For five years, Miller brushed the call aside. He was afraid he just might be in error, and might mislead people by telling his convictions. But, he kept studying and researching, and finally all doubt as to the dates was removed. He began to talk to friends and acquaintances, concerning his beliefs, yet he felt an inner call to preach.

For 13 years he procrastinated. But the voice of God was so clear, "I have appointed you a watchman. Tell it to the world!" He bent over and pounded his fist on his desk. Very agitated, he slowly stood up. Finally he knelt down and prayed, "No, God, no! Thou knowest that I cannot preach!" Finally, he said, "O, Lord; if Thou will send an invitation for me to preach, why, then, O God, I’ll go." He then settled back in his chair, at peace, for he thought if he was invited to speak, God would be with him, but, he was almost certain that no one would ask a fifty year old farmer to preach on the second coming of the Lord.

Without a word, Miller turned and stumbled out the door, into a grove of maple trees behind his house. For an hour, he wrestled with the Lord, pleading with Him to be released from his pledge to preach. But, after many tears and much prayer, he gave in at last. O! what joy filled his heart! He had resisted the Lord in fear and dread, for thirteen years, now he had surrendered to His will.

Miller began to receive more invitations than he could fill, from all denominations, people begging him to come share the message of the soon coming of Jesus.