Isaiah26:19；25:8，9。
AndHabakkuk，raptinholyvision，beheldHisappearing。\"GodcamefromTeman，andtheHolyOnefromMountParan。Hisglorycoveredtheheavens，andtheearthwasfullofHispraise。AndHisbrightnesswasasthelight。\"\"Hestood，andmeasuredtheearth:Hebeheld，anddroveasunderthenations；andtheeverlastingmountainswerescattered，theperpetualhilldidbow:Hiswaysareeverlasting。\"\"ThoudidstrideuponThinehorsesandThychariotsofsalvation。\"\"ThemountainssawThee，andtheytrembled:……thedeeputteredhisvoice，andlifteduphishandsonhigh。Thesunandmoonstoodstillintheir301
habitation:atthelightofThinearrowstheywent，andattheshiningofThyglitteringspear。\"\"ThouwentestforthforthesalvationofThypeople，evenforsalvationwithThineanointed。\"Habakkuk3:3，4，6，8，10，11，13。
WhentheSaviourwasabouttobeseparatedfromHisdisciples，HecomfortedthemintheirsorrowwiththeassurancethatHewouldcomeagain:\"Letnotyourheartbetroubled……InMyFather’shousearemanymansions……
Igotoprepareaplaceforyou。AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou，I
willcomeagain，andreceiveyouuntoMyself。\"John14:1-3。\"TheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim。\"\"ThenshallHesituponthethroneofHisglory:andbeforeHimshallbegatheredallnations。\"Matthew25:31，32。
TheangelswholingereduponOlivetafterChrist’sascensionrepeatedtothedisciplesthepromiseofHisreturn:\"ThissameJesus，whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven，shallsocomeinlikemannerasyehaveseenHimgointoheaven。\"Acts1:11。AndtheapostlePaul，speakingbytheSpiritofInspiration，testified:\"TheLordHimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout，withthevoiceoftheArchangel，andwiththetrumpofGod。\"1
Thessalonians4:16。SaystheprophetofPatmos:\"Behold，Hecomethwithclouds；andeveryeyeshallseeHim。\"Revelation1:7。
AboutHiscomingclusterthegloriesofthat\"restitutionofallthings，whichGodhathspokenbythemouthofallHisholyprophetssincetheworldbegan。\"Acts3:21。Thenthelong-continuedruleofevilshallbebroken；
\"thekingdomsofthisworld\"willbecome\"thekingdomsofourLord，andofHisChrist；andHeshallreignforeverandever。\"Revelation11:15。\"ThegloryoftheLordshallberevealed，andallfleshshallseeittogether。\"
\"TheLordGodwillcauserighteousnessandpraisetospringforthbeforeallthenations。\"Heshallbe\"foracrownofglory，andforadiademofbeauty，untotheresidueofHispeople。\"Isaiah40:5；61:11；28:5。
302
Itisthenthatthepeacefulandlong-desiredkingdomoftheMessiahshallbeestablishedunderthewholeheaven。\"TheLordshallcomfortZion:Hewillcomfortallherwasteplaces；andHewillmakeherwildernesslikeEden，andherdesertlikethegardenoftheLord。\"\"ThegloryofLebanonshallbegivenuntoit，theexcellencyofCarmelandSharon。\"\"ThoushaltnomorebetermedForsaken；neithershallthylandanymorebetermedDesolate:butthoushaltbecalledMyDelight，andthylandBeulah。\"\"Asthebridegroomrejoicethoverthebride，soshallthyGodrejoiceoverthee。\"Isaiah51:3；
35:2；62:4，5，margin。
ThecomingoftheLordhasbeeninallagesthehopeofHistruefollowers。
TheSaviour’spartingpromiseuponOlivet，thatHewouldcomeagain，lightedupthefutureforHisdisciples，fillingtheirheartswithjoyandhopethatsorrowcouldnotquenchnortrialsdim。Amidsufferingandpersecution，the\"appearingofthegreatGodandourSaviourJesusChrist\"wasthe\"blessedhope。\"WhentheThessalonianChristianswerefilledwithgriefastheyburiedtheirlovedones，whohadhopedtolivetowitnessthecomingoftheLord，Paul，theirteacher，pointedthemtotheresurrection，totakeplaceattheSaviour’sadvent。ThenthedeadinChristshouldrise，andtogetherwiththelivingbecaughtuptomeettheLordintheair。\"Andso，\"hesaid，\"shallweeverbewiththeLord。Whereforecomfortoneanotherwiththesewords。\"1Thessalonians4:16-18。
OnrockyPatmosthebeloveddisciplehearsthepromise，\"SurelyIcomequickly，\"andhislongingresponsevoicestheprayerofthechurchinallherpilgrimage，\"Evenso，come，LordJesus。\"Revelation22:20。
Fromthedungeon，thestake，thescaffold，wheresaintsandmartyrswitnessedforthetruth，comesdownthecenturiestheutteranceoftheirfaithandhope。Being\"assuredofHispersonalresurrection，andconsequentlyoftheirownatHiscoming，forthiscause，\"saysoneoftheseChristians，\"theydespiseddeath，andwerefoundtobeaboveit。\"——DanielT。
Taylor，TheReignofChristonEarth:or，TheVoice303
oftheChurchinAllAges，page33。Theywerewillingtogodowntothegrave，thattheymight\"risefree。\"——Ibid。，page54。Theylookedforthe\"LordtocomefromheaveninthecloudswiththegloryofHisFather，\"\"bringingtothejustthetimesofthekingdom。\"TheWaldensescherishedthesamefaith——Ibid。，pages129-132。
WycliffelookedforwardtotheRedeemer’sappearingasthehopeofthechurch——Ibid。，pages132-134。
Lutherdeclared:\"Ipersuademyselfverily，thatthedayofjudgmentwillnotbeabsentfullthreehundredyears。Godwillnot，cannot，sufferthiswickedworldmuchlonger。\"\"Thegreatdayisdrawingnearinwhichthekingdomofabominationsshallbeoverthrown。\"——Ibid。，pages158，134。
\"Thisagedworldisnotfarfromitsend，\"saidMelanchthon。CalvinbidsChristians\"nottohesitate，ardentlydesiringthedayofChrist’scomingasofalleventsmostauspicious；\"anddeclaresthat\"thewholefamilyofthefaithfulwillkeepinviewthatday。\"\"WemusthungerafterChrist，wemustseek，contemplate，\"hesays，\"tillthedawningofthatgreatday，whenourLordwillfullymanifestthegloryofHiskingdom。\"——Ibid。，pages158，134。
\"HasnottheLordJesuscarriedupourfleshintoheaven？\"saidKnox，theScotchReformer，\"andshallHenotreturn？WeknowthatHeshallreturn，andthatwithexpedition。\"RidleyandLatimer，wholaiddowntheirlivesforthetruth，lookedinfaithfortheLord’scoming。Ridleywrote:\"Theworldwithoutdoubt——thisIdobelieve，andthereforeIsayit——drawstoanend。
LetuswithJohn，theservantofGod，cryinourheartsuntoourSaviourChrist，Come，LordJesus，come。\"——Ibid。，pages151，145。
\"ThethoughtsofthecomingoftheLord，\"saidBaxter，\"aremostsweetandjoyfultome。\"——RichardBaxter，Works，vol。17，p。555。\"ItistheworkoffaithandthecharacterofHissaintstoloveHisappearingandtolookforthatblessedhope。\"\"Ifdeathbethelastenemytobedestroyedattheresurrection，wemaylearnhowearnestlybelieversshouldlongandprayforthesecondcomingofChrist，whenthis304
fullandfinalconquestshallbemade。\"——Ibid。，vol。17，p。500。\"Thisisthedaythatallbelieversshouldlong，andhope，andwaitfor，asbeingtheaccomplishmentofalltheworkoftheirredemption，andallthedesiresandendeavorsoftheirsouls。\"\"Hasten，OLord，thisblessedday！\"——Ibid。，vol。
17，pp。
182，183。Suchwasthehopeoftheapostolicchurch，ofthe\"churchinthewilderness，\"andoftheReformers。
ProphecynotonlyforetellsthemannerandobjectofChrist’scoming，butpresentstokensbywhichmenaretoknowwhenitisnear。SaidJesus:\"Thereshallbesignsinthesun，andinthemoon，andinthestars。\"Luke21:25。
\"Thesunshallbedarkened，andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight，andthestarsofheavenshallfall，andthepowersthatareinheavenshallbeshaken。AndthenshalltheyseetheSonofmancominginthecloudswithgreatpowerandglory。\"Mark13:24-26。Therevelatorthusdescribesthefirstofthesignstoprecedethesecondadvent:\"Therewasagreatearthquake；andthesunbecameblackassackclothofhair，andthemoonbecameasblood。\"Revelation6:12。
Thesesignswerewitnessedbeforetheopeningofthenineteenthcentury。Infulfillmentofthisprophecythereoccurred，intheyear1755，themostterribleearthquakethathaseverbeenrecorded。ThoughcommonlyknownastheearthquakeofLisbon，itextendedtothegreaterpartofEurope，Africa，andAmerica。ItwasfeltinGreenland，intheWestIndies，intheislandofMadeira，inNorwayandSweden，GreatBritainandIreland。Itpervadedanextentofnotlessthanfourmillionsquaremiles。InAfricatheshockwasalmostassevereasinEurope。AgreatpartofAlgierswasdestroyed；andashortdistancefromMorocco，avillagecontainingeightortenthousandinhabitantswasswallowedup。AvastwavesweptoverthecoastofSpainandAfricaengulfingcitiesandcausinggreatdestruction。
