p. 722 | THE TEMPLE IN HEAVEN by W. H. Littlejohn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 18, 1884

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 46

THE TEMPLE IN HEAVEN.

By W. H. Littlejohn

BY ELD. W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

THE TALK ABOUT THE MILLER MOVEMENT CONTINUED.

The Ascension Robes Scandal Exploded.

Mr. BIBLIST.—“At the close of our last night’s sitting, we had advanced so far in the examination of our subject that the commencement of the Judgment had been located in A. D. 1844, and search was being made for some movement in the church at that time that was of sufficient magnitude and power to answer to the prophecy found in Rev. 14: 6, 7. Upon inquiry, it was found that Mr. Thoughtful in his boyhood days had listened to the preaching of a minister who was connected with what was known as the Miller movement. This man, according to Mr. Thoughtful’s account, was a firm believer at that time in the near coming of the Lord, and unhesitatingly preached that the day of Judgment was at hand. It appears, also, that he was able to present a Scripture argument in support of his theory that carried conviction more or less fully to the majority of minds. Had this man been alone in his work, he could not have fulfilled the requirements of the prophecy. But Mr. Thoughtful states, and history supports him in that statement, that there was at the same time a body of Christians known as the Millerites, who believed and advocated the same views that the preacher in question inculcated. The fact is that he was but the advance courier of an array of spiritual warriors as brave and ardent as himself in the advocacy of the doctrines to which he had given his support. It is worth our while, therefore, to pause and consider the claims of a movement which not only took place at the right time, but was also of the right character, at least in some respects. That the men who were engaged in it were most profoundly sincere, there can be no dispute. It is susceptible of proof that hundreds of them believed so firmly in the approach of the end of all things that, like the disciples of old, they disposed of all that they had, and devoted the proceeds to the propagation of their faith.”

“As it regards the extent to which the Judgment message was preached by them and the rapidity with which it went, it may be safely said that it was proclaimed in all the civilized portions of the world, and that it was carried to them in a briefer space of time than any similar proclamation since the days of Christ. To prove this, and to show the spirit of the men who were engaged in the work, I will read an extract or two. Here is one taken from ‘Advent Tracts,’ vol. 2, p. 135, and penned originally by an English writer by the name of Mourant Brock:—”

“‘It is not merely in Great Britain that the expectation of the near return of the Redeemer is entertained, and the voice of warning raised, but also in America, India, and on the continent of Europe. In America about three hundred ministers of the word are thus preaching “this gospel of the kingdom;” while in this country about seven hundred of the Church of England are raising the same cry.’”

“I read again from an editorial in the Voice of Truth, an Adventist paper published in 1845:—”

“‘We are doubtless near that auspicious hour when the harvest of the earth will be reaped as described in Rev. 14:14–16. The history of God’s people in this mortal state, as given in that chapter, before being glorified, is nearly complete. The everlasting gospel, as described in verses 6 and 7, has been preached unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. No case can be more clearly demonstrated by facts than that this message has been borne to every nation and tongue under heaven, within a few past years, in the preaching of the coming of Christ as near at hand. Through the medium of lectures and publications the sound has gone into all the earth, and the word unto the ends of the world.’”

“Please note the fact that in what I have read the author claims distinctly for himself and his co-laborers that they are engaged in giving the Judgment message found in Rev. 14: 6, 7, insisting that it has been carried by them into all parts of the world, agreeably to the predictions of that text. We are now furnished with three important facts which afford a basis upon which to rest our conclusions respecting the Miller movement of 1844. First, it arose at a proper time to meet the requirements of a genuine movement of its kind; secondly, it was characterized by that devotion and power which ever marks the special work of the Lord; thirdly, going, as it did, to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in the civilized portion of the world, it fully met the demands, so far as scope is concerned, of Rev. 14: 6, 7. Should we, under these circumstances, determine that the great Advent movement of 1844 was a counterfeit work, it is difficult to see how the genuine one could ever be identified. Where the specifications of time, character, and extent are fully met, the presumptions are altogether in favor of the genuineness of any movement that can fulfill them. God would never allow his people to be brought into a position where a portion of them were brought in 1844, unless his hand were guiding. To reject at that time the evidences that the hour had been reached for the proclamation of the Judgment message, would have been to deny the plain teachings of the Scripture.”

“If you please, step to the door, Maud; some one is ringing the bell.”

Maud.—“Father, this is Mr. Clerical; he wishes to see you.”

Mr. B.—“Good evening, Mr. Clerical. I am happy to meet you. Be seated, if you please.”

Mr. Clerical.—“Thank you, sir, I will shake hands with Mr. Thoughtful before sitting down.”

Mr. B.—“I am glad that you have dropped in this evening, Mr. Clerical. I think it is the first time you have ever done me the honor to call.”

Mr. C.—“Yes, sir, I think that it is; and to be frank with you, I must say that I should not have called to-night were it not for the purpose of doing my duty to one who is under my pastoral charge. Mr. Thoughtful, here, is a member of my church, and I hear that you have been filling his head with all sorts of heresies respecting the Judgment and the near coming of the Lord. Indeed, I hear, sir, that you have been trying to make him believe that William Miller and his fanatical horde moved out in the order of God in 1844. Now, sir, it seems to me that you should be in better business than trying to deceive people in regard to the true character of such a man as William Miller. I know all about him, sir. He was a poor, ignorant, hair-brained fanatic, who drew after him a crowd of men and women as ignorant and fanatical as himself. I remember the affair very well, sir. When the day came on which the coming of the Lord was expected, hundreds of his silly dupes went out into the grave-yards and upon the tops of houses, and there, arrayed in ascension robes, expected every moment to be caught up into glory. I am surprised that so intelligent a man as Mr. Thoughtful could be entertained with such nonsense as you have been pouring into his ears. I warn him to-night that he will lose his reputation in our church altogether unless he gives up visiting your house from night to night, and listening to these things. Why, only last evening we had a magnificent social at the house of one of the wealthiest families in town, and he could not be induced to attend, because, forsooth, he wanted to listen to a talk from you on the Miller movement. I bid you good night, sir.”

