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〃I desire this to be understood；〃 he afterward said； speaking of his object
in this undertaking； 〃it is not because of its small importance； but on the
contrary because of its great value； that I wished to present it in this
familiar form； and that I addressed it to the children。 I desired to be
heard； and I feared that I would not be if I addressed myself to the grown
people first。〃 〃I determined therefore to go to the youngest。 I gather an
audience of children； if the group enlarges； if it is seen that they listen；
are pleased； interested； that they understand and explain the subject； I am
sure to have a second circle soon； and in their turn； grown people will see
that it is worth their while to sit down and study。 When this is done； the
cause is gained。〃L。 Gaussen； Daniel the Prophet； vol。 2； Preface。
The effort was successful。 As he addressed the children； older persons came
to listen。 The galleries of his church were filled with attentive hearers。
Among them were men of rank and learning； and strangers and foreigners
visiting Geneva； and thus the message was carried to other parts。
Encouraged by this success； Gaussen published his lessons； with the hope of
promoting the study of the prophetic books in the churches of the
French…speaking people。 〃To publish instruction given to the children；〃 says
Gaussen； 〃is to say to adults； who too often neglect such books under the
false pretense that they are obscure； 'How can they be obscure； since your
children understand them？'〃 〃I had a great desire；〃 he adds； 〃to render a
knowledge of the prophecies popular in our flocks； if possible。〃 〃There is
no study； indeed； which it seems to me answers the needs of the time
better。〃 〃It is by this that we are to prepare for the tribulation near at
hand； and watch and wait for Jesus Christ。〃
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Though one of the most distinguished and beloved of preachers in the French
language； Gaussen was after a time suspended from the ministry； his
principal offense being that instead of the church's catechism； a tame and
rationalistic manual； almost destitute of positive faith； he had used the
Bible in giving instruction to the youth。 He afterward became teacher in a
theological school； while on Sunday he continued his work as catechist；
addressing the children and instructing them in the Scriptures。 His works on
prophecy also excited much interest。 From the professor's chair； through the
press； and in his favorite occupation as teacher of children he continued
for many years to exert an extensive influence and was instrumental in
calling the attention of many to the study of the prophecies which showed
that the coming of the Lord was near。
In Scandinavia also the advent message was proclaimed； and a widespread
interest was kindled。 Many were roused from their careless security to
confess and forsake their sins； and seek pardon in the name of Christ。 But
the clergy of the state church opposed the movement； and through their
influence some who preached the message were thrown into prison。 In many
places where the preachers of the Lord's soon coming were thus silenced； God
was pleased to send the message； in a miraculous manner； through little
children。 As they were under age； the law of the state could not restrain
them； and they were permitted to speak unmolested。
The movement was chiefly among the lower class； and it was in the humble
dwellings of the laborers that the people assembled to hear the warning。 The
child…preachers themselves were mostly poor cottagers。 Some of them were not
more than six or eight years of age； and while their lives testified that
they loved the Saviour； and were trying to live in obedience to God's holy
requirements； they ordinarily manifested only the intelligence and ability
usually seen in children of that age。 When standing before the people；
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however； it was evident that they were moved by an influence beyond their
own natural gifts。 Tone and manner changed； and with solemn power they gave
the warning of the judgment； employing the very words of Scripture： 〃Fear
God； and give glory to Him； for the hour of His judgment is come。〃 They
reproved the sins of the people； not only condemning immorality and vice；
but rebuking worldliness and backsliding； and warning their hearers to make
haste to flee from the wrath to come。
The people heard with trembling。 The convicting Spirit of God spoke to their
hearts。 Many were led to search the Scriptures with new and deeper interest；
the intemperate and immoral were reformed； others abandoned their dishonest
practices； and a work was done so marked that even ministers of the state
church were forced to acknowledge that the hand of God was in the movement。
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； intimidated 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
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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。
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。〃
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 convinced 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 message； therefore it was largely committed
to humble laymen。 Farmers left their fields； mechanics their tools； traders
their merchandise； professional men their positions； and yet the number of
workers was small in comparison with the work to be accomplished。 The
condition of an ungodly church and a world lying in wickedness； burdened the
souls of the true watchmen； and they willingly endured toil； privation； and
suffering； that they might call men to repentance unto salvation。 Though
opposed by Satan； the work went steadily forward； and the advent truth was
accepted by many thousands。
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Everywhere the searching testimony was heard； warning sinners； both
worldlings and church members； to flee from the wrath to come。 Like John the
Baptist； the forerunner of Christ； the pre