WM. MILLER by William Miller

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Aug 19, 1851

WM. MILLER

By William Miller

Dear Bro. Jones: Yours of the 23d inst., was received yesterday, and I am now seated to answer it. The disappointment which we have experienced in my opinion, could never have been foreseen or avoided, and we have been honest men and believed in the truth of the Bible. I have had time a few weeks past, to review the whole subject, and with all the aid of Stuart, Chase, Weeks, Bush, and the whole school of modern writers, I cannot see why we are not right. And even by taking the whole together, instead of disproving the position we have taken, as it respect prophecy, they confirm me in my views. But say you, time has shown that we are wrong. I am not so certain of that. Suppose Christ should come before this year of Jewish time should expire; then every honest man would say we were right. But if the world does stand two or even three years more, it would not in the least alter the manner of the prophecy; but would affect the time. One thing I do know, I have preached nothing but what I believed, and God’s hand has been in with me, his power has been manifested in the work, and much good has been effected; for the people have read the Bible for themselves, and no one can honestly say they have been deceived by me. My advice has always been for every one to study the evidences of their faith for themselves.

Again, I can see no object that Satan could have in publishing a doctrine which his own subjects would so generally oppose. No one can possibly plead that those who have excited the mobs, or the mobs themselves who have committed violence, were obeying the example or spirit of Christ. This would be blasphemy in the highest sense. Very well; then Satan would be opposing Satan, but on the part of the Adventists, Satan would be a non-resistant.—Can this be true? If it is, then I have no rule by which to judge where the Spirit of Christ may be known. To tell us that those who have heeded the most violent mobs in our country were performing the will of God is an insult to common sense. Yet in no case have the nominal churches dealt with their brethren for such an offence.

It cannot be that we are deceived. That Christ will come and justify us yet, I will not doubt. Our meetings are like yours, sweet and heavenly refreshings from the presence and Spirit of God, with no wicked to molest us; they have left us entirely. For some time in October they crowded our house night and day; but now “there is room enough;” the trap is laid for them, they appear to know that Christ will never come; they that were crying for mercy a few days since, are now scoffing and mocking us, and ridiculing each other’s fears. Even some old professors are worse than the world.—Have not such individuals sinned against the Holy Ghost? And when they say “Peace and safety,” will not sudden destruction overtake them? While the wicked were thus expecting him, how could the Scriptures have been all fulfilled if he had come? They could not. But now they are ready for the snare, and out of their own mouths God will judge them; for they well knew they were unprepared, and the way they knew, or why so anxious for mercy? But when the danger was past, all of their preparation was over.

I feel confident that we shall see very serious times. We shall need much patience. And this peculiar grace will last us through, “unto the coming of the LORD. But I will try to be patient. James v, 7—11. To whom did the Apostle address himself in his exhortation? To what age of the Church? To that age where the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and the Judge standeth at the door. Why did he caution them to be patient? Because he supposed they would be impatient to have the Lord come. Is there any sign among our nominal churches and sects, that they are impatient for Christ to come? No; evidently it is the reverse—they desire him not to come. Then, if the Judge standeth at the door, they are not James’ brethren? No. Will you tell me who are James’ brethren in this age? They are those who are converted from Judaism and scattered, James i, 1—4; they ask wisdom of God in faith, not wavering, 5th and 6th verses; the poor among them are exalted, and the rich are made low, 9th and 10th verses; they endure temptation without wavering, and after their trial are blessed with a crown of life, 12th verse; they are begotten of God with his word of truth, and doers as well as hearers of the word, 18—22 verses; they have forsaken creeds, and look and continue in the law of liberty, 25th verse; they visit the afflicted and have no fellowship with the world, 27th verse.

They must not countenance nor support war, for that cometh from lust, James iv, 1—3; they must not have respect to the rich and despise the poor, for that is judging unrighteously, James ii, 1—10; they must show their faith by their works, and have no boasting where there works are not made manifest, 14th to 20th verse; they must not strive to be masters or rulers of their brethren, and have but few D. D.’s or A. M.,s among them, James iii, 1—12; they must have no envying or striving against the truth, and be possessed of that wisdom which cometh down from above, 13th to 18th verse; they are to humble themselves, and speak no evil of the brethren, James iv, 10—17; they are to cry unto the Lord in their afflictions and persecutions, and make no resistance, James v, 4—6; they will stablish their hearts in faith by patience, and grieve not the brethren, 7—9 verses; they will take the prophets for their example, and remember that the end of Job’s trials from the Lord was his patience, 10th and 11th verses; they will not swear nor take any oath, v, 12th. If afflicted, they will pray—if merry, sing, if they are sick, call for the Elders to pray, and if they sin, confess their faults, and if others sin, restore if possible, 13—20 verses.

And now, my brother, if you can find such a band, they are the Apostle’s brethren. Say to such “Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” Read this to all the holy brethren; for it is the best and only advice I can give them; and tell them I request their prayers, that I may follow the same advice; for their prayers are better to me than the world’s love, and much more to be desired than a good name from those who hate my King. I ask no favors of Cæsar’s household, but that I may enjoy in peace my blessed hope. I have never courted the smiles of the proud, nor quailed when the world frowned. I shall not now purchase their favor; nor shall I go beyond duty to tempt their hate. I shall never seek my life at their hands; nor shrink I hope, from losing it, if God in his good providence so orders. I thank God for your steadfastness in the truth, and pray him that you may endure unto the end. I remain, as ever, looking for and expecting the King in his glory soon.

WM. MILLER

Low Hampton, Nov. 29, 1844.