which devolved
on him, and whatever he did was done cheerfully, as for the glory of
God. His leisure hours were devoted to reading and meditation; he
kept himself well informed respecting the current events of the time;
occasionally communicated his thoughts through the press, and often, for
his own private amusement, or for the entertainment of friends, indulged
in various poetical effusions, which, for unstudied productions, are
possessed of some merit; but his principal enjoyment was derived from the
study of the Bible. His state of mind at this time can be better given in
his own language.
“‘With the solemn conviction,’ writes Mr. Miller, ‘that such
momentous events were predicted in the Scriptures, to be
fulfilled in so short a space of time, the question came home
to me with mighty power regarding my duty to the world, in
view of the evidence that had affected my own mind. If the
end was so near, it was important that the world should know
it. I supposed that it would call forth the opposition of the
ungodly; but it never came into my mind that any Christian
would oppose it. I supposed that all such would be so rejoiced,
in view of the glorious prospect, that it would only be
necessary to present it, for them to receive it. My great fear
was that in their joy at the hope of a glorious inheritance
so soon to be revealed, they would receive the doctrine
without sufficiently examining the Scriptures in demonstration
of its truth. I therefore feared to present it, lest, by
some possibility, I should be in error, and be the means of
misleading any.
“‘Various difficulties and objections would arise in my mind
from time to time; certain texts would occur to me which seemed
to weigh against my conclusions; and I would not present a view
to others, while any difficulty appeared to militate against
it. I therefore continued the study of the Bible, to see if I
could sustain any of these objections. My object was not merely
to remove them, but I wished to see if they were valid.
“‘Sometimes, when at work, a text would arise like this:
“Of that day and hour knoweth no man,” &c.; and how, then,
could the Bible reveal the time of the advent? I would then
immediately examine the context in which it was found, and I
saw at once that, in the same connection, we are informed how
we may know when it is nigh, even at the doors; consequently,
that text could not teach that we could know nothing of the
time of that event. Other texts, which are advanced in support
of the doctrine of a temporal millennium, would arise; but on
examining their context, I invariably found that they were
applicable only to the eternal state, or were so illustrative
of the spread of the gospel here as to be entirely irrelevant
to the position they were adduced to support.
“‘Thus all those passages that speak of the will of God being
done on earth as in Heaven, of the earth being full of the
knowledge of the glory of God, &c., could not be applicable to
a time when the man of sin was prevailing against the saints,
or when the righteous and wicked were dwelling together, which
is to be the case until the end of the world. Those who speak
of the gospel being preached in all the world, teach that, as
soon as it should be thus preached, the end was to come; so
that it could not be delayed a thousand years from that time,
nor long enough for the world’s conversion after the preaching
of the gospel as a witness.
“‘The question of the resurrection and judgment was, for a
time, an obstacle in the way. Being instructed that all the
dead would be raised at the same time, I supposed it must
be so taught in the Bible; but I soon saw it was one of the
traditions of the elders.
“‘So, also, with the return of the Jews. That question I saw
could only be sustained by denying the positive declarations
of the New Testament, which assert: “There is no difference
between the Jew and the Greek;” that the promise that he
shall be the heir of the world was not to Abraham and his
seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith;
that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor
female;” but that “if ye are Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s
seed, and heirs according to the promise.” I was, therefore,
obliged to discard an objection which asserts there is a
difference between the Jew and Greek; that the children of the
flesh _are_ accounted for the seed, &c.
“‘In this way I was occupied for five years—from 1818 to
1823—in weighing the various objections which were being
presented to my mind. During that time, more objections arose
in my mind than have been advanced by my opponents since;
and I know of no objection that has been since advanced which
did not then occur to me. But, however strong they at first
appeared, after examining them in the light of the divine
word, I could only compare them to straws, laid down singly as
obstacles on a well-beaten road; the car of truth rolled over
them, unimpeded in its progress.
“‘I was then fully settled in the conclusions which seven
years previously had begun to bear with such impressive force
upon my mind; and the duty of presenting the evidence of the
nearness of the advent to others—which I had managed to evade
while I could find the shadow of an objection remaining against
its truth—again came home to me with great force. I had,
previously, only thrown out occasional hints of my views. I
then began to speak more clearly my opinions to my neighbors,
to ministers, and others. To my astonishment, I found very few
who listened with any interest. Occasionally, one would see the
force of the evidence; but the great majority passed it by as
an idle tale. I was, therefore, disappointed in finding any who
would declare this doctrine, as I felt it should be, for the
comfort of saints, and as a warning to sinners.’
