Take from Memoirs of William Miller, by Sylvester Bliss, 1853, p. 112-115.
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! ............Rev. 22:17,20 Break, sacred morning! usher in the day, .................Isa. 58:8 When all the happy throng, the heavenly band, ............Dan. 7:10 Shall descend from above, "the spirit land;" .............1 Thess. 4:14 When the seventh trump its solemn blast shall sound, .....1 Thess. 4:16 And Gabriel's voice shall shake the solid ground; ........Isa. 2:19,21 When sleeping myriads from their graves shall rise, ......1 Thess. 4:16 And meet thee, Jesus, in these nether skies; .............1 Thess. 4:17 When those who yet remain, by sin oppressed, .............1 Thess. 4:17 Will feel a sudden change and join the blessed. ..........1 Cor. 15:51,52 There all the Spirit's fruits unite to praise ............Gal. 6:8 The Father, Son, and Spirit - "Ancient of days." .........Dan. 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, ...............Rev. 1:7 When we shall hear the trump's portentous roll, ..........Isa. 27:13 That shakes the earth from centre to the pole; ...........Psa. 18:7 When, from the great white throne, indignant ire .........Rev. 20:11 Shoots forth its blaze, and sets the world on fire: ......Mal. 4:1 Then all the wicked, all that pride can boast, ...........Mal. 4:1 "Shall be as stubble," saith the Lord of hosts; ..........Mal. 4:1 When kings, and captains, tyrants, mighty men, ...........Rev. 19:18 Are the great supper for the fowls of heaven; ............Rev. 19:17 And kingdoms, thrones, and powers, dominions riven, ......Dan. 2:44 Like chaff before the angry whirlwind driven. ............Dan. 2:35 The dragon, papal beast, the great arch-foe, .............Rev. 19:20 Shall sink in endless night, - eternal woe; ..............Rev. 20:10 The orb of day, his face be hid in gloom, ................Isa. 24:23 And the old reeling earth in Nature's tomb. ..............Isa. 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, ............Isa. 65:17 And the new heavens, descending from the skies, ..........Rev. 21:10 The bride, adorned in robes of righteousness, ............Rev. 21:2 Shall with the Bridegroom enter into rest. ...............Heb. 4:9 Then, O my soul, shall you, permitted, view ..............Ps. 130:5-8 The word fulfilled: "created all things new;" ............Rev. 21:5 And all be banished - trials, sins and fears, ............Rev. 21:4 To live and reign with Christ a thousand years. ..........Rev. 20:6 The beloved city, filled with boys and men, ..............Zech. 8:4,5 Will constitute the New Jerusalem, .......................Zech. 8:8 And there, as priests of God, with Christ to dwell, ......Rev. 20:6 While Satan and his hosts are chained in hell. ...........Rev. 20:1-3 But, lo! a thousand years are past and gone, .............Rev. 20:7 Since the new world was from the old one born; ...........Isa. 42:5-9 When death gives up the particles of dust, ...............Rev. 20:13 And hell lets loose the spirits of the curs'd. ...........Rev. 20:13 Then on the surface of the earth they stand, .............Rev. 20:9 A company unnumbered as the sand; ........................Rev. 20:8 For in the flesh they sinned in time that's pass'd. ......Rom. 7:5 So in the flesh must they be judg'd at last; .............1 Pet. 4:6 Deceived and gathered, round the city come, ..............Rev. 20:8 To hear their sentence and receive their doom. ...........Rev. 20:13 But can they scale those walls, so great and high? .......Rev. 21:12 No; nothing enters that doth make a lie. .................Rev. 21:27 Now from the golden gates, from tower to tower, ..........Rev. 20:12-18 The saints look forth for the decisive hour! .............1 Cor. 6:2; Rev. 14:7 Then justice, from on high, in fiery breath, .............Dan. 9:3; Heb. 12:29 Destroys the rebels - this "the second death!" ...........Rev. 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.” – Mal. 4:2.
With healing wings shall grace on grace distil, ..........Zech. 4:7 And cleanse the church on Zion's holy hill; ..............Dan. 8:14 Where sin no more controls, nor death by sin, ............Rom. 5:12-21 But justified and glorified with him: ....................Rom. 8:30-39 No need of sun or moon, for He's our light; ..............Rev. 21:23 No changing seasons there, nor gloomy night; .............Rev. 22:5 No parting there of friends, nor farewells given, ........Rom. 8:35-39 But gathered all in one from earth and heaven. ...........Eph. 1:10 On this my faith is fixed, my hope is rais'd; ............1 Cor. 13:13 To Him the glory, and His name be prais'd. ...............Ps. 148 Then, while I stay in this unfriendly state, .............1 Cor. 15:9 Lord, give me grace, and patiently I'll wait. ............Rom. 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 1:7 To read a poet right, "drink from his well;" .............Song 5:1; Acts 8:29 To catch the spirit, touch the spirit's flame, ...........1 John 4:1; Rom. 8:9 And kindred spirits kindle back again. ...................1 Tim. 4:12 Then read my quotings, brother, and believe, .............2 Cor. 1:12-14 If I'm not right, I'm happy being deceived; ..............Gal. 6:3,4 For hope's an anchor, - all in this agree, - .............Heb. 6:19 And faith a helmsman - so at least with me; ..............2 Cor. 5:7 The word of God my compass, love the pole, ...............Rev. 15:2; Isa. 60:9 Experience my sails, and Christ the whole. ...............Eze. 27:7 Grace is my ballast, for it keeps me low; ................Rom. 7:7-25 The Spirit is the wind, that bears me through; ...........Song 4:16; Acts 2:2 Perfection is the haven for which I run, .................Eph. 4:13 Consigned to Him who gave for me His Son; ................1 Cor. 15:24; John 3:16 Life is the voyage, and I am "homeward bound," ...........Jer. 45:5 Time is my log-book, death my anchor-ground; .............Rev. 2:10; Ps. 116:15 The resurrection is my ship o'erhauled, ..................Rev. 20:6; Ps. 17:15 Eternity unites us all in all. ...........................1 Cor. 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
