As the spring of 1844 drew near public testimony as to the Second Advent was most active. The time passed, and nothing happened. Mrs. White says tamely: " Those who had looked in faith for His appearing, were for a season involved in doubt and uncertainty."
She dismisses with a few general observations the fanaticism aroused by the expectation of an event which never took place. Others tell us that Adventists left their work, gave away their property, that crops were left ungathered, that their children were kept from school for years, because, the time being so short, they would need no education. Those children have now grand-children and great grand-children, and more distant descendants.
Disappointment opened the eyes of many, whilst others were driven to infidelity.