“His correspondence during this period shows ardent longings for the
salvation of his relatives and friends. In a letter to a sister, dated
June 25, 1825, after writing on various subjects of family interest, he
says:—
“‘DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER:—All the news that we had to tell
having been told above, I will now add a few lines; and oh! may
they be directed by Infinite Wisdom? What are your prospects
for eternity? Is there a land of eternal rest, beyond the
confines of this world, in prospect? Do you believe that the
blood of the everlasting covenant can and will cleanse you
from all sin? Are you satisfied with your present evidence of
an interest in that blood? That we shall die, is certain; and
due preparation for a better world is wisdom; and we ought as
rational beings to make ourselves familiar with the road and
acquainted with the inhabitants of said country. O my soul! go
thou to the mansions of the dead, and learn there the end of
all living.
“‘That we ought to be cleansed from all sin, in order to be
happy, is certain; for sin constitutes all misery; and a person
living in the enjoyment (falsely so called) of sin cannot enter
into rest. How necessary, then, is the work of regeneration
and sanctification! And may we obtain that evidence which
will enable us, with Thomas, to say, “My Lord and my God!”
Redemption is the work of God. How proper, then, that Jesus
should be called the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel!
Redemption is from sin. How improper, then, that we should live
any longer therein! We ought as much to strive to attain to
perfection as if it was attainable here below.
“Lord, I believe thy heavenly word;
Fain would I have my soul renewed.
I mourn for sin, and trust the Lord
To have it pardoned and subdued.
“My King, my Saviour, and my God,
Let grace my sinful soul renew;
Wash my offenses with thy blood,
And make my heart sincere and true.
“Oh! may thy grace its power display!
Let guilt and death no longer reign;
Save me in thine appointed way,
Nor let my humble faith be vain.
“Ye favored lands, who have his word,
Ye saints, who feel its saving power,
Unite your tongues to praise the Lord,
And his distinguished grace adore.”
“‘P. S. June 30.—I have this day been to Whitehall, to see the
celebrated Marquis de Lafayette, that made such a conspicuous
figure, half a century ago, in our Revolution. He is a
pleasant-looking old man, a friend to freemen, a terror to
tyrants, and one that has spent his treasures, his blood, and
the best part of his life, in the cause of freedom and the
rights of man. He has suffered much; yet he retains a good
constitution. He goes a little lame, occasioned by wounds
he received in the Revolution. He deserves the thanks of
Americans, and he has received a general burst of gratitude
from Maine to the Mississippi. He has visited every State in
the Union and almost every important town. I had the pleasure
of dining with him; and after dinner he took a passage for New
York.
“‘Yours, &c.,
WM. MILLER.’
“That Mr. M. was one of the men prominent in his section of the country,
is shown by his mingling with them, as above, on the various public
occasions.
“He derived such pleasure from the study of the Bible that it was almost
his constant companion; and a portion of each day was devoted to its
private perusal. He loved to meditate on its teachings and to talk about
its promises.
“In the winter of 1828, the church in Low Hampton, of which Mr. Miller
was a member, was refreshed by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In a
letter, dated March 12, written to Elder Hendryx, to whom reference has
before been made, Mr. Miller says: ‘One young man came to my house last
night after nine o’clock, to request prayers. He said he had been eight
years under conviction, and appeared to be almost in despair. I thought I
could say to him, as did John the Baptist to his disciples: “Behold the
Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!” Twelve or fourteen
requested prayers last Sunday evening. It is really the work of the
Lord. I never lived in a reformation so general, so solemn, and with so
little noise. Surely, we have reason to rejoice and be glad. The Lord has
remembered the low state of his people, and hath come down to deliver.
Two of my children, William and Bellona, as I have a good degree of hope,
are subjects of grace. Pray for us.’
“In the same letter he makes mention of trials, as well as blessings.
He says: ‘On Saturday, the first day of March, our meeting-house was
consumed by fire. We should have almost despaired of ever building again,
had not the Lord visited us by his grace, and likewise opened the hearts
of our Christian friends from abroad. $400 have been subscribed from the
adjoining towns. There is now some prospect that we shall build. You know
we are weak in numbers. We are really so in resources. I must bend my
whole force to gain the above-mentioned object.’
“Mr. Miller succeeded in the accomplishment of his wishes, according to
his ability and known liberality.
“He continued to make the Bible his daily study, and became more and
more convinced that he had a personal duty to perform respecting what
he conceived the Bible to teach of the nearness of the advent. These
impressions he thus describes:—
“‘When I was about my business, it was continually ringing
in my ears, Go and tell the world of their danger. This text
was constantly occurring to me: “When I say unto the wicked,
O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak
to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die
in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn
from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in
his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Eze. 33:8,
9. I felt that, if the wicked could be effectually warned,
multitudes of them would repent; and that, if they were not
warned, their blood might be required at my hand.
