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 ." ( See Appendix .) 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 they were not disappointed ; they had never believed that Christ would come . They were among the first to ridicule the sorrow of the true believers .
But Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sympathy upon the tried and faithful yet disappointed ones . Could the evil separating the visible world have been swept back , angels would have been seen drawing near to these steadfast souls and shielding them from the shafts of Satan .
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