The Great Controversy

Later English Reformers 139

battles of the Lord, until Scotland was His people, and persecution could not
free from popery. prevail to silence their testimony. Many
were driven across the ocean to America
In England the establishment of and here laid the foundations of civil
Protestantism as the national religion and religious liberty which have been
diminished, but did not wholly stop, the bulwark and glory of this country.
persecution. While many of the doc-
trines of Rome had been renounced, In England the establishment of
not a few of its forms were retained. Protestantism as the national
The supremacy of the pope was re- religion diminished, but did not
jected, but in his place the monarch was wholly stop, persecution. While
enthroned as the head of the church. many of the doctrines of Rome
In the service of the church there was had been renounced, not a few
still a wide departure from the purity of its forms were retained. The
and simplicity of the gospel. The great supremacy of the pope was
principle of religious liberty was not rejected, but in his place the
yet understood. Though the horrible monarch was enthroned as the
cruelties which Rome employed against head of the church.
heresy were resorted to but rarely by
Protestant rulers, yet the right of every Again, as in apostolic days, persecu-
man to worship God according to the tion turned out to the furtherance of the
dictates of his own conscience was not gospel. In a loathsome dungeon crowded
acknowledged. All were required to with profligates and felons, John Bunyan
accept the doctrines and observe the breathed the very atmosphere of heaven;
forms of worship prescribed by the and there he wrote his wonderful alle-
established church. Dissenters suffered gory of the pilgrim’s journey from the
persecution, to a greater or less extent, land of destruction to the celestial city.
for hundreds of years. For over two hundred years that voice
from Bedford jail has spoken with thrill-
In the seventeenth century thou- ing power to the hearts of men. Bunyan’s
sands of pastors were expelled from their Pilgrim’s Progress and Grace Abounding
positions. The people were forbidden, to the Chief of Sinners have guided many
on pain of heavy fines, imprisonment, feet into the path of life.
and banishment, to attend any religious
meetings except such as were sanctioned Baxter, Flavel, Alleine, and other
by the church. Those faithful souls who men of talent, education, and deep
could not refrain from gathering to Christian experience stood up in valiant
worship God were compelled to meet defense of the faith which was once
in dark alleys, in obscure garrets, and at delivered to the saints. The work ac-
some seasons in the woods at midnight. complished by these men, proscribed
In the sheltering depths of the forest, a and outlawed by the rulers of this world,
temple of God’s own building, those can never perish. Flavel’s Fountain of
scattered and persecuted children of the Life and Method of Grace have taught
Lord assembled to pour out their souls thousands how to commit the keeping of
in prayer and praise. But despite all their their souls to Christ. Baxter’s Reformed
precautions, many suffered for their Pastor has proved a blessing to many
faith. The jails were crowded. Families
were broken up. Many were banished
to foreign lands. Yet God was with

140 The Great Controversy

who desire a revival of the work of God, the minds of men from their only hope
and his Saints’ Everlasting Rest has done of salvation—the blood of the crucified
its work in leading souls to the “rest” Redeemer.
that remaineth for the people of God.
Wesley and his associates were led
A hundred years later, in a day of to see that true religion is seated in the
great spiritual darkness, Whitefield and heart, and that God’s law extends to the
the Wesleys appeared as light bearers for thoughts as well as to the words and
God. Under the rule of the established actions. Convinced of the necessity of
church the people of England had lapsed holiness of heart, as well as correct-
into a state of religious declension hardly ness of outward deportment, they set
to be distinguished from heathenism. out in earnest upon a new life. By the
Natural religion was the favorite study most diligent and prayerful efforts
of the clergy, and included most of their they endeavored to subdue the evils of
theology. The higher classes sneered at the natural heart. They lived a life of
piety, and prided themselves on being self-denial, charity, and humiliation,
above what they called its fanaticism. observing with great rigor and exactness
The lower classes were grossly ignorant every measure which they thought could
and abandoned to vice, while the church be helpful to them in obtaining what
had no courage or faith any longer to they most desired—that holiness which
support the downfallen cause of truth. could secure the favor of God. But they
did not obtain the object which they
The great doctrine of justification sought. In vain were their endeavors to
by faith, so clearly taught by Luther, free themselves from the condemnation
had been almost wholly lost sight of; of sin or to break its power. It was the
and the Catholic principle of trusting to same struggle which Luther had expe-
good works for salvation, had taken its rienced in his cell at Erfurt. It was the
place. Whitefield and the Wesleys, who same question which had tortured his
were members of the established church, soul—“How should man be just before
were sincere seekers for the favor of God?” Job. 9:2.
God, and this they had been taught was
to be secured by a virtuous life and an The fires of divine truth, well-nigh
observance of the ordinances of religion. extinguished upon the altars of Protes-
tantism, were to be rekindled from the
When Charles Wesley at one time ancient torch handed down the ages
fell ill, and anticipated that death was by the Bohemian Christians. After the
approaching, he was asked upon what he Reformation, Protestantism in Bohemia
rested his hope of eternal life. His answer had been trampled out by the hordes
was: “I have used my best endeavors to of Rome. All who refused to renounce
serve God.” As the friend who had put the truth were forced to flee. Some of
the question seemed not to be fully sat- these, finding refuge in Saxony, there
isfied with his answer, Wesley thought: maintained the ancient faith. It was from
“What! are not my endeavors a sufficient the descendants of these Christians that
ground of hope? Would he rob me of my light came to Wesley and his associates.
endeavors? I have nothing else to trust
to.”—John Whitehead, Life of the Rev. John and Charles Wesley, after be-
Charles Wesley, page 102. Such was the ing ordained to the ministry, were sent
dense darkness that had settled down on a mission to America. On board
on the church, hiding the atonement, the ship was a company of Moravians.
robbing Christ of His glory, and turning Violent storms were encountered on the

Later English Reformers 141

passage, and John Wesley, brought face made me forget the seventeen hundred
to face with death, felt that he had not years between, and imagine myself in
the assurance of peace with God. The one of those assemblies where form and
Germans, on the contrary, manifested state were not; but Paul, the tentmaker,
a calmness and trust to which he was or Peter, the fisherman, presided; yet
a stranger. with the demonstration of the Spirit and
of power.”—Ibid., pages 11, 12.
“I had long before,” he says, “ob-
served the great seriousness of their On his return to England, Wesley,
behavior. Of their humility they had under the instruction of a Mora-
given a continual proof, by performing vian preacher, arrived at a clearer
those servile offices for the other pas- understanding of Bible faith. He was
sengers which none of the English would convinced that he must renounce all
undertake; for which they desired and dependence upon his own works for
would receive no pay, saying it was good salvation and must trust wholly to “the
for their proud hearts, and their loving Lamb of God, which taketh away the
Saviour had done more for them. And sin of the world.” At a meeting of the
every day had given them occasion of Moravian society in London a statement
showing a meekness which no injury was read from Luther, describing the
could move. If they were pushed, struck, change which the Spirit of God works
or thrown about, they rose again and in the heart of the believer. As Wesley
went away; but no complaint was found listened, faith was kindled in his soul.
in their mouth. There was now an op- “I felt my heart strangely warmed,” he
portunity of trying whether they were says. “I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ
delivered from the spirit of fear, as well as alone, for salvation: and an assurance
from that of pride, anger, and revenge. In was given me, that He had taken away
the midst of the psalm wherewith their my sins, even mine, and saved me from
service began, the sea broke over, split the law of sin and death.”—Ibid., page 52.
the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship,
and poured in between the decks as if the Through long years of wearisome
great deep had already swallowed us up. and comfortless striving—years of
A terrible screaming began among the rigorous self-denial, of reproach and
English. The Germans calmly sang on. I humiliation—Wesley had steadfastly
asked one of them afterwards, ‘Were you adhered to his one purpose of seeking
not afraid?’ He answered, ‘I thank God, God. Now he had found Him; and he
no.’ I asked, ‘But were not your women found that the grace which he had toiled
and children afraid?’ He replied mildly, to win by prayers and fasts, by almsdeeds
‘No; our women and children are not and self-abnegation, was a gift, “without
afraid to die.’” —Whitehead, Life of the money and without price.”
Rev. John Wesley, page 10.
Once established in the faith of
Upon arriving in Savannah, Wesley Christ, his whole soul burned with the
for a short time abode with the Moravi- desire to spread everywhere a knowledge
ans, and was deeply impressed with their of the glorious gospel of God’s free grace.
Christian deportment. Of one of their “I look upon all the world as my parish,”
religious services, in striking contrast to he said; “in whatever part of it I am, I
the lifeless formalism of the Church of judge it meet, right, and my bounden
England, he wrote: “The great simplicity duty, to declare unto all that are willing
as well as solemnity of the whole almost to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”—
Ibid., page 74.

142 The Great Controversy

He continued his strict and self- yet God, in His wisdom, had overruled
denying life, not now as the ground, events to cause the reform to begin
but the result of faith; not the root, within the church itself. Had it come
but the fruit of holiness. The grace of wholly from without, it would not
God in Christ is the foundation of the have penetrated where it was so much
Christian’s hope, and that grace will be needed. But as the revival preachers were
manifested in obedience. Wesley’s life churchmen, and labored within the pale
was devoted to the preaching of the of the church wherever they could find
great truths which he had received— opportunity, the truth had an entrance
justification through faith in the aton- where the doors would otherwise have
ing blood of Christ, and the renewing remained closed. Some of the clergy
power of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, were roused from their moral stupor
bringing forth fruit in a life conformed and became zealous preachers in their
to the example of Christ. own parishes. Churches that had been
petrified by formalism were quickened
Whitefield and the Wesleys had into life.
been prepared for their work by long
and sharp personal convictions of their In Wesley’s time, as in all ages of
own lost condition; and that they might the church’s history, men of different
be able to endure hardness as good sol- gifts performed their appointed work.
diers of Christ, they had been subjected They did not harmonize upon every
to the fiery ordeal of scorn, derision, point of doctrine, but all were moved by
and persecution, both in the university the Spirit of God, and united in the ab-
and as they were entering the ministry. sorbing aim to win souls to Christ. The
They and a few others who sympathized differences between Whitefield and the
with them were contemptuously called Wesleys threatened at one time to create
Methodists by their ungodly fellow alienation; but as they learned meekness
students—a name which is at the pres- in the school of Christ, mutual forbear-
ent time regarded as honorable by one ance and charity reconciled them. They
of the largest denominations in England had no time to dispute, while error and
and America. iniquity were teeming everywhere, and
sinners were going down to ruin.
As members of the Church of
England they were strongly attached to The servants of God trod a rugged
her forms of worship, but the Lord had path. Men of influence and learning em-
presented before them in His word a ployed their powers against them. After
higher standard. The Holy Spirit urged a time many of the clergy manifested
them to preach Christ and Him cruci- determined hostility, and the doors of
fied. The power of the Highest attended the churches were closed against a pure
their labors. Thousands were convicted faith and those who proclaimed it. The
and truly converted. It was necessary course of the clergy in denouncing them
that these sheep be protected from rav- from the pulpit aroused the elements of
ening wolves. Wesley had no thought darkness, ignorance, and iniquity. Again
of forming a new denomination, but he and again did John Wesley escape death
organized them under what was called by a miracle of God’s mercy. When the
the Methodist Connection. rage of the mob was excited against him,
and there seemed no way of escape, an
Mysterious and trying was the angel in human form came to his side,
opposition which these preachers en- the mob fell back, and the servant of
countered from the established church;

Later English Reformers 143

Christ passed in safety from the place blows than if they had touched me with
of danger. a straw.”—John Wesley, Works, vol. 3,
pp. 297, 298.
Of his deliverance from the enraged The Methodists of those early
mob on one of these occasions, Wesley days—people as well as preachers—
said: “Many endeavored to throw me endured ridicule and persecution,
down while we were going down hill alike from church members and from
on a slippery path to the town; as well the openly irreligious who were in-
judging that if I was once on the ground, flamed by their misrepresentations.
I should hardly rise any more. But I made They were arraigned before courts of
no stumble at all, nor the least slip, till justice—such only in name, for justice
I was entirely out of their hands. …Al- was rare in the courts of that time.
though many strove to lay hold on my Often they suffered violence from their
collar or clothes, to pull me down, they persecutors. Mobs went from house to
could not fasten at all: only one got fast house, destroying furniture and goods,
hold of the flap of my waistcoat, which plundering whatever they chose, and
was soon left in his hand; the other flap, brutally abusing men, women, and
in the pocket of which was a bank note, children. In some instances, public
was torn but half off. … A lusty man notices were posted, calling upon those
just behind, struck at me several times, who desired to assist in breaking the
with a large oaken stick; with which if windows and robbing the houses of
he had struck me once on the back part the Methodists, to assemble at a given
of my head, it would have saved him all time and place. These open violations
further trouble. But every time, the blow of both human and divine law were
was turned aside, I know not how; for allowed to pass without a reprimand.
I could not move to the right hand or A systematic perse­cution was carried
left. … Another came rushing through on against a people whose only fault
the press, and raising his arm to strike, was that of seeking to turn the feet of
on a sudden let it drop, and only stroked sinners from the path of destruction to
my head, saying, ‘What soft hair he has!’ the path of holiness.
… The very first men whose hearts were Said John Wesley, referring to the
turned were the heroes of the town, the charges against himself and his associ-
captains of the rabble on all occasions, ates: “Some allege that the doctrines
one of them having been a prize fighter of these men are false, erroneous, and
at the bear gardens. … enthusiastic; that they are new and
unheard-of till of late; that they are
“By how gentle degrees does God Quakerism, fanaticism, popery. This
prepare us for His will! Two years ago, whole pretense has been already cut up
a piece of brick grazed my shoulders. It by the roots, it having been shown at
was a year after that the stone struck me large that every branch of this doctrine
between the eyes. Last month I received is the plain doctrine of Scripture inter-
one blow, and this evening two, one preted by our own church. Therefore
before we came into the town, and one it cannot be either false or erroneous,
after we were gone out; but both were provided the Scripture be true.” “Others
as nothing: for though one man struck allege, “Their doctrine is too strict; they
me on the breast with all his might, and make the way to heaven too narrow.’ And
the other on the mouth with such force this is in truth the original objection,
that the blood gushed out immediately,
I felt no more pain from either of the

144 The Great Controversy

(as it was almost the only one for some that it was unnecessary for ministers
time,) and is secretly at the bottom of a to exhort the people to obedience of
thousand more, which appear in vari- its precepts, since those whom God
ous forms. But do they make the way to had elected to salvation would, “by the
heaven any narrower than our Lord and irresistible impulse of divine grace, be
His apostles made it? Is their doctrine led to the practice of piety and virtue,”
stricter than that of the Bible? Consider while those who were doomed to eternal
only a few plain texts: ‘Thou shalt love reprobation “did not have power to obey
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and the divine law.”
with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, Others, also holding that “the elect
and with all thy strength.’ ‘For every idle cannot fall from grace nor forfeit the
word which men shall speak, they shall divine favor,” arrived at the still more
give an account in the day of judgment.’ hideous conclusion that “the wicked ac-
‘Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatever tions they commit are not really sinful,
ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ nor to be considered as instances of their
violation of the divine law, and that, con-
“If their doctrine is stricter than sequently, they have no occasion either
this, they are to blame; but you know in to confess their sins or to break them
your conscience it is not. And who can off by repentance.”—McClintock and
be one jot less strict without corrupting TSthroernegfo, rCey,cthloepyeddeiac,laarretd. “Antinomians.”
the word of God? Can any steward of that even one of
the mysteries of God be found faithful the vilest of sins, “considered universally
if he change any part of that sacred de- an enormous violation of the divine law,
positum? No. He can abate nothing, he is not a sin in the sight of God,” if com-
can soften nothing; he is constrained to mitted by one of the elect, “because it is
declare to all men, ‘I may not bring down one of the essential and distinctive char-
the Scripture to your taste. You must acteristics of the elect, that they cannot
come up to it, or perish forever.’ This do anything that is either displeasing to
is the real ground of that other popular God or prohibited by the law.”
cry concerning ‘the uncharitableness These monstrous doctrines are es-
of these men.’ Uncharitable, are they? sentially the same as the later teaching
In what respect? Do they not feed the of popular educators and theologians—
hungry and clothe the naked? ‘No; that that there is no unchangeable divine law
is not the thing: they are not wanting as the standard of right, but that the stan-
in this: but they are so uncharitable in dard of morality is indicated by society
judging! they think none can be saved itself, and has constantly been subject
but those of their own way.’”—Ibid., vol. to change. All these ideas are inspired
3, pp. 152, 153. by the same master spirit—by him who,
even among the sinless inhabitants of
The spiritual declension which had heaven, began his work of seeking to
been manifest in England just before break down the righteous restraints of
the time of Wesley was in great degree the law of God.
the result of antinomian teaching. Many The doctrine of the divine decrees,
affirmed that Christ had abolished the unalterably fixing the character of men,
moral law and that Christians are there- had led many to a virtual rejection of the
fore under no obligation to observe it; law of God. Wesley steadfastly opposed
that a believer is freed from the “bondage the errors of the antinomian teachers
of good works.” Others, though admit-
ting the perpetuity of the law, declared

Later English Reformers 145

and showed that this doctrine which in this place is (consistently with all
led to antinomianism was contrary to that goes before and follows after),—I
the Scriptures. “The grace of God that am come to establish it in its fullness,
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all in spite of all the glosses of men: I am
men.” “This is good and acceptable in the come to place in a full and clear view
sight of God our Saviour; who will have whatsoever was dark or obscure therein:
all men to be saved, and to come unto
the knowledge of the truth. For there “The moral law, contained in the
is one God, and one mediator between Ten Commandments and enforced
God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who by the prophets, He did not take
gave Himself a ransom for all.” Titus away. It was not the design of His
2:11; 1 Timothy 2:3-6. The Spirit of God coming to revoke any part of this.
is freely bestowed to enable every man This is a law which never can be
to lay hold upon the means of salvation. broken, which ‘stands fast as the
Thus Christ, “the true Light,” “lighteth faithful witness in heaven.’ … This
every man that cometh into the world.” was from the beginning of the
John 1:9. Men fail of salvation through world, being ‘written not on tables
their own willful refusal of the gift of life. of stone,’ but on the hearts of all the
children of men, when they came
In answer to the claim that at the out of the hands of the Creator.”
death of Christ the precepts of the I am come to declare the true and full
Decalogue had been abolished with the import of every part of it; to show the
ceremonial law, Wesley said: “The moral length and breadth, the entire extent, of
law, contained in the Ten Command- every commandment contained therein,
ments and enforced by the prophets, and the height and depth, the inconceiv-
He did not take away. It was not the able purity and spirituality of it in all its
design of His coming to revoke any branches.”—Wesley, sermon 25.
part of this. This is a law which never
can be broken, which ‘stands fast as the Wesley declared the perfect harmony
faithful witness in heaven.’ … This was of the law and the gospel. “There is,
from the beginning of the world, being therefore, the closest connection that can
‘written not on tables of stone,’ but on be conceived, between the law and the
the hearts of all the children of men, gospel. On the one hand, the law con-
when they came out of the hands of the tinually makes way for, and points us to,
Creator. And however the letters once the gospel; on the other, the gospel con-
wrote by the finger of God are now in tinually leads us to a more exact fulfilling
a great measure defaced by sin, yet can of the law. The law, for instance, requires
they not wholly be blotted out, while us to love God, to love our neighbor, to
we have any consciousness of good and be meek, humble, or holy. We feel that
evil. Every part of this law must remain we are not sufficient for these things; yea,
in force upon all mankind, and in all that ‘with man this is impossible;’ but we
ages; as not depending either on time or see a promise of God to give us that love,
place, or any other circumstances liable and to make us humble, meek, and holy:
to change, but on the nature of God, and we lay hold of this gospel, of these glad
the nature of man, and their unchange- tidings; it is done unto us according to
able relation to each other.

