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LETTER I.

ON THE SECOND ADVENT.

DEAR BRO. HIMES:-The following is an extract of a letter which I wrote sixteen years since to a friend, on the subject of the near approach of the dear Savior. This was several years before I publicly avowed my faith in the doctrine.

WILLIAM MILLER.

1.*Come, blessed Savior! nor let time delay 2. The sacred morn of that expected day,

3. When all the happy throng, the heavenly band,

4. Descending from above, "the spirit land;"

5. When the seventh trump its solemn blast shall sound, 6. And Gabriel's voice shall shake the solid ground.

7. Then sleeping myriads from their graves shall rise, 8. And meet their Savior in those nether skies; 9. While those who yet remain, by men oppressed, 10. Will feel a sudden change and join the bless'd; 11. Where, in one chorus joined, the song be raised, 12. To God, the Father, Son,-" Ancient of days."

I sometimes almost flatter myself I shall live to see this glorious day. Fanatical," say you. Very well; I should not be surprised if you and I should both be on this earth, alive,

13. When from the east we see a cloud arise,

11. And bring to view a Savior long despised;

*The figures refer to proof-texts, having the same numbers, imme diately following the letter.

15. When we shall hear that trumpet's dreadful roll, 16. That shakes the earth from centre to the pole; 17. When, from the great white throne, indignant ire 18. Shoots forth its blaze, and sets the world on fire:19. Then all the wicked, all that pride can boast, 20. Shall be as stubble, saith the Lord of hosts; 21. When kings, and captains, tyrants, mighty men, 22. Are the great supper for the fowls of heaven; 23. And kingdoms, thrones, and powers, dominions riven 21. Like chaff before the angry whirlwind driven. 25. The dragon, papal beast, and great arch foe, 26. Shall sink in endless night, eternal woez 27. The orb of day, his face be hid in gloom, 28. And the old reeling earth in Nature's tomb.

"Then you believe in annihilation ?" methinks I hear you say. No, sir; I believe

29. That this dark orb shall from its ashes rise,
30. And the new heavens, descending from the skies,
31. The happy bride, adorned in righteousness,
32. Shall with the Bridegroom, enter to his rest.
33. Then, O my soul, will you, permitted, view
34. This word fulfilled, “created all things new;"
35. And all be banished-trials, sins, and fears,
36. To live and reign with Christ a thousand years.
37. The beloved city, filled with boys and men,
38. Will constitute the New Jerusalem,

39. And there, as priests to God, with Christ to dwell,
40. While Satan and his hosts are chained in hell.-
41. But, lo! a thousand years are past and gone,
42. Since the new world was from the old one born;
43. When death gives up the particles of dust,
41. And hell lets loose the spirits of the cursed.

4.5. Then on the surface of the earth they stand, 4. A company unnumbered as the sand;

47. For in their flesh they sinned in time that's pass'd,
48. So in the flesh must they be judged at last;
49. Driven and gathered, round the city roam,

50. To hear their sentence and receive their doom.
51. But can they scale those walls, so great and high?
52. No; nothing enters that doth make a lie.

53. Lo! on the golden walls, from tower to tower,
51. See saints stand judging them in this dread hour!
55. There justice, from above, in fiery breath,
56. Destroys the rebels-"this the second death!"

I am almost persuaded to believe that we shall never meet again until that day, when the Sun of righteousness shall rise

57. With healing wings, and grace on grace distil,
58. And cleanse the church on Zion's holy hill;
59. Where sin no more controls, nor death by sin,
60. But justified and glorified with him:

61. No need of sun or moon, for he's our light;
62. No changing seasons there, nor gloomy night;
63. No parting there of friends, nor farewells given,
64. But gathered all in one from earth and heaven.
65. On this my faith is fixed, my hope is raised-
6. To him the glory, and his name the praise.
67. Then, while I stay in this unfriendly state,
68. Lord, give me grace, and patiently I'll wait.

The above is written to you, my brother, hoping that you may catch some of the feelings and exercises of the author's eart, while he has often read and pondered over the blessed passages to which you are referred in the conclusion, under head of “Prooftexts." I can only claim your indulgence; merit I claim not.

For poets say, and surely they can tell,
To read a poet right, "drink from his well;"
To feel the spirit, catch the spirit's flame,
And kindred spirits kindle back again.
Then read the proof, my brother, and believe,
If I'm not right, I'm happy being deceived;
For hope's an anchor,—all in this agree,—
And faith a helmsman-so at least with me;
The word of God my compass, love the pole,
Experience are my sails, and Christ the whole.
Grace is my ballast, for it keeps me low;
The Spirit is the wind, that bears me through;
Perfection is the haven for which I run,
Consigned to him who gave for me his Son;
Life is the voyage, and I am "homeward bound,"
Time is my log-book, death my anchor-ground;
The resurrection is my ship o'erhauled,
Eternity unites us all in all.

WILLIAM MILLER.

August 17, 1826.

PROOF TEXTS.

1. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely 1 come quickly: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. -Rev. xxii. 20.

2. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.--Psa, cxxx. 6.

3. To the end he may establish your hearts un blamuable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Thess. iii. 13.

4. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.--Psa. l. 4. 5. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms

of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.-Rev. xi. 15.

6. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the motes and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty; when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.-Isa. ii. 19–21.

7. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.--John v. 28.

8. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.-1 Thess. iv. 17.

9. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.— 2 Thess. i. 5-7.

10. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, ar the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.-1 Cor. xv. 52.

11. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed ús to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.-Rev. v. 9.

12. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure Wool: his throne was like the fiery flame; and his