From: Subject: William Miller Biography Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:48:26 +1000 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01D0_01C6F506.D1F12AD0" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2962 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_01D0_01C6F506.D1F12AD0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.earlysda.com/miller/william-miller-biography.html William Miller Biography
SKETCHES

---OF---

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

AND

P U B L I C =     L A B O R S

---OF---

W I L=20 L I A M     M I L L E R = ,


GATHERED=20 FROM HIS MEMOIR BY THE LATE SYLVESTER BLISS, AND FROM OTHER=20 SOURCES.

__________

BY ELDER JAMES=20 WHITE.
__________

STEAM PRESS
OF THE = SEVENTH-DAY=20 ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION,
BATTLE CREEK,=20 MICH.
____
1875.

This book, = published=20 in 1875, is the biography of a great man of God - William Miller. He can = truly=20 be called the first person in the history of the world to start = proclaiming the=20 1st Angel's Message of Revelation 14. His only "date setting" was to say = that=20 "some time between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844, the Lord would = come". It=20 was a surprise to the webmaster to learn that William Miller did not = accept the=20 October 22, 1844 date until that very same month!

James White = created=20 this biography by borrowing largely from Sylvester Bliss's earlier = biography of=20 William Miller. The focus of this book is on showing that William Miller = was led=20 of God, and was not fanatic. If he just could have seen that the = sanctuary to be=20 cleansed was the heavenly, and not this earth, his disappointment at not = being=20 taken up in that great cloud would have been explained.

May this = volume=20 prove of especial benefit to those studying the Great Second Advent = movement of=20 1831-1844.

INDEX

INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER=20 I.
ANCESTRY AND EARLY = LIFE--MARRIAGE--DEISTICAL=20 SENTIMENTS--MILITARY LIFE. 		C= HAPTER=20 II.
REMOVAL TO LOW HAMPTON--HIS = CONVERSION--STUDY OF=20 THE BIBLE--RULES OF INTERPRETATION, ETC. 		C= HAPTER=20 III.
INTERVAL BETWEEN HIS CONVERSION AND = HIS PUBLIC=20 LABORS--CORRESPONDENCE--DIALOGUE WITH A PHYSICIAN. =
C= HAPTER=20 IV.
COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC = LABORS--PUBLISHES HIS=20 VIEWS IN PAMPHLET--INTERVIEW ON THE HUDSON RIVER BOAT--HIS REGARD = FOR THE=20 BIBLE--CORRESPONDENCE--BECOMES A LICENSED PREACHER--LETTER ON=20 UNIVERSALISM--RECORD OF HIS LABORS. 		C= HAPTER=20 V.
NEW DOORS OPEN--HIS LABORS COUNTENANCED = BY=20 MINISTERS OF HIS DENOMINATION--HIS FIRST DONATION OF TWO=20 HALF-DOLLARS--DEATH OF HIS MOTHER--INCIDENT AT SHAFTSBURY--RESULTS = OF HIS=20 LABORS--TESTIMONY OF A CONVERT FROM INFIDELITY--LETTER OF REV. C.=20 FITCH--URGENT APPEALS TO VISIT VARIOUS TOWNS, ETC. 		C= HAPTER=20 VI.
VISITS MASSACHUSETTS--INVITATION TO=20 LOWELL--EXTRACT FROM THE LYNN RECORD--IS INVITED TO = BOSTON--CONVERSATION=20 WITH ELDER HIMES--PUBLICATION OF HIS LECTURES BY MR. = MUSSEY--LABORS IN=20 PORTSMOUTH--INTERVIEW WITH ELDER ROBINSON, ETC.
C= HAPTER=20 VII.
PUBLICATION OF THE "SIGNS OF THE = TIMES"--VISIT=20 TO WATERTOWN, PORTLAND, NEW YORK CITY, AND OTHER PLACES--LETTERS = OF ELDERS=20 MEDBURY, FLEMING, AND GREEN--HIS SICKNESS, RESIGNATION, = ETC. 		C= HAPTER=20 VIII.
LECTURES IN BOSTON (4TH, 5TH, AND 6TH = COURSES),=20 IN ANDOVER, PROVIDENCE, GALWAY, N. Y., CLAREMONT, N. H., BENSON, = VT.,--HIS=20 ILLNESS--INCIDENT AT SANDY HILL, AT WORCESTER--THE PHRENOLOGIST-- = MEETINGS=20 AT HARTFORD. 		C= HAPTER=20 IX.
LECTURES IN NEW=20 YORK--NEWARK--SARATOGA--NEWBURY-PORT--PALMER--THE EAST KINGSTON=20 CAMP-MEETING--BRANDON--BENSON--CHICKOPEE--NEW HAVEN, ETC. =
= CHAPTER=20 X.
SYNOPSIS OF HIS VIEWS--ADDRESS TO = BELIEVERS IN THE=20 NEAR ADVENT--INTERVIEW AT WATERFORD--UTICA--DISTURBANCE AT=20 PHILADELPHIA--THE THIRD OF APRIL--STATEMENT OF HIS AFFAIRS, = ETC.=20 		= CHAPTER=20 XI.
MR. MILLER AND HIS REVIEWERS--DOCTORS = DOWLING,=20 CHASE, JARVIS, ETC.--THE FOURTH KINGDOM--THE LITTLE = HORN--PROPHETIC=20 NUMBERS--SEVENTY WEEKS--COMING OF CHRIST, ETC. 		= CHAPTER=20 XII.
HIS TREATMENT OF OPPONENTS--SPECIMENS = OF HIS=20 PREACHING--COLLOQUIAL, EXPOSTULATORY, EXPOSITORY, ETC. =
= CHAPTER=20 XIII.
HIS SICKNESS--VISIT TO=20 MASSACHUSETTS--FANATICISM--MR. MILLER REPUDIATES IT. 		= CHAPTER=20 XIV.
HOME OF MR. MILLER--TOUR INTO WESTERN = NEW=20 YORK--HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE--ADDRESS TO ALL DENOMINATIONS--VISIT = TO=20 WASHINGTON, ETC. 		= CHAPTER=20 XV.
THE PASSING OF THE TIME--HIS = POSITION--LINES ON=20 HIS DISAPPOINTMENT--CONFESSION--VISIT OF ELD. LITCH--MR. MILLER = AND THE=20 METHODIST MINISTERS--TOUR TO OHIO--RETURN, ETC.
= CHAPTER=20 XVI.
THE SEVENTH MONTH = MOVEMENT--DISAPPOINTMENT--THE=20 NOBLEMAN AND HIS SERVANTS--NEED OF PATIENCE--CONFERENCE AT LOW=20 HAMPTON--ETC. 		= CHAPTER=20 XVII.
MUTUAL CONFERENCE AT = ALBANY--DECLARATION OF=20 PRINCIPLES--PLAN OF OPERATIONS--ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN--ACTION OF = THE=20 CONFERENCE DEFENDED BY MR. MILLER, ETC. 		= CHAPTER=20 XVIII.
HIS APOLOGY AND = DEFENSE--DEFINITENESS OF=20 PROPHETIC TIME--ERRONEOUS VIEWS CONNECTED WITH THE DOCTRINE, = ETC.=20
= CHAPTER=20 XIX.
HIS FAITH IN HIS PAST WORK--VISIT TO = NEW YORK=20 CITY--PHILADELPHIA, ETC.--ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC--VISIT TO CANADA,=20 ETC. 		= CHAPTER=20 XX.
LOSS OF SIGHT--HEALTH = DECLINES--EXPRESSION OF=20 SYMPATHY--HIS REPLY--HIS LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH--FUNERAL--LETTER = OF=20 CONDOLENCE TO SURVIVING FRIENDS.
CATALOGUE OF BOOKS =
Free = Download!=20 675KB
Small Zip File = 248KB

INTRODUCTION.
__________

  &nb= sp;     BEFORE=20 us is a plain volume, the title page of which reads, "Memoir of William = Miller=20 generally known as a Lecturer on the Prophecies and the Second Coming of = Christ,=20 by Sylvester Bliss, author of Analysis of Sacred Chronology, a brief = Commentary=20 on the Apocalypse,"=20 etc.

