William Miller by Phebe A. Miner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1873

William Miller.

By Phebe A. Miner

THE valuable and interesting extracts from the life of Mr. Miller, which have appeared from week to week in our excellent paper, have no doubt been much appreciated by all of our people who were witnesses of his work in 1844, and who were especially sharers with him in the bitter disappointment which he experienced when the time passed, leaving them, instead of meeting their coming Lord, to pass through a flood of slander and abuse such as none can so well understand as those who bore that load of contumely and reproach.

As for myself, I have been very grateful for the privilege of reading these extracts, as I have always wished to know more of this good man, whose name, from my childhood, has been as familiar to me as household words. My home, until now, has always been within three miles of Mr. Miller’s pleasant home and the little Advent chapel at Low Hampton. And often, in my childhood, did myself and brother attend the Sunday-school there, in preference to our own at the white church. Our own church members would try to persuade us not to go; but to us, it seemed better to sit in the humble church whose walls had echoed, in by-gone days, to the earnest tread and tones of Mr. Miller as he preached a coming Jesus. We listened eagerly to whatever was said concerning him, although it was but little.

I well remember the remarks of a sister on one occasion. It was apparent to all that death had laid his mark upon her, and was soon to lock her in his prison-house; but she was one of those who had their lamps trimmed and burning in ’44; and although her brethren and sisters had suffered their faith to lag, yet she had fully learned the meaning of that prophecy of Habakkuk 2:3, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” She exhorted them, with tears, to prepare for Jesus’ coming. Although she might sleep in the grave, the time would not be long, even to the living. She pointed, with her finger, in the direction of father Miller’s grave, and said, with trembling voice, that “although the wrath of men and the rage of demons had been stirred against his work, yet his enemies should see him who ‘sowed in tears’ return with joy, ‘bringing his sheaves with him.’” Her remarks made an impression on my mind that can never be effaced, and laid the foundation for a better experience.

The little chapel has been remodeled so as to present a more pleasing appearance. Congregations flock there to hear the first-day Adventist preachers—Mr. Grant, occasionally, I believe, and others. Would that they might see the binding force of the fourth commandment, which shines so clearly from the word of God. Oh! if all who believe Jesus is soon coming could be convinced of the perpetuity of the great law of Jehovah, and make it a part of their faith and practice, what a bold front would then be presented to the world; and the name of Adventist would not have so many different rings and labels. But let us who profess to be looking for the Lord, and also to be keeping his Father’s down-trodden law, seek to be consistent with our faith.

PHEBE A. MINER.

Whitehall, N. Y., 1873.