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Second Angel’s Message
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as I did would not love any the less those who should embrace this
doctrine, I did not conceive there would ever be any necessity for
separate meetings. My whole object was a desire to convert souls
to God, to notify the world of a coming judgment, and to induce
my fellow men to make that preparation of heart which will enable
them to meet their God in peace. The great majority of those who
were converted under my labors united with the various existing
churches. When individuals came to me to inquire respecting their
duty, I always told them to go where they would feel at home; and I
never favored any one denomination in my advice to such.”
For a time many of the churches welcomed his labors, but as
they decided against the advent truth, they desired to suppress all
agitation of the subject. Those who had accepted the doctrine were
thus placed in a position of great trial and perplexity. They loved
their churches, and were loth to separate from them; but as they were
ridiculed and oppressed, denied the privilege of speaking of their
hope, or of attending preaching upon the Lord’s coming, many at
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last arose and cast off the yoke that had been imposed upon them.
Adventists, seeing that the churches rejected the testimony of
God’s Word, could no longer regard them as constituting the church
of Christ, “the pillar and ground of the truth;” and as the message,
“Babylon is fallen,” began to be proclaimed, they felt themselves
justified in separating from their former connection.
Since the rejection of the first message, a sad change has taken
place in the churches. As truth is spurned, error is received and
cherished. Love for God and faith in His Word have grown cold.
The churches have grieved the Spirit of the Lord, and it has been in
a great measure withdrawn.
The Tarrying Time
When the year 1843 entirely passed away unmarked by the ad-
vent of Jesus, those who had looked in faith for His appearing were
for a time left in doubt and perplexity. But notwithstanding their
disappointment, many continued to search the Scriptures, examin-
ing anew the evidences of their faith, and carefully studying the
prophecies to obtain further light. The Bible testimony in support of
their position seemed clear and conclusive. Signs which could not