280
The Great Controversy
At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, ac-
cepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed
herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly ful-
filled the prediction. (See Appendix.) When it became known, multi-
tudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic
interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful
impetus was given to the advent movement. Men of learning and
position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his
views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended.
William Miller possessed strong mental powers, disciplined by
thought and study; and he added to these the wisdom of heaven by
connecting himself with the Source of wisdom. He was a man of ster-
ling worth, who could not but command respect and esteem wherever
integrity of character and moral excellence were valued. Uniting true
kindness of heart with Christian humility and the power of self-control,
he was attentive and affable to all, ready to listen to the opinions of
others and to weigh their arguments. Without passion or excitement
he tested all theories and doctrines by the word of God, and his sound
reasoning and thorough knowledge of the Scriptures enabled him to
refute error and expose falsehood.
Yet he did not prosecute his work without bitter opposition. As with
earlier Reformers, the truths which he presented were not received with
favor by popular religious teachers. As these could not maintain their
position by the Scriptures, they were driven to resort to the sayings
and doctrines of men, to the traditions of the Fathers. But the word of
God was the only testimony accepted by the preachers of the advent
truth. “The Bible, and the Bible only,” was their watchword. The
lack of Scripture argument on the part of their opponents was supplied
by ridicule and scoffing. Time, means, and talents were employed
in maligning those whose only offense was that they looked with joy
[336]
for the return of their Lord and were striving to live holy lives and to
exhort others to prepare for His appearing.
Earnest were the efforts put forth to draw away the minds of the
people from the subject of the second advent. It was made to appear a
sin, something of which men should be ashamed, to study the prophe-
cies which relate to the coming of Christ and the end of the world.
Thus the popular ministry undermined faith in the word of God. Their
teaching made men infidels, and many took license to walk after their