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doubt and perplexity removed； and hope and courage animated their hearts。
The work was free from those extremes which are ever manifested when there
is human excitement without the controlling influence of the word and Spirit
of God。 It was similar in character to those seasons of humiliation and
returning unto the Lord which among ancient Israel followed messages of
reproof from His servants。 It bore the characteristics that mark the work of
God in every age。 There was little ecstatic joy； but rather deep searching
of heart； confession of sin； and forsaking of the world。 A
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preparation to meet the Lord was the burden of agonizing spirits。 There was
persevering prayer and unreserved consecration to God。
Said Miller in describing that work： 〃There is no great expression 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。〃Bliss； pages 270； 271。
Another who participated in the movement testified： 〃It produced everywhere
the most deep searching of heart and humiliation of soul before the God of
high heaven。 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； brokenhearted supplications to Him
for pardon and acceptance。 It caused self…abasement and prostration of soul；
such as we never before witnessed。 As God by Joel commanded； 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 supplication was
poured out upon His children； they looked to Him whom they had pierced；
there was a great mourning in the land； 。 。 。 and those who were looking for
the Lord afflicted their souls before Him。〃Bliss； in Advent Shield and
Review； vol。 I； p。 271 （January； 1845）。
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 many years； 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。
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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 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 who received
it withdrew from their connection。 In the providence of God this
proclamation united with the second angel's message and gave power to that
work。
The message； 〃Behold； the Bridegroom cometh！〃 was not so much a matter of
argument； though the Scripture proof was clear and conclusive。 There went
with it an impelling power that moved the soul。 There was no doubt； no
questioning。 Upon the occasion of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem
the people who were assembled from all parts of the land to keep the feast
flocked to the Mount of Olives； and as they joined the throng that were
escorting Jesus they caught the inspiration of the hour and helped to swell
the shout： 〃Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord！〃 Matthew
21：9。 In like manner did unbelievers who flocked to the Adventist
meetingssome from curiosity； some merely to ridiculefeel the convincing
power attending the message： 〃Behold； the Bridegroom cometh！〃
At that time there was faith that brought answers to prayerfaith that had
respect to the recompense of reward。 Like showers of rain upon the thirsty
earth； the Spirit of grace descended upon the earnest seekers。 Those who
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expected soon to stand face to face with their Redeemer felt a solemn joy
that was unutterable。 The softening； subduing power of the Holy Spirit
melted the heart as His blessing was bestowed in rich measure upon the
faithful； believing ones。
Carefully and solemnly those who received the message came up to the time
when they hoped to meet their Lord。 Every morning they felt that it was
their first duty to secure the evidence of their acceptance with God。 Their
hearts were closely united； and they prayed much with and for one another。
They often met together in secluded places to commune with God； and the
voice of intercession ascended to heaven from the fields and groves。 The
assurance of the Saviour's approval was more necessary to them than their
daily food； and if a cloud darkened their minds； they did not rest until it
was swept away。 As they felt the witness of pardoning grace； they longed to
behold Him whom their souls loved。
But again they were destined to disappointment。 The time of expectation
passed； and their Saviour did not appear。 With unwavering confidence they
had looked forward to His coming； and now they felt as did Mary when； coming
to the Saviour's tomb and finding it empty； she exclaimed with weeping：
〃They have taken away my Lord； and I know not where they have laid Him。〃
John 20：13。
A feeling of awe； a fear that the message might be true； had for a time
served as a restraint upon the unbelieving world。 After the passing of the
time this did not at once disappear； at first they dared not triumph over
the disappointed ones； but as no tokens of God's wrath were seen； they
recovered from their fears and resumed their reproach and ridicule。 A large
class who had professed to believe in the Lord's soon coming； renounced
their faith。 Some who had been very confident were so deeply wounded in
their pride that they felt like fleeing from the world。 Like Jonah； they
complained of God； and chose death rather than life。
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Those who had based their faith upon the opinions of others； and not upon
the word of God； were now as ready again to change their views。 The scoffers
won the weak and cowardly to their ranks； and all these united in declaring
that there could be no more fears or expectations now。 The time had passed；
the Lord had not come； and the world might remain the same for thousands of
years。
The earnest； sincere believers had given up all for Christ and had shared
His presence as never before。 They had； as they believed； given their last
warning to the world； and； expecting soon to be received into the society of
their divine Master and the heavenly angels； they had； to a great extent；
withdrawn from the society of those who did not receive the message。 With
intense desire they had prayed： 〃Come； Lord Jesus； and come quickly。〃 But He
had not come。 And now to take up again the heavy burden of life's cares and
perplexities； and to endure the taunts and sneers of a scoffing world； was a
terrible trial of faith and patience。
Yet this disappointment was not so great as was that experienced by the
disciples at the time of Christ's first advent。 When Jesus rode triumphantly
into Jerusalem； His followers believed that He was about to ascend the
throne of David and deliver Israel from her oppressors。 With high hopes and
joyful anticipations they vied with one another in showing honor to their
King。 Many spread their outer garments as a carp