During the fall of 1853 a few disaffected ones in Michigan joined together and began the publication of a sheet called the Messenger of Truth. The mission of this sheet and its conductors seemed to be to tear down and defame instead of to build up. Many falsehoods were inserted in its pages, which annoyed us in our work in the message; and as it was our first experience with such an open attack, we thought it our duty to refute their slanderous statements. Doing this occupied time that should have been spent in advancing the truth committed to our trust, and suited well the purposes of Satan, who was undoubtedly the instigator of this opposition. And thus the state of affairs continued until the evening of June 20, 1855, when Elder White and his wife, Elder Cottrell, and myself had just closed a meeting in Oswego, N. Y. We had been annoyed in our meeting by one Lillis, who came in and circulated those slanderous documents among the people. Again the question as to our duty in this matter came up. All previous efforts at answering their falsehoods had only resulted in their manufacturing more.
Advice and Prediction
At a prayer-meeting held that evening at the house of John Place, in the city of Oswego, Mrs. White was given326a vision in which she was shown that if we would keep at our work, preaching the truth, regardless of any such people as the “Messenger party,” they would go to war among themselves and their paper would go down, and when that should happen we would find that our ranks had doubled. Believing this testimony to be from the Lord, we began at once to act in harmony with it.
Collapse of the Messenger Party and Paper
The cause of truth advanced rapidly, while the “Messenger party” got into trouble among themselves. In a brief space of time the party were scattered, many of their leaders having given up the Sabbath. Their paper soon ceased for lack of support, and he who had acted, for a time, as editor, turned his attention to teaching school; but not having learned first to govern himself, he failed utterly in governing his pupils. In attempting to correct one of the lads in his school, he drew a revolver, which snapped, but failed to fire. To escape lynching, he was obliged to flee in the night to Canada.
Effect on the Advent Cause
At this time there existed a greater state of harmony and unity among our people than ever before; and as efforts were made to push out with the message, the way opened in every direction.
In No. 10, Vol. XI, of the Review, Jan. 14, 1858, the editor, in speaking of the result of the Messenger work, said: “At the time of the disaffection, when the effort was made to break down the Review, the church property at the office was valued at only $700. Since then it has increased to $5,000. Then there were about one thousand paying subscribers, now there are two thousand, besides quite a ‘free’ list.”
As we had now reached the time (1858) when the “Messenger party” split and scattered, and the Messenger ceased to exist, the above figures are significant. As the number of327paying subscribers to the Review had exactly doubled, so the number of believers had more than doubled. Thus the prediction made through Mrs. White in June, 1855, was fulfilled.
Tent-meetings First Suggested
It was our custom in the early days of the message to hold meetings in school-houses when no better place was attainable. In a building of this kind, on one occasion, such a crowd of people came together that two school-houses of that size could not have held them. To be heard by all, the speaker stood in an open window and spoke to those in the house and to a larger audience seated in their carriages and on the grass. It was the sight of this large assembly that led to the consideration of holding tent-meetings.
First Tent-meeting in Battle Creek, Mich.
Therefore on May 22, 1854, it was decided by Elder James White and others in council, that it would be a feasible plan to use tents for meetings. At that time large tents were very rarely used for other purposes than circuses, menageries, and shows of various kinds. Michigan was the first State in which Seventh-day Adventists made the venture in that line of working. The first tent-meeting opened in Battle Creek, June 10, 1854. At the present time this mode of holding meetings in the summer season has grown to great proportions.
Camp-meetings Suggested
In the year 1868 another aggressive step was taken. The propriety of holding camp-meetings was duly considered, and the decision was reached that this would be an excellent way to accommodate the large gatherings of our people at general meetings. Having a large tent for public services and smaller family tents, the people would be made comfortable, and thus a number of days could be spent profitably in counsel and worship.
The First Camp-meeting at Wright, Mich.
The first camp-meeting was held in Wright, Mich., Sept. 1-7, 1868. These important general gatherings of our people have grown to that extent that over half a hundred camp-meetings are held each year in various parts of the field. Not in America only are these camp-meetings held, but in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The largest assembly of this character ever held by our people was in the year 1893, at Lansing, Mich. In that large gathering there were 3,400 living in over 500 family tents. Over 150,000 yards of canvass were represented in the construction of the various tents in the camp.