“‘I am not come to destroy, but to ful-
fill.’ … Without question, His meaning

146 The Great Controversy

our faith; and ‘the righteousness of the are still asleep on the brink of hell.” The
law is fulfilled in us,’ through faith which apostle Paul declares that “by the law is
is in Christ Jesus. … the knowledge of sin;” “and not until man
is convicted of sin, will he truly feel his
“In the highest rank of the enemies need of the atoning blood of Christ. …
of the gospel of Christ,” said Wesley, “are ‘They that be whole,’ as our Lord Himself
they who openly and explicitly ‘judge observes, ‘need not a physician, but they
the law’ itself, and ‘speak evil of the law;’ that are sick.’ It is absurd, therefore, to
who teach men to break (to dissolve, to offer a physician to them that are whole,
loose, to untie the obligation of) not or that at least imagine themselves so to
one only, whether of the least or of the be. You are first to convince them that
greatest, but all the commandments they are sick; otherwise they will not
at a stroke. … The most surprising of thank you for your labor. It is equally
all the circumstances that attend this absurd to offer Christ to them whose
strong delusion, is that they who are heart is whole, having never yet been
given up to it, really believe that they broken.”—Ibid., sermon 35.
honor Christ by overthrowing His law,
and that they are magnifying His office Thus while preaching the gospel of
while they are destroying His doctrine! the grace of God, Wesley, like his Master,
Yea, they honor Him just as Judas did sought to “magnify the law, and make it
when he said, ‘Hail, Master, and kissed honorable.” Faithfully did he accomplish
Him.’ And He may as justly say to every the work given him of God, and glorious
one of them, ‘Betrayest thou the Son were the results which he was permitted
of man with a kiss? It is no other than to behold. At the close of his long life of
betraying Him with a kiss, to talk of more than fourscore years—above half a
His blood, and take away His crown; to century spent in itinerant ministry—his
set light by any part of His law, under avowed adherents numbered more than
pretense of advancing His gospel. Nor half a million souls. But the multitude
indeed can anyone escape this charge, that through his labors had been lifted
who preaches faith in any such a man- from the ruin and degradation of sin to
ner as either directly or indirectly tends a higher and a purer life, and the num-
to set aside any branch of obedience: ber who by his teaching had attained
who preaches Christ so as to disannul, to a deeper and richer experience, will
or weaken in any wise, the least of the never be known till the whole family of
commandments of God.”—Ibid. the redeemed shall be gathered into the
kingdom of God. His life presents a les-
To those who urged that “the preach- son of priceless worth to every Christian.
ing of the gospel answers all the ends of Would that the faith and humility, the
the law,” Wesley replied: “This we utterly untiring zeal, self-sacrifice, and devo-
deny. It does not answer the very first tion of this servant of Christ might be
end of the law, namely, the convincing reflected in the churches of today!
men of sin, the awakening those who

Thus while preaching the gospel of the grace of God, Wesley, like his Master,
sought to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Faithfully did he
accomplish the work given him of God, and glorious were the results which
he was permitted to behold.

CHAPTER 15

The Bible and the French Revolution

I n the sixteenth century the Reforma- the legitimate result of Rome’s suppres-
tion, presenting an open Bible to sion of the Scriptures. (See Appendix.) It
the people, had sought admission presented the most striking illustration
to all the countries of Europe. Some which the world has ever witnessed of
nations welcomed it with gladness, as the working out of the papal policy—an
a messenger of Heaven. In other lands illustration of the results to which for
the papacy succeeded to a great extent more than a thousand years the teaching
in preventing its entrance; and the light of the Roman Church had been tending.
of Bible knowledge, with its elevating
influences, was almost wholly excluded. The suppression of the Scriptures
during the period of papal supremacy
The war against the Bible, carried was foretold by the prophets; and the
forward for so many centuries in Revelator points also to the terrible
France, culminated in the scenes results that were to accrue especially
of the Revolution. That terrible to France from the domination of the
outbreaking was but the legitimate “man of sin.”
result of Rome’s suppression of
the Scriptures. Said the angel of the Lord: “The holy
In one country, though the light found city shall they tread underfoot forty
entrance, it was not comprehended and two months. And I will give power
by the darkness. For centuries, truth unto My two witnesses, and they shall
and error struggled for the mastery. At prophesy a thousand two hundred and
last the evil triumphed, and the truth threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. …
of Heaven was thrust out. “This is the And when they shall have finished their
condemnation, that light is come into testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of
the world, and men loved darkness the bottomless pit shall make war against
rather than light.” John 3:19. The nation them, and shall overcome them, and kill
was left to reap the results of the course them. And their dead bodies shall lie in
which she had chosen. The restraint of the street of the great city, which spiritu-
God’s Spirit was removed from a people ally is called Sodom and Egypt, where
that had despised the gift of His grace. also our Lord was crucified. … And they
Evil was permitted to come to maturity. that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice
And all the world saw the fruit of willful over them, and make merry, and shall
rejection of the light. send gifts one to another; because these
two prophets tormented them that dwelt
The war against the Bible, carried on the earth. And after three days and a
forward for so many centuries in France, half the Spirit of life from God entered
culminated in the scenes of the Revolu- into them, and they stood upon their
tion. That terrible outbreaking was but feet; and great fear fell upon them which
saw them.” Revelation 11:2-11.

The periods here mentioned—“forty
and two months,” and “a thousand two
hundred and threescore days”—are the

148 The Great Controversy

same, alike representing the time in in a state of obscurity. The papal power
which the church of Christ was to suffer sought to hide from the people the word
oppression from Rome. The 1260 years of truth, and set before them false wit-
of papal supremacy began in A.D. 538, nesses to contradict its testimony. (See
and would therefore terminate in 1798. Appendix.) When the Bible was pro-
(See Appendix note for page 22.) At that scribed by religious and secular author-
time a French army entered Rome and ity; when its testimony was perverted,
made the pope a prisoner, and he died and every effort made that men and
in exile. Though a new pope was soon demons could invent to turn the minds
afterward elected, the papal hierarchy of the people from it; when those who
has never since been able to wield the dared proclaim its sacred truths were
power which it before possessed. hunted, betrayed, tortured, buried in
dungeon cells, martyred for their faith, or
The persecution of the church did compelled to flee to mountain fastnesses,
not continue throughout the entire and to dens and caves of the earth—
period of the 1260 years. God in mercy then the faithful witnesses prophesied
to His people cut short the time of in sackcloth. Yet they continued their
their fiery trial. In foretelling the “great testimony throughout the entire period
tribulation” to befall the church, the of 1260 years. In the darkest times there
Saviour said: “Except those days should were faithful men who loved God’s word
be shortened, there should no flesh be and were jealous for His honor. To these
saved: but for the elect’s sake those days loyal servants were given wisdom, power,
shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22. and authority to declare His truth during
Through the influence of the Reforma- the whole of this time.
tion the persecution was brought to an
end prior to 1798. “And if any man will hurt them,
fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and
Concerning the two witnesses the devoureth their enemies: and if any man
prophet declares further: “These are the will hurt them, he must in this manner
two olive trees, and the two candlesticks be killed.” Revelation 11:5. Men cannot
standing before the God of the earth.” with impunity trample upon the word
“Thy word,” said the psalmist, “is a lamp of God. The meaning of this fearful
unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” denunciation is set forth in the closing
Revelation 11:4; Psalm 119:105. The two chapter of the Revelation: “I testify unto
witnesses represent the Scriptures of the every man that heareth the words of the
Old and the New Testament. Both are prophecy of this book, If any man shall
important testimonies to the origin and add unto these things, God shall add
perpetuity of the law of God. Both are unto him the plagues that are written
witnesses also to the plan of salvation. in this book: and if any man shall take
The types, sacrifices, and prophecies away from the words of the book of this
of the Old Testament point forward to prophecy, God shall take away his part
a Saviour to come. The Gospels and out of the book of life, and out of the holy
Epistles of the New Testament tell of city, and from the things which are writ-
a Saviour who has come in the exact ten in this book.” Revelation 22:18, 19.
manner foretold by type and prophecy.
Such are the warnings which God
“They shall prophecy a thousand two has given to guard men against chang-
hundred and threescore days, clothed ing in any manner that which He has
in sackcloth.” During the greater part of revealed or commanded. These solemn
this period, God’s witnesses remained

The Bible and the French Revolution 149

denunciations apply to all who by their the authority of Heaven than did the
influence lead men to regard lightly the king of Egypt. When the message was
law of God. They should cause those brought him by Moses, in the name of
to fear and tremble who flippantly the Lord, Pharaoh proudly answered:
declare it a matter of little consequence “Who is Jehovah, that I should hearken
whether we obey God’s law or not. All unto His voice to let Israel go? I know
who exalt their own opinions above not Jehovah, and moreover I will not
divine revelation, all who would change let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2, A.R.V. This
the plain meaning of Scripture to suit is atheism, and the nation represented
their own convenience, or for the sake by Egypt would give voice to a similar
of conforming to the world, are taking denial of the claims of the living God and
upon themselves a fearful responsibility. would manifest a like spirit of unbelief
The written word, the law of God, will and defiance. “The great city” is also
measure the character of every man and
condemn all whom this unerring test It had been Rome’s policy, under
shall declare wanting. a profession of reverence for the
Bible, to keep it locked up in an
“When they shall have finished [are unknown tongue and hidden away
finishing] their testimony.” The period from the people. Under her rule the
when the two witnesses were to prophesy witnesses prophesied “clothed in
clothed in sackcloth, ended in 1798. As sackcloth.” But another power—
they were approaching the termination the beast from the bottomless
of their work in obscurity, war was to pit—was to arise to make open,
be made upon them by the power rep- avowed war upon the word of God.
resented as “the beast that ascendeth out compared, “spiritually,” to Sodom. The
of the bottomless pit.” In many of the na- corruption of Sodom in breaking the
tions of Europe the powers that ruled in law of God was especially manifested
church and state had for centuries been in licentiousness. And this sin was also
controlled by Satan through the medium to be a preeminent characteristic of the
of the papacy. But here is brought to view nation that should fulfill the specifica-
a new manifestation of satanic power. tions of this scripture.

It had been Rome’s policy, under a According to the words of the
profession of reverence for the Bible, to prophet, then, a little before the year
keep it locked up in an unknown tongue 1798 some power of satanic origin
and hidden away from the people. Un- and character would rise to make war
der her rule the witnesses prophesied upon the Bible. And in the land where
“clothed in sackcloth.” But another the testimony of God’s two witnesses
power—the beast from the bottomless should thus be silenced, there would be
pit—was to arise to make open, avowed manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and
war upon the word of God. the licentiousness of Sodom.

“The great city” in whose streets the This prophecy has received a most
witnesses are slain, and where their dead exact and striking fulfillment in the his-
bodies lie, is “spiritually” Egypt. Of all tory of France. During the Revolution, in
nations presented in Bible history, Egypt 1793, “the world for the first time heard
most boldly denied the existence of the
living God and resisted His commands.
No monarch ever ventured upon more
open and highhanded rebellion against

150 The Great Controversy

an assembly of men, born and educated obtaining at the same time an assurance
in civilization, and assuming the right to that the mischief which it was their object
govern one of the finest of the European to create should be perpetuated from
nations, uplift their united voice to deny one generation to another, they could
the most solemn truth which man’s soul not have invented a more effectual plan
receives, and renounce unanimously than the degradation of marriage. …
the belief and worship of a Deity.”—Sir Sophie Arnoult, an actress famous for
Walter “SFcroatntc, eLiisfethoef oNnalyponlaetoino,nvionl.th1e, the witty things she said, described the
ch. 17. republican marriage as ‘the sacrament of
world concerning which the authentic adultery.’ ”—Scott, vol. 1, ch. 17.
record survives, that as a nation she lifted
her hand in open rebellion against the “Where also our Lord was crucified.”
Author of the universe. Plenty of blas- This specification of the prophecy was
phemers, plenty of infidels, there have also fulfilled by France. In no land had
been, and still continue to be, in England, the spirit of enmity against Christ been
Germany, Spain, and elsewhere; but more strikingly displayed. In no country
France stands apart in the world’s history had the truth encountered more bitter
as the single state which, by the decree and cruel opposition. In the persecution
of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced which France had visited upon the con-
that there was no God, and of which the fessors of the gospel, she had crucified
entire population of the capital, and a Christ in the person of His disciples.
vast majority elsewhere, women as well
as men, danced and sang with joy in Century after century the blood
awcocoeFdpr’staiMnncgaetghapezrieansneen,noNteuodnvceaemlmsobeentrh,t.”e1—8c7hB0al.arackc-- of the saints had been shed. While the
teristics which especially distinguished Waldenses laid down their lives upon
Sodom. During the Revolution there was the mountains of Piedmont “for the
manifest a state of moral debasement and word of God, and for the testimony of
corruption similar to that which brought Jesus Christ,” similar witness to the truth
destruction upon the cities of the plain. had been borne by their brethren, the
And the historian presents together the Albigenses of France. In the days of the
atheism and the licentiousness of France, Reformation its disciples had been put
as given in the prophecy: “Intimately con- to death with horrible tortures. King and
nected with these laws affecting religion, nobles, highborn women and delicate
was that which reduced the union of maidens, the pride and chivalry of the
marriage—the most sacred engagement nation, had feasted their eyes upon the
which human beings can form, and the agonies of the martyrs of Jesus. The
permanence of which leads most strongly brave Huguenots, battling for those
to the consolidation of society—to the rights which the human heart holds
state of a mere civil contract of a transitory most sacred, had poured out their blood
character, which any two persons might on many a hard-fought field. The Prot-
engage in and cast loose at pleasure. … estants were counted as outlaws, a price
If fiends had set themselves to work to was set upon their heads, and they were
discover a mode of most effectually de- hunted down like wild beasts.
stroying whatever is venerable, graceful,
or permanent in domestic life, and of The “Church in the Desert,” the few
descendants of the ancient Christians that
still lingered in France in the eighteenth
century, hiding away in the mountains
of the south, still cherished the faith of
their fathers. As they ventured to meet

The Bible and the French Revolution 151

by night on mountainside or lonely was Satan the unseen leader of his sub-
moor, they were chased by dragoons jects in this horrible work of multiplying
and dragged away to lifelong slavery in martyrs. For seven days the massacre
the galleys. The purest, the most refined, was continued in Paris, the first three
and the most intelligent of the French with inconceivable fury. And it was not
were chained, in horrible torture, amidst confined to the city itself, but by special
robbers and assassins. (See Wylie, b. 22, order of the king was extended to all the
ch. 6.) Others, more mercifully dealt provinces and towns where Protestants
with, were shot down in cold blood, as, were found. Neither age nor sex was
unarmed and helpless, they fell upon respected. Neither the innocent babe nor
their knees in prayer. Hundreds of aged the man of gray hairs was spared. Noble
men, defenseless women, and innocent and peasant, old and young, mother and
children were left dead upon the earth child, were cut down together. Through-
at their place of meeting. In traversing out France the butchery continued for
the mountainside or the forest, where two months. Seventy thousand of the
they had been accustomed to assemble, very flower of the nation perished.
it was not unusual to find “at every four
paces, dead bodies dotting the sward, “When the news of the massacre
and corpses hanging suspended from reached Rome, the exultation among the
the trees.” Their country, laid waste with clergy knew no bounds. The cardinal of
the sword, the ax, the fagot, “was con- Lorraine rewarded the messenger with
verted into one vast, gloomy wilderness.” a thousand crowns; the cannon of St.
“These atrocities were enacted … in no Angelo thundered forth a joyous salute;
dark age, but in the brilliant era of Louis and bells rang out from every steeple;
XIV. Science was then cultivated, letters bonfires turned night into day; and
flourished, the divines of the court and Gregory XIII, attended by the cardinals
of the capital were learned and eloquent and other ecclesiastical dignitaries, went
men, and greatly affected the graces of in long procession to the church of St.
meekness and charity.”—Ibid., b. 22, ch. 7. Louis, where the cardinal of Lorraine
chanted a Te Deum. … A medal was
But blackest in the black cata- struck to commemorate the massacre,
logue of crime, most horrible among and in the Vatican may still be seen three
the fiendish deeds of all the dreadful frescoes of Vasari, describing the attack
centuries, was the St. Bartholomew upon the admiral, the king in council
Massacre. The world still recalls with plotting the massacre, and the massacre
shuddering horror the scenes of that itself. Gregory sent Charles the Golden
most cowardly and cruel onslaught. The Rose; and four months after the mas-
king of France, urged on by Catholic sacre, … he listened complacently to the
priests and prelates, lent his sanction sermon of a French priest, … who spoke
to the dreadful work. A bell, tolling of ‘that day so full of happiness and joy,
at dead of night, was a signal for the when the most holy father received the
slaughter. Protestants by thousands, news, and went in solemn state to render
sleeping quietly in their homes, trust- thanks to God and St. Louis.’ ”—Henry
ing to the plighted honor of their king, White, The Massacre of St. Bartholomew,
were dragged forth without a warning ch. 14, par. 34.
and murdered in cold blood.
The same master spirit that urged on
As Christ was the invisible leader of the St. Bartholomew Massacre led also
His people from Egyptian bondage, so in the scenes of the Revolution. Jesus

152 The Great Controversy

Christ was declared to be an impostor, sacred truth. He disowned, in solemn
and the rallying cry of the French infi- and explicit terms, the existence of the
dels was, “Crush the Wretch,” meaning Deity to whose worship he had been
Christ. Heaven-daring blasphemy and consecrated, and devoted himself in
abominable wickedness went hand in future to the homage of liberty, equal-
hand, and the basest of men, the most ity, virtue, and morality. He then laid
abandoned monsters of cruelty and vice, on the table his episcopal decorations,
were most highly exalted. In all this, su- and received a fraternal embrace from
preme homage was paid to Satan; while the president of the Convention. Several
Christ, in His characteristics of truth, apostate priests followed the example of
purity, and unselfish love, was crucified. this prelate.”—Scott, vol. 1, ch. 17.