“‘I did all I could to avoid the conviction that anything was
required of me; and I thought that by freely speaking of it to
all, I should perform my duty, and that God would raise up the
necessary instrumentality for the accomplishment of the work.
I prayed that some minister might see the truth, and devote
himself to its promulgation; but still it was impressed upon
me, Go and tell it to the world; their blood will I require at
thy hand. The more I presented it in conversation, the more
dissatisfied I felt with myself for withholding it from the
public. I tried to excuse myself to the Lord for not going
out and proclaiming it to the world. I told the Lord that I
was not used to public speaking; that I had not the necessary
qualifications to gain the attention of an audience; that I
was very diffident, and feared to go before the world; that
they would “not believe me nor hearken to my voice;” that I
was “slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” But I could get no
relief.’
“In this way he struggled on for nine years longer, pursuing the study
of the Bible, doing all he could to present the nearness of Christ’s
coming to those whom circumstances threw in his way; but resisting his
impressions of duty to go out as a public teacher. He was then fifty
years old, and it seemed impossible for him to surmount the obstacles
which lay in his path, to successfully present it in a public manner.
“His freedom to converse on the subject, and the ability with which he
was able to defend his own views, and oppose those differing from him,
had given him no little celebrity in his denomination in all that region;
and some were rather shy in approaching him. Elder T. Hendryx, a Baptist
clergyman, now in the State of Pennsylvania, who has kindly furnished the
biographer with many original letters from Mr. Miller, thus speaks of his
first acquaintance with him:—
“‘My first acquaintance with Bro. Miller was in the summer
of 1831. I had been requested to visit the Baptist church
in Hampton, and concluded to go. When about to start, I was
informed by a brother in the church of which I was a member, in
Salem, N. Y., that there was a brother in the Hampton church,
possessing considerable influence, who had many curious notions
on doctrinal points, and on the prophecies—particularly on
the latter; and also (to use the brother’s language) that he
was “hard on ministers who differed with him.” Having recently
commenced preaching, without much confidence in my own ability,
and not having made any engagement to the church, I at first
almost concluded not to go. On further reflection, I decided to
go, and put my trust in Him who had said, “Lo, I am with you
alway.” On my way I endeavored, by prayer and meditation, to
divest myself of all prejudice against his peculiar notions,
whatever they might be (for as yet I was ignorant of them), and
at the same time to fortify myself against being led into error
by him.
“‘I arrived at Bro. Miller’s on the 6th of July, 1831. You may
well suppose that my situation was not very enviable. I moved
tremblingly and with the utmost caution. In spite of me, I
could not act like myself; and it was not till I had been there
nearly a week, and preached several discourses, that I could
feel at home, or enjoy my wonted freedom in preaching the word.
Several other ministering brethren visited at Bro. M.’s during
my stay there, and I found that I was not altogether alone
in those feelings. But how perfectly groundless those fears!
Instead of pouncing upon my errors like the tiger, no brother
ever dealt with me more tenderly, or exhibited a better spirit
in presenting his views.
“‘After being with Bro. M. some time, he asked me my views on
the millennium. Having thrown off all reserve, I readily gave
them. I had embraced the old view—the world’s conversion a
thousand years before the advent; and answered him accordingly.
His reply was: “Well, Bro. H., prove it! You know I want the
Bible for all that I receive.” “Well,” said I; and, taking my
Bible, I turned to the 20th of Revelation, and was about to
read, when I thought I would examine it again, and with very
close attention. I was in a deep study. Bro. M. was waiting,
and watching me closely. He began to smile. “Why don’t you
read, Bro. H.?” said he. I was astonished; for I could not make
it out. At last I said: “I go home next Monday. I will draw
the passages off, and hand them to you when I return.” I took
some four days for it, and gave him a long list of passages.
He read them, and said: “Bro. H., what has become of your old
theory? This is mine.” “Well,” said I, “it is mine, too.” In my
examination, _my_ theory had been overturned, and I came out
where I now stand.
“‘One thing I observed in Bro. M.’s character; If he ever dealt
harshly with a brother for holding an error, it was because he
saw, or thought he saw, a spirit of self-importance in him.’
“The labors of Elder Hendryx were attended with a blessing, as appears
from a letter of Mr. Miller’s to him, dated August 9, 1831. In it he
says:—
“‘The Lord is pouring out his Spirit among us, but not in
so powerful a manner as I could wish. Baptism has been
administered every Sabbath but one since you were here. Two or
three have obtained hope every week.’
