God by Joel
commanded, when the great day of God should be at hand, it produced a
rending of hearts and not of garments, and a turning unto the Lord with
fasting, and weeping, and mourning. As God said by Zechariah, a spirit of
grace and supplication was poured out upon His children; they looked to
Him whom they had pierced, there was a great mourning in the land, ... and
those who were looking for the Lord afflicted their souls before
Him."(657)

Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles, none
have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan than
was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse of many years,
all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform
of truth, still feel the holy influence of that blessed work, and bear
witness that it was of God.

At the call, "The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," the waiting
ones "arose and trimmed their lamps;" they studied the word of God with an
intensity of interest before unknown. Angels were sent from heaven to
arouse those who had become discouraged, and prepare them to receive the
message. The work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in
the power of God. It was not the most talented, but the most humble and
devoted, who were the first to hear and obey the call. Farmers left their
crops standing in the fields, mechanics laid down their tools, and with
tears and rejoicing went out to give the warning. Those who had formerly
led in the cause were among the last to join in this movement. The
churches in general closed their doors against this message, and a large
company of those who received it withdrew from their connection. In the
providence of God, this proclamation united with the second angel's
message, and gave power to that work.

The message, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!" was not so much a matter of
argument, though the Scripture proof was clear and conclusive. There went
with it an impelling power that moved the soul. There was no doubt, no
questioning. Upon the occasion of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem,
the people who were assembled from all parts of the land to keep the
feast, flocked to the Mount of Olives, and as they joined the throng that
were escorting Jesus, they caught the inspiration of the hour, and helped
to swell the shout, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the
Lord!"(658) In like manner did unbelievers who flocked to the A