        Mr. Bliss = was for=20 more than twenty years the local and able conductor of the Advent = Herald,=20 which sustained the leading doctrines promulgated by Mr. Miller, = published=20 at Boston, Mass. The publisher of this volume, Elder Joshua V. Himes, = Mr.=20 Miller's intimate fellow-laborer and friend, in his preface=20 says:--

        "The name = of=20 William Miller, of Low Hampton, N. Y., is too well known to require an = extended=20 introduction; but while well known, few men have been more diversely = regarded=20 than he. Those who have only heard his name associated with all that is = hateful=20 in fanaticism, have necessarily formed opinions respecting him anything = but=20 complimentary to his intelligence and sanity; but those who knew him = better,=20 esteemed him as a man of more than ordinary mental power, a cool, = sagacious, and=20 honest reasoner, a humble and devout Christian, a kind and affectionate = friend,=20 a man of great moral and social=20 worth."

        "However = his=20 public labors may be regarded by a majority of the community, it will be = seen,=20 by a perusal of his life, that these were by no means unproductive of = great=20 good. The revivals of religion which attended his labors are testified = to by=20 those who participated in them; and hundreds of souls will ever refer to = him as=20 a means, under God, of their awakening and=20 conversion."

        "As = the=20 public learn to discriminate between the actual position of Mr. Miller = and that=20 which prejudice has conceived that he occupied, his conservativeness, = and his=20 disapprobation of every fanatical practice will be admitted, and a much = more=20 just estimate will be had of=20 him."

        We hold = that the=20 great movement upon the second advent question, which commenced with the = writings and public lectures of William Miller, has been, in its leading = features, in fulfillment of prophecy. Consistent with this view, we also = hold=20 that in the providence of God Mr. Miller was raised up to do a specific = work;=20 therefore to us the history of the important events in his Christian = life and=20 public labors possess peculiar=20 interest.

        It is = true that=20 Mr. Miller and his associates and numerous friends were disappointed in = the=20 definite time of the second coming of Christ. And as might be expected = from the=20 nature of the case, those who have not sufficient interest to = investigate the=20 subject, especially those who are opposed to the doctrine of the soon = coming of=20 the Redeemer, conclude that the second advent movement has been a = fanatical=20 mistake.

        But we = take a=20 more favorable view of this matter. We hold that Mr. Miller was correct = in three=20 of the four fundamental points of Adventism, while on the fourth he was=20 mistaken. But even this one mistake, viewed in the light of Scripture = and=20 reason, does not in the least affect his general=20 position.

        1. Mr. = Miller=20 was correct in his views of the pre-millennial second appearing of = Christ. No=20 doctrine is more plainly stated and more fully sustained by the sacred=20 Scriptures than the personal appearing and reign of Jesus Christ. And = whatever=20 may be said of the views and labors of Mr. Miller, this fact will not be = denied,=20 that very many ministers of the different denominations changed their = views upon=20 the millennium, renouncing the popular view of the conversion of the = world, and=20 the spiritual coming and reign of Jesus=20 Christ.

        2. Mr. = Miller was=20 correct in his application of the prophetic symbols of Daniel and John. = In this=20 he is sustained by Protestant expositors=20 generally.

        3. He = was also=20 correct in his exposition and application of the prophetic periods. The = dates=20 fixed upon have stood the test of the most rigid criticism. And those = Adventists=20 who have changed to other dates have done so simply because of the = passing by of=20 the first periods of=20 expectation.

        4. = But Mr.=20 Miller was mistaken in the event to occur at the close of the prophetic = periods,=20 hence his disappointment. In the case of the 2300 days of Dan. 8, which = period=20 was the main pillar in his calculations, his error was in supposing the = earth to=20 be the sanctuary of that prophecy, and that it was to be cleansed by the = fires=20 of the last = day.

        The=20 primary signification of the word sanctuary is "a sacred place." Neither = the=20 earth, nor any portion of it, has been such a place since the fall of = man, and=20 the reign of Satan and of death began. The apostle's commentary upon the = typical=20 system, in his epistle to the Hebrews, points to two sacred places as = the=20 sanctuary of Jehovah; first, the typical tabernacle of the Jews; and, = second,=20 the greater and more perfect tabernacle of which Christ is now minister = in=20 Heaven.*

        But = other great=20 men have made as grave mistakes relative to the event to occur at the = close of=20 the great periods of Daniel as Mr. Miller. These, however, are soon = forgotten,=20 while that of Mr. Miller is ever fresh in the public mind. The learned = late Geo.=20 Bush, Prof. of Hebrew and Oriental Literature in the New York City = University,=20 in a letter addressed to Mr. Miller, and published in the Advent = Herald=20 for March, 1844, made some very important admissions relative to his = calculations of the prophetic times. Mr. Bush=20 says:--

        "Neither = is it to=20 be objected, as I conceive, to yourself or your friends, that you have = devoted=20 much time and attention to the study of the chronology of = prophecy, and=20 have labored much to determine the commencing and closing dates of its = great=20 periods. If these periods are actually given by the Holy Ghost in the = prophetic=20 books, it was doubtless with the design that they should be = studied, and=20 probably, in the end, fully understood; and no man is to be charged with = presumptuous folly who reverently makes the attempt to do this. On this = point, I=20 have myself no charges to bring against you. Nay, I am even ready to go = so far=20 as to say that I do not conceive your errors on the subject of = chronology to be=20 at all of a serious nature, or, in fact, to be very wide of the = truth. In=20 taking a day as the prophetical term for a year, I believe = you are=20 sustained by the soundest exegesis, as well as fortified by the high = names of=20 Mede, Sir Isaac Newton, Bishop Newton, Kirby, Scott, Keith, and a host = of=20 others, who have long since come to substantially your = conclusions on=20 this head. They all agree that the leading periods mentioned by Daniel = and John=20 do actually expire about this age of the world, and it would be a = strange=20 logic that would convict you of heresy for holding in effect the same = views=20 which stand forth so prominent in the notices of these eminent divines. = Your=20 error, as I apprehend, lies in another direction than your=20 chronology."

