Still I observed that some of those who claimed to be sanctified, manifested a bitter spirit when the subject of the soon coming of Christ was introduced. This did not seem to me a manifestation of the holiness which they professed. I could not understand why ministers from the pulpit should so oppose the doctrine that Christ’s second coming was near. Reformation had followed the preaching of this belief, and many of the most devoted ministers and laymen had received it as the truth. It seemed to me that those who sincerely loved Jesus would be ready to accept the tidings of His coming, and rejoice that it was at hand. {LS 29.1}

(29) Dog bemærkede jeg at nogle af dem, som påberåbte at være helliggjorte, tilkendegav en bitter ånd, når spørgsmålet om Kristi snarlige komme blev lagt frem. Det forekom ikke mig at være en tilkendegivelse af den hellighed som de bekendte sig til. Jeg kunne ikke forstå hvorfor prædikanterne fra talerstolen skulle modsætte sig sådan læren om at Kristi komme var nær. Fornyelse havde fulgt forkyndelsen af denne tro og mange af de mest indviede prædikanter og lægfolk havde modtaget den som sandhed. Det synes for mig at dem, som virkeligt elskede Jesus ville være klar til at tage imod efterretningerne om hans komme og glæde sig over at det var nær.