“The beast that ascendeth out of the “And they that dwell upon the earth
bottomless pit shall make war against shall rejoice over them, and make merry,
them, and shall overcome them, and and shall send gifts one to another;
kill them.” The atheistical power that because these two prophets tormented
ruled in France during the Revolution them that dwelt on the earth.” Infidel
and the Reign of Terror, did wage such France had silenced the reproving voice
a war against God and His holy word of God’s two witnesses. The word of
as the world had never witnessed. The truth lay dead in her streets, and those
worship of the Deity was abolished by who hated the restrictions and require-
the National Assembly. Bibles were col- ments of God’s law were jubilant. Men
lected and publicly burned with every publicly defied the King of heaven. Like
possible manifestation of scorn. The law the sinners of old, they cried: “How doth
of God was trampled underfoot. The God know? and is there knowledge in
institutions of the Bible were abolished. the Most High?” Psalm 73:11.
The weekly rest day was set aside, and
in its stead every tenth day was devoted With blasphemous boldness almost
to reveling and blasphemy. Baptism and beyond belief, one of the priests of the
the Communion were prohibited. And new order said: “God, if You exist, avenge
announcements posted conspicuously Your injured name. I bid You defiance!
over the burial places declared death to You remain silent; You dare not launch
be an eternal sleep. Your thunders. Who after this will be-
lieve in Your existence?”—Lacretelle,
The fear of God was said to be so far History, vol. 11, p. 309; in Sir Archibald
from the beginning of wisdom that it Alison, History of Europe, vol. 1, ch. 10.
was the beginning of folly. All religious What an echo is this of the Pharaoh’s
worship was prohibited, except that of demand: “Who is Jehovah, that I should
liberty and the country. The “consti- obey His voice?” “I know not Jehovah!”
tutional bishop of Paris was brought
forward to play the principal part in “The fool hath said in his heart,
the most impudent and scandalous There is no God.” Psalm 14:1. And the
farce ever acted in the face of a national Lord declares concerning the pervert-
representation. … He was brought for- ers of the truth: “Their folly shall be
ward in full procession, to declare to the manifest unto all.” 2 Timothy 3:9. After
Convention that the religion which he France had renounced the worship of the
had taught so many years was, in every living God, “the high and lofty One that
respect, a piece of priestcraft, which inhabiteth eternity,” it was only a little
had no foundation either in history or time till she descended to degrading
idolatry, by the worship of the Goddess

The Bible and the French Revolution 153

of Reason, in the person of a profligate When the goddess was brought into
woman. And this in the representative the Convention, the orator took her by
assembly of the nation, and by its high- the hand, and turning to the assembly
est civil and legislative authorities! Says said: “Mortals, cease to tremble before
the historian: “One of the ceremonies the powerless thunders of a God whom
of this insane time stands unrivaled for your fears have created. Henceforth
absurdity combined with impiety. The acknowledge no divinity but Reason. I
doors of the Convention were thrown offer you its noblest and purest image;
open to a band of musicians, preceded if you must have idols, sacrifice only to
by whom, the members of the municipal such as this. … Fall before the august
body entered in solemn procession, Senate of Freedom, oh! Veil of Reason!”
singing a hymn in praise of liberty, and
escorting, as the object of their future “The goddess, after being embraced
worship, a veiled female, whom they by the president, was mounted on a
termed the Goddess of Reason. Being magnificent car, and conducted, amid
brought within the bar, she was unveiled an immense crowd, to the cathedral of
with great form, and placed on the right Notre Dame, to take the place of the
of the president, when she was gener- Deity. There she was elevated on the
ally recognized as a dancing girl of the high altar, and received the adoration
opera. …To this person, as the fittest of all present.”—Alison, vol. 1, ch. 10.
representative of that reason whom they
worshiped, the National Convention of This was followed, not long after-
France rendered public homage. ward, by the public burning of the Bible.
On one occasion “the Popular Society of
“This impious and ridiculous mum- the Museum” entered the hall of the mu-
mery had a certain fashion; and the nicipality, exclaiming, “Vive la Raison!”
installation of the Goddess of Reason and carrying on the top of a pole the half-
was renewed and imitated throughout burned remains of several books, among
the nation, in such places where the others breviaries, missals, and the Old
inhabitants desired to show themselves and New Testaments, which “expiated
equal to all the heights of the Revolu- in a great fire,” said the president, “all
tion.”—Scott, vol. 1, ch. 17. the fooleries which they have made the
human race commit.”—Journal of Paris,
Said the orator who introduced 1793, No. 318. Quoted in Buchez-Roux,
the worship of Reason: “Legislators! Collection of Parliamentary History, vol.
Fanaticism has given way to reason. Its 30, pp. 200, 201.
bleared eyes could not endure the bril-
liancy of the light. This day an immense It was popery that had begun the
concourse has assembled beneath those work which atheism was completing.
gothic vaults, which, for the first time, The policy of Rome had wrought out
re-echoed the truth. There the French those conditions, social, political, and
have celebrated the only true worship,— religious, that were hurrying France
that of Liberty, that of Reason. There we on to ruin. Writers, in referring to the
have formed wishes for the prosperity of horrors of the Revolution, say that these
the arms of the Republic. There we have excesses are to be charged upon the
abandoned inanimate idols for Reason, throne and the church. (See Appendix.)
for that animated image, the masterpiece In strict justice they are to be charged
of nature.”—M. A. Thiers, History of the upon the church. Popery had poisoned
French Revolution, vol. 2, pp. 370, 371. the minds of kings against the Refor-
mation, as an enemy to the crown, an

154 The Great Controversy

element of discord that would be fatal the people those principles of justice,
to the peace and harmony of the na- temperance, truth, equity, and benevo-
tion. It was the genius of Rome that by lence which are the very cornerstone
this means inspired the direst cruelty of a nation’s prosperity. “Righteousness
and the most galling oppression which exalteth a nation.” Thereby “the throne is
proceeded from the throne. established.” Proverbs 14:34; 16:12. “The
work of righteousness shall be peace;”
The spirit of liberty went with the and the effect, “quietness and assurance
Bible. Wherever the gospel was received, forever.” Isaiah 32:17. He who obeys the
the minds of the people were awakened. divine law will most truly respect and
They began to cast off the shackles that obey the laws of his country. He who
had held them bondslaves of ignorance, fears God will honor the king in the ex-
vice, and superstition. They began to ercise of all just and legitimate authority.
think and act as men. Monarchs saw it But unhappy France proh­ ibited the Bible
and trembled for their despotism. and banned its disciples. Century after
century, men of principle and integrity,
Rome was not slow to inflame men of intellectual acuteness and moral
their jealous fears. Said the pope to strength, who had the courage to avow
the regent of France in 1525: “This their convictions and the faith to suffer
mania [Protestantism] will not only for the truth—for centuries these men
confound and destroy religion, but all toiled as slaves in the galleys, perished
principalities, nobility, laws, orders, and at the stake, or rotted in dungeon cells.
ranks besides.”—G. de Felice, History Thousands upon thousands found
of the Protestants of France, b. 1, ch. 2, safety in flight; and this continued for
par. 8. A few years later a papal nuncio two hundred and fifty years after the
warned the king: “Sire, be not deceived. opening of the Reformation.
The Protestants will upset all civil as
well as religious order. … The throne is “Scarcely was there a generation
in as much danger as the altar. … The of Frenchmen during that long period
introduction of a new religion must nec- that did not witness the disciples of the
essarily introduce a new government.”— gospel fleeing before the insane fury of
D’Aubigne, History of the Reformation in the persecutor, and carrying with them
Europe in the Time of Calvin, b. 2, ch. 36. the intelligence, the arts, the industry,
And theologians appealed to the preju- the order, in which, as a rule, they pre-
dices of the people by declaring that the eminently excelled, to enrich the lands
Protestant doctrine “entices men away in which they found an asylum. And in
to novelties and folly; it robs the king of proportion as they replenished other
the devoted affection of his subjects, and countries with these good gifts, did they
devastates both church and state.” Thus empty their own of them. If all that was
Rome succeeded in arraying France now driven away had been retained in
against the Reformation. “It was to France; if, during these three hundred
uphold the throne, preserve the nobles, years, the industrial skill of the exiles had
and maintain the laws, that the sword been cultivating her soil; if, during these
of persecution was first unsheathed in three hundred years, their artistic bent
France.”—Wylie, b. 13, ch. 4. had been improving her manufactures;
if, during these three hundred years,
Little did the rulers of the land their creative genius and analytic power
foresee the results of that fateful policy. had been enriching her literature and
The teaching of the Bible would have
implanted in the minds and hearts of

The Bible and the French Revolution 155

cultivating her science; if their wisdom Saviour’s blessed lessons of self-sacrifice
had been guiding her councils, their and unselfish love. They had been led
bravery fighting her battles, their equity away from the practice of self-denial for
framing her laws, and the religion of the the good of others. The rich had found
Bible strengthening the intellect and no rebuke for their oppression of the
governing the conscience of her people, poor, the poor no help for their servi-
what a glory would at this day have en- tude and degradation. The selfishness
compassed France! What a great, pros- of the wealthy and powerful grew more
perous, and happy country—a pattern and more apparent and oppressive. For
to the nations—would she have been! centuries the greed and profligacy of
the noble resulted in grinding extortion
“But a blind and inexorable bigotry toward the peasant. The rich wronged
chased from her soil every teacher of the poor, and the poor hated the rich.
virtue, every champion of order, every
honest defender of the throne; it said In many provinces the estates were
to the men who would have made their held by the nobles, and the laboring
country a ‘renown and glory’ in the classes were only tenants; they were at
earth, Choose which you will have, a the mercy of their landlords and were
stake or exile. At last the ruin of the forced to submit to their exhorbitant
state was complete; there remained demands. The burden of supporting
no more conscience to be proscribed; both the church and the state fell upon
no more religion to be dragged to the the middle and lower classes, who were
stake; no more patriotism to be chased heavily taxed by the civil authorities and
into banishment.”—Wylie, b. 13, ch. 20. by the clergy. “The pleasure of the nobles
And the Revolution, with all its horrors, was considered the supreme law; the
was the dire result. farmers and the peasants might starve,
for aught their oppressors cared. … The
“With the flight of the Huguenots people were compelled at every turn
a general decline settled upon France. to consult the exclusive interest of the
Flourishing manufacturing cities fell landlord. The lives of the agricultural
into decay; fertile districts returned to laborers were lives of incessant work and
their native wildness; intellectual dull- unrelieved misery; their complaints, if
ness and moral declension succeeded they ever dared to complain, were treated
a period of unwonted progress. Paris with insolent contempt. The courts of
became one vast almshouse, and it is justice would always listen to a noble as
estimated that, at the breaking out of against a peasant; bribes were notori-
the Revolution, two hundred thousand ously accepted by the judges; and the
paupers claimed charity from the hands merest caprice of the aristocracy had the
of the king. The Jesuits alone flourished force of law, by virtue of this system of
in the decaying nation, and ruled with universal corruption. Of the taxes wrung
dreadful tyranny over churches and from the commonalty, by the secular
schools, the prisons and the galleys.” magnates on the one hand, and the clergy
on the other, not half ever found its way
The gospel would have brought to into the royal or episcopal treasury;
France the solution of those political the rest was squandered in profligate
and social problems that baffled the skill self-indulgence. And the men who thus
of her clergy, her king, and her legisla- impoverished their fellow subjects were
tors, and finally plunged the nation into themselves exempt from taxation, and
anarchy and ruin. But under the domi-
nation of Rome the people had lost the

156 The Great Controversy

entitled by law or custom to all the ap- policy she perceived that in order to
pointments of the state. The privileged enslave men effectually, the shackles
classes numbered a hundred and fifty must be bound upon their souls; that the
thousand, and for their gratification surest way to prevent them from escap-
millions were condemned to hopeless ing their bondage was to render them
and degrading lives.” (See Appendix.) incapable of freedom. A thousandfold
more terrible than the physical suffer-
The court was given up to luxury and ing which resulted from her policy, was
profligacy. There was little confidence ex- the moral degradation. Deprived of the
isting between the people and the rulers. Bible, and abandoned to the teachings of
Suspicion fastened upon all the measures bigotry and selfishness, the people were
of the government as designing and self- shrouded in ignorance and superstition,
ish. For more than half a century before and sunken in vice, so that they were
wholly unfitted for self-government.
Rome had misrepresented the
character of God and perverted But the outworking of all this was
His requirements, and now men widely different from what Rome had
rejected both the Bible and purposed. Instead of holding the masses
its Author. in a blind submission to her dogmas, her
the time of the Revolution the throne work resulted in making them infidels
was occupied by Louis XV, who, even in and revolutionists. Catholicism they
those evil times, was distinguished as an despised as priestcraft. They beheld the
indolent, frivolous, and sensual monarch. clergy as a party to their oppression.
With a depraved and cruel aristocracy and The only god they knew was the god
an impoverished and ignorant lower class, of Rome; her teaching was their only
the state financially embarrassed and the religion. They regarded her greed and
people exasperated, it needed no prophet’s cruelty as the legitimate fruit of the Bible,
eye to foresee a terrible impending out- and they would have none of it.
break. To the warnings of his counselors
the king was accustomed to reply: “Try Rome had misrepresented the char-
to make things go on as long as I am acter of God and perverted His require-
likely to live; after my death it may be as ments, and now men rejected both the
it will.” It was in vain that the necessity of Bible and its Author. She had required
reform was urged. He saw the evils, but a blind faith in her dogmas, under the
had neither the courage nor the power to pretended sanction of the Scriptures. In
meet them. The doom awaiting France the reaction, Voltaire and his associates
was but too truly pictured in his indolent cast aside God’s word altogether and
andselfishanswer, “After me, the deluge!” spread everywhere the poison of infidel-
ity. Rome had ground down the people
By working upon the jealousy of the under her iron heel; and now the masses,
kings and the ruling classes, Rome had degraded and brutalized, in their recoil
influenced them to keep the people in from her tyranny, cast off all restraint.
bondage, well knowing that the state Enraged at the glittering cheat to which
would thus be weakened, and purpos- they had so long paid homage, they re-
ing by this means to fasten both rulers jected truth and falsehood together; and
and people in her thrall. With farsighted mistaking license for liberty, the slaves of
vice exulted in their imagined freedom.

At the opening of the Revolution, by
a concession of the king, the people were

The Bible and the French Revolution 157

granted a representation exceeding that excited and maddened people. Their
of the nobles and the clergy combined. thirst for vengeance was only stimulated
Thus the balance of power was in their by the execution of the king; and those
hands; but they were not prepared to use who had decreed his death soon followed
it with wisdom and moderation. Eager him to the scaffold. A general slaughter
to redress the wrongs they had suffered, of all suspected of hostility to the Revolu-
they determined to undertake the recon- tion was determined. The prisons were
struction of society. An outraged popu- crowded, at one time containing more
lace, whose minds were filled with bitter than two hundred thousand captives.
and long-treasured memories of wrong, The cities of the kingdom were filled
resolved to revolutionize the state of with scenes of horror. One party of revo-
misery that had grown unbearable and lutionists was against another party, and
to avenge themselves upon those whom France became a vast field for contending
they regarded as the authors of their suf- masses, swayed by the fury of their pas-
ferings. The oppressed wrought out the sions. “In Paris one tumult succeeded an-
lesson they had learned under tyranny other, and the citizens were divided into
and became the oppressors of those who a medley of factions, that seemed intent
had oppressed them. on nothing but mutual extermination.”
And to add to the general misery, the
Unhappy France reaped in blood nation became involved in a prolonged
the harvest she had sown. Terrible were and devastating war with the great pow-
the results of her submission to the con-
trolling power of Rome. Where France, When the restraints of God’s law
under the influence of Catholicism, had were cast aside, it was found that
set up the first stake at the opening of the laws of man were inadequate
the Reformation, there the Revolution to hold in check the powerful tides
set up its first guillotine. On the very spot of human passion; and the nation
where the first martyrs to the Protestant swept on to revolt and anarchy.
faith were burned in the sixteenth cen- ers of Europe. “The country was nearly
tury, the first victims were guillotined in bankrupt, the armies were clamo­ ring for
the eighteenth. In repelling the gospel, arrears of pay, the Parisians were starving,
which would have brought her healing, the provinces were laid waste by brigands,
France had opened the door to infidelity and civilization was almost extinguished
and ruin. When the restraints of God’s in anarchy and license.”
law were cast aside, it was found that the
laws of man were inadequate to hold in All too well the people had learned
check the powerful tides of human pas- the lessons of cruelty and torture which
sion; and the nation swept on to revolt Rome had so diligently taught. A day
and anarchy. The war against the Bible of retribution at last had come. It was
inaugurated an era which stands in the not now the disciples of Jesus that were
world’s history as the Reign of Terror. thrust into dungeons and dragged to the
Peace and happiness were banished from stake. Long ago these had perished or
the homes and hearts of men. No one been driven into exile. Unsparing Rome
was secure. He who triumphed today now felt the deadly power of those whom
was suspected, condemned, tomorrow. she had trained to delight in deeds of
Violence and lust held undisputed sway.

