or it will crowd more important matter out of this volume. I can
therefore give but a brief sketch of the most prominent features of
this great movement. I shall be principally indebted to an article
published in the _Advent Shield_ for May, 1844, written by J. Litch,
for what is said upon this subject. The first period of expectation
had just passed, when Mr. Litch reviewed the entire ground, and
presented facts in the case for the edification and encouragement
of believers. These facts can never lose their interest to all true
believers, till the Advent hope shall be consummated.
“The rise of the Advent cause, as it has been developed by Mr. Miller,
may be dated A. D. 1831. For although he discovered his principles as
early as 1818, it was not until 1831 that he first began to publish
them abroad.
“His first step in this work was the publication of a series of
articles on the subject of Christ’s second coming, which appeared in
the _Vermont Telegraph_, a Baptist paper, published in Brandon, Vt.
Those articles were written to rid himself of the strong impression
which followed him, that he must go and publish this thing to the world.
“But after writing and publishing the above, instead, as he expected,
of finding relief from his responsibilities, he only found the inward
monitor the more earnestly pressing him, saying, ‘Go and tell it to the
world, or their blood will I require at thy hand.’ To rid himself of
this strong impression, he wrote a synopsis of his views, and in the
spring of 1832 he published it in pamphlet form, and spread it over
the country, and sent it to different parts of the world among the
missionary stations.”
Invitations for Mr. Miller to lecture came in from all directions,
which he accepted, and he continued to travel and labor with great
success among the people, but with little encouragement from the
ministry.
“In 1836 Mr. Miller found a friend who undertook the publication of a
volume of lectures, the series which he usually gave as a course. The
publication of those lectures constituted a new era in the history of
the Advent cause; for, from that time, wherever he went and lectured,
the written lectures which were left behind continued to preach and
establish those who were partially convinced of the truth. His labor,
by this means, ceased to be like writing upon the sand, as formerly. It
is one of those strongly-marked demonstrations which history presents
of the power and influence of the press for good or evil.
“Those books gradually spread abroad, where he had never been in
person, and created an interest in the public mind to investigate
the subject for themselves. It was not, however, until the winter of
1837-8, that the work attracted much attention in Massachusetts. About
the month of February, in 1838, several copies of the lectures found
their way into Massachusetts, and awakened quite a sensation. One copy
fell into the hands of the editor of the _Boston Daily Times_, and most
of the lectures were re-published in that paper, and obtained quite an
extensive reading. The effect was so great that it was found necessary
to provide an antidote, in the shape of two letters from the pen of
Rev. Ethan Smith.”
Mr. Litch introduces his own interesting experience in the Advent cause
in the following language:
“About the time of the appearance of those lectures in the _Boston
Times_, a copy of the work was put into the hands of the present
writer, with a request that he should read it and give his opinion of
its merits. The idea of an attempt to discover the time of Christ’s
second advent was to him so strange, that he could scarcely make up
his mind to give the book a perusal. No doubt came into his mind but
what he could entirely overthrow the whole system in five minutes.
For, thought he, according to Paul, [2 Thess. ii,] the falling away
must first come, and the Man of Sin be revealed; which the great body
of commentators understood to be the Papal system. But, according to
Daniel and John, that power is to continue for 1260 days, or years;
and the date assumed by the most learned writers of the age, for the
commencement of the period, was 606, and consequently it would not end
until 1866. This was a decisive argument. However, to gratify a friend,
and from a curiosity to know what arguments could be adduced in support
of so novel a doctrine, the book was read. There was no difficulty
in adopting most of the sentiments advanced in the first lecture.
Prejudice began to give way, and the idea of the glorious reign of
Christ on the earth renewed, was most delightful. From that, the 1260
days came up, and the evidence presented, by which it was clearly shown
that those days terminated in 1798, having begun in 538. The great
argument against the coming of the Lord, which had appeared so strong
and invulnerable, soon vanished; and a new face shone forth from Paul’s
argument. The substance of it was, the predicted period having gone by,
and the Papacy having been consumed away by the spirit of the Lord’s
mouth, he is next to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming.
