Chapter 3—Feelings of Despair
In June, 1842, Mr. Miller gave his second course of lectures in
Portland. I felt it a great privilege to attend these lectures, for I had
fallen under discouragements and did not feel prepared to meet my
Saviour. This second course created much more excitement in the city
than the first. With few exceptions the different denominations closed
the doors of their churches against Mr. Miller. Many discourses from
the various pulpits sought to expose the alleged fanatical errors of the
lecturer; but crowds of anxious listeners attended his meetings, while
many were unable to enter the house.
The congregations were unusually quiet and attentive. His manner
of preaching was not flowery or oratorical, but he dealt in plain and
startling facts that roused his hearers from their careless indifference.
He supported his statements and theories by Scripture proof as he
progressed. A convincing power attended his words that seemed to
stamp them as the language of truth.
He was courteous and sympathetic. When every seat in the house
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was full, and the platform and places about the pulpit seemed crowded,
I have seen him leave the desk and walk down the aisle, and take some
feeble old man or woman by the hand and find a seat for them, then
return and resume his discourse. He was indeed rightly called Father
Miller, for he had a watchful care over those who came under his
ministrations, was affectionate in his manner, of a genial disposition
and tender heart.
He was an interesting speaker, and his exhortations, both to pro-
fessed Christians and the impenitent, were appropriate and powerful.
Sometimes a solemnity so marked as to be painful, pervaded his meet-
ings. Many yielded to the conviction of the Spirit of God. Gray-haired
men and aged women with trembling steps sought the anxious seats.
Those in the strength of maturity, the youth and children, were deeply
stirred. Groans and the voice of weeping and of praise to God were
mingled at the altar of prayer.
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