HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT AFTER MARCH, 1844

A brief history of the advent movement after March 21, 1844, is set forth in the following, taken from the The Signs of the Times, October 31, 1844:—GSAM 157.1

“After the passing away of 1843,—the Jewish Year,—the great body of the Adventists settled down in the belief that we could henceforth reckon on particular times with no degree of positiveness. They believed that we were where our chronology points, at the end of all the prophetic periods, at the termination of which the advent is expected; and that while we should have to wait only the little while that our chronology might vary from God’s time, yet they believed that we could have no more clue to the definite time. They had all taken their lamps and gone forth to meet the Bridegroom; but the Bridegroom had tarried beyond the time (1843) in which he was expected. During this tarrying of the vision, it seemed to be the determination of all to wait for it, believing it could not be delayed, and that it might be momentarily expected. It was, however, soon very evident that multitudes were forming plans for the future, which they would not form if they believed the Lord would come this year; and that they had fallen asleep with regard to a realizing sense of the Lord’s immediate appearing. In other words, they thought he might come any day, or that it might be delayed some little while, during which they might enjoy a refreshing repose. Well, this was as our Saviour said it would be, ‘While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.’GSAM 157.2