Then there can be no millennium until Christ comes--for the reign of
the Man of Sin and a glorious millennium cannot co-exist. Thus the old
fabled millennium was lost.
“Before concluding the book, I became fully satisfied that the
arguments were so clear, so simple, and withal so scriptural, that
it was impossible to disprove the position which Mr. Miller had
endeavored to establish.
“The question of duty then presented itself thus: ‘If this doctrine
is true, ought you not, as a minister of the gospel, to understand
and proclaim it?’ Yes, certainly I had. ‘Then why not do so?’ Why, if
it should, after all, prove false, where will my reputation be? And
besides, if it is not true, it will bring the Bible into disrepute,
after the time has gone by. But there is another view to be taken
of this subject. How shall we know whether it is true or false? Can
it be known except by the testimony of the Scriptures? What do they
teach? This is the true question. If it is true that the Lord is
coming so soon, the world should know it: if it is not true it should
be discussed, and the error exposed. I believe the Bible teaches the
doctrine; and while I believe thus, it is my duty to make it known to
the extent of my power. It is a scriptural subject, and one full of
interest; and the discussion of it cannot do harm. These prophecies and
periods are in the Bible, and mean something--if they do not mean this,
what do they mean? Thus I reasoned, until the Lord, in a night-dream,
showed me my own vileness, and made me willing to bear reproach for
Christ, when I resolved, at any cost, to present the truth on this
subject.”
As soon as Mr. Litch came to this decision, he published a synopsis
of Mr. Miller’s views in a pamphlet, entitled the _Midnight Cry_. He
continued to lecture, and also published a second work of 204 pages,
entitled “The Probability of the Second Coming of Christ about A. D.
1843.”
“It was in this work that the calculation on the fall of Ottoman
supremacy on the 11th of August, 1840, was first given to the world. So
also the argument on the 1260 days, showing how all the events which
were to precede the time, times and a half, centered in 538, while the
decree of Justinian was given in 533.
“This work circulated through New England, and excited something of
an interest. The subject rested here, with the exception of a few
newspaper articles published in _Zion’s Herald_, of Boston, and _Zion’s
Watchman_, of New York, until the spring of 1839.
“In that year (1839) Mr. Miller was invited into Massachusetts to
lecture. In that tour he visited and lectured in Randolph, Lowell,
Groton, and Lynn. His introduction was principally through the
influence of Elder T. Cole, of Lowell, a minister of the Christian
connection. Again, in the autumn and winter of the same year, he
returned and lectured in Exeter, New Hampshire, and Haverhill,
Massachusetts, where a good effect was produced.
“It was at this Exeter meeting that he first became acquainted with
Elder J. V. Himes, and received his first invitation to visit Boston
and give a course of lectures in the Chardon-Street Chapel. His first
course of lectures in that place constituted altogether a new era in
the history of Adventism. An excitement was produced in Boston which
demanded light, and prepared the public mind to sustain the enterprise
of hiring the Marlboro Chapel for a course of lectures. From that point
an influence was extended through all the adjacent country; and such
was the demand for light that it was determined to issue a new and
revised edition of the lectures. This work was undertaken, without fee
or reward, by that devoted friend of the cause. He cheerfully undertook
the revision of the work and the superintendence of publication, which
a Boston publisher agreed to do if he could have the profits arising
from an edition of five thousand copies. This he had. Mr. Miller has
often been blamed for securing the copyright, and hence it is but just
to him and the cause to say, that it was the only condition on which
the publisher would undertake to issue the work. After selling the
five thousand copies, Mr. Mussey, the publisher, concluded that the
demand was over. For the purpose of supplying the public, Mr. Himes
then undertook, at the earnest solicitation and advice of friends, the
publication of the work himself. At the same time he abandoned the
copyright, and thus, to save reproach on the cause, exposed himself to
the competition of any and all who chose to compete with him. The same
course has been pursued in reference to all his other publications.