King, clergy, and nobles were com-
pelled to submit to the atrocities of an

158 The Great Controversy

blood. “The example of persecution In the short space of ten years, multitudes
which the clergy of France had exhibited of human beings perished.
for so many ages, was now retorted upon
them with signal vigor. The scaffolds ran All this was as Satan would have it.
red with the blood of the priests. The gal- This was what for ages he had been work-
leys and the prisons, once crowded with ing to secure. His policy is deception from
Huguenots, were now filled with their first to last, and his steadfast purpose is to
persecutors. Chained to the bench and bring woe and wretchedness upon men,
toiling at the oar, the Roman Catholic to deface and defile the workmanship
clergy experienced all those woes which of God, to mar the divine purposes of
their church had so freely inflicted on benevolence and love, and thus cause
the gentle heretics.” (See Appendix.) grief in heaven. Then by his deceptive
arts he blinds the minds of men, and
“Then came those days when the leads them to throw back the blame of
most barbarous of all codes was admin­ his work upon God, as if all this misery
istered by the most barbarous of all were the result of the Creator’s plan. In
tribunals; when no man could greet his like manner, when those who have been
neighbors or say his prayers … without degraded and brutalized through his
danger of committing a capital crime; cruel power achieve their freedom, he
when spies lurked in every corner; when urges them on to excesses and atrocities.
the guillotine was long and hard at work Then this picture of unbridled license is
every morning; when the jails were filled pointed out by tyrants and oppressors
as close as the holds of a slave ship; when as an illustration of the results of liberty.
the gutters ran foaming with blood into
the Seine. … While the daily wagonloads When error in one garb has been
of victims were carried to their doom detected, Satan only masks it in a differ-
through the streets of Paris, the procon- ent disguise, and multitudes receive it as
suls, whom the sovereign committee had eagerly as at the first. When the people
sent forth to the de­part­ments, reveled in found Catholicism to be a deception,
an extravagance of cruelty unknown even and he could not through this agency
in the capital. The knife of the deadly ma- lead them to transgression of God’s law,
chine rose and fell too slow for their work he urged them to regard all religion as a
of slaughter. Long rows of captives were cheat, and the Bible as a fable; and, cast-
mowed down with grapeshot. Holes were ing aside the divine statutes, they gave
made in the bottom of crowded barges. themselves up to unbridled iniquity.
Lyons was turned into a desert. At Arras
even the cruel mercy of a speedy death The fatal error which wrought such
was denied to the prisoners. All down woe for the inhabitants of France was the
the Loire, from Saumur to the sea, great ignoring of this one great truth: that true
flocks of crows and kites feasted on na- freedom lies within the proscriptions
ked corpses, twined together in hideous of the law of God. “O that thou hadst
embraces. No mercy was shown to sex hearkened to My commandments! then
or age. The number of young lads and of had thy peace been as a river, and thy
girls of seventeen who were mur­dered righteousness as the waves of the sea.”
by that execrable government, is to be “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the
reckoned by hundreds. Babies torn from wicked.” “But whoso hearkeneth unto Me
the breast were tossed from pike to pike shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from
along the Jacobin ranks.” (See Appendix.) fear of evil.” Isaiah 48:18, 22; Proverbs 1:33.

Atheists, infidels, and apostates op-
pose and denounce God’s law; but the

The Bible and the French Revolution 159

results of their influence prove that the the wretchedness of men was permitted
well-being of man is bound up with his to work his will. Those who had chosen
obedience to the divine statutes. Those the service of rebellion were left to reap
who will not read the lesson from the its fruits until the land was filled with
book of God are bidden to read it in the crimes too horrible for pen to trace.
history of nations.
Atheists, infidels, and apostates
When Satan wrought through the oppose and denounce God’s law;
Roman Church to lead men away from but the results of their influence
obedience, his agency was concealed, prove that the well-being of man
and his work was so disguised that is bound up with his obedience to
the degradation and misery which the divine statutes. Those who will
resulted were not seen to be the fruit not read the lesson from the book
of transgression. And his power was so of God are bidden to read it in the
far counteracted by the working of the history of nations.
Spirit of God that his purposes were From devastated provinces and ruined
prevented from reaching their full frui- cities a terrible cry was heard—a cry of
tion. The people did not trace the effect bitterest anguish. France was shaken
to its cause and discover the source of as if by an earthquake. Religion, law,
their miseries. But in the Revolution the social order, the family, the state, and
law of God was openly set aside by the the church—all were smitten down by
National Council. And in the Reign of the impious hand that had been lifted
Terror which followed, the working of against the law of God. Truly spoke the
cause and effect could be seen by all. wise man: “The wicked shall fall by his
own wickedness.” “Though a sinner do
When France publicly rejected God evil a hundred times, and his days be
and set aside the Bible, wicked men and prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall
spirits of darkness exulted in their attain- be well with them that fear God, which
ment of the object so long desired—a fear before Him: but it shall not be well
kingdom free from the restraints of the with the wicked.” Proverbs 11:5; Eccle-
law of God. Because sentence against siastes 8:12, 13. “They hated knowledge,
an evil work was not speedily executed, and did not choose the fear of the Lord;”
therefore the heart of the sons of men “therefore shall they eat of the fruit of
was “fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesi- their own way, and be filled with their
astes 8:11. But the transgression of a just own devices.” Proverbs 1:29, 31.
and righteous law must inevitably result
in misery and ruin. Though not visited God’s faithful witnesses, slain by the
at once with judgments, the wickedness blasphemous power that “ascendeth out
of men was nevertheless surely working of the bottomless pit,” were not long to
out their doom. Centuries of apostasy remain silent. “After three days and a half
and crime had been treasuring up wrath the Spirit of life from God entered into
against the day of retribution; and when them, and they stood upon their feet;
their iniquity was full, the despisers of and great fear fell upon them which saw
God learned too late that it is a fearful them.” Revelation 11:11. It was in 1793
thing to have worn out the divine pa- that the decrees which abolished the
tience. The restraining Spirit of God,
which imposes a check upon the cruel
power of Satan, was in a great measure
removed, and he whose only delight is

160 The Great Controversy

Christian religion and set aside the Bible became dissatisfied with the results of
passed the French Assembly. Three years rationalism and realized the necessity
and a half later a resolution rescinding of divine revelation and experimental
these decrees, thus granting toleration religion. From this time the work of for-
to the Scriptures, was adopted by the eign missions attained an unprecedented
same body. The world stood aghast at growth. (See Appendix.)
the enormity of guilt which had resulted
from a rejection of the Sacred Oracles, The improvements in printing have
and men recognized the necessity of faith given an impetus to the work of circu-
in God and His word as the foundation lating the Bible. The increased facilities
of virtue and morality. Saith the Lord: for communication between different
“Whom hast thou reproached and blas- countries, the breaking down of ancient
phemed? and against whom hast thou barriers of prejudice and national exclu-
exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes siveness, and the loss of secular power
on high? even against the Holy One of by the pontiff of Rome have opened the
Israel,” Isaiah 37:23. “Therefore, behold, way for the entrance of the word of God.
I will cause them to know, this once will For some years the Bible has been sold
I cause them to know My hand and My without restraint in the streets of Rome,
might; and they shall know that My and it has now been carried to every part
name is Jehovah.” Jeremiah 16:21, A.R.V. of the habitable globe.

Concerning the two witnesses the The infidel Voltaire once boastingly
prophet declares further: “And they said: “I am weary of hearing people
heard a great voice from heaven say- repeat that twelve men established the
ing unto them, Come up hither. And Christian religion. I will prove that one
they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; man may suffice to overthrow it.” Gen-
and their enemies beheld them.” Rev- erations have passed since his death.
elation 11:12. Since France made war Millions have joined in the war upon
upon God’s two witnesses, they have the Bible. But it is so far from being
been honored as never before. In 1804 destroyed, that where there were a hun-
the British and Foreign Bible Society dred in Voltaire’s time, there are now ten
was organized. This was followed by thousand, yes, a hundred thousand cop-
similar organizations, with numerous ies of the book of God. In the words of an
branches, upon the continent of Europe. early Reformer concerning the Christian
In 1816 the American Bible Society was church, “The Bible is an anvil that has
founded. When the British Society was worn out many hammers.” Saith the
formed, the Bible had been printed and Lord: “No weapon that is formed against
circulated in fifty tongues. It has since thee shall prosper; and every tongue that
been translated into many hundreds of shall rise against thee in judgment thou
languages and dialects. (See Appendix.) shalt condemn.” Isaiah 54:17.

For the fifty years preceding 1792, “The word of our God shall stand
little attention was given to the work forever.” “All His commandments are
of foreign missions. No new societies sure. They stand fast for ever and ever,
were formed, and there were but few and are done in truth and uprightness.”
churches that made any effort for the Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 111:7, 8. Whatever is
spread of Christianity in heathen lands. built upon the authority of man will be
But toward the close of the eighteenth overthrown; but that which is founded
century a great change took place. Men upon the rock of God’s immutable word
shall stand forever.

CHAPTER 16

The Pilgrim Fathers

T he English Reformers, while re- Many earnestly desired to return
nouncingthedoctrinesofCathol- to the purity and simplicity which
icism, had retained many of its characterized the primitive church.
forms. Thus though the authority and the They regarded many of the established
creed of Rome were rejected, not a few customs of the English Church as monu-
of her customs and ceremonies were ments of idolatry, and they could not
incorporated into the worship of the in conscience unite in her worship. But
Church of England. It was claimed that the church, being supported by the civil
these things were not matters of con- authority, would permit no dissent from
science; that though they were not com- her forms. Attendance upon her service
manded in Scripture, and hence were was required by law, and unauthorized
nonessential, yet not being forbidden, assemblies for religious worship were
they were not intrinsically evil. Their prohibited, under penalty of imprison-
observance tended to narrow the gulf ment, exile, and death.
which separated the reformed churches
from Rome, and it was urged that they At the opening of the seventeenth
would promote the acceptance of the century the monarch who had just as-
Protestant faith by Catholic leaders. cended the throne of England declared
his determination to make the Puritans
To the conservative and compromis- “conform, or … harry them out of the
ing, these arguments seemed conclusive. land, or else worse.” George Bancroft,
But there was another class that did History of the United States of America,
not so judge. The fact that these cus- pt. 1, ch. 12, par. 6. Hunted, persecuted,
toms “tended to bridge over the chasm and imprisoned, they could discern in
between Rome and the Reformation” the future no promise of better days,
(Martyn, volume 5, page 22), was and many yielded to the conviction that
in their view a conclusive argument for such as would serve God accord-
against retaining them. They looked ing to the dictates of their conscience,
upon them as badges of the slavery “England was ceasing forever to be a
from which they had been delivered habitable place.”—J. G. Palfrey, History of
and to which they had no disposition New England, ch. 3, par. 43. Some at last
to return. They reasoned that God has determined to seek refuge in Holland.
in His word established the regulations Difficulties, losses, and imprisonment
governing His worship, and that men were encountered. Their purposes were
are not at liberty to add to these or to thwarted, and they were betrayed into
detract from them. The very beginning the hands of their enemies. But steadfast
of the great apostasy was in seeking to perseverance finally conquered, and
supplement the authority of God by that they found shelter on the friendly shores
of the church. Rome began by enjoin- of the Dutch Republic.
ing what God had not forbidden, and
she ended by forbidding what He had In their flight they had left their
explicitly enjoined. houses, their goods, and their means
of livelihood. They were strangers in a

162 The Great Controversy

strange land, among a people of different power in her behalf, to give to the world
language and customs. They were forced another evidence that He will not forsake
to resort to new and untried occupa- those who trust in Him. He had over-
tions to earn their bread. Middle-aged ruled events to cause the wrath of Satan
men, who had spent their lives in tilling and the plots of evil men to advance His
the soil, had now to learn mechanical glory and to bring His people to a place
trades. But they cheerfully accepted the of security. Persecution and exile were
situation and lost no time in idleness or opening the way to freedom.
repining. Though often pinched with
poverty, they thanked God for the bless- When first constrained to separate
ings which were still granted them and from the English Church, the Puritans
found their joy in unmolested spiritual had joined themselves together by a sol-
communion. “They knew they were emn covenant, as the Lord’s free people,
pilgrims, and looked not much on those “to walk together in all His ways made
things, but lifted up their eyes to heaven, known or to be made known to them.”—
their dearest country, and quieted their J. Brown, The Pilgrim Fathers, page 74.
spirits.”—Bancroft, pt. 1, ch. 12, par. 15. Here was the true spirit of reform, the
vital principle of Protestantism. It was
In the midst of exile and hardship with this purpose that the Pilgrims
their love and faith waxed strong. They departed from Holland to find a home
trusted the Lord’s promises, and He did in the New World. John Robinson,
not fail them in time of need. His angels their pastor, who was providentially
were by their side, to encourage and prevented from accompanying them,
support them. And when God’s hand in his farewell address to the exiles said:

“If God should reveal anything “Brethren, we are now erelong to
to you by any other instrument part asunder, and the Lord knoweth
of His, be as ready to receive it whether I shall live ever to see your
as ever you were to receive any faces more. But whether the Lord hath
truth of my ministry; for I am very appointed it or not, I charge you before
confident the Lord hath more truth God and His blessed angels to follow me
and light yet to break forth out of no farther than I have followed Christ.
His holy word.” If God should reveal anything to you by
seemed pointing them across the sea, to any other instrument of His, be as ready
a land where they might found for them- to receive it as ever you were to receive
selves a state, and leave to their children any truth of my ministry; for I am very
the precious heritage of religious liberty, confident the Lord hath more truth and
they went forward, without shrinking, light yet to break forth out of His holy
in the path of providence. word.”—Martyn, vol. 5, p. 70.

God had permitted trials to come “For my part, I cannot sufficiently
upon His people to prepare them for bewail the condition of the reformed
the accomplishment of His gracious churches, who are come to a period
purpose toward them. The church had in religion, and will go at present no
been brought low, that she might be farther than the instruments of their
exalted. God was about to display His reformation. The Lutherans cannot be
drawn to go beyond what Luther saw;
… and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast
where they were left by that great man
of God, who yet saw not all things. This

The Pilgrim Fathers 163

is a misery much to be lamented; for conception of that grand principle, the
though they were burning and shining outgrowth of the New Testament, which
lights in their time, yet they penetrated acknowledges God as the sole judge of
not into the whole counsel of God, but hduomctrainnefaitthha.”t—GIobdid.h, vaos l.c5o,mpm. 2i9tt7e.dThtoe
were they now living, would be as willing the church the right to control the con-
to embrace further light as that which science, and to define and punish heresy,
they first received.”—D. Neal, History of is one of the most deeply rooted of papal
the P“Rureimtaenms,bveorl.y1o,upr. 269. errors. While the Reformers rejected the
church covenant, creed of Rome, they were not entirely
in which you have agreed to walk in free from her spirit of intolerance. The
all the ways of the Lord, made or to be dense darkness in which, through the
made known unto you. Remember your long ages of her rule, popery had en-
promise and covenant with God and with veloped all Christendom, had not even
one another, to receive whatever light and yet been wholly dissipated. Said one of
truth shall be made known to you from the leading ministers in the colony of
His written word; but withal, take heed, Massachusetts Bay: “It was toleration
I beseech you, what you receive for truth, that made the world antichristian; and
and compare it and weigh it with other the church never took harm by the
scriptures of truth before you accept it; pp.u3n3is5h.mThenetroegf uhlearteiotincsw.”—asIabdido.p, tveodl.b5y,
for it is not possible the Christian world the colonists that only church members
should come so lately out of such thick should have a voice in the civil gov-
antichristian darkness, and that full ernment. A kind of state church was
perfection of knowledge should break formed, all the people being required to
forth at once.”—Martyn, vol. 5, pp. 70, 71. contribute to the support of the clergy,
It was the desire for liberty of and the magistrates being authorized to
conscience that inspired the Pilgrims suppress heresy. Thus the secular power
to brave the perils of the long journey was in the hands of the church. It was
across the sea, to endure the hardships not long before these measures led to the
and dangers of the wilderness, and with inevitable result—persecution.
God’s blessing to lay, on the shores of
America, the foundation of a mighty Eleven years after the planting of the
nation. Yet honest and God-fearing first colony, Roger Williams came to the
as they were, the Pilgrims did not yet New World. Like the early Pilgrims he
comprehend the great principle of came to enjoy religious freedom; but,
religious liberty. The freedom which unlike them, he saw—what so few in
they sacrificed so much to secure for his time had yet seen—that this freedom
themselves, they were not equally ready was the inalienable right of all, whatever
to grant to others. “Very few, even of might be their creed. He was an earnest
the foremost thinkers and moralists of seeker for truth, with Robinson holding
the seventeenth century, had any just

It was the desire for liberty of conscience that inspired the Pilgrims to brave
the perils of the long journey across the sea, to endure the hardships and
dangers of the wilderness, and with God’s blessing to lay, on the shores of
America, the foundation of a mighty nation.

