Litchfield Enquirer

The Millerites.—What should be done?

We have warned our readers of the baleful influence of the horrible fanaticism preached by Miller and a few kindred spirits, who have recently pitched their camp in the vicinity of our city.

We have not exaggerated the evil. Even now his bold and specious explanations of the prophecies are in the hands of thousands of our ignorant and credulous citizens, bewildering, frightening and driving people to raving insanity.

There was never a more blasting curse than such a delusion. It comes like the pestilence that walketh in darkness. It falls upon the mind as the plague does upon the body. Few escape the influence of a general panic. Men's judgments become unsettled, and they rush, the wise and the ignorant, into one common frenzy.

Where are the watchmen who should warn us of the approach of this monstrous error? Where are those who should be foremost to combat it—to point out its absurdity—to bring back people to their calm and sober senses?

Ought not the clergy of this city of all denominations to meet at once, and take counsel together, that the wise may instruct the simple, and all be taught of God? Surely they cannot be indifferent to the promulgation of this awful belief. Surely they must be held accountable for the evil effects of this delusion.

Is Miller wrong? It must be easy to show it. Is he right? Then let the whole world know it. Let the pulpit speak out, confirming the awful truth of his doctrine—or putting at once and forever, a stop to his fanatical error; let the press speak out to its millions of readers, setting their minds at rest—or giving forth the warning of this world's dissolution.

This delusion, as we suppose it to be, is not destined to stop. As the day draws nigh, it will increase with terrible force.—Where they make one convert now, twenty will join them before the winter is over.—The awful result it is easy to foresee.

Let our clergy, then, awake to their duty, and speak while yet men are sane enough to hear them—N. Y. Aurora.