Deliverance from a Railway Disaster
The day after the decision was made to purchase our first 60-foot tent (May 23, 1854), Elder White and his wife, being then in Jackson, Mich., were to start on their journey for Wisconsin, where they were to labor for a time. We spent the afternoon at the house of D. R. Palmer, only a short distance from the station. Several times in the afternoon Elder White spoke, saying, “I feel strangely in regard to starting on this trip; but, Ellen, we have an appointment out, and we must go. If I had not an appointment, I should not go to-night.”
As night came on, near the time of the arrival of the train, we had a season of prayer. All seemed led out to pray for the safety of Elder White and his wife on this journey. As we arose, Elder White expressed his faith that the Lord would have a care for them and keep them.
At eight o’clock I went with them to the train to assist in securing seats and adjusting their parcels. We went into one car with high-backed seats, called in those days a “sleeping car.” Mrs. White said, “James, I can’t stay in this car, I must get out of here.” I helped them in getting a seat in the middle of the next car. Mrs. White sat down with her329parcels in her lap, but said, “I don’t feel at home on this train.” The bell rang, and bidding them a hasty “Good-by,” I soon left for Cyrenius Smith’s, to tarry for the night.
About ten o’clock we were all much surprised to hear Elder White, whom we supposed was well on the way toward Chicago, knocking for admittance. He said the train had run off the track three miles west of Jackson; that most of the train, with the engine, was a total wreck; but while a number had been killed, he and Mrs. White had escaped uninjured. He soon secured a horse and carriage, and in company with Abram Dodge, went for Mrs. White, whom the Elder had carried some distance in his arms, over a wet, marshy tract of land and across a small stream of water, to a place of safety, away from the scene of disaster.
Early the next morning I went with Mr. Dodge to view the wreck. At a point where the road crosses the track obliquely, an ox had lain down to rest directly on the track. The engine had no cow-catcher, and so on striking the animal it was thrown from the track to the left. At the first shock of the engine’s striking the ground, the baggage car, containing Elder White’s trunk of books, jumped entirely clear from the track and was uninjured; at the same time the passenger car in the rear of the train was uncoupled from the rest of the train without human aid, and quietly stopped upon the track. The engine and tender ran on the ground off the track some six or eight rods, when the engine struck an oak stump some three feet in diameter. The force of the train was such that the engine was turned over bottom side up, and the back of the tender swung round across the track. The main body of the train, going with full force, struck this wreck of the engine, thus producing a second shock. The first car that struck the engine was an express car, which was crushed into kindling wood. It, with its contents, was a mass of rubbish piled upon and around the tender. The next was a second-class car, containing eighteen passengers,330of whom one was killed and all the rest were more or less injured. This car was split in two by the sleeping car running through it. The fore part of the sleeper was broken in pieces, and the seat in which Mrs. White did not feel free to stay was completely crushed.
Evidence of Divine Deliverance
As we viewed the wreck, and then the car in which Elder White and his wife were riding at the time of the accident, standing quietly by itself, some fifteen rods away from the wreck, we felt to say in our hearts that God heard prayer, and who knows but he sent his angel to uncouple that car, that his servants might escape unharmed? More especially did this thought impress our minds when the brakeman said that he did not uncouple it, and furthermore, that no one was on the platform when it occurred, and that it was a mystery to himself and to all the train-men how it was done; and what was still more mysterious to them, the link and bolt were both unbroken, and the bolt with its chain was lying on the platform of the wrecked car as though placed there by a careful hand.
By the evening of the 24th the track was so far cleared of the rubbish that the trains ran as usual, and Elder and Mrs. White again entered the cars and made a safe passage to their appointment in Wisconsin.
Opponents Reproved
It was not all “smooth sailing” with ancient Israel. They had foes without who were seeking to impede their progress at every step. The “mixt multitude” and unconsecrated ones within the camp were ready tools, through whom Satan sought to stir up discontent, strife, murmuring, and rebellion. The fact that God’s prospering hand was with the confiding ones, and that victory attended their efforts, was proof that this people had found grace in his sight—that the hand of the Lord was leading them.
