The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

IV. Caliber and Character of Millerite Leaders

Every religious movement is composed of individuals, with all their strength and frailties. In order to understand the spirit, the ideals, and the drive of such a movement, one must know its component leaders. Consequently, in order to understand the strength and to grasp the common characteristics of the Millerite movement, we must become personally acquainted with the individuals who constituted Miller’s intimate associates and colaborers. Though differing widely in background, training, denominational affiliation, and personal achievement, they had certain outstanding characteristics which, blending with those of their fellows, formed one of the most unique religious movements of all time. PFF4 450.3

At first the Millerite movement was an intra-denominational emphasis on the premillennial second advent, given by various sympathetic ministers within the various churches—Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, Christian, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Disciple. Many adherents, however, were won directly from the ranks of the widespread skepticism and infidelity of the time, and some of these became ardent heralds of the approaching advent. PFF4 450.4

Neither Miller nor his associates had any thought, at first, of forming any new ecclesiastical organization, any more than Wesley contemplated leaving the Church of England when he started his spiritual revival, or Campbell with his Disciple group. The advent hope was the historic hope of the church—the throbbing heart of early church belief and expectation in the days of her greatest purity. Surely, Miller thought, its revival would be acclaimed with joy. And by many it was gladly received, at first, especially by the smaller churches in the smaller cities and rural communities. But all that changed erelong. PFF4 451.1

It took leaders of deep conviction and independence of thought to breast the current of unpopularity and hostility that at times ran swiftly, yes, even violently, against them. They had to know thoroughly the reasons for their faith, and the historical evidence that provided the facts of the prophetic fulfillment they expounded. They were challenged and ridiculed, and their positions attacked, not only by skeptics, deists, and infidels, but by keen clerics, theologians, and teachers of the day, who had become enamored of the glowing philosophy of world betterment that would stretch on for a thousand—or many thousands—of glorious years, and would thus establish the kingdom of God by human endeavor, augmented by divine power. To all such, the idea of an impending, cataclysmic end of the age was repugnant, and its heralds decidedly obnoxious. That was the crux of the clash and the heart of the conflict that moved toward a climax. PFF4 451.2

The proponents of the impending catastrophic end of all things were castigated as narrow, unbalanced, antisocial, and fanatical, blocking the road to human and heavenly progress. They must therefore not be allowed to propagate their old-fashioned, disruptive notions in the forward-looking churches of the day. Many-though by no means all—of the scholars of the day were against them. But decided opposition developed. Thus it took men of independent thought and deep conviction, as well as trained minds, to herald so unpopular a message. PFF4 451.3

But the Millerite leaders were men of sturdy stamp. Many of them had gained experience in the thick of the antislavery and temperance crusades, in which they had found many of the churches and the clergy ranged against them. They were men of positive character and marked ability. They were prepared to spend and be spent. A major conflict over religious views and profound convictions was in the offing, and was inevitable. PFF4 452.1