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Autobiographical Sketch of Ellen G. White
Chapter 3: Feelings of Despair
Second Series of Lectures
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| Baptist preacher, William Miller.—White Estate. |
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In June, 1842, Mr. Miller gave his second course of lectures in Portland. I felt it a great privilege to attend these lectures, for I had fallen under discouragements
and did not feel prepared to meet my Saviour. This second course created much more excitement in the city than the first. With few exceptions the different
denominations closed the doors of their churches against Mr. Miller. Many discourses from the various pulpits sought to expose the alleged fanatical errors of
the lecturer; but crowds of anxious listeners attended his meetings, while many were unable to enter the house.
The congregations were unusually quiet and attentive. His manner of preaching was not flowery or oratorical, but he dealt in plain and startling facts that roused
his hearers from their careless indifference. He supported his statements and theories by Scripture proof as he progressed. A convincing power attended his
words that seemed to stamp them as the language of truth.
He was courteous and sympathetic. When every seat in the house was full, and the platform and places about the pulpit seemed crowded, I have seen him
leave the desk and walk down the aisle, and take some feeble old man or woman by the hand and find a seat for them, then return and resume his discourse. He
was indeed rightly called Father Miller, for he had a watchful care over those who came under his ministrations, was affectionate in his manner, of a genial
disposition and tender heart.
He was an interesting speaker, and his exhortations, both to professed Christians and the impenitent, were appropriate and powerful. Sometimes a solemnity so
marked as to be painful, pervaded his meetings. Many yielded to the conviction of the Spirit of God. Gray-haired men and aged women with trembling steps
sought the anxious seats. Those in the strength of maturity, the youth and children, were deeply stirred. Groans and the voice of weeping and of praise to God
were mingled at the altar of prayer.
I believed the solemn words spoken by the servant of God, and my heart was pained when they were opposed or made the subject of jest. I frequently attended
the meetings, and believed that Jesus was soon to come in the clouds of heaven; but my great anxiety was to be ready to meet Him. My mind constantly dwelt
upon the subject of holiness of heart. I longed above all things to obtain this great blessing and feel that I was entirely accepted of God.
(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 26-22)
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