William Miller’s Apology and Defence, August 1

“LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE.”

I need not speak of the joy that filled my heart in view of the delightful prospect, nor of the ardent longings of my soul, for a participation in the joys of the redeemed. The Bible was now to me a new book. It was indeed a feast of reason: all that was dark, mystical, or obscure to me in its teachings, had been dissipated from my mind, before the clear light that now dawned from its sacred pages; and O how bright and glorious the truth appeared. All the contradictions and inconsistences I had before found in the Word were gone; and although there were many portions of which I was not satisfied I had a full understanding, yet so much light had emanated from it to the illumination of my before darkened mind, that I felt a delight in studying the Scriptures which I had not before supposed could be derived from its teachings. I commenced their study with no expectation of finding the time of the Savior’s coming, and I could at first hardly believe the result to which I had arrived; but the evidence struck me with such force, that I could not resist my convictions. I became nearly settled in my conclusions, and began to wait, and watch, and pray for my Savior’s coming. WMAD 12.1