ItwasinSpainandPortugalthattheshockmanifesteditsextremeviolence。
AtCadiztheinflowingwavewassaidtobesixtyfeethigh。Mountains，\"someofthelargestinPortugal，wereimpetuouslyshaken，asitwere，fromtheirvery305
foundations，andsomeofthemopenedattheirsummits，whichweresplitandrentinawonderfulmanner，hugemassesofthembeingthrowndownintotheadjacentvalleys。Flamesarerelatedtohaveissuedfromthesemountains。\"——
SirCharlesLyell，PrinciplesofGeology，page495。
AtLisbon\"asoundofthunderwasheardunderground，andimmediatelyafterwardsaviolentshockthrewdownthegreaterpartofthatcity。Inthecourseofaboutsixminutessixtythousandpersonsperished。Theseafirstretired，andlaidthebardry；itthenrolledin，risingfiftyfeetormoreaboveitsordinarylevel。\"\"AmongotherextraordinaryeventsrelatedtohaveoccurredatLisbonduringthecatastrophe，wasthesubsidenceofanewquay，builtentirelyofmarble，atanimmenseexpense。Agreatconcourseofpeoplehadcollectedthereforsafety，asaspotwheretheymightbebeyondthereachoffallingruins；butsuddenlythequaysankdownwithallthepeopleonit，andnotoneofthedeadbodieseverfloatedtothesurface。\"——Ibid。，page495。
\"Theshock\"oftheearthquake\"wasinstantlyfollowedbythefallofeverychurchandconvent，almostallthelargepublicbuildings，andmorethanonefourthofthehouses。Inabouttwohoursaftertheshock，firesbrokeoutindifferentquarters，andragedwithsuchviolenceforthespaceofnearlythreedays，thatthecitywascompletelydesolated。Theearthquakehappenedonaholyday，whenthechurchesandconventswerefullofpeople，veryfewofwhomescaped。\"——EncyclopediaAmericana，art。\"Lisbon，\"noteed。1831。
\"Theterrorofthepeoplewasbeyonddescription。Nobodywept；itwasbeyondtears。Theyranhitherandthither，deliriouswithhorrorandastonishment，beatingtheirfacesandbreasts，crying，’Misericordia！theworld’satanend！’Mothersforgottheirchildren，andranaboutloadedwithcrucifixedimages。Unfortunately，manyrantothechurchesforprotection；butinvainwasthesacramentexposed；invaindidthepoorcreaturesembracethealtars；images，priests，andpeoplewereburiedinonecommonruin。\"Ithasbeenestimatedthatninetythousandpersonslosttheirlivesonthatfatalday。
306
Twenty-fiveyearslaterappearedthenextsignmentionedintheprophecy——thedarkeningofthesunandmoon。Whatrenderedthismorestrikingwasthefactthatthetimeofitsfulfillmenthadbeendefinitelypointedout。IntheSaviour’sconversationwithHisdisciplesuponOlivet，afterdescribingthelongperiodoftrialforthechurch，——the1260yearsofpapalpersecution，concerningwhichHehadpromisedthatthetribulationshouldbeshortened，——HethusmentionedcertaineventstoprecedeHiscoming，andfixedthetimewhenthefirstoftheseshouldbewitnessed:\"Inthosedays，afterthattribulation，thesunshallbedarkened，andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight。\"Mark13:24。The1260days，oryears，terminatedin1798。Aquarterofacenturyearlier，persecutionhadalmostwhollyceased。Followingthispersecution，accordingtothewordsofChrist，thesunwastobedarkened。Onthe19thofMay，1780，thisprophecywasfulfilled。
\"Almost，ifnotaltogetheralone，asthemostmysteriousandasyetunexplainedphenomenonofitskind，……standsthedarkdayofMay19，1780，——amostunaccountabledarkeningofthewholevisibleheavensandatmosphereinNewEngland。\"——R。M。Devens，OurFirstCentury，page89。
AneyewitnesslivinginMassachusettsdescribestheeventasfollows:\"Inthemorningthesunroseclear，butwassoonovercast。Thecloudsbecamelowery，andfromthem，blackandominous，astheysoonappeared，lightningflashed，thunderrolled，andalittlerainfell。Towardnineo’clock，thecloudsbecamethinner，andassumedabrassyorcopperyappearance，andearth，rocks，trees，buildings，water，andpersonswerechangedbythisstrange，unearthlylight。Afewminuteslater，aheavyblackcloudspreadovertheentireskyexceptanarrowrimatthehorizon，anditwasasdarkasitusuallyisatnineo’clockonasummerevening……
\"Fear，anxiety，andawegraduallyfilledthemindsofthepeople。Womenstoodatthedoor，lookingoutuponthedarklandscape；menreturnedfromtheirlaborinthefields；the307
carpenterlefthistools，theblacksmithhisforge，thetradesmanhiscounter。Schoolsweredismissed，andtremblinglythechildrenfledhomeward。
Travelersputupatthenearestfarmhouse。’Whatiscoming？’queriedeverylipandheart。Itseemedasifahurricanewasabouttodashacrosstheland，orasifitwasthedayoftheconsummationofallthings。
\"Candleswereused；andhearthfiresshoneasbrightlyasonamoonlesseveninginautumn……Fowlsretiredtotheirroostsandwenttosleep，cattlegatheredatthepasturebarsandlowed，frogspeeped，birdssangtheireveningsongs，andbatsflewabout。Butthehumanknewthatnighthadnotcome……
\"Dr。NathanaelWhittaker，pastoroftheTabernaclechurchinSalem，heldreligiousservicesinthemeeting-house，andpreachedasermoninwhichhemaintainedthatthedarknesswassupernatural。Congregationscametogetherinmanyotherplaces。ThetextsfortheextemporaneoussermonswereinvariablythosethatseemedtoindicatethatthedarknesswasconsonantwithScripturalprophecy……Thedarknesswasmostdenseshortlyaftereleveno’clock。\"——TheEssexAntiquarian，April，1899，vol。3，No。4，pp。53，54。\"Inmostpartsofthecountryitwassogreatinthedaytime，thatthepeoplecouldnottellthehourbyeitherwatchorclock，nordine，normanagetheirdomesticbusiness，withoutthelightofcandles……
\"Theextentofthisdarknesswasextraordinary。ItwasobservedasfareastasFalmouth。TothewestwarditreachedtothefarthestpartofConnecticut，andtoAlbany。Tothesouthward，itwasobservedalongtheseacoasts；andtothenorthasfarastheAmericansettlementsextend。\"——WilliamGordon，HistoryoftheRise，Progress，andEstablishmentoftheIndependenceoftheU。S。A。，vol。3，p。57。
Theintensedarknessofthedaywassucceeded，anhourortwobeforeevening，byapartiallyclearsky，andthesunappeared，thoughitwasstillobscuredbytheblack，heavymist。\"Aftersundown，thecloudscameagainoverhead，and308
itgrewdarkveryfast。\"\"Norwasthedarknessofthenightlessuncommonandterrifyingthanthatoftheday；notwithstandingtherewasalmostafullmoon，noobjectwasdiscerniblebutbythehelpofsomeartificiallight，which，whenseenfromtheneighboringhousesandotherplacesatadistance，appearedthroughakindofEgyptiandarknesswhichseemedalmostimpervioustotherays。\"——IsaiahThomas，MassachusettsSpy；or，AmericanOracleofLiberty，vol。10，No。472May25，1780。Saidaneyewitnessofthescene:
\"Icouldnothelpconceivingatthetime，thatifeveryluminousbodyintheuniversehadbeenshroudedinimpenetrableshades，orstruckoutofexistence，thedarknesscouldnothavebeenmorecomplete。\"——LetterbyDr。
SamuelTenney，ofExeter，NewHampshire，December，1785inMassachusettsHistoricalSocietyCollections，1792，1stseries，vol。1，p。97。Thoughatnineo’clockthatnightthemoonrosetothefull，\"ithadnottheleasteffecttodispelthedeathlikeshadows。\"Aftermidnightthedarknessdisappeared，andthemoon，whenfirstvisible，hadtheappearanceofblood。
May19，1780，standsinhistoryas\"TheDarkDay。\"SincethetimeofMosesnoperiodofdarknessofequaldensity，extent，andduration，haseverbeenrecorded。Thedescriptionofthisevent，asgivenbyeyewitnesses，isbutanechoofthewordsoftheLord，recordedbytheprophetJoel，twenty-fivehundredyearsprevioustotheirfulfillment:\"Thesunshallbeturnedintodarkness，andthemoonintoblood，beforethegreatandterribledayoftheLordcome。\"Joel2:31。
ChristhadbiddenHispeoplewatchforthesignsofHisadventandrejoiceastheyshouldbeholdthetokensoftheircomingKing。\"Whenthesethingsbegintocometopass，\"Hesaid，\"thenlookup，andliftupyourheads；foryourredemptiondrawethnigh。\"HepointedHisfollowerstothebuddingtreesofspring，andsaid:\"Whentheynowshootforth，yeseeandknowofyourownselvesthatsummerisnownighathand。Solikewiseye，whenyeseethesethings309
cometopass，knowyethatthekingdomofGodisnighathand。\"Luke21:28，30，31。
Butasthespiritofhumilityanddevotioninthechurchhadgivenplacetoprideandformalism，loveforChristandfaithinHiscominghadgrowncold。
