In the autumn of this year, Mr. Miller received a license to preach, from the church of which he was a member, as follows:
"Let brotherly love continue: the Baptist Church of Christ, in Hampton and Whitehall, do certify that Brother William Miller is a member in regular standing in this Church. Brother Miller has been improving his gifts with us in expounding the words of Divine Truth, in public, for some time past, to the approbation and edification of the church. We are satisfied that Brother Miller has a gift to improve in public; and are willing he should improve the same, wherever his lot may be cast among the Zion of God, -- that the name of the Lord may be glorified, and his followers edified. Done in Church Meeting, Saturday, Sept. 14, 1833. By order of the Church.
"(Signed,) Byron S. Harlow, Clerk pro tem."
In a letter to his sister, before referred to, written two days subsequent to the date of the above, and dated "Low Hampton, Sept. 16, 1833," he speaks of the above license, and of his labors, as follows:
"I have just returned from Dresden, where I have been to spend a Sabbath, and to preach to them the word of life. My texts, yesterday, were Hosea 13:1; Isaiah 61:7; and Psalm 102:16... I do feel anxious to come and see you; and, if the Lord will, and your people should not object, to try to speak to them of the things of the kingdom. My brethren have given me a license -- unworthy and old and disobedient as I am. Oh, to grace how great a debtor!"
He then proceeds with matters of mere family interests; and closes with the following exhortation to his brother-in-law, respecting the doctrine of Universalism:
"Just as sure as the word of God is true, depend upon it, universal salvation is not true. Was this what David saw, when he saw the end of the wicked? Enter into the sanctuary of your own conscience, my brother, and you will find 'No,' or declarations as plain. 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many shall strive to enter in, and shall not be able.' Look at (Daniel 12:9, 10); -- here we have the end described. What does conscience say? Be careful, my brother; remember that eternal consequences hang on your decision; and what is the answer? 'Many (not all) shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand.' (See Malachi 4:1-3) Where are the wicked, the proud, and all that do wickedly? Do they enjoy the healing beams of the Sun of righteousness? 'No.' Again, in (Matthew 13:49, 50). Are the wicked permitted to dwell with the just? Is heaven and happiness their abode? Enter into the sanctuary, and what do you hear? No! No! Again, in (Matthew 25:12, 30, and 46). Do the foolish virgins enter in to the marriage supper? or are they ever married to the Lamb? No! Is the unprofitable servant 'in light and glory?' No! No! And are the goats enjoying the same communion with the sheep? or are they going 'into life eternal?' No! No! No! Read, again, Romans 1:18, to the fifth verse of the second chapter. Would it be unjust for God to condemn the characters there described? Your judgment tells you No. Your conscience responds the same answer, No! Your tongue must one day answer No! For every tongue must and will confess to the glory of God. Oh! my brother, enter into the sanctuary, and knock while the door may be opened; seek while you may find; look while you may live; and you will most assuredly learn 'their end.' All the plausible reasoning of all the Universalists under the whole canopy of heaven, cannot save one soul. 'Except a man is born of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'"
During the fall of 1833, and the ensuing winter, Mr. Miller seems to have been constantly occupied in lecturing in Dresden and other towns in New York and Vermont. The very modest estimate which he had of his own abilities and qualifications as a preacher, is apparent in all his correspondence where any reference is made to his public labors. In writing to Eld. Hendryx, under date of Low Hampton, Feb. 25th, 1834, he says;
"... You have undoubtedly heard that I have been trying to preach (as some call it) about in this vicinity. I have been laboring, it is true, in my weak manner, in Dresden, two or three months; and the Lord has seen fit to bless us with a little reformation. I have likewise preached in Putnam, Wrentham, Poultney, and in this place. You laugh, Bro. Hendryx, to think old Bro. Miller is preaching! But laugh on: you are not the only one that laughs; and it is all right -- I deserve it. If I could preach the truth, it is all I could ask."
Being now recognized as a regularly licensed preacher, his Bro. Hendryx naturally addressed him as the "Rev. William Miller." To a letter thus directed, Mr. Miller, under date of "Hampton, March 22, 1834," thus replied:
"Dear Bro. Hendryx: -- I wish you would look into your Bible, and see if you can find the word Rev. applied to a sinful mortal like myself; and govern yourself accordingly... Let us be determined to live and die on the Bible. God is about to rise and punish the inhabitants of the world. The proud, the high, the lofty must be brought low; and the humble, the meek, and the contrite will be exalted. Then, what care I for what the world calls great or honorable? Give me Jesus, and a knowledge of his word, faith in his name, hope in his grace, interest in his love, and let me be clothed in his righteousness, and the world may enjoy all the high-sounding titles, the riches it can boast, the vanities it is heir to, and all the pleasures of sin; and they will be no more than a drop in the ocean. Yes, let me have Jesus Christ, and then vanish all earthly toys. What glory has God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ! In him all power centres. In him all power dwells. He is the evidence of all truth, the fountain of all mercy, the giver of all grace, the object of all adoration, and the source of all light; and I hope to enjoy him to all eternity. What! such a sinful wretch as I enjoy Christ? How can this be? Yes, yes; through the electing love of God, the sprinkling of the blood of the covenant, and the work of regeneration, such a sinner as I may be cleansed from sin, purified, and made white, and glorified in the New Jerusalem, together with him, and with all who love our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and who love his appearing. Bro. H., shall you and I appear together in that general assembly and church of the first born? If God will, I hope we shall there meet, to part no more. How can I realize the glory that will there be manifested? And how could I bear the thought to be banished from the face of Jesus, and from the glory of his power? Forbid it, O my Redeemer! Forbid! and let grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord."
