William Miller's Second Visit to Portland

At about this time—in 1842—William Miller was back in Portland for a second series of meetings on the Second Advent. As before, the meetings were held in the Christian church on Casco Street. Of his reception and the manner of his work Ellen White wrote:1BIO 37.4

This second course created much more excitement in the city than the first. The different denominations, with a very few exceptions, closed the doors of their churches against Mr. Miller. Many discourses from the various pulpits sought to expose the alleged fanatical errors of the lecturer. But crowds of anxious listeners attended his meetings, while many were unable to enter the house, which was literally packed. The congregations were unusually quiet and attentive.1BIO 37.5

She described his demeanor and manner of delivery:1BIO 38.1

His manner of preaching was not flowery or oratorical, but he dealt in plain and startling facts that roused his hearers from the apathy in which they had been locked. He substantiated his statements and theories by Scripture as he progressed. A convicting power attended his words that seemed to stamp them as the language of truth.1BIO 38.2

He was courteous and sympathetic. When every seat in the house was full, and the platform and places about the pulpit seemed crowded, I have seen him leave the desk and walk down the aisle, and take some feeble old man or woman by the hand and find a seat for them, then return and resume his discourse. He was indeed rightly called Father Miller, for he had a watchful care over those who came under his ministrations, was affectionate in his manner, of genial and tender heart. He was a very interesting speaker, and his exhortations, both to professed Christians and the impenitent, were appropriate and powerful.—Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1880), 148, 149.1BIO 38.3

Ellen fully accepted Miller's presentations and continued to attend the Advent meetings in the church on Casco Street. At times in the development of her Christian experience, clouds seemed to hang low over her. There were periods of joy and happiness and periods of deep concern (Ibid., 154).1BIO 38.4