Absorbedinworldlinessandpleasureseeking，theprofessedpeopleofGodwereblindedtotheSaviour’sinstructionsconcerningthesignsofHisappearing。Thedoctrineofthesecondadventhadbeenneglected；thescripturesrelatingtoitwereobscuredbymisinterpretation，untilitwas，toagreatextent，ignoredandforgotten。EspeciallywasthisthecaseinthechurchesofAmerica。Thefreedomandcomfortenjoyedbyallclassesofsociety，theambitiousdesireforwealthandluxury，begettinganabsorbingdevotiontomoney-making，theeagerrushforpopularityandpower，whichseemedtobewithinthereachofall，ledmentocentertheirinterestsandhopesonthethingsofthislife，andtoputfarinthefuturethatsolemndaywhenthepresentorderofthingsshouldpassaway。
WhentheSaviourpointedouttoHisfollowersthesignsofHisreturn，HeforetoldthestateofbackslidingthatwouldexistjustpriortoHissecondadvent。Therewouldbe，asinthedaysofNoah，theactivityandstirofworldlybusinessandpleasureseeking——buying，selling，planting，building，marrying，andgivinginmarriage——withforgetfulnessofGodandthefuturelife。Forthoselivingatthistime，Christ’sadmonitionis:\"Takeheedtoyourselves，lestatanytimeyourheartsbeoverchargedwithsurfeiting，anddrunkenness，andcaresofthislife，andsothatdaycomeuponyouunawares。\"\"Watchyetherefore，andprayalways，thatyemaybeaccountedworthytoescapeallthesethingsthatshallcometopass，andtostandbeforetheSonofman。\"Luke21:34，36。
TheconditionofthechurchatthistimeispointedoutintheSaviour’swordsintheRevelation:\"Thouhastaname310
thatthoulivest，andartdead。\"Andtothosewhorefusetoarousefromtheircarelesssecurity，thesolemnwarningisaddressed:\"Ifthereforethoushaltnotwatch，Iwillcomeontheeasathief，andthoushaltnotknowwhathourIwillcomeuponthee。\"Revelation3:1，3。
Itwasneedfulthatmenshouldbeawakenedtotheirdanger；thattheyshouldberousedtoprepareforthesolemneventsconnectedwiththecloseofprobation。TheprophetofGoddeclares:\"ThedayoftheLordisgreatandveryterrible；andwhocanabideit？\"WhoshallstandwhenHeappearethwhois\"ofpurereyesthantobeholdevil，\"andcannot\"lookoniniquity\"？Joel2:11；Habakkuk1:13。Tothemthatcry，\"MyGod，weknowThee，\"yethavetransgressedHiscovenant，andhastenedafteranothergod，hidinginiquityintheirhearts，andlovingthepathsofunrighteousness——tothesethedayoftheLordis\"darkness，andnotlight，evenverydark，andnobrightnessinit。\"Hosea8:2，1；Psalm16；4；Amos5:20。\"Itshallcometopassatthattime，\"saiththeLord，\"thatIwillsearchJerusalemwithcandles，andpunishthementhataresettledontheirlees:thatsayintheirheart，TheLordwillnotdogood，neitherwillHedoevil。\"Zephaniah1:12。\"Iwillpunishtheworldfortheirevil，andthewickedfortheiriniquity；andI
willcausethearrogancyoftheproudtocease，andwilllaylowthehaughtinessoftheterrible。\"Isaiah13:11。\"Neithertheirsilvernortheirgoldshallbeabletodeliverthem；\"\"theirgoodsshallbecomeabooty，andtheirhousesadesolation。\"Zephaniah1:18，13。
TheprophetJeremiah，lookingforwardtothisfearfultime，exclaimed:\"Iampainedatmyveryheart……Icannotholdmypeace，becausethouhastheard，Omysoul，thesoundofthetrumpet，thealarmofwar。Destructionupondestructioniscried。\"Jeremiah4:19，20。
\"Thatdayisadayofwrath，adayoftroubleanddistress，adayofwastenessanddesolation，adayofdarknessandgloominess，adayofcloudsandthickdarkness，adayofthetrumpetandalarm。\"Zephaniah1:15，16。
\"Behold，theday311
oftheLordcometh，……tolaythelanddesolate:andHeshalldestroythesinnersthereofoutofit。\"Isaiah13:9。
InviewofthatgreatdaythewordofGod，inthemostsolemnandimpressivelanguage，callsuponHispeopletoarousefromtheirspirituallethargyandtoseekHisfacewithrepentanceandhumiliation:\"BlowyethetrumpetinZion，andsoundanalarminMyholymountain:letalltheinhabitantsofthelandtremble:forthedayoftheLordcometh，foritisnighathand。\"
\"Sanctifyafast，callasolemnassembly:gatherthepeople，sanctifythecongregation，assembletheelders，gatherthechildren:……letthebridegroomgoforthofhischamber，andthebrideoutofhercloset。Letthepriests，theministersoftheLord，weepbetweentheporchandthealtar。\"
\"TurnyeeventoMewithallyourheart，andwithfasting，andwithweeping，andwithmourning:andrendyourheart，andnotyourgarments，andturnuntotheLordyourGod:forHeisgraciousandmerciful，slowtoanger，andofgreatkindness。\"Joel2:1，15-17，12，13。
ToprepareapeopletostandinthedayofGod，agreatworkofreformwastobeaccomplished。GodsawthatmanyofHisprofessedpeoplewerenotbuildingforeternity，andinHismercyHewasabouttosendamessageofwarningtoarousethemfromtheirstuporandleadthemtomakereadyforthecomingoftheLord。
ThiswarningisbroughttoviewinRevelation14。HereisathreefoldmessagerepresentedasproclaimedbyheavenlybeingsandimmediatelyfollowedbythecomingoftheSonofmantoreap\"theharvestoftheearth。\"
Thefirstofthesewarningsannouncestheapproachingjudgment。Theprophetbeheldanangelflying\"inthemidstofheaven，havingtheeverlastinggospeltopreachuntothemthatdwellontheearth，andtoeverynation，andkindred，andtongue，andpeople，sayingwithaloudvoice，FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome:andworshipHimthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。\"
Revelation14:6，7。
312
Thismessageisdeclaredtobeapartof\"theeverlastinggospel。\"Theworkofpreachingthegospelhasnotbeencommittedtoangels，buthasbeenentrustedtomen。Holyangelshavebeenemployedindirectingthiswork，theyhaveinchargethegreatmovementsforthesalvationofmen；buttheactualproclamationofthegospelisperformedbytheservantsofChristupontheearth。
Faithfulmen，whowereobedienttothepromptingsofGod’sSpiritandtheteachingsofHisword，weretoproclaimthiswarningtotheworld。Theywerethosewhohadtakenheedtothe\"surewordofprophecy，\"the\"lightthatshinethinadarkplace，untilthedaydawn，andthedaystararise。\"
2Peter1:19。TheyhadbeenseekingtheknowledgeofGodmorethanallhidtreasures，countingit\"betterthanthemerchandiseofsilver，andthegainthereofthanfinegold。\"Proverbs3:14。AndtheLordrevealedtothemthegreatthingsofthekingdom。\"ThesecretoftheLordiswiththemthatfearHim；andHewillshowthemHiscovenant。\"Psalm25:14。
Itwasnotthescholarlytheologianswhohadanunderstandingofthistruth，andengagedinitsproclamation。Hadthesebeenfaithfulwatchmen，diligentlyandprayerfullysearchingtheScriptures，theywouldhaveknownthetimeofnight；theprophecieswouldhaveopenedtothemtheeventsabouttotakeplace。Buttheydidnotoccupythisposition，andthemessagewasgivenbyhumblermen。SaidJesus:\"Walkwhileyehavethelight，lestdarknesscomeuponyou。\"John12:35。ThosewhoturnawayfromthelightwhichGodhasgiven，orwhoneglecttoseekitwhenitiswithintheirreach，areleftindarkness。ButtheSaviourdeclares:\"HethatfollowethMeshallnotwalkindarkness，butshallhavethelightoflife。\"John8:12。
WhoeveriswithsinglenessofpurposeseekingtodoGod’swill，earnestlyheedingthelightalreadygiven，willreceivegreaterlight；tothatsoulsomestarofheavenlyradiancewillbesenttoguidehimintoalltruth。
313
AtthetimeofChrist’sfirstadventthepriestsandscribesoftheHolyCity，towhomwereentrustedtheoraclesofGod，mighthavediscernedthesignsofthetimesandproclaimedthecomingofthePromisedOne。TheprophecyofMicahdesignatedHisbirthplace；DanielspecifiedthetimeofHisadvent。Micah5:2；Daniel9:25。GodcommittedthesepropheciestotheJewishleaders；theywerewithoutexcuseiftheydidnotknowanddeclaretothepeoplethattheMessiah’scomingwasathand。Theirignorancewastheresultofsinfulneglect。TheJewswerebuildingmonumentsfortheslainprophetsofGod，whilebytheirdeferencetothegreatmenofearththeywerepayinghomagetotheservantsofSatan。Absorbedintheirambitiousstrifeforplaceandpoweramongmen，theylostsightofthedivinehonorsprofferedthembytheKingofheaven。
WithprofoundandreverentinteresttheeldersofIsraelshouldhavebeenstudyingtheplace，thetime，thecircumstances，ofthegreatesteventintheworld’shistory——thecomingoftheSonofGodtoaccomplishtheredemptionofman。Allthepeopleshouldhavebeenwatchingandwaitingthattheymightbeamongthefirsttowelcometheworld’sRedeemer。But，lo，atBethlehemtwowearytravelersfromthehillsofNazarethtraversethewholelengthofthenarrowstreettotheeasternextremityofthetown，vainlyseekingaplaceofrestandshelterforthenight。Nodoorsareopentoreceivethem。Inawretchedhovelpreparedforcattle，theyatlastfindrefuge，andtheretheSaviouroftheworldisborn。
