This last reform received its first impulse from William Miller,
in America, who having for some years studied the Prophetic
Scriptures, and having convinced himself and some friends, that
the Lord would come and the world would be destroyed by fire in
1843 or 1844, began to preach it. He attracted the independent
thinking Christians from all denominations, and by his preaching
greatly stirred them up to the private study of the Scriptures, and
developed, and made strong, the right of private judgment, as to
what are the teachings of Scripture. “The Bridegroom tarried”-
their expectations were not realized; but that movement had a
widespread influence nevertheless. The “wheat” among the
disappointed ones had obtained some new ideas. They had learned
that doctrines they had supposed fixed by the World of God, had
no better basis than the decrees of a corrupt church which God
called an “abomination.” They had learned that the reformers had
only uncovered a part of the truth; that truth had not all been
revealed in past ages, but, that God had declared to the Prophets
that some truths were “sealed” up and closed “until the time of the
end,” when knowledge should increase, and the (heavenly) wise
should understand things “which from the beginning of the world
hath been hid in God:” “even the mystery which hath been hid
from [former] ages and generations.” (Dan. 12: 4, 9, to; Eph. 3:9;
Col. 1:26.)
This was a valuable lesson, as it led them the more to study
God’s Word, rather than follow the example of others, in studying
the traditions and creeds of past ages. They had been freed from
servility to honor and respect in the various denominations from
which they had been cut loose by their obedience to their
convictions, in regard to Mr. Miller’s teachings. Honesty to
convictions of duty, always brings some blessing: even as Paul
going to Damascus, we meet the Lord on the way.
Hence, though disappointed in the Bridegroom’s tarrying, they
had been greatly blessed, and were prepared for any truth which
could be found in Scripture, no matter how unpopular with men; or
the rejection of any doctrine found unscriptural, however popular-
a very necessary position to be in, to be taught of God.
Consequently we find them, or among them, some who took a
more advanced stand than any who preceded them in the
Reformation work, or cleansing of the Sanctuary of truth. Thus,
1846–the end of the 2300 days–found a company who not only
agreed with “The Disciples” in simplicity of church government
and abolition of all titles; with the Baptists relative to the outward
form of baptism–immersion; and with Luther in his teachings that