The Seventh-Day Adventists are an off-shoot of the old Millerites, the followers of William Miller, of Low Hampton, N.Y., U.S.A. To get a clear idea of the movement it will be necessary to sketch the origin of Millerism.
Miller was born in 1782, of humble parentage. His mother was pious, and early instructed him in Bible truths. Thrown into the company of Deists in early manhood, he embraced their views. After twelve years of unbelief, being far from satisfied with his negative beliefs, at the age of thirty-four he began the study of the Bible. It resulted in his confession of the Lord Jesus as His Savior, and he took his stand accordingly. His old companions assailed his beliefs, as they had once shared his disbeliefs. Miller studied his Bible to find an answer to their objections, as he himself wrote: " To ascertain if every apparent contradiction could be harmonized.
An unlettered man, by occupation a small fanner, he refused any further help than the marginal references of his Bible and a Concordance. Independence of mind is a good thing up to a point, but if it leads the child to attempt to educate himself without the aid of a teacher; or the apprentice to learn his trade without the help of his master; or the Christian to refuse help from the gifts given by the ascended Lord to His Church, it can only work disaster. So with Miller. He asked no counsel or help. Alas! that independence of mind that led him into infidelity, now led him into error.