50 Years and Over of Akron and Summit County,

Samuel A. Lane, Beacon Job Department, Akron, Ohio 1892 p 604-613

 

SECOND ADVENTISM AND ITS FOUNDER

ONE of the most exciting episodes in the history of Akron and of Summit County, was the reign of "Millerism," or "Second Adventism," here, from 1841 to 1846. For the enlightenment of the more youthful readers of these pages, a brief sketch of the founder of this sect, and the reasons by which he was actuated in the promulgation of his erratic doctrines, will be in order.

William Miller was born in Massachusetts, in 1781, and was bred to the occupation of a farmer. He was a volunteer in the War of 1812, rising to the rank of Captain, serving mainly upon the Canadian frontier. His education was quite limited, but being of a religious turn of mind, he applied himself to a diligent examination of the Scriptures, and especially to a thorough study of the .prophecies, and by an ingenious combination of symbols, dates and figures he evolved his theory that the Second Coming of Christ, and the destruction of the world, would occur in 1843. The precise day was not at first named by him, but later on, either by himself or his followers, the time was fixed for April 4th of that year. About the year 1833, Mr. Miller commenced to promulgate his new doctrine in local talks and lectures; but his fame at length began to spread, and the desire to hear him became so great, that his farm labors were suspended, and his entire time and energies devoted thereto, so that by the time fixed for the winding up of all temporal affairs on earth, it was estimated that his followers, in the United States, the Canada’s and Great Britain, numbered not less than 50,000 souls.

 

ADVENT OF "SECOND ADVENTISM" IN AKRON

In the year 1839, a talented, but somewhat eccentric preacher, by the name of James D. Pickands, was called to the pastorate of the First Congregational Church of Akron, whose house of worship - the first church edifice erected in the village - then stood upon the Court House grounds, but was afterwards removed to the corner of High and Quarry streets, where it later, for several years, did service as a parochial school for the German Lutheran Society giving place, in 1889, to their present more imposing brick structure. About this time some of "Father Miller's" proselytes began to preach the new doctrine in the west, a series of that class of meetings being held in Akron in 1840, '41, resulting in a number of accessions to the faith - some of them good and pure men and women and sincere Christians, and some of them of rather a doubtful status for either piety or morality.

Among those who began to investigate the subject was the Congregational pastor, who, though not at first fully endorsing or preaching the doctrine, became so "free and easy" in his pulpit utterances as to alienate quite a large number of the members of his church, who, after a vain endeavor to work a reformation in his theology, or to accomplish his dismissal, themselves withdrew and on the 8th day of June, 1842, organized the Second Congregational Church of Akron, being the same society that is now known as the First Congregational Church of this city, building for themselves a house of worship on North Main street, the same building lately occupied as a livery stable by Mr. George Wulle. From this time on, Mr. Pickands rapidly gravitated towards the new faith, and finally, as "Time" approached its predicted "End," he was wholly en rapport with its most confident and most earnest advocates.

A majority of the remnant of his congregation were with him, and an effort was made to exorcise the minority and retain possession of the house for the promulgation of the new faith, but it was found that this could not be done, inasmuch as the lot had been donated, by General Simon Perkins, for the exclusive use and behalf of the Congregational Church. Upon this discovery the Adventists themselves withdrew, holding their meetings in the groves and woods, and subsequently building for themselves a "Tabernacle"- a temporary structure, 30 by 60 feet, with plain board seats and desk, and sawdust floor - upon the opposite side of South High street.

 

GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT - NEW "COUNT"

Though many sincere believers in the doctrine, blindly following their enthusiastic leaders, had made every preparation, regulating all their worldly transactions to fit the date of the predicted consummation of all sublunary affairs -- some even distributing their effects among their neighbors, and large numbers (as was alleged) having provided themselves with "Ascension Robes," of purest white, in which to mount to heaven with the rejoicing hosts - the 4th of April passed without the realization of their hopes.

Father Miller and his numerous talented lieutenants set themselves to work to revise the "tally sheets;" to ascertain, if possible, the cause of their discomfiture. It was finally found, by either the Great Apostle himself, or some of his "lightning calculators," that there had been just a year's mistake in the figures, and the end would surely come on the 23d day of April, 1844.