164 The Great Controversy

it impossible that all the light from God’s denial of the right of civil magistrates
word had yet been received. Williams to authority over the church, and his
“was the first person in modern Chris- demand for religious liberty, could not
tendom to establish civil government be tolerated. The application of this new
on the doctrine of the liberty of con- doctrine, it was urged, would “subvert
science, the equality of opinions before the fundamental state and government
the law.”—Bancroft, pt. 1, ch. 15, par. of the country.”—Ibid., pt. 1, ch. 15,
16. He declared it to be the duty of the par. 10. He was sentenced to banish-
magistrate to restrain crime, but never ment from the colonies, and, finally, to
to control the conscience. “The public avoid arrest, he was forced to flee, amid
or the magistrates may decide,” he said, the cold and storms of winter, into the
“what is due from man to man; but when unbroken forest.
they attempt to prescribe a man’s duties
to God, they are out of place, and there “For fourteen weeks,” he says, “I
can be no safety; for it is clear that if the was sorely tossed in a bitter season, not
magistrates has the power, he may decree knowing what bread or bed did mean.”
one set of opinions or beliefs today and But “the ravens fed me in the wilder­
another tomorrow; as has been done in ness,” and a hollow tree often served
England by different kings and queens, him for a shelter.—Martyn, vol. 5, pp.
and by different popes and councils in 349, 350. Thus he continued his painful
the Roman Church; so that belief would flight through the snow and the track-
become a heap of confusion.”—Martyn, less forest, until he found refuge with an
vol. 5, p. 340. Indian tribe whose confidence and af-
fection he had won while endeavoring
Attendance at the services of the to teach them the truths of the gospel.
established church was required under
a penalty of fine or imprisonment. Making his way at last, after months
“Williams reprobated the law; the of change and wandering, to the shores
worst statute in the English code was of Narragansett Bay, he there laid the
that which did but enforce attendance foundation of the first state of modern
upon the parish church. To compel men times that in the fullest sense recognized
to unite with those of a different creed, the right of religious freedom. The fun-
he regarded as an open violation of their damental principle of Roger Williams’s
natural rights; to drag to public wor- colony was “that every man should have
ship the irreligious and the unwilling, liberty to worship God according to the
seemed only like requiring hypocrisy. light of his own conscience.”—Ibid., vol.
… ‘No one should be bound to wor- 5, p. 354. His little state, Rhode Island,
ship, or,’ he added, ‘to maintain a wor- became the asylum of the oppressed,
ship, against his own consent.’ ‘What!’ and it increased and prospered until its
exclaimed his antagonists, amazed at foundation principles—civil and reli-
his tenets, ‘is not the laborer worthy of gious liberty—became the cornerstones
his hire?’ ‘Yes,’ replied he, ‘from them of the American Republic.
that hire him.’ ”—Bancroft, pt. 1, ch.
15, par. 2. In that grand old document which
our forefathers set forth as their bill of
Roger Williams was respected and rights—the Declaration of Indepen-
beloved as a faithful minister, a man dence—they declared: “We hold these
of rare gifts, of unbending integrity truths to be self-evident, that all men are
and true benevolence; yet his steadfast created equal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable

The Pilgrim Fathers 165

rights; that among these are life, liberty, subsistence by a life of frugality and toil.
and the pursuit of happiness.” And the They asked nothing from the soil but the
Constitution guarantees, in the most reasonable returns of their own labor.
explicit terms, the inviolability of con- No golden vision threw a deceitful halo
science: “No religious test shall ever be around their path. … They were content
required as a qualification to any office with the slow but steady progress of their
of public trust under the United States.” social polity. They patiently endured the
“Congress shall make no law respecting privations of the wilderness, watering
an establishment of religion, or prohibit- the tree of liberty with their tears, and
ing the free exercise thereof.” with the sweat of their brow, till it took
deep root in the land.”
“The framers of the Constitution
recognized the eternal principle that The Bible was held as the foundation
man’s relation with his God is above of faith, the source of wisdom, and the
human legislation, and his rights of charter of liberty. Its principles were
conscience inalienable. Reasoning was diligently taught in the home, in the
not necessary to establish this truth; we school, and in the church, and its fruits
are conscious of it in our own bosoms. It were manifest in thrift, intelligence,
is this consciousness which, in defiance purity, and temperance. One might be
of human laws, has sustained so many for years a dweller in the Puritan settle-
martyrs in tortures and flames. They ment, “and not see a drunkard, or hear
felt that their duty to God was superior an oath, or meet a beggar.”—Bancroft,
to human enactments, and that man pt. 1, ch. 19, par. 25. It was demonstrated
could exercise no authority over their that the principles of the Bible are the
consciences. It is an inborn principle surest safeguards of national greatness.
which nothing can eradicate.”—Con- The feeble and isolated colonies grew to
gressional documents (U.S.A.), serial a confederation of powerful states, and
No. 200, document No. 271. the world marked with wonder the peace
and prosperity of “a church without a
As the tidings spread through the pope, and a state without a king.”
countries of Europe, of a land where
every man might enjoy the fruit of his But continually increasing numbers
own labor and obey the convictions of were attracted to the shores of America,
his own conscience, thousands flocked actuated by motives widely different
to the shores of the New World. Colonies from those of the first Pilgrims. Though
rapidly multiplied. “Massachusetts, by the primitive faith and purity exerted a
special law, offered free welcome and aid, widespread and molding power, yet its
at the public cost, to Christians of any influence became less and less as the
nationality who might fly beyond the numbers increased of those who sought
Atlantic ‘to escape from wars or famine, only worldly advantage.
or the oppression of their persecutors.’
Thus the fugitive and the downtrod- The regulation adopted by the early
den were, by statute, made the guests colonists, of permitting only members
of the commonwealth.”—Martyn, vol. of the church to vote or to hold office in
5, p. 417. In twenty years from the first the civil government, led to most perni-
landing at Plymouth, as many thousand cious results. This measure had been
Pilgrims were settled in New England. accepted as a means of preserving the
purity of the state, but it resulted in the
To secure the object which they corruption of the church. A profession of
sought, “they were content to earn a bare religion being the condition of suffrage

166 The Great Controversy

and officeholding, many, actuated solely need of reform in the Protestant churches
by motives of worldly policy, united with as in the Roman Church in the time of
the church without a change of heart. Luther. There was the same worldliness
Thus the churches came to consist, to and spiritual stupor, a similar reverence
a considerable extent, of unconverted for the opinions of men, and substitution
persons; and even in the ministry of human theories for the teachings of
were those who not only held errors of God’s word.
doctrine, but who were ignorant of the
renewing power of the Holy Spirit. Thus The wide circulation of the Bible
again was demonstrated the evil results, in the early part of the nineteenth
so often witnessed in the history of the century, and the great light thus shed
church from the days of Constantine upon the world, was not followed by a
to the present, of attempting to build corresponding advance in knowledge
up the church by the aid of the state, of of revealed truth, or in experimental
appealing to the secular power in sup- religion. Satan could not, as in former
port of the gospel of Him who declared: ages, keep God’s word from the people;
“My kingdom is not of this world.” John it had been placed within the reach of
18:36. The union of the church with the all; but in order still to accomplish his
state, be the degree ever so slight, while object, he led many to value it but lightly.
it may appear to bring the world nearer Men neglected to search the Scriptures,
to the church, does in reality but bring and thus they continued to accept false
the church nearer to the world. interpretations, and to cherish doctrines
which had no foundation in the Bible.
The great principle so nobly advo-
cated by Robinson and Roger Williams, Seeing the failure of his efforts to
that truth is progressive, that Christians crush out the truth by persecution,
should stand ready to accept all the light Satan had again resorted to the plan of
which may shine from God’s holy word, compromise which led to the great apos-
was lost sight of by their descendants. tasy and the formation of the Church
The Protestant churches of America,— of Rome. He had induced Christians to
and those of Europe as well,—so highly ally themselves, not now with pagans,
favored in receiving the blessings of the but with those who, by their devotion
Reformation, failed to press forward to the things of this world, had proved
in the path of reform. Though a few themselves to be as truly idolaters as
faithful men arose, from time to time, were the worshipers of graven images.
to proclaim new truth and expose long- And the results of this union were no
cherished error, the majority, like the less pernicious now than in former
Jews in Christ’s day or the papists in the ages; pride and extravagance were fos-
time of Luther, were content to believe as tered under the guise of religion, and
their fathers had believed and to live as the churches became corrupted. Satan
they had lived. Therefore religion again continued to pervert the doctrines of
degenerated into formalism; and errors the Bible, and traditions that were to
and superstitions which would have been ruin millions were taking deep root. The
cast aside had the church continued to church was upholding and defending
walk in the light of God’s word, were these traditions, instead of contending
retained and cherished. Thus the spirit for “the faith which was once delivered
inspired by the Reformation gradually unto the saints.” Thus were degraded the
died out, until there was almost as great principles for which the Reformers had
done and suffered so much.

CHAPTER 17

Heralds of the Morning

O ne of the most solemn and yet dwelt upon it in words glowing with
most glorious truths revealed celestial fire. The psalmist sang of the
in the Bible is that of Christ’s power and majesty of Israel’s King: “Out
second coming to complete the great of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God
work of redemption. To God’s pilgrim hath shined. Our God shall come, and
people, so long left to sojourn in “the shall not keep silence. … He shall call
region and shadow of death,” a pre- to the heavens from above, and to the
cious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the earth, that He may judge His people.”
promise of His appearing, who is “the Psalm 50:2-4. “Let the heavens rejoice,
resurrection and the life,” to “bring home and let the earth be glad … before the
again His banished.” The doctrine of the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to
second advent is the very keynote of the judge the earth: He shall judge the world
Sacred Scriptures. From the day when with righteousness, and the people with
the first pair turned their sorrowing His truth.” Psalm 96:11-13.
steps from Eden, the children of faith
have waited the coming of the Promised Said the prophet Isaiah: “Awake and
One to break the destroyer’s power and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is
bring them again to the lost Paradise. as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall
Holy men of old looked forward to the cast out the dead.” “Thy dead men shall
advent of the Messiah in glory, as the live, together with my dead body shall
consummation of their hope. Enoch, they arise.” “He will swallow up death
only the seventh in descent from them in victory; and the Lord God will wipe
that dwelt in Eden, he who for three away tears from off all faces; and the
centuries on earth walked with his God, rebuke of His people shall He take away
was permitted to behold from afar the from off all the earth: for the Lord hath
coming of the Deliverer. “Behold,” he de- spoken it. And it shall be said in that
clared, “the Lord cometh with ten thou- day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited
sands of His saints, to execute judgment for Him, and He will save us: this is the
upon all.” Jude 14, 15. The patriarch Job Lord; we have waited for Him, we will
in the night of his affliction exclaimed be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
with unshaken trust: “I know that my Isaiah 26:19; 25:8, 9.
Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand
at the latter day upon the earth: … in my And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision,
flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see beheld His appearing. “God came from
for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, Teman, and the Holy One from Mount
and not another.” Job 19:25-27. Paran. His glory covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of His praise.
The coming of Christ to usher in And His brightness was as the light.”
the reign of righteousness has inspired “He stood, and measured the earth: He
the most sublime and impassioned beheld, and drove asunder the nations;
utterances of the sacred writers. The and the everlasting mountains were scat-
poets and prophets of the Bible have tered, the perpetual hills did bow: His
ways are everlasting.” “Thou didst ride

168 The Great Controversy

upon Thine horses and Thy chariots of Says the prophet of Patmos: “Behold,
salvation.” “The mountains saw Thee, He cometh with clouds; and every eye
and they trembled: … the deep uttered shall see Him.” Revelation 1:7.
his voice, and lifted up his hands on
high. The sun and moon stood still in About His coming cluster the glories
their habitation: at the light of Thine of that “restitution of all things, which
arrows they went, and at the shining God hath spoken by the mouth of all His
of Thy glittering spear.” “Thou wentest holy prophets since the world began.”
forth for the salvation of Thy people, Acts 3:21. Then the long-continued rule
even for salvation with Thine anointed.” of evil shall be broken; “the kingdoms of
Habakkuk 3:3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13. this world” will become “the kingdoms
of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He
When the Saviour was about to be shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation
separated from His disciples, He com- 11:15. “The glory of the Lord shall be re-
forted them in their sorrow with the vealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”
assurance that He would come again: “The Lord God will cause righteousness
“Let not your heart be troubled. … In and praise to spring forth before all the
My Father’s house are many mansions. nations.” He shall be “for a crown of
… I go to prepare a place for you. And glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto
if I go and prepare a place for you, I the residue of His people.” Isaiah 40:5;
will come again, and receive you unto 61:11; 28:5.
Myself.” John 14:1-3. “The Son of man
shall come in His glory, and all the holy It is then that the peaceful and long-
angels with Him.” “Then shall He sit desired kingdom of the Messiah shall
upon the throne of His glory: and be- be established under the whole heaven.
fore Him shall be gathered all nations.” “The Lord shall comfort Zion: He will
Matthew 25:31, 32. comfort all her waste places; and He will
make her wilderness like Eden, and her
The angels who lingered upon Olivet desert like the garden of the Lord.” “The
after Christ’s ascension repeated to the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it,
disciples the promise of His return: the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.”
“This same Jesus, which is taken up “Thou shalt no more be termed For-
from you into heaven, shall so come saken; neither shall thy land any more be
in like manner as ye have seen Him go termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called
into heaven.” Acts 1:11. And the apostle My Delight, and thy land Beulah.” “As the
Paul, speaking by the Spirit of Inspira- bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so
tion, testified: “The Lord Himself shall shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah
descend from heaven with a shout, with 51:3; 35:2; 62:4, 5, margin.
the voice of the Archangel, and with the
trump of God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The coming of the Lord has been in
all ages the hope of His true followers.

The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers.
The Saviour’s parting promise upon Olivet, that He would come again, lighted
up the future for His disciples, filling their hearts with joy and hope that
sorrow could not quench nor trials dim. Amid suffering and persecution,
the “appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” was the
“blessed hope.”

Heralds of the Morning 169

The Saviour’s parting promise upon Redeemer’s appearing as the hope of the
Olivet, that He would come again, churLcuht.h—erIdbeidc.l,arpeadg:e“sI1p3e2r-s1u3a4d.e myself
lighted up the future for His disciples, verily, that the day of judgment will not
filling their hearts with joy and hope be absent full three hundred years. God
that sorrow could not quench nor tri- will not, cannot, suffer this wicked world
als dim. Amid suffering and persecu- much longer.” “The great day is drawing
tion, the “appearing of the great God near in which the kingdom of abomina-
and our Saviour Jesus Christ” was the tions shall be overthrown.”—Ibid., pages
“blessed hope.” When the Thessalonian 158, 134.
Christians were filled with grief as
they buried their loved ones, who had “This aged world is not far from its
hoped to live to witness the coming of end,” said Melanchthon. Calvin bids
the Lord, Paul, their teacher, pointed Christians “not to hesitate, ardently
them to the resurrection, to take place desiring the day of Christ’s coming as of
at the Saviour’s advent. Then the dead all events most auspicious;” and declares
in Christ should rise, and together with that “the whole family of the faithful will
the living be caught up to meet the keep in view that day.” “We must hunger
Lord in the air. “And so,” he said, “shall after Christ, we must seek, contemplate,”
we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore he says, “till the dawning of that great
comfort one another with these words.” day, when our Lord will fully manifest
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. the glory of His kingdom.”—Ibid., pages
158, 134.
On rocky Patmos the beloved “Has not the Lord Jesus carried up
disciple hears the promise, “Surely I our flesh into heaven?” said Knox, the
come quickly,” and his longing response Scotch Reformer, “and shall He not
voices the prayer of the church in all her return? We know that He shall return,
pilgrimage, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” and that with expedition.” Ridley and
Revelation 22:20.
From the dungeon, the stake, the Latimer, who laid down their lives for
scaffold, where saints and martyrs the truth, looked in faith for the Lord’s
witnessed for the truth, comes down coming. Ridley wrote: “The world
the centuries the utterance of their without doubt—this I do believe, and
faith and hope. Being “assured of His therefore I say it—draws to an end. Let
personal resurrection, and consequently us with John, the servant of God, cry
of their own at His coming, for this in our hearts unto our Saviour Christ,
cause,” says one of these Christians, Come, Lord Jesus, come.”—Ibid., pages
“they despised death, and were found 151, 145.
to be above it.”—Daniel T. Taylor, The “The thoughts of the coming of the
Reign of Christ on Earth: or, The Voice Lord,” said Baxter, “are most sweet and
of the Church in All Ages, page 33. They joyful to me.”—Richard Baxter, Works
were willing to go down to the grave, ,vol. 17, p. 555. “It is the work of faith
that they lmooigkhetd“froisretfhreee“.”L—orIdbitdo.,cpoamgee and the character of His saints to love His
54. They appearing and to look for that blessed
from heaven in the clouds with the glory hope.” “If death be the last enemy to be
of His Father,” “bringing to the just the destroyed at the resurrection, we may
times of the kingdom.” The Waldenses learn how earnestly believers should
cherished the same faith.—Ibid., pages long and pray for the second coming of
129-132. Wycliffe looked forward to the Christ, when this full and final conquest

170 The Great Controversy

shall be made.”—Ibid., vol. 17, p. 500. Spain and Africa engulfing cities and
“This is the day that all believers should causing great destruction.
long, and hope, and wait for, as being
the accomplishment of all the work of It was in Spain and Portugal that the
their redemption, and all the desires shock manifested its extreme violence.
and endeavors of their souls.” “Hasten, At Cadiz the inflowing wave was said
O Lord, this blessed day!”—Ibid., vol. to be sixty feet high. Mountains, “some
17, pp. 182, 183. Such was the hope of of the largest in Portugal, were impetu-
the apostolic church, of the “church in ously shaken, as it were, from their very
the wilderness,” and of the Reformers. foundations, and some of them opened

Prophecy not only foretells the Prophecy not only foretells the
manner and object of Christ’s coming, manner and object of Christ’s
but presents tokens by which men are coming, but presents tokens by
to know when it is near. Said Jesus: which men are to know when
“There shall be signs in the sun, and in it is near. … These signs were
the moon, and in the stars.” Luke 21:25. witnessed before the opening
“The sun shall be darkened, and the of the nineteenth century. In
moon shall not give her light, and the fulfillment of this prophecy there
stars of heaven shall fall, and the pow- occurred, in the year 1755, the
ers that are in heaven shall be shaken. most terrible earthquake that has
And then shall they see the Son of man ever been recorded.
coming in the clouds with great power at their summits, which were split and
and glory.” Mark 13:24-26. The revelator rent in a wonderful manner, huge masses
thus describes the first of the signs to of them being thrown down into the
precede the second advent: “There was adjacent valleys. Flames are related to
a great earthquake; and the sun became have issued from these mountains.”—
black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon Sir Charles Lyell, Principles of Geology,
became as blood.” Revelation 6:12. page 495.

