cometh in the name of the Lord !" Matthew 21:9 . In like manner did unbelievers who flocked to the Adventist meetings--some from curiosity , some merely to ridicule--feel the convincing power attending the message : " Behold , the Bridegroom cometh !"
At that time there was faith that brought answers to prayer--faith that had respect to the recompense of reward . Like showers of rain upon the thirsty earth , the Spirit of grace descended upon the earnest seekers . Those who expected soon to stand face to face with their Redeemer felt a solemn joy that was unutterable . The softening , subduing power of the Holy Spirit melted the heart as His blessing was bestowed in rich measure upon the faithful , believing ones .
Carefully and solemnly those who received the message came up to the time when they hoped to meet their Lord . Every morning they felt that it was their first duty to secure the evidence of their acceptance with God . Their hearts were closely united , and they prayed much with and for one another . They often met together in secluded places to commune with God , and the voice of intercession ascended to heaven from the fields and groves . The assurance of the Saviour ' s approval was more necessary to them than their daily food ; and if a cloud darkened their minds , they did not rest until it was swept away . As they felt the witness of pardoning grace , they longed to behold Him whom their souls loved .
But again they were destined to disappointment . The time of expectation passed , and their Saviour did not appear . With unwavering confidence they had looked forward to His coming , and now they felt as did Mary when , coming to the Saviour ' s tomb and finding it empty , she exclaimed with weeping : " They have taken away my Lord , and I know not where they have laid Him ." John 20:13 .
A feeling of awe , a fear that the message might be true , had for a time served as a restraint upon the unbelieving world . After the passing of the time this did not at once disappear ; at first they dared not triumph over the disappointed ones ; but as no tokens of God ' s wrath were seen , they recovered from their fears and resumed their reproach and ridicule . A large class who had professed to believe in the Lord ' s soon coming , renounced their faith . Some who had been very confident were so deeply wounded in their pride that they felt like fleeing from the world . Like Jonah , they complained of God , and chose death rather than life . Those who had based their faith upon the opinions of others , and not upon the word of God , were now as ready again to change their views . The scoffers won the weak and cowardly to their ranks , and all these united in declaring that there could be no more fears or expectations
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