So in the rise and progress of the third angel’s message; its advancement has not been because the truths presented have been something congenial to the natural heart of man. On the contrary, the very central truth of the message—the Sabbath of the Lord—conflicts with selfish, worldly interests, separating those who obey it from the business of the world two days in a week. The cause of present truth has had its external foes, determined and persistent in their efforts to overthrow the work. Of them it may be said, in the words of the psalmist, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us; then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us.”
Selfish and discontented persons within our ranks have arisen from time to time, telling what great things would be done when their purposes were accomplished; but like a will-o’-the-wisp their lights have long since gone out. The cause of present truth, meanwhile, had been surely and steadily making its way round the world, gaining in stability and strength with every advance movement.
Elders Stephenson and Hall
During the summer of 1855 Elders Stephenson and Hall endeavored to create a rebellion in the State of Wisconsin. It was well known by the leading brethren that they had desired to try all other points of our faith by their “Age-to-Come” doctrine, and were quite anxious that Seventh-day Adventists should be taught the doctrine of probation after Christ’s second coming.
Prediction Concerning Them
Nov. 20, 1855, Mrs. White was given a view of their course, with a prediction respecting its final outcome in these words: “Think ye, feeble man, that ye can stay the work of332God? Feeble man, one touch of his finger can lay thee prostrate. He will suffer thee but a little while.”
Our opponents have said that here was a vision which declared that these men were soon to die, and as they lived for several years, the vision had not been fulfilled. There is nothing in the vision about their dying. They were shown in the capacity of men seeking to stay the work of the third angel’s message. While they were informed how easy a thing it would be for God to stop them, it is added, “He will suffer thee but a little while.” What did they do?—Instead of succeeding in their warfare, as they had expected, they seemed to be left to grope their way in darkness. In a few weeks they entirely gave up the Sabbath, and turned to oppose it. They had hoped to form an “Age-to-Come” party, with themselves as leaders. Instead of succeeding in this, by giving up the Sabbath they entirely lost their hold upon our people. Thus by their own course they completely defeated what they were first designing to do. Our people said, “Indeed, God has ‘suffered them but a little while.’”
A Sad Termination of Life
As to the outcome of these two men, it may be well to give some statements respecting their sad fate, that were made by their own brethren, “Age-to-Come” believers, with whom they were associated after leaving the Sabbath. Thirty-seven years ago Mr. Hall became somewhat demented (occasioned by softening of the brain), the cause of this condition being the loss of quite an amount of property by fraud on the part of others. He labored under the delusion that if he should go out-of-doors he would flatten out, or down to the earth. He is harmless, but, of course, for these long years has been entirely unfitted for ministerial work in any capacity.
Elder Stephenson has been dead about sixteen years. For several years before his death he was of unsound mind (insane), though not dangerous to others. Before becoming333thus, under the liberty which he supposed he had with the no-law theory that he had espoused, he left his own wife, a woman against whom no stain of virtue was claimed (he could get a divorce only by employing a dishonest lawyer), and married another woman much younger than his former wife. This act was such a flagrant violation of morality that his own “Age-to-Come” brethren discountenanced his course, and would not permit him to preach for them any more.
The statements of their own brethren respecting the last days of these men express the deepest pity; yet they are the unvarnished facts, which are given without malice or prejudice. With this we leave our readers to draw their own conclusion with reference to the physical application of the testimony.
Elder J. H. Waggoner Accepts the Message
In the year 1852 Elder J. H. Waggoner, who had been conducting a county paper in Wisconsin, accepted present truth, and in the following year gave himself fully to the work of the ministry. In 1857 he wrote two very important pamphlets of about two hundred pages each. The first of these was entitled, “The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism,” and the second, “A Refutation of the Age-to-Come.” The former has not only been a means of saving many from falling into that snare of Satan, but, with God’s blessing, it has opened the eyes of many who knew not what to make of these modern manifestations.
His “Refutation of the Age-to-Come” is a most complete exposé of the false theories of probation for sinners after the second coming of our Lord. It is so complete a refutation of that doctrine that it has not only not been answered, but no attempt at a reply has ever yet come under our observation. The book sets forth, in a most clear and concise manner, the position of Christ as a priest on his Father’s throne (his Melchisedec priesthood) during the present dispensation, and334the position he will occupy on his own throne, in his future eternal kingdom,—a throne with which no mediatorial priesthood will be connected.
