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SOUTHWESTERN UNION RECORDOCTOBER 1994 TiNti) SUP Organ 150 pegs ago, And where we are today. That sensational date - Christ's return was not a new Miller felt the delivery was not recognize that the Bible was not concept, but the date was. Even "edifying," he'd absent himself a compilation of uninspired October 22, 1844, the though some believed the world from church. Upon learning of books, but a revelation from God date set by some for Christ's re- was getting worse, others believed this, his mother saw to it that he himself, and when one of his de- turn to earth—how did it origi- the "golden age" was about to be was invited to read the sermon istic friends challenged him about nate, and why did it spread so ushered in when the world would on those Sundays. there being a personal Savior, rapidly in the eastern United become the perfect place in which A time came when he began to Miller determined to harmonize States? Were many people really to live. An on-going conflict be- looking for Jesus to return on tween these two philosophies that date, or was it just a small continued for some time. radical element? Miller had not always been a T WAS LATE FALL in New Historians recall that in the Bible student. For 12 years he early nineteenth century Chris- had been a deist during which Ipswich, New Hampshire, and tians "of all stripes" believed they time he became a member of the time for the heavy frosts of were on the edge of the kingdom Masons, advancing to the high- I of God. The frighteningly destruc- est rank. In addition, he became October when Leonard Hastings' tive Lisbon earthquake of 1755 a locally active Jeffersonian Demo- had helped direct the minds of crat and filled the offices of con- neighbors noticed he hadn't many to topics dealing with the stable, sheriff, and justice of the end of the world. And the social peace. He also owned a relatively harvested his field of potatoes. and political upheavals that were prosperous farm. taking place in the aftermath of During the war of 1812 and `Aren't you going to dig your the French Revolution of the the conflict with Great Britain, potatoes?" they asked. 1790s helped focus on end time he was elected lieutenant of the events. It seemed the world was Vermont militia and spent much "No," he said. "171 not need them. poised for a definite message of his tour of duty as a recruiter about a better future and Christ's for the army. With the gift of The Lord is coming." return. leadership, he was able to galva- In 1818, William Miller, a re- nize support for whatever was "We'll dig them for you," they cent convert to Christianity, made being promoted. the amazing deduction through However, at the close of the offered. Bible study that Jesus Christ was war, Miller turned his back on his "No," he answered, "I'm going to return to earth to personally deistic friends and began serious set up his eternal kingdom. Ac- Bible study. But this brought to let that field of potatoes preach cording to his findings, this was much confusion into his mind as to take place in about 25 years' he wrestled with the positive as- my faith in the Lord's time, making it either 1843 or pects of deism and problematic 1844. In his studies, Miller, a portions of the Bible. Two events soon coming." farmer in northern New York helped clarify his thinking. One state, formulated this concept was the return of the veterans "Old fool!" they said through his interpretation of the from the war who recalled their behind his back. "He'll prophecies found in the books of bitter battle and final victory, thus Daniel and Revelation. highlighting the need for a better find out he needs his world. The other had to do with (Cover photo) Ascension Rock on the William Miller farm in Low Hampton, the deacon's reading of the morn- potatoes." New York. Photo: Geraldine Hess ing sermon in church on days the pastor was not present. Because 2 RECORD / October 1994 Dissatisfied with his current views on life, William Miller. at age 34, began serious Bible study. (Above) The sturdy farmhouse built by William Miller in 1815. (Above. left) Barns on the William Miller farm dating to 1815. Photos by Geraldine T. Hess Scenic view of farms in Whitehall, New York (then known as Low Hampton). all the apparent contradictions about my business," he penned, against the Lord, and determined his speaking career, and even to his own satisfaction. And he "it was continually ringing in my not to go. I left the boy [who had though his physical appearance was not one to do things half- ears, 'Go and tell the world of come with the request] without was not outstanding, people were heartedly. He began reading in their danger.'" But even then, giving him any answer, and re- impressed with his manners and Genesis and read each verse, "pro- Miller resisted. His fear of rejec- tired in great distress to a grove with the evidence of his being ceeding no faster than the mean- tion by people kept him from nearby. There I struggled with very well-educated, with much ing of the several passages should telling others of his findings. the Lord for about an hour . common sense and an evident be so unfolded, as to leave me For five years he resisted shar- but could get no relief."4 sincerity in his belief. free from embarrassment respect- ing his convictions, but by 1823 Miller did not preach his first As a newspaper editor of the ing any mysticism or contradic- he felt compelled to talk to some sermon in the church. Hiram Lynn Record put it, "No one can tion."1 of his friends and ministers. He Guilford, who at the time was a hear him five minutes without Miller's philosophy was, "You was hoping one of the ministers young man, remembers his being convinced of his sincerity." must preach Bible; you must would be willing to preach on "Uncle William Miller sitting in Many other newspapers com- prove all things by Bible; you Christ's second coming, but no the armchair in his father's log mented on Miller's spectacular must talk Bible; you must exhort one was forthcoming. house, with the big Bible on his preaching and his sincerity, in- Bible; you must pray Bible, and Finally, while sitting in the east knees, painting in word pictures cluding the Sandy Hill Herald, love Bible; and do all in your study of his sturdy farmhouse on to the assembled neighbors the Cincinnati Commercial and the power to make others love Bible, a Saturday morning in the sum- visions of Daniel, of the beasts Maine Wesleyan Journal. Many too."2 To find all the answers to mer of 1831, after giving the Lord that meant kingdoms . For marveled at his special ability to his questions he used every refer- all his usual excuses about not Uncle would not go to the church, reach the male community with ence book he could lay his hands being a minister and not know- because he was not a preacher." such a life-changing force. As a on. ing how to preach, he was still so Guilford also remembers how result of hearing him preach, Once he discovered the day- distressed that, as he put it, "I "the house became filled to over- many abandoned their evil ways for-a-year interpretation of proph- entered into a solemn covenant flowing, as day by day and night and began attending church on a ecy and established the nearness with God, that if He would open after night Miller opened the regular basis. of Jesus' coming (as he inter- the way, I would go and perform floodgates of his soul and mind, After hearing Miller speak in preted it), Miller felt it his duty to my duty to the world."3 and gave them the first angel's Portland, Maine, a pastor wrote let others know, but he was not a He felt he could now relax from message."' saying that "Infidels, Deists, Uni- preacher and was hesitant to his 13-year burden, because he That marked the beginning of versalists, and the most aban- share his new-found message in really didn't believe God would doned profligates, have been con- case he was in error."When I was do anything about it. However, verted; some who had not been in about a half-hour, as he put it, "I was immediately angry with myself for having made the cov- enant . ; I rebelled at once October 1994 / RECORD 3 AN11111111.1.11.11101111.11.11111MP SECOND ADVENT CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING. Corrected Notice. The undersigned were appointed by the Second Advent Conference, held at Boston, the 24th of May, a Committee to prepare a place and appoint a time for holding a public meeting for the purpose of assembling Christians together to worship God. The principal object of the meeting is to give the Midnight Cry, viz. holding up the immediate coming of Christ to judge the world. We therefore inform our friends and the publie that, by permission of Divine Providence, the meet- ing will be held at EAST KINGSTON, N. EL, in a fine grove near the Rail Road, leading to Exe- ter, commencing Tuesday, JUNE 23tb, and continue to July 5th.