       &nbs= p;Here=20 Prof. Bush speaks frankly and truthfully, and his words of candor and = wisdom=20 sustain the Adventists in that feature of their faith most objectionable = to=20 their opponents. But what was the event for which Mr. Bush looked to = mark the=20 termination of the 2300 days? Let the following extract from the same = letter to=20 Mr. Miller answer:--=20

        "You have = entirely=20 mistaken the nature of the events which are to occur when those = periods=20 have expired. This is the head and front of your expository offending. = You have=20 assumed that the close of the 2300 days of Daniel, for instance, = is also=20 the close of the period of human probation, that it is the epoch of the = visible=20 and personal second coming of Christ--of the resurrection of the = righteous dead,=20 and of the dissolution of the present mundane system. The great event = before the=20 world is not its physical conflagration, but its moral = regeneration.=20 Although there is doubtless a sense in which Christ may be said to = come in=20 connection with the passing away of the fourth empire and of the Ottoman = power,=20 and his kingdom to be illustriously established, yet that will be found = to be a=20 spiritual coming in the power of his gospel, in the ample = outpouring of=20 his Spirit, and the glorious administration of his=20 providence."

        Evide= ntly,=20 Mr. Bush looked for the conversion of the world as the event to mark the = termination of the 2300 days. Both Mr. Miller and Mr. Bush were right on = the=20 time question, and both were mistaken in the event to occur at the close = of the=20 great periods. Mr. Miller held that the world would be regenerated by = fire, and=20 Mr. Bush, by the gospel, at the end of the 2300 days. The=20 conversion-of-the-world theory of Mr. Bush has had the terrible test of = the last=20 thirty-two years of apostasy, spiritual darkness, and crime. This period = has=20 been noted by departures from the faith of the gospel, and apostasies = from the=20 Christian religion. Infidelity in various forms, especially in the name = of=20 spiritualism, has spread over the Christian world with fearful rapidity, = while=20 the dark record of crime has been blackening since Prof. Bush addressed = his=20 letter to Wm. Miller. If this be the commencement of the temporal = millennium,=20 may the Lord save us from the balance. Both these great men mistook the = event to=20 terminate the 2300 days. And why should Mr. Miller be condemned for his = mistake,=20 and Mr. Bush be excused for his unscriptural conclusion? In the name of = reason=20 and justice we plead that, while the Christian world excuses Prof. Bush = for his=20 mistake, professedly pious men and women will not too severely censure = Mr.=20 Miller for = his.

        If it be=20 objected that the second advent movement, as introduced in our country = by Mr.=20 Miller, could not have been in harmony with Providence, in fulfillment = of=20 prophecy, because those who engaged in it were disappointed, then we = suggest=20 that, if God's people never have been disappointed on the very point of = their=20 expectation when prophecy was being fulfilled in their experience and = history,=20 then it may be that prophecy has not been fulfilled in the advent = movement. But=20 if one instance can be shown in Sacred History where prophecy was = fulfilled by=20 those who were entirely incorrect on the vital point of their confident=20 expectation, then, after all, prophecy may have been fulfilled in the = great=20 second advent movement of 1840-4. This matter should be fully=20 tested.

        The = prophet of=20 God had uttered these words about five hundred years before their = fulfillment:=20 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; = behold,=20 thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and = riding=20 upon an ass." Zech. 9:9. In fulfillment of this prophecy, while Christ = was=20 riding into Jerusalem in the very humble manner expressed by the = prophet, the=20 chosen twelve, and the shouting multitude, cried, "Hosanna to the son of = David!=20 Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the = highest!"=20 Matt. 21:9. The people, and even the disciples, did not as yet = understand the=20 nature of Christ's kingdom; and they verily thought that Jesus would on = that=20 occasion claim his right to the throne of David, and then, and there, be = crowned=20 king of = Israel.

        And when=20 Jesus was requested to rebuke his disciples, he replied, "I tell you = that, if=20 these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." = Prophecy=20 had gone forth, and must be fulfilled, if the Spirit of God from = necessity=20 should call hosannas from the very=20 stones.

        But the = people=20 did not understand the nature of prophetic fulfillment of their time; = and their=20 disappointment was complete. In a few days they witnessed the dying = agonies of=20 the Son of God upon the cross, and as Christ died, their hopes in him = died also.=20 Nevertheless, prophecy was fulfilled in the ardent hopes and triumphant = hosannas=20 of those who were so soon overwhelmed with bitterest=20 disappointment.

        In= =20 gathering material for this work, we have copied very largely from Mr. = Bliss,=20 especially from the correspondence and writings of Mr. Miller which are=20 incorporated into his Memoir. And we have thought best to introduce = matter from=20 the pen of Mr. Miller, not found in his Memoir, as his writings, = probably,=20 better represent the advent movement and cause than those of any other. = And as=20 the best means by which the people may learn the real sentiments, the = candor,=20 and the true piety of this humble servant of Jesus Christ, we would let = his=20 writings = testify.

        The=20 introduction into this small volume of so large an amount of matter from = Mr.=20 Miller makes it necessary to omit a large portion of his Memoir that is = devoted=20 to his earlier life, as we hasten to his deeply interesting Christian=20 experience. But in necessarily omitting portions, we hope not to appear = to do=20 Mr. Miller and his biographer injustice, while we content ourself with = little=20 more than space for this introduction, and foot=20 notes.

        In the = preparation=20 of this work, we have been greatly edified and refreshed in spirit, as = we have=20 necessarily read very much from the able, candid, and godly pen of Mr. = Miller;=20 and we heartily wish the same blessing upon the candid reader.
JAMES=20 WHITE.
        Battle = Creek,=20 January, = 1875.

        *For a=20 full exposition of the subject of the sanctuary and the nature of its = cleansing,=20 see Thoughts on Daniel, by U. Smith, and The Sanctuary and Twenty-three = Hundred=20 Days, by J. N. Andrews.


CHAPTER I.

ANCESTRY AND = EARLY=20 LIFE--MARRIAGE--DEISTICAL SENTIMENTS--MILITARY=20 LIFE.


        WIL= LIAM=20 MILLER was born at Pittsfield, Mass., February 15, 1782. He was the = eldest of=20 sixteen children, five of whom were sons, and eleven were daughters. His = grandfather, William Miller, moved from West Springfield, Mass., about = 1747, and=20 settled on the place in Pittsfield, now familiarly known as the Miller = farm. His=20 father, William Miller, was born December 15, 1757, and remained on the = farm=20 taken up by his father until he moved to Low Hampton, N. Y., in 1786. At = the=20 time of this removal the subject of this sketch was four years old. His=20 biographer = says:--

        "In=20 his early childhood, marks of more than ordinary intellectual strength = and=20 activity were manifested. A few years made these marks more and more = noticeable=20 to all who fell into his society. But where were the powers of the inner = man to=20 find the nutriment to satisfy their cravings, and the field for their = exercise?=20 Besides the natural elements of education, the objects, the scenes, and = the=20 changes of the natural world, which have ever furnished to all truly = great minds=20 their noblest aliment, the inspiring historical recollections associated = with=20 well-known localities of the neighboring country, and the society of = domestic=20 life, there was nothing within William's reach but the Bible, the = psalter, and=20 prayer-book, till he had resided at Low Hampton several=20 years."

