The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

V. Bernard-Explicitly Declares His Convictions

Strong, vigorous letters were printed, like that of another Baptist minister, DAVID BERNARD, of Pensfield, New York, dated January 2, 1843. He had invited Miller to his church, and accepted the advent teaching. Bernard’s “letter” is a multum in parvo, as a terse, comprehensive marshaling of evidence on the second advent near—the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, 8, the 70 weeks and the 2300 year—days leading to A.D. “1843,” and the 1260 years of Daniel 7 and Revelation 11 extending from 538 to 1798. The 1290 years were from 508 to 1798, and the 1335 from 508 to 1843, when Daniel will stand in his lot. He closes with this emphatic “P.S.“: PFF4 670.2

“If we have made no mistake in our exposition of the Prophecies of Daniel, the Lord will come in 1843. Should there be a mistake—which is possible—still I believe, from the other prophecies, that the end of things is at hand. I SHALL LOOK FOR HIM TILL HE COMES!!!” ¹⁸ PFF4 670.3

Picture 1: MILLERITE MINISTERS HAD PASTORED THESE CHURCHES
(Left) baptist church at lockport, New York, Presided over by Elon Galusha, Son of governor Jonas Galusha of vermont; (right) Christian Church of new bedford, Massachusetts, of which silas hawley had been minister.
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His was another of the churches, near Rochester, where Miller preached. But his appearance and message well-nigh split the church. PFF4 671.1