Notwithstanding all this, all that the tongue of slander could invent
has been heaped upon him for the stand he took and the self-denying
course he pursued on this subject.
“During Mr. Miller’s lectures in Boston, a work entitled ‘Illustrations
of Prophecy, by David Campbell,’ appeared. Some other works of an
ephemeral character, from Orthodox, Infidel, Universalist, and other
_ists_, appeared about the same time, and accomplished each their work,
by overthrowing--not Mr. Miller--but one another.
“Under these repeated attacks from the pulpit and press, it was felt
that some organ of communication should be opened, by which the public
mind could be disabused in reference to the varied reports which were
circulated in reference to Mr. Miller and his views. He had long
sought for some one to take the supervision of a paper through which
he could speak to the public; but such a man could not be found, who
for love or money would undertake the task, and bear the scorn of an
unbelieving world.
“THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
“At this juncture, when the storm of opposition grew heavy, the
providence of God raised up a man for this work also. The unwearied
friend of this cause, J. V. Himes, who has so nobly stood in the front
of the hosts and the hottest of the fire, came forward and threw
himself into the enterprise, to make up the breach. On the 20th of
March, 1840, without money, patrons, or scarcely friends, he issued
the first number of the _Signs of the Times_. The appearance of that
sheet was hailed with joy by many a longing heart, waiting for the
consolation of Israel. The paper was sustained for the first year at a
considerable expense to the editor, besides his own unrequited toil. As
might be expected, the enemies of the cause were greatly discommoded
by the appearance of such a weapon, both offensive and defensive.
Nothing which a heart surcharged with gall could invent, or the tongue
of envy utter, was left unsaid or unwritten against the editor. But
his language was, None of these things move me. He was sufficiently
convinced of the truth of the doctrine to know that it was worthy, at
least, of a full and candid investigation, and this he determined it
should have, so far as he was able to gain thus much for it.
“The paper thus started was published for two years as a semi-monthly,
and, since then, as a weekly periodical. It has been read by multitudes
throughout the United States, and in the British provinces, with the
deepest interest, and has been to thousands an angel of mercy and
love; the good it has accomplished will only be known in the great day
of the Lord.
“During the same winter (1839-40) Mr. Miller was invited to lecture
in Portsmouth, N. H., and Portland, Me. In both these places, as well
as in Boston and vicinity, his labors were attended with refreshing
showers of divine grace. Numbers embraced the doctrine of the Lord’s
speedy coming, who are yet strong in the faith, giving glory to God.
This winter’s campaign produced an excitement throughout New England,
and raised up friends in almost every town.
“As the spring opened and the summer came, the entire community were
excited, and expectation on tip-toe, in reference to the 11th of August
and its anticipated events, the fall of the Ottoman empire, &c., &c.
Many were the predictions that when that day should have passed by,
as it certainly would do, without the event being realized, then the
spell would be broken, and Adventism would die. But the time came; and
it must be confessed it was for a few weeks a time of trial to many.
Yet ‘He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,’ had compassion on his
little ones, and did not suffer them to be tempted above what they were
able to bear. And few, very few, even under that trial, shrunk from
their faith. The time came and passed by; and, as a matter of course,
the distance from Constantinople could not be passed without consuming
some considerable period of time. But when the fact did reach us, it
was found that on the very day anticipated, the 11th of August, a
transfer was made of the supremacy of that empire from Mahometan hands.
This fact entirely discomfited the hosts of the enemy. The cause again
revived, and careered on its way with still greater power than ever
before.”
UNITED EFFORT.
“Up to this period all that had been done was accomplished by
individual effort. In this depression of affairs, it was determined
to hold a ‘Second-Advent Conference’ in Boston, where the friends of
the cause could congregate and give expression to their feelings, and
put forth an effort to arouse the country and the world to a sense
of its coming doom. This meeting was assembled in the Chardon Street
Chapel, on the 15th of October, 1840, and continued two days. This was
styled ‘The First General Conference of Second-Advent Believers.’ It
was a season of comfort and refreshing to the lovers of the glorious
appearing of our blessed Lord.