After the discovery of this perplexing blunder, and the due correction of the "Time Tables," the Advent trains were again started, under a far greater head of steam than before, and at a largely increased rate of speed. The local lights of the faithful, both ministers and laymen, became extremely active, not only zealously laboring "in season and out of season," Bible, in hand, with their unbelieving neighbors, on the streets, in their places of business, and at their several abodes; not only holding enthusiastic nightly meetings in their places of worship, and at private residences, but filling the people together, en masse, in grove and camp meetings by extensive advertising, both by attractive posters and in public prints. As a sample, the following advertisement is copied from the SUMMIT BEACON of August 9, 1843

SECOND ADVENT CAMP MEETING, IN SPRINGFIELD, NEAR AKRON, AUGUST 17

     There will be a Second Advent Camp Meeting (if time shall continue), to begin on Thursday, the 17th day of August next, in Springfield, Summit County, Ohio, about six miles southeast of Akron, on the Canton road, at the same place occupied last year by a camp meeting. All who love the appearing of our Lord, are earnestly requested to attend, prepared with tents, to remain throughout the meeting. Boarding will be provided on the ground for those who cannot bring their own provisions. The following named misters, among others, are expected to attend and preach: Brethren Fitch, Sawin, Needham, Poe, Baker, McCue, Sheldon and Pickands. Come up, brethren and sisters, to the feast - let nothing hinder you. Remember the time is short.

This call was signed by parties living in Springfield, Mogadore, Canton, Middlebury, Cuyahoga Falls and Akron, several of whom are still living.

Of this meeting, Hiram Bowen, Esq., in the BEACON of August 23, 1843, editorially said:

     The Millerites are holding a camp meeting in Springfield, six miles east of this village. Great numbers of people are in attendance -- it was estimated that from three to five thousand persons were on the ground on Sunday last. We cannot learn that they are making many new converts to their doctrines, most of the people attending through mere curiosity.

Meantime the unbeliever and scoffer were constantly poking fun at their "terribly in earnest" and zealous neighbors, in various ways, and especially in business advertisements, Wilcox, Huse & Co., of Middlebury, manufacturers of chairs, heading their advertisement, "If Time Continues," and Harry Pardee, in the same line of business, giving a counter blast under the head of “Time Continues !"

     Father Miller lately visited Rochester, New York, where he devoted one whole week to dealing out exhortations and admonitions in relation to the awful destruction which awaits this sinful world, on the 22nd day of March next, according to the improved reckoning, which 22nd day of March, Gentile time, is equivalent to the 23rd day of April, Jewish time. During the whole time of his sojourn there, he was listened to by congregations, daily and nightly, ranging between one and two thousand. He departed thence to enlighten the good people of Lockport, and other cities, in relation to the near approach of the consummation of all things.

 

THE CRAZE RAPIDLY AND RABIDLY INCREASES

The 22nd day of March, as well as the 23rd day of April, 1844, came and went, like other similar days since the dawn of time, find great was the grief and disappointment among the true and earnest believers, while equally great was the joy of the unbelieving but fearful multitude, that the predicted day of doom had safely passed. At a meeting held in the Tabernacle, in Boston, on the 4th day of June, 1844, Father Miller acknowledged that he had made a great mistake about the end of the world. The time had gone by and he must confess that he knew nothing about it. Yet notwithstanding the failure of both his definite and proximate prophecies, Father Miller still held to the belief that the end would come soon, and in a modified way, continued his labors, while his local adherents, in Akron and elsewhere, not only continued their labors, but were constantly promulgating new dogmas and adding new features to their modes of public worship and the it private teachings and practices.

 

FATHER MILLER IN AKRON

On the 13th day of August, 1844, Father Miller visited Akron and addressed large crowds of people, assembled in and about the Tabernacle, both in the afternoon and evening. His discourses, delivered in a plain and unostentatious manner, were mainly devoted to the elucidation of the prophecies on which his calculations had been based, and which, though there had been some slight error in his interpretations and computations, he still believed to be substantially correct, and that the end was near at hand, closing with an earnest exhortation to those still outside the fold, to fly from impending wrath by an immediate preparation, and a continuous watching and praying for the coming of the Lord. Though this demonstration made no very great impression upon the large audiences in attendance, the greater portion being present from mere curiosity, it had the effect of very greatly stimulating his adherents, and augmenting their zeal, in the propagation of their doctrines, resulting to some extent, in an increase of their proselytes and members.

