The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

VII. Advent Cause Established in Philadelphia

In addition to Boston and New York, there were other important centers of the Millerite cause. One of the most important was Philadelphia. Josiah Litch first visited the city early in 1812, returning in November with Apollos Hale for public meetings. The churches generally were closed against them, but friends secured a hall and meetings began in December. These were hotly opposed. However, Litch obtained a definite foothold. He had a committee of thirty from the various churches who arranged the meeting place and promoted the advent cause. It was a battle, as week after week the churches rang with denunciations against him. But the opposition seemed only to arouse interest and to cause large numbers to examine the message presented. ²⁶ PFF4 612.1

Miller and Himes determined on a great campaign in the city of Brotherly Love. Himes spearheaded the way and gave several lectures. ²⁷ Then Litch hired the great Chinese Museum Auditorium, seating six thousand, ²⁸ for thirteen nights. ²⁹ (Illustration appears on p. 556.) Miller began his lectures, February 3, which were held twice a day for a week. The interest reached its peak on February 9, when there was a near panic as someone fainted in the overcrowded building. The hall was jammed and a crowd outside was seeking admittance. When the doors were opened to carry out the woman who had fainted, there Avas a rush by the crowd outside to effect an entrance. Then a boy shouted “Fire,” and the great mass of humanity was instantly thrown into commotion. When order was at last restored it was thought best ?to dismiss the meeting for the night. A man tried to interrupt the meeting the next day, but was forced to leave by the determined crowd. Fearing more trouble, the proprietors of the building again closed it for the day. ³⁰ PFF4 612.2

On February 10 Miller gave his farewell address to a packed house. It was a touching and solemn occasion. In bidding the crowd adieu lie said they would doubtless see his face no more in this life, but he expected in a short time to meet the faithful in the coming kingdom. When he asked how many believed the Saviour’s coming to be near, a large number arose, and many were in tears. ³¹ According to Litch this campaign rocked Philadelphia from center to circumference. ³² Perhaps at no other time in Miller’s career was his power more apparent as a speaker. He held the great crowd for an hour and a half, and two thirds then stayed for an after prayer meeting. Litch says: PFF4 613.1

“Saints rejoiced, the wicked trembled, backsliders quaked, and the word of the Lord ran and was glorified. It is doubtful whether Mr. Miller ever gave a course of lectures with greater effect than at that time.” ³³ PFF4 613.2

At this time the Philadelphia Alarm, a penny paper, was published by Litch. It continued for thirteen weeks, with four thousand copies an issue. A book room was opened, and soon the advent cause was firmly established. The huge Chinese Museum, secured for Miller’s meetings, thereafter became the regular meeting place. On May 19, the editor of one of the Philadelphia papers gave this description of his visit to the Museum: PFF4 613.3

“Upon leaving the lecture room, we entered the mighty assembly of the Millerites—for mighty it was; the large room which once contained the Chinese Museum being literally filled with a dense mass of males and females, old and young, who seemed to hang with a breathless and somewhat excited interest upon ‘the very loud outpourings’ of the enthusiastic speaker.” ³⁴ PFF4 613.4

Returning in March, Litch merged his Philadelphia Alarm into the Trumpet of Alarm, designed for circulation in the West and South. Between 25,000 and 30,000 copies were distributed. The Philadelphia General Conference then followed upon the heels of the Litch meetings, and continued for two weeks (from May 14 to 28), ³⁵ with a large attendance. The daily press called it a “mighty assembly,” and the Midnight Cry referred to the “vast multitude.” ³⁶ Himes, Brown, Litch, Storrs, Hervey, Cook, and others were the speakers. Prayer and experience meetings were a characteristic feature. A mission to Virginia was sponsored by Brown and Barry. There was also the formation of the “Philadelphia Second Advent Association,” for related missionary purposes. PFF4 613.5