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The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

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James White on the Disappointment

A few brief quotations from some of these disappointed, yet hopeful ones, will give a good idea of the situation. The first is from Elder James White, who labored very successfully in 1843 and 1844. He says:— GSAM 188.1

“The disappointment at the passing of the time was a bitter one. True believers had given up all for Christ, and had shared his presence as never before. They had, as they supposed, given their last warning to the world, and had separated themselves, more or less, from the unbelieving, scoffing multitude. And with the divine blessing upon them, they felt more like associating with their soon-expected Master and holy angels, than with those from whom they had separated themselves. The love of Jesus filled the soul, and beamed from every face, and with inexpressible desires they prayed, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly,’ but he did not come. GSAM 188.2

“But God did not forsake his people.... And with especial force and comfort did such passages as the following to the Hebrews, come home to the minds and hearts of the tried, waiting ones: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.’ 7 The points of interest in this portion of Scripture are these:— GSAM 188.3

“1. Those addressed are in danger of casting away their confidence in that in which they have done right. GSAM 188.4

“2. They had done the will of God, and were brought into that state of trial where patience was necessary. GSAM 189.1

“3. The just at this time were to live by faith, not by doubting whether they had done the will of God, but faith, in that in which they had done the will of God. GSAM 189.2

“4. Those who should not endure the trial of faith, but should cast away their confidence in the work in which they did the will of God, and drew back, would take the direct road to perdition.” 8 GSAM 189.3