Chapter 5—Disappointed

As the time set for the coming of Jesus drew near, how earnest His followers became! With what carefulness and trembling they approached the time when the Saviour was to appear! The affairs of this world did not interest them, for they expected in just a few short months to be going home. Meetings were held in churches and in private homes.HMes 24.1

In the city of Portland, Maine, the large Beethoven Hall was crowded nightly as the rich and the poor, the ministers and their followers, and all classes of people came to the hall to hear the Advent message as it was presented by Mr. Stockman, who for some time had been preaching there. There was almost perfect stillness in the great hall as he spoke of his desire to welcome his Saviour when He should come in the clouds. There was a solemn, searching power in his words.HMes 24.2

The order of the meetings was simple. He preached a short sermon, and then a general discussion was entered into, with questions asked and answered. There was never any argument, for the presence of the holy angels was too greatly felt as the people earnestly sought for the truth.HMes 24.3

At the close of the meetings those who desired the prayers of the people of God were asked to rise. Sometimes hundreds rose and earnestly asked to be remembered in prayer.HMes 24.4

After the meetings closed, the people would return to their homes through the darkness. As they walked along, a voice praising God would come drifting across the fields, and then an answer would be called back from another road, “Glory to God, the Lord reigneth!” Another and another would take up the call. Families would go to their homes with songs upon their lips, as the praises rang out through the still night air. No one who attended those meetings could ever forget the solemn scenes.HMes 24.5

Finally came the last weeks of the time the believers expected to spend on this earth. The people were filled with great earnestness. Worldly business was laid aside while they carefully searched their hearts to make sure that they were ready to meet their Lord. But the time passed, and Jesus did not come. There had been some mistake.HMes 25.1

This was the first real test brought to those who expected the Lord to come at that time. Those who did not believe made fun of the waiting ones, and scoffed at them. Many had joined the company of waiting believers because they feared that the Lord might come, not because they loved Him and longed for His appearing. These at once joined the scoffers and said that they never had really believed anyway.HMes 25.2

The true believers knew that the word of the Lord was sure and would not fail. They had done their duty, and now they waited with hope and trust that God would make all things clear to them.HMes 25.3

In the summer of 1844 many of the Adventists were gathered in a large camp meeting. Here they studied together again the Bible truths, to find every bit of light they could about the near coming of Jesus. As they studied into the matter more fully they found that the decree was given near the end of the year 457, and this would bring the time of His coming later in 1844.HMes 25.4

“The prophecy of the 2300 days says that at the end of that time the sanctuary will be cleansed,” said one of the leaders. “By a study of the services in the sanctuary used by the Israelites, we find that the cleansing of the sanctuary took place on the Day of Atonement.”HMes 25.5

“When is the Day of Atonement?” one of his listeners eagerly asked.HMes 26.1

“The tenth day of the seventh month of the Jewish year,” he answered.HMes 26.2

“And what day of our year is that?”HMes 26.3

“It will be October 22.”HMes 26.4

“Jesus will come on that day,” they agreed. Again their hearts were thrilled with happiness. Soon they would see their Lord coming. The message was passed on to others. The hopes of the Advent people were now centered on the coming of the Lord on October 22, 1844. They read again the story of the ten virgins and the marriage party that was delayed until midnight, when the cry went forth, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”HMes 26.5

“We are in the time before midnight when the bridegroom was delayed,” one believer said. “It is almost time for Him to come.”HMes 26.6

“We have all been asleep,” one said to another. “We must awaken and go out to meet our Lord.”HMes 26.7

As this midnight cry spread, the whole nation was stirred. A paper called the Midnight Cry was published and scattered everywhere. Thousands sought out the little companies of Advent believers to learn more of this message. Many sold their property and gave their money to the workers to help scatter the Midnight Cry, the Signs of the Times, and other papers with the same important message.HMes 26.8

Many of the Adventists left their crops in the fields unharvested, for what need had they of winter supplies? A brother in New Hampshire had a large field of potatoes, which he left undug. His anxious neighbors offered to dig them free and put them in his cellar.HMes 26.9

“No,” said the brother, “I am going to let that field of potatoes preach my faith in the Lord’s soon appearing.”HMes 28.1

With happy hearts the waiting people of God confidently approached the hour when they expected their Lord to return. On October 22 they gathered in little companies, praying and singing hymns together while they watched for His appearing.HMes 28.2

But that night the sun set as usual without the great event’s taking place. Jesus had not come.HMes 28.3

It was a bitter disappointment to these faithful ones whose courage had been so strong. It was hard to take up again the duties of this life which they had thought to lay down forever. But the love of God sustained them in this trial, and they were surprised that they felt so courageous and were able to meet with such strength the taunts of their enemies.HMes 28.4

The believers did not complain at the trials that had come to them, but waited patiently for the Saviour to make known His will. Some felt that they must be mistaken in the event to take place at the end of the 2300 years, and not in the calculation of the time. They realized that the preaching of the definite time had been guided by God, for it had led the whole nation to awaken to the need for study of the Bible, and had led many to become acquainted with their Saviour.HMes 28.5