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waters.” [Revelation 14:6, 7.]
The angel represented in prophecy as delivering this message,
symbolizes a class of faithful men, who, obedient to the promptings
of God’s Spirit and the teachings of his word, proclaim this warning
to the inhabitants of earth. This message was not to be committed
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to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve
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their co
therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul:
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
day; we are not of the night nor of darkness.” [1 Thessalonians 5:4,
5.]
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to catch
the tidings of the Saviour’s advent, the first to lift their voices to
proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for his
coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while
the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw his church, like
the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute
of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of
religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith—which
alone could render the service acceptable to God—was lacking.
Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride,
formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church
closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did not forsake them,
or suffer his faithfulness to fail; but they departed from him, and
separated themselves from his love. As they refused to comply with
the conditions, his promises were not fulfilled to them.
Love for Christ and faith in his coming waxed cold. Such is
the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and
privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in
his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing ev-
ery duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate
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into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will
disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of
the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience
corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience
requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of
the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from
Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visi-
tation. [Luke 19:44.] Because of their pride and unbelief, the Lord passed them by, and revealed his truth to men in humble life, who
had given heed to all the light they had received.
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Chapter 13—William Miller
An upright, honest-hearted farmer, who had been led to doubt
the divine authority of the Scriptures, yet who sincerely desired to
know the truth, was the man chosen of God to proclaim the nearness
of Christ’s second coming. Like many other reformers, William
Miller had in early life battled with poverty, and had thus learned
the great lessons of energy and self-denial. His mind was active and
well-developed, and he had a keen thirst for knowledge. Though he
had not enjoyed the advantages of a collegiate education, his love
of study and a habit of careful thought and close criticism rendered
him a man of sound judgment and comprehensive views.
He possessed an irreproachable moral character and an enviable
reputation, being generally esteemed for his integrity, thrift, and
benevolence. In childhood he had been subject to religious impres-
sions; but in early manhood, being thrown almost exclusively into
the society of deists, he was led to adopt their sentiments, which he
continued to hold for about twelve years. At the age of thirty-four,
however, the Holy Spirit impressed his heart with a sense of his
condition as a si
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of happiness beyond the grave. The future was dark and gloomy.
Referring afterward to his feelings at this time, he said:—
“A
was sure destruction to all. The heavens were as brass over my head,
and the earth as iron under my feet. Eternity—what was it? And
death—why was it? The more I reasoned, the further I was from
demonstration. The more I thought, the more scattered were my
conclusions. I tried to stop thinking; but my thoughts would not be
controlled. I was truly wretched, but did not understand the cause.
I murmured and complained, but knew not of whom. I knew that
there was a wrong, but knew not where or how to find the right. I
mourned, but without hope.”
In this state he continued for some months. “Suddenly,” he says,
“the character of a Saviour was vividly impressed upon my mind.
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It seemed that there might be a being so good and compassionate
as to himself atone for our transgressions, and thereby save us from
suffering the penalty of sin. I immediately felt how lovely such a
being must be, and imagined that I could cast myself into the arms
of, and trust in the mercy of, such a One. But the question arose,
How can it be proved that such a being does exist? Aside from the
Bible, I found that I could get no evidence of the existence of such a
Saviour, or even of a future state.”
“I saw that the Bible did bring to view just such a Saviour as I
needed; and I was perplexed to find how an uninspired book should
develop principles so perfectly adapted to the wants of a fallen world.
I was constrained to admit that the Scriptures must be a revelation
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from God. They became my delight; and in Jesus I found a friend.
The Saviour became to me the chiefest among ten thousand; and the
Scriptures, which before were dark and contradictory, now became
a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. My mind became settled
and satisfied. I found the Lord God to be a Rock in the midst of
the ocean of life. The Bible now became my chief study, and I can
truly say, I searched it with great delight. I found the half was never
told me. I wondered why I had not seen its beauty and glory before,
and marveled that I could ever have rejected it. I found everything
revealed that my heart could desire, and a remedy for every disease
of the soul. I lost all taste for other reading, and applied my heart to
get wisdom from God.”
He now publicly professed his faith in the religion which he had
despised. But his infidel associates were not slow to bring forward all
those arguments which he himself had often urged against the divine