The Climax of the Movement

The movement came to its natural climax on October 22, 1844, the time of the second, or great, disappointment. The best estimate is that on that date about fifty thousand persons were believers in the teachings of the movement. ^{*This is the figure generally accepted, though obviously vague. William Miller described the total as “some fifty thousand believers.” See his Apology and Defence, page 22. James White also estimated 50,000. See his Life Incidents, page 236.} Their disappointment was quickly followed by bewilderment, and even by confusion of thought. It could hardly have been otherwise. The first great question to trouble every Advent believer was this: Is this whole movement a delusion? Did the devil lead us into all our belief and activity, or is the movement of God, as we have so devoutly thought? Some quickly revealed the answer that their minds gave to the question by fading out of the picture immediately. The number that thus departed there is no way of knowing, but there seems good reason to believe it was large. Certainly the “mixed multitude” soon melted away.EGWC 166.2

Most of those who did not depart took the position, at first, that although the Lord did not come on October 22, some minor variation in prophetic reckoning might explain the delay and that in this further tarrying time that still remained there was naught for them to do but to comfort one another, and to strengthen each other’s faith. They firmly believed that their work for the world was done. That was the logical corollary of their belief that the movement was of God, that the reckoning of the time was correct, or at least essentially so, and that therefore the destruction of the world immediately impended.EGWC 167.1

A few weeks after the disappointment William Miller wrote:EGWC 167.2

“We have done our work in warning sinners, and in trying to awake a formal church. God, in his providence has shut the door; we can only stir one another up to be patient; and be diligent to make our calling and election sure.”—Letter dated November 18, in Advent Herald, Dec. 11, 1844, p. 142. (Italics his.)EGWC 167.3

A little later he wrote again:EGWC 167.4

“I did believe, and must honestly confess I do now, that I have done my work in warning sinners, and that in the seventh month.”—Letter in Advent Herald, Feb. 12, 1845, p. 3.EGWC 167.5

However, even before Miller made these statements other prominent leaders in the movement had already begun to question the idea that the day of probation had ended.EGWC 167.6