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when they hoped to meet their Lord。 Every morning they felt that it was
their first duty to secure the evidence of their acceptance with God。 Their
hearts were closely united； and they prayed much with and for one another。
They often met together in secluded places to commune with God； and the
voice of intercession ascended to heaven from the fields and groves。 The
assurance of the Saviour's approval was more necessary to them than their
daily food； and if a cloud darkened their minds； they did not rest until it
was swept away。 As they felt the witness of pardoning grace； they longed to
behold Him whom their souls loved。
But again they were destined to disappointment。 The time of expectation
passed； and their Saviour did not appear。 With unwavering confidence they
had looked forward to His coming； and now they felt as did Mary when； coming
to the Saviour's tomb and finding it empty； she exclaimed with weeping：
〃They have taken away my Lord； and I know not where they have laid Him。〃
John 20：13。
A feeling of awe； a fear that the message might be true； had for a time
served as a restraint upon the unbelieving world。 After the passing of the
time this did not at once disappear； at first they dared not triumph over
the disappointed ones； but as no tokens of God's wrath were seen； they
recovered from their fears and resumed their reproach and ridicule。 A large
class who had professed to believe in the Lord's soon coming； renounced
their faith。 Some who had been very confident were so deeply wounded in
their pride that they felt like fleeing from the world。 Like Jonah； they
complained of God； and chose death rather than life。
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Those who had based their faith upon the opinions of others； and not upon
the word of God； were now as ready again to change their views。 The scoffers
won the weak and cowardly to their ranks； and all these united in declaring
that there could be no more fears or expectations now。 The time had passed；
the Lord had not come； and the world might remain the same for thousands of
years。
The earnest； sincere believers had given up all for Christ and had shared
His presence as never before。 They had； as they believed； given their last
warning to the world； and； expecting soon to be received into the society of
their divine Master and the heavenly angels； they had； to a great extent；
withdrawn from the society of those who did not receive the message。 With
intense desire they had prayed： 〃Come； Lord Jesus； and come quickly。〃 But He
had not come。 And now to take up again the heavy burden of life's cares and
perplexities； and to endure the taunts and sneers of a scoffing world； was a
terrible trial of faith and patience。
Yet this disappointment was not so great as was that experienced by the
disciples at the time of Christ's first advent。 When Jesus rode triumphantly
into Jerusalem； His followers believed that He was about to ascend the
throne of David and deliver Israel from her oppressors。 With high hopes and
joyful anticipations they vied with one another in showing honor to their
King。 Many spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path； or strewed
before Him the leafy branches of the palm。 In their enthusiastic joy they
united in the glad acclaim： 〃Hosanna to the Son of David！〃 When the
Pharisees； disturbed and angered by this outburst of rejoicing； wished Jesus
to rebuke His disciples； He replied： 〃If these should hold their peace； the
stones would immediately cry out。〃 Luke 19：40。 Prophecy must be fulfilled。
The disciples were accomplishing the purpose of God； yet they were doomed to
a bitter disappointment。 But a few days had passed ere they witnessed the
Saviour's agonizing death； and laid Him in the tomb。 Their expectations had
not been
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realized in a single particular； and their hopes died with Jesus。 Not till
their Lord had come forth triumphant from the grave could they perceive that
all had been foretold by prophecy； and 〃that Christ must needs have
suffered； and risen again from the dead。〃 Acts 17：3。
Five hundred years before； the Lord had declared by the prophet Zechariah：
〃Rejoice greatly； O daughter of Zion； shout； O daughter of Jerusalem：
behold； thy King cometh unto thee： He is just； and having salvation； lowly；
and riding upon an ass； and upon a colt the foal of an ass。〃 Zechariah 9：9。
Had the disciples realized that Christ was going to judgment and to death；
they could not have fulfilled this prophecy。
In like manner Miller and his associates fulfilled prophecy and gave a
message which Inspiration had foretold should be given to the world； but
which they could not have given had they fully understood the prophecies
pointing out their disappointment； and presenting another message to be
preached to all nations before the Lord should come。 The first and second
angel's messages were given at the right time and accomplished the work
which God designed to accomplish by them。
The world had been looking on； expecting that if the time passed and Christ
did not appear； the whole system of Adventism would be given up。 But while
many； under strong temptation； yielded their faith； there were some who
stood firm。 The fruits of the advent movement； the spirit of humility and
heart searching； of renouncing of the world and reformation of life； which
had attended the work； testified that it was of God。 They dared not deny
that the power of the Holy Spirit had witnessed to the preaching of the
second advent； and they could detect no error in their reckoning of the
prophetic periods。 The ablest of their opponents had not succeeded in
overthrowing their system of prophetic interpretation。 They could not
consent； without Bible evidence； to renounce positions which had been
reached through earnest； prayerful study of the Scriptures； by minds
enlightened
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by the Spirit of God and hearts burning with its living power； positions
which had withstood the most searching criticisms and the most bitter
opposition of popular religious teachers and worldly…wise men； and which had
stood firm against the combined forces of learning and eloquence； and the
taunts and revilings alike of the honorable and the base。
True； there had been a failure as to the expected event； but even this could
not shake their faith in the word of God。 When Jonah proclaimed in the
streets of Nineveh that within forty days the city would be overthrown； the
Lord accepted the humiliation of the Ninevites and extended their period of
probation； yet the message of Jonah was sent of God； and Nineveh was tested
according to His will。 Adventists believed that in like manner God had led
them to give the warning of the judgment。 〃It has；〃 they declared； 〃tested
the hearts of all who heard it； and awakened a love for the Lord's
appearing； or it has called forth a hatred； more or less perceivable； but
known to God； of His coming。 It has drawn a line； 。 。 。 so that those who
will examine their own hearts； may know on which side of it they would have
been found； had the Lord then comewhether they would have exclaimed； 'Lo！
this is our God； we have waited for Hi