V. Fitch Starts Call to “Come Out”

Sharp divisions began to develop, as strong ecclesiastical pressure was exerted on the “fanatics,” as they were called. At first the Millerite leaders regarded the question as a personal matter, and counseled their followers not to withdraw unless necessary. Persecution alone should dissolve one’s communion with his own church. ^{21Letter, Patten to Southard, Nov. 3, 1843, Midnight Cry, Nov. 30, 1843, p. 121.} However, in 1843 the declaration began to be made by Fitch, and then by others, that such opposing churches had become “Babylon.” The Catholic “mother” church, he reminded them, had Protestant “daughters,” and these had retained many of her tainted doctrines.PFF4 772.3

Thus it was that at last the cry was given, “Come out of her, my people”—come out from the confusion and division, the sects and parties, the worldliness, pride, and covetousness of nominal Christendom. Ministers, they said, had become hirelings of the salary system. Many were still in fellowship with the rum sellers. And God’s people were to separate from apostate and organized anti-Christian bodies and influences. Soon the cry was taken up by the Adventist lecturers, that “Babylon” had “fallen”! Preachers published in the various church papers announcement of their withdrawal from the churches. Scores upon scores of leading laymen withdrew. The new development was on in earnest.PFF4 772.4

Even a paper called Babylon the Great Is Fallen was published at Oswego, New York. Hundreds of believers were now being dismissed as the result of the growing friction. Miller was much perturbed. And Himes, who had consistently opposed leaving the churches, at last, in September, 1844, came out squarely in favor of separation under such circumstances. They should not remain, he declared, in the fellowship of those churches that were definitely fighting and rejecting the advent doctrine itself. A return to the faith of the primitive church was urged by the leaders. This was called, among themselves, the giving of the second angel’s message, of Revelation 14:8, which they now saw followed, or joined with, the giving of the judgment-hour message of the “first angel,” of verses 6, 7.PFF4 772.5