HeavenlyangelshadseentheglorywhichtheSonofGodsharedwiththeFatherbeforetheworldwas，andtheyhadlookedforwardwithintenseinteresttoHisappearingonearthasaneventfraughtwiththegreatestjoytoallpeople。Angelswereappointedtocarrythegladtidingstothosewhowerepreparedtoreceiveitandwhowouldjoyfullymakeitknowntotheinhabitantsoftheearth。ChristhadstoopedtotakeuponHimselfman’snature；Hewastobearaninfinite314
weightofwoeasHeshouldmakeHissoulanofferingforsin；yetangelsdesiredthateveninHishumiliationtheSonoftheHighestmightappearbeforemenwithadignityandglorybefittingHischaracter。WouldthegreatmenofearthassembleatIsrael’scapitaltogreetHiscoming？WouldlegionsofangelspresentHimtotheexpectantcompany？
AnangelvisitstheearthtoseewhoarepreparedtowelcomeJesus。Buthecandiscernnotokensofexpectancy。HehearsnovoiceofpraiseandtriumphthattheperiodofMessiah’scomingisathand。Theangelhoversforatimeoverthechosencityandthetemplewherethedivinepresencehasbeenmanifestedforages；butevenhereisthesameindifference。Thepriests，intheirpompandpride，areofferingpollutedsacrificesinthetemple。ThePhariseesarewithloudvoicesaddressingthepeopleormakingboastfulprayersatthecornersofthestreets。Inthepalacesofkings，intheassembliesofphilosophers，intheschoolsoftherabbis，allarealikeunmindfulofthewondrousfactwhichhasfilledallheavenwithjoyandpraise——thattheRedeemerofmenisabouttoappearupontheearth。
ThereisnoevidencethatChristisexpected，andnopreparationforthePrinceoflife。Inamazementthecelestialmessengerisabouttoreturntoheavenwiththeshamefultidings，whenhediscoversagroupofshepherdswhoarewatchingtheirflocksbynight，and，astheygazeintothestarryheavens，arecontemplatingtheprophecyofaMessiahtocometoearth，andlongingfortheadventoftheworld’sRedeemer。Hereisacompanythatispreparedtoreceivetheheavenlymessage。AndsuddenlytheangeloftheLordappears，declaringthegoodtidingsofgreatjoy。Celestialgloryfloodsalltheplain，aninnumerablecompanyofangelsisrevealed，andasifthejoyweretoogreatforonemessengertobringfromheaven，amultitudeofvoicesbreakforthintheanthemwhichallthenationsofthesavedshallonedaysing:\"GlorytoGodinthehighest，andonearthpeace，goodwilltowardmen。\"Luke2:14。
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Oh，whatalessonisthiswonderfulstoryofBethlehem！Howitrebukesourunbelief，ourprideandself-sufficiency。Howitwarnsustobeware，lestbyourcriminalindifferencewealsofailtodiscernthesignsofthetimes，andthereforeknownotthedayofourvisitation。
ItwasnotaloneuponthehillsofJudea，notamongthelowlyshepherdsonly，thatangelsfoundthewatchersforMessiah’scoming。InthelandoftheheathenalsowerethosethatlookedforHim；theywerewisemen，richandnoble，thephilosophersoftheEast。Studentsofnature，theMagihadseenGodinHishandiwork。FromtheHebrewScripturestheyhadlearnedoftheStartoariseoutofJacob，andwitheagerdesiretheyawaitedHiscoming，whoshouldbenotonlythe\"ConsolationofIsrael，\"buta\"LighttolightentheGentiles，\"and\"forsalvationuntotheendsoftheearth。\"Luke2:25，32；Acts13:47。Theywereseekersforlight，andlightfromthethroneofGodilluminedthepathfortheirfeet。WhilethepriestsandrabbisofJerusalem，theappointedguardiansandexpoundersofthetruth，wereshroudedindarkness，theHeaven-sentstarguidedtheseGentilestrangerstothebirthplaceofthenewbornKing。
Itis\"untothemthatlookforHim\"thatChrististo\"appearthesecondtimewithoutsinuntosalvation。\"Hebrews9:28。LikethetidingsoftheSaviour’sbirth，themessageofthesecondadventwasnotcommittedtothereligiousleadersofthepeople。TheyhadfailedtopreservetheirconnectionwithGod，andhadrefusedlightfromheaven；thereforetheywerenotofthenumberdescribedbytheapostlePaul:\"Butye，brethren，arenotindarkness，thatthatdayshouldovertakeyouasathief。Yeareallthechildrenoflight，andthechildrenoftheday:wearenotofthenight，norofdarkness。\"1Thessalonians5:4，5。
ThewatchmenuponthewallsofZionshouldhavebeenthefirsttocatchthetidingsoftheSaviour’sadvent，thefirsttolifttheirvoicestoproclaimHimnear，thefirsttowarnthepeopletoprepareforHiscoming。Buttheywereatease，316
dreamingofpeaceandsafety，whilethepeoplewereasleepintheirsins。
JesussawHischurch，likethebarrenfigtree，coveredwithpretentiousleaves，yetdestituteofpreciousfruit。Therewasaboastfulobservanceoftheformsofreligion，whilethespiritoftruehumility，penitence，andfaith——whichalonecouldrendertheserviceacceptabletoGod——waslacking。
InsteadofthegracesoftheSpiritthereweremanifestedpride，formalism，vainglory，selfishness，oppression。Abackslidingchurchclosedtheireyestothesignsofthetimes。Goddidnotforsakethem，orsufferHisfaithfulnesstofail；buttheydepartedfromHim，andseparatedthemselvesfromHislove。Astheyrefusedtocomplywiththeconditions，Hispromiseswerenotfulfilledtothem。
SuchisthesureresultofneglecttoappreciateandimprovethelightandprivilegeswhichGodbestows。UnlessthechurchwillfollowoninHisopeningprovidence，acceptingeveryrayoflight，performingeverydutywhichmayberevealed，religionwillinevitablydegenerateintotheobservanceofforms，andthespiritofvitalgodlinesswilldisappear。Thistruthhasbeenrepeatedlyillustratedinthehistoryofthechurch。GodrequiresofHispeopleworksoffaithandobediencecorrespondingtotheblessingsandprivilegesbestowed。Obediencerequiresasacrificeandinvolvesacross；andthisiswhysomanyoftheprofessedfollowersofChristrefusedtoreceivethelightfromheaven，and，liketheJewsofold，knewnotthetimeoftheirvisitation。Luke19:44。BecauseoftheirprideandunbelieftheLordpassedthembyandrevealedHistruthtothosewho，liketheshepherdsofBethlehemandtheEasternMagi，hadgivenheedtoallthelighttheyhadreceived。
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Chapter18
AnAmericanReformerAnUpright，honest-heartedfarmer，whohadbeenledtodoubtthedivineauthorityoftheScriptures，yetwhosincerelydesiredtoknowthetruth，wasthemanspeciallychosenofGodtoleadoutintheproclamationofChrist’ssecondcoming。Likemanyotherreformers，WilliamMillerhadinearlylifebattledwithpovertyandhadthuslearnedthegreatlessonsofenergyandself-denial。Themembersofthefamilyfromwhichhesprangwerecharacterizedbyanindependent，liberty-lovingspirit，bycapabilityofendurance，andardentpatriotism——traitswhichwerealsoprominentinhischaracter。HisfatherwasacaptaininthearmyoftheRevolution，andtothesacrificeswhichhemadeinthestrugglesandsufferingsofthatstormyperiodmaybetracedthestraitenedcircumstancesofMiller’searlylife。
Hehadasoundphysicalconstitution，andeveninchildhoodgaveevidenceofmorethanordinaryintellectualstrength。Ashegrewolder，thisbecamemoremarked。Hismindwasactiveandwelldeveloped，andhehadakeenthirstforknowledge。Thoughhedidnotenjoytheadvantagesofacollegiateeducation，hisloveofstudyandahabitofcarefulthoughtandclosecriticismrenderedhimamanofsoundjudgmentandcomprehensiveviews。Hepossessedanirreproachablemoralcharacterandanenviablereputation，beinggenerallyesteemedforintegrity，thrift，andbenevolence。Bydintofenergyandapplicationheearlyacquireda318
competence，thoughhishabitsofstudywerestillmaintained。Hefilledvariouscivilandmilitaryofficeswithcredit，andtheavenuestowealthandhonorseemedwideopentohim。