The Second Advent organs (of which there were many), also took on new ardor and began to promulgate new data for the final “Wreck of Matter and Crash of Worlds;" Brother Storrs, of New York, editor of the Midnight Cry and the Bible Examiner, as well as one of the most powerful preachers of the dogma, saying, in a sermon published in the Examiner, early in October, 1844, that the world would positively come to an end the 22nd or 23rd of that month, or be postponed fifty years; a speaker in the Tabernacle, here, about the same time, assuring his hearers, that they would "never see another cold Winter."

Baptism by immersion, if not at first considered an essential element of the Second Advent creed, at length came to be so regarded, and about this time many of the old believers, and all of the new converts, were duly submerged beneath the rather chilly waters of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal. A local paper (the Cascade Roarer), of October 8, 1844, said: "Five persons were baptized into the Millerite faith on Sunday last and several more on Monday. The cause seems to be prospering in these diggings." The next issue of the same paper (October 15, 1814), says: "The Adventists are doing a splashing business in the immersion line, having submerged some thirty or forty in the canal on Sabbath last, and among the rest some six or eight children, from six to ten years of age;" and in its issue of October 22, remarks: "Our Second Advent friends have fixed upon this day as the very last or to-morrow as the extreme fag-end of time, and many of them have acted accordingly, by stopping all kinds of business, settling their affairs, paying off their debts (strange infatuation !) giving away their provisions and effects, warning their neighbors to prepare for the awful day, and in sundry and various other ways, making themselves as supremely ridiculous as possible." In its issue of October 24, the same paper says: "The Adventists of this place have given us fifteen days longer, on account of one hour which was not taken into the calculation of Brothers Miller, Storrs & Co.," the same issue announcing the miraculous cure of a young lady in the family of one of the faithful, who had not left her bed for four years, through the exercise of faith, and who immediately commenced attending the meetings at the Tabernacle, in apparently good health; also, that during family worship in another family, there occurred an instantaneous restoration to consciousness and health, of a child lying in its mother's arms, apparently insensible from an acute attack of chill-fever.

Early in November, 1844, Brother Storrs, in his Midnight Cry makes a statement in which he says: "I confess that I have been led into error, and have thereby led others astray, in advising Advent believers to leave business entirely and attend meetings only; though I have usually qualified that advice by excepting business absolutely necessary for present necessity."

In commenting upon this, his neighbor, the New York True Sun, pertinently said: "What compensation is the confession to hundreds who have been ruined in property and in mind by the delusive prophecies of Brother Storrs and his associates? Confession will not restore the dead who have perished from exposure, nor re-illumine with the spark of reason the darkened intellect; nor clothe the naked and feed the hungry; nor relieve one jot or tittle of the misery, wretchedness and despair which Millerism has inflicted upon its victims." And apropos of the evils resulting from the Second Advent delusion, the following, from an Akron paper of November 12, 1844, will be strongly confirmatory of the ,i's remarks:

"MORE MILLERISM AND MADNESS. -- Last week Mr. Ira Viets, of Cuyahoga Falls, having become a dupe to the Second Advent doctrine that all earthly passions are sinful, and that the command: 'If thy member offends thee, cut it off, should be taken literally, most barbarously mutilated himself with a plane-bit and mallet. He is now upon the town, under the doctor's care, awaiting the Second Advent, or the end of time, which it is thought may soon take place for him, as it is somewhat doubtful whether he will escape the consequences of his rash act, even with his life; " the same paper in its issue of July 1, 1845, saying that Mr. Viets was then confined in the county jail, " a perfect lunatic from the elusive and inconsistent dogma of Millerism." And the writer will here add, that there were several others in this immediate vicinity-notably women--whose minds were permanently unbalanced, and their domestic relations seriously disturbed, and in some instances entirely broken up, by the delusion.