These signs were witnessed before At Lisbon “a sound of thunder was
the opening of the nineteenth century. heard underground, and immediately
In fulfillment of this prophecy there afterwards a violent shock threw down
occurred, in the year 1755, the most the greater part of that city. In the course
terrible earthquake that has ever been of about six minutes sixty thousand per-
recorded. Though commonly known as sons perished. The sea first retired, and
the earthquake of Lisbon, it extended to laid the bar dry; it then rolled in, rising
the greater part of Europe, Africa, and fifty feet or more above its ordinary lev-
America. It was felt in Greenland, in the el.” “Among other extraordinary events
West Indies, in the island of Madeira, related to have occurred at Lisbon dur-
in Norway and Sweden, Great Britain ing the catastrophe, was the subsidence
and Ireland. It pervaded an extent of of a new quay, built entirely of marble, at
not less than four million square miles. an immense expense. A great concourse
In Africa the shock was almost as severe of people had collected there for safety,
as in Europe. A great part of Algiers was as a spot where they might be beyond
destroyed; and a short distance from the reach of falling ruins; but suddenly
Morocco, a village containing eight or
ten thousand inhabitants was swallowed
up. A vast wave swept over the coast of

Heralds of the Morning 171

the quay sank down with all the people “In those days, after that tribulation, the
on it, and not one of the dead bodies ever sun shall be darkened, and the moon
floated to the surface.”—Ibid., page 495. shall not give her light.” Mark 13:24.
The 1260 days, or years, terminated
“The shock” of the earthquake “was in 1798. A quarter of a century earlier,
instantly followed by the fall of every persecution had almost wholly ceased.
church and convent, almost all the large Following this persecution, according
public buildings, and more than one to the words of Christ, the sun was to
fourth of the houses. In about two hours be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780,
after the shock, fires broke out in differ- this prophecy was fulfilled.
ent quarters, and raged with such vio-
lence for the space of nearly three days, “Almost, if not altogether alone, as
that the city was completely desolated. the most mysterious and as yet unex-
The earthquake happened on a holy- plained phenomenon of its kind, …
day, when the churches and convents stands the dark day of May 19, 1780,—a
were full of people, very few of whom most unaccountable darkening of the
escaped.”—Encyclopedia Americana, art. whole visible heavens and atmosphere
“Lisbon,” note (ed. 1831). “The terror in New England.”—R. M. Devens, Our
of the people was beyond description. First Century, page 89.
Nobody wept; it was beyond tears. They
ran hither and thither, delirious with An eyewitness living in Massachu-
horror and astonishment, beating their setts describes the event as follows: “In
faces and breasts, crying, ‘Misericordia! the morning the sun rose clear, but
the world’s at an end!’ Mothers forgot was soon overcast. The clouds became
their children, and ran about loaded lowery, and from them, black and omi-
with crucifixed images. Unfortunately, nous, as they soon appeared, lightning
many ran to the churches for protection; flashed, thunder rolled, and a little rain
but in vain was the sacrament exposed; fell. Toward nine o’clock, the clouds
in vain did the poor creatures embrace became thinner, and assumed a brassy
the altars; images, priests, and people or coppery appearance, and earth, rocks,
were buried in one common ruin.” It trees, buildings, water, and persons
has been estimated that ninety thousand were changed by this strange, unearthly
persons lost their lives on that fatal day. light. A few minutes later, a heavy black
cloud spread over the entire sky except
Twenty-five years later appeared the a narrow rim at the horizon, and it was
next sign mentioned in the prophecy— as dark as it usually is at nine o’clock on
the darkening of the sun and moon. a summer evening. …
What rendered this more striking was
the fact that the time of its fulfillment “Fear, anxiety, and awe gradually
had been definitely pointed out. In the filled the minds of the people. Women
Saviour’s conversation with His disciples stood at the door, looking out upon the
upon Olivet, after describing the long dark landscape; men returned from
period of trial for the church,—the 1260 their labor in the fields; the carpenter
years of papal persecution, concerning left his tools, the blacksmith his forge,
which He had promised that the tribu- the tradesman his counter. Schools were
lation should be shortened,—He thus dismissed, and tremblingly the children
mentioned certain events to precede fled homeward. Travelers put up at the
His coming, and fixed the time when nearest farmhouse. ‘What is coming?’
the first of these should be witnessed: queried every lip and heart. It seemed as
if a hurricane was about to dash across

172 The Great Controversy

the land, or as if it was the day of the north as far as the American settlements
consummation of all things. extend.”—William Gordon, History of
the Rise, Progress, and Establishment
“Candles were used; and hearth o3f, pth. e57I.ndependence of the U.S.A., vol.
fires shone as brightly as on a moonless
evening in autumn. … Fowls retired to The intense darkness of the day was
their roosts and went to sleep, cattle succeeded, an hour or two before eve-
gathered at the pasture bars and lowed, ning, by a partially clear sky, and the sun
frogs peeped, birds sang their evening appeared, though it was still obscured by
songs, and bats flew about. But the hu- the black, heavy mist. “After sundown,
man knew that night had not come. … the clouds came again overhead, and
it grew dark very fast.” “Nor was the
Christ had bidden His people watch darkness of the night less uncommon
for the signs of His advent and and terrifying than that of the day;
rejoice as they should behold the notwithstanding there was almost a full
tokens of their coming King. “When moon, no object was discernible but by
these things begin to come to pass,” the help of some artificial light, which,
He said, “then look up, and lift up when seen from the neighboring houses
your heads; for your redemption and other places at a distance, appeared
draweth nigh.” through a kind of Egyptian darkness
which seemed almost impervious to the
“Dr. Nathanael Whittaker, pastor Srapyys;.”—or,IsAaimaheriTchanomOarsa, cMleaossfacLhibuesrettyts,
of the Tabernacle church in Salem, vol. 10, No. 472 (May 25, 1780). Said
held religious services in the meeting- an eyewitness of the scene: “I could
house, and preached a sermon in which not help conceiving at the time, that if
he maintained that the darkness was every luminous body in the universe
supernatural. Congregations came to- had been shrouded in impenetrable
gether in many other places. The texts shades, or struck out of existence, the
for the extemporaneous sermons were darkness could not have been more com-
invariably those that seemed to indicate plete.”—Letter by Dr. Samuel Tenney,
that the darkness was consonant with of Exeter, New Hampshire, December,
Scriptural prophecy. … The darkness 1785 (in Massachusetts Historical Society
was most dense shortly after eleven Collections, 1792, 1st series, vol. 1, p.
o’clock.”—The Essex Antiquarian, April, 97). Though at nine o’clock that night
1899, vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 53, 54. “In most the moon rose to the full, “it had not
parts of the country it was so great in the least effect to dispel the deathlike
the daytime, that the people could not shadows.” After midnight the darkness
tell the hour by either watch or clock, disappeared, and the moon, when first
nor dine, nor manage their domestic visible, had the appearance of blood.
business, without the light of candles. …
May 19, 1780, stands in history as
“The extent of this darkness was “The Dark Day.” Since the time of Moses
extraordinary. It was observed as far east no period of darkness of equal density,
as Falmouth. To the westward it reached extent, and duration, has ever been re-
to the farthest part of Connecticut, and corded. The description of this event, as
to Albany. To the southward, it was ob- given by eyewitnesses, is but an echo of
served along the seacoasts; and to the the words of the Lord, recorded by the

Heralds of the Morning 173

prophet Joel, twenty-five hundred years seemed to be within the reach of all, led
previous to their fulfillment: “The sun men to center their interests and hopes
shall be turned into darkness, and the on the things of this life, and to put far
moon into blood, before the great and in the future that solemn day when the
terrible day of the Lord come.” Joel 2:31. present order of things should pass away.

Christ had bidden His people watch When the Saviour pointed out to
for the signs of His advent and rejoice as His followers the signs of His return,
they should behold the tokens of their He foretold the state of backsliding that
coming King. “When these things begin would exist just prior to His second
to come to pass,” He said, “then look up, advent. There would be, as in the days
and lift up your heads; for your redemp- of Noah, the activity and stir of worldly
tion draweth nigh.” He pointed His fol- business and pleasure seeking—buying,
lowers to the budding trees of spring, selling, planting, building, marrying,
and said: “When they now shoot forth, and giving in marriage—with forgetful-
ye see and know of your own selves that ness of God and the future life. For those
summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise living at this time, Christ’s admonition
ye, when ye see these things come to pass, is: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any
know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh time your hearts be overcharged with
at hand.” Luke 21:28, 30, 31. surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares
of this life, and so that day come upon
But as the spirit of humility and de- you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and
votion in the church had given place to pray always, that ye may be accounted
pride and formalism, love for Christ and worthy to escape all these things that
faith in His coming had grown cold. Ab- shall come to pass, and to stand before
sorbed in worldliness and pleasure seek- the Son of man.” Luke 21:34, 36.
ing, the professed people of God were
blinded to the Saviour’s instructions The condition of the church at this
concerning the signs of His appearing. time is pointed out in the Saviour’s words
The doctrine of the second advent had in the Revelation: “Thou hast a name
been neglected; the scriptures relating to that thou livest, and art dead.” And to
it were obscured by misinterpretation, those who refuse to arouse from their
until it was, to a great extent, ignored and careless security, the solemn warning is
forgotten. Especially was this the case in addressed: “If therefore thou shalt not
the churches of America. The freedom watch, I will come on thee as a thief,
and comfort enjoyed by all classes of and thou shalt not know what hour I
society, the ambitious desire for wealth will come upon thee.” Revelation 3:1, 3.
and luxury, begetting an absorbing
devotion to money-making, the eager It was needful that men should be
rush for popularity and power, which awakened to their danger; that they
should be roused to prepare for the

Absorbed in worldliness and pleasure seeking, the professed people of
God were blinded to the Saviour’s instructions concerning the signs of His
appearing. The doctrine of the second advent had been neglected; the
scriptures relating to it were obscured by misinterpretation, until it was,
to a great extent, ignored and forgotten. Especially was this the case in the
churches of America.

174 The Great Controversy

solemn events connected with the O my soul, the sound of the trumpet,
close of probation. The prophet of God the alarm of war. Destruction upon
declares: “The day of the Lord is great destruction is cried.” Jeremiah 4:19, 20.
and very terrible; and who can abide
it?” Who shall stand when He appeareth “That day is a day of wrath, a day of
who is “of purer eyes than to behold trouble and distress, a day of wasteness
evil,” and cannot “look on iniquity”? and desolation, a day of darkness and
Joel 2:11; Habakkuk 1:13. To them that gloominess, a day of clouds and thick
cry, “My God, we know Thee,” yet have darkness, a day of the trumpet and
transgressed His covenant, and hastened alarm.” Zephaniah 1:15, 16. “Behold,
after another god, hiding iniquity in the day of the Lord cometh, … to lay
their hearts, and loving the paths of the land desolate: and He shall destroy
unrighteousness—to these the day of the sinners thereof out of it.” Isaiah 13:9.
the Lord is “darkness, and not light,
even very dark, and no brightness in In view of that great day the word
of God, in the most solemn and impres-
To prepare a people to stand in the sive language, calls upon His people to
day of God, a great work of reform arouse from their spiritual lethargy and
was to be accomplished. God saw to seek His face with repentance and
that many of His professed people humiliation: “Blow ye the trumpet in
were not building for eternity, and Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy
in His mercy He was about to send mountain: let all the inhabitants of the
a message of warning to arouse land tremble: for the day of the Lord
them from their stupor. cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” “Sanctify
it.” Hosea 8:2, 1; Psalm 16;4; Amos 5:20. a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather
“It shall come to pass at that time,” saith the people, sanctify the congregation,
the Lord, “that I will search Jerusalem assemble the elders, gather the children:
with candles, and punish the men that … let the bridegroom go forth of his
are settled on their lees: that say in chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
their heart, The Lord will not do good, Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord,
neither will He do evil.” Zephaniah 1:12. weep between the porch and the altar.”
“I will punish the world for their evil, “Turn ye even to Me with all your heart,
and the wicked for their iniquity; and I and with fasting, and with weeping, and
will cause the arrogancy of the proud to with mourning: and rend your heart,
cease, and will lay low the haughtiness and not your garments, and turn unto
of the terrible.” Isaiah 13:11. “Neither the Lord your God: for He is gracious
their silver nor their gold shall be able to and merciful, slow to anger, and of great
deliver them;” “their goods shall become kindness.” Joel 2:1, 15-17, 12, 13.
a booty, and their houses a desolation.”
Zephaniah 1:18, 13. To prepare a people to stand in the
day of God, a great work of reform was to
The prophet Jeremiah, looking for- be accomplished. God saw that many of
ward to this fearful time, exclaimed: “I His professed people were not building
am pained at my very heart. … I cannot for eternity, and in His mercy He was
hold my peace, because thou hast heard, about to send a message of warning to
arouse them from their stupor and lead
them to make ready for the coming of
the Lord.

This warning is brought to view
in Revelation 14. Here is a threefold

Heralds of the Morning 175

message represented as proclaimed by diligently and prayerfully searching
heavenly beings and immediately fol- the Scriptures, they would have known
lowed by the coming of the Son of man the time of night; the prophecies would
to reap “the harvest of the earth.” The have opened to them the events about to
first of these warnings announces the take place. But they did not occupy this
approaching judgment. The prophet position, and the message was given by
beheld an angel flying “in the midst of humbler men. Said Jesus: “Walk while ye
heaven, having the everlasting gospel have the light, lest darkness come upon
to preach unto them that dwell on the you.” John 12:35. Those who turn away
earth, and to every nation, and kindred, from the light which God has given, or
and tongue, and people, saying with a who neglect to seek it when it is within
loud voice, Fear God, and give glory their reach, are left in darkness. But the
to Him; for the hour of His judgment Saviour declares: “He that followeth Me
is come: and worship Him that made shall not walk in darkness, but shall have
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the the light of life.” John 8:12. Whoever is
fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6, 7. with singleness of purpose seeking to
do God’s will, earnestly heeding the
This message is declared to be a light already given, will receive greater
part of “the everlasting gospel.” The light; to that soul some star of heavenly
work of preaching the gospel has not radiance will be sent to guide him into
been committed to angels, but has been all truth.
entrusted to men. Holy angels have been
employed in directing this work, they At the time of Christ’s first advent
have in charge the great movements the priests and scribes of the Holy City,
for the salvation of men; but the actual to whom were entrusted the oracles of
proclamation of the gospel is performed God, might have discerned the signs of
by the servants of Christ upon the earth. the times and proclaimed the coming
of the Promised One. The prophecy
Faithful men, who were obedient to of Micah designated His birthplace;
the promptings of God’s Spirit and the Daniel specified the time of His advent.
teachings of His word, were to proclaim Micah 5:2; Daniel 9:25. God committed
this warning to the world. They were these prophecies to the Jewish leaders;
those who had taken heed to the “sure they were without excuse if they did not
word of prophecy,” the “light that shineth know and declare to the people that the
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and Messiah’s coming was at hand. Their ig-
the daystar arise.” 2 Peter 1:19. They norance was the result of sinful neglect.
had been seeking the knowledge of God The Jews were building monuments for
more than all hid treasures, counting it the slain prophets of God, while by their
“better than the merchandise of silver, deference to the great men of earth they
and the gain thereof than fine gold.” were paying homage to the servants of
Proverbs 3:14. And the Lord revealed to Satan. Absorbed in their ambitious strife
them the great things of the kingdom. for place and power among men, they
“The secret of the Lord is with them lost sight of the divine honors proffered
that fear Him; and He will show them them by the King of heaven.
His covenant.” Psalm 25:14.
With profound and reverent inter-
It was not the scholarly theologians est the elders of Israel should have been
who had an understanding of this studying the place, the time, the circum-
truth, and engaged in its proclamation. stances, ofthegreatesteventintheworld’s
Had these been faithful watchmen,