Still later, Elder Waggoner wrote a third pamphlet of about the same size, entitled, “The Atonement in the Light of Reason and Revelation.” About the year 1884 this was revised and enlarged to a volume of some 400 pages. It is a clear and concise treatise upon the subject indicated by its title.
From this time he was closely connected with the publishing work, both as writer and editor. He also continued his ministerial labors, his last years being spent in Europe.
April 17, 1889, he suddenly passed away at Basel, Switzerland, just after having completed his last book, “From Eden to Eden.” On the 16th he did a full day’s work of writing, and made this entry in his diary, “Did a hard day’s work.” From the report of his case made by European brethren, the following particulars are obtained:—
“On the morning of the 17th, at about half past five, he fell dead in his kitchen, without a moment’s warning, of paralysis of the heart. He had been working very hard to finish up the English edition of his new book, and he expected to start for London on the following Sunday, to labor in connection with the work there, previous to returning to America the coming summer.”
From 1854 Elder Waggoner had been constantly and prominently before the public in defense of the truth, both in the pulpit and in the press. At the time of his death he was nearly sixty-nine years of age. He was buried in Basel, April 20. Thus fell at his post of duty another of the early workers in the cause.
Faith Healing
In the early spring of 1858 Mrs. White had been greatly afflicted for a number of days, being confined to her bed in an335almost helpless condition. One evening, near midnight, she fainted; the family tried all the means in their knowledge to restore her to consciousness, but failed in their effort. She remained in this condition for over half an hour, when Elder Andrews and myself were hastily summoned by Elder White to join in a season of prayer. In answer to earnest petitions offered at her bedside, the Lord mercifully restored her to consciousness, and raised her up to usual health. While offering praises to God she was taken off in vision, still lying in bed. Some of the things shown her in this view can be read in “Testimony for the Church,” No. 5.
Remarkable Physical Manifestation
A peculiar physical manifestation was connected with this vision, to which we call special attention. Elder White and myself were sitting at one side of the bed, and Elder Andrews at the other side. Her hands were alternately clasped over her breast or moved with her arms in her usual free and graceful manner toward the different scenes she was viewing. The upper portion of her body was raised from the bed, so that there was a space of some eight or nine inches between her shoulders and the pillow. In other words, the body from the hips upward was flexed at an angle of about thirty degrees. And in that position she remained during the continuance of the vision, which was thirty minutes. No one could naturally assume that posture, unsupported by hands and arms, much less hold himself there for that length of time. Here again was proof that some power over which she had no control was connected with the vision.
Another Prediction
The first of October, 1858, a general meeting was held by Elder and Mrs. White and the writer, in Rochester, N. Y. From this meeting the writer accompanied them on a tour through the State of New York and the New England States. One Sabbath Mrs. White was given a vision in which she was336shown, among other things, that at some place on our contemplated journey Satan was going to make a powerful attack upon her, and that Elder White and myself must hold on for her by faith, and the Lord would deliver.
Mrs. White’s Affliction
Here again was a prophecy of what would transpire. The sequel will show how accurately it was fulfilled. The first Sabbath after the Rochester meeting we were at Roosevelt, and the next Sabbath in Brookfield, Madison County. The week following we held meetings in the commodious kitchen of Mr. Ballou, at Mansville, Jefferson County. While journeying by train from Brookfield to Mansville, Mrs. White’s face became inflamed just under the eyes. This was so painful that by the time we reached Mansville she was obliged to take her bed. The inflammation increased for two days, depriving her of sleep, as well as preventing her from taking any part in the meetings. Her head was swollen so that both eyes were closed, and her face was so disfigured that it no longer looked like that of a human being. Amid all this racking pain, and extreme nervousness, caused by loss of sleep, the enemy was striving hard to cause her to murmur against God. Thus things continued to the close of the appointed meetings.
After the meetings had closed Elder White said to me, “Brother John, this is the very attack of Satan upon my wife of which we were warned in Rochester. You remember the promise was there made that if we would take hold together and hold her up by faith, not letting go for a moment when the struggle came, the power of the enemy would be broken, and she would be delivered. Let us go in at once and have a praying season.”
Deliverance as Predicted
We went immediately into the room where Mrs. White was confined to her bed, and engaged in earnest prayer for her,337while the brethren in the room where we had been holding meetings remained in silent prayer. In about ten minutes after we began to pray the power of the Lord came down and filled the room. Mrs. White was instantly relieved from all pain, and at once called for food. This was about five o’clock in the afternoon. By seven o’clock the swelling had all disappeared upon her face, and she attended the meeting that evening, to all appearance as well as ever.
