Professors of religion were roused from their false security . They saw their backslidings , their worldliness and unbelief , their pride and selfishness .
Many sought the Lord with repentance and humiliation . The affections that had so long clung to earthly things they now fixed upon heaven . The Spirit of God rested upon them , and with hearts softened and subdued they joined to sound the cry : " Fear God , and give glory to Him ; for the hour of His judgment is come ." Sinners inquired with weeping : " What must I do to be saved ?" Those whose lives had been marked with dishonesty were anxious to make restitution . All who found peace in Christ longed to see others share the blessing . The hearts of parents were turned to their children , and the hearts of children to their parents . The barriers of pride and reserve were swept away . Heartfelt confessions were made , and the members of the household labored for the salvation of those who were nearest and dearest . Often was heard the sound of earnest intercession . Everywhere were souls in deep anguish pleading with God . Many wrestled all night in prayer for the assurance that their own sins were pardoned , or for the conversion of their relatives or neighbors .
All classes flocked to the Adventist meetings . Rich and poor , high and low , were , from various causes , anxious to hear for themselves the doctrine of the second advent . The Lord held the spirit of opposition in check while His servants explained the reasons of their faith . Sometimes the instrument was feeble ; but the Spirit of God gave power to His truth . The presence of holy angels was felt in these assemblies , and many were daily added to the believers . As the evidences of Christ ' s soon coming were repeated , vast crowds listened in breathless silence to the solemn words . Heaven and earth seemed to approach each other . The power of God was felt upon old and young and middle-aged . Men sought their homes with praises upon their lips , and the glad sound rang out upon the still night air . None who attended those meetings can ever forget those scenes of deepest interest .
The proclamation of a definite time for Christ ' s coming called forth great opposition from many of all classes , from the minister in the pulpit down to the most reckless , Heavendaring sinner . The words of prophecy were fulfilled : " There shall come in the last days scoffers , walking after their own lusts , and saying , Where is the promise of His coming ? for since the fathers fell asleep , all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation ." 2 Peter 3:3 , 4 . Many who professed to love the Saviour , declared that they had no opposition to the doctrine of the second advent ; they merely objected to the definite time . But God ' s all-seeing eye read their hearts . They did not wish to hear of Christ ' s coming to judge the world in righteousness . They had been unfaithful servants , their works would not bear the inspection of the heart-searching God , and they feared to meet their Lord . Like the Jews at the
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