Prophecies Fulfilled
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of joy; that is, as it were, suppressed for a future occasion, when all
Heaven and earth will rejoice together with joy unspeakable and full
of glory. There is no shouting; that, too, is reserved for the shout from
Heaven. The singers are silent; they are waiting to join the angelic
hosts, the choir from Heaven.” “There is no clashing of sentiments;
all are of one heart and of one mind.” Another who participated in
the movement testified: “It has produced everywhere the most deep
searching of heart and humiliation of soul.... It caused a weaning of
affections from the things of this world, a healing of controversies
and animosities, a confession of wrongs, a breaking down before
God, and penitent, broken-hearted supplications to him for pardon and
acceptance. It caused self-abasement and prostration of soul, such as
we never before witnessed. As the Lord commanded by the prophet
Joel, when the great day of God should be at hand, it produced a
rending of hearts and not of garments, and a turning unto the Lord
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. As God said by Zechariah,
a spirit of grace and of supplication was poured out upon his children;
they looked to Him whom they had pierced, there was great mourning
in the land, ... and those who were looking for the Lord afflicted their
souls before him.”
Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles,
none have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of
Satan than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse
of nearly half a century, all who shared in that movement and who
have stood firm upon the platform of truth, still feel the holy influence
of that blessed work, and bear witness that it was of God.
At the call, “The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,”
the waiting ones “arose and trimmed their lamps;” they studied the
Word of God with an intensity of interest before unknown. Angels
were sent from Heaven to arouse those who had become discouraged,
and prepare them to receive the message. The work did not stand in
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the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God. It was not
the most talented, but the most humble and devoted, who were the
first to hear and obey the call. Farmers left their crops standing in the
fields, mechanics laid down their tools, and with tears and rejoicing
went out to give the warning. Those who had formerly led in the cause
were among the last to join in this movement. The churches in general
closed their doors against this message, and a large company of those