The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

IV. Intimate Glimpses Afforded by Personal Letters

A revealing series of intimate personal letters, beginning in 1831, was exchanged between Miller and Truman Hendryx, the Baptist minister designated as his “best friend.” ¹⁹ These missives unfold the expanding views, the experiences, and early activities of Miller more candidly than any other documents extant. His quaint and often whimsical expressions are highly interesting. They bring out the humanness, the wholesomeness, the strong sense of humor and balance, and the real spirit of Miller, in a way not found in any other records. Miller was normal in his attitudes, and the deepening friendship between the two was based on love of the Bible. A few excerpts must suffice. PFF4 488.4

Miller’s acquaintance with Hendryx dated from July 6, 1831, when the latter visited the Baptist church of Hampton on a successful preaching mission and revival. It was during this visit that Miller persuaded Hendryx of the fallacy of the “world’s conversion a thousand years before the Advent” theory. And Miller’s first letter to him, penned August 9, 1831—just a few days before his own first sermon at Dresden—was to report on the successful aftermath of the Low Hampton revival meetings and to expound further his views on the prophecies and the second advent in response to Hendryx’s appeal for “more light.” Miller’s response is so illuminating that the vital portion of this initial letter, hurriedly written, is reproduced: PFF4 489.1

“You say, Bro. Hendryx, you want ‘more light.’ I wish that you might receive it, and I shall be willing to assist you with what little I have at every convenient opportunity. Do not be discouraged, when you have studied 14 years, if you do not find ‘more light,’ then you may complain. But you say in 12 years the mystery of God will be finished. ²⁰ Agreed. You know I proved this 4 ways—1st by the length of Daniels vision, 2nd by Daniel reign of Antichrist & 45 years beyond [the 1290], 3rd by the two days or 2000 years, & 4th by the sounding of the sixth trumpet. PFF4 489.2

“1st. Then, Daniel’s vision is 2300 years, see Daniel 8:13, 14 which vision began when the Persian Kingdom was pushing its conquests, see Daniel 8:4 & 20. It also began in the reign of Artaxerxes when the Decree went out to restore & build Jerusalem in troublous times. See Daniel 9:25. Ezra 7:2. It also began in the reign of the 5th King of Persia, or the 4th from Daniel, viz. Cyrus under whose reign Daniel lived. See Daniel 10:1 st. Cambyses, Darius, Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) and Artaxerxes. See Daniel 11:2, 3. Now these 3 events happened at one and the same time, and were 457 years before Christ’s birth & 70 weeks or 490 [years] before Christ’s crucifixion, thus take 457 out of 2300 leaves 1843.” ²¹ PFF4 489.3

This missive then expounds his own view of Bible prophecy, which he felt was definitely due the world. It was obviously about what he presented to the Dresden Baptist church group but a few days later. In another letter to Hendryx, early in 1832, Miller tells of preparing certain articles for the Baptist Vermont Telegraph. And in March he tells his friend of a discussion with a young preacher who had come to point out Miller’s “errors.” This contact extended over a number of days, and affords a glimpse of Miller’s method. He wrote: PFF4 490.1

“We went to work, night and day, and he has just left me, Monday 3 o’clock P.M. He has got his load. And as he says he never was so loaded before. You may say this is boasting. No, No, Br. Hendryx you know better. I only made him read Bible. And I held the concordance, no praise to me, give God the Glory. At any rate he will find it hard to resist the truth. He wants me to let him come and board with me two or three months to study BIBLE. He is a young man of brilliant talents.” ²² Here we catch a glimpse of Miller’s remarkable vigor, his drive, and earnestness. Here we see the Bible as his textbook, the source of all spiritual wisdom and authority. Such intense personal work was constant. And a growing concern in some of the churches over the second advent is also revealed in this quotation: PFF4 490.2

“I have somebody to labor with almost daily. I have been into Poultney [a return visit], and some other places to lecture on the coming of Christ. And in every case I have had large assemblies. There is an increasing anxiety on the subject in this quarter.” ²³ And here is disclosed his philosophy of preaching and teaching—thoroughness, earnestness, and sincerity. It was wholly Biblicocentric, and uplifted Christ. This he likewise shares with Hendryx: PFF4 490.3

“I would therefore advise you to lead your hearers by slow and sure steps to Jesus Christ, I say slow because I expect they are not strong enough to run yet. Sure because the Bible is a sure word. And where your hearers are not well doctrinated, you must preach Bible, you must prove all things by Bible, you must talk Bible. You must exhort Bible, you must pray Bible, and Love Bible, and do all in your power to make others Love Bible too. One great means to do good is, to make your parishiners sensible that you are in earnest and fully and solemnly believe what you preach. If you wish your people to feel, feel yourself; if you wish them to believe as you do, show them by your constant assiduity in teaching, that you sincerely wish it. You can do more good by the fireside, and in your conference circles than in the pulpit.” ²⁴ PFF4 490.4