        "In a = newly=20 settled country, the public means of education must necessarily be very = limited.=20 This was the case, at the time here referred to, in a much greater = degree than=20 it usually is with the new settlements of the present day. The = school-house was=20 not erected in season to afford the children of Low Hampton but three = months'=20 schooling in winter, during William's school-boy days. His mother taught = him to=20 read, so that he soon mastered the few books belonging to the family; = and this=20 prepared him to enter the 'senior class' when the district school = opened. But if=20 the terms were short, the winter nights were long. Pine knots could be = made to=20 supply the want of candles, lamps, and gas. And the spacious fireplace = in the=20 log house was ample enough as a substitute for the school-house and=20 lecture-room. But even the enjoyment of these literary advantages = subjected the=20 zealous student to a somewhat severe=20 discipline."

        "As = soon as=20 William's age and strength rendered him able to assist his father about = the=20 farm, it was feared that his reading by night might interfere with his=20 efficiency in the work of the day. His father insisted, therefore, that = he=20 should retire to bed when he retired himself. But the boy could not be = kept in=20 bed. When the other members of the family were all asleep, William would = leave=20 his bed, then find his way to the pitch-wood, go to the fireplace, cast = himself=20 down flat on the hearth, with his book before him, thrust his pitch-wood = into=20 the embers till it blazed well, and there spend the hours of midnight in = reading. If the blaze grew dim, he would hold the stick in the embers = till the=20 heat fried the pitch out of the wood, which renewed the blaze. And when = he had=20 read as long as he dared to, or finished his book, he would find his way = back to=20 bed again, with as little noise as=20 possible."

        "He = possessed=20 a strong physical constitution, an active and naturally well-developed=20 intellect, and an irreproachable moral character. He had appropriated to = his use=20 and amusement the small stock of literature afforded by the family, = while a=20 child. He had enjoyed the limited advantages of the district school but = a few=20 years before it was generally admitted that his attainments exceeded = those of=20 the teachers usually employed. He had drunk in the inspiration of the = natural=20 world around him, and of the most exciting events in his country's = history. His=20 imagination had been quickened, and his heart warmed, by the adventures = and=20 gallantries of fiction, and his intellect enriched by history. And some = of his=20 earliest efforts with the pen, as well as the testimony of his = associates, show=20 that his mind and heart were ennobled by the lessons, if not by the = spirit and=20 power of = religion.

        "What,=20 now, would have been the effect of what is called a regular course of = education?=20 Would it have perverted him, as it has thousands? or would it have made = him=20 instrumental of greater good in the cause of God? Would it have = performed its=20 appropriate work, that of disciplining, enlarging, and furnishing the = mind,=20 leaving unimpaired by the process its natural energies, its sense of=20 self-dependence as to man, and its sense of dependence and = accountability as to=20 God? or would it have placed him in the crowded ranks of those who are = content=20 to share in the honor of repeating the twaddle, true or false, which = passes for=20 truth in the school or sect which has 'made them what they=20 are'?

        "We think = it would=20 have been difficult to pervert him; but where so many who have been = regarded as=20 highly promising have been marred by the operation, he would have been = in great=20 danger. He might have become externally a better subject for the artist; = but we=20 doubt if he would have been a better subject to be used as an instrument = of=20 Providence. There are those who survive the regular course uninjured. = There are=20 those who are benefited by it so far as to be raised to a level with = people of=20 ordinary capacity, which they never could attain without special aid. = And there=20 is a third class, who are a stereotype representation of what the course = makes=20 them; if they raise a fellow-man out of the mire, they never get him = nearer to=20 Heaven than the school where they were=20 educated.

        "Whateve= r might=20 have been the result of any established course of education, in the case = of=20 William Miller, such a course was beyond his reach; he was deprived of = the=20 benefit, he has escaped the perversion. Let us be satisfied. But still = we must=20 record the fact that it would have been extremely gratifying if = something of the=20 kind could have been placed at his command. He desired it. He longed for = it with=20 an intensity of feeling that approached to agony. He pondered the = question over=20 and over, whether it was possible to accomplish what appeared to him to = be not=20 only a desirable gratification and honor, but almost essential to his=20 existence.

        "It = should be=20 noticed, however, that his circumstances became somewhat relieved as he = advanced=20 in years. The log house had given place to a comfortable frame house; = and, in=20 this, William had a room he was permitted to call his own. He had means = to=20 provide himself with a new book, occasionally, and with candles to read = at=20 night, so that he could enjoy his chosen luxury, during his leisure = hours, in=20 comparative = comfort.

        "It=20 was on one of these times of leisure that an incident occurred which = marked a=20 new era in his history, though it did not introduce fully such an era as = he=20 desired. There was a medical gentleman in the vicinity of his residence, = by the=20 name of Smith, who possessed an ample fortune, and was known to be very = liberal.=20 In the plans which had passed through the mind of William, to secure the = means=20 of maturing his education, he had thought of Dr. Smith. At any rate it = could do=20 no harm to apply to him. The plan was carried so far as to write a = letter,=20 setting forth to that gentleman his intense desires, his want of means = to=20 gratify them, his hopes and his prospects, if=20 successful.

        "The = letter=20 was nearly ready to be sent to its destination, when William's father = entered=20 the room, which we may properly call his son's study. Perhaps it had not = occurred to the son to consult his father in the matter; and to have it = come to=20 his notice in so unexpected a manner somewhat disturbed him for the = moment. But=20 there was the letter in his father's presence. He took it, and read it. = It=20 affected him deeply. For the first time, he seemed to feel his worldly = condition=20 to be uncomfortable, on his son's account. He wanted to be rich then, = for the=20 gratification of his son, more than for any other human=20 being.

        "There = were the=20 irrepressible yearnings of his first-born, which he had treated in their = childish development as an annoyance, now spread out in manly but = impassioned=20 pleadings to a comparative stranger to afford him help! There were plans = and=20 hopes for the future, marked by an exhibition of judgment and honor that = could=20 not fail of commanding attention! All that was tender in that father's = heart,=20 all that was generous in the soldier, and all that could make him = ambitious of a=20 worthy successor, was moved by that letter. The tears fell, and words of = sympathy were spoken; but the plan was=20 impossible.

        The = letter of=20 William's was never sent. It had the effect, however, of changing his = father's=20 course toward him, so that he was rather encouraged than hindered in his = favorite pursuits. By this time, the natural genius and attainments of = young=20 William Miller had distinguished him among his associates. To the young = folks,=20 he became a sort of scribbler-general. If any one wanted 'verses made,' = a letter=20 to send, some ornamental and symbolic design to be interpreted by 'the = tender=20 passion,' or anything which required extra taste and fancy in the use of = the=20 pen, it was pretty sure to be planned, if not executed, by him. Some of = these=20 first-fruits of his genius are still in existence; and, although it = requires no=20 critic to discover that he had never received lessons of any of the = 'great=20 masters,' still these productions would compare very favorably with = similar=20 efforts by those whose advantages have been far superior to=20 his.

        "The facts = connected=20 with the early life of Mr. Miller, and the incidents in his personal = history,=20 now spread before the readers of this work, will enable them to see, in = the boy,=20 a type of the future man. The most embarrassing circumstances of his = condition=20 could not master his perseverance. And if he could not accomplish all he = desired=20 to, the success which attended his efforts, in spite of great = discouragements,=20 was truly surprising. The position he had won opened to him a fairer = prospect,=20 though still surrounded with serious=20 dangers."

