Sketches of the Christian life and public labors of William Miller : $b Gathered from his memoir by the late Sylvester Bliss, and from other sources
John Stuart Mill · en
“‘DEAR BROTHER HIMES: ... I did not get home till 10 o’clock on
Saturday night. On Wednesday, at 6 o’clock, P. M., same day we
left New York, we were brought up all standing in a snow-bank,
which we kept bunting, with two or three locomotives, until
the next evening at 7 o’clock. On Thursday, by the mighty
power of three locomotives, we gained twelve miles from Great
Barrington, where we were brought up the night before, to the
state line, where they left us and we waited for the Boston
cars, which had been due thirty hours. That night we slept in
the cars, as the night before, and Friday we got as far as
Lansingburg. Saturday I came home, cold and weary, worn out
and exhausted. On my arrival, I found a messenger after me and
my wife, to visit her mother, who was supposed to be dying.
My wife went, and soon returned with the news of her death.
After attending the funeral, we came home on Monday night, and
yesterday I got some rest. This morning I feel some refreshed.
But the fatigue of body and mind has almost unnerved this old
frame, and unfitted me to endure the burdens which Providence
calls upon me to bear. I find that, as I grow old, I grow more
peevish, and cannot bear so much contradiction. Therefore I
am called uncharitable and severe. No matter; this frail
life will soon be over. My Master will soon call me home, and
soon the scoffer and I shall be in another world, to render
our account before a righteous tribunal. I will therefore
appeal to the Supreme Court of the Universe for the redress of
grievances, and the rendering of judgment in my favor, by a
revocation of the judgment in the court below. The World and
Clergy vs. Miller.
“‘I remain, looking for the blessed hope,
“‘WILLIAM MILLER.’
CHAPTER X.
SYNOPSIS OF HIS VIEWS—ADDRESS TO BELIEVERS IN THE NEAR
ADVENT—INTERVIEW AT WATERFORD—UTICA—DISTURBANCE AT
PHILADELPHIA—THE THIRD OF APRIL—STATEMENT OF HIS AFFAIRS, ETC.
“Mr. Miller had not been sufficiently definite respecting the time of the
advent, in the estimation of some who embraced his views. The expression
‘about the year 1843’ they regarded as too general. As he was about to
enter on the long-looked-for year, he prepared and published the following
SYNOPSIS OF HIS VIEWS.
“1. I believe Jesus Christ will come again to this earth.
Proof. John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 1:7.
“2. I believe he will come in all the glory of his Father.
Matt. 16:27; Mark 8:38.
“3. I believe he will come in the clouds of heaven. Matt.
24:30; Mark 13:26; Dan. 7:13.
“4. I believe he will then receive his kingdom, which will be
eternal. Dan. 7:14; Luke 19:12, 15; 2 Tim. 4:1.