Hismotherwasawomanofsterlingpiety，andinchildhood，hehadbeensubjecttoreligiousimpressions。Inearlychildhood，however，hewasthrownintothesocietyofdeists，whoseinfluencewasthestrongerfromthefactthattheyweremostlygoodcitizensandmenofhumaneandbenevolentdisposition。Living，astheydid，inthemidstofChristianinstitutions，theircharactershadbeentosomeextentmoldedbytheirsurroundings。FortheexcellencieswhichwonthemrespectandconfidencetheywereindebtedtotheBible；andyetthesegoodgiftsweresopervertedastoexertaninfluenceagainstthewordofGod。Byassociationwiththesemen，Millerwasledtoadopttheirsentiments。ThecurrentinterpretationsofScripturepresenteddifficultieswhichseemedtohiminsurmountable；yethisnewbelief，whilesettingasidetheBible，offerednothingbettertotakeitsplace，andheremainedfarfromsatisfied。Hecontinuedtoholdtheseviews，however，forabouttwelveyears。Butattheageofthirty-fourtheHolySpiritimpressedhisheartwithasenseofhisconditionasasinner。Hefoundinhisformerbeliefnoassuranceofhappinessbeyondthegrave。Thefuturewasdarkandgloomy。Referringafterwardtohisfeelingsatthistime，hesaid:
\"Annihilationwasacoldandchillingthought，andaccountabilitywassuredestructiontoall。Theheavenswereasbrassovermyhead，andtheearthasironundermyfeet。Eternity——whatwasit？Anddeath——whywasit？ThemoreI
reasoned，thefurtherIwasfromdemonstration。ThemoreIthought，themorescatteredweremyconclusions。Itriedtostopthinking，butmythoughtswouldnotbecontrolled。Iwastrulywretched，butdidnotunderstandthecause。Imurmuredandcomplained，butknewnotofwhom。Iknewthattherewasawrong，butknewnothoworwheretofindtheright。Imourned，butwithouthope。\"
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Inthisstatehecontinuedforsomemonths。\"Suddenly，\"hesays，\"thecharacterofaSaviourwasvividlyimpresseduponmymind。Itseemedthattheremightbeabeingsogoodandcompassionateastohimselfatoneforourtransgressions，andtherebysaveusfromsufferingthepenaltyofsin。I
immediatelyfelthowlovelysuchabeingmustbe，andimaginedthatIcouldcastmyselfintothearmsof，andtrustinthemercyof，suchaone。Butthequestionarose，Howcanitbeprovedthatsuchabeingdoesexist？AsidefromtheBible，IfoundthatIcouldgetnoevidenceoftheexistenceofsuchaSaviour，orevenofafuturestate……
\"IsawthattheBibledidbringtoviewjustsuchaSaviourasIneeded；andIwasperplexedtofindhowanuninspiredbookshoulddevelopprinciplessoperfectlyadaptedtothewantsofafallenworld。IwasconstrainedtoadmitthattheScripturesmustbearevelationfromGod。Theybecamemydelight；
andinJesusIfoundafriend。TheSaviourbecametomethechiefestamongtenthousand；andtheScriptures，whichbeforeweredarkandcontradictory，nowbecamethelamptomyfeetandlighttomypath。Mymindbecamesettledandsatisfied。IfoundtheLordGodtobeaRockinthemidstoftheoceanoflife。TheBiblenowbecamemychiefstudy，andIcantrulysay，I
searcheditwithgreatdelight。Ifoundthehalfwasnevertoldme。I
wonderedwhyIhadnotseenitsbeautyandglorybefore，andmarveledthatI
couldhaveeverrejectedit。Ifoundeverythingrevealedthatmyheartcoulddesire，andaremedyforeverydiseaseofthesoul。Ilostalltasteforotherreading，andappliedmyhearttogetwisdomfromGod。\"——S。Bliss，MemoirsofWm。Miller，pages65-67。
Millerpubliclyprofessedhisfaithinthereligionwhichhehaddespised。
ButhisinfidelassociateswerenotslowtobringforwardallthoseargumentswhichhehimselfhadoftenurgedagainstthedivineauthorityoftheScriptures。Hewasnotthenpreparedtoanswerthem；buthereasonedthatiftheBibleisarevelationfromGod，itmustbeconsistentwithitself；andthatasitwasgivenforman’sinstruction，itmust320
beadaptedtohisunderstanding。HedeterminedtostudytheScripturesforhimself，andascertainifeveryapparentcontradictioncouldnotbeharmonized。
Endeavoringtolayasideallpreconceivedopinions，anddispensingwithcommentaries，hecomparedscripturewithscripturebytheaidofthemarginalreferencesandtheconcordance。Hepursuedhisstudyinaregularandmethodicalmanner；beginningwithGenesis，andreadingversebyverse，heproceedednofasterthanthemeaningoftheseveralpassagessounfoldedastoleavehimfreefromallembarrassment。Whenhefoundanythingobscure，itwashiscustomtocompareitwitheveryothertextwhichseemedtohaveanyreferencetothematterunderconsideration。Everywordwaspermittedtohaveitsproperbearinguponthesubjectofthetext，andifhisviewofitharmonizedwitheverycollateralpassage，itceasedtobeadifficulty。ThuswheneverhemetwithapassagehardtobeunderstoodhefoundanexplanationinsomeotherportionoftheScriptures。Ashestudiedwithearnestprayerfordivineenlightenment，thatwhichhadbeforeappeareddarktohisunderstandingwasmadeclear。Heexperiencedthetruthofthepsalmist’swords:\"TheentranceofThywordsgivethlight；itgivethunderstandinguntothesimple。\"Psalm119:130。
WithintenseinteresthestudiedthebooksofDanielandtheRevelation，employingthesameprinciplesofinterpretationasintheotherscriptures，andfound，tohisgreatjoy，thatthepropheticsymbolscouldbeunderstood。
Hesawthattheprophecies，sofarastheyhadbeenfulfilled，hadbeenfulfilledliterally；thatallthevariousfigures，metaphors，parables，similitudes，etc。，wereeitherexplainedintheirimmediateconnection，orthetermsinwhichtheywereexpressedweredefinedinotherscriptures，andwhenthusexplained，weretobeliterallyunderstood。\"Iwasthussatisfied，\"hesays，\"thattheBibleisasystemofrevealedtruths，soclearlyandsimplygiventhatthewayfaringman，though321
afool，neednoterrtherein。\"——Bliss，page70。Linkafterlinkofthechainoftruthrewardedhisefforts，asstepbystephetraceddownthegreatlinesofprophecy。AngelsofheavenwereguidinghismindandopeningtheScripturestohisunderstanding。
Takingthemannerinwhichtheprophecieshadbeenfulfilledinthepastasacriterionbywhichtojudgeofthefulfillmentofthosewhichwerestillfuture，hebecamesatisfiedthatthepopularviewofthespiritualreignofChrist——atemporalmillenniumbeforetheendoftheworld——wasnotsustainedbythewordofGod。Thisdoctrine，pointingtoathousandyearsofrighteousnessandpeacebeforethepersonalcomingoftheLord，putfarofftheterrorsofthedayofGod。But，pleasingthoughitmaybe，itiscontrarytotheteachingsofChristandHisapostles，whodeclaredthatthewheatandthetaresandtogrowtogetheruntiltheharvest，theendoftheworld；that\"evilmenandseducersshallwaxworseandworse；\"that\"inthelastdaysperiloustimesshallcome；\"andthatthekingdomofdarknessshallcontinueuntiltheadventoftheLordandshallbeconsumedwiththespiritofHismouthandbedestroyedwiththebrightnessofHiscoming。Matthew13:30，38-41；2Timothy3:13，1；2Thessalonians2:8。
Thedoctrineoftheworld’sconversionandthespiritualreignofChristwasnotheldbytheapostolicchurch。ItwasnotgenerallyacceptedbyChristiansuntilaboutthebeginningoftheeighteenthcentury。Likeeveryothererror，itsresultswereevil。IttaughtmentolookfarinthefutureforthecomingoftheLordandpreventedthemfromgivingheedtothesignsheraldingHisapproach。ItinducedafeelingofconfidenceandsecuritythatwasnotwellfoundedandledmanytoneglectthepreparationnecessaryinordertomeettheirLord。
Millerfoundtheliteral，personalcomingofChristtobeplainlytaughtintheScriptures。SaysPaul:\"TheLordHimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout，withthevoice322
oftheArchangel，andwiththetrumpofGod。\"1Thessalonians4:16。AndtheSaviourdeclares:\"TheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory。\"\"Forasthelightningcomethoutoftheeast，andshinethevenuntothewest；soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe。\"Matthew24:30，27。Heistobeaccompaniedbyallthehostsofheaven。\"TheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim。\"Matthew25:31。\"AndHeshallsendHisangelswithagreatsoundofatrumpet，andtheyshallgathertogetherHiselect。\"Matthew24:31。
AtHiscomingtherighteousdeadwillberaised，andtherighteouslivingwillbechanged。\"Weshallnotallsleep，\"saysPaul，\"butweshallallbechanged，inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound，andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible，andweshallbechanged。Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruption，andthismortalmustputonimmortality。\"1Corinthians15:51-53。AndinhislettertotheThessalonians，afterdescribingthecomingoftheLord，hesays:\"ThedeadinChristshallrisefirst:thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds，tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord。\"
1Thessalonians4:16，17。
NotuntilthepersonaladventofChristcanHispeoplereceivethekingdom。
