The vernal equinox of 1844 was the furthest point of time to which Mr. Miller's calculation of the prophetic periods extended. When this time passed, he wrote to Mr. Himes as follows:
"Low Hampton, March 25th, 1844.
"My Dear Brother Himes:- I am now seated at my old desk in my east room, having obtained help of God until the present time. I am still looking for the dear Saviour, the Son of God, from heaven; and for the fulfillment of the promise made to our fathers, and confirmed to them that heard Him, -- that he would come again, and would receive us unto himself; gathering together in one body all the family of the first-born in heaven and earth, even in Him. This Paul has told us would be in 'the fullness of time.' (Ephesians 1:9, 10)
"The time, as I have calculated it, is now filled up, and I expect every moment to see the Saviour descend from heaven. I have now nothing to look for but this glorious hope. I am full in the faith that all prophetic chronology, excepting the thousand years of Revelation 20th, is now about full. Whether God designs for me to warn the people of this earth any more, or not, I am at a loss to know. Should time continue longer than I have expected, I mean to be governed by the providence of Him who will never err, in whom I think I have trusted, and have been supported by, during my twelve years of arduous labors, in endeavoring to awaken the churches of God and the Christian community, and to warn my fellow-men of the necessity of an immediate preparation to meet our Judge, in the day of his appearing. I hope that I have cleansed my garments of the blood of souls. I feel that, as far as it was in my power, I have freed myself from all guilt in their condemnation. ...
"I feel almost confident that my labors are about done; and I am, with a deep interest of soul, looking for my blessed and glorious Redeemer, who will be king over all the earth, and God with us forevermore. This, I can truly say, is my chief desire. It is my meditation all the day long. It is my song in the night. It is my faith and hope. It consoles me in sickness, comforts me in tribulation, and gives me patience to endure the scoffs and taunts of the selfish and ungodly. My faith and confidence in God's word are as strong as ever, although Christ has not come in the time I expected. I still believe that the time is not far off, and that God will soon -- yes, too soon for the proud and scoffing -- justify himself, his word, and the cry which has been given.
"This is the position I have now to take, and what more work I have to do will be done in this manner. I will
"1. Prove by Scripture and history that the time is fulfilled.
"2. Show the signs completed: and,
"3. Present the duty of watching; for 'we know not what hour the Lord may come.'
"If God has anything more for me to do in his vineyard, he will give me strength, open the door, and enable me to do whatever may be his will, for his glory, and for the best good of men. To Him I leave the event. For Him I watch and pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen! Even so come, Lord Jesus. William Miller."
On the 2nd of May he wrote as follows:
"To Second Advent Believers. ...
"Were I to live my life over again, with the same evidence that I then had, to be honest with God and man I should have to do as I have done. Although opposers said it would not come, they produced no weighty arguments. It was evidently guess-work with them; and I then thought, and do now, that their denial was based more on an unwillingness for the Lord to come than on any arguments leading to such a conclusion.
"I confess my error, and acknowledge my disappointment; yet I still believe that the day of the Lord is near, even at the door; and I exhort you, my brethren, to be watchful, and not let that day come upon you unawares. The wicked, the proud, and the bigot, will exult over us. I will try to be patient. God will deliver the godly out of temptation, and will reserve the unjust to be punished at Christ's appearing. "I want you, my brethren, not to be drawn away from the truth. Do not, I pray you, neglect the Scriptures. They are able to make you wise unto eternal life. Let us be careful not to be drawn away from the manner and object of Christ's coming; for the next attach of the adversary will be to induce unbelief respecting these. The manner of Christ's coming has been well discussed. Permit me, then, to address you on the subject of
"The Burning Day
"'This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you, in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance; that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.' (2 Peter 3:1-7)
"This is an important subject; and, on reading it, a number of important queries naturally arise.
"1. How are we to understand this?
"2. What are we to believe will be done when this takes place?
"3. When will it take place; at the commencement or end of the one thousand years' reign spoken of in Revelation 20:6?
"1. This passage must be understood literally. 1st. Because there is nothing in the passage to warrant a figurative meaning. 2nd. It is compared to the deluge; and it is universally acknowledged that the antediluvians perished by water. And 3rd. In no place where this burning day is spoken of in Scripture, is it explained to mean a figure. Therefore, I cannot but believe that the earth will be overwhelmed in literal fire.
"2. What is to be done when this burning takes place? 1st. Christ comes in power and great glory. 2nd. He takes vengeance on the wicked, consumes their bodies to ashes, melts the elements with fervent heat, and burns up or dissolves the works of men. 3rd. The present governments of earth and the present dispensation of God's grace will pass away, and the new heavens and new earth succeed, wherein the righteous shall dwell forever.