THE HOLY KISS - FEET-WASHING, ETC. - The Augusta (Maine) Age, in March, 1845, said of the Second Adventist, of that vicinity: 'The ‘Receivers,' as they style themselves, of the Millerite fallacies, lave discovered a new theory, which is that the day of grace has been passed, and that we are all now in Eternity, and that the awful horrors of a general Judgment are soon to be manifested to all eyes. Some of them take special pains to humble themselves, and for this purpose wash and kiss each other's feet, creep upon the floor, etc., their conduct, in some instances, being revolting in the extreme." The day of grace and Eternity theory, did not obtain here, to any extent, but the kissing, feet-washing and rolling upon the floor -- stricken down by the 'power of the holy spirit' - tom-foolery was adopted by a portion of the local faithful, though it is but simple justice to say, right here, that the more intelligent and well-balanced among the believers drew the line on these practices, and that only the more infatuated, and the dishonest among them, participated in the well authenticated disgusting powwows of this character that were for several months indulged in. At all events, certain peculiar services were held almost nightly, at which none but the most faithful of the faithful were admitted, though there was sufficient leakage, from one and another, to fully demonstrate the revolting nature of those secret orgies.

FATHER MILLER GIVES IT UP

Early in October, 1845, Father Miller published an address to his deluded followers, frankly acknowledging his great error, in predicting the end of the world, closing as follows: "For my indiscretions and errors, I ask pardon, and all who have spoken evil of me without cause, I freely forgive. My labors are principally ended.

Yet, notwithstanding the Great Apostle of Millerism - Father Miller himself-frankly renounced, and wholly repudiated, the doctrines which he had originated, and so long advocated, the local "small fry" Adventists of the country still keep pegging away, and though not pretending to designate any particular day, or even month, or year, for the final "wind up," continued to promulgate new dogmas, and fulminate new prophecies, through which to render themselves still more ridiculous, and to still further disgust the public mind, as will be seen in what follows

The "Simon-pures" of this vicinity-united in what they denominated "The Advent Band," the very holiest of the holy, of that extremely holy people. Among the very earliest of the converts to the Second Advent faith was a Mrs. Green, a thoroughly honest and sincerely pious lady, the wife of Col. Lyman Green, for many years one of Akron's best known hotel keepers. Mrs. Green, like many other honest and earnest Christian women, became entirely infatuated with the delusion, readily accepting, and conscientiously entering into, all the dogmas that were from time to time proclaimed, and who, of course, became a devoted member of the "charmed circle"- the Advert Band. Like many of the other "ungodly" husbands, whose wives were thus distracted from their domestic and wifely duties, Col. Green tried every possible argument, and made use of every possible mode of persuasion, both with Mrs. G. and her pastor, to restore her to her family and her domestic duties, but in vain.

The Colonel then thought he would try what virtue there was in the law for the redress of his grievances. Accordingly criminal proceedings were instituted against her pastor, charging him with assault and battery upon the person of Mrs. Green, in saluting her with the holy kiss, washing her feet, etc., in the exercise of his brotherly devotions and his pastoraly [sic.] functions. The suit was brought before the late Gen. Philo Chamberlin, then mayor of Akron, December 13,1845, Gen. Lucius V. Bierce acting as attorney for the State, the accused officiating in his own defense. The witnesses were all, necessarily, members of the "Band," who, disavowing all allegiance to human laws, refused to be sworn, but finally consented to affirm, under the pains and penalties of perjury, to "Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. "Though the general fact was admitted that feet-washing and the holy kiss were part and parcel of their devotions, the testimony was so obscure, under the skilful management of the defendant, as to the actual contact of himself and Mrs. Green, in whose peculiar modes of worship, and his plea so convincing to His Honor, that he was triumphantly acquitted.

THE TABERNACLE BLOWN UP. - Ten days later, December 23, 1845, at about 8 o'clock in the evening, a loud report shook the very foundations of the town, which was at first supposed to be the explosion of one of the Austin Powder Company's mills, located on what is now known as Fountain Park - a sound that was quite common to the people of Akron and vicinity, about those days. It was soon discovered, however, that it was no powder mill explosion, but the explosion of a keg of powder that some ungodly hand had placed in or under the Second Advent Tabernacle, on South High street, by which the front end, including the pulpit, had been entirely blown out, and the balance of the structure, irretrievably wrecked.

