Disappointment of 1843-44
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to again change their views. This second great test revealed a mass
of worthless drift that had been drawn into the strong current of the
advent faith, and been borne along for a time with the true believers
and earnest workers.
We were disappointed, but not disheartened. We resolved to refrain
from murmuring at the trying ordeal by which the Lord was purging
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us from the dross and refining us like gold in the furnace; to submit
patiently to the process of purifying that God deemed needful for us;
and to wait with patient hope for the Saviour to redeem His tried and
faithful ones.
We were firm in the belief that the preaching of definite time
was of God. It was this that led men to search the Bible diligently,
discovering truths they had not before perceived. Jonah was sent of
God to proclaim in the streets of Nineveh that within forty days the
city would be overthrown; but God accepted the humiliation of the
Ninevites, and extended their period of probation. Yet the message
that Jonah brought was sent of God, and Nineveh was tested according
to His will. The world looked upon our hope as a delusion, and our
disappointment as its consequent failure; but though we were mistaken
in the event that was to occur at that period, there was no failure in
reality of the vision that seemed to tarry.
Those who had looked for the coming of the Lord were not without
comfort. They had obtained valuable knowledge in the searching of the
Word. The plan of salvation was plainer to their understanding. Every
day they discovered new beauties in the sacred pages, and a wonderful
harmony running through all, one scripture explaining another, and no
word used in vain.
Our disappointment was not so great as that of the disciples. When
the Son of man rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, they expected Him
to be crowned king. The people flocked from all the region about, and
cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
Matthew 21:9
. And when the
priests and elders besought Jesus to still the multitude, He declared
that if they should hold their peace, even the stones would cry out,
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for prophecy must be fulfilled. Yet in a few days these very disciples
saw their beloved Master, whom they believed would reign on David’s
throne, stretched upon the cruel cross above the mocking, taunting
Pharisees. Their high hopes were disappointed, and the darkness of
death closed about them. Yet Christ was true to His promises. Sweet