At the request of the citizens a discourse was given in the evening on the “Saints’ Inheritance,” at the close of which Mrs. White gave an exhortation. While Elder White was out of doors with his little boy, W. C., she was taken off in vision before that large assembly. Some of the things shown to her at that time may be read in the closing article of Testimony Number 5, dated Mansville, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1858.
The relief obtained by Mrs. White on the occasion above referred to was as effectual as had been predicted in the view given at Rochester. No difficulty of the kind occurred again on that journey, and we had a glorious victory for the truth at every place.
Prediction of the American Civil War
On Sabbath, the 12th of January, 1861, just three months to a day before the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter (which was really the opening of the war which resulted in the liberation of 4,000,000 African slaves in America), the Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house in Parkville, Mich., was dedicated. The service was attended by Elder White and his wife, Elders Waggoner, Smith, and the writer. At the close of the discourse by Elder White, Mrs. White gave a stirring exhortation, after which she took her seat in a chair. In this position she was taken off in vision. The house was crowded with people, and it was indeed a solemn place. After coming out of the vision she arose, and looking about the house, said:—
“There is not a person in this house who has even dreamed of the trouble that is coming upon this land. People are making sport of the secession ordinance of South Carolina, but I have just been shown that a large number of States are going to join that State, and there will be a most terrible war. In this vision I have seen large armies of both sides gathered on the field of battle. I heard the booming of the cannon, and saw the dead and dying on every hand. Then I saw them rushing up engaged in hand-to-hand fighting [bayoneting one another]. Then I saw the field after battle, all covered with the dead and dying. Then I was carried to prisons, and saw the sufferings of those in want, who were wasting away. Then I was taken to the homes of those who had lost husbands, sons, or brothers in the war. I saw their distress and anguish.”
Then looking slowly around the house she said, “There are those in this house who will lose sons in that war.”
Mrs. Ensign’s Testimony Concerning the Visions
As a confirmation of the above fact, and as proof that the prediction was made on the day stated, and as an illustration of how the congregation understood it and circulated it, the following testimony is given:—
“This certifies that I was living in St. Joseph County, Michigan, in January, 1861, about six miles from Parkville. I was not an Adventist. On the 12th day of that month a number of my neighbors went to Parkville to attend meetings. When they came home they told me that there was a woman at the meeting that was in a trance, and who said that there was a terrible war coming on the United States; that large armies were going to be raised on both sides, in the South as well as in the North, and there would be many who would suffer in prisons; and pinching want would be felt in many families in consequence of losing husbands, sons, and brothers in the war; and that there were men in the house339who would lose sons in that war.” Signed, “Martha V. Ensign, Wild Flower, Fresno County, California, Jan. 30, 1891.”
In connection with the prediction of that fearful war, Mrs. White further stated that Seventh-day Adventists “would be brought into strait places in consequence of the war, and that it was the duty of all to earnestly pray that wisdom might be given them to know what to do in the trying times before them.”
Magnitude of the Civil War
At the time of the giving of the vision the Northern people generally had but little, if any, conception of the pending war. Even President Lincoln, three months after (April 12, 1861), when several States had joined South Carolina in her secession ordinance, and the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter, called for only 75,000 men, and these for the short term of three months.
The total number of troops enrolled on the Union side during the war was 2,859,132. The Encyclopedia Britannica says that “the Confederate army numbered, at the beginning of 1863, about 700,000 men,” but that it is difficult to ascertain just how many they had enrolled in all. It estimates their death roll at “about 300,000 men.” Some of the late encyclopedias place the loss on the Union side (of those killed in battle, or who died of wounds or diseases contracted in the field or in prisons) at 359,528. Of the debt on the Union side the Britannica says:—
“The debt reached its maximum Aug. 31, 1865, amounting to $2,845,907,626.56. Some $800,000,000 of revenue had also been spent, mainly on the war; States, cities, counties, and towns had spent their own taxation and accumulated their own debts for war purposes; the payments for pensions will probably amount to $1,500,000,000 in the end. The expense of the Confederacy can never be known, the property340destroyed by the Federal armies and by Confederate armies can hardly be estimated; and the money value ($2,000,000,000) of the slaves in the South was wiped out by the war. Altogether, while the cost of the war cannot be exactly calculated, $8,000,000,000 is a moderate estimate.”
