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The Great Controversy 1888
It was God’s will that the tidings of the Saviour’s coming should
be given in the Scandinavian countries; and when the voices of his
servants were silenced, he put his Spirit upon the children, that the
work might be accomplished. When Jesus drew near to Jerusalem
attended by the rejoicing multitudes that, with shouts of triumph and
the waving of palm branches, heralded him as the Son of David, the
jealous Pharisees called upon him to silence them; but Jesus answered
that all this was in fulfillment of prophecy, and if these should hold
their peace, the very stones would cry out. The people, intimated by
the threats of the priests and rulers, ceased their joyful proclamation
as they entered the gates of Jerusalem; but the children in the temple
courts afterward took up the refrain, and, waving their branches of
palm, they cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” [
Matthew 21:8-16
].
When the Pharisees, sorely displeased, said unto him, “Hearest thou
what these say?” Jesus answered, “Yea; have ye never read, Out of
the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” As God
wrought through children at the time of Christ’s first advent, so he
wrought through them in giving the message of his second advent.
God’s Word must be fulfilled, that the proclamation of the Saviour’s
coming should be given to all peoples, tongues, and nations.
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To William Miller and his co-laborers it was given to preach the
warning in America. This country became the center of the great
Advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel’s
message had its most direct fulfillment. The writings of Miller and
his associates were carried to distant lands. Wherever missionaries
had penetrated in all the world, were sent the glad tidings of Christ’s
speedy return. Far and wide spread the message of the everlasting
gospel, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment
is come.”
The testimony of the prophecies which seemed to point to the
coming of Christ in the spring of 1844 took deep hold of the minds
of the people. As the message went from State to State, there was
everywhere awakened widespread interest. Many were convicted that
the arguments from the prophetic periods were correct, and, sacrificing
their pride of opinion, they joyfully received the truth. Some ministers
laid aside their sectarian views and feelings, left their salaries and
their churches, and united in proclaiming the coming of Jesus. There
were comparatively few ministers, however, who would accept this