The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-02
THE 'MILLERITE' EXCITEMENT
And Other "reminiscences by Mrs.
...-@ G, A. Stewart.

In he winter Of he wild and far
reaching ''Millerite" excitement, I was
a student in a female seminary in central
New York, conducted for both day schol-
ars and boarders. The latter were mostly
quite young girls, ranging from Is to II.
One would suppose that this absorbing
excitement regarding the second coming
OF Christ would have passed by this
peaceful abode, but not so. For weeks
out of study hours nothing else was talked
OF, and the very air was reeking with
nervous excitement. Studies were ne
elected. little groups were seen huddled
together discussing it low and earnestly.
was little older than most of the
young ladies and as it was known that
had been graduated from another insti-
tuition and was engaged to go back to the
same, as preceptress after this interview
ing year, some of them were constantly |
coming to me with this absorbing topic
Sometimes they came almost subbing and !
very much frightened a half dozen of |
them together, and saying, "Oh, Miss Ida, !
do come and look out of our window; |
there is a very curious cloud there. Do
come and see if you think the Lord is in |
this cloud.'' would go readily for the !
case was really pathetic and pitied those |
girls suffering so acutely, and as I thought
so needlessly. and I would say, to them:
why, no; have seen such clouds a great
many times There is nothing unusual"
And SO they would calm down for the
time. I'd .~'.. t.''.@@ -. .-' .f'~ |
Finally the elimination came It was
reported to us that one Of the downtown
churches was packed with people who con-
idently expected that night, the Lord
Christ would come and that he would re-
ceive those who were ready and those who
were not, must remain in a burning world.
Many had given away their property and
invested their last means in ascension
robes and We're waiting on the roof of
that church, one of the coolest of Febru-
airy night for the fruition of their hopes.
How far this excitement was shared In
by the substantial citizens I had no means
of knowing. Many sermons were preached
in regard to it. The pastor where I at
tended left the matter entirely alone. I
suppose that like myself he had faith in
the logic OF events. I would like to say
right here that though elderly he is still
recognized as an able preacher and fine
writer and enjoys the esteem and love of
an extensive circle of the church to which
he belongs. But up at the seminary when
the state Of things down at the church
was known there were disnay and dis
NAL foreboding on nearly every counten-
ance. It was pathetic and pitiful.
really thought the teachers ought to do
something to allay the excitement among
those suffering girls. But they did not
seem to see the ma alter as did. g.
T remember well talking to a group of
terrified ones. made some remarks In
srather a testing manner. trying to COM
fort them, when one of the teachers came
along and said to me very sharply, 1T is
more than you knoW, Miss l., but what it
will be so.'' And thus my benevolent eff
fort for that time was a. failure. But
the next morning, The relief was SO APP
parent and the gladness and exuberance
of spirits among the young ladies was so
| 4f.- - rl@
The world still ,, stood, and that was
enough. Many times since when have
seen delusiVe. ideas and fraudulent schem-
ers secure a, large following L have,
thought Of that time of the t'Millerite"
excitement And Unusually conclude that
time will soon end such schemes. - ~
| There are a few other remembrances of
that old seminary that I would like, to re-
cord in the hope that some who read may
also remember. DR.. Mott, for many years
| president Of Union College, who had so
| enviable a reputation for great strength
| of mind ard elevation Of character, as
| we'll as for tact and happy manner as
| a teacher and discip1inarian, had had the
temerity to come there and carry off the
! head of the school as his wife. This was
before I went there; but I we'll remember
the two as they avalked into the dining
| room often Of Sunday morning to break
| fast, adniring so much his stately form
Jand bearing. His. wife also was an elect
lady in many respects, and merely to see
them was something Of an education to
us. 49, e..
But the most beautiful character In that
institution was the lady who became the
wife of Adoniram Judson and went to
the far off land with him and started back
home with him and buried his body In the
sea Off st. Helena She was one Of the
sweetest spirits ever made and was uni
H. low Hos ,F~oVs
RESPONDENT of the New York Mirror, I'M
der the psaudonym Of Fanny Forester
: and often in weakness and illness she
/ would send for me to read to her. And
so gathered up the droppings of her fine
mind and lovely character, and was fully
in sympathy with a remark in her obitu-
/ IN to God than this of the third Mrs. JEd-