1841 William Miller Evidence from Scripture & History - A2Z.org

pl%lns to go out and meet the Bridegroom Om world,
twenty yeua ago, be c W a worid of bhionable
t+u~r&; b t y men drank of dm intoxicating
, bowl, and thought it nobana But when the lamp began
to dart its rays around our tabermeclee, it wa~ fbund by
wow experience that thoee who drank of the poisonous
cup were totally and wholly unpre d to receive the
warning voice, or hear the midnig6;rrry, Behold, the
bridegroom caareth." No, "they that were drunken,
.were drunken in the night," says tbe apoatle. U Therefore
let us watch and be sober." And Peter tells nrr,
But the end of all things is at hand ; be ye therefore
sober, and watch uuto prayer." How foolish would it
have been tbr a hnken man to be set on a watch, or a
praying rrmn to be found drank! Therefore, in order
Ohat men might be in a suitable frame of mind to receive
ktruction at 'the close of this dispeamtion, and be in a
situation to listen to the midnight cry, God ordered the
Pugins, and they arose and trimmed their lamps ; and ,in
all human probability thousaade who would have met a
drunkard's grave if this soci&y had not arose, are now
watching, with their lamps trimmed aad burning, ready
to meet the Bridegroom at his coming. Perhaps this
temperance soc~ety ia the virgins' hut resort. The
Judge stands at the door; go ye out to meet him. Thia
society, lie the othenr before mentioned, is a general
thing, and all sects, denominations, and classes of men
are enpd in it, and it b an important influence
upon 1 men who are m this probationary state, and
who may be termed, as in om text, uvirgins.* This
society is of later origin than the others, and seems to
be a rear gud to wake up a few stragglers which the
other societies could not reach. And now, drunkards,
is your time ; Wisdom stands at the door and knocks ;
let go the intoxicating bowl, be sober, and hear the
midnight cry, Behold, the bridegroom cometh" For
your souls' s&e drink not another draught, led he come
and kd you drunken, "and that da come upon yo11
unawares, and find you deeping." 6, be wise, ye ~ntemperate
men, for the only went in to the marriage
uami door ru ~*lt+.
who were M dy,
'