Another Confirmation of the Vision
As to the prediction concerning the men in the Parkville meeting-house losing sons in the war, I will simply state that in the autumn of 1883 I met the elder of the Parkville church, who was also the elder in January, 1861, when the vision was given, and asked him if he remembered the expression made by Mrs. White in relating the vision concerning the war. “Yes,” said he, “I do.” “Will you tell me how many you know who were in the house that day who lost sons in the war?” He at once recalled the names of five, and said, “I know these were there, and that they lost sons in the war; and if I were at home, where I could talk with my people, I could give you more names. I think,” he continued, “there were five more, besides these that I have mentioned.”
Four years and more of persistent fighting on the part of the South, until nearly half of all the mustered forces were lost by death in battle or from sickness, shows a striking fulfilment of the above prediction.
Slavery and the War
In relating a vision given her Jan. 4, 1862, Mrs. White said: —
“Thousands have been induced to enlist with the understanding that this war was to exterminate slavery; but now that they are fixed, they find that they have been deceived, that the object of this war is not to abolish slavery, but to preserve it as it is.”
The foregoing was given at a time when the soldiers were required to aid in the work of returning to their masters all slaves who had escaped into the Union lines, and the soldiers are represented as saying, “If we succeed in quelling this rebellion, what has been gained?” They answer discouragingly, “Nothing. That which caused the rebellion is not removed. The system of slavery, which has ruined our nation, is left to live and stir up another rebellion.” These words, taken from Testimony No. 7, where a thrilling account of the war is given in full, under the head of “Slavery and the War,” do not state that slavery would never be abolished, but represent the situation as the soldiers then viewed it. A little farther along in the same testimony is a prediction as follows:—
Prediction of Success to the North
“And yet a national fast is proclaimed! Saith the Lord, ‘Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?’ When our nation observes the fast which God hath chosen, then will he accept their prayers as far as the war is concerned; but now they enter not into his ear.”
Those who are familiar with the history of the war are aware of the defeats, disasters, delays, etc., connected with the efforts of the North to conquer the Southern forces up to the time the emancipation proclamation was made — Jan. 1, 1863. Then how rapid were the conquests from that time to the close of the war! How evident, to those who were watching the progress of the work, was the fulfilment of that prediction of Jan. 4, 1862. After the burdens were lifted, the bondage was loosened and the yoke broken from the slave! How evident that God heard the prayers of his people, and favored the effort to close the war when they chose the fast pleasing to him!
Ex-Governor St. John’s Testimony
In a speech by Ex-Governor John P. St. John, of Kansas, in Ottawa, Ill., to which I listened on the afternoon of June 29, 1891, he made the following statement:—
“I was never so disappointed as I was when the [Confederates] whipped us at Bull Run. But it was all a part of God’s plan. Had we whipped the [Confederates], the politicians would have hatched up a peace, and the Union would have been continued with slavery, and we would have had it to-day. For two years the [Confederates] had the advantage; but after Lincoln issued the famous emancipation proclamation we had swung round to God’s side, and could not lose.”
Opposition to Organization
CHAPTER XXII
ORGANIZATION
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”
In the advancement of the third angel’s message twelve years had passed (from 1846 to 1858) before our people seemed to realize a necessity for any more formal association than simply the belief of the truth and Christian love. Although the Lord had spoken to his people upon this subject through the gift of prophecy, it seemed to require some adverse experiences to arouse them fully to a sense of the necessity of the organization of conferences and churches and associations for the management of the temporalities of the cause.
In a foot-note on page 12 of “Supplement to Experience and Views,” published in 1853, Elder James White says:— “After the time passed in 1844 there was great confusion, and the majority were opposed to any organization, holding that it was inconsistent with the perfect liberty of the gospel! Mrs. White was always opposed to every form of fanaticism, and early announced that some form of organization was necessary to prevent and correct confusion. Few at the present time can appreciate the firmness which was then required to maintain her position against the prevailing anarchy.”
The union which has existed among Seventh-day Adventists has been greatly fostered and maintained by her timely warnings and instructions.
