The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-26

SoNStnink over TWO E11Hs0S @be ~ -
ADVENTIST preachers Of both sexes set out
In Ohio % warn sinners Of the approach
Ing end Of the world. They frightened
good many people By predicting that the
day Of doom would be in the month Of
jane. At Mineral Springs. West Union
and other places the popular excitement
ran very high. In one piaes work was
suspended and the hour OF translation
was expected daily. The Adventist
preachers. both men and women. have dis
appeared, and tranquility Is restored in
Ohio.
There have often been false alarms OF
like kind during the past half century. Ii
II not five years ago that number OF Cali
fornia fanatics, warned by the dreams OF
Prophecies Wood worth that Oakland and
San Francisco were TO be DESTROYED BY
flood. aed 90 the mountains for safety.
These false alarms OF our day are con-
fined to very small area Of country, are
Of very short local life and excite no
national interest They scarcely make
ripple in the sea of our public life. which
is welcome proof that the world has grown
wiser. III not better, aimee William Miller
fifty years ago announced that the world
would come to an end October 24.23, isiA
Miller Was born in Pittsiield, Mass, in
f7S1; his mother was the daughter OF
popular Baptist preacher. Religious
meetings were Of common Occurrences in
the house Of bis parents. and young Miller
became early affected by the Eeal Of ex-
horters aud revivaiists. At an age when
In our day he would have been at play. the
dreamy boy was porting over all the relig-
ious books he could borrow. and his mind
for lack of healthier stimulus became
tinctured With the literal theology that
filled the air of his home Given a dull
mountain town, where all amusements are
excluded as impious. where there In no
stir OF varied industry. where the hours
that could be spared from necessary toll
are given to theological hrooding Of q most
depressing character, and you have the
most perfect conditions for the growth of
theological and spiritual morhiditiss. In
the little mountain towns OF New England
were born and bred Joseph Smith. Brig
ham Young. Heber kimbaIi. orson Pratt
and many other original apostles Of Nor
monlsn. In the same region grew up
John II. Noyes. founder Of the Oneida
community of "Perfectionists." who be-
lieved in the gospel Of siirpiculsure. and
many other strange spiritual growths;
men OF various ability; some Of much
scholarship. some Of no scholarship and
mean ability. bat all. save Joseph Smith,
men Of sincere fanatieism.
In this cold bog Of New England social
dullness and eeaseless theological brood
ing and bowling grew an William Miller.
In early manhood be was a delst, but was
converted and Joined the Baptist church.
In 1881 Miller declared bis conviction that
TO him had been given the unlocking Of
the sacred numbers; that he must 60 forth
and proclaim % a damned world that in
twelve years Jesus Christ would appear in
person 10 judge all; that the end Of all
things would come sometime between
March Il. 1888. and March Il. 1874 lie
was licensed 20 preach. hut never or
dained. Multitndes pressed 30 hear him.
lie paid hns own expenses as
the churches we're opened unto him, save
the Catholic ard Episcopal. aud many
prominent elergymen became kls converts.
Ills lectures we're illustrated By great
charts OF apoeaiyptieal beasts. exhibiting
a mathematical demonstration OF the
mystical problem OF the :. 800 days OF
Daniels vision. showing Just when 'fhe
third wos" sounded. when the seventh
trumpet sounded and just when thu stone
must smite the image. The grand eulmi-
nation Was 10 take place the 94th-25sh
og October, lisa. which WAS Mlller's cor
reetea hgures for the inai collapse" and
A. that tgms thousands OF people assem-
hgea Ia fan expectation saat ChFssi would
appear. THIS date passed without any sat-
ssfacsion Tor The elect and Maler's follow
ing fell otf rapidly. To the last Miller.
however, retained = following Of o. 90
when he died in is&a
Roth in England and America AZ this
time shere Was an eccentric gioas wsxs.
In 1851, the same year when Miller hesAa
90 arise and shine. Mosneaism started
lato life. In Isss Edward Irving. MIN
sster of the Scotch ehureh. man OF scaol-
asship. genius, noble p-cssaes and Won
dsrfal sloaaenee. began to preach the SEC
end coming - the Messiah. Irving Vas
expelled fron ne church ard died in 1881.
the year 81 Mnler's advent Following
living came another eloquent minister Of
shs scotch ehurch. Rev. JOAN Cumming.
~As preached 10 crowds for several years
vivid seFmons consuming tie near APP
preach of tie .&ss "a igmsnL
Tats sort Of prrAehIng has ee~n com
rnon ia eli tines since she ChrlsElaa era
hat far tNo centuries al least has eeea
treated wlth gaet-humorea contempt
T.ss oslgla uf az thess eccentric attempts
10 Aana@aes ''ths sscond eonine. I" % srass
psously - "tslsh care" % believe ia
sntr.tsam. Aofmaaism, ssss, procss1s
ls0a sAs sTsps 81 attempting 90 saaks .