Year: 1875

The Second -Adventists of Chicago,
whose leaders had all along prophesied
and unquestionably expected the second
coming of Christ on the evening of April
10, assembled in an upper room at dark to
celebrate the Lords Supper, at which they
expected Christ himself to be present. We
condense the following from the Chicago
I'ribune's account of the scenes at this
meeting: A thunderstorm which came
up early in the evening carried the assem-
blage TO an ecstatic pitch of excitement,
and they eagerly peered through the win
dows and watched, as the storm swept
along and the lightning flashed, expecting
every moment TO see their Lord riding in
the heavens. The washing of the disci-
pies feet, which was conducted with So
lemnity and feeling, was followed 1y the
Z" Last Supper and the wine, in the order
that these sacraments are usually cele-
brated. By this time it was nearly mid
night, and despair began to be manifest in
the countenance of the Elder. lie arose
to address his flock, and said he did ex-
pect to be with Jesus by that time,
and was honest and sincere in teach
ing his flock to so believe. He
had taken Christ at His word, as He
had revealed himself in the Holy Scrip
luIto. ttt, IL NIIlSl lllIl liOl COlne, lc Illu
not see how the period of His appearance
ended on the 18th of April He seemed
stupefied at the greatness of his disap-
pointment. Then hymn was sung, and
as the minute touched the hour of twelve
a deep groan ran through the assembly
Then followed pitiful scene. Women
wrung their hands in bitter anguish ;
strong men buried their faces and wept
and groaned. The violent descent from
ecstatic joy to terrible disappointment
bruised and crushed their spirits. Thur
man sat still and murmuring, as if dazed
and stupefied with the greatness of his
calamity. The work of his lifetime had
fallen to nothingness. The firm footing
of his faith had suddenly slipped from
under him, and the horrors of darkness
encompassed him. He then pronounced
the benediction and sat down in moody
silence, while his followers went on groan-
ing and weeping.


The scenes attendant upon the break up
Of the meeting battle description. With
the tears rolling down their cheeks they
sang the hymn


Jesus, my cross have taken,


All to leave and follow Thee,


Naked, poor, despised, forsaken,


ihoui from nenCe, my All Snail ne.


Some tried to cheer the more broken
spirited by suggesting various possibilities
of the prophetic dates extending for some
time longer. Foyen, whose joy and hap
piness in anticipation had been boundless,
stood up and said, in voice broken with
sobs:


" 1t is no use! II is no use We are
either disappointed or we are not disap-
pointed, and if we are not disappointed
then we did expect Jesus with faith
Nothing but Jesus can cheer our hearts
tonight. My heart is broken. l never
expect to see my home again or do anoth-
er stroke of work. feel bitter, bitter, dis
appointed" The tears poured down his
cheeks, and his grief seemed to be intoler-
ably great. "This is the feeling of my
heart. Nothing can satisfy me but the
shall do if Jesus don't come. Lord, help
me. hate to go to my home again"


They wept and fell on one another's
necks. Many of them did not know
where to go or what to do, as they had re-
linquished their lodgings and given away
their furniture and everything. In the ex-
tremity of their distress their affections
still clung to Thurman. The men all
came to him and gave him the kiss of
peace, according to their fashion. One of
them pressed him TO come and stay with
him. Thurman said, sadly: don't feel
like seeing anybody now, l wish could
sink into my grave" The women gath
cred around him and he shook hands with
them. A number of people had TO remain
where they were. Others went to the
houses of those who were fortunate
enough to retain homes. One man
named Miller, who had disposed of over
80, 200 worth of property, asked permis,
sion of brother TO sleep on his floor that
night. An old, white-haired woman said
that she had place to go to tonight, but
what she should do next God only
knew. The children were crying, babies
squalling and women wringing theiI
hands in anguish as at about half past
one the assembly dispersed, pursuing
their melancholy way to such quarters as
they could go TO. Thurman accompanied
Foyen to his house on the corner of CLARK
and Wisconsin streets, but what his move
ments in the future will be he does moi
know