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disturbing their self…satisfaction； and his plain and cutting words aroused
their enmity。 The opposition manifested by church members toward his message
emboldened the baser classes to go to greater lengths； and enemies plotted
to take his life as he should leave the place of meeting。 But holy angels
were in the throng； and one of these； in the form of a man； took the arm of
this servant of the Lord and led him in safety from the angry mob。 His work
was not yet done； and Satan and his emissaries were disappointed in their
purpose。
Despite all opposition； the interest in the advent movement had continued to
increase。 From scores and hundreds； the congregations had grown to as many
thousands。 Large accessions had been made to the various churches； but after
a time the spirit of opposition was manifested even against these converts；
and the churches began to take disciplinary steps with those who had
embraced Miller's views。 This action called forth a response from his pen；
in an address to Christians of all denominations； urging that if his
doctrines were false； he should be shown his error from the Scriptures。
〃What have we believed；〃 he said； 〃that we have not been commanded to
believe by the word of God； which you yourselves allow is the rule； and only
rule； of our faith and practice？ What have we done that should call down
such virulent denunciations against us from pulpit and press； and give you
just cause to exclude us ＇Adventists＇ from your churches and fellowship？〃
〃If we are wrong； pray show us wherein consists our wrong。 Show us from the
word of God that we are in error； we have had ridicule enough； that can
never convince us that we are in the wrong； the word of God alone can change
our views。 Our conclusions have been formed deliberately and prayerfully； as
we have seen the evidence in the Scriptures。〃Ibid。； pages 250； 252。
From age to age the warnings which God has sent to the world by His servants
have been received with like incredulity and unbelief。 When the iniquity of
the antediluvians
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moved Him to bring a flood of waters upon the earth； He first made known to
them His purpose； that they might have opportunity to turn from their evil
ways。 For a hundred and twenty years was sounded in their ears the warning
to repent； lest the wrath of God be manifested in their destruction。 But the
message seemed to them an idle tale； and they believed it not。 Emboldened in
their wickedness they mocked the messenger of God； made light of his
entreaties； and even accused him of presumption。 How dare one man stand up
against all the great men of the earth？ If Noah's message were true； why did
not all the world see it and believe it？ One man's assertion against the
wisdom of thousands！ They would not credit the warning； nor would they seek
shelter in the ark。
Scoffers pointed to the things of nature；to the unvarying succession of
the seasons； to the blue skies that had never poured out rain； to the green
fields refreshed by the soft dews of night；and they cried out： 〃Doth he
not speak parables？〃 In contempt they declared the preacher of righteousness
to be a wild enthusiast； and they went on； more eager in their pursuit of
pleasure； more intent upon their evil ways； than before。 But their unbelief
did not hinder the predicted event。 God bore long with their wickedness；
giving them ample opportunity for repentance； but at the appointed time His
judgments were visited upon the rejecters of His mercy。
Christ declares that there will exist similar unbelief concerning His second
coming。 As the people of Noah's day 〃knew not until the Flood came； and took
them all away； so；〃 in the words of our Saviour； 〃shall also the coming of
the Son of man be。〃 Matthew 24…39。 When the professed people of God are
uniting with the world； living as they live； and joining with them in
forbidden pleasures； when the luxury of the world becomes the luxury of the
church； when the marriage bells are chiming； and all are looking forward to
many years of worldly prosperitythen； suddenly as the
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lightning flashes from the heavens； will come the end of their bright
visions and delusive hopes。
As God sent His servant to warn the world of the coming Flood； so He sent
chosen messengers to make known the nearness of the final judgment。 And as
Noah's contemporaries laughed to scorn the predictions of the preacher of
righteousness； so in Miller's day many； even of the professed people of God；
scoffed at the words of warning。
And why were the doctrine and preaching of Christ's second coming so
unwelcome to the churches？ While to the wicked the advent of the Lord brings
woe and desolation； to the righteous it is fraught with joy and hope。 This
great truth had been the consolation of God's faithful ones through all the
ages； why had it become； like its Author； 〃a stone of stumbling〃 and 〃a rock
of offense〃 to His professed people？ It was our Lord Himself who promised
His disciples： 〃If I go and prepare a place for you； I will come again； and
receive you unto Myself。〃 John 14：3。 It was the compassionate Saviour； who；
anticipating the loneliness and sorrow of His followers； commissioned angels
to comfort them with the assurance that He would come again in person； even
as He went into heaven。 As the disciples stood gazing intently upward to
catch the last glimpse of Him whom they loved； their attention was arrested
by the words： 〃Ye men of Galilee； why stand ye gazing up into heaven？ this
same Jesus； which is taken up from you into heaven； shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven。〃 Acts 1：11。 Hope was kindled
afresh by the angels' message。 The disciples 〃returned to Jerusalem with
great joy： and were continually in the temple； praising and blessing God。〃
Luke 24：52； 53。 They were not rejoicing because Jesus had been separated
from them and they were left to struggle with the trials and temptations of
the world； but because of the angels' assurance that He would come again。
The proclamation of Christ's coming should now be； as when made by the
angels to the shepherds of Bethlehem；
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good tidings of great joy。 Those who really love the Saviour cannot but hail
with gladness the announcement founded upon the word of God that He in whom
their hopes of eternal life are centered is coming again； not to be
insulted； despised； and rejected； as at His first advent； but in power and
glory； to redeem His people。 It is those who do not love the Saviour that
desire Him to remain away； and there can be no more conclusive evidence that
the churches have departed from God than the irritation and animosity
excited by this Heaven…sent message。
Those who accepted the advent doctrine were roused to the necessity of
repentance and humiliation before God。 Many had long been halting between
Christ and the world； now they felt that it was time to take a stand。 〃The
things of eternity assumed to them an unwonted reality。 Heaven was brought
near； and they felt themselves guilty before God。〃 Bliss； page 146。
Christians were quickened to new spiritual life。 They were made to feel that
time was short； that what they had to do for their fellow men must be done
quickly。 Earth receded； eternity seemed to open before them； and the soul；
with all that pertained to its immortal weal or woe； was felt to eclipse
every temporal object。 The Spirit of God rested upon them and gave power to
their earnest appeals to their brethren； as well as to sinners； to prepare
for the day of God。 The silent testimony of their daily life was a constant
rebuke to formal and unconsecrated church members。 These did not wish to be
disturbed in their pursuit of pleasure； their devotion to money…making； and
their ambition for worldly honor。 Hence the enmity and opposition excited
against the advent faith and those who proclaimed it。
As the arguments from the prophetic periods were found to be impregnable；
opposers endeavored to discourage investigation of the subject by teaching
that the prophecies were sealed。 Thus Protestants followed in the steps of
Romanists。 While the papal church withhold