176 The Great Controversy

history—the coming of the Son of God to voices addressing the people or making
accomplish the redemption of man. All boastful prayers at the corners of the
the people should have been watching streets. In the palaces of kings, in the as-
and waiting that they might be among the semblies of philosophers, in the schools of
first to welcome the world’s Redeemer. the rabbis, all are alike unmindful of the
But, lo, at Bethlehem two weary travel- wondrous fact which has filled all heaven
ers from the hills of Nazareth traverse with joy and praise—that the Redeemer
the whole length of the narrow street to of men is about to appear upon the earth.
the eastern extremity of the town, vainly
seeking a place of rest and shelter for the There is no evidence that Christ is ex-
night. No doors are open to receive them. pected, and no preparation for the Prince
In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, of life. In amazement the celestial mes-
they at last find refuge, and there the senger is about to return to heaven with
Saviour of the world is born. the shameful tidings, when he discovers
a group of shepherds who are watching
Heavenly angels had seen the glory their flocks by night, and, as they gaze
which the Son of God shared with the into the starry heavens, are contemplat-
Father before the world was, and they ing the prophecy of a Messiah to come
had looked forward with intense interest to earth, and longing for the advent of
to His appearing on earth as an event the world’s Redeemer. Here is a company
fraught with the greatest joy to all people. that is prepared to receive the heavenly
Angels were appointed to carry the glad message. And suddenly the angel of the
tidings to those who were prepared to Lord appears, declaring the good tidings
receive it and who would joyfully make of great joy. Celestial glory floods all
it known to the inhabitants of the earth. the plain, an innumerable company of
Christ had stooped to take upon Himself
man’s nature; He was to bear an infinite Oh, what a lesson is this
weight of woe as He should make His wonderful story of Bethlehem!
soul an offering for sin; yet angels desired How it rebukes our unbelief, our
that even in His humiliation the Son of pride and self-sufficiency. How it
the Highest might appear before men warns us to beware, lest by our
with a dignity and glory befitting His criminal indifference we also fail
character. Would the great men of earth to discern the signs of the times,
assemble at Israel’s capital to greet His and therefore know not the day of
coming? Would legions of angels present our visitation.
Him to the expectant company? angels is revealed, and as if the joy were
too great for one messenger to bring from
An angel visits the earth to see who heaven, a multitude of voices break forth
are prepared to welcome Jesus. But he in the anthem which all the nations of
can discern no tokens of expectancy. the saved shall one day sing: “Glory to
He hears no voice of praise and triumph God in the highest, and on earth peace,
that the period of Messiah’s coming is at good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.
hand. The angel hovers for a time over
the chosen city and the temple where Oh, what a lesson is this wonderful
the divine presence has been manifested story of Bethlehem! How it rebukes our
for ages; but even here is the same indif- unbelief, our pride and self-sufficiency.
ference. The priests, in their pomp and
pride, are offering polluted sacrifices in
the temple. The Pharisees are with loud

Heralds of the Morning 177

How it warns us to beware, lest by our lift their voices to proclaim Him near, the
criminal indifference we also fail to dis- first to warn the people to prepare for His
cern the signs of the times, and therefore coming. But they were at ease, dreaming
know not the day of our visitation. of peace and safety, while the people were
asleep in their sins. Jesus saw His church,
It was not alone upon the hills of like the barren fig tree, covered with pre-
Judea, not among the lowly shepherds tentious leaves, yet destitute of precious
only, that angels found the watch- fruit. There was a boastful observance
ers for Messiah’s coming. In the land of the forms of religion, while the spirit
of the heathen also were those that of true humility, penitence, and faith—
looked for Him; they were wise men, which alone could render the service
rich and noble, the philosophers of the acceptable to God—was lacking. Instead
East. Students of nature, the Magi had of the graces of the Spirit there were
seen God in His handiwork. From the manifested pride, formalism, vainglory,
Hebrew Scriptures they had learned of selfishness, and oppression. A backslid-
the Star to arise out of Jacob, and with ing church closed their eyes to the signs
eager desire they awaited His coming, of the times. God did not forsake them,
who should be not only the “Consola- or suffer His faithfulness to fail; but they
tion of Israel,” but a “Light to lighten the departed from Him, and separated them-
Gentiles,” and “for salvation unto the selves from His love. As they refused to
ends of the earth.” Luke 2:25, 32; Acts comply with the conditions, His promises
13:47. They were seekers for light, and were not fulfilled to them.
light from the throne of God illumined
the path for their feet. While the priests Such is the sure result of neglect to
and rabbis of Jerusalem, the appointed appreciate and improve the light and
guardians and expounders of the truth, privileges which God bestows. Unless
were shrouded in darkness, the Heaven- the church will follow on in His open-
sent star guided these Gentile strangers ing providence, accepting every ray of
to the birthplace of the newborn King. light, performing every duty which may
be revealed, religion will inevitably de-
It is “unto them that look for Him” generate into the observance of forms,
that Christ is to “appear the second time and the spirit of vital godliness will dis-
without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews appear. This truth has been repeatedly
9:28. Like the tidings of the Saviour’s illustrated in the history of the church.
birth, the message of the second advent God requires of His people works of
was not committed to the religious faith and obedience corresponding to
leaders of the people. They had failed the blessings and privileges bestowed.
to preserve their connection with God, Obedience requires a sacrifice and in-
and had refused light from heaven; volves a cross; and this is why so many of
therefore they were not of the number the professed followers of Christ refused
described by the apostle Paul: “But ye, to receive the light from heaven, and,
brethren, are not in darkness, that that like the Jews of old, knew not the time of
day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are their visitation. Luke 19:44. Because of
all the children of light, and the children their pride and unbelief the Lord passed
of the day: we are not of the night, nor of them by and revealed His truth to those
darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5. who, like the shepherds of Bethlehem
and the Eastern Magi, had given heed
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion to all the light they had received.
should have been the first to catch the
tidings of the Saviour’s advent, the first to

CHAPTER 18

An American Reformer

A n upright, honest-hearted farm- civil and military offices with credit, and
er, who had been led to doubt the avenues to wealth and honor seemed
the divine authority of the Scrip- wide open to him.
tures, yet who sincerely desired to know
the truth, was the man specially chosen His mother was a woman of sterling
of God to lead out in the proclamation of piety, and in childhood, he had been
Christ’s second coming. Like many other subject to religious impressions. In early
reformers, William Miller had in early childhood, however, he was thrown into
life battled with poverty and had thus the society of deists, whose influence
learned the great lessons of energy and was the stronger from the fact that they
self-denial. The members of the family were mostly good citizens and men of
from which he sprang were character- humane and benevolent disposition.
ized by an independent, liberty-loving Living, as they did, in the midst of
spirit, by capability of endurance, and Christian institutions, their characters
ardent patriotism—traits which were had been to some extent molded by
also prominent in his character. His their surroundings. For the excellencies
father was a captain in the army of the which won them respect and confidence
Revolution, and to the sacrifices which they were indebted to the Bible; and yet
he made in the struggles and sufferings these good gifts were so perverted as to
of that stormy period may be traced exert an influence against the word of
the straitened circumstances of Miller’s God. By association with these men,
early life. Miller was led to adopt their senti-
ments. The current interpretations of
He had a sound physical consti- Scripture presented difficulties which
tution, and even in childhood gave seemed to him insurmountable; yet his
evidence of more than ordinary intel- new belief, while setting aside the Bible,
lectual strength. As he grew older, this offered nothing better to take its place,
became more marked. His mind was and he remained far from satisfied. He
active and well developed, and he had continued to hold these views, however,
a keen thirst for knowledge. Though for about twelve years. But at the age of
he did not enjoy the advantages of a thirty-four the Holy Spirit impressed his
collegiate education, his love of study heart with a sense of his condition as a
and a habit of careful thought and close sinner. He found in his former belief
criticism rendered him a man of sound no assurance of happiness beyond the
judgment and comprehensive views. grave. The future was dark and gloomy.
He possessed an irreproachable moral Referring afterward to his feelings at this
character and an enviable reputation, time, he said:
being generally esteemed for integrity,
thrift, and benevolence. By dint of en- “Annihilation was a cold and chilling
ergy and application he early acquired a thought, and accountability was sure
competence, though his habits of study destruction to all. The heavens were
were still maintained. He filled various as brass over my head, and the earth
as iron under my feet. Eternity—what

An American Reformer 179

was it? And death—why was it? The thousand; and the Scriptures, which
more I reasoned, the further I was from before were dark and contradictory, now
demonstration. The more I thought, the became the lamp to my feet and light to
more scattered were my conclusions. I my path. My mind became settled and
tried to stop thinking, but my thoughts satisfied. I found the Lord God to be a
would not be controlled. I was truly Rock in the midst of the ocean of life. The
wretched, but did not understand the Bible now became my chief study, and
cause. I murmured and complained, I can truly say, I searched it with great
but knew not of whom. I knew that delight. I found the half was never told
there was a wrong, but knew not how me. I wondered why I had not seen its
or where to find the right. I mourned, beauty and glory before, and marveled
but without hope.” that I could have ever rejected it. I found
everything revealed that my heart could
In this state he continued for some desire, and a remedy for every disease of
months. “Suddenly,” he says, “the the soul. I lost all taste for other reading,
character of a Saviour was vividly im- and applied my heart to get wisdom from
pressed upon my mind. It seemed that God.”—S. Bliss, Memoirs of Wm. Miller,
there might be a being so good and pages 65-67.
compassionate as to himself atone for
our transgressions, and thereby save us Miller publicly professed his faith in
from suffering the penalty of sin. I im- the religion which he had despised. But
mediately felt how lovely such a being his infidel associates were not slow to
must be, and imagined that I could cast bring forward all those arguments which
myself into the arms of, and trust in the he himself had often urged against the
mercy of, such a one. But the question divine authority of the Scriptures. He
arose, How can it be proved that such a was not then prepared to answer them;
being does exist? Aside from the Bible, but he reasoned that if the Bible is a rev-
I found that I could get no evidence of elation from God, it must be consistent
the existence of such a Saviour, or even with itself; and that as it was given for
of a future state. … man’s instruction, it must be adapted
to his understanding. He determined
“I saw that the Bible did bring to to study the Scriptures for himself, and
view just such a Saviour as I needed; ascertain if every apparent contradiction
and I was perplexed to find how an un- could not be harmonized.
inspired book should develop principles
so perfectly adapted to the wants of a Endeavoring to lay aside all precon-
fallen world. I was constrained to admit ceived opinions, and dispensing with
that the Scriptures must be a revelation commentaries, he compared scripture
from God. They became my delight; and with scripture by the aid of the mar-
in Jesus I found a friend. The Saviour ginal references and the concordance.
became to me the chiefest among ten He pursued his study in a regular and

“I saw that the Bible did bring to view just such a Saviour as I needed; and I
was perplexed to find how an uninspired book should develop principles so
perfectly adapted to the wants of a fallen world. I was constrained to admit
that the Scriptures must be a revelation from God. They became my delight;
and in Jesus I found a friend.”

180 The Great Controversy

methodical manner; beginning with connection, or the terms in which they
Genesis, and reading verse by verse, he were expressed were defined in other
proceeded no faster than the meaning scriptures, and when thus explained,
of the several passages so unfolded as to were to be literally understood. “I was
leave him free from all embarrassment. thus satisfied,” he says, “that the Bible is a
When he found anything obscure, system of revealed truths, so clearly and
it was his custom to compare it with simply given that the wayfaring man,
every other text which seemed to have though a fool, need not err therein.”—
any reference to the matter under con- Bliss, page 70. Link after link of the chain
of truth rewarded his efforts, as step by
With intense interest he studied the step he traced down the great lines of
books of Daniel and the Revelation, prophecy. Angels of heaven were guiding
employing the same principles his mind and opening the Scriptures to
of interpretation as in the other his understanding.
scriptures, and found, to his great
joy, that the prophetic symbols Taking the manner in which the
could be understood. prophecies had been fulfilled in the past
sideration. Every word was permitted as a criterion by which to judge of the ful-
to have its proper bearing upon the fillment of those which were still future,
subject of the text, and if his view of it he became satisfied that the popular
harmonized with every collateral pas- view of the spiritual reign of Christ—a
sage, it ceased to be a difficulty. Thus temporal millennium before the end of
whenever he met with a passage hard to the world—was not sustained by the
be understood he found an explanation word of God. This doctrine, pointing
in some other portion of the Scriptures. to a thousand years of righteousness
As he studied with earnest prayer for and peace before the personal coming
divine enlightenment, that which had of the Lord, put far off the terrors of
before appeared dark to his understand- the day of God. But, pleasing though it
ing was made clear. He experienced may be, it is contrary to the teachings of
the truth of the psalmist’s words: “The Christ and His apostles, who declared
entrance of Thy words giveth light; it that the wheat and the tares are to grow
giveth understanding unto the simple.” together until the harvest, the end of
Psalm 119:130. the world; that “evil men and seducers
shall wax worse and worse;” that “in
With intense interest he studied the last days perilous times shall come;”
the books of Daniel and the Revela- and that the kingdom of darkness shall
tion, employing the same principles of continue until the advent of the Lord
interpretation as in the other scriptures, and shall be consumed with the spirit
and found, to his great joy, that the pro- of His mouth and be destroyed with
phetic symbols could be understood. He the brightness of His coming. Mat-
saw that the prophecies, so far as they thew 13:30, 38-41; 2 Timothy 3:13, 1;
had been fulfilled, had been fulfilled 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
literally; that all the various figures,
metaphors, parables, similitudes, etc., The doctrine of the world’s conver-
were either explained in their immediate sion and the spiritual reign of Christ was
not held by the apostolic church. It was
not generally accepted by Christians un-
til about the beginning of the eighteenth
century. Like every other error, its results

An American Reformer 181

were evil. It taught men to look far in the Not until the personal advent of
future for the coming of the Lord and Christ can His people receive the king-
prevented them from giving heed to the dom. The Saviour said: “When the Son
signs heralding His approach. It induced of man shall come in His glory, and all
a feeling of confidence and security that the holy angels with Him, then shall He
was not well founded and led many to sit upon the throne of His glory: and
neglect the preparation necessary in before Him shall be gathered all nations:
order to meet their Lord. and He shall separate them one from
another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep
Miller found the literal, personal from the goats: and He shall set the sheep
coming of Christ to be plainly taught on His right hand, but the goats on the
in the Scriptures. Says Paul: “The Lord left. Then shall the King say unto them
Himself shall descend from heaven with on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of
a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, My Father, inherit the kingdom pre-
and with the trump of God.” 1 Thessa- pared for you from the foundation of
lonians 4:16. And the Saviour declares: the world.” Matthew 25:31-34. We have
“They shall see the Son of man coming seen by the scriptures just given that
in the clouds of heaven with power and when the Son of man comes, the dead
great glory.” “For as the lightning cometh are raised incorruptible and the living
out of the east, and shineth even unto are changed. By this great change they
the west; so shall also the coming of the are prepared to receive the kingdom;
Son of man be.” Matthew 24:30, 27. He for Paul says: “Flesh and blood cannot
is to be accompanied by all the hosts of inherit the kingdom of God; neither
heaven. “The Son of man shall come in doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
His glory, and all the holy angels with 1 Corinthians 15:50. Man in his pres-
Him.” Matthew 25:31. “And He shall ent state is mortal, corruptible; but the
send His angels with a great sound of a kingdom of God will be incorruptible,
trumpet, and they shall gather together enduring forever. Therefore man in his
His elect.” Matthew 24:31. present state cannot enter into the king-
dom of God. But when Jesus comes, He
At His coming the righteous dead confers immortality upon His people;
will be raised, and the righteous living and then He calls them to inherit the
will be changed. “We shall not all sleep,” kingdom of which they have hitherto
says Paul, “but we shall all be changed, been only heirs.
in a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet These and other scriptures clearly
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised proved to Miller’s mind that the events
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. which were generally expected to take
For this corruptible must put on incor- place before the coming of Christ, such
ruption, and this mortal must put on as the universal reign of peace and the
immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. setting up of the kingdom of God upon
And in his letter to the Thessalonians, the earth, were to be subsequent to the
after describing the coming of the Lord, second advent. Furthermore, all the
he says: “The dead in Christ shall rise signs of the times and the condition
first: then we which are alive and remain of the world corresponded to the pro-
shall be caught up together with them in phetic description of the last days. He
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: was forced to the conclusion, from the
and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” study of Scripture alone, that the period
1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

182 The Great Controversy

allotted for the continuance of the earth place in human history clearly pointed
in its present state was about to close. out in the Scriptures of truth.

“Another kind of evidence that “As I was fully convinced,” says
vitally affected my mind,” he says, “was Miller, “that all Scripture given by inspi-
the chronology of the Scriptures. … I ration of God is profitable (2 Timothy
found that predicted events, which had 3:16); that it came not at any time by
been fulfilled in the past, often occurred the will of man, but was written as holy
within a given time. The one hundred men were moved by the Holy Ghost (2
and twenty years to the flood (Genesis Peter 1:21), and was written ‘for our
6:3); the seven days that were to precede learning, that we through patience and
it, with forty days of predicted rain comfort of the Scriptures might have
(Genesis 7:4); the four hundred years of hope’ (Romans 15:4), I could but regard
the sojourn of Abraham’s seed (Genesis the chronological portions of the Bible
15:13); the three days of the butler’s and as being as much a portion of the word
baker’s dreams (Genesis 40:12-20); the of God, and as much entitled to our seri-
seven years of Pharaoh’s (Genesis 41:28- ous consideration, as any other portion
54); the forty years in the wilderness of the Scriptures. I therefore felt that in
(Numbers 14:34); the three and a half endeavoring to comprehend what God
years of famine (1 Kings 17:1) [see Luke had in His mercy seen fit to reveal to us,
4:25;] … the seventy years’ captivity (Jer- I had no right to pass over the prophetic
emiah 25:11); Nebuchadnezzar’s seven periods.”—Bliss, page 75.
times (Daniel 4:13-16); and the seven
weeks, threescore and two weeks, and The prophecy which seemed most
the one week, making seventy weeks, clearly to reveal the time of the second
determined upon the Jews (Daniel 9:24- advent was that of Daniel 8:14: “Unto
27),—the events limited by these times two thousand and three hundred days;
were all once only a matter of prophecy, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
and were fulfilled in accordance with Following his rule of making Scripture
the predictions.”—Bliss, pages 74, 75. its own interpreter, Miller learned that
a day in symbolic prophecy represents
When, therefore, he found, in his a year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6); he
study of the Bible, various chronologi- saw that the period of 2300 prophetic
cal periods that, according to his un- days, or literal years, would extend far
derstanding of them, extended to the beyond the close of the Jewish dispen-
second coming of Christ, he could not sation, hence it could not refer to the
but regard them as the “times before sanctuary of that dispensation. Miller
appointed,” which God had revealed accepted the generally received view
unto His servants. “The secret things,” that in the Christian age the earth is the
says Moses, “belong unto the Lord our sanctuary, and he therefore understood
God: but those things which are revealed that the cleansing of the sanctuary
belong unto us and to our children foretold in Daniel 8:14 represented the
forever;” and the Lord declares by the purification of the earth by fire at the
prophet Amos, that He “will do nothing, second coming of Christ. If, then, the
but He revealeth His secret unto His correct starting point could be found
servants the prophets.” Deuteronomy for the 2300 days, he concluded that the
29:29; Amos 3:7. The students of God’s time of the second advent could be read-
word may, then, confidently expect to ily ascertained. Thus would be revealed
find the most stupendous event to take the time of that great consummation,