"Those are the prominent events to take place at the consummation spoken of in the word of God. Proof: 'But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat! Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' (2 Peter 3:10-13) The coming of Christ is here spoken of, the passing away of the heavens, the melting of the elements, the burning up of the works of men, and the new heavens and new earth, as promised.
"Where is that promise? Some say it is in (Isaiah 65:17). But that cannot be the original promise to which Peter alludes; it can only be a repetition of the promise to our fathers. 'For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect. Because the law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.' (Romans 4:13-16) 'For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise... And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.' (Galatians 3:18-29) 'For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.' (Galatians 4:27) Here Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1, and tells us it was written by him; but Isaiah evidently refers us to Abraham's day, and alludes to the history of Ishmael and Isaac, as Paul does in (Galatians 4:22-30).
"Peter says: 'Wherein dwelleth righteousness,' or righteous persons. This promise Abraham saw afar off. Not the promise that Abraham and his seed should inherit the literal land of Canaan; for that promise was fulfilled. 'And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them: the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.' (Joshua 21:43-45) It was a promise that he should be heir of the new earth where the children of the bond woman, of the earth earthy, would be cast out.
"If the old land of Canaan is the inheritance, then the old city of Jerusalem must be the sanctuary, and the old Jews must be the heirs, and nothing is true but Judaism. But Isaiah says: 'The former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.' This doctrine of the old land of Canaan being the inheritance of the saints, and the wicked dwelling on the remainder of the earth, making carnal war with Christ and his immortal saints on the land of Canaan, and the cleansing of the earth by fire, after the saints and Christ have possessed it a thousand years, to me, at least, is neither Scripture nor common sense. I will, therefore, show,
"3. That the cleansing of the earth by fire will be when Christ comes. 'Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.' -- Psalm 50:3-5. In this passage the fire devours 'before him.' He also gathers and judges his people. Verse 6th declares Peter's new heavens and earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
"'A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world; the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.' -- Psalm 97:3-6. Here, as in the last quotation, the fire goeth before him, burns up his enemies, the earth trembles, the hills melt, there is the new heavens, and all the people left see his glorious reign.
"'A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him; thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flames.' (Daniel 7:10, 11) The fire goes before him; the body of the fourth kingdom, which treads down the sanctuary, the whole earth (see verse 23rd), is destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
"'For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. For I know their works and their thoughts; it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see my glory.' (Isaiah 66:15-18) God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand; and there was the hiding of his power. Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. He stood, and measured the earth; he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.' (Habakkuk 3:3-6) These passages all harmonize. 'For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.' (Malachi 4:1-3) This text plainly proves that the burning day is when Christ makes up his jewels, when he separates the sheep from the goats, and we discern between the righteous and the wicked; also, that all the proud and all that do wickedly are burned up, and that they are ashes in that day. How can this be if the earth is not destroyed by fire until the thousand years are fulfilled? 'For the wicked live not again until the thousand years are finished.' (Revelation 20:5)
"Again: See (Matthew 3:12): 'Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' 'The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.' (Matthew 13:41-43) Here we have the explanation of Christ himself. At his coming he gathers out of the kingdom (the territory or world) all that offend or do iniquity, after which the righteous shine forth in the kingdom -- the world cleansed, wherein dwelleth righteous persons.
"John said: 'I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.' (Luke 3:16, 17) We may safely conclude, by this passage, that Christ, at his second coming, will immerse the world in fire, and at the same time gather his wheat into his garner. 'But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all: even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.' (Luke 17:29, 30) This text is plain, and shows that, the same day the Son of Man is revealed, he will destroy, by fire from heaven, all the wicked. 'And to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed), in that day.' (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) 'And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.' (2 Thessalonians 2:8) How any one can think to harmonize the Scriptures, and not have the world purified by fire at the coming of Christ, I cannot conceive.
"'Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.' (Psalm 37:34)
"And now, my brethren, I exhort you not to be led away from plain fundamental truths. Now is the time of danger. Satan has come down, having great power, knowing he hath but a short time. 'Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.' (Revelation 3:11)
"Low Hampton, May 2, 1844."
Shortly after this he wrote the following lines respecting his disappointment:
"How tedious and lonesome the hours,During the last week of May, the Annual Conference of Adventists was held in the Tabernacle at Boston. Mr. Miller was present, and, at the close of one of the meetings, in accordance with a previous notice, arose, and frankly confessed his mistake in the definite time at which he supposed the prophetic periods would have terminated. The following notice of this confession, written by a hearer, appeared in the Boston Post on the 1st of June following:
While Jesus, my Saviour, delays!
I have sought him in solitude's bowers,
And looked for him all the long days.
Yet he lingers -- I pray tell me why
His chariot no sooner returns?
To see him in clouds of the sky,
My soul with intensity burns.
I long to be with him at home,
My heart swallowed up in his love,
On the fields of New Eden to roam,
And to dwell with my Saviour above."