TheSavioursaid:\"WhentheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory，andalltheholyangelswithHim，thenshallHesituponthethroneofHisglory:andbeforeHimshallbegatheredallnations:andHeshallseparatethemonefromanother，asashepherddividethhissheepfromthegoats:andHeshallsetthesheeponHisrighthand，butthegoatsontheleft。ThenshalltheKingsayuntothemonHisrighthand，Come，yeblessedofMyFather，inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld。\"Matthew25:31-34。WehaveseenbythescripturesjustgiventhatwhentheSonofmancomes，thedeadareraisedincorruptibleandthelivingarechanged。Bythisgreat323
changetheyarepreparedtoreceivethekingdom；forPaulsays:\"FleshandbloodcannotinheritthekingdomofGod；neitherdothcorruptioninheritincorruption。\"1Corinthians15:50。Maninhispresentstateismortal，corruptible；butthekingdomofGodwillbeincorruptible，enduringforever。
ThereforemaninhispresentstatecannotenterintothekingdomofGod。ButwhenJesuscomes，HeconfersimmortalityuponHispeople；andthenHecallsthemtoinheritthekingdomofwhichtheyhavehithertobeenonlyheirs。
TheseandotherscripturesclearlyprovedtoMiller’smindthattheeventswhichweregenerallyexpectedtotakeplacebeforethecomingofChrist，suchastheuniversalreignofpeaceandthesettingupofthekingdomofGodupontheearth，weretobesubsequenttothesecondadvent。Furthermore，allthesignsofthetimesandtheconditionoftheworldcorrespondedtothepropheticdescriptionofthelastdays。Hewasforcedtotheconclusion，fromthestudyofScripturealone，thattheperiodallottedforthecontinuanceoftheearthinitspresentstatewasabouttoclose。
\"Anotherkindofevidencethatvitallyaffectedmymind，\"hesays，\"wasthechronologyoftheScriptures……Ifoundthatpredictedevents，whichhadbeenfulfilledinthepast，oftenoccurredwithinagiventime。TheonehundredandtwentyyearstothefloodGenesis6:3；thesevendaysthatweretoprecedeit，withfortydaysofpredictedrainGenesis7:4；thefourhundredyearsofthesojournofAbraham’sseedGenesis15:13；thethreedaysofthebutler’sandbaker’sdreamsGenesis40:12-20；thesevenyearsofPharaoh’sGenesis41:28-54；thefortyyearsinthewildernessNumbers14:34；thethreeandahalfyearsoffamine1Kings17:1[seeLuke4:25；]……theseventyyears’captivityJeremiah25:11；
Nebuchadnezzar’sseventimesDaniel4:13-16；andthesevenweeks，threescoreandtwoweeks，andtheoneweek，makingseventyweeks，determinedupontheJewsDaniel9:24-27，——theeventslimitedbythesetimeswereallonceonlyamatterofprophecy，andwerefulfilledinaccordancewiththepredictions。\"——Bliss，pages74，75。
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When，therefore，hefound，inhisstudyoftheBible，variouschronologicalperiodsthat，accordingtohisunderstandingofthem，extendedtothesecondcomingofChrist，hecouldnotbutregardthemasthe\"timesbeforeappointed，\"whichGodhadrevealeduntoHisservants。\"Thesecretthings，\"
saysMoses，\"belonguntotheLordourGod:butthosethingswhicharerevealedbelonguntousandtoourchildrenforever；\"andtheLorddeclaresbytheprophetAmos，thatHe\"willdonothing，butHerevealethHissecretuntoHisservantstheprophets。\"Deuteronomy29:29；Amos3:7。ThestudentsofGod’swordmay，then，confidentlyexpecttofindthemoststupendouseventtotakeplaceinhumanhistoryclearlypointedoutintheScripturesoftruth。
\"AsIwasfullyconvinced，\"saysMiller，\"thatallScripturegivenbyinspirationofGodisprofitable2Timothy3:16；thatitcamenotatanytimebythewillofman，butwaswrittenasholymenweremovedbytheHolyGhost2Peter1:21，andwaswritten’forourlearning，thatwethroughpatienceandcomfortoftheScripturesmighthavehope’Romans15:4，I
couldbutregardthechronologicalportionsoftheBibleasbeingasmuchaportionofthewordofGod，andasmuchentitledtoourseriousconsideration，asanyotherportionoftheScriptures。IthereforefeltthatinendeavoringtocomprehendwhatGodhadinHismercyseenfittorevealtous，Ihadnorighttopassoverthepropheticperiods。\"——Bliss，page75。
TheprophecywhichseemedmostclearlytorevealthetimeofthesecondadventwasthatofDaniel8:14:\"Untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；
thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed。\"FollowinghisruleofmakingScriptureitsowninterpreter，MillerlearnedthatadayinsymbolicprophecyrepresentsayearNumbers14:34；Ezekiel4:6；hesawthattheperiodof2300propheticdays，orliteralyears，wouldextendfarbeyondthecloseoftheJewishdispensation，henceitcouldnotrefertothesanctuaryofthatdispensation。MilleracceptedthegenerallyreceivedviewthatintheChristianage325
theearthisthesanctuary，andhethereforeunderstoodthatthecleansingofthesanctuaryforetoldinDaniel8:14representedthepurificationoftheearthbyfireatthesecondcomingofChrist。If，then，thecorrectstartingpointcouldbefoundforthe2300days，heconcludedthatthetimeofthesecondadventcouldbereadilyascertained。Thuswouldberevealedthetimeofthatgreatconsummation，thetimewhenthepresentstate，with\"allitsprideandpower，pompandvanity，wickednessandoppression，wouldcometoanend；\"whenthecursewouldbe\"removedfromofftheearth，deathbedestroyed，rewardbegiventotheservantsofGod，theprophetsandsaints，andthemwhofearHisname，andthosebedestroyedthatdestroytheearth。\"——Bliss，page76。
Withanewanddeeperearnestness，Millercontinuedtheexaminationoftheprophecies，wholenightsaswellasdaysbeingdevotedtothestudyofwhatnowappearedofsuchstupendousimportanceandall-absorbinginterest。IntheeighthchapterofDanielhecouldfindnocluetothestartingpointofthe2300days；theangelGabriel，thoughcommandedtomakeDanielunderstandthevision，gavehimonlyapartialexplanation。Astheterriblepersecutiontobefallthechurchwasunfoldedtotheprophet’svision，physicalstrengthgaveway。Hecouldendurenomore，andtheangellefthimforatime。Daniel\"fainted，andwassickcertaindays。\"\"AndIwasastonishedatthevision，\"
hesays，\"butnoneunderstoodit。\"
YetGodhadbiddenHismessenger:\"Makethismantounderstandthevision。\"
Thatcommissionmustbefulfilled。Inobediencetoit，theangel，sometimeafterward，returnedtoDaniel，saying:\"Iamnowcomeforthtogivetheeskillandunderstanding；\"\"thereforeunderstandthematter，andconsiderthevision。\"Daniel8:27，16；9:22，23，25-27。Therewasoneimportantpointinthevisionofchapter8whichhadbeenleftunexplained，namely，thatrelatingtotime——theperiodofthe2300days；thereforetheangel，inresuminghisexplanation，dwellschieflyuponthesubjectoftime:
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\"SeventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyHolyCity……
Knowthereforeandunderstand，thatfromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandtobuildJerusalemuntotheMessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks，andthreescoreandtwoweeks:thestreetshallbebuiltagain，andthewall，evenintroubloustimes。AndafterthreescoreandtwoweeksshallMessiahbecutoff，butnotforHimself……AndHeshallconfirmthecovenantwithmanyforoneweek:andinthemidstoftheweekHeshallcausethesacrificeandtheoblationtocease。\"
TheangelhadbeensenttoDanielfortheexpresspurposeofexplainingtohimthepointwhichhehadfailedtounderstandinthevisionoftheeighthchapter，thestatementrelativetotime——\"untotwothousandandthreehundreddays；thenshallthesanctuarybecleansed。\"AfterbiddingDaniel\"understandthematter，andconsiderthevision，\"theveryfirstwordsoftheangelare:\"SeventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyHolyCity。\"Thewordheretranslated\"determined\"literallysignifies\"cutoff。\"Seventyweeks，representing490years，aredeclaredbytheangeltobecutoff，asspeciallypertainingtotheJews。Butfromwhatweretheycutoff？Asthe2300dayswastheonlyperiodoftimementionedinchapter8，itmustbetheperiodfromwhichtheseventyweekswerecutoff；theseventyweeksmustthereforebeapartofthe2300days，andthetwoperiodsmustbegintogether。TheseventyweeksweredeclaredbytheangeltodatefromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandbuildJerusalem。Ifthedateofthiscommandmentcouldbefound，thenthestartingpointforthegreatperiodofthe2300dayswouldbeascertained。
