Ellen WhiteEllen White

Who Was William Miller?

William MillerWilliam Miller (1782-1849) was an American farmer and Baptist preacher who announced the coming of Christ around 1844. He founded the popular movement known as Millerism. In the War of 1812, he served as a captain. After the war, he returned to his farm in Low Hampton, New York, where he hoped to live quietly as a farmer along with being a justice of the peace.

In 1816 he was converted to Christianity. He wrote that the Bible “became my delight, and in Jesus I found a friend.” His skeptical friends, mostly Deists, challenged him, which led to an orderly study of the Bible, beginning with Genesis. He wrote that with any obscure text, he would compare it with all collateral passages with the help of Cruden’s Concordance until he could harmonize these passages.

With this serious approach to Bible study, he began his study of prophecies that led him to the conclusion that he was living in the last period of earth history. Specifically, he focused on prophecies in the Book of Daniel and especially on “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” (Daniel 8:14). After further study, he concluded in 1818 that “in about twenty-five years [about 1843] … all the affairs of our present state would be wound up.” In the next five years, he examined all the objections to his reasoning but became even more convinced.

He excused himself as not a public speaker, but circumstances led him to the pulpit anyway — and his life would be forever changed. People throughout New England thronged his meetings. Leading pastors called for his services. He published his thoughts and public lectures, which extended his popularity. From 1834 to 1839, his record book listed 800 lectures, accomplished at his own expense and wholly in response to direct invitations.

In 1839, when Joshua Himes, pastor in Boston, heard Miller preach, he immediately launched a publication called Signs of the Times, which led to many other publications. From then on, Millerism was more than a one-man activity. Many prominent preachers and scholars joined Miller.

Miller never set a precise date for the return of Jesus, always using the phrase “about the year 1843.” In January 1844, he rethought his reasoning and said anytime before March 21. After October 22, 1844, Miller wrote, “Although I have been twice disappointed, I am not yet cast down or discouraged. … My hope in the coming of Christ is as strong as ever.”


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