“In the spring of 1840, the writer of this article wrote and published
a third work, entitled ‘An Address to the Clergy.’ It embraced in
a short compass an exposition of the nature of the kingdom of God;
also an article on the return of the Jews, and their title to the
land promised to Abraham for an everlasting possession. It presented
the subject in a light somewhat different from what it had ever been
presented before in this country. The effect of it on the clergy was
considerable; some were moved by it to give the subject an examination,
and became satisfied that it was the true position. It also contained
the argument on the fall of the Ottoman empire. The second edition,
published in 1841, was revised by giving the historical facts, showing
the fulfillment of the calculation.”
June 15-17, 1841, the second General Conference of Advent believers was
held in Lowell, Mass. It was a time of deep interest, and gave a new
impulse to the cause.
During the ensuing summer Mr. Litch visited the seats of the four New
England Methodist Episcopal Annual Conferences, and gave lectures which
called out more or less of the ministry to hear him. His efforts in
this direction removed prejudice, and made a good impression.
“The course of Adventism was steadily onward, both among clergy and
laity, throughout New England.
“It was in the autumn of this year that that devoted and beloved
brother, C. Fitch, returned again to the examination of the question of
the Lord’s coming, and came out a decided advocate of the doctrine. He
at once entered the field, and has proved an efficient auxiliary to the
cause.
“Bro. William Miller continued his labors in various parts of the
country with great success. Bro. Himes also devoted as much time as his
pastoral and other duties would allow, to lecturing on the subject.
“In October another conference was held in Portland, Me., which gave
a new impulse to the work in that section of the country. Another
conference was appointed and held in the Broadway Tabernacle, New York
city, which was the first successful effort ever made in that city.
“From New York city we proceeded to Low Hampton, the residence of
Bro. Miller, and commenced another conference. It was a season of
refreshing to all, and more especially to Bro. Miller himself. It was
the first conference he had ever attended; and to find around him such
a host as were congregated there, from east, west, north and south,
from Canada as well as the States, raised up to proclaim this truth,
by the blessing of God on his labors, was to him most refreshing and
encouraging.
“During the winter of 1841-2, conferences were held in various places,
which were all attended with good: Boston, Mass.; Dover, N. H.; Sandy
Hill, N. Y.; Pomfret, Ct.; Colchester, Vt.; Ashburnham and Lunenburg,
Mass., &c. The result of them, eternity will unfold; but much fruit was
immediately apparent. A large number of ministers of the gospel were
awakened, during the winter, to a sense of their duty to investigate
the subject, and were induced to preach it more or less in their pulpit
ministrations; and some of them devoted themselves entirely to the
Advent cause, and became efficient lecturers.
“As the spring opened, Bro. Himes determined on sounding the cry
abroad more fully in the city of New York; and accordingly, in the
month of May, himself with Bro. Miller went to that city to commence
their operations. The Apollo Hall, on Broadway, was rented at a heavy
expense, and they commenced their work. The labors of the preceding
visit were so far obliterated that none could be found to invite them
to their house and give them a night’s lodging. They accordingly took
an ante-room adjoining the hall as a sitting and lodging room for a
part of the time, until friends were awakened and brought in, who
furnished a cot-bed, and thus relieved them from the hard floor. Two
weeks, under these circumstances, laboring night and day, paying most
of their own expenses (for the public collections were very small),
were necessary before an impression could be made. One fact should be
here recorded: An impression had gone abroad respecting the Adventists,
that they were monsters, or almost anything but civilized beings. So
strong was this impression, and so general, that a number of days
had passed and scarcely a lady dared to make her appearance in the
meetings. The religious press had sounded the alarm, and spread a panic
through the community which it was difficult to remove. But as one
after another ventured to look in, and then to listen, the prejudice
began to give way, and the congregation to enlarge, and before the
meetings closed on anniversary week, the house was well filled with
attentive hearers, and a permanent interest secured. It was a great
undertaking, but the victory was at length achieved, and a great and
glorious harvest has been gathered in. This meeting closed under
encouraging circumstances, and filled all who were present with hope as
to the future.”