Mr. B.—“Do not hurry away, Mr. Clerical! Be seated, sir; be seated. If these things which you have said about Mr. Miller and his followers are true, I should be glad to know it myself. You have spoken very positively in regard to the character of Mr. Miller and his associates, and now I would like to know all that you can tell me about them. Did you ever see Mr. Miller, sir?”

Mr. C.—“No, sir, I never did.”

Mr. B.—“Did you ever hear any minister of his faith preach?”

Mr. C.—“No, sir. I was quite young at that time, and besides, my father was a preacher, and was too sensible a man to allow his children to listen to such an ignorant fanatic as Miller was.”

Mr. B.—“Did you ever read any of the writings of Mr. Miller, sir?”

Mr. C.—“No, sir. I doubt whether he knew enough to write anything that would be readable.”

Mr. B.—“Notwithstanding your doubts, Mr. Clerical, it is a fact that Mr. Miller was a controversial writer, whose published works have been read quite extensively. Indeed, sir, I feel quite certain that you have misapprehended the character of the man, both as it regards his talent and his spirit. Let me read to you a few sentences from a volume which I have here in my library.”

Mr. C.—“Written by one of his followers, I presume?”

Mr. B.—“Not so, sir. The title of the work is, ‘Our First Century,’ and it was written by R. M. Devens, a gentleman who in no wise sympathized with the doctrines of Adventists. He is a writer of considerable note, having published a life of Washington and one of Wellington, besides several other important works. Here, on page 437, I find something in point:—”

“As a man, Mr. Miller is described as strictly temperate in all his habits, devoted in his family and social attachments, and proverbial for his integrity. He was naturally very amiable in his temperament, affable and attentive to all,—a kind-heartedness, simplicity, and power peculiarly original characterizing his manner. He was of about medium stature, a little corpulent; hair, a light, glossy brown; countenance full and round, with a peculiar depth of expression in his blue eye, of shrewdness and love. As a preacher, Mr. Miller was generally spoken of as convincing his hearers of his sincerity, and instructing them by his reasoning and information. All acknowledge that his lectures were replete with useful and interesting matter, showing a knowledge of Scripture extensive and minute, that of the prophecies, especially, being surprisingly familiar; and his application of the great prophecies to the great events which have taken place in the moral and natural world, was, to say the least, ingenious and plausible. There was nothing very peculiar in his manner; his gestures were easy and expressive; his style decorous, simple, natural, and forcible. He was always self-possessed and ready; distinct in his utterance, and frequently quaint in his observations; in the management of his subject, exhibiting much tact, holding frequent colloquies with the objector and inquirer, supplying the questions and answers himself in a very apposite manner; and although grave himself, sometimes producing a smile upon the faces of his auditors.”

“Please notice some of the expressions in the selection just read. It says of Mr. Miller, that he was ‘strictly temperate in all his habits,’ ‘devoted in his family and social attachments,’ and ‘proverbial for his integrity.’ These certainly are excellent qualities; but the writer goes still further, and says, ‘He was naturally very amiable in his temperament, affable and attentive to all,—a kind-heartedness, simplicity, and power peculiarly original, characterizing his manner.’ ‘Kind-heartedness,’ ‘simplicity,’ ‘power,’—these are striking words. The man who possesses these traits of character which they represent, assuredly is no ordinary man; for he has the elements of true greatness. Here is something further on that bears directly upon the point of Mr. Miller’s ability: ‘Mr. Miller was generally spoken of as convincing his hearers of his sincerity, and instructing them by his reasoning and information. All acknowledge that his lectures were replete with useful and interesting matter, showing a knowledge of Scripture very extensive and minute—that of the prophecies, especially, being surprisingly familiar; and his application of the great prophecies to the great events which have taken place in the moral and natural world, was, to say the least, ingenious and plausible.’”

Mr. C.—“I don’t care what Mr. Devens says. I know Mr. Miller was a fool. No man that had good common sense would ever put on a cotton ascension robe, as Mr. Miller and his rabble did, with the expectation of ascending to heaven in it.”

Mr. B.—“Well, let us consider the matter calmly, Mr. Clerical. It is of no use to become excited. To my mind, it is evident that a man who, like Mr. Miller, was able to deliver three thousand lectures on the prophecies in ten years, and defend himself in the meantime against the attacks of some of the first scholars of the nation with such manifest success that he was able to gather around him a body of followers numbering scores of thousands, assuredly could have been no idiot. You admit that you did not know Mr. Miller or any of his co-laborers personally; you deny the conclusions reached by a judicious historian; you go against the natural presumptions based upon the inference that marked success won at great odds is a token of decided ability; and for this unusual course the only reason you assign is that Mr. Miller and his associates put on ascension robes for the purpose of ascending in them to meet their Lord. Now, sir, you will pardon me if I say that you, yourself, have been sadly duped if you have accepted as true the idle reports which have been floating about for years respecting the ascension robes alleged to have been worn by Mr. Miller and his followers in 1844. These stories are but canards, as foolish as they are false. Of course it is not to your advantage to be deceived in a matter of this kind; so if you will come to our interview to-morrow evening, I will bring out the proofs necessary to demonstrate that what I say about the matter is correct. It is now time to adjourn.”