Finishing the Race
Of all the games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the races were the most ancient and the most highly esteemed … The contests were governed by strict regulations, from which there was no appeal. Those who desired their names entered as competitors for the prize had first to undergo a severe preparatory training. Harmful indulgence of appetite, or any other gratification that would lower mental or physical vigour, was strictly forbidden. For one to have any hope of success in these trials of strength and speed, the muscles must be strong and supple, and the nerves well under control. Every movement must be certain, every step swift and unswerving; the physical powers must reach the highest mark.
Of all the games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the races were the most ancient and the most highly esteemed … The contests were governed by strict regulations, from which there was no appeal. Those who desired their names entered as competitors for the prize had first to undergo a severe preparatory training. Harmful indulgence of appetite, or any other gratification that would lower mental or physical vigour, was strictly forbidden. For one to have any hope of success in these trials of strength and speed, the muscles must be strong and supple, and the nerves well under control. Every movement must be certain, every step swift and unswerving; the physical powers must reach the highest mark.
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Thus <strong>the</strong> attention of <strong>the</strong> people was directed to <strong>the</strong> fulfillment of prophecy, and many were<br />
led to give heed to <strong>the</strong> warning of <strong>the</strong> second advent.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> year 1840 ano<strong>the</strong>r remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest.<br />
Two years before, Josiah Litch, one of <strong>the</strong> leading ministers preaching <strong>the</strong> second advent,<br />
published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting <strong>the</strong> fall of <strong>the</strong> Ottoman Empire.<br />
According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown "in A.D. 1840, sometime in<br />
<strong>the</strong> month of August;" and only a few days previous to its accomplishment he wrote:<br />
"Allowing <strong>the</strong> first period, 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled before Deacozes<br />
ascended <strong>the</strong> throne by permission of <strong>the</strong> Turks, and that <strong>the</strong> 391 years, fifteen days,<br />
commenced at <strong>the</strong> close of <strong>the</strong> first period, it will end on <strong>the</strong> 11th of August, 1840, when <strong>the</strong><br />
Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be<br />
found to be <strong>the</strong> case."-Josiah Litch, in Signs of <strong>the</strong> Times, and Expositor of Prophecy, Aug.<br />
1, 1840.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted <strong>the</strong> protection of<br />
<strong>the</strong> allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under <strong>the</strong> control of Christian nations.<br />
The event exactly fulfilled <strong>the</strong> prediction.When it became known, multitudes were<br />
convinced of <strong>the</strong> correctness of <strong>the</strong> principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller<br />
and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to <strong>the</strong> advent movement. Men of<br />
learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and<br />
from 1840 to 1844 <strong>the</strong> work rapidly extended.<br />
William Miller possessed strong mental powers, disciplined by thought and study; and<br />
he added to <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong> wisdom of heaven by connecting himself with <strong>the</strong> Source of wisdom.<br />
He was a man of sterling worth, who could not but command respect and esteem wherever<br />
integrity of character and moral excellence were valued. Uniting true kindness of heart with<br />
Christian humility and <strong>the</strong> power of self-control, he was attentive and affable to all, ready to<br />
listen to <strong>the</strong> opinions of o<strong>the</strong>rs and to weigh <strong>the</strong>ir arguments. Without passion or excitement<br />
he tested all <strong>the</strong>ories and doctrines by <strong>the</strong> word of God, and his sound reasoning and<br />
thorough knowledge of <strong>the</strong> Scriptures enabled him to refute error and expose falsehood.<br />
Yet he did not prosecute his work without bitter opposition. As with earlier Reformers,<br />
<strong>the</strong> truths which he presented were not received with favour by popular religious teachers.<br />
As <strong>the</strong>se could not maintain <strong>the</strong>ir position by <strong>the</strong> Scriptures, <strong>the</strong>y were driven to resort to <strong>the</strong><br />
sayings and doctrines of men, to <strong>the</strong> traditions of <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>rs. But <strong>the</strong> word of God was <strong>the</strong><br />
only testimony accepted by <strong>the</strong> preachers of <strong>the</strong> advent truth. "The Bible, and <strong>the</strong> Bible<br />
only," was <strong>the</strong>ir watchword. The lack of Scripture argument on <strong>the</strong> part of <strong>the</strong>ir opponents<br />
was supplied by ridicule and scoffing. Time, means, and talents were employed in<br />
maligning those whose only offense was that <strong>the</strong>y looked with joy for <strong>the</strong> return of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
Lord and were striving to live holy lives and to exhort o<strong>the</strong>rs to prepare for His appearing.<br />
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