, 1879-01-26
URI ADAMS.
STRANGE CAREER OF L RELIGIOUS

STRANGE CARRIER OF RELIGIOUS FANATIC.
ceaes,t r, te1 ,st res;%ane a< n 1r" s;
Oakland County. Mich. Jan. 2, 1873, at IL g. N. !,
Uri Adams, aged II years.
This brief paragraph, clipped from the obitu-
arr column OF the Weekly Sun Of this village,
records the close Of remarkable and event
ful career. It recalls phase of short-llred,
but very inrensc, religious excitement which
swept over certain portions OF this country
some thlrty-fiye years ago and left many
mental wrecks behind. I refer to what was
known as alillerism, and, as explanatory
OF and preliminary to 4 sketch OF the man
whose death at the ripe age OF three score years
aud ten is above announced, it may be profitable
to briefly refer to that religious belief. 1t orig.
mated in massachusetts about the year 1888. 4
preacher named William Miller, who had been
studying up on the prophecies, came to the
conclusion that the time set for the destruction
OF the world was near at hand. He did not at
first fI any date for that event, only putting it
iu the indefinite but immediate future. Subse-
quensly the day was declared, either by himself
or bis disciples. Such plausible reasons did he
give for his views that he soon had hosts of
followers. The excitement which prevailed in
Michigan will be remembered BY your older
readers. It was Of the most intense dcscrip-
ton, almost unparalleled in the history of re-
liriuus frenzics. Scores Of men gave I'D their
business, neglected everything pertaining to
the affairs Of everyday life, and devotcd their
whole attention to religion, making themselves
ready to greet their Lord when he should ap-
pear.
uri Adams, the sou of whom I write, was
born in East Bloomfield, Nov 2. 1907 When
he became Of age he bought n farm near that Of
his father, and settled down in Lille, having pre-
ysousIy marr1ed Miss harrington. She died in
1887, and 4 few years later lie married aiiss
Mary Badger. who lived until 1851. After her
Death he married Miss Eliza J. Warner, q
daughter Of Erastus Warner, a respected citizen
OF Plymouth. She still survives, esteemed BY
all who know her. Mr.. Adams had 1cw au-
vantages of education; hut lie had aVigorous
and active mind. He read much and thought
more. Being Of naturally religious turn Of
mind. the Bible was his constant study, and it
became well known in the community that he
was exceptionally we'll posted on Biblical mat
tcrs, and that he vas exceedingly fond of dis
cussion and argument.
The excitement which Mllerism caused in
Michigan is still we'll remembered. 4 preacher
named Necdhaln came to this neighborlood and
proclaimed with great Yi.Ur and some e!ooucncc
the second coming of Christ. The excitement
sprcad, and soon large Drmher OF people
focked to his standard, among them uri
Adams and his wife. Mr.. Adams being
great Biblical student, searched the Scriptures
for himself, and from tue prophecies verified, us
he believed, the predictions Ut Mr.. Miller. He
satisfied himself that Christ was about to appear
in the clouds OF Heaven, surrounded by L host
OF his angels, and that The wicked were to be
burned up aud destroyed, while the earth Was
to be Inherited br the saints, purified and freed
from the burdens OF the flesh. Embracing this
doctrine with characteristic carnesIpess anu be-
iu1 naturally 4 leader OF men, an effective and
earnest speaker, aud possessed OF magnetic in
ftYhtrS H.. hep4f,aa thu head
alll front OF the Aliller'tes hereabout~
The day for the second appearance OF Christ
had been fixed Tor the 25d Of October. 1874. As
the time approached the excitement intensified.
to receive Christ when he should
appear. Crops we're left To rotin the fields, cat
tie were lett unfcd, and things Of such small
as pertaiucd to food and clothing We're
almost forgotten. The faithful prepared their
robes and sat themselves down i'll
state to await tho sounding Of the last trump.
1t was 1uIcrus. it it were not too sad, to recall
Of the performances III WHICH the
deluded inlulgcd.
Among the most devoted friends OF Mr.. Ad-
1ms, AMI firm as1icrents to the religious doc
Lrnes he had taught, were his sister, aflss Eliz-
abc;li Adams, aud his brother, julius Adams,
lnu his wife. and neighbor named J. Mills
Gille:t and his wife. Hiss Adams was very
Intelligent aud prepossessing young lady, VINO
was much esteemed in the ucighborhool. She
VAS bright, accomplished, and a general i2vor-
te- Gi1lelL and bis witc were quite ordinary
people. Gillett himself was plain, unassuIn-
ng farmer, who had lallen III with the M.llcrite
doctrines and had persuaded bis wife to do like
.wo, and. though she embraced the doctrine
reluctantly, she adhered to it firmly
and with abundant argument attcrward.
Tired Of the perpetual chatting OF unbe;cyers.
md for mutual comfort aud consolation, all
hese people went, in the spring of 1915, to live
t1ea xrifb {fri