Organization by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 19, 1864

Organization.

By Editor

TEN years since, we did not see the necessity of a complete organization of Churches, Conferences, and General Conferences, with Seventh-day Adventists. We have, however, plead for order in the church, as the several volumes of the Review for the past twelve years, testify. But as the cause advanced, the increase of numbers, the demand for efficient labor, and the varied forms of distracting error continually arising, proved to us that order, secured by thorough organization, was indispensable.

But every step in advance has been opposed by our people, which has kindled a continual flame of prejudice and opposition against those who have been fighting the battle in favor of organization. The fact that most of our preachers and leading brethren have, at some time, stood opposed to systematic benevolence, and organization of Churches and Conferences, has given great strength to the friends of disorder, and it is not to be wondered at that there are some who profess the Sabbath, who are arrayed in opposition to the body of Seventh-day Adventists. Is it not rather a wonder that there are so few such persons, when we consider the poor example that has been set before them by those who now enjoy all the blessings of order in the church, not excepting systematic benevolence? We have been happily disappointed in the success of the Eastern Mission, in bringing things into order.

The fact is, all sane and sensible men have become disgusted with the confusion among Eastern Adventists. And it was no use to try to do much in the East till time and events could convince all such. Now we are happy to see so many rally around the standard of order and common sense. There are some who still stand out, and brace themselves against all efforts put forth to unite them with the body. We would help them; but we fear that some of them won't be helped. Yet we should continue our labors and entreaties, and do all we can to save them from that certain ruin to which all such persons are sure to run unless rescued. While we take a firm stand for the right, we should do all in our power to encourage the erring to leave their errors and take the same stand with us. Reforms are not brought about in a moment. Be firm, patient, and kind, and all things will work out right in the end. Do your duty, and trust God for the rest.

Almost all sorts of men and women embrace the Sabbath. The work is then but just begun. Then comes the struggle to live out the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. Some press on in rapid strides with the body, and grow stronger and still stronger, while others fall back, or fall under some scattering influence. Some love order, and embrace organization as a matter of course as they consider it in harmony with all Heaven, and everything sensible on earth; while others, some of them sons of confusion, unteachable, and possessing a spirit untamable, go in for disorder, and work themselves out from among us as a people, and finally depart from every distinguishing truth held by the body. These things are annoying; but poor souls, they have the hardest of it. Some come back with bitter repentance, while others pass on hardened and blinded to meet a final reckoning.

Organization among our people has proved a perfect success. Not only the good fruits of it, far exceeding our expectations, but the miserably confused condition of those who reject organization, attest its importance. God lives, and the cause is in his hands. He will purify his people. As the purifying work comes closer, as the saints near their reward, we expect to see petty factions multiply to the number of horns on the Pagan beast. But these little drains are all right. Stop them up? Never, lest the entire body become corrupted. Among the greatest blessings to the cause in the past was the raid which the friends of confusion and tobacco made against the Review, visions, &c., about the year 1855, which enabled about one in twelve of professed Sabbath-keepers to find their own place, which so relieved the cause, that it entered at once upon a new and glorious era in its progress.