The same devotional feelings are manifest in all his epistles, and also evince that he experienced nearness of access to God, and great religious enjoyment.
Many of his unstudied letters contain sentiments poetically expressed. Some of these have been given in the preceding pages. The following one contains so full a synopsis of his views, that it is here inserted entire:
"North Hampton, August 17, 1834.
"Dear Brother Hendryx: -- Your favor of last month was duly received. I have delayed writing, for fear my letter would arrive at Locke before you. Since I saw you, I have been on a tour north. I was gone from home twenty-eight days, and delivered thirty-two lectures on the second coming of our dear Redeemer and his personal reign, as follows:- two at Keene, nine at Jay, (there a reformation broke out while I was lecturing, and Brother Sawyer writes me that it is still progressing, and that about eighty have been the fruits thus far), seven at a place called the Forks (here three were converted before I left, and eight or ten were under conviction, not heard from since), nine at Keesville (a great concourse of people, spent two Sabbaths and one week, some Universalists shaken), five at Peru Village (large audience, and some conversions -- one strong Universalist). I have spent a few Sabbaths in this vicinity; but shall take another tour next week. "How thankful, Brother Hendryx, we ought to be, that God can and does make use of feeble, frail, broken instruments, for the salvation of immortal souls! Yes, thanks be to God! Let all glory belong to him. I have had invitations from twelve other places to visit them and lecture on the same subject. After haying and harvesting are over, I shall go again. If I am correct, how important is time! Nine years will pass soon; and then, my dear brother, you and I must render our account before the solemn bar of our omnipotent Judge.
"Come, come, dear Saviour, nor let time delay! (Revelation 22:17, 20)
Break, sacred morning! usher in the day, (Isaiah 58:8)
When all the happy throng, the heavenly band, (Daniel 7:10)
Shall descend from above, 'the spirit land;' (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
When the seventh trump its solemn blast shall sound, (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
And Gabriel's voice shall shake the solid ground; (Isaiah 2:19, 21)
When sleeping myriads from their graves shall rise, (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
And meet thee, Jesus, in these nether skies; (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
When those who yet remain, by sin oppressed, (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Will feel a sudden change and join the blessed. (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52)
There all the Spirit's fruits unite to praise (Galatians 6:8)
The Father, Son, and Spirit -- 'Ancient of days.' (Daniel 7:9, 22)
"Yes, my brother, if we are found looking, longing and believing, happy will that meeting be. 'Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection,' etc. But if, on the contrary, we are hypocrites, what a sad scene, what a dismal morning to us!
"When from the East we see the cloud arise, (Acts 1:9, 11)
And bring to view a Saviour long despised, (Revelation 1:7)
When we shall hear the trump's portentous roll, (Isaiah 27:13)
That shakes the earth from centre to the pole; (Psalm 18:7)
When, from the great white throne, indignant ire (Revelation 20:11)
Shoots forth its blaze, and sets the world on fire: (Malachi 4:1)
Then all the wicked, all that pride can boast, (Malachi 4:1)
'Shall be as stubble,' saith the Lord of hosts; (Malachi 4:1)
When kings, and captains, tyrants, mighty men, (Revelation 19:18)
Are the great supper for the fowls of heaven; (Revelation 19:17)
And kingdoms, thrones, and powers, dominions riven, (Daniel 2:44)
Like chaff before the angry whirlwind driven. (Daniel 2:35)
The dragon, papal beast, the great arch-foe, (Revelation 19:20)
Shall sink in endless night, -- eternal woe; (Revelation 20:10)
The orb of day, his face be hid in gloom, (Isaiah 24:23)
And the old reeling earth in Nature's tomb. (Isaiah 24:20)
"But we, my brother, if we are what we profess to be, look for a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
"When this dark orb shall from its ashes rise, (Isaiah 65:17)
And the new heavens, descending from the skies, (Revelation 21:10)
The bride, adorned in robes of righteousness, (Revelation 21:2)
Shall with the Bridegroom enter into rest. (Hebrews 4:9)
Then, O my soul, shall you, permitted, view (Psalm 130:5-8)
The word fulfilled: 'created all things new;' (Revelation 21:5)
And all be banished -- trials, sins and fears, (Revelation 21:4)
To live and reign with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
The beloved city, filled with boys and men, (Zechariah 8:4, 5)
