Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-01-01
Death Of Vim. Miller, the Prophet.

his residence on Thursday, the Goth ult.,
in his 6sth year.
He was born at Pittsfeld, in this State,
February Is, 1882. When he was four
years of age, his father removed to Low
Hampton, Washington county, n. Y.
At the age of %, he settled in Poultney,
VT, and was a deputy sheriff for that
county. On the commencement Of the
late war with G.. Britain, he received
captains commission in the U. S. Army.
where he remained till the peace. He
took part in the action at Plattsburg,
where 1900 regulars, and about 1000 vol
unteers, defeated the British, who were
$4,000 strong. After the close Of the
war, he removed to the place of his late
residence, where for several years he
held the office of a justice OF the peace,
Mr.. Miller was regarded with much al
fiction by his neighbors, who esteemed
him as benevolent, intelligent man, and
kind neighbor. For many years he was
most assiduous student of history and
The Scriptures, in the STUDY Of which he
became impressed with a conviction that
tic fifth monarchy predicted by Daniel t.
be given to the people of the saints of the
Most High; under the whole heaven, for
an everlasting possession, (see Dan. 7th
chap was about to be consummated. 1t
becoming known that he entertained these
views, he was importuned by many to
write out his opinions, and afterwards TO
defend Them in public. After refusing SO
to do for many years, he at length com
Piled, and has been principally known to
the public as lecturer on prophecy. lie
thus describes his reluctance to appear III
public, and the occasion Of his first at
tempt: 1,
Zone Saturday, after breakfast, in the
summer of 1888, sat down at my desk
to examine some point, and as l arose TO
90 out to work, it came home to me with
more force than ever, " Go and tell IT to
the world" The impression was so
sudden, and came with such force, that |
settled down into my chair, saying, can't
90, Lord. Why not! 2 seemed to be the
response; and then all my excuses came
up, my want of ability, &C.; but my dis
tress became so great, entered into
solemn covenant with God, that if ne would
open the way, would go and perform
my duty 10 the world, ''what DO you
mean by opening the way, seemed to
como to me. Why, said |, if should have
m invitation to speak publicly in any place,
| will 90 and tell them what | find in the
Bible about the Lords coming. Instantly
Ill my burden was gone, and rejoiced that
should not probably be thus called upon,
for had never had such an invitation.
Nv taals were not known, and had but
lutte expectation Of being invited to any
ii,!d of labor.
In about half all hour from this time
before had left the room, a son OIL MI
Guilrord, of Dresden, about a'txee@ miles
!rome my residence, came i'll and said that
his father had sent for me, and wished me
10 90 home with him. Surprising that he
wished to see me on some business,
asked him what he wanFed! lie replied
that there was to be no preaching in their
church the nest day, AMI his father wishcG
TO have me come and talk to the peoPl on
the subiec. Of the Lords coming. Twas
Immediately angry with myself for having
made the covenant | had; rebolled at once
against the Lord, and determined not to go.
left the boy without giving him any
answer, and retired in great distress to
grove near by. There struggled with
the Lord for about an hour, endeavor-
inc to release myself from the covenant l
had made with him, but could get no
relief. 1t was impressed upon my con-
science, &" will YOU make a covenant with
God, and break it so soon!" and the exec
ding sinfulness of thus doing overwhelmed
me. finally submitted, and promised
the Lord that if he would sustain me, |
would GO, trusting i'll him TO give me
grace and ability to perform all he should
require of me. | returned to the house,
and found the boy still waiting; he re-
manned till after dinner, and l returned
with him to Dresden"
From this time and onward he was pres
sed with invitations to present his views
in many places and travelled extensively
throughout the Northern, Eastern, and
Middle States, and Canada, and labored
almost constantly for the succeeding II
years; but visited no place Without first
receiving an invitation,
He was Disappointed in the fulflfment
of his expectation i'll l543,~ and came
out the next year with an APOLOGY and
Defence" acknowledging the want OF
accuracy his chronological calculations
bu, claiming that the nature and nearness
Of the event was still sustained by scrip
,uraI evidence. In that belief he has SINCE
lived and died-worn out with the mfr
mites Of age. u
He was a man strictly temperate IN all