The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Preview of the Amazing Advent Movement

I. From Tiny Rivulet to Continental Waterway

Follow the fascinating, expanding course of a tiny rivulet. Fed at first from a single spring, it wends its solitary way down the broad valley from the highland. Soon it is joined by other brooklets, and is fed by streamlet after streamlet, until it expands into a modest river. This, in turn, is joined by other streams and rivers, large and small. And these are augmented by melting snows and swelled by drenching rains, until a giant continental waterway results-growing wider, deeper, swifter with each passing mile, and flowing resistlessly onward until it pours its impressive volume into the mighty ocean. Mill wheels are turned and power is developed on its banks, and sizable ships sail on its bosom. Such is the life story of a great river like the Mississippi. PFF4 443.1

And thus it was with what became the great Millerite or second advent movement of America, starting in the early nineteenth century. Perhaps no phenomenon in the history of American Christianity is comparable to aspects of the great nineteenth-century second advent, or Millerite movement. Without question it made a greater impress upon the consciousness of the American populace within the short space of thirteen years than any other religious development in the annals of the nation. PFF4 443.2

It began with William Miller’s individual witness on the imminent advent of Christ and the impending judgment hour. It started with his first sermon back in 1831, augmented by a compilation of certain Lectures, issued in pamphlet form in 1833 and enlarged to a full-fledged book in 1836. Then, after several years of working alone, Miller began to be joined by other voices. Finally, in 1838, three substantial ministerial recruits came to Miller’s side with unstinted service, definitely augmenting his message on the impending advent. Still other stalwarts joined hands and hearts in the enterprise during 1839 and 1840. Diversified books, tracts, and periodicals began to be issued in increasing number and volume. PFF4 443.3

General Conferences added influence and weight to the witness between 1840 and 1842. And giant camp meetings, together with tent, grove, and tabernacle meetings, began to herald the imminent advent in stentorian tones in 1843 and 1844. Multiplied thousands now openly declared themselves to be Adventists in expectation. Ministers by the score, some quite prominent, and coming from all the leading denominations, augmented the swelling chorus until its overtones could be heard all over the land, and even across the seas. It had become an amazing movement for the time-fifty thousand to one hundred thousand comprising the loyal core-with some five hundred preachers and fifteen hundred public lecturers proclaiming its urgent message to all men everywhere. PFF4 444.1

Now follow the simile of the river a bit further. The literal stream, augmented by other tributaries until it becomes a mighty waterway in transit across the continent, passes through occasional lowlands where stagnant pools and reedy marshes sometimes dot the river’s bank. But neither of these fringe features constitute nor characterize the river. The little eddies and whirlpools, and the cross currents that occasionally run counter to the main stream, do not comprise the river or indicate the dominant flow. Rather, it is the deep main current that marks the river channel, with that current rolling ever onward toward its mouth. PFF4 444.2

Thus it was with the Advent Movement of the nineteenth century. As along the course of the main stream itself there were both deeps and shallows, jutting rocks and foaming waterfalls, whirling eddies and limpid pools, so the parallel holds for Millerism, But these do not constitute its essence or reveal its real spirit. With all its varied features and characteristics, Millerism was a mighty flowing stream, a main current, with its vast body of water sweeping ever onward to its destined goal. PFF4 444.3

It is the central flow that constitutes the mighty Mississippi, and by this it must be judged. So also with the Millerite movement. There were occasional pools or marshlands on the margins, sometimes breeding pestilential insects that annoyed the community. Or speaking plainly, there were certain extraneous groups on the fringes of Millerism that sought to participate along with the body, but were neither an acknowledged part of it nor represented either its spirit or its message. Such a curious fringe is to be found on the margin of every large religious movement. But the main stream of the Advent Movement flowed on constantly and consistently, bringing life and hope and spiritual transformation to tens and scores of thousands, until the mighty current of the advent hope was seen and felt everywhere. PFF4 445.1