HAS MR. MILLER “CHANGED HIS GROUND?”

In this work, devoted to the explanation and defence of the chronological questions of the Second Advent doctrine, it may not be improper to say a word upon the complaints against Mr. Miller of “shifting his ground,” “putting off the event,” etc, which have been rather severely and clamorously made, since his letter (which was written to correct the false reports about his fixing the day, etc.) was given to the public. Not that his position needs to be vindicated by me; he is well able to do that. Nor is it to satisfy those who are acquainted with his works; they know very well that these complaints come only from those who have never looked at the subject, or, if they have, seem to be doomed to an incapability of speaking the truth in reference to it, unless the admission of the truth on some one point may give greater effect to a falsehood against the subject in general.TSAM 100.1

I wish to show that the true and enlightened view of the point in question, such as Mr. Miller has always expressed, is in accordance with the views of other writers, of unquestioned ability and integrity. The title-page of every edition of his works reads—“Evidence from Scripture and History of the Second Coming of Christ, about the Year 1843; exhibited in a Course of Lectures. By William Miller.”TSAM 100.2

The portion of his letter, referred to above, which bears upon the point, we also insert:—TSAM 100.3

“My principles, in brief, are, that Jesus Christ will come again to this earth, cleanse, purify, and take possession of the lame, with all his saints, some time between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844. I have never, for the space of more than twenty-three years, had any other time preached or published by me; I have never fixed on any month, day, or hour between that time; I have never found any mistake in reckoning, summing up, or miscalculation; I have made no provision for any other time; I am perfectly satisfied that the Bible is true, and is the word of God, and I am confident I rely wholly on that blessed book for my faith in this matter. I am not a prophet; I am not sent to prophesy, but to read, believe, and publish, what God has inspired the ancient prophets to administer unto us, in the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments. These have been, and now are, my principles, and I hope I shall never be ashamed of them.TSAM 100.4

Yours, respectfully,
Wm Miller.
Philadelphia, Feb. 4.

Those who have listened to his lectures know very well, that the sentiments advanced by him from the pulpit have been in accordance with those of the letter and title-page.TSAM 101.1

Now, supposing the greatest possible precision in the historical dates, (and Mr. Miller does not fix the dates of the events on which his calculations are based, but adopts those which are commonly received,) there will not have been 1843 complete, years, from the common era of the birth of Christ, till the 1844th year begins; just as, in our own case, a man is not 20 years of age, complete, until he enters upon his 21st year.TSAM 101.2

Far be it from the writer to open the door for a supposition that the Savior may not come at any moment, or to protract, unnecessarily, the interest which ought to be excited by the obvious import of the prophetic periods. He does not wish to be misled, nor does he wish to mislead others; he only wishes to know and express the truth. If he can do it, the truth shall be stated plainly and without equivocation; and, although he has usually regarded these minute points as comparatively of little consequence, he was not aware that a question, like the one involved in the particular point now under consideration, had been publicly discussed, and settled so as to harmonize with Mr. Miller’s position, until his eye was directed to the following passage in a favorite author, whom the writer has considered the most profound and exact theologian of the present age, Richard Watson:—TSAM 101.3

“There is not a more prolific source of confusion and embarrassment in ancient chronology, than the substitution of the cardinal numbers, one, two, three, for the ordinals, first, second, third, etc., which frequently occurs in the sacred and profane historians. Thus, Noah was six hundred years old when the deluge began, Genesis 7:6; and, presently after, in his six hundredth year: confounding complete and current years. And the dispute whether A. D. 1800, or A. D. 1801, was the first of the nineteenth century, should be decided in favor of the latter; the former being in reality the last of the eighteenth century, which is usually, but improperly, called the year one thousand eight hundred, complete; whereas it is really the one thousand eight hundredth.” ^{32Theological Dictionary, Art. Year; to which the reader is directed, in addition to the works on chronology referred to on page 20.}TSAM 101.4

If the 1800th year did not terminate till 1801 began, then the 1843rd year will not terminate till 1844 begins; and if the years of the long period began at the vernal equinox, about March 21, 457 B. C., 2300 complete years will not have passed till the same point 1844.TSAM 102.1

To our brethren and sisters I would say, “Be patient!” To our enemies, Improve the time!TSAM 102.2

Direction. We here give, for the assistance of those into whose hand this manual may fall, who are not acquainted with our publications, a partial list of works which treat of some of the most important topics connected with the subject.TSAM 102.3

For a full exhibition of the subject,—Miller’s Works, 3 vols.; Exposition of the Prophecies, by J. Litch, 2 vols.TSAM 102.4

For a compendious view of it,—Midnight Cry, by L. Fleming; Reasons, by C Fitch; Litch’s Address; Synopsis of Miller’s Views.TSAM 102.5

On the question of the Jews’ return,—Israel and the Holy Land, by H. D. Ward; Judaism overthrown, by J. Litch; Return of the Jews, by G. Storrs.TSAM 102.6

On the Millennium,—History and Doctrine of the True Millennium, by H. D. Ward; Spaulding’s Lectures.TSAM 102.7

The two Resurrections,—a tract by Br. Litch; Spaulding’s Lectures.TSAM 102.8

The Battle of Gog, and Magog,—Spaulding’s Lectures.TSAM 102.9

Those who may wish for an able vindication of the Second Advent doctrine, will find it in a sermon preached at the dedication of the Tabernacle at Boston, by Br. S. Hawley.TSAM 102.10