        William = Miller=20 was happily married in 1803, and settled in Poultney, Vt. His biographer = continues:--

        "One = of the=20 first objects of his interest, after he had become settled, was the = village=20 library. His constant use of its volumes brought him into the society of = a=20 superior class of men. His wife took a deep interest in his improvement = and=20 promotion; and made it her pleasure and business to relieve him as much = as=20 possible from all the family cares which might call him away from his = books. She=20 felt very sure that it would not be lost time on his part, or lost labor = on her=20 own part. Still, the time he could devote to books, on the best possible = arrangement, was not so much as he desired; for he had been trained to = the=20 farming business, and he made that his employment, for some years, in=20 Poultney.

        "One = effort of=20 genius, though trifling in itself, which attracted toward him the public = attention of the village and its vicinity, was a poetic effusion, the=20 inspiration of his patriotic ardor. Preparations were going on, at the = time, for=20 the public celebration of the anniversary of our national independence; = and the=20 inspiration of that memorable day seized Mr. Miller while he was hoeing = corn in=20 the field. He had written poetry before; and so, after the labor of the = field=20 was done, he put his thoughts into a written form, to be adapted to the = familiar=20 old tune, called=20 'Delight.'

        "The = appointed=20 marshal, or manager, of the services of the day, was Esquire Ashley, who = was=20 then a neighbor of Mr. Miller, and afterward became an intimate friend. = But the=20 poet of the day, as he became, was too reserved to offer his tribute, = though=20 there is reason to believe it would have been thankfully accepted; for = the=20 business of the manager hardly afforded him time to write poetry for the = occasion, if he had the ability, or even to select it. Mr. Miller was = willing to=20 have his piece seen and used if it was thought to be suitable, but he = could not=20 announce himself as its author. So he took the manuscript and walked as = usual to=20 Esquire Ashley's house. He seated himself leisurely below the chamber = window,=20 where that gentleman was making his preparations for the great = celebration.=20 Then, taking an opportunity to place it near where Mrs. Ashley was at = work, he=20 shortly after withdrew. As soon as Mrs. Ashley discovered the paper, she = took it=20 to her husband, supposing it was one of his papers which had fallen from = the=20 window. He took it and read the hymn; it struck him as being just what = was=20 wanted; but he knew nothing of its origin. It was carried to several = others, who=20 were thought of as its author, but no author or owner of it could be = found.=20 'Perhaps an angel from Heaven had sent it.' So they talked at any=20 rate.

        "However, = the hymn=20 was copied with the pen, and the sheets multiplied to supply all who = wished for=20 one. The day came, and the hymn was sung with the greatest enthusiasm to = the=20 favorite old tune, 'Delight'! But among those who distributed the = copies, there=20 was a worthy Baptist minister, by the name of Kendrick, who had taken a = warm=20 interest in Mr. Miller. His suspicions had pointed him to the author of = the=20 piece; and when Mr. Miller came, with others, to get a copy, his = appearance and=20 manner confirmed Elder Kendrick's suspicions. Further inquiry brought = forth a=20 confession of authorship. To use the phrase of the old folks, 'it was a = great=20 feather in his cap.' He had touched the right chord in the right way. = The pious=20 and patriotic emotions of the aged were revived; the ardent responses of = the=20 young to these patriotic emotions found expression in the new hymn; and = nothing=20 more was needed to make its author the popular=20 favorite.

        "It is = not=20 known that an entire copy of the hymn is now in existence. A sister of = its=20 author has repeated to us a few of the stanzas, which we give, more for = the=20 purpose of exhibiting his religious and patriotic sentiments than from = an=20 expectation that our readers will be affected as were those who first = heard it.=20 Its style and meter were strictly in accordance with the standard = contained in=20 the hymn book used on Sundays, doubtless the only standard the writer of = it was=20 familiar with; and the effect arose from the natural force and = simplicity of the=20 versified thoughts, and the perfect ease of the musical execution. But = to the=20 fragments of the=20 hymn:--

        "'Our=20 Independence = dear,
        Bought=20 with the price of = blood,
        Let=20 us receive with = care,
        And=20 trust our Maker,=20 God.
           = ;     For=20 he's the=20 tower
          &nbs= p;     =20 To which we=20 fly;
           = ;     =20 His grace is=20 nigh
           = ;     In=20 every hour!

        "'Nor = shall=20 Columbia's sons
         = Forget the=20 price it cost,
        As = long as=20 water runs,
         Or = leaves are=20 nipped by=20 frost.
          &nb= sp;     Freedom=20 is=20 thine;
          &nb= sp;     =20 Let millions=20 rise,
          &nbs= p;     =20 Defend the=20 prize
          &nbs= p;     Through=20 rolling=20 time!

        *  = ;      *      = ;  *        * &nbs= p;      *
     =    "'There=20 was a Washington,
         A = man of=20 noble fame,
        Who led=20 Columbia's sons
         To = battle on=20 the=20 plain;
          &nb= sp;     With=20 skill they=20 fought;
          &n= bsp;     =20 The British=20 host,
          &nbs= p;     =20 With all their=20 boast,
          &nb= sp;     Soon=20 came to=20 nought!

        * &nb= sp;      *     &nb= sp;  *        * &n= bsp;      *
    &nbs= p;   "'Let=20 traitors hide their = heads,
        =20 And party quarrels = cease;
        Our=20 foes are struck with = dread,
        =20 When we declare for=20 peace.
          &nb= sp;     Firm=20 let us=20 be,
           =      =20 And rally=20 round
          &nbs= p;     =20 The glorious=20 sound
          &nbs= p;     Of=20 liberty!'

        "The = reader=20 will see that the piece was designed for home consumption. It was = exactly suited=20 to the occasion; and was marked throughout, in spirit, style, and = thought, with=20 the elements of his education. And this production, with others in prose = and=20 poetry, made him at once a notable in the community; secured to him a = wide=20 circle of friends, and opened the way for his promotion to office and = honor. The=20 old men were all ready to give him a lift, almost without distinction of = 'party.' The young folks made his house a place of common resort, to = which they=20 gathered to spend their leisure hours; while himself and wife became the = central=20 unit which drew them together and kept all in=20 motion."

        "In his=20 political sentiments, he was decidedly democratic. But he had = intelligence=20 enough to see that the practical patriotism of men did not depend so = much on the=20 party name they took as on their common sense and integrity. He knew = that there=20 were bad men enough in either party to ruin the country, if they had the = power=20 to do it; and good men enough in the same parties to promote the public=20 prosperity to the best of their ability. His position, therefore, was = taken in=20 view of the tendency of different political principles and public = measures, in=20 their ultimate bearing on the established institutions of the country. = He=20 enjoyed, in a remarkable degree, the confidence of both the political = parties of=20 the day."

        "In the = case of=20 most men of the world, with the avenues to honor, wealth, and domestic = happiness=20 wide open before them, it is not often that a public station so = commanding would=20 be voluntarily left for the hardships, privations, and dangers, of the = camp.=20 What strong impulses could have turned him off in that direction? = Already the=20 business of his office had placed him in easy circumstances. Such was = the amount=20 of his business that he kept two horses, one of which he drove, while = the other=20 was kept up to rest, week by week, alternately. He enjoyed the respect = and=20 unbounded confidence of the public; and he only needed to make himself = still as=20 worthy of public favor as he had been hitherto, and then, with life and = health,=20 all that this world could afford was within his reach. His preference = for the=20 army, so far as we know, sprang from these two motives: First, he = desired to=20 participate in the glory which rested on the memory of those he held the = most=20 dear, in the history of his country and of his family. Second, he hoped = to enjoy=20 a more inviting exhibition of human nature in the scenes of military = life than=20 experience or books had afforded in civil=20 life.

