The 1888 Message: Leadership Resistance and Spiritual Impact

The reception of the message of righteousness by faith presented by Elders A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner in 1888 was mixed, characterized by a tragic split among the leadership that resulted in a widespread rejection of the light God intended for the churchFW 13.2+1. While some accepted the truth gladly, many leading brethren resisted the message, viewing it with suspicion and jealousyFW 13.2+1.

The Spirit of Resistance

A significant portion of the leadership at the Minneapolis meeting and in Battle Creek manifested a spirit of Pharisaic prejudice and criticismGCDB April 13, 1891, page 256.42.

• Leading Opponents: Elder G. I. Butler, the General Conference president, along with Elder U. Smith, were among those who were absolutely wrong on vital questions regarding the new covenant and initially could not see light in the messages brought by Jones and WaggonerMMM 325.1+1.

• Nature of the Opposition: The resistance was rooted in an unwillingness to yield preconceived opinions and a fear that the law was being neglected in favor of justification by faith1MR 130.2+1.

• Resulting Environment: This opposition created an atmosphere of "resistance and doubt" that was described as the most grievous trial for those seeking to uphold the truth16MR 212.2+1.

The Impact of Rejection

The rejection of this message by many leaders had dire consequences for the progress of the gospel and the spiritual health of the denomination1MR 130.2.

• Shutting Out the Holy Spirit: By exciting opposition, Satan succeeded in shutting away the special power of the Holy Spirit from the people1MR 130.2.

• Delaying the Light: The light that was meant to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted and kept away from the world by the action of the brethren1MR 130.2.

• A "Legal Religion": The failure to embrace Christ's righteousness led to the rise of a "legal religion" among the people, which is described as worthless and a "false religion"16MR 235.2+1.

A Call to Humility

The Lord does not force His blessings upon anyone, and the pride and self-sufficiency of the leaders prevented them from receiving the divine mold16MR 220.3+1.

• The Necessity of Confession: For those who rejected the light, the only path to recovery was a humiliating confession of their errors, yet many refused to fall upon the Rock and be broken16MR 220.3+1.

• Warnings to Modern Leaders: Leadership was warned that by relying on their own wisdom and marking out every direction for workers, they were clogging the wheels of progress and separating themselves from GodChL 31.5+2.

• The Laodicean Condition: The pride and boasting of being "rich, and increased with goods" while being spiritually blind was a direct result of failing to embrace the message of Christ's righteousness Revelation 3:15-1716MR 225.2.

The Faithful Minority

Despite the widespread official resistance, the records are clear that many individuals went from the 1888 conference carrying a new and glorious experience in Christ JesusFW 13.2. The message was characterized as "meat in due season" for those whose hearts were open to the impressions of the Spirit1888 364.4+1.

Ultimately, while the message was an "old truth" that should have been the heart of the third angel's message, it was treated as "strange doctrine" by many teachers who had not experienced its power16MR 235.2+1. The Lord's desire remains that His people would divest themselves of pride and seek the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the righteousness of faith8MR 277.3+1.

The opposition of Uriah Smith to the message brought by Elders Jones and Waggoner is documented as a significant barrier to the spiritual progress of the church following the Minneapolis Conference1888 732.3+1. As the influential editor of the Review and Herald, his decision to resist the light of justification by faith led many others to stumble and reject the message of Christ's righteousness1888 732.3+1.

Specific Instances of Opposition

• Deciding Against the Message: When asked if Elder Jones could present the message to the Battle Creek church, the response was that Brother Smith had decided it would not be best because he believed Jones took "strong positions"16MR 216.2.

• Public Conflict in Print: After seeing the light presented by Jones and Waggoner, Uriah Smith published opposing views in the Review, which caused great perplexity and trouble for the believers15MR 295.2+1.

• Influence on Others: His standing as an "old laborer" and author of standard books made his opposition particularly damaging, as other ministers used his case as evidence that they too should resist the Spirit of God and the messengers1888 732.3+1.

• Hedging the Way: He was explicitly rebuked for being a "stumbling block" and for his attitude that gave strength to doubts and unbelief in the testimonies given by the Lord1888 732.3+1.

The Nature of His Resistance

• Rooted in Preconceived Ideas: Smith feared that the new light on the law in Galatians and justification by faith would undermine the "old landmarks" and the authority of previous pioneersGP 112.4+1.

• A "Hard Position" for the Messenger: His persistent unbelief and resistance made the work of the Lord's messenger "one-hundred fold harder" and caused a "greater burden" than was necessary1888 732.3+1.

• Lack of Thorough Confession: Although he made a small start toward repentance during a meeting in Battle Creek, he did not fully improve the opportunity and remained in a state where he had not thoroughly fallen on the Rock to be broken14MR 67.1+1.

Despite these trials, there was a deep love for his soul, and he was urged to separate from the darkness of his own heart and find his way back to the light of the Sun of righteousness14MR 4.2+1.

...ht and knowledge you have had of the work God has given me to do, might have stood to this day and you are far more guilty in the position you have taken with the testimonies sounding in your ears for the last two years, and unheeded. No confession has come from your lips, and I have been compelled to meet your influence in Minneapolis and since that time, everywhere I have been; and now the year 1890 is nearly closed. Will you fall on the Rock and be broken? Will you evade the point as you have done? Elders Millers both presented your case as evidence that they should resist the Spirit of God, the message and the messenger. Bro. Rupert has a work of confession. I told him two years ago when at Potterville, and he has heard the same again and again from my lips, but Brother Smith has been his stumbling block and the stumbling block of many others. The burden has been too great for me to bear. I decided without an entire change, I would not rema...— 1888 732.3 (1987)

... if they designed to give Elder Jones an opportunity to speak to the people. The answer was, “I have consulted Brother Smith and he has decided it would not be best to ask him because he took strong positions, and carried the subject of national reform too far.” I then felt my spirit stirred within me, and I bore a very plain testimony to these brethren. I told them a little of how matters had been carried [on] at Minneapolis, and stated the position I had taken, that Pharisaism had been at work leavening the camp here at Battle Creek, and the Seventh-day Adventist churches were affected; but the Lord had given ...— 16MR 216.2 (1990)

...in the Review the articles of Brother A. T. Jones in regard to the image of the beast, and then the one from Elder Smith presenting the opposite view. He was perplexed and troubled. He had received much light and comfort in reading articles from Brethren Jones and Waggoner; but here was one of the old laborers, one who had written many of our standard books, and whom we had believed to be taught of God, who seemed to be in conflict with Brother Jones— 15MR 295.2 (1990)

... both went forward. Brother Smith thus made a start, but, although Brother Prescott opened the way, he did not improve the opportunity. All he said was, “The matter comes home to me; it means me.&rdquo— 14MR 67.1 (1990)

...sent. I told Brother Smith he ought to be the last one to hedge up my way, and by his own attitude give strength to doubts and unbelief in the testimonies. He had abundance of evidence that my testimonies had not changed in character, ...— 3MR 422.5 (1990)

...d stumble and know not at what they were stumbling. I begged them to stop just where they were. But the position of Elder Butler and Elder Smith influenced them to make no change but stand where they did. No confession was made. The blessed meeting closed. Many were strengthened, but doubt and darkness enveloped some closer t...— 1888 360.1 (1987)