Picking up right where we left off last post, let us
continue in our search for truth.
Charles Fitch and William Miller
worked closely together for many years in proclaiming the first angels message.
Together with many others, they sounded
the cry, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is
come.”
“To William Miller and his
colaborers 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.’” {Great Controversy p. 368.1}
One of the people that heard this
stirring message in its early days was Ellen Harmon. In later years she wrote
about her experience: “In March, 1840, William Miller visited Portland,
Maine, and gave his first course of lectures on the second coming of Christ.
These lectures produced a great sensation, and the Christian church on Casco
Street, occupied by Mr. Miller, was crowded day and night. No wild excitement
attended these meetings, but a deep solemnity pervaded the minds of those who
heard his discourses. Not only was there manifested a great interest in the city,
but the country people flocked in day after day, bringing their lunch baskets,
and remaining from morning until the close of the evening meeting.”
“In company with my friends I attended these meetings and listened to
the startling announcement that Christ was coming in 1843, only a few short
years in the future. Mr. Miller traced down the prophecies with an exactness
that struck conviction to the hearts of his hearers. He dwelt upon the
prophetic periods, and brought many proofs to strengthen his position. Then his
solemn and powerful appeals and admonitions to those who were unprepared, held
the crowds as if spellbound.”
{Testimonies to the Church Volume 1 p. 14}
“In May, 1842, a General Conference
was convened in Boston, Mass. At the opening of this meeting, Brn. Charles
Fitch and Apollos Hale, of Haverhill, presented the pictorial prophecies of
Daniel and John, which they had painted on cloth, with the prophetic numbers,
showing their fulfillment. Bro. Fitch in explaining from his chart before the
Conference, said, while examining these prophecies, he had thought if he could
get out something of the kind as here presented it would simplify the subject
and make it easier for him to present to an audience. Here was more light in
our pathway. These brethren had been doing what the Lord had shown Habbakuk in
his vision 2468 years before, saying, "Write the vision and make it plain
upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an
appointed time." Hab.ii,2.” {1868 JB, AJB 262.1}
“After some discussion on the
subject, it was voted unanimously to have three hundred similar to this one
lithographed, which was soon accomplished. They were called "the '43
charts." {1868 JB, AJB 263.1}
At this conference meeting, a
simple chart was presented illustrating the prophecies in a way that was easy
to present and understand. It held the
Metal man of Daniel 2; The beasts of Daniel 7 and 8 and many other basic things
that we believe today. Each of these was
clearly presented from the Bible with the key texts printed right on the
chart. It was a valuable tool for
presenters and listener alike. The
preachers could point to any given topic, having most of the texts right there,
and the people could follow along with the large pictures illustrating the
point. Another added bonus was the small space that each of these charts took
up, making it a very portable aid.
Soon an announcement went out in
one of the small Adventist publications it read: “Chronological
Chart of the Visions of Daniel and John. It is now nearly finished; and will be
ready for delivery in a few days. Price $2.50 per copy to subscribers.
Published at No. 14 Devonshire Street, up stairs. Subscribers may send or call
soon.” {June 22, 1842 JVHe, HST 96.35}
During the next few months hundreds
of these charts were sold to millerite preachers, old and young alike. Some of these preachers were James White;
Joseph Bates; William Miller; Joshua V. Himes; Charles Fitch; Hiram Edson; and
many others.
With all the millerite preachers
preaching off the same chart, the already unified message became clearer- The
trumpet was given a clearer sound as it went out to the people.
This clear, unified message was not
long in sounding before great opposition began.
The Churches that had previously been open to the preaching of the
prophecies started to close their doors to the truth.
“As the churches refused to receive
the first angel's message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from
the favor of God. They trusted to their own strength, and by opposing the first
message placed themselves where they could not see the light of the second
angel's message.” {Early Writings p.
237.2}
This rejection of the first angel’s
message resulted in the proclamation of the second. “When the churches spurned the counsel of God
by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was
followed by a second, proclaiming, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that
great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication." [Revelation 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists
to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their
rejection of the first message. The proclamation, "Babylon is fallen,"
was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand
withdrew from these churches.” {4SP
232.1}
The Harmon family was one of
thousands that were cast out from their churches for no other reason than
following the Bible and its truths.
Join us for part 5 next time.
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