In the early mid-19th Century, a new religious movement began to take hold across the country. William Miller was not a particularly religious man, considering himself, like many learned men of his time and many of our Founding Fathers, to be a Deist. The Deists saw the Divine through rational observation.

Apparently, after participating in the Battle of Plattsburgh on the shores of Lake Champlain in 1814, where the United States Army were vastly outnumbered by British troops and yet emerged victorious, and he himself miraculously unscathed, Miller’s rational mind saw no other explanation than Divine Intervention.

Faced directly with his own mortality, Miller found religion, and became obsessed with the Second Coming. Remaining steadfastly rational, Miller believed that the Bible held the secrets to predicting the date.

From Miller’s teaching arose the Millerites, a religious sect with a particular hold on New England, from where Miller and his most fervent followers hailed. Estimates range from 50,000 to 500,000 Millerites at their peak. Miller used the Bible and mathematics to predict the end day would fall some time in 1843. The year passed, and no Second Coming was evident.

Enter Samuel S. Snow, an atheist and investigator for the atheistic newspaper the Boston Investigator. After reading William Miller’s lectures he became convinced that Miller had uncovered the truth, and by 1842, had become a full convert.

After the disappointment of 1843, and the vague date set forth by William Miller, Snow determined that the Second Coming had a specific date — October 22, 1844.

Announcing this to the masses in August of 1844, the Millerites, with only a couple months to prepare their earthly affairs, settled their debts, and gave away their belongings. As for the fall harvest? What was the point?

Lincolnville, like most New England towns, had a decent contingent of Millerites. I wonder what it was like back then, as many of your neighbors were convinced that the world would be ending imminently?

And so, as the sun rose on October 22, 1844, the Millerites of Lincolnville and surrounding towns ascended the back side of Mount Megunticook, to what are now known as the Millerite Ledges, to witness the sun rise on the last day. 

And… nothing. The sun rose, the birds sang, and I am sure the view was lovely with fall leaves and Megunticook Lake spread below them. But for the Millerites it must have been devastating. It is known now as The Great Disappointment.

No doubt there were some “told you so’s” from the neighbors, but small towns do what small towns always do. They took care of their neighbors. The Millerites were helped back on their feet — winter was coming, and you don’t turn your back on your neighbors, even if you don’t agree or even particularly like them.

The Bard of Lincolnville, Rosey Gerry, has been leading groups to the Millerite Ledges every October 22 for decades now, and will be doing so again this year. Meet him at the end of Maiden’s Cliff Road off Youngtown at 6:45 a.m. SHARP. Expect a bit of a hike, and amazing stories, as anyone who has heard Rosey speak should know.

The story of the Great Disappointment has always fascinated me. Not because of the cautionary tale of religious/ideological fanaticism, but because of the aftermath. The neighbors, who were all struggling themselves, as one did attempting to support oneself in this rocky place; the neighbors gave what they could to help those who found themselves in dire straits after a prophesy proved false.

I have been closely following the situations in Western North Carolina and now Florida. So much devastation, so much loss. But in the midst, it is neighbors helping neighbors. When things get hard, regardless of the reason, I believe we are hard wired to help each other.

I have been listening to one of my favorite podcasters, Margaret Killjoy of Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff, who spent the last couple weeks talking about Catastrophe Compassion, and how when things get tough, we are far more likely to come together. We want to help. 

The big loud truck that drives by your house too darn fast probably has a chain in the back, should your Prius slide off the road in a January ice storm. The weird people from away with the rainbow flag might be the ones showing up with a casserole when you break your leg. The church that fills your oil tank even though you disagree with everything they preach. The volunteer firefighters, who will show up day or night — “When in doubt, call us out” — ready to handle a false alarm, a car crash, or a fully involved structure fire.

I write from the perspective of a small town Lincolnville boy, but this isn’t unique to small towns where you generally know your neighbor. When Hurricane Katrina hit, and the Superdome was largely abandoned by the authorities with thousands of people still sheltering inside, the people worked to take care of each other. As I write this, the people of Asheville and Central Florida are working together to get through this latest disaster. Like Lincolnville in 1844, it is about mutual aid. People supporting people, because that is what you do.

In a time of great divisions, I was moved by podcaster Margaret Killjoy, a trans woman from West Virginia, who, before she travelled to help her friends in Ashville stopped at her local store, where Red MAGA hats are fully on display, and the owner sold her all the bar and chain oil she could transport at cost. Because you help each other, even if you don’t like them.

The Final Flea Market of the Season

This Saturday, October 19, is the last Lincolnville Center Indoor Flea Market of the season, held at the Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road, from 8 a.m. to noon. All kinds of good stuff is available, from antiques to handcrafts to jams and jellies and of course, delicious baked goods. The Flea Market is sponsored by the Lincolnville United Christian Church.

Library Happenings

On Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m. the library will be hosting Trevor Paul. Relax with coffee and a dessert a he takes your on a virtual journey of China.

And on Saturday October 19 at 10 a.m., there will be a STEM program for the littlest Lincolnvillians with songs, hands on activities, and counting stories.

Last LIA Meeting of the Season

The Lincolnville Improvement Association will be hosting Peter Ralston for its final speaker of the season on Thursday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. Join the LIA for a potluck supper at the Beach Schoolhouse Museum at 22 Beach Road. Mr. Ralston is the cofounder of the Island Institute and one of the most celebrated photographers of Maine's Islands and waterfront communities.

Alright, Lincolnville, thank you for indulging my little history lesson. If you can, join Rosey next week, I promise you will not be disappointed, like those Millerites so long ago. Keep looking out for each other, and yourselves. Remember that we don’t need to agree to be neighborly. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

CALENDAR Monday, October 14

Indigenous Peoples Day, Town Office Closed

Tuesday, October 15

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Select Board Workshop with Financial Advisory Committee, 5 p.m. Town Office

Select Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Town Office

Recreation Committee, 6 p.m. Town Office

Wednesday, October 16

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, 6:30 p.m. Town Office

Friday, October 18

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, October 19

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, October 20

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway