in regard to their hope ; but others felt that loyalty to God forbade them thus to hide the truths which He had committed to their trust . Not a few were cut off from the fellowship of the church for no other reason than expressing their belief in the coming of Christ . Very precious to those who bore this trial of their faith were the words of the prophet : " Your brethren that hated you , that cast you out for My name ' s sake , said , Let the Lord be glorified : but He shall appear to your joy , and they shall be ashamed ." Isaiah 66:5 .
Angels of God were watching with the deepest interest the result of the warning . When there was a general rejection of the message by the churches , angels turned away in sadness . But there were many who had not yet been tested in regard to the advent truth . Many were misled by husbands , wives , parents , or children , and were made to believe it a sin even to listen to such heresies as were taught by the Adventists . Angels were bidden to keep faithful watch over these souls , for another light was yet to shine upon them from the throne of God .
With unspeakable desire those who had received the message watched for the coming of their Saviour . The time when they expected to meet Him was at hand . They approached this hour with a calm solemnity . They rested in sweet communion with God , and earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter . None who experienced this hope and trust can forget those precious hours of waiting . For some weeks preceding the time , worldly business was for the most part laid aside . The sincere believers carefully examined every thought and emotion of their hearts as if upon their deathbeds and in a few hours to close their eyes upon earthly scenes . There was no making of " ascension robes " ; but all felt the need of internal evidence that they were prepared to meet the Saviour ; their white robes were purity of soul--characters cleansed from sin by the atoning blood of Christ . Would that there were still with the professed people of God the same spirit of heart searching , the same earnest , determined faith . Had they continued thus to humble themselves before the Lord and press their petitions at the mercy seat they would be in possession of a far richer experience than they now have . There is too little prayer , too little real conviction of sin , and the lack of living faith leaves many destitute of the grace so richly provided by our Redeemer .
God designed to prove His people . His hand covered a mistake in the reckoning of the prophetic periods . Adventists did not discover the error , nor was it discovered by the most learned of their opponents . The latter said : " Your reckoning of the prophetic periods is correct . Some great event is about to take place ; but it is not what Mr . Miller predicts ; it is the conversion of the world , and not the second advent of Christ ." The time of expectation passed , and Christ did not appear for the deliverance of His people . Those who with sincere faith and love had looked for their Saviour , experienced a bitter disappointment . Yet the purposes of God were being accomplished ; He was testing the hearts of those professed to be waiting for His appearing . There were among them many who had been actuated by no higher motive than fear . Their profession of faith had not affected their hearts or their lives . When the expected event failed to take place , these persons declared that
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