An American Reformer 183

the time when the present state, with that from the going forth of the com-
“all its pride and power, pomp and mandment to restore and to build
vanity, wickedness and oppression, Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince
would come to an end;” when the curse shall be seven weeks, and threescore
would be “removed from off the earth, and two weeks: the street shall be built
death be destroyed, reward be given to again, and the wall, even in troublous
the servants of God, the prophets and times. And after threescore and two
saints, and them who fear His name, weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not
and those be destroyed that destroy the for Himself. … And He shall confirm the
earth.”—Bliss, page 76. covenant with many for one week: and
in the midst of the week He shall cause
With a new and deeper earnestness, the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.”
Miller continued the examination of
the prophecies, whole nights as well The angel had been sent to Daniel for
as days being devoted to the study of the express purpose of explaining to him
what now appeared of such stupendous the point which he had failed to under-
importance and all-absorbing interest. stand in the vision of the eighth chapter,
In the eighth chapter of Daniel he could the statement relative to time—“unto
find no clue to the starting point of the two thousand and three hundred days;
2300 days; the angel Gabriel, though then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
commanded to make Daniel understand After bidding Daniel “understand the
the vision, gave him only a partial ex- matter, and consider the vision,” the very
planation. As the terrible persecution first words of the angel are: “Seventy
to befall the church was unfolded to the weeks are determined upon thy people
prophet’s vision, physical strength gave and upon thy Holy City.” The word here
way. He could endure no more, and the translated “determined” literally signi-
angel left him for a time. Daniel “fainted, fies “cut off.” Seventy weeks, represent-
and was sick certain days.” “And I was ing 490 years, are declared by the angel
astonished at the vision,” he says, “but to be cut off, as specially pertaining to
none understood it.” the Jews. But from what were they cut
off? As the 2300 days was the only period
Yet God had bidden His messenger: of time mentioned in chapter 8, it must
“Make this man to understand the vi- be the period from which the seventy
sion.” That commission must be fulfilled. weeks were cut off; the seventy weeks
In obedience to it, the angel, some time must therefore be a part of the 2300 days,
afterward, returned to Daniel, saying: “I and the two periods must begin together.
am now come forth to give thee skill and The seventy weeks were declared by the
understanding;” “therefore understand angel to date from the going forth of
the matter, and consider the vision.” Dan- the commandment to restore and build
iel 8:27, 16; 9:22, 23, 25-27. There was one Jerusalem. If the date of this command-
important point in the vision of chapter ment could be found, then the starting
8 which had been left unexplained, point for the great period of the 2300
namely, that relating to time—the period days would be ascertained.
of the 2300 days; therefore the angel, in
resuming his explanation, dwells chiefly In the seventh chapter of Ezra the
upon the subject of time: decree is found. Verses 12-26. In its com-
pletest form it was issued by Artaxerxes,
“Seventy weeks are determined king of Persia, 457 B.C. But in Ezra 6:14
upon thy people and upon thy Holy the house of the Lord at Jerusalem is said
City. … Know therefore and understand,

184 The Great Controversy

to have been built “according to the com- the good tidings of the kingdom, the
mandment [“decree,” margin] of Cyrus, Saviour’s direction was: “Go not into
and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of the way of the Gentiles, and into any
Persia.” These three kings, in originating, city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but
reaffirming, and completing the decree, go rather to the lost sheep of the house
brought it to the perfection required of Israel.” Matthew 10:5, 6.
by the prophecy to mark the beginning
of the 2300 years. Taking 457 B.C., the “In the midst of the week He shall
time when the decree was completed, cause the sacrifice and the oblation
as the date of the commandment, every to cease.” In A.D. 31, three and a half
specification of the prophecy concern- years after His baptism, our Lord was
ing the seventy weeks was seen to have crucified. With the great sacrifice of-
been fulfilled. fered upon Calvary, ended that system
of offerings which for four thousand
“From the going forth of the com- years had pointed forward to the Lamb
mandment to restore and to build of God. Type had met antitype, and
Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince all the sacrifices and oblations of the
shall be seven weeks, and threescore and ceremonial system were there to cease.
two weeks”—namely, sixty-nine weeks,
or 483 years. The decree of Artaxerxes The seventy weeks, or 490 years,
went into effect in the autumn of 457 especially allotted to the Jews, ended,
B.C. From this date, 483 years extend as we have seen, in A.D. 34. At that
to the autumn of A.D. 27. (See Ap- time, through the action of the Jewish
pendix.) At that time this prophecy was Sanhedrin, the nation sealed its rejec-
fulfilled. The word “Messiah” signifies tion of the gospel by the martyrdom
“the Anointed One.” In the autumn of of Stephen and the persecution of the
A.D. 27 Christ was baptized by John and followers of Christ. Then the message
received the anointing of the Spirit. The of salvation, no longer restricted to the
apostle Peter testifies that “God anointed chosen people, was given to the world.
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost The disciples, forced by persecution
and with power.” Acts 10:38. And the to flee from Jerusalem, “went every-
Saviour Himself declared: “The Spirit of where preaching the word.” “Philip
the Lord is upon Me, because He hath went down to the city of Samaria, and
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the preached Christ unto them.” Peter, di-
poor.” Luke 4:18. After His baptism He vinely guided, opened the gospel to the
went into Galilee, “preaching the gospel centurion of Caesarea, the God-fearing
of the kingdom of God, and saying, The Cornelius; and the ardent Paul, won to
time is fulfilled.” Mark 1:14, 15. the faith of Christ, was commissioned
to carry the glad tidings “far hence unto
“And He shall confirm the covenant the Gentiles.” Acts 8:4, 5; 22:21.
with many for one week.” The “week”
here brought to view is the last one of Thus far every specification of the
the seventy; it is the last seven years of prophecies is strikingly fulfilled, and the
the period allotted especially to the Jews. beginning of the seventy weeks is fixed
During this time, extending from A.D. beyond question at 457 B.C., and their
27 to A.D. 34, Christ, at first in person expiration in A.D. 34. From this data
and afterward by His disciples, extended there is no difficulty in finding the ter-
the gospel invitation especially to the mination of the 2300 days. The seventy
Jews. As the apostles went forth with weeks—490 days—having been cut off
from the 2300, there were 1810 days

An American Reformer 185

remaining. After the end of 490 days, me in its teachings, had been dissipated
the 1810 days were still to be fulfilled. from my mind before the clear light that
From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. now dawned from its sacred pages; and,
Consequently the 2300 days of Daniel oh, how bright and glorious the truth
8:14 terminate in 1844. At the expiration appeared! All the contradictions and
of this great prophetic period, upon inconsistencies I had before found in
the testimony of the angel of God, “the the word were gone; and although there
sanctuary shall be cleansed.” Thus the were many portions of which I was not
time of the cleansing of the sanctuary— satisfied I had a full understanding, yet
which was almost universally believed so much light had emanated from it to
to take place at the second advent—was the illumination of my before darkened
definitely pointed out. mind, that I felt a delight in studying
the Scripture which I had not before
Miller and his associates at first be- supposed could be derived from its
lieved that the 2300 days would termin­ ate teachings.”—Bliss, pages 76, 77.
in the spring of 1844, whereas the prophecy
points to the autumn of that year. (See Ap- “With the solemn conviction that
pendix.)Themisapprehensionofthispoint such momentous events were predicted
broughtdisappointm­ entandperplexityto in the Scriptures to be fulfilled in so
those who had fixed upon the earlier date short a space of time, the question came
as the time of the Lord’s coming. But this home to me with mighty power regard-
did not in the least affect the strength of ing my duty to the world, in view of
the argument showing that the 2300 days the evidence that had affected my own
terminated in the year 1844, and that the mind.”—Ibid., page 81. He could not
great event represented by the cleansing of but feel that it was his duty to impart to
the sanctuary must then take place. others the light which he had received.
He expected to encounter opposition
Entering upon the study of the from the ungodly, but was confident
Scriptures as he had done, in order to that all Christians would rejoice in the
prove that they were a revelation from hope of meeting the Saviour whom
God, Miller had not, at the outset, the they professed to love. His only fear was
slightest expectation of reaching the that in their great joy at the prospect
conclusion at which he had now ar- of glorious deliverance, so soon to be
rived. He himself could hardly credit consummated, many would receive the
the results of his investigation. But the doctrine without sufficiently examining
Scripture evidence was too clear and the Scriptures in demons­tration of its
forcible to be set aside. truth. He therefore hesitated to present
it, lest he should be in error and be the
He had devoted two years to the means of misleading others. He was thus
study of the Bible, when, in 1818, he led to review the evidences in support of
reached the solemn conviction that in the conclusions at which he had arrived,
about twenty-five years Christ would and to consider carefully every difficulty
appear for the redemption of His people. which presented itself to his mind. He
“I need not speak,” says Miller, “of the joy found that objections vanished before
that filled my heart in view of the delight- the light of God’s word, as mist before the
ful prospect, nor of the ardent longings of rays of the sun. Five years spent thus left
my soul for a participation in the joys of him fully convinced of the correctness
the redeemed. The Bible was now to me a of his position.
new book. It was indeed a feast of reason;
all that was dark, mystical, or obscure to

186 The Great Controversy

And now the duty of making known he saw the widespread interest excited
to others what he believed to be so by his words.
clearly taught in the Scriptures, urged
itself with new force upon him. “When It was only at the solicitation of his
I was about my business,” he said, “it brethren, in whose words he heard the
was continually ringing in my ears, ‘Go call of God, that Miller consented to
and tell the world of their danger.’ This present his views in public. He was now
text was constantly occurring to me: fifty years of age, unaccustomed to pub-
‘When I say unto the wicked, O wicked lic speaking, and burdened with a sense
man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost of unfitness for the work before him. But
not speak to warn the wicked from his from the first his labors were blessed in
way, that wicked man shall die in his a remarkable manner to the salvation of
iniquity; but his blood will I require at souls. His first lecture was followed by
thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn a religious awakening in which thirteen
the wicked of his way to turn from entire families, with the exception of
it; if he do not turn from his way, he two persons, were converted. He was
shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast immediately urged to speak in other
delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 33:8, 9. I felt places, and in nearly every place his labor
that if the wicked could be effectually resulted in a revival of the work of God.
warned, multitudes of them would re- Sinners were converted, Christians were
pent; and that if they were not warned, roused to greater consecration, and de-
their blood might be required at my ists and infidels were led to acknowledge
hand.”—Bliss, page 92. the truth of the Bible and the Christian
religion. The testimony of those among
He began to present his views in pri- whom he labored was: “A class of minds
vate as he had opportunity, praying that are reached by him not within the influ-
some minister might feel their force and ence of other men.”—Ibid., page 138.
devote himself to their promulgation. His preaching was calculated to arouse
But he could not banish the conviction the public mind to the great things
that he had a personal duty to perform of religion and to check the growing
in giving the warning. The words were worldliness and sensuality of the age.
ever recurring to his mind: “Go and tell
it to the world; their blood will I require In nearly every town there were
at thy hand.” For nine years he waited, scores, in some, hundreds, converted
the burden still pressing upon his soul, as a result of his preaching. In many
until in 1831 he for the first time publicly places Protestant churches of nearly all
gave the reasons of his faith. denominations were thrown open to
him, and the invitations to labor usually
As Elisha was called from follow- came from the ministers of the several
ing his oxen in the field, to receive the congregations. It was his invariable rule
mantle of consecration to the prophetic not to labor in any place to which he
office, so was William Miller called to had not been invited, yet he soon found
leave his plow and open to the people the himself unable to comply with half the
mysteries of the kingdom of God. With requests that poured in upon him. Many
trembling he entered upon his work, who did not accept his views as to the
leading his hearers down, step by step, exact time of the second advent were
through the prophetic periods to the convinced of the certainty and nearness
second appearing of Christ. With every of Christ’s coming and their need of
effort he gained strength and courage as preparation. In some of the large cities

An American Reformer 187

his work produced a marked impression. John in the Revelation declared, as he
Liquor dealers abandoned the traffic and beheld in vision the scenes that should
turned their shops into meeting rooms; herald the day of God: “The stars of
gambling dens were broken up; infidels, heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig
deists, Universalists, and even the most tree casteth her untimely figs, when she
abandoned profligates were reformed, is shaken of a mighty wind.” Revelation
some of whom had not entered a house 6:13. This prophecy received a striking
of worship for years. Prayer meetings and impressive fulfillment in the great
were established by the various denomi- meteoric shower of November 13, 1833.
nations, in different quarters, at almost That was the most extensive and wonder-
every hour, businessmen assembling at ful display of falling stars which has ever
midday for prayer and praise. There was been recorded; “the whole firmament,
no extravagant excitement, but an almost over all the United States, being then, for
universal solemnity on the minds of the hours, in fiery commotion! No celestial
people. His work, like that of the early phenomenon has ever occurred in this
Reformers, tended rather to convince the country, since its first settlement, which
understanding and arouse the conscience was viewed with such intense admiration
than merely to excite the emotions. by one class in the community, or with
so much dread and alarm by another.”
In 1833 Miller received a license “Its sublimity and awful beauty still
to preach, from the Baptist Church, of linger in many minds. … Never did rain
which he was a member. A large number fall much thicker than the meteors fell
of the ministers of his denomination toward the earth; east, west, north, and
also approved his work, and it was with south, it was the same. In a word, the
their formal sanction that he continued whole heavens seemed in motion. …
his labors. He traveled and preached The display, as described in Professor Sil-
unceasingly, though his personal labors liman’s Journal, was seen all over North
were confined principally to the New America. … From two o’clock until broad
England and Middle States. For several daylight, the sky being perfectly serene
years his expenses were met wholly from and cloudless, an incessant play of daz-
his own private purse, and he never zlingly brilliant luminosities was kept up
afterward received enough to meet the in the whole heavens.”—R. M. Devens,
expense of travel to the places where he American Progress; or, The Great Events
was invited. Thus his public labors, so of the Greatest Century, ch. 28, pars. 1-5.
far from being a pecuniary benefit, were
a heavy tax upon his property, which “No language, indeed, can come
gradually diminished during this period up to the splendor of that magnificent
of his life. He was the father of a large display; … no one who did not witness
family, but as they were all frugal and it can form an adequate conception
industrious, his farm sufficed for their of its glory. It seemed as if the whole
maintenance as well as his own. starry heavens had congregated at
one point near the zenith, and were
In 1833, two years after Miller be- simultaneously shooting forth, with the
gan to present in public the evidences velocity of lightning, to every part of
of Christ’s soon coming, the last of the the horizon; and yet they were not ex-
signs appeared which were promised hausted—thousands swiftly followed in
by the Saviour as tokens of His second the tracks of thousands, as if created for
advent. Said Jesus: “The stars shall fall the occasion.”—F. Reed, in the Christian
from heaven.” Matthew 24:29. And

188 The Great Controversy

Advocate and Journal, Dec. 13, 1833. “A the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Accord-
more correct picture of a fig tree casting ing to his calculations, this power was to
its figs when blown by a mighty wind, be overthrown “in A.D. 1840, sometime
it was not possible to behold.”—“The in the month of August;” and only a few
Old Countryman,” in Portland Evening days previous to its accomplishment
Advertiser, Nov. 26, 1833. he wrote: “Allowing the first period,
In the New York Journal of Com- 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled
amleornceg of November 14, 1833, appeared before Deacozes ascended the throne
article regarding this wonderful by permission of the Turks, and that the
phenomenon, containing this state­ment: 391 years, fifteen days, commenced at
“No philosopher or scholar has told or the close of the first period, it will end
recorded an event, I suppose, like that of on the 11th of August, 1840, when the
yesterday morning. A prophet eighteen Ottoman power in Constantinople may
hundred years ago foretold it exactly, if be expected to be broken. And this, I
we will be at the trouble of understand- believe, will be found to be the case.”—
ing stars falling to mean falling stars, … Josiah Litch, in Signs of the Times, and
in the only sense in which it is possible Expositor of Prophecy, Aug. 1, 1840.
to be literally true.”
Thus was displayed the last of those At the very time specified, Turkey,
signs of His coming, concerning which through her ambassadors, accepted the
Jesus bade His disciples: “When ye shall protection of the allied powers of Europe,
see all these things, know that it is near, and thus placed herself under the control
even at the doors.” Matthew 24:33. After of Christian nations. The event exactly
these signs, John beheld, as the great fulfilled the prediction. (See Appendix.)
event next impending, the heavens When it became known, multitudes
departing as a scroll, while the earth were convinced of the correctness of the
quaked, mountains and islands removed principles of prophetic interpretation
out of their places, and the wicked in adopted by Miller and his associates,
terror sought to flee from the presence and a wonderful impetus was given to
of the Son of man. Revelation 6:12-17. the advent movement. Men of learning
Many who witnessed the falling of and position united with Miller, both in
the stars, looked upon it as a herald of preaching and in publishing his views,
the coming judgment, “an awful type, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly
a sure forerunner, a merciful sign, of extended.
that great and dreadful day.”—“The
Old Countryman,” in Portland Evening William Miller possessed strong
Advertiser, Nov. 26, 1833. Thus the at- mental powers, disciplined by thought
tention of the people was directed to the and study; and he added to these the
fulfillment of prophecy, and many were wisdom of heaven by connecting him-
led to give heed to the warning of the self with the Source of wisdom. He was
second advent. a man of sterling worth, who could
In the year 1840 another remark- not but command respect and esteem
able fulfillment of prophecy excited wherever integrity of character and
widespread interest. Two years before, moral excellence were valued. Uniting
Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers true kindness of heart with Christian
preaching the second advent, published humility and the power of self-control,
an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting he was attentive and affable to all, ready
to listen to the opinions of others and to
weigh their arguments. Without passion