that the
message was of Heaven. And though the believers could not explain their
disappointment, they felt assured that God had led them in their past
experience.

Interwoven with prophecies which they had regarded as applying to the time
of the second advent, was instruction specially adapted to their state of
uncertainty and suspense, and encouraging them to wait patiently in the
faith that what was now dark to their understanding would in due time be
made plain.

Among these prophecies was that of Hab. 2:1-4: "I will stand upon my
watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say
unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered
me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may
run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at
the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because
it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted
up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."

As early as 1842, the direction given in this prophecy, to "write the
vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it,"
had suggested to Charles Fitch the preparation of a prophetic chart to
illustrate the visions of Daniel and the Revelation. The publication of
this chart was regarded as a fulfilment of the command given by Habakkuk.
No one, however, then noticed that an apparent delay in the accomplishment
of the vision--a tarrying time--is presented in the same prophecy. After the
disappointment, this scripture appeared very significant: "The vision is
yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not
tarry.... The just shall live by his _faith_."

A portion of Ezekiel's prophecy also was a source of strength and comfort
to believers: "The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, what
is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are
prolonged, and every vision faileth? Tell them therefore, Thus saith the
Lord God, ... The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.... I
will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall
be no more prolonged." "They of the house of Israel say, The vision that
he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that
are far off. Therefore say unto them, Thus saith