The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

II. Two Main Phases to the Millerite Movement

Now let us preview, as with a road map, the main features of the movement we are about to trace, that we may follow its course more easily. There were two major phases of the Millerite movement—the initial, or “1843,” phase, and the later and larger “1844” phase, in which it reached its climax. While inseparably connected, they were, nevertheless, quite distinct. This dual aspect should be borne in mind, as the dominating concept and expectation of the one differed sharply from that of the other. Indeed, one can scarcely understand the fundamental development, and the progression of the movement as a whole, unless the motivating thought and action back of each of these phases be understood. PFF4 445.2

The first phase included all developments from the time of Miller’s first humble sermon on the second advent, given the second Sunday in August, 1831, up to the revised expiration of the “Jewish sacred year 1843.” In this preliminary “1843” phase—covering about thirteen years-Miller was the recognized leader, at first laboring virtually alone, then joined by other ministers and groups in ever-increasing numbers until it became a large integrated movement, with others sharing increasingly in the burdens, public expressions, and responsibilities of leadership. It was no one-man affair. PFF4 445.3

On the other hand, the second, or “1844,” phase was short, intensive, climactic. This was largely in other hands, as Miller was now growing older and was often ill, and was not an active participant in these later developments. This “Jewish year 1844” phase was commonly called the “seventh month movement,” because its climax of expectation was based upon the well-known Day of Atonement type, of the “tenth day of the seventh month” (Tishri) of the Jewish sacred year “1844.” This 10th day of Tishri, the Millerites ascertained, would, according to the older Jewish method of calendation, coincide with October 22, 1844, as the civil equivalent in our common modern calendar. PFF4 446.1

This seventh-month phase of the Millerite movement was actually only a little over three months in length. Yet these months were so packed with swift, intensive developments, and with such amazing achievements and results, that it seems almost inconceivable that so much could take place in so short a time. The records indicate that it shook the continent from Maine to the Mississippi Valley, and from Quebec to New Orleans. It was the most conspicuous religious development of the day. In the depiction we shall seek to make the leading characters live again, ever with careful fidelity to fact. They were not cold detached names, but warm living personalities—each with a unique story and contribution of his own. But acting and speaking in unison, these men taken together constituted the leadership of the Millerite movement. PFF4 446.2

These two phases will be carefully surveyed from the prophetic, chronological, calendrical, and historical aspects as we progress, and the full evidence and significance placed by the Millerites upon each will be brought out. All that is desired in this preview at this point, is merely that the reader shall be made definitely aware of these two main divisions in the onward sweep of the Millerite movement. Such an understanding will enable us easily to recognize these major developments as they unfold. PFF4 446.3

But this over-all picture, with its two major phases, may well, for convenience in our study, be broken down into its natural subdivisions. There was a succession of stages, or epochs, or developments, that were normal, progressive, and sequential. These we note at this point, as such a conspectus will enable us to recognize the basic developments as they unfold-just as one is advantaged by having the printed program of an oratorio in hand which outlines the main parts and identifies the leading characters, as well as revealing the main theme of the leading solos, duets, trios, quartets, and choruses—together with the introductions and interludes and the Scriptural setting. With such a purpose in mind, we next sketch the component epochs in these two main divisions of the Millerite movement. PFF4 447.1