CAMP-MEETING ERA.
“While the meetings were progressing in New York, the friends in
Boston determined on a general rally in that city during anniversary
week. Accordingly, the Melodeon was secured for the occasion, and our
meetings began under the most auspicious circumstances. Adventism
had never seen a brighter day. The attendance was large throughout
the entire meeting. Although the interests of the week were great,
yet none had a larger share of attention than the Advent Anniversary
Conference. During that week, among the various other interests which
came up for discussion, was the question of holding a camp-meeting,
or camp-meetings, during the ensuing summer. This was thought, by
many, a great undertaking. What, a little handful of Adventists hold
a camp-meeting! Why, they are hardly able to hold a house-meeting,
much less a camp-meeting! However, there was sufficient faith and
zeal in the meeting to say TRY. Arrangements were accordingly made by
the appointment of a camp-meeting committee, to carry the plan into
effect. It was determined to make a most vigorous effort during the
summer, for the spread of this great light. For we then thought it
doubtful whether we ever should reach another anniversary week, in time.
“Immediately after the anniversary meetings were over, the writer
started for Canada East, to fulfill an engagement in Stanstead. He
left Boston on Monday morning, and arrived at Stanstead, and began
his meeting on Wednesday. The interest steadily increased from the
beginning, and before two weeks were passed, the country, for thirty
or forty miles around, was awake to the subject of the Lord’s coming.
Immense concourses assembled both in Canada and in Derby, Vermont,
where a course of lectures was given. Such was the interest to hear,
and the awakening among the people, that it was determined at once to
hold a camp-meeting in Canada. In accordance with this determination,
a place was selected, the ground prepared, and the meeting held in the
township of Hadley, Canada East. Such was the good effect of this first
meeting, that the people of Bolton wished one to be held in their town.
This was begun the next week after the Hadley meeting closed, and ended
on the third of July. During that month’s labor, as near as could be
estimated, five or six hundred souls were converted to God.
“The last week in June, the first Advent camp-meeting held in the
States commenced in East Kingston, New Hampshire, where an immense
multitude assembled to hear the word of the kingdom, and worship the
God of Abraham. Thus, instead of one Advent camp-meeting during the
season, which the unbelief of some thought could hardly be carried
through, within one month of the determination to _try_, three such
meetings had actually been successful. Besides these camp-meetings,
there were immense gatherings of the people all through the northern
part of Vermont and New Hampshire, and onward through the State of
Maine.”
THE GREAT TENT.
While these operations were going forward, the plan was started for
constructing a large tent sufficient to accommodate four thousand
persons, with which to go into the cities where no house was open for
lectures. This proposition was at once received by the people, and Bro.
Himes, with the help of other friends, undertook the work. Such a tent
was completed and pitched in Concord, New Hampshire, in the latter part
of July. The excitement produced by such a movement was still greater
than that occasioned by the Advent camp-meetings.
“The tent was next pitched in Albany, New York; then in Springfield,
and Salem, Massachusetts, and Benson, Vermont. And finally, for the
last time in the season, in Newark, New Jersey. In all these places
the word took effect, and produced the greatest and most beneficial
results. Besides the great tent-meetings and numerous courses of
lectures, there were held some six or eight camp-meetings, in New
England, during the summer and fall. The work spread with a power
unparalleled in the history of religious excitements.
“During the season, Bro. C. Fitch made a visit to Oberlin Institute,
where he proclaimed the doctrine of the Lord’s coming to the students,
as well as faculty of the institution, and in various other places in
Ohio. While on this tour, the Lord wonderfully blessed his labors, and
gave him favor in the sight of the people. It was arranged for him to
remove his family into that region of country to spend the winter, and
lecture in Cleveland and vicinity. This movement awakened an interest
in that part of the country, which has been increasing to the present
time.