In the Cascade Roarer, the writer, in speaking of this affair, said: "No matter how supremely ridiculous the conduct of any individuals, or of any sect, may be, such acts of dire depravity should by no means be countenanced. It is fostering a spirit of mob-ocracy which may yet require a mighty and bloody struggle to overpower. If we have laws, let us regard them; if they are not sufficient to punish and protect, let us enact such as are. We hope the perpetrators of this foul deed will not go unwhipped of justice. The act cannot be of the slightest benefit to the community. The persecuted fanatic always prospers; and this last act will only cause these monomaniacs to increase their zeal and redouble their diligence."

ATTEMPT TO HEAL A BROKEN LEG BY PRAYER - As was anticipated, the persecutions above recorded served only to "enthuse" the deluded Adventists, whose proceedings were, if possible, more disgusting and more reprehensible than before. In our own town, a miracle was sought to be performed as follows: A middle-aged lady, the wife of a former highly respected builder, and the mother of one of our present most active and useful business men, and in every way a most estimable woman, was a faithful attendant upon all the meetings of the band. She was a very heavy woman, and early in the month of January, 1846, on leaving the private residence where a meeting had been held, late in the evening, she either slipped or made a misstep and fell, very badly breaking one of her legs. She was carried back into the house, where, notwithstanding a physician was called by an unbelieving neighbor, it was sought by the faithful to re-unite the broken bones through the efficacy of prayer, the grand master of ceremonies, meantime, peremptorily commanding the suffering woman to"rise up and walk." But though the prayers were vehement and confident, and though the command to "rise up and walk" was authoritatively and unctuously repeated, the broken bone would not heal, and the crippled and suffering woman was, after an hour or more of enforced torture, finally handed over to the ungodly and mortal "saw-bones" who reduction of the fracture and relief from pain.

SPIRITUAL MARRIAGES - TRIAL FOR ADULTERY – Among the many peculiar tenets of faith embraced and practiced by a portion of this peculiar people, was that of spiritual marriages, and about the middle of February, 1846, a couple who had thus gravitate together as " Spiritual Affinities," were arraigned before Justice Henry Converse, and tried under "carnal" law, on the charge of adultery. The pastor, though refusing to take the judicial oath on the ground that it would be an acknowledgment of the obligation of human laws, affirmed, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that the defendants came to his house February 17; informed him that they were a brother and sister in the true faith, and had been brought together by the spirit of God, in the bonds of spiritual matrimony; that the man had abandoned "his wife according to the flesh," at Auburn, N. Y., about four months before, and that the woman had deserted a carnal husband about the same time, at Hamburg, Erie county, N. Y., preparatory to their present spiritual union; that they had journeyed together from Hamburg to Toronto, Canada, back again to the state of New York, and then to Cleveland, and finally to Akron, and that upon this open avowal; he had, in the fellowship of the Spirit, taken them into his house, where they had slept together until their arrest under the charge on which they were being tried; that such an association was, strictly in accordance with the doctrines and principles of the sect but that actual sexual intercourse was not tolerated under any circumstances. Mr. John Kidder, also testified that the connection between the defendants comported with the doctrines of the Second Advent people, and explained the propriety of "spiritually sleeping together," by the trying test to which it would put the piety of those embracing and practicing the doctrine. Mr. Charles Clapp, and Mr. William J. Hart, being called as witnesses, refuse to "bow down to the Beast," either by swearing or affirming, and were fined for contempt of court, the latter being committed to jail for want of the wherewithal to pay his fine.

The defendants, claiming no justification except the direction of the Spirit, and the warrant of Scripture, the carnal justice of the peace, not seeing the evidence of either, and not acknowledging any higher authority in such matters than the statutes and juries prudence of this wicked world, bound them over to the Court of Common Pleas of Summit county, in the sum of $200 each, the answer to the charge of adultery, in default of which they were committed to jail. The "persecuted" couple, who were confined in different parts of the jail, boasted, that like the walls of Jericho the walls of the jail would come tumbling down, in answer to the prayers of the faithful, but, the walls aforesaid did not tumble, and the deluded and lecherous twain were compelled to abide the time, and suffer the penalties of outraged public sentiment and violated law.

