The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

X. Ladd-Likewise Expelled Without Charge of Misconduct

A final instance. RANDOLPH E. LADD (fl. 1840-1844), from Connecticut, ⁴² was a Methodist businessman of high moral principles. In the winter of 1838 a copy of Miller’s Lectures had been placed in his hands. He became fascinated as he saw the unfolding panorama of the prophecies, for he had been entirely unacquainted with Bible prophecy. When he finished reading the Miller volume, the Bible had become a new treasure house to him. The prophecies, which before were dark and mysterious, now became his constant study and delight. He tried to talk with others about them, but they generally appeared uninterested or ridiculed the idea of an approaching end of the world. In 1840 he moved near Springfield, Massachusetts, and there engaged in the baking business. When a Methodist minister introduced him to Josiah Litch, he was overjoyed at meeting a man who believed like Miller on the prophecies. PFF4 782.3

Josiah Litch at the time was looking for opportunities to preach on the Coming One to his Methodist brethren, and was invited by Ladd to Cabotville, where nightly revival meetings were in progress in the Methodist church. Ladd was a church officer with an exhorter’s license. But the pastor was fearful about having this theme of the second advent presented lest it militate against the revival. However, his consent was finally obtained, and Litch spoke on Daniel 2-the four world kingdoms, and God’s soon-coming everlasting kingdom. The people were deeply impressed, and asked for more. So he stayed on, and a great revival broke out wherein more than one hundred were converted. Not long after, Charles Fitch also came to nearby Springfield with his new “1843 Chart,” and the whole city was profoundly stirred by his expositions. PFF4 782.4

Ladd was now thoroughly converted to the doctrine, and gave his whole soul to its proclamation. During the summer Himes called on Ladd when he was seeking a place for a camp meeting. Ladd introduced him to Hiram Munger, with whom he negotiated for the grounds at Chicopee Falls, which the Methodists had just occupied. The meeting was soon arranged, and again hundreds of converts resulted. Ladd became increasingly active in the movement. ⁴³ Then he and some forty others were expelled from the church without any charge of misconduct. These quickly became the nucleus of a large Adventist company. During his public ministry in the tense days of the 1844 movement, Ladd was hanged in effigy, lampooned in the press, hissed on the streets, and his house was once entered by a mob in pursuit of the Adventist preacher. PFF4 783.1