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
“After filling the two former of those appointments, he returned home
till the 8th of March, when he lectured in Bridgeport, Vt., three days,
and gave six lectures. He lectured in Granville on the following Sabbath,
March 15, and again returned home.
“It seems to have been his intention, when he left home on the 7th of
March, to return to Whiting, he having received an invitation to that
effect. A powerful work of grace had followed his lectures there, and
several infidels had acknowledged the authenticity of the Scriptures
as demonstrated by the fulfillment of prophecy, and were under deep
conviction, and wished to see him. Whether he went there or not, does not
appear. But, on the 21st of March, he writes, ‘I have been very sick with
a cold, for a day or two past, and I am only able to sit up for a short
time.’
“On the 19th of April, he again visited Granville, where he also lectured
on the 20th and 21st. On the 26th, he lectured at Middletown, N. Y. On
the 28th, he again wrote from Low Hampton:—
“‘I have been laid up with a severe cold, and have been only
to two or three places since I wrote last (March 21). But I
have now recovered my health again, so that I have been the
last two weeks at Granville and Middletown. Next Sunday (May
3), I am to be at Fort Ann village, N. Y., if the Lord will;
and when I shall get through lecturing in this region, I cannot
tell. Doors open faster than I can fill them. I have calls from
Wells, Bishop’s Corner, and Tinouth.’
“These lectures and sermons of Mr. Miller met the approval of a large
number of the ministers of his denomination, with whose approbation, from
this time, he went forth, as a public laborer, indorsed and sanctioned by
the following certificate:—
“MARCH 19, 1835.
“This may certify, to whom it may concern, that we, whose names
are hereunto affixed—being ministers in the denomination of
regular Baptists—are personally acquainted with Bro. William
Miller, the bearer of this certificate; that he is a member,
and a licentiate in good regular standing, in the particular
Baptist church, in Hampton, N. Y.; that we have heard his
lectures on the subject of the _Second Coming and Reign of
our Lord Jesus Christ_; and that we believe his views on that
particular subject, as well as others pertaining to the gospel,
are worthy to be known and read of all men. As such an one,
we commend him to God, and the affectionate acceptance of our
brethren in the precious Saviour.
J. SAWYER, JR., _South Reading_.
E. HALPING, _Hampton_.
AMOS STEARNS, _Fort Ann_.
EMERSON ANDREWS, _Lansingburg_.