Page 62 - 18 An American Reformer

they had to do for their fellow men must be

done quickly. Earth receded, eternity seemed

to open before them, and the soul, with all

that pertained to its immortal weal or woe,

was felt to eclipse every temporal object. The

Spirit of God rested upon them and gave

power to their earnest appeals to their

brethren, as well as to sinners, to prepare for

the day of God. The silent testimony of their

daily life was a constant rebuke to formal and

unconsecrated church members. These did

not wish to be disturbed in their pursuit of

pleasure, their devotion to money-making,

and their ambition for worldly honor. Hence

the enmity and opposition excited against the

advent faith and those who proclaimed it.

As the arguments from the prophetic periods

were found to be impregnable, opposers

endeavored to discourage investigation of the