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great teachers. Many to whom the people had looked for instruction
in divine things were proved to be ignorant both of the Scriptures and
of the power of God. Yet their very ignorance rendered them more
determined; they could not maintain their position by the Scriptures,
and they were driven to resort to the sayings and doctrines of men,
to the traditions of the Fathers.
But the word of God was the only testimony accepted by the
advocates of truth. “The Bible and the Bible only,” was their watch- [213]
word. The weakness of all arguments brought against them, re-
vealed to Adventists the strength of the foundation upon which they
stood. At the same time it angered their opponents, who, for want
of stronger weapons, resorted to personal abuse. Grave doctors of
divinity sneered at Wm. Miller as an unlearned and feeble adver-
sary. Because he explained the visions of Daniel and John, he was
denounced as a man of fanciful ideas, who made visions and dreams
his hobby. The plainest statements of Bible facts, which could not be
controverted, were met with the cry of heresy, ignorance, stupidity,
insolence.
Many churches were thrown open to the enemies of the Advent
faith, while they were closed against its friends. The sentiments
expressed by Doctor Eck concerning Luther were the same that
inspired ministers and people to refuse Adventists a hearing. Said
the papal champion: “I am surprised at the humility and modesty
with which the reverend doctor [Luther] undertakes to oppose, alone,
so many illustrious Fathers, thus affirming that he knows more of
these things than the sovereign pontiffs, the councils, the doctors,
and the universities.” “It would be surprising, no doubt, if God had
hidden the truth from so many saints and martyrs until the advent of
the reverend father.” Thus thought great and wise men in the days
of Noah, thus argued the opponents of Wm. Miller, and thus still
argue those who oppose the proclamation of the Advent faith and
the commandments of God.
When Luther was accused of preaching novelties, he declared:
“These are not novelties that I preach. But I affirm that the doctrines
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of Christianity have been lost sight of by those whose special duty
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The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
it was to preserve them; by the learned, by the bishops. I doubt not
indeed that the truth has still found an abode in some few hearts.”
“Poor husbandmen and simple children in these days understand
more of Jesus Christ than the pope, the bishops, or the doctors.”
When Wm. Miller was charged with showing contempt for the
doctors of divinity, he pointed to the word of God as the standard by
which all doctrines and theories must be tested; and, knowing that
he had truth on his side, he went forward in his work undismayed.
In every age, God has called his servants to lift up their voices
against the prevailing errors and sins of the multitude. Noah was
called to stand alone to warn the antediluvian world. Moses and
Aaron were alone against king and princes, magicians and wise men,
and the multitudes of Egypt. Elijah was alone when he testified
against an apostate king and a backsliding people. Daniel and his
fellows stood alone against the decrees of mighty monarchs. The
majority are usually to be found on the side of error and falsehood.
The fact that doctors of divinity have the world on their side does
not prove them to be on the side of truth and of God. The wide gate
and the broad road attract the multitudes, while the strait gate and
the narrow way are sought only by the few.
If ministers and people had really desired to know the truth, and
had given to the Advent doctrine the earnest, prayerful attention
which its importance demands, they would have seen that it was in
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harmony with the Scriptures. Had they united with its advocates in
their labors, there would have resulted such a revival of the work
of God as the world has never witnessed. As Whitefield and the
Wesleys were urged by the Holy Spirit to arouse the formal and
world-loving churches of their time, so was Wm. Miller moved
to proclaim the coming of Christ and the necessity of a work of
preparation. His only offense was that of opening to the world the
“sure word of prophecy, whereunto,” says the apostle Peter, “ye do
well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” [2
Peter 1:19.] He urged its truths upon the people, not with harshness, but in a more mild and persuasive ma
other reformers.
The opposition which he encountered was very similar to that
which had been experienced by Wesley and his fellow-laborers.
Let the popular churches of today remember that the men whose
William Miller
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memory they cherish with reverence endured the same hatred, scorn,
and abuse from the press and the pulpit that were heaped upon Wm.
Miller.
Why were the doctrine and preaching of Christ’s second com-
ing so offensive to the churches? When Jesus made known to his
disciples that he must be separated from them, he said, “I go to
prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there
ye may be also.” [John 14:2, 3.] When he ascended from Olivet, the compassionate Saviour, anticipating the loneliness and sorrow of his
followers, commissioned angels to comfort them with the assurance
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that he would come again in person, even as he went into heaven. As
the disciples stood gazing intently upward to catch the last glimpse
of him whom they loved, their attention was arrested by the words,
“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same
Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
ma
Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, prais-
ing and blessing God.” [Luke 24:52, 53.] They were not rejoicing because Jesus had been separated from them and they were left to
struggle with the trials and temptations of the world, but because of
the angels’ assurance that he would come again.
Those who really love the Saviour ca
message founded upon the word of God, the He in whom their
hopes of eternal life are centered is coming again, not to be insulted,
despised, and rejected, as at his first advent, but in power and glory,
to redeem his people. The proclamation of Christ’s coming should
now be, as when made by the angels to the shepherds of Bethlehem,
good tidings of great joy. There can be no more conclusive evidence
that the churches have departed from God than the irritation and