Those of you who
haven't heard of William Miller's biography can download the book online. James
White published it in 1875. It is based on very good direct sources and
letters. Following what pastors
of other churches said about Miller, as a Baptist he must have been the Billy
Graham of 1840-1844. Ordinary farmer who read himself into the Bible and he could
speak with simple clarity. The churches where he was invited to speak were packed and
outside were people who could not get in. One day some of his
friends ask him to go to a phrenologist. It is a science that measured the
skulls of people and they could indicate the personality, intelligence and so
on. Miller agreed. The doctor was
unaware of who the patient was. He then told others who were sitting around
waiting for their turn, that the man he now had in front of him was a great
competition for William Miller. "Miller will never be able to convert the
man because his head is too big. This patient is a smart man. I would like to
analyze Miller's head. I will push it a bit too". The people in the
waiting room all laughed and giggled. He thought they were laughing at his
jokes. He then told them,
"Miller has a lump on his head and he shows with his fist how big the lump
is". "Yes-no, this
patient of mine would have given him all his days". When he finished
measuring he made the sketch and then asked the patient's name. "Oh no, that's
not necessary" says the patient politely. "Come on,"
said the doctor, "I have to write it in the space". "Okay,"
says the patient, "if you insist, write Mr. M". The doctor asks:
"What does the M stand for?" The patient says
"Miller". The doctor asks
"Miller as in Miller?" The patient says
"Yes, Miller as in William Miller". The doctor was
horrified: "You mean you're William Miller?" They say in the
biography that for the rest of the time he was very quiet. Isn't it true that
sometimes we talk too much and then later want to bite our tongues? The book of
James says we must be slow with the tongue. Sounds about right, doesn't it?