Miller’s Works, vol. 3. Exposition of the Twenty-Fourth Of Matthew; The True Inheritance Of The Saints; The Cleansing of the Sanctuary; The Ty

TO THE READER

DEAR FRIEND, - No man of the present age, perhaps, has done more for the cause of Christianity, in raising a barrier against the desolating flood of infidelity which has well-nigh overwhelmed the church and the world, than WILLIAM MILLER. The doctrine of the second coming of Christ, and the great objects of his coming, had well-nigh become obliterated from the mind of the community, or, if believed at all, it was feebly, and with faint impressions with respect to its near approach; the great mass of religious teachers were almost perfectly asleep, assuring their people that they had nothing to fear of the coming of the Judge these one thousand years at least, yet. The doctrine of the resurrection was almost obliterated from the pulpit theology of the age. Yes, the great doctrine, on which rests the whole Christian fabric, was well-nigh abandoned to the enemy. How seldom was it heard from the pulpit, that, as truly as the body of Christ was raised from the grave by the power of God, so surely all that are in the graves will come forth; they that have done good, at Christ’s coming, to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, at the end of the one thousand years, to the resurrection of damnation. But, above all, how entirely was this world abandoned to the devil, and the children of God to be removed away to some other sphere! The idea that God had promised, and would most certainly perform that promise, to give the earth to the meek, and that they shall inherit it forever, and reign on earth with Christ, was hardly credible with the great body of the church, until William Miller lifted up his voice and wielded his pen in defence of these thrilling and glorious truths. It is difficult to say which has done the most for the spread of evangelical truth and the confirmation of believers in the faith once delivered to the saints, his public labors or his writings. Certain it is, that both have been wonderfully blessed of God to the good of the church and the world. MWV3 iii.1

Probably his public labors have come in direct contact with more minds, and produced a deeper and more thrilling sensation, for the time being, than his writings. But still that impression sooner wears off, and the confidence of the believer more easily shakes, than when produced by reading. Then there is opportunity to review, deliberate, and examine, again and again, if need be. It is a fact which should make a deep impression on the minds of those interested in this cause, and excite them to diligence in the work of circulating these writings, that it is only where men read, after having their minds called up to the subject, that they become confirmed and consistent believers in the doctrine. But there is but little doubt in the case of one who reads and studies the subject faithfully, but what he will be confirmed in its truth. MWV3 iv.1

How many, through the influence of Mr. Miller’s writings and labors, have been recovered from infidelity in all its various shades, eternity alone can tell, although much fruit is even now visible. MWV3 iv.2

Whatever may be the result of his calculations on prophetic periods, the accomplishment of which is yet future, one thing is clear, - the stupefying opiate of a temporal millennium, the restoration of the Jews, etc., prior to Christ’s personal coming, will be dashed from the lips of thousands, and they will be aroused to look for the speedy coming of the Savior, until he does appear. MWV3 iv.3

This little work will be read with deep interest by those who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. The enemy has long triumphed in the abandonment of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew to his service. If no more had been accomplished by Mr. Miller’s writings than the rescuing of this portion of the word of truth, and restoring it from the grasp of infidelity to the support of the Christian cause, it would be one of the most important moral achievements of the age. The first lecture of his course has done more to effect this object, we believe, than any other production of the age. Let that point be yielded, and it is utterly impossible to establish the doctrine of the coming of Christ again from any passage of the word of God: for no text is more clear and express, and if that does not teach the doctrine, it must fall, and all other assurances of the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven must fall with it. This point rescued, and the doctrine must stand. What wonder, then, that those who would wrest from the Christian this glorious hope, should be sensitive on such a point, and bring, as they have done, their whole artillery to bear upon the daring spirit who presumed to dispute the field with them upon this question, forever if possible to blast his influence. MWV3 v.1

But, although the contest has been fierce, the ground has thus far been maintained without yielding a point. Let it never be given up. The present lecture is a still stronger position, and has been written after the most mature deliberation, and in full view of all that has been said for years upon all sides of the question. We doubt not it will be read with candor by lovers of the Savior and their Bible, and receive that respect which its merits deserve; while, at the same time, we expect the enemies of the truth to be greatly discomposed and troubled at the stroke their cause will here feel. MWV3 v.2

vi MWV3 v.3

The lecture on the two days, of Hosea, will also be read with interest, and we trust with profit, as affording another collateral evidence of the near coming of the Son of man. MWV3 v.4

Of the address to the Portland Conference we need not speak; it needs only to be read to be appreciated. MWV3 v.5

The closing Scene is a rare and choice production, and in a most striking manner presents the situation of the lost sinner at the coming of Christ. The Lord grant that none who may read these pages shall ever know by experience its import! MWV3 v.6

Amen. JOSHUA V. HIMES.
Boston, 14 Devonshire St.,
Oct. 16,1841.