        "His desire = for=20 something noble in character was greater than that for wealth or = unsubstantial=20 fame. He was satisfied with the trial of what was around him, and wished = to try=20 a new field. This is stated by himself in his published memoir: 'In the=20 meantime, I continued my studies, storing my mind with historical = knowledge. The=20 more I read, the more dreadfully corrupt did the character of man = appear. I=20 could discern no bright spot in the history of the past. Those = conquerors of the=20 world, and heroes of history, were apparently but demons in human form. = All the=20 sorrow, suffering, and misery in the world, seemed to be increased in = proportion=20 to the power they obtained over their fellows. I began to feel very = distrustful=20 of all men. In this state of mind, I entered the service of my country. = I fondly=20 cherished the idea that I should find one bright spot at least in the = human=20 character, as a star of hope--a love of=20 country--PATRIOTISM.'

      &nbs= p; "Happy,=20 indeed, should we consider ourselves if there were no drawback to this = apparent=20 prosperity to be noted. Rarely is it the case that the honor of God and = the=20 honor of man are coincident. If Mr. Miller was not puffed up by the = latter, he=20 had lost much of his regard for the former. In his worldly advancement, = there=20 was a serious and dangerous departure from the Christian sentiments = which were=20 instilled into his mind during his early life. Still there was no defect = in his=20 character which the most rigid worldly standard of external morality = could=20 detect. He was perfectly upright and honorable in all his dealings. He = was=20 generous, almost to a fault, with his friends, compassionate and liberal = to the=20 poor, and he held in the highest contempt every act that could tarnish a = man's=20 personal and private honor. He was not profane, even to the extent that = too many=20 are who pass for gentlemen. He was not intemperate, although he was very = much=20 exposed to this ruinous habit from the example of those into whose = company his=20 business called him--a habit which had broken down some of his = predecessors in=20 office, by rendering them incapable of attending to their business. He = escaped=20 from it without the least=20 stain.

        "It could = be=20 shown, from sentiments embodied in some of his essays, in addresses = delivered=20 before societies existing at the time, and in his poetic effusions, that = his=20 moral and religious views were of a type that would pass with the world = as=20 philosophical, pure, and sublime. But the men with whom he associated = from the=20 time of his removal to Poultney, and to whom he was considerably = indebted for=20 his worldly favors, were deeply affected with skeptical principles and = deistical=20 theories. They were not immoral men; but, as a class, were good = citizens, and=20 generally of serious deportment, humane and benevolent. However, they = rejected=20 the Bible as the standard of religious truth, and endeavored to make its = rejection plausible by such aid as could be obtained from the writings = of=20 Voltaire, Hume, Volney, Paine, Ethan Allen, and others. Mr. Miller = studied these=20 works closely, and at length avowed himself a deist. As he has stated = the period=20 of his deistical life to have been twelve years, that period must have = begun in=20 1804; for he embraced or returned to the Christian faith in 1816. It may = fairly=20 be doubted, however, notwithstanding his known thoroughness and = consistency,=20 whether Mr. Miller ever was fully settled in that form of deism which = reduces=20 man to a level with the brutes, as to the supposed duration of their = existence.=20 And the question is worthy of a little inquiry, To what extent was he a=20 deist?

        "Robert = Hall, with=20 his usual comprehensiveness and truth, has remarked that 'infidelity is = the=20 offspring of corrupt Christianity.' It is much more successful in the = discovery=20 of supposed arguments against the existence of the Deity of the = Scriptures, in=20 the perversion of that which is divine, than in its institution and = appointed=20 use. Voltaire chose the ruins of human nature, in their most perverted = and=20 blighted condition, and Volney chose the 'ruins' of human habitations, = for the=20 theater on which to display their mighty but evil genius. And they = conjured=20 forth the same evil spirit which had instigated or caused the ruin, in = each=20 case, to utter a false testimony, in reference both to ruined man and = his ruined=20 habitations. These men became the oracles of that falsehood to the = world! But it=20 was never the intention of God, that man, or the world fitted up for his = habitation, should be in this ruined condition: it is the work of = rebellion and=20 sin!--of sin against the greatest displays of love and goodness that = were=20 possible, and against the purest and most reasonable law that could be = given; of=20 rebellion that was marked by contempt of the universal Sovereign, and of = authority enforced by the lightest test of submission. And God has = spoken to us,=20 to inform us that he has made provision for the restoration of all men, = and that=20 it is his purpose to restore all who become interested in that = provision, with=20 the world now in ruins, to a condition which no history but the Bible = has made=20 known.

        "Paine = could rail=20 and belie the supernaturalism of the Bible, like an incarnate demon, and = then=20 indorse all the supernaturalism of the most stupid pagan mythology, in = his=20 patriotic and poetic productions, which he published to the world. And = that mind=20 must be strangely out of balance naturally, or wretchedly perverted, = which could=20 bow to the authority of Volney's 'specter,' or Paine's paganism,--the = pure=20 creations of fictions and superstition,--and then reject the Bible = because it=20 demands faith in that which is not familiar to the=20 senses.

        "It is = generally=20 true that those who become decided skeptics take that most hopeless = position,=20 because they have become so depraved or perverted that they feel the = want of an=20 infidel theory to afford them a license and quiet, in their chosen = course. It=20 was not so with Mr. Miller. In the days of his greatest devotion to = deistical=20 sentiments, he desired something better. He had his difficulties with = the Bible=20 under its current interpretations, and he tells us what these = difficulties were.=20 But a man like him could never be made to believe it consistent or safe = to=20 abandon the Bible, unless something more worthy of his trust were first = put in=20 its place. And such a condition must secure to that matchless book a = certain and=20 permanent supremacy. This was Mr. Miller's=20 safety.

        "But if = the=20 poison which had infused its taint into the system did not appear as a = loathsome=20 blotch upon the surface, its victim was not only kept away from the sole = remedy,=20 but that remedy was treated by him with an afflicting and dangerous = levity. This=20 was now the painful feature of his case. Once it was not so. When he was = a mere=20 boy--'between the years of seven and ten'--as he tells us, a sense of = the plague=20 of his heart and of his lost condition caused the deepest concern in = reference=20 to his future prospects. He spent much time in trying to invent some = plan=20 whereby he might find acceptance with God. He tried the common and most = natural=20 course, in such a state of mind, that of being 'very good.' 'I will do = nothing=20 wrong, tell no lies, and obey my parents,' he thought. But his mind was = still=20 unsettled and=20 unhappy.

        "Good = works are=20 very proper, but they can never be accepted as the price of pardon and=20 redemption. He thought, too, as all do in the same state of feeling, = that=20 something might be effected by sacrifice. 'I will give up the most = cherished=20 objects I possess.' But this also failed. There is only 'one offering' = that can=20 avail. In that, every sinner must rest his hope and plea, or remain = without=20 peace with God. The experience of Mr. Miller's childhood made him = thoughtful and=20 serious, if it did not result in the attainment of this inward sense of = peace.=20 Under his inward conflicts and apprehensions of worldly sorrow, when a = young man=20 (in 1803), he poured out his soul to 'religion' in this touching=20 strain:--

        "'Come, = blest=20 religion, with thy angel's=20 face,
        Dispel this = gloom, and=20 brighten all the = place;
        Drive=20 this destructive passion from my=20 breast;
        Compose my = sorrows,=20 and restore my = rest;
        Show me=20 the path that Christian heroes=20 trod,
        Wean me from = earth, and=20 raise my soul to=20 God!'

