Sketches of the Christian life and public labors of William Miller

by James White

CHAPTER VIII.

LECTURES IN BOSTON (4TH, 5TH, AND 6TH COURSES), IN ANDOVER, PROVIDENCE, GALWAY, N. Y., CLAREMONT, N. H., BENSON, VT.,—HIS ILLNESS—INCIDENT AT SANDY HILL, AT WORCESTER—THE PHRENOLOGIST—MEETINGS AT HARTFORD.

“On the 31st of January, 1841, Mr. Miller again visited Boston, and commenced his fourth course of lectures in that city. He continued there till the 19th of February. The first eighteen lectures were given in the Chardon-street Chapel, ‘which was crowded almost to suffocation, and thousands were obliged to retire for want of room.’ Beginning on the 9th, a second course of eighteen lectures was delivered, by invitation of the Baptist church in South Boston, Thomas Driver, pastor.

“In compliance with an invitation from Rev. N. Hervey, pastor of the Baptist church in Andover, Mass., Mr. M. commenced a course of lectures in their house on Sunday, February 21, 1841. The students of the orthodox institution there requested him to lecture only evenings, that they might attend his full course; but he could not consistently comply with their wishes. His labors continued there till March 2, and were attended by a very large and attentive audience. Mr. Hervey, in whose church they were delivered, has given the following sketch of them:—

“‘His exposition of the prophecies, together with his earnest and impressive appeals to Christians and sinners to prepare for the coming of the Lord, was the means of arousing Christians to action, and of the conversion of a number of persons who before were without hope and without God in the world. In the course of the lectures, an incident occurred which shows his familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures and promptness to meet objectors to his views. About the fourth day of his labors he received a letter, signed “Anonymous,” containing a long list of passages from the Old and New Testaments, which were evidently quoted by “Anonymous” from memory, without naming their chapter and verse. These passages were thought by the author of the letter to be directly opposed to Mr. Miller’s view of the near approach and personal reign of Christ on earth. To these texts was affixed a single question. The letter, on being taken from the office, was presented to Mr. Miller, who read it through, and immediately said: “Anonymous” has not quoted a single text right. In the evening, previous to his lecture, he took the letter from his pocket, and inquired if there was a person in the audience by the name of Anonymous. If so, he would like to have him stand up. The house was filled on that evening by a large congregation. Mr. Miller waited some time for the appearance of “Anonymous;” the congregation remained in breathless silence to see the stranger. But no one answered to the call. Mr. Miller then read the letter, and, as he read each passage, also read the same from the Bible. The audience were satisfied that not one text was correctly quoted. Mr. Miller again repeated the call for “Anonymous” to stand up, if he was present. No one arose. Mr. Miller then read the question which closed the letter, namely—“Mr. Miller, how dare you assert your theory with so much confidence without a knowledge of the Hebrew and Greek languages?” To this Mr. Miller promptly replied, “If I am not acquainted with the Hebrew and Greek, I know enough to quote the English texts of the Scriptures rightly.” “Anonymous” never made himself known, and it was the impression of many of the audience that the author of the letter, if he was skilled in the Hebrew and Greek, was exceedingly deficient in his knowledge of the English Scriptures.

“‘During Mr. Miller’s stay in Andover several persons called to converse with him on the topics of his lectures, and he was very ready to devote his time to conversation with persons desirous of receiving information. He entered into the conversation with all his heart, and hundreds will remember with delight and devout gratitude to God the interviews they have enjoyed with him, and the instructions they have received from his lips. He was ever ready to answer all reasonable questions, and could generally distinguish between the caviler and the sincere inquirer after truth. Two young men, who were in the course of study at the Theological Seminary at Andover, called to see Mr. Miller while at the house of the writer, and spent some time in conversation with him upon the advent of Christ. After the conversation, as they were about leaving, one of the young men asked Mr. Miller the following question: “Well, if the Lord is coming so soon, Mr. Miller, what shall we do who are studying for the ministry? We have some time yet to prepare for the pastoral office.”

“‘To this the good man promptly replied: “Young men, if God has called you to study, keep on in your course, and I will aid you all in my power; but if he has called you to preach, study your Bibles, and commence preaching immediately.”

“‘The young men bade their adviser good day.

“‘N. H.’

“From the 3d to the 13th of March, he lectured to crowded audiences at the Marlboro’ Chapel, his fifth course of lectures in Boston. From the 13th to the 19th of the same month, he lectured in Fairhaven, Mass.; from the 20th to the 26th, in New Bedford, Mass.; and from the 27th of March to the 5th of April, to large audiences in Providence, R. I. The Town Hall, a commodious building, was granted by the City Council for that purpose. On Sunday, the 4th, by the invitation of Rev. Mr. Jameson, of the 3d Baptist Church, he lectured there all day to full and solemn congregations. His keeping no journal, makes it impossible to give the particular results of these lectures; but in each of the last three places a large number of intelligent members, in the several churches, embraced his views.