IntheseventhchapterofEzrathedecreeisfound。Verses12-26。InitscompletestformitwasissuedbyArtaxerxes，kingofPersia，457B。C。ButinEzra6:14thehouseoftheLordatJerusalemissaidtohavebeenbuilt\"accordingtothecommandment[\"decree，\"margin]
ofCyrus，andDarius，andArtaxerxeskingofPersia。\"Thesethreekings，in327
originating，reaffirming，andcompletingthedecree，broughtittotheperfectionrequiredbytheprophecytomarkthebeginningofthe2300years。
Taking457B。C。，thetimewhenthedecreewascompleted，asthedateofthecommandment，everyspecificationoftheprophecyconcerningtheseventyweekswasseentohavebeenfulfilled。
\"FromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandtobuildJerusalemuntotheMessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks，andthreescoreandtwoweeks\"——namely，sixty-nineweeks，or483years。ThedecreeofArtaxerxeswentintoeffectintheautumnof457B。C。Fromthisdate，483yearsextendtotheautumnofA。D。27。SeeAppendix。Atthattimethisprophecywasfulfilled。Theword\"Messiah\"signifies\"theAnointedOne。\"IntheautumnofA。D。27ChristwasbaptizedbyJohnandreceivedtheanointingoftheSpirit。TheapostlePetertestifiesthat\"GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower。\"Acts10:38。AndtheSaviourHimselfdeclared:\"TheSpiritoftheLordisuponMe，becauseHehathanointedMetopreachthegospeltothepoor。\"Luke4:18。AfterHisbaptismHewentintoGalilee，\"preachingthegospelofthekingdomofGod，andsaying，Thetimeisfulfilled。\"Mark1:14，15。
\"AndHeshallconfirmthecovenantwithmanyforoneweek。\"The\"week\"herebroughttoviewisthelastoneoftheseventy；itisthelastsevenyearsoftheperiodallottedespeciallytotheJews。Duringthistime，extendingfromA。D。27toA。D。34，Christ，atfirstinpersonandafterwardbyHisdisciples，extendedthegospelinvitationespeciallytotheJews。Astheapostleswentforthwiththegoodtidingsofthekingdom，theSaviour’sdirectionwas:\"GonotintothewayoftheGentiles，andintoanycityoftheSamaritansenteryenot:butgorathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael。\"Matthew10:5，6。
\"InthemidstoftheweekHeshallcausethesacrificeandtheoblationtocease。\"InA。D。31，threeandahalfyearsafterHisbaptism，ourLordwascrucified。Withthegreatsacrifice328
offereduponCalvary，endedthatsystemofofferingswhichforfourthousandyearshadpointedforwardtotheLambofGod。Typehadmetantitype，andallthesacrificesandoblationsoftheceremonialsystemweretheretocease。
Theseventyweeks，or490years，especiallyallottedtotheJews，ended，aswehaveseen，inA。D。34。Atthattime，throughtheactionoftheJewishSanhedrin，thenationsealeditsrejectionofthegospelbythemartyrdomofStephenandthepersecutionofthefollowersofChrist。Thenthemessageofsalvation，nolongerrestrictedtothechosenpeople，wasgiventotheworld。Thedisciples，forcedbypersecutiontofleefromJerusalem，\"wenteverywherepreachingtheword。\"\"PhilipwentdowntothecityofSamaria，andpreachedChristuntothem。\"Peter，divinelyguided，openedthegospeltothecenturionofCaesarea，theGod-fearingCornelius；andtheardentPaul，wontothefaithofChrist，wascommissionedtocarrythegladtidings\"farhenceuntotheGentiles。\"Acts8:4，5；22:21。
Thusfareveryspecificationofthepropheciesisstrikinglyfulfilled，andthebeginningoftheseventyweeksisfixedbeyondquestionat457B。C。，andtheirexpirationinA。D。34。Fromthisdatathereisnodifficultyinfindingtheterminationofthe2300days。Theseventyweeks——490
days——havingbeencutofffromthe2300，therewere1810daysremaining。
Aftertheendof490days，the1810dayswerestilltobefulfilled。FromA。D。34，1810yearsextendto1844。Consequentlythe2300daysofDaniel8:14terminatein1844。Attheexpirationofthisgreatpropheticperiod，uponthetestimonyoftheangelofGod，\"thesanctuaryshallbecleansed。\"
Thusthetimeofthecleansingofthesanctuary——whichwasalmostuniversallybelievedtotakeplaceatthesecondadvent——wasdefinitelypointedout。
Millerandhisassociatesatfirstbelievedthatthe2300dayswouldterminateinthespringof1844，whereastheprophecy329
pointstotheautumnofthatyear。SeeAppendix。ThemisapprehensionofthispointbroughtdisappointmentandperplexitytothosewhohadfixedupontheearlierdateasthetimeoftheLord’scoming。Butthisdidnotintheleastaffectthestrengthoftheargumentshowingthatthe2300daysterminatedintheyear1844，andthatthegreateventrepresentedbythecleansingofthesanctuarymustthentakeplace。
EnteringuponthestudyoftheScripturesashehaddone，inordertoprovethattheywerearevelationfromGod，Millerhadnot，attheoutset，theslightestexpectationofreachingtheconclusionatwhichhehadnowarrived。Hehimselfcouldhardlycredittheresultsofhisinvestigation。
ButtheScriptureevidencewastooclearandforcibletobesetaside。
HehaddevotedtwoyearstothestudyoftheBible，when，in1818，hereachedthesolemnconvictionthatinabouttwenty-fiveyearsChristwouldappearfortheredemptionofHispeople。\"Ineednotspeak，\"saysMiller，\"ofthejoythatfilledmyheartinviewofthedelightfulprospect，noroftheardentlongingsofmysoulforaparticipationinthejoysoftheredeemed。TheBiblewasnowtomeanewbook。Itwasindeedafeastofreason；allthatwasdark，mystical，orobscuretomeinitsteachings，hadbeendissipatedfrommymindbeforetheclearlightthatnowdawnedfromitssacredpages；and，oh，howbrightandgloriousthetruthappeared！AllthecontradictionsandinconsistenciesIhadbeforefoundinthewordweregone；
andalthoughthereweremanyportionsofwhichIwasnotsatisfiedIhadafullunderstanding，yetsomuchlighthademanatedfromittotheilluminationofmybeforedarkenedmind，thatIfeltadelightinstudyingtheScripturewhichIhadnotbeforesupposedcouldbederivedfromitsteachings。\"——Bliss，pages76，77。
\"WiththesolemnconvictionthatsuchmomentouseventswerepredictedintheScripturestobefulfilledinsoshortaspaceoftime，thequestioncamehometomewithmighty330
powerregardingmydutytotheworld，inviewoftheevidencethathadaffectedmyownmind。\"——Ibid。，page81。Hecouldnotbutfeelthatitwashisdutytoimparttoothersthelightwhichhehadreceived。Heexpectedtoencounteroppositionfromtheungodly，butwasconfidentthatallChristianswouldrejoiceinthehopeofmeetingtheSaviourwhomtheyprofessedtolove。Hisonlyfearwasthatintheirgreatjoyattheprospectofgloriousdeliverance，sosoontobeconsummated，manywouldreceivethedoctrinewithoutsufficientlyexaminingtheScripturesindemonstrationofitstruth。
Hethereforehesitatedtopresentit，lestheshouldbeinerrorandbethemeansofmisleadingothers。Hewasthusledtoreviewtheevidencesinsupportoftheconclusionsatwhichhehadarrived，andtoconsidercarefullyeverydifficultywhichpresenteditselftohismind。HefoundthatobjectionsvanishedbeforethelightofGod’sword，asmistbeforetheraysofthesun。Fiveyearsspentthuslefthimfullyconvincedofthecorrectnessofhisposition。
AndnowthedutyofmakingknowntootherswhathebelievedtobesoclearlytaughtintheScriptures，urgeditselfwithnewforceuponhim。\"WhenIwasaboutmybusiness，\"hesaid，\"itwascontinuallyringinginmyears，’Goandtelltheworldoftheirdanger。’Thistextwasconstantlyoccurringtome:
’WhenIsayuntothewicked，Owickedman，thoushaltsurelydie；ifthoudostnotspeaktowarnthewickedfromhisway，thatwickedmanshalldieinhisiniquity；buthisbloodwillIrequireatthinehand。Nevertheless，ifthouwarnthewickedofhiswaytoturnfromit；ifhedonotturnfromhisway，heshalldieinhisiniquity；butthouhastdeliveredthysoul。\"
Ezekiel33:8，9。Ifeltthatifthewickedcouldbeeffectuallywarned，multitudesofthemwouldrepent；andthatiftheywerenotwarned，theirbloodmightberequiredatmyhand。\"——Bliss，page92。
Hebegantopresenthisviewsinprivateashehadopportunity，prayingthatsomeministermightfeeltheirforceanddevotehimselftotheirpromulgation。Buthecouldnot331
banishtheconvictionthathehadapersonaldutytoperformingivingthewarning。Thewordswereeverrecurringtohismind:\"Goandtellittotheworld；theirbloodwillIrequireatthyhand。\"Fornineyearshewaited，theburdenstillpressinguponhissoul，untilin1813heforthefirsttimepubliclygavethereasonsofhisfaith。