George Storrs on Organization
The following from George Storrs, written in 1844, will show what was taught concerning organization to those who had separated themselves from the churches under the advent proclamation:—
“Take care that you do not seek to organize another church. No church can be organized by man’s invention but what it becomes Babylon the moment it is organised. The Lord organized his own church by the strong bonds of love. Stronger than that cannot be made; and when such bonds will not hold together the professed followers of Christ, they cease to be his followers, and drop off from the body as a matter of course.”
Order in Apostolic Times
Seventh-day Adventists, as before stated, were without a formal organization of any kind for many years, not even having a church organization. Any person who had moral courage to accept the truth and obey it under the outside pressure of opposition which then existed, was considered honest and worthy of Christian love and fellowship. There came a time in the days of the apostles when it became necessary to “set in order the things that were wanting.” About 65 A. D. Titus was authorized to “ordain elders in every city” where there were believers, and Timothy received quite full instructions on the subject.
Elder White on Organization
The following from Elder James White upon the subject of organization and discipline appeared in the Review of Jan. 4, 1881:—
“Organization was designed to secure unity of action, and as a protection from imposture. It was never intended as a scourge to compel obedience, but rather for the protection of the people of God. Christ does not drive his people; he calls them. ‘My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.’ Our Living Head leads the way, and calls his people to follow.
“Human creeds cannot produce unity. Church force cannot press the church into one body. Christ never designed that human minds should be moulded for heaven by the influence of other human minds. ‘The head of every man is Christ.’ His part is to lead, and to mould, and to stamp his own image upon the heirs of eternal glory. However important organization may be for the protection of the church, and to secure harmony of action, it must not come in to take the discipline from the hands of the Master.
Unity Between Two Extremes
“Between the two extremes of church force and unsanctified independence we find the grand secret of unity and efficiency in the ministry and in the church of God. Our attention is called to this in a most solemn appeal from the venerable apostle Peter to the elders of his time: ‘The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.346Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.’
Simplicity and Form of New Testament Organization
“Those who drafted the form of organization adopted by Seventh-day Adventists labored to incorporate into it, as far as possible, the simplicity of expression and form found in the New Testament. The more of the spirit of the gospel manifested, and the more simple, the more efficient the system.
“The General Conference takes the general supervision of the work in all its branches, including the State conferences. The State conference takes the supervision of all the branches of the work in the State, including the churches in the State. And the church is a body of Christians associated together with the simple covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Church Officers are Servants
“The officers of a local church are servants of that church, and not lords, to rule over it with force. ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ These officers should set examples of patience, watchfulness, prayer, kindness, and liberality to the members of the church, and should manifest a good degree of that love to those whom they serve that is exhibited in the life and teachings of our Lord.”
The First Testimony on Order
In the supplement to “Experience and Views,” published in 1853, some special instruction is given upon the subject of gospel order. On page fifteen we read the following:—
“The church must flee to God’s word, and become established upon gospel order, which has been overlooked and neglected. This is indispensably necessary to bring the church into the unity of the faith.”
Order Needed Near the End
In a testimony given Dec. 23, 1860, we read: “As we near the close of time, Satan comes down with great power, knowing that his time is short. Especially will his power be exercised upon the remnant. He will war against them, and seek to divide and scatter them, that they may grow weak and be overthrown. The people of God should move understandingly, and should be united in their efforts. They should be of the same mind, of the same judgment; then their efforts will not be scattered, but will tell forcibly on the upbuilding of the cause of present truth. Order must be observed, and there must be union in maintaining order, or Satan will take advantage of them.”
Order of the Angels to be Imitated
In Testimony No. 14, published in 1868, we read: “The more closely we imitate the harmony and order of the angelic host, the more successful will be the efforts of these heavenly agents in our behalf. If we see no necessity of harmonious action, and are disorderly, undisciplined, and disorganized in our course of action, angels, who are thoroughly organized and move in perfect order, cannot work for us successfully. They turn away in grief, for they are not authorized to bless confusion, distraction, and disorganization.”
God a God of Order Still
“Has God changed from a God of order? No; he is the same in the present dispensation as in the former. Paul says, ‘God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.’ He is as particular now as then. And he designs that we should learn lessons of order and organization from the perfect order he instituted in the days of Moses for the benefit of the children of Israel.”