Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-02

MILLER, THE SEcoNp ADVENT PRrAcnrR.
A book has been recently published in New
York entitled the MdaigAt cry, from which
the following padigrcc of the prophet is cS-
tracted -
| William Miller was born at PittsfcId,
Mass, Feb. IS, l7e2. When he was four
years of aye, his father removed to the town
of Hampton, w ashington county, Ncw-l ork,
! the present residence Of Mr.. Miller he
country was then knew, and his means OF ed
ucation, till nine years OF age, was very small.
His mother however, taught him to read,
so that when he was sent to the common
school he could read in the Bible, Psalt-
err, and an old Hymn Book which at that
time constituted the whole of his fathers Ii
brary After his ninth year he was sent to
school three months in the year, till he was
| fourteen. During this time he was noted
! by his companions as prodigy for learning,
as they termed it, particularly in the branch
es of spelling, reading and writing. AT the
age Of fourteen he became anxious to OBJ
tain books to read The first history he OBJ
tanned was Robinson Crusoe; and the first
novel he ever saw was Robert Boyle. He
read them with ayidty, and being so much
interested in them, he read them many times
over. He then became still more anxious
to obtain books, especially histories and
Journals of travellers. A number of gen
tlemen in the vicinity Of his fathers resi-
dence, on being made acquainted with his
love of reading, kindly offered him the priv
ilege of their Libraries, which he accepted
.,.,l L. a., I'll
lie was twenty-one years of age, he was a
most devoted student of ancient and modern
history. The names Of his benefactors
ought to be given in this place, as they de-
} serve to be honored for their lberality and
love Of learning. One of them was the Hon.
Matthew Lyon, Representative TO Congress
from Vermont, from 1894 to 1913. The
! others were Judge James Witherell after
: wards Judge of Michigan territory, aud
Alexander Cruikshanks, ESD, of Whitehall,
formerly of Scotland BY the kindness OF
: these gentlemen he was enabled TO store his
! mind with vast collection Of historical facts
5 which have since been of so much service to
him in the illustration Of the prophecies
! Possessing strong mind and a rcteutivC
memory, he appropriated the contents o
! and even now, after lapse of more thar
thirty years, it is astonishing to observe the
correctness of his frequent references tc
these historical facts and dates in his extern
poraneous leotu 'es.
A the age OF twenty-five he was married
and settled in Poulney, VT Here he wa,
still favored with the privilege Of pursuing
, his favorlle study, having free access to
: large public library. Here he also became
e acquainted with the destcal writings o
j Voltalre, Hume, Paine Ethan Allen, anC
e others He studied them closely, and al
c length became prolessedly deis The
= principal men in the village were deists, bu
2 as class, they were good citizens, and as
general thing were moral, and of serious
department. With these he was associated
: about twelve years, in the defence ofdestica
b sentiments.
1 In the last war with Great-Britan he re
c ceived captains commission in The United
States service, and served in the army unit
: the twenty-Gllh of June, 1873, after peace
# was declared. He then moved to his pres
: ent residence, Low Hampton, where, in tht
; year following, 1917, he was converted from
e delsIn to the Christian faith, aud united viii
5 the regular Baptist church in that place, o
! which he is now a member Of good standing
o NobiGty Of LoJor.--Fhe man who labor
Il IN some honest occupation, and supports him
. self by his own industry, is one Of nature
n noblemcn. lie carries with him am nude
t. pendenco of feeling, unknown to many q Ii
i tied aristocrat who spurns the idea of labor
4 Il. A. ss