        "'Two = things,' says=20 D'Aubigne, 'are essential to sound Christian experience. The first is a=20 knowledge of our condition as sinners; the second is a knowledge of the = grace of=20 God, in its manifestations to the soul.' Mr. Miller, like most if not = all=20 others, had learned the first in his early life; but he had evidently = not then=20 attained the second of these elements of a true religious life. And, by = not=20 attaining that important position in the process of deliverance from our = fallen=20 condition, he became wearied of a sense of his need, if he did not lose = it=20 entirely. In the chosen employment of his intellect, with a more ample = supply of=20 books at command; in the midst of an admiring and merry social circle; = in=20 receiving the honors of the world from the hand of his superiors, and in = reaping=20 an honorable portion of the treasures of the world, why should he desire = any=20 other source of enjoyment--and one altogether unknown, unappreciated and = unpopular, in the circle where he moved? What use had he for that = religion he=20 had seen verified and felt the need of, in the less cultivated family = circle at=20 Low Hampton?

        "If = those=20 who never become acquainted with the lessons of truth may be satisfied = without=20 the consolation of which its lessons speak, with those who are made = familiar=20 with these lessons, it is generally very different. They can seldom feel = satisfied with themselves without making a hearty surrender of life, and = all God=20 has given them, to his service. As they know this is their reasonable = service,=20 anything short of this, they know, must be unreasonable. But how few = take this=20 narrow path! How many turn away to join the multitude! The talent, = however, is=20 in their hands. They must dispose of that, if they will not submit = themselves to=20 the disposal of its Giver. Some make it the reason for entertaining and = venting=20 a more malignant and blasphemous form of hatred against everything which = bears=20 the name of God. This quiets all fear of being reproached as religious, = and it=20 is the awful snare into which many are lead by the fear of man. Another = class of=20 these unfaithful recipients of the talent of truth try to get along with = a=20 popular external expression of respect for its claims; and thus they = escape the=20 dreaded = reproach.

        "A=20 third class, naturally too frank even to appear to venerate what they do = not=20 heartily respect, and too deeply impressed with the goodness of the = Deity to=20 become blasphemers, but still too fearful of man to encounter his frown, = seek to=20 save themselves from it by making the defects of the humble but = unpopular=20 representatives of truth a subject of merriment. This course was taken = by Mr.=20 Miller. This is the class to which he then belonged. He banished from = his memory=20 the impressions of his early life, and must silence all fear of reproach = on=20 account of them; so he gave to his skeptical associates an assurance = that he had=20 mastered his superstition, as they deemed it, by performing, for their = sport,=20 the devotions of the worship to which he had been accustomed, and = especially by=20 mimicking the devotional peculiarities of some of his own family=20 relatives.

        "Among = these=20 pious relatives there were two, in particular, whose presence or names = were=20 calculated to remind him of his repudiated obligations, and whose = influence over=20 him he labored to repel, by making them the theme of his mirth. One of = these was=20 his grandfather Phelps, pastor of the Baptist church at Orwell; the = other was=20 his uncle, Elihu Miller, who was settled as the pastor of the Baptist = church at=20 Low Hampton, in 1812. These were men of unpolished exterior, but of = decided=20 character, strong voice, and ardent devotion. Men whose features were so = strongly marked would make fine subjects for striking portraits; and if = all=20 their traits could be brought out, there would be found a large = bestowment of=20 the treasure of heavenly wisdom and virtue in the earthen vessels. It = was the=20 excellence of the heavenly traits, and the roughness of the earthly, = which made=20 them so desirable and so ready subjects of=20 caricature.

        "These= humble=20 ambassadors of Christ, and other pious relatives, often visited Mr. = Miller's=20 house at Poultney; and, although he received them with affection and = respect,=20 and entertained them in the most generous manner, he was in the habit of = imitating, with the most ludicrous gravity, their words, tones of voice, = gestures, fervency, and even the grief they might manifest for such as = himself,=20 to afford a kind of entertainment for his skeptical associates, which = they=20 seemed to enjoy with peculiar=20 relish.

        "Little = did he=20 then think that he was measuring to these faithful men what was to be = measured=20 to him again, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. And = probably it=20 was not known to him that these praying men had already expressed the=20 hope--almost a prophecy--that their prayers would be answered, and that = he would=20 some day be engaged in perpetuating the work they were endeavoring to=20 advance.

        "There = was more=20 than one heart that was almost inconsolably afflicted by this conduct of = Mr.=20 Miller. His mother knew of it, and it was as the bitterness of death to = her.=20 Some of his pious sisters witnessed, with tears, his improprieties. And = when his=20 mother spoke of the affliction to her father Phelps, he would console = her by=20 saying, 'Don't afflict yourself too deeply about William. There is = something for=20 him to do yet in the cause of=20 God!'

        "Although = Mr.=20 Miller avowed himself a deist, and was recognized as such by deists, = this=20 offense against all propriety, in trifling with what his dearest = relatives=20 regarded as most sacred, this thoughtless trifling with the humble = messengers of=20 the gospel was the darkest feature in his character. To him it was the = most=20 natural course which the circumstances of his position could suggest, = and,=20 undoubtedly, appeared to be the least violation of former convictions = and=20 educational proprieties which would allow him to stand as he did, in the = favor=20 and confidence of his unbelieving associates. He had not then become = acquainted=20 with the Source of strength by which he might have been sustained before = the=20 enemies of the Christian faith; he was unprepared to take the Christian=20 position, and he became what the influence around him naturally = determined. To=20 give the true state of the case, the darker shades must appear with the = lighter.=20 He took the position of an unbeliever. But that he was not a deist of a = rank=20 type will appear more fully from his own=20 statements.

        "We = have thus=20 stated Mr. Miller's social and public position, his worldly prospects, = and his=20 religious state. The longsuffering of God was still to be exercised = toward him.=20 He was to become satisfied with the insufficiency of the world. Then the = light=20 which had become darkness was to be revived within him; the breath of = life from=20 God would disclose the all-sufficient portion, and he would go forth to = build=20 again the faith he had=20 destroyed.

        'Many = were the=20 prayers that ascended in his behalf; and some of those who were the most = deeply=20 interested for him would pass away before their prayers would be = answered. But=20 the great lessons of longsuffering, of faithfulness, and of the power to = deliver=20 out of the most artful snare of the adversary, would be the more = magnified, on=20 the part of God; the praying, who were yet alive, would hail the answer = with=20 greater joy, and the delivered one would be the better prepared to take = others,=20 in the same fearful condition, by the hand, and lead them to Him who = came to=20 seek and save the=20 lost!"

        William = Miller=20 received a captain's commission and entered the army in 1812. His = biographer=20 gives more than thirty pages relative to his military life, in which = those whose=20 hearts are fired by reading of victories gained by the use of carnal = weapons can=20 see much to admire in him as a patriotic soldier. But as our principal = object is=20 to bring him before the public as an intelligent Bible Christian, a bold = soldier=20 of Jesus Christ, and an able and sound expositor of the word of life, we = pass=20 over his military career, giving only one incident, which will be of = interest to=20 the Christian = reader.