The principal headquarters of the local saints at this tine, was the house of a Mr. Southwick, on South Summit street, near where the new freight depot of the N.Y.P. & O.R.R. now stands, where most of the meetings were held, and where, not only the spiritually separated wives and husbands found refuge, but where the same class of persecuted saints from abroad, were also harbored and provided for- eight devoted women, who had, by direction of the Spirit, separated from carnal husbands, arriving there in a single week, during the month of March, in 1846, there being at one time no less than fifteen in the neighborhood, from abroad, in search of "Spiritual Affinities" among the other sex. It was from this house that one of our most respected Methodist citizens -- long an honored resident of Akron, often led to her neglected children, the wife and mother, who, solely through the Millerite delusion, was a life-long care to the family, and, until her recent death, a confirmed monomaniac. It was here, also, that the wife of Col. Lyman Green was harbored, and encouraged in her disregard of her wifely and motherly duties, and failing, through the law as above detailed, to get from the leader of the delusion proper redress, the Colonel at length became so exasperated, that, meeting Mr. Southwick near the corer of Howard and Market streets, on the 13th day of March, 1846, he proceeded to mete out justice on his own hook, by most thoroughly pelting him with addled eggs.

This act, though fully recognizing the great aggravation which inspired it, was, like the blowing up of the Tabernacle, severely condemned by the public press and the better portion of our citizens. In speaking of the outrageous operations and practices of these people at this time, the BEACON, of March 18, 1846, editorially said:

The little knot of demented fanatics in our midst, who have so long disgraced themselves, and even putting human nature to the blush by their foolish and witless proceedings, seem to be drawing their affairs to a crisis. Kissing and feet-washing has given place, its all supposed it would, to the more intimate communion; and under the guise of spiritual marriage, husbands and wives are very unceremoniously exchanged. A few nights ago eight strolling females, who had left respectable families and friends, accompanied by one male biped, made their advent into our devoted town, in the character and capacity of angels. They were cordially welcomed by the "Saints" of this village, and thereupon their usual feet-washing, kissing, and other strictly spiritual performances were entered into with great gusto, and all for the glory of God. A well-known citizen of our town, who has long been demented in regard to these things, and whose fall many deeply deplore, leaving home and wife and children, has gone forth, pedestrian wise, under the protection of one of these vestal visitors, on an angelic mission, in obedience to the divine injunction, taking neither script nor staff, nor money in his purse, nor two coats, nor even a change of shirts.

IMPORTANT CONFESSION-FINAL COLLAPSE.-The Cascade Roarer, of March 24, 1846, contains the following:

 Mr. Pickands, formerly the principal promulgator of Millerism in Northern Ohio, confessed, on Sabbath last, before that portion of the church that dissented when feet - washing, etc., was introduced, that Millerisim was a humbug and a delusion from the foundation; that he had been deluded and that all who had embraced the doctrine were deluded, and that those who continued to hold it were deranged.

Mr. Pickands not only renounced Second Adventism, and all the other "isms" connected therewith, but abjured every other form of religious belief; thenceforth devoting himself to worldly pursuits; at first adopting the legal profession, reading law, and being admitted to practice, but soon abandoning that calling to take charge of a paper devoted to the wool growing interests, published in Cleveland by the late S. N. Goodale, formerly of Akron, and for several years afterwards officiating as collector and compiler of statistics for the Cleveland Board of trade; but during the later years of his life residing with his sons, Henry and James, then and now highly respectable and enterprising business men at Cleveland and Marquette, Mich., at which latter place. Mr. Pickands died some ten or twelve years ago.

 

THE END OF THE DELUSION

THE CONCLUSION.-- On the collapse of the organization here, several of the members sought and obtained admission into a family of "Shakers" in the southern part of the State, Mr. Charles Clapp, a former partner of the late Harvey B. Spelman, in the dry goods trade in Akron, separating from a most estimable wife (sister of Hon. Marvin Kent) among the number, and who for the past forty-five years has been a highly respected and useful member of that society. The many other members of the Second Advent church quietly accepted the situation, and though some became confirmed skeptics and scoffers at every form of religion, the most of them soon again affiliating with other church organizations, but some still holding to the doctrine of the speedy Second Advent of Christ upon the earth, in its most literal sense, though fixing no particular date for his appearance.

Thus is briefly given a history of one of the most wonderful, as well as one of the most exciting religious delusions of the Nineteenth Century, and especially proper among these chapters, because of the very conspicuous part in the great "Spiritual Farce" that was played by so large a number of the people of Akron and Summit county.