The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: From Initial Sermon to Full-Time Preacher

I. The World Must Be Warned of Coming Events

For several years Miller continued to tell others, in his quiet way, of his faith in the impending second advent, and to write about it to acquaintances, to ministers, and even to strangers. To his astonishment and disappointment, only a few appeared interested, and fewer still appeared at all convinced. Nine years passed in this way. Miller was always a respected and prominent citizen. He was even one of the delegation chosen to meet and entertain General Lafayette when he visited Whitehall. Occasionally he wrote for the papers, and often gave vent to his poetic bent. But the conviction that he must go and tell the world of its impending danger grew upon him. There was a deepening sense of compulsion—that the blood of others would be required of him, if he warned them not, as in Ezekiel 33. PFF4 476.1

By 1831, when he was now fifty, fourteen years had elapsed since his profession of Christianity. During this period he was a successful farmer, a justice of the peace, and a prominent citizen in the community. He was also Sunday school teacher and superintendent, church clerk, and lay reader and exhorter in the public services of the Hampton, New York, Baptist church. And all this time his special field of interest and study was the prophetic Scriptures, which became clearer and clearer to him. PFF4 476.2

Then the conviction became inescapable that, if the end is near, it is important that the world should know it, and that it should be proclaimed publicly. But he shrank from such a task. Truman Hendryx, a young Baptist preacher, had learned from his sister of “Squire Miller,” who had considerable influence in the community, but who had curious notions on the prophecies. Hendryx decided he would go and see Miller, and prepared well for the ordeal. Miller courteously asked him his views on the millennium, and Hendryx advanced the customary post-millennial theory. “Well,” said Miller, “prove it; remember, I only accept the Bible as evidence.” Hendryx turned to Revelation 20 and tried to find the supporting text, but could not get his eye on it. PFF4 476.3

Somewhat confused, he said, “I’ll go home; and next Monday I’ll return and give you all the passages when I come.” But when he came back he had changed over to the premillennial view of the advent. He acknowledged his mistake, and a friendship began between the two that continued for twenty-eight years. He became, according to Miller, his “dearest friend on earth.” Incidentally, their correspondence through the years, which has been preserved, reveals the most intimate glimpses of Miller’s real character, growth, and strength to be found on record. ¹ PFF4 477.1

Many epithets were hurled at Miller. He was called “Crazy Miller,” “Prophet Miller,” the “end of the world man”—a visionary, fanatic, and dreamer. There was, for example, a neighboring doctor who said that Miller was a fine man and a good neighbor, but that he was a monomaniac on the subject of the second advent. Miller set his heart on winning him. Miller’s child became ill, and he sent for this doctor. Meantime Miller sat still, during the visit, quietly simulating illness. The doctor inquired, “What ails you?” Miller answered, “I don’t know, Doctor, but I want you to examine me and prescribe for me.” The doctor took his pulse and respiration, and gave him a physical going over, but could find nothing wrong with him. PFF4 477.2

Miller then ventured, “Doctor, I fear I am a monomaniac. Can you tell? What are the symptoms?” “Well,” responded the physician, “a monomaniac is sane and balanced on all subjects but one; on which he is eccentric and sometimes becomes wild and raving.” “Well,” said Miller, “I insist that you find out. I want you to sit down with me for two hours while I present the subject of the advent. If I am a monomaniac, then you can surely discover it, and can cure me.” The doctor demurred, but Miller stated that he could charge at the regular rates for the time required. So they studied Daniel 8 and 9—the cross in A.D. 33, at the end of the 70 weeks of years, which were “cut off” as the first part of the 2300 years, with the 1810 years remaining leading to “1843.” PFF4 478.1

Miller was quiet but convincing. The doctor, sensing the ruse, left the house in anger, still calling Miller a visionary, a dreamer, and a fanatic. But three days later he returned and said he was a lost man, and wanted Miller to help him to find Christ-which he did, and the doctor accepted both Christ and the second advent hope. Through such personal witness as this, and by writing out his views to friends, Miller hoped that he would fulfill his obligations. But he could not escape the deepening conviction that he must “go and tell it to the world.” And in time this conviction became a demand to which he must soon yield. PFF4 478.2