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
“From the 12th of February, 1842, to the 17th, he lectured in Benson,
Vt. At the close of this meeting he took a violent cold, which prevented
him from speaking for a few days. He commenced a course of lectures at
Nashua, N. H., on the 24th of February; but, after speaking a few times
to crowded houses, the state of his lungs and the want of a suitable
place to speak in compelled him to relinquish his labors there on the
third day.
“From the 6th to the 9th of March, Mr. Miller lectured in Medford, Mass.
While here a friend took him to a phrenologist in Boston, with whom he
was himself acquainted, but who had no suspicion whose head he was about
to examine. The phrenologist commenced by saying that the person under
examination had a large, well-developed, and well-balanced head. While
examining the moral and intellectual organs, he said to Mr. Miller’s
friend:—
“‘I tell you what it is, Mr. Miller could not easily make a convert of
_this man_ to his hair-brained theory. He has too much good sense.’
“Thus he proceeded, making comparisons between the head he was examining
and the head of Mr. Miller, as he fancied it would be.
“‘Oh, how I should like to examine Mr. Miller’s head!’ said he; ‘I would
give it one squeezing.’
“The phrenologist, knowing that the gentleman was a particular friend of
Mr. Miller, spared no pains in going out of the way to make remarks upon
him. Putting his hand on the organ of marvelousness, he said: ‘There!
I’ll bet you anything that old Miller has got a bump on his head there as
big as my fist;’ at the same time doubling up his fist as an illustration.
“The others present laughed at the perfection of the joke, and he
heartily joined them, supposing they were laughing at his witticisms on
Mr. Miller.
“‘He laughed; ’twas well. The tale applied
Soon made him laugh on t’ other side.’
“He pronounced the head of the gentleman under examination, the reverse,
in every particular, of what he declared Mr. Miller’s must be. When
through, he made out his chart, and politely asked Mr. Miller his name.
“Mr. Miller said it was of no consequence about putting his name upon the
chart; but the phrenologist insisted.
“‘Very well,’ said Mr. M.; ‘you may call it Miller, if you choose.’
“‘_Miller_, _Miller_,’ said he; ‘what is your first name?’
“‘They call me William Miller.’
“‘What! the gentleman who is lecturing on the prophecies?’
“‘Yes, sir, the same.’
“At this the phrenologist settled back in his chair, the personation of
astonishment and dismay, and spoke not a word while the company remained.
His feelings may be more easily imagined than described.
“The following description of Mr. Miller’s phrenological developments
were furnished by a phrenological friend in 1842, and may be of some
interest to those acquainted with that science:—
“ORGANS VERY LARGE.—Amativeness, Adhesiveness, Combativeness, Firmness,
Conscientiousness, Benevolence, Constructiveness, Ideality, Calculation,
Comparison.