Will constitute the New Jerusalem, (Zechariah 8:3, 8)
And there, as priests of God, with Christ to dwell, (Revelation 20:6)
While Satan and his hosts are chained in hell. (Revelation 20:1-3)
But, lo! a thousand years are past and gone, (Revelation 20:7)
Since the new world was from the old one born; (Isaiah 42:5-9)
When death gives up the particles of dust, (Revelation 20:13)
And hell lets loose the spirits of the curs'd. (Revelation 20:13)
Then on the surface of the earth they stand, (Revelation 20:9)
A company unnumbered as the sand; (Revelation 20:8)
For in the flesh they sinned in time that's pass'd. (Romans 7:5)
So in the flesh must they be judg'd at last; (1 Peter 4:6)
Deceived and gathered, round the city come, (Revelation 20:8)
To hear their sentence and receive their doom. (Revelation 20:13)
But can they scale those walls, so great and high? (Revelation 21:22)
No; nothing enters that doth make a lie. (Revelation 21:27)
Now from the golden gates, from tower to tower, (Revelation 21:12-18)
The saints look forth for the decisive hour! (1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 14:7)
Then justice, from on high, in fiery breath, (Daniel 9:3; Hebrews 12:29)
Destroys the rebels -- this 'the second death!' (Revelation 20:9, 14; 21:8)
"But stop; what am I about? Writing poetry, when I ought to have been writing sober prose! for I am almost certain I shall never see you again, until the morning of that day comes, 'and the Sun of righteousness arises.' (Malachi 4:2)
"With healing wings shall grace on grace distil, (Zechariah 4:7)
And cleanse the church on Zion's holy hill; (Daniel 8:14)
Where sin no more controls, nor death by sin, (Romans 5:12-21)
But justified and glorified with him: (Romans 8:30-39)
No need of sun or moon, for He's our light; (Revelation 21:23)
No changing seasons there, nor gloomy night; (Revelation 22:5)
No parting there of friends, nor farewells given, (Romans 8:35-39)
But gathered all in one from earth and heaven. (Ephesians 1:10)
On this my faith is fixed, my hope is rais'd; (1 Corinthians 13:13
To him the glory, and his name be prais'd. (Psalm 148)
Then, while I stay in this unfriendly state, (1 Corinthians 15:9)
Lord, give me grace, and patiently I'll wait. (Romans 5:4, 5)
"Poetry again! Indeed, Brother Hendryx, you must forgive me, for my pen refuses to write anything except it hobbles along in verse; and this may be wholly uninteresting to you.
"For poets say, and surely they can tell, (Song of Solomon 1:7)
To read a poet right, 'drink from his well;' (Song of Solomon 5:1; Acts 8:29)
To catch the spirit, touch the spirit's flame, (1 John 4:1; Romans 8:9)
And kindred spirits kindle back again. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Then read my quotings, brother, and believe, (2 Corinthians 1:12-14)
If I'm not right, I'm happy being deceived; (Galatians 6:3, 4)
For hope's an anchor, -- all in this agree, -- (Hebrews 6:19)
And faith a helmsman -- so at least with me; (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The word of God my compass, love the pole, (Revelation 15:2, Isaiah 60:9)
Experience my sails, and Christ the whole. (Ezekiel 27:7)
Grace is my ballast, for it keeps me low; (Romans 7:7-25)
The Spirit is the wind, that bears me through; (Song of Solomon 4:16; Acts 2:2)
Perfection is the haven for which I run, (Ephesians 4:13)
Consigned to him who gave for me his Son; (1 Corinthians 15:24; John 3:16)
Life is the voyage, and I am 'homeward bound,' (Jeremiah 45:5)
Time is my log-book, death my anchor-ground; (Revelation 2:10; Psalm 116:15)
The resurrection is my ship o'erhauled, (Revelation 20:6; Psalm 17:15)
Eternity unites us all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28)
"And now, surely, brother, your patience will be relieved; for my paper is filled up, and I can only say, my respects to all you and yours. Mrs. Miller sends hers also.
"I remain your brother in the Gospel,
"William Miller.
Mr. Miller kept no journal, nor any record of the places he visited, till October, 1834. Beginning at a place called "The Forks," supposed to be "Moore's Forks" in Clinton county, N. Y., the names of places where, the dates when, and the texts from which, he preached, are given in two small memorandum-books, as follows:
Place Time Text Text ----------------- ----------------- ----------------------- --------------- Forks, N. Y. Oct. 1, 1834 Luke 15:18 Revelation 8:13 Keesville, N. Y. Oct. 5, 1843 Revelation 1:20 Job 23:24 Beekmantown Oct. 6, 1843 Daniel 8:13, 14 Job 10:14 Plattsburgh Oct. 8, 1843 Daniel 8:13, 14 Revelation 20:6 Keesville Oct. 11, 1843 1 Corinthians 3:11 Keesville Oct. 12, 1843 Romans 8:6, 7 Luke 15:18 Westport Oct. 14, 1843 Daniel 8:13, 14 Luke 10:14 Westport Oct. 15, 1843 Revelation 20:6After visiting the above places, he returned home to Low Hampton, and soon after wrote to Elder Hendryx, as follows: