Passion, Purpose & Power

5. Joshua V. Himes

“Ready to go anywhere” PPP 32.1

Miller gave his first series of lectures in Boston December 8-16, 1839, in the Chardon-Street Chapel that Himes pastored. It was at this time that Himes converted to Millerism and decided to join Miller in preaching the soon return of Christ. PPP 32.2

At this time he [Miller] stopped at the house of Elder Himes, who had much conversation with him respecting his views, his plans for the future, and his responsibilities. Elder H. became impressed with the correctness of Mr. M’s views respecting the nearness and nature of Christ’s coming; but was not fully satisfied respecting the time. He was, however, sufficiently convinced that Mr. Miller was communicating important truths, to feel a great interest in their promulgation. PPP 32.3

“When Mr. Miller had closed his lectures,” says Elder H., “I found myself in a new position. I could not believe or preach as I had done. Light on this subject was blazing on my conscience day and night. A long conversation with Mr. Miller then took place, on our duties and responsibilities. I said to Bro. Miller, ‘Do you really believe this doctrine?’ PPP 32.4

“He replied, ‘Certainly I do, or I would not preach it.’ PPP 33.1

“’What are you doing to spread or diffuse it through the world?’ PPP 33.2

“’I have done, and am still doing, all I can.’ PPP 33.3

“’Well, the whole thing is kept in a corner yet. There is but little knowledge on the subject, after all you have done. If Christ is to come in a few years, as you believe, no time should be lost in giving the church and world warning, in thunder-tones, to arouse them to prepare.’ PPP 33.4

“’I know it, I know it, Bro. Himes,’ said he; ‘but what can an old farmer do? I was never used to public speaking: I stand quite alone; and, though I have labored much, and seen many converted to God and the truth, yet no one, as yet, seems to enter into the object and spirit of my mission, so as to render me much aid. They like to have me preach, and build up their churches; and there it ends, with most of the ministers, as yet. I have been looking for help,—I want help.’ PPP 33.5

“It was at this time that I laid myself, family, society, reputation, all, upon the altar of God, to help him, to the extent of my power, to the end. I then inquired of him what parts of the country he had visited, and whether he had visited any of our principal cities. PPP 33.6

“He informed me of his labors,“—as given in the foregoing pages.¹¹ PPP 33.7

“’But why,’ I said, ‘have you not been into the large cities?’ PPP 33.8

“He replied that his role was to visit those places where invited, and that he had not been invited into any of the large cities. PPP 33.9

“’Well,’ said I, ‘will you go with me where doors are opened?’ PPP 33.10

“’Yes, I am ready to go anywhere, and labor to the extent of my ability to the end.’ PPP 33.11

“I then told him he might prepare for the campaign; for doors should be opened in every city in the Union, and the warning should go to the ends of the earth! Here I began to ‘help’ Father Miller.” —Bliss, William Miller, pp. 139-141. PPP 33.12

Active faith at 90 PPP 33.13

Although Himes never accepted the seventh-day Sabbath, and for years opposed the work of Seventh-day Adventists, he never lost faith in the soon, literal return of Christ. In his old age Himes, suffering from cancer, came to the Battle Creek Sanitarium for treatments. While a patient there he wrote to Ellen G. White, who was then living and working in Australia. PPP 33.14

At 90, my general health is good and I will soon return to my people,¹² for work as usual, in hope of good fruit. I hope my last days may be peaceful and useful as well. I preach the Advent as being near, without a definite time, and I believe it. . . . PPP 34.1

You and your associates have done a great work since 1844—and still go on. I do not know what is to be the end of it. . . . I finished my work really, in 1844, with Father Miller. After that, what I have done at most was to give comfort to the scattered flock. . . . I will soon go to my rest. You are younger and may work on. God bless and guide you to the end. I enclose five dollars for YOUR OWN USE.—Letter from Joshua V. Himes to Ellen G. White, September 12, 1894; quoted in Paul A. Gordon, Herald of the Midnight Cry, 1990, p. 117. PPP 34.2

Now in relation to your work I am no judge, you are to judge of that, and do it as best you can. Father Miller’s work with mine as a helper, was done faithfully. . . . The day of the Lord will reveal the result.—Letter from Joshua V. Himes, letter to Ellen G. White, March 13, 1895; ibid., p. 117. PPP 34.3

Ellen White responded to Himes’ donation in letters written to him and to “Sister Austin,” a friend of Himes. PPP 34.4

The spirited participation evidenced by your donation for this field has rejoiced my heart; for it testifies that you have not lost the missionary spirit which prompted you first to give yourself to the work, and then to give your means to the Lord to proclaim the first and second angels’ messages in their time and order to the world. This is a great gratification to me; for it bears an honorable testimony that your heart is still in the work.—Ellen G. White, Letter 31a, 1895, to Joshua V. Himes; ibid., p. 118. PPP 34.5

I have written a short letter to Elder J. V. Himes. I cannot express to you my joy at the evidence that one of the pioneers in the work of giving the message of warning to the world in 1840-44 is acting a part in giving the third angel’s message. . . . To me this is a great satisfaction. I know that we have the truth, and one who had so decided a part to act in the proclamation of the first and second angels’ messages, is highly esteemed by me for his works’ sake. This donation for Australia is gladly received from Elder Himes; it is more precious in my estimation than it would be if coming from any other human agent.—Ellen G. White, Letter 1a, 1895, to Sister Austin; ibid., pp. 117, 118 PPP 35.1