        "A=20 few reflections on this period of Mr. Miller's life and the mention of = an=20 incident or two of some interest, must close this chapter. Everybody is = familiar=20 with the fact that the army is a bad school of morality. Intemperance,=20 licentiousness, gambling, fighting, stealing, profanity, and = Sabbath-breaking,=20 are the common vices of army life. It was the constant practice of these = vices=20 by those around him which sickened Mr. Miller of their society. And that = he=20 should escape entirely from the contamination would be too much to = expect.=20 However, it is both a matter of surprise, and highly creditable to him, = that his=20 moral integrity and habits were not affected to a hopeless extent. There = were,=20 however, some redeeming traits to the too generally dark moral picture = of army=20 life. There were a few men in the 30th regiment of infantry who were = known as=20 men of prayer and undoubted piety. And an incident in their history, = which Mr.=20 Miller has often spoken of with great interest, should be mentioned. One = of=20 these praying men, if memory has not failed in the case, was Sergeant=20 Willey.

        "His tent = was=20 occasionally used for the purpose of holding a prayer-meeting. On one of = these=20 occasions, when Mr. Miller was 'the officer for the day,' he saw a light = in this=20 tent, and, wishing to know what was going on, as his duty required, he = drew=20 near, and heard the voice of prayer. He said nothing at the time; but, = the next=20 day, on recollecting it, he thought it was a good opportunity to try the = sergeant's piety, and indulge his own relish for a joke, by calling = Sergeant=20 Willey to account for having his tent occupied by a gambling party the = night=20 before. When the sergeant appeared, Captain Miller affected great = seriousness,=20 and spoke in a tone bordering on severity, as follows: 'You know, = Sergeant=20 Willey, that it is contrary to the army regulations to have any gambling = in the=20 tents at night. And I was very sorry to see your tent lit up for that = purpose=20 last night. We cannot have any gambling at such times. You must put a = stop to it=20 at once. I hope I shall not have to speak to you again about=20 it!'

        "The poor = sergeant=20 stood thunderstruck, for a moment, to hear such an imputation cast on = him and=20 his associates. And then, hardly daring to look up, he replied, with the = most=20 touching simplicity, and in a manner which showed that he was alike = unwilling to=20 suffer the scandal of entertaining gamblers, or to make a parade of his=20 devotions, 'We were not gambling, sir!' Captain Miller was touched with = his=20 appearance. But, still affecting greater severity than at first, being=20 determined to press him to a confession, he said to the sergeant, 'Yes, = you were=20 gambling! And it won't do! What else could you have your tent lighted up = for,=20 all the evening, if you were not=20 gambling?'

        "Sergea= nt=20 Willey now felt himself under the necessity of being a little more = explicit, and=20 answered, in a manner deeply expressive of his grief and innocence, 'We = were=20 praying, sir.' Captain Miller, by this time, was almost in tears; and=20 indicating, by a motion of his hand, that he was satisfied, and that the = praying=20 sergeant might withdraw, he continued alone for some time, sensibly = affected by=20 the courage manifested by these Christians in that ungodly camp, by the = becoming=20 deportment of their representative under such a serious scandal, and by = the=20 doubtful course he had taken in reference to=20 them."

        "One fact = must be=20 mentioned, which will speak more than volumes in behalf of his = commanding=20 integrity, as it shows the place he occupied in the respect and = confidence of=20 the soldiers. After the war, two members of his company, who lived as = neighbors=20 in the extreme northern part of Vermont, had some business difficulties, = which=20 grew to be so serious that they could hardly live together as neighbors = on=20 speaking terms, to say the least. This was a great affliction to = themselves, as=20 brother soldiers, to their families, and to the whole neighborhood. = These men=20 had often thought of their former captain, though they were much older = than he=20 was, and wished the difficulties could be submitted to his examination = and=20 decision. But it was a long way to his residence, and the time and cost = of the=20 journey seemed too much to admit of such an arrangement. However, the = matter=20 became a source of so much trouble that the proposition was made by one, = and=20 gladly accepted by the other, to visit Captain Miller; to submit the = case to=20 him, by telling each his own story, and to abide by his decision. The = long=20 journey was performed by these old soldier's separately, as duelists go = to the=20 place of single combat. They arrived at Captain Miller's nearly at the = same=20 time. Arrangements were made for a hearing. Each told his story. The = decision=20 was made known, after all the facts of the case had been duly = considered. It was=20 received in good faith by the parties. They took each other cordially by = the=20 hand, spent a little time with their captain, and returned to their = homes in=20 company, as friends and=20 brothers.

        "Paradox= ical as=20 it may appear, some of the most distinguished and honorable soldiers = have been=20 the most successful bloodless peace-makers, while, on the other hand, = some of=20 the most contemptible cowards, with peaceable pretensions always on = their lips,=20 have distinguished themselves by very little besides their successful=20 contrivances to keep all engaged in war with whom they have had to do. = Without=20 claiming any special distinction for Mr. Miller on the score of what are = styled=20 brilliant achievements in the field of danger, the character of a great = lover of=20 peace belonged to him as a distinguishing personal trait. He delighted = in peace,=20 naturally; it is not known that he ever intentionally provoked a = quarrel; and a=20 considerable number of cases could be cited, in which he has been called = to=20 perform the office of a peace-maker, and in the duties of which he has = been=20 remarkably successful. But enough. More must be left unwritten than it = would be=20 practicable or necessary to=20 write.

        "The = watchful=20 Providence which guarded him in the hour of deadly peril; the = longsuffering=20 which spared him while neglecting the talents bestowed, or misusing them = in=20 rebellion against the Giver; and that wisdom and grace which overruled = all the=20 dangers experienced, and the derelictions practiced, as in many other = persons of=20 distinguished usefulness, demand our hearty adoration. The close of Mr. = Miller's=20 military life was to be the commencement of a new era in his history. = The=20 circumstances which preceded that change, the means and = instrumentalities=20 employed in its accomplishment, and the practical results which = immediately=20 followed in the circle of his acquaintance, must be left to another=20 chapter."

        The = following,=20 relative to Mr. Miller's connection with the army, we take from his = "Apology and=20 Defense," published in=20 1845:--

        "In 1813, = I=20 received a captain's commission in the U. S. service, and continued in = the army=20 until peace was declared. While there, many occurrences served to weaken = my=20 confidence in the correctness of deistical principles. I was led = frequently to=20 compare this country to that of the children of Israel, before whom God = drove=20 out the inhabitants of their land. It seemed to me that the Supreme = Being must=20 have watched over the interests of this country in an especial manner, = and=20 delivered us from the hands of our=20 enemies.

        "I was=20 particularly impressed with this view when I was in the battle of = Plattsburg,=20 when with 1,500 regulars, and about 4,000 volunteers, we defeated the = British,=20 who were 15,000 strong; we being also successful at the same time in an=20 engagement with the British fleet on the lake. At the commencement of = the=20 battle, we looked upon our own defeat as almost certain, and yet we were = victorious. So surprising a result against such odds did seem to me like = the=20 work of a mightier power than man."=20

C= HAPTER=20 II.
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