Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-03-16

THE MuLIERIrE EXCITEMENT

the truth of the doctrine he taught.
He did not set up any claims as pro-
phet. hut based all his teachings up
on the interpretations he placed upon
the prophetic visions of Daniel, espec-
iallv those found in the eleventh chap
ter lie was man of limited educa-
ton, bnt of more thar ordinary ahil-
ity, and had been a pronounced Deist
up to the thirty fourth year Of his age.
when he changed his views and became
an ardent member OF the Baptist
Church. lie began close study OF
the Scriptures, especially OF the mys
terious prophecies. He assumed TO
have discovered what was meant bv
the seven times and the seventy
weeks, fixed by the prophet aS the
period when certain things should
happen. BY this chronological re-
search he fixed on date for begin
ming the calculation of the term OF
seventy weeks. and figuring from the
dates thus chosen he reached con
clusion that the destruction Of the
world would occur some time during
the year 1913. lie did not fix the ex-
act date, but some of his more enthus-
irstic followers did. He began teach
ing this doctrine as early as 1881, at
first using the columns of Il Vermont
newspaper. In the following year he
set forth his views in pamphlet.
which was widely circulated. and at
tracted the attention of Biblical
scholars throughout the entire country.
lie did not begin to preach or lecture
until 1888, but once having begun
his public ministry he preached nj
most daily for years, visiting almost
every section Of the United States.
His belief substantially was that the
fifth monarchy predicted in the seventh
chapter Of Daniel was about to be
that Jesus Christ would
appear Il second time in 1913, in the
clouds Of Heaven; that he would then
raise the righteous dead, and that the
righteous living would be caught up
to Him. as mentioned by St Paul :
that lie would purify the earth with
fire, causing the wicked and all their
works to he consumed, and would
shut up their souls in the place pre-
pared for the devil and his angels:
that the saints would live and reign
with Christ for a thousand years on
The earth, and that then the wicked
should be raised and judged.
MILLER's MATHEMATICS.
The mathematical calculations by
which Miller sought to establish the
late he had fixed for the second
coming were attacked by Biblical
scholars. and host of learned writers
opposed his whole scheme Of interpreta-
tion, most of them contending that the
phophecy in chapter eight. often
quoted by Mr.. Miller as the basis of
one Of his calculations, had long since
been fulfilled, and that il had nothing
to do with the second coming Of
Christ.
Miller's followers soon numbered
many thousands, and included several
noted dvines Of different dcnomina-
tions Mr. Miller would not set any
specific day as the one on which
Christ would make His appearance,
but declared that il would occur some
time in the Jewish year lS43-that
is, between March u, of 1913, and
the same date in 1874. Ii was gem
orally believed that il would occur
early in tho year, and some of Miller's
more enthusiastic followers did fix the
day. The first day set was February
10, that day being chosen because il
was iorty.iive years after the taking OF
Rome by the French army. Others
put il five days later, being the
Of the abolition Of the
Papal government and the establish
ment Of the Roman Republic.
The new doctrine MAS assailed with
by the secular and religious
journals, but it spread with amazing
rapidity. Great camp meetings were
held in all parts of the country, and
in 1910 general conference was held
in Boston. In 1912 n series of meet
ings was held in New York city, and
was attended by immense crowds
believers and preachers multiplied,
ana during the summer the excitement
became intense. No hall could he
obtained large enough to hold the
who ilucked to hear Mr..
Miller aud his co.laborers. and iinaIly
q large tent. capable Of hold II. ten
thousand persons, was put ~, aud in
il meetings were held in MANY Eastern
citic. ! he craze spread to the West,
aud counted thousands Of followers,
in Ohio aud Indiana.
PREPARED FOR IT ~ VAIN.
~ the date for the second coming
approached thousands Of the more
enthusiastic made preparations for the
ascension by dispnsing oi' their proper
" aud procuring ascension robes
February 10 and - came and passed,
uud the world sill in9VeI aIoue, in its