AsElishawascalledfromfollowinghisoxeninthefield，toreceivethemantleofconsecrationtothepropheticoffice，sowasWilliamMillercalledtoleavehisplowandopentothepeoplethemysteriesofthekingdomofGod。Withtremblingheentereduponhiswork，leadinghishearersdown，stepbystep，throughthepropheticperiodstothesecondappearingofChrist。
Witheveryefforthegainedstrengthandcourageashesawthewidespreadinterestexcitedbyhiswords。
Itwasonlyatthesolicitationofhisbrethren，inwhosewordsheheardthecallofGod，thatMillerconsentedtopresenthisviewsinpublic。Hewasnowfiftyyearsofage，unaccustomedtopublicspeaking，andburdenedwithasenseofunfitnessfortheworkbeforehim。Butfromthefirsthislaborswereblessedinaremarkablemannertothesalvationofsouls。Hisfirstlecturewasfollowedbyareligiousawakeninginwhichthirteenentirefamilies，withtheexceptionoftwopersons，wereconverted。Hewasimmediatelyurgedtospeakinotherplaces，andinnearlyeveryplacehislaborresultedinarevivaloftheworkofGod。Sinnerswereconverted，Christianswererousedtogreaterconsecration，anddeistsandinfidelswereledtoacknowledgethetruthoftheBibleandtheChristianreligion。Thetestimonyofthoseamongwhomhelaboredwas:\"Aclassofmindsarereachedbyhimnotwithintheinfluenceofothermen。\"——Ibid。，page138。Hispreachingwascalculatedtoarousethepublicmindtothegreatthingsofreligionandtocheckthegrowingworldlinessandsensualityoftheage。
Innearlyeverytowntherewerescores，insome，hundreds，convertedasaresultofhispreaching。InmanyplacesProtestant332
churchesofnearlyalldenominationswerethrownopentohim，andtheinvitationstolaborusuallycamefromtheministersoftheseveralcongregations。Itwashisinvariablerulenottolaborinanyplacetowhichhehadnotbeeninvited，yethesoonfoundhimselfunabletocomplywithhalftherequeststhatpouredinuponhim。ManywhodidnotaccepthisviewsastotheexacttimeofthesecondadventwereconvincedofthecertaintyandnearnessofChrist’scomingandtheirneedofpreparation。Insomeofthelargecitieshisworkproducedamarkedimpression。Liquordealersabandonedthetrafficandturnedtheirshopsintomeetingrooms；gamblingdenswerebrokenup；infidels，deists，Universalists，andeventhemostabandonedprofligateswerereformed，someofwhomhadnotenteredahouseofworshipforyears。Prayermeetingswereestablishedbythevariousdenominations，indifferentquarters，atalmosteveryhour，businessmenassemblingatmiddayforprayerandpraise。Therewasnoextravagantexcitement，butanalmostuniversalsolemnityonthemindsofthepeople。
Hiswork，likethatoftheearlyReformers，tendedrathertoconvincetheunderstandingandarousetheconsciencethanmerelytoexcitetheemotions。
In1833Millerreceivedalicensetopreach，fromtheBaptistChurch，ofwhichhewasamember。Alargenumberoftheministersofhisdenominationalsoapprovedhiswork，anditwaswiththeirformalsanctionthathecontinuedhislabors。Hetraveledandpreachedunceasingly，thoughhispersonallaborswereconfinedprincipallytotheNewEnglandandMiddleStates。Forseveralyearshisexpensesweremetwhollyfromhisownprivatepurse，andheneverafterwardreceivedenoughtomeettheexpenseoftraveltotheplaceswherehewasinvited。Thushispubliclabors，sofarfrombeingapecuniarybenefit，wereaheavytaxuponhisproperty，whichgraduallydiminishedduringthisperiodofhislife。Hewasthefatherofalargefamily，butastheywereallfrugalandindustrious，hisfarmsufficedfortheirmaintenanceaswellashisown。
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In1833，twoyearsafterMillerbegantopresentinpublictheevidencesofChrist’ssooncoming，thelastofthesignsappearedwhichwerepromisedbytheSaviourastokensofHissecondadvent。SaidJesus:\"Thestarsshallfallfromheaven。\"Matthew24:29。AndJohnintheRevelationdeclared，ashebeheldinvisionthescenesthatshouldheraldthedayofGod:\"Thestarsofheavenfelluntotheearth，evenasafigtreecastethheruntimelyfigs，whensheisshakenofamightywind。\"Revelation6:13。ThisprophecyreceivedastrikingandimpressivefulfillmentinthegreatmeteoricshowerofNovember13，1833。Thatwasthemostextensiveandwonderfuldisplayoffallingstarswhichhaseverbeenrecorded；\"thewholefirmament，overalltheUnitedStates，beingthen，forhours，infierycommotion！Nocelestialphenomenonhaseveroccurredinthiscountry，sinceitsfirstsettlement，whichwasviewedwithsuchintenseadmirationbyoneclassinthecommunity，orwithsomuchdreadandalarmbyanother。\"\"Itssublimityandawfulbeautystilllingerinmanyminds……Neverdidrainfallmuchthickerthanthemeteorsfelltowardtheearth；east，west，north，andsouth，itwasthesame。Inaword，thewholeheavensseemedinmotion……Thedisplay，asdescribedinProfessorSilliman’sJournal，wasseenalloverNorthAmerica……Fromtwoo’clockuntilbroaddaylight，theskybeingperfectlysereneandcloudless，anincessantplayofdazzlinglybrilliantluminositieswaskeptupinthewholeheavens。\"——R。M。Devens，AmericanProgress；or，TheGreatEventsoftheGreatestCentury，ch。28，pars。1-5。
\"Nolanguage，indeed，cancomeuptothesplendorofthatmagnificentdisplay；……noonewhodidnotwitnessitcanformanadequateconceptionofitsglory。Itseemedasifthewholestarryheavenshadcongregatedatonepointnearthezenith，andweresimultaneouslyshootingforth，withthevelocityoflightning，toeverypartofthehorizon；andyettheywerenotexhausted——thousandsswiftlyfollowedinthetracksofthousands，asifcreatedfortheoccasion。\"——F。Reed，intheChristianAdvocateandJournal，Dec。13，1833。\"A
334
morecorrectpictureofafigtreecastingitsfigswhenblownbyamightywind，itwasnotpossibletobehold。\"——\"TheOldCountryman，\"inPortlandEveningAdvertiser，Nov。26，1833。
IntheNewYorkJournalofCommerceofNovember14，1833，appearedalongarticleregardingthiswonderfulphenomenon，containingthisstatement:\"Nophilosopherorscholarhastoldorrecordedanevent，Isuppose，likethatofyesterdaymorning。Apropheteighteenhundredyearsagoforetolditexactly，ifwewillbeatthetroubleofunderstandingstarsfallingtomeanfallingstars，……intheonlysenseinwhichitispossibletobeliterallytrue。\"
ThuswasdisplayedthelastofthosesignsofHiscoming，concerningwhichJesusbadeHisdisciples:\"Whenyeshallseeallthesethings，knowthatitisnear，evenatthedoors。\"Matthew24:33。Afterthesesigns，Johnbeheld，asthegreateventnextimpending，theheavensdepartingasascroll，whiletheearthquaked，mountainsandislandsremovedoutoftheirplaces，andthewickedinterrorsoughttofleefromthepresenceoftheSonofman。
Revelation6:12-17。
Manywhowitnessedthefallingofthestars，lookeduponitasaheraldofthecomingjudgment，\"anawfultype，asureforerunner，amercifulsign，ofthatgreatanddreadfulday。\"——\"TheOldCountryman，\"inPortlandEveningAdvertiser，Nov。26，1833。Thustheattentionofthepeoplewasdirectedtothefulfillmentofprophecy，andmanywereledtogiveheedtothewarningofthesecondadvent。
Intheyear1840anotherremarkablefulfillmentofprophecyexcitedwidespreadinterest。Twoyearsbefore，JosiahLitch，oneoftheleadingministerspreachingthesecondadvent，publishedanexpositionofRevelation9，predictingthefalloftheOttomanEmpire。Accordingtohiscalculations，thispowerwastobeoverthrown\"inA。D。1840，sometimeinthemonthofAugust；\"andonlyafewdaysprevioustoitsaccomplishmenthewrote:
\"Allowingthefirstperiod，150years，tohavebeenexactlyfulfilledbeforeDeacozesascendedthethronebypermissionoftheTurks，andthatthe391
years，fifteendays，commencedatthecloseofthefirstperiod，itwillendonthe11thofAugust，1840，whentheOttomanpower335
inConstantinoplemaybeexpectedtobebroken。Andthis，Ibelieve，willbefoundtobethecase。\"——JosiahLitch，inSignsoftheTimes，andExpositorofProphecy，Aug。1，1840。
Attheverytimespecified，Turkey，throughherambassadors，acceptedtheprotectionofthealliedpowersofEurope，andthusplacedherselfunderthecontrolofChristiannations。Theeventexactlyfulfilledtheprediction。
SeeAppendix。Whenitbecameknown，multitudeswereconvincedofthecorrectnessoftheprinciplesofpropheticinterpretationadoptedbyMillerandhisassociates，andawonderfulimpetuswasgiventotheadventmovement。MenoflearningandpositionunitedwithMiller，bothinpreachingandinpublishinghisviews，andfrom1840to1844theworkrapidlyextended。