Chapter 19—August, 1845

Miller Firmly Rejects the October 22, 1844, Date.

I have no confidence in any of the new theories that have grown out of that seventh month movement, viz., that Christ then came as the Bridegroom, that the door of mercy was closed, that there is no salvation for sinners, that the seventh trumpet then sounded, or that it was a fulfillment of prophecy in any sense.—William Miller, Apology and Defense (August, 1845), p. 28.SDD 13.2

In his Apology and Defense, Miller made a distinction between his message preached from 1831 to 1844 and the “midnight cry” of the summer of 1844. The latter no longer held any significance for him. The lines were drawn clearly now between two groups of Adventists. Most of the Millerite leaders rejected the October 22 date and advocated an open door. These were the “open door” Adventists. A smaller group held that prophecy was fulfilled on October 22, 1844, and advocated a shut door. These were the “shut door” Adventists.SDD 13.3