Some time elapsed before the letter was finished. Meantime “two numbers [of his earliest articles] in the Telegraph” had appeared, and “more will soon follow.” He is confident they will start “some inquiries,” which they did. Then he tells of growing “opposition” from those who ought, instead, to be teaching the truth of the advent. Six months pass, and he expresses the wish that he might again see Hendryx so they might sit down and “have a good dish of Bible together,” as he puts it quaintly. His own strong personal convictions are repeated. The breadth of the gospel and the relationship of the second advent to the over-all plan of redemption appears: PFF4 491.1

“The light is continually breaking in; and I am more and more confirmed in those things of which I told you, when you were here, (to wit) Redemption by Grace, the efficacy of Christ’s blood. Justification by his righteousness imputed to us. Sanctification through the operation of the Divine Spirit and Glorification by our gathering together unto him at his coming and his appearing.” ²⁵ Miller’s traveling, preaching, and correspondence was increasing, though to this time it had been only a little more than a year since his first sermon. His articles in the Telegraph were now beginning to bear tangible fruit. Then early in 1833 he received a letter from a Congregational minister, Henry Jones, agent for the circulation of temperance papers, and destined to become a rather prominent associate in the Millerite movement. His interest had been aroused by Miller’s views on the millennium, as presented in his articles in the Telegraph, over the signature, “W.M.” He wishes to discuss the question with Miller. Serious-minded ministers were now beginning to take note. Congregationalist Henry Jones says: PFF4 491.2

“I am aware, that most of our Bible men, would consider you very visionary or fanatical, were they to be informed of your views, & tho’ I know not, but you are truly so, 8c running wild, I should be very glad to see you, & talk with you, several hours, as I was told, that you had made the subject your great study for many years, & now stand ready to talk upon it, & to defend it against all plausible objections.” ²⁶ Then in a second and a third letter Jones plies Miller with a whole series of searching questions. Soon Miller writes to Hendryx: PFF4 492.1

“The Lord is scattering the seed, I can now reckon eight ministers that preach this doctrine more or less beside yourself, and whether you do or not, your letter does not state. I know of more than 100 private [lay] brethren that say they have adopted my views as their belief, be that as it may ‘truth is mighty and will prevail.’” ²⁷ Then he tells Hendryx of the license to preach just issued to him by the Low Hampton Baptist church. Meanwhile, Miller was going hither and yon, lecturing on the prophecies. One day on a steamboat on the Hudson he expounded the prophecies to a group of men entranced with the developing marvels of the day. Having expressed himself on the times, he withdrew to the other end of the boat. But the whole group followed, and requested him to continue. So he led them through the prophecies, and then handed them copies of his newly printed sixty-four page pamphlet. ²⁸ PFF4 492.2

Next, the Low Hampton Baptist church (his own home group) had been without a preacher for some time, and Miller was called upon to “supply,” which bespoke confidence. So he writes to Hendryx: PFF4 492.3

“We have no preacher as yet-except the old man with his concordance. And he is so shunned with his cold, dull & lifeless performance, that I have strong doubts whether he will attempt again—but hush, not a word of what I tell you. Send us a minister if you can.... PFF4 492.4

“I wish I had the tongue of an Apollos and the powers of mind of a Paul, what a field might I not explore, & what powerful arguments might not be brought to prove the authenticity of the Scriptures, but I want one thing, more than either, the spirit of Christ and of God, for he is able to take worms and thrash mountains.” ²⁹ PFF4 492.5

In their frank exchange, Hendryx evidently had twitted Miller gently on his age, who quickly retorted: PFF4 493.1

“You laugh Br. Hendryx: to think old Brother Miller is preaching. But laugh on, you are not the only one that laughs, and it is all right. I deserve it. But if I could preach the truth, it is all I could ask. Can you tell me how old Noah was when he began to preach? And Lot, Moses etc.” ³⁰ But the ability that he soon developed to hold the rapt attention of great audiences for rather extended periods—one and a half to two hours was then the custom—evidences Miller’s remarkable acquaintance with Bible prophecy coupled with interest—holding delivery. Miller was a man of tremendous drive and thought, and acted intensely. His language was fervid and colorful, and he drafted heavily on adjectives and adverbs. Few younger men could have followed his strenuous pace. But periodic ill health had evidently made him conscious of his advancing years, for he constantly refers to his age. He often writes with a play on words. Then he tells of enough openings for preaching to consume a full year. He now gives a week’s series at most appointments. Matters are moving rapidly. Here is the current picture, in 1834, told by his postscript: PFF4 493.2

“Spend about a week in a place, have very crowded assemblies, generally more last day, than preceding. Many say it looks rational and go to reading, some scoff and ridicule, others believe it is true. Ministers generally are the hardest to be convinced, yet they say ‘They can bring no argument but what the old man will remove.’ You know Ester, he happened in one evening where I was lecturing (tho’ he laughed & jeered before,) next day sent me an invitation. Case of Cornwall, laughed and ridiculed. I went & lectured four nights. 5 ministers present. Case was first to believe.” ³¹ PFF4 493.3