The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-10-03

the Bible, he finally became converted t
the faith of the Baptists.
The prophecies of Daniel were hi:
favorite study, and from them he formed
n theory that Christ would appear for the
second time in 1913. This belief he felt
called upon to impart to others. 1t was
that Christ would appear for the second
time in the clouds of heaven; he would
raise the righteous, who would ascend to
live with him. The earth would be puri-
fed, the wicked and all their works be
consumed in the general contiagratiOn,
and the wicked sent to the place prepared
for the devil and his angels. The saints
would live with Christ for 1000 years;
at the end of that period. Satan and the
wicked spirits would be let loose, forming
the second resurrection, all being judged:
war would rage against the saints, who,
victorious, would cast the wicked into hell
forever. These views he set forth in a
series of articles published in the Yer
mont Telegraph" A synopsis of them
We're printed in a pamphlet in 1882.
One Saturday afternoon, in the Sum-
mer of 1888, while he was seated at his
desk trying to solve problem, voice
seemed to say to him, Arise, 90 and tell
it to the world" This came with such
force that he said Lord, l cannot"
why not?" was the answer. Then and
| there he entered into covenant with
| his Master that, if the call should come,
he would accept it.
That very afternoon message came
from Mr.. Clifford, at Dresden, "a miles
away, asking him, as they had no preach
ing in the church, to come that afternoon
and present his views to the people. That
was the commencement, and in 10 years
he had delivered $4,000 lectures. So great
were the audiences that in 1912 n tent
was made to hold 1000 people. The num-
Der of believers had now reached 90,
600. AS the year 1913 drew near the ex-
element became intense. Camp meetings
were held in well chosen spots, in tall
groves of hemlock and pine trees, that
threw their melancholy shade on rough
seats of boards, the white tents making
picturesque background. A song was
sung. In the pulpit hewn from rough
logs, the preachers followed the music
by eXaltatiOn. Some of them were really
eloquent in their descriptions OF the last
day. To an imaginative mind the scene
was full of interest; the white circles, the
pine-wood arches, the upturned, eager
faces of the listeners, together with the
voices of the speakers burdened with the
awful symbolic teachings of the Bible, con
corning the end of the world, the smoke
from the wood fires rising like incense in
the forest, all carried one back to the time
when the groves were Gods first temples
Suspended in front of the pulpit were
broad sheets of canvas. Upon one was
the figure of a man with a head of gold
breast and arms of silver, belly of brass
legs of iron, feet of clay, representing the
dream of Nebuchadnezzer. On the other,
the beasts, the dragons, the scarlet
woman seen by the seer of PatmOs, Orien-
tai types and figures, mystic symbols
translated into staring Yankee realistics,
and exhibited like the beasts of travel
ing menagerie.
Is it any wonder that the people were
excited? In some places, however, so BIZ.
ter was the opposition to this theory, that
offending missives We're thrown at the
speakers. The time was uncertain when
the end would surely come, on account of
not being able to accurately compute the
period; Feb. 10 to 10 was considered the
earliest date, although it might occur any
time until the ending of the Jewish year,
March u, 1916.
So intense was the excitement that the
farmers in many instances would not
harvest their crops, OF the following
Spring sow their seed, declaring that il
was tempting providence; but in many in
stances the public officials took the mat
ter in hand, harvesting at the public eA-
pense, and afterwards requiring the own
ers to repay them. Some banded together |
and formed camps, turning their all into |
the general fund.
As the day approached many donned |
trees, to be nearer heaven, only to return |
to earth sadder and wiser men. Two cases |
IN New England served as examples, dur |
ing this excitement. One man. sold out |
his business, dOnned his gown, saying, |
No man can have the fever of religion |
but once" while his neighbOr, who was
more worldly wise, continued his work,
giving as reason that 1.-THE good book
says Occupy until l come"
The wear drew TO n close and thp pni
was not yet. Not discouraged at his fail
lre, Mr.. Miller announced that the end
would be in September, 1917. One hun
tred and fifty, responding to this idea, met
on the Derby road, and camped in a field.
under two tents, but the following noon
all but y returned to their homes.
Upon reviewing his life Mr.. Miller said:
Were | to live it over again, with the
same conviction / have had, to be honest
with God and man, | should have to do
he same thing. | confess my error and
acknowledge my defeat; but | still be-
ieve that the coming of the Lord is near,
wen at the door,"
Mr.. Miller passed away at the age of
iS, at New Hampton, Washington COun-
y, n. Y, Dec. 20, 1S49. A few of his
blowers are still living.
Let us not forget the meteOric shower
hat took place on Nov. Is, 1882, lasting
hree hours, which led many to feel that
was at last the flnal ending of the world. |
t was as the dropping Of figs from trees,
he falling of stars from heaven. The
fleet upon the negroes was terrible. 1t
S thus described by Southern planter:
Il was awakened by cries of horror and
bricks for mercy. Hearing the voice of
friend calling me, | seized my sword.
md stood by the door. My God, the
world is on fire. caused me to open the
OOr. hundred negroes were PROSTATE
n the ground, some silent, others utter
ne grOans, as with uplifted hands they
legged God to save them and the world.
he scene was awful; rain never fell
eavier than did the meteOrs on every
ide. The whole heavens seemed in mo-
ion. From then until morning ali in
essant display filled the sky. One meteor
f large size, stood for several minutes
hitting streams of light that radiated
4 every direction. At one time il was
omputed that 100000 were visible at
nee.
But of unfulflled predictions there is
o end. Let us quote, in closing, those of
Iother Shipton, in 144S, which, in the
lain, has been fulfilled:
carriages without horses shall go,
md accidents fill the world with woe.
round the world mems thoughts shall fly
n the twinkling of an eye.
Waters shall yet more wonders do.
low strange. and yet it shall be true.
he world upside down shall be,
md gold be found at the root of a tree.
4. 1. -.