Separation from the Church
35
When the presiding elder addressed others in the class, he ex-
pressed great joy in anticipating the temporal millennium, when the
earth should be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters
cover the sea. He longed to see this glorious period ushered in.
After the meeting closed, I was conscious of being treated with
marked coldness by those who had formerly been kind and friendly to
me. My brother and I returned home feeling sad that we should be so
misunderstood by our brethren, and that the subject of the near coming
of Jesus should awaken such bitter opposition in their breasts.
The Hope of the Second Advent
On the way home we talked seriously concerning the evidences
of our new faith and hope. “Ellen,” said Robert, “are we deceived?
Is this hope of Christ’s soon appearing upon the earth a heresy, that
ministers and professors of religion oppose it so bitterly? They say
that Jesus will not come for thousands and thousands of years. If they
even approach the truth, then the world cannot come to an end in our
day.”
I dared not give unbelief a moment’s encouragement, but quickly
replied: “I have not a doubt but that the doctrine preached by Mr.
Miller is the truth. What power attends his words! What conviction is
carried home to the sinner’s heart!”
We talked the matter over candidly as we walked along, and de-
cided that it was our duty and privilege to look for our Saviour’s
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coming, and that it would be safest to make ready for His appearing,
and be prepared to meet Him with joy. If He did come, what would be
the prospect of those who were now saying, “My Lord delayeth His
coming,” and had no desire to see Him? We wondered how ministers
dared to quiet the fears of sinners and backsliders by saying, “Peace,
peace!” while the message of warning was being given all over the
land. The period seemed very solemn to us; we felt that we had no
time to lose.
“‘A tree is known by its fruits,’” remarked Robert. “What has this
belief done for us? It has convinced us that we were not ready for the
coming of the Lord; that we must become pure in heart, or we cannot
meet our Saviour in peace. It has aroused us to seek for new strength
and grace from God.