“As Mr. Miller’s opinions respecting the nearness and nature of the
millennium became known, they naturally elicited a good deal of comment
among his friends and neighbors, and also among those at a distance.
Some of their remarks, not the most complimentary to his sanity, would
occasionally be repeated to him.
“Having heard that a physician in his neighborhood had said ‘Esquire
Miller,’ as he was familiarly called, ‘was a fine man and a good
neighbor, but was a monomaniac on the subject of the advent,’ Mr. M. was
humorously inclined to let him prescribe for his case.
“One of his children being sick one day, he sent for the doctor, who,
after prescribing for the child, noticed that Mr. Miller was very mute in
one corner, and asked what ailed him.
“‘Well, I hardly know, doctor. I want you to see what does, and prescribe
for me.’
“The doctor felt of his pulse, &c., and could not decide respecting his
malady; and inquired what he supposed was his complaint.
“‘Well,’ said Mr. Miller, ‘I don’t know but I am a monomaniac; and I want
you to examine me, and see if I am; and if so, cure me. Can you tell when
a man is a monomaniac?’
“The doctor blushed, and said he thought he could.
“Mr. Miller wished to know how.
“‘Why,’ said the doctor, ‘a monomaniac is rational on all subjects but
one; and when you touch that particular subject, he will become raving.’
“‘Well,’ said Mr. Miller, ‘I insist upon it that you see whether I am in
reality a monomaniac; and if I am, you shall prescribe for and cure me.
You shall, therefore, sit down with me two hours, while I present the
subject of the advent to you, and, if I am a monomaniac, by that time you
will discover it.’
“The doctor was somewhat disconcerted; but Mr. Miller insisted, and told
him, as it was to present the state of his mind, he might charge for his
time as in regular practice.
“The doctor finally consented; and, at Mr. Miller’s request, opened the
Bible and read from the 8th of Daniel. As he read along, Mr. Miller
inquired what the ram denoted, with the other symbols presented. The
doctor had read Newton, and applied them to Persia, Greece, and Rome, as
Mr. Miller did.
“Mr. Miller then inquired how long the vision of those empires was to be.
“‘2300 days.’
“‘What!’ said Mr. Miller, ‘could those great empires cover only 2300
literal days?’
“‘Why,’ said the doctor, ‘those days are years, according to all
commentators; and those kingdoms are to continue 2300 years.’
“Mr. M. then asked him to turn to the 2d of Daniel, and to the 7th; all
of which he explained the same as Mr. Miller. He was then asked if he
knew when the 2300 days would end. He did not know, as he could not tell
when they commenced.
“Mr. Miller told him to read the 9th of Daniel. He read down till he came
to the 21st verse, when Daniel saw ‘the man Gabriel,’ whom he had ‘seen
in the vision.’
“‘In what vision?’ Mr. Miller inquired.
“‘Why,’ said the doctor, ‘in the vision of the 8th of Daniel.’
“‘Wherefore, understand the matter and consider the vision.’ He had now
come, then, to make him understand that vision, had he?”
“‘Yes,’ said the doctor.
“‘Well, seventy weeks are determined; what are these seventy weeks a part
of?’
“‘Of the 2300 days.’
“‘Then do they begin with the 2300 days?’
“‘Yes,’ said the doctor.
“‘When did they end?’
“‘In A. D. 33.’
“‘Then how far would the 2300 extend after 33?”
“The doctor subtracted 490 from 2300, and replied, 1810. ‘Why,’ said he,
‘that is past.’
“‘But,’ said Mr. Miller, ‘there were 1810 from 33; in what year would
that come?’
“The doctor saw at once that the 33 should be added, and set down 33 and
1810, and, adding them, replied, 1843.
“At this unexpected result the doctor settled back in his chair and
colored; but immediately took his hat and left the house in a rage.
“The next day he again called on Mr. Miller, and looked as though he had
been in the greatest mental agony.
“‘Why, Mr. Miller,’ said he, ‘I am going to hell. I have not slept a wink
since I was here yesterday. I have looked at the question in every light,
and the vision must terminate about A. D. 1843; and I am unprepared, and
must go to hell.’
“Mr. Miller calmed him, and pointed him to the ark of safety; and in
about a week, calling each day on Mr. M., he found peace to his soul,
and went on his way rejoicing, as _great a monomaniac_ as Mr. Miller. He
afterward acknowledged that, till he made the figures 1843, he had no
idea of the result to which he was coming.