ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."(662)
Had the disciples realized that Christ was going to judgment and to death,
they could not have fulfilled this prophecy.

In like manner, Miller and his associates fulfilled prophecy, and gave a
message which Inspiration had foretold should be given to the world, but
which they could not have given had they fully understood the prophecies
pointing out their disappointment, and presenting another message to be
preached to all nations before the Lord should come. The first and second
angels' messages were given at the right time, and accomplished the work
which God designed to accomplish by them.

The world had been looking on, expecting that if the time passed and
Christ did not appear, the whole system of Adventism would be given up.
But while many, under strong temptation, yielded their faith, there were
some who stood firm. The fruits of the Advent Movement, the spirit of
humility and heart-searching, of renouncing of the world and reformation
of life, which had attended the work, testified that it was of God. They
dared not deny that the power of the Holy Spirit had witnessed to the
preaching of the second advent, and they could detect no error in their
reckoning of the prophetic periods. The ablest of their opponents had not
succeeded in overthrowing their system of prophetic interpretation. They
could not consent, without Bible evidence, to renounce positions which had
been reached through earnest, prayerful study of the Scriptures, by minds
enlightened by the Spirit of God, and hearts burning with its living
power; positions which had withstood the most searching criticisms and the
most bitter opposition of popular religious teachers and worldly-wise men,
and which had stood firm against the combined forces of learning and
eloquence, and the taunts and revilings alike of the honorable and the
base.

True, there had been a failure as to the expected event, but even this
could not shake their faith in the word of God. When Jonah proclaimed in
the streets of Nineveh that within forty days the city would be
overthrown, the Lord accepted the humiliation of the Ninevites, and
extended their period of probation; yet the message of Jonah was sent of
God, and Nineveh was tested according to His will. Adventists believed
that in like manner God had led them to give the warning of the judgment.
"It has," they declared, "tested the hearts of all who heard it, and
awakened a lov