An Amusing Incident by T. E. Bowen

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 23, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 49.

An Amusing Incident

By T. E. Bowen

FROM the Review and Herald of October 31, 1854, published at Rochester, New York, we take the following amusing incident that occurred during the labors of William Miller. It well illustrates to what lengths blind prejudice will drive people, especially when they are brought to that place where they must face the truths of God's word. The story runs thus:

“From the sixth to the ninth of March, Mr. William Miller lectured in Medford, Massachusetts. While here, a friend took him to a phrenologist in Boston, with whom he was himself acquainted, but who had no suspicion whose head he was about to examine. The phrenologist commenced by saying that the person under examination had a large, well-developed, and well-balanced head. While examining the moral and intellectual organs, he said to Mr. Miller's friend:

“‘I tell you what it is, Mr. Miller could not easily make a convert of this man to his hair-brained theory. He has too much good sense.’”

“Thus he proceeded, making comparisons between the head he was examining and the head of Mr. Miller, as he fancied it would be.

“‘O, how I should like to examine Mr. Miller’s head?’ said he. ‘I would give it one squeezing.’”

“The phrenologist, knowing that the gentleman was a particular friend of Mr. Miller, spared no pains in going out of the way to make remarks upon him. Putting his hand on the organ of marvelousness, he said, ‘There! I’ll bet you anything that old Miller has got a bump on his head there as big as my fist,’ at the same time doubling up his fist as an illustration.

“The others present laughed at the perfection of the joke, and he heartily joined them, supposing they were laughing at his witticisms on Mr. Miller.

“‘He laughed; ’twas well. The tale applied Soon made him laugh on t’other side.’”

“He pronounced the head of the gentleman under examination the reverse, in every particular, of what he declared Mr. Miller’s must be. When through, he made out his chart, and politely asked Mr. Miller his name.

“Mr. Miller said it was of no consequence about putting his name upon the chart, but the phrenologist insisted.

“‘Very well,’ said Mr. M., ‘you may call it Miller, if you choose.’”

“‘Miller, Miller,’ said he; ‘what is your first name?’”

“‘They call me William Miller.’”

“‘What! the gentleman who is lecturing on the prophecies?’”

“‘Yes, sir, the same.’”

“At this the phrenologist settled back in his chair, the personation of astonishment and dismay, and spoke not a word while the company remained. His feelings may be more easily imagined than described.”

T. E. BOWEN.