The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

III. Miller’s Three Progressive Literary Efforts

The original manuscripts of these first eight articles are intriguing. ³² Penned in Miller’s characteristically strong and regular handwriting, they bear very few editorial marks-just the headings, an occasional paragraph mark (“f”), and once in a while a word added or deleted. The phrasing is quite acceptable, and Miller’s spelling, punctuation, and capitalization necessitated relatively few changes. As to form and phrasing, they would be quite acceptable copy for most modern editors. The initials “W.M.” appear at the close of each installment. And to the initial series of eight articles was added a second group of eight, or sixteen in all. They were all, of course, vigorously premillennial. PFF4 512.2

In the resultant sixty-four-page pamphlet, there is a four-page “Introduction,” which modestly sets forth the “Rules of Interpretation” employed by Miller in expounding the prophecies. They cover much the same ground tabulated back in 1818. They deal with the figurative character and meaning of such symbols as “beast” for kingdom; “waters,” or “rivers,” for peoples and multitudes; the obvious parallelism of such prophecies as Daniel 2, 7, and 8; the pivotal character of the two advents; ³³ the literality of the historical fulfillment of prophecy; the identity of Antichrist; and the application of the year-day principle for all time prophecies. ³⁴ These accord with the standard principles of the best Christian scholarship of the centuries. Miller concludes: PFF4 512.3

“The foregoing rules are the principal keys by which I have attempted to unlock the prophecies of Daniel and John, and to give the time when we may look for the fulfillment, and the mystery of God to be finished.” ³⁵ Like the prior declaration of “J.A.B.” of England, in 1810—which initial exposition of the terminus of the 2300 years in 1843 was published in both the London and Boston editions of the Christian Observer in 1810 ³⁶ Miller also modestly says: PFF4 513.1

“If I have erred, I hope others may see where, and shun the danger. I have no desire to mislead any, but my principal aim is to excite others more able than myself to investigate the subject. The time is at hand that will try my views on this point.” ³⁷ Miller was candid, but never heady. He declared that if time should prove his prediction of the specific time to be erroneous, he would frankly acknowledge it, which he did in his Apology and Defence of August 1, 1845. The spirit that animated Miller is evidenced in the closing sentences of this Introduction: PFF4 513.2

“I have daily made this subject a matter of prayer for more than fourteen years. I have often felt my weakness, and I wish I could feel it more. I have endeavored to adopt no opinions hastily, until they were well matured, and well supported by bible proof. I have felt satisfied only when I had scripture evidence, or facts well attested. I have never dared, knowingly, go one step beyond revelation, fearing that I might have too much of self.” ³⁸ PFF4 513.3

So Miller’s first pamphlet was started on its way to help spread his views on prophecy. It was a pioneering pathfinder, followed three years later by the larger, full-fledged book bearing virtually the same title: Evidence From Scripture and History of the Second Coming of Christ, About the Year 1843: Exhibited in a Course of Lectures. The Introduction is largely the same-merely expanded a bit. However, the text of the chapters is greatly enlarged, now presenting sixteen chapters instead of six, yet following the same general line of argument and evidence. The influence of this volume was pronounced. Its main outline became Miller’s standard series, or “course” of lectures, delivered orally in varying forms in an amazing number of cities and communities. And not only was it the norm for Miller, but soon it became the general pattern for hundreds of Millerite preachers and lecturers. PFF4 513.4

The publication of these lectures is often referred to as marking the beginning of a “new era” in the expansion of the growing cause. ³⁹ Wherever Miller lectured in person, his printed lectures were now left behind to follow up, amplify, and enforce his oral teaching, so that it ceased to be “like writing upon the sand,” as often it had been prior to their publication. It affords a marked demonstration of the power of the press. And these books began to circulate where Miller had never been in person, creating a wide interest, and preparing the way for his personal appearances. PFF4 514.1