“I WILL
instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.”1
To him who makes the Lord
his trust, his care is continually manifest. There are times, however,
when this care is more especially realized, such as special deliverances
from evils and dangers, seen and unseen, and direct providential openings
for the extension of his truth. It is of these themes that this chapter
treats.
The
First Vision in Michigan
In the month of May, 1853,
Elder White and his wife visited Michigan. It was the first time they had
been west of Buffalo, N.Y. The last Sabbath in May they were at Tyrone,
and at that place Mrs. White was shown in vision the different companies
of Sabbath-keepers in the State, with warnings as to the influences that
were liable to work against them. On June 2, in Jackson, she wrote eight
pages of foolscap, stating some of the things which had been shown her.
She gave me a pencil copy of the vision, on condition that I would furnish
her a plain copy written with pen and ink.
A
Woman who Professed Holiness
Among other things shown,
there was described the case of a woman who was trying to intrude herself
among our people. She said this woman professed great holiness. Mrs.
White had never met her, and had no knowledge of her except that which was
imparted to her in this vision. She not only
1 Ps. 32:8.
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told the woman’s mode of
procedure, but also that when she should be reproved she would put on a
sanctimonious look, and say, “The-Lord-knows-my-heart.” She said this
woman was traveling about the country with a young man, while her husband,
an old man, was at home working to support them in their evil course.
Mrs. White said that the Lord had shown her that “notwithstanding the
woman’s pretentions to holiness, she and the young man were guilty of
violating the seventh commandment.” With the written description of this
case in my pocket, I waited with some anxiety to see how matters would
turn.
The
Meeting in Vergennes, Mich.
We had meetings in
Jackson, Battle Creek, Bedford, and Hastings, and then came to Vergennes,
Kent Co., which proved to be the place where the woman lived. We arrived
at the place where we were to tarry for the night, on June 11, a little
before the Sabbath. Our stopping place was the home of an Elder White who
had formerly been a minister of the Christian denomination. As this was a
newly settled country, preparations had been made for our meetings in a
large, newly built barn, three miles farther on, and the woman seen in
vision, as it proved, lived still two miles beyond the place of meeting.
Testimony to the Fanatic
June 12, at 10:30 A.M., we
assembled in the barn for meeting. Mrs. White sat at the left end of the
rostrum, I sat next to her, Elder Cornell next to me, and Elder White was
at the right of the rostrum, speaking. After he had been talking about
fifteen minutes, an old man and a young man came in together, and sat down
on the front seat next to the rostrum. They were accompanied by a tall,
slim, dark-complexioned woman, who took her seat near the door. After a
short discourse by Elder White, Mrs. White arose and introduced her
remarks by speaking of the care ministers should
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have that they mar not the
work committed to them, using the text, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels
of the Lord.” She said it was not God’s order to call a woman to travel
about the country with any other man than her husband. Finally she
plainly said, “That woman who sat down a short time since near the door
claims that God has called her to preach. She is traveling with this young
man who just sat down in front of the desk, while this old man, her
husband-God pity him!-is toiling at home to earn means which they are
using to carry on their iniquity. She professes to be very holy,-to be
sanctified,-but, with all her pretense to holiness, God has shown me that
she and this young man are guilty of violating the seventh commandment.”
All present knew that Mrs.
White had never seen these individuals until they came into the barn.
Picking them out and delineating their character in the manner she did,
had its influence upon the minds of those present, and increased their
confidence and confirmed their faith in the visions.
The
Words Uttered as Predicted
As Mrs. White bore her
testimony, there was an anxious looking toward Mrs. Alcott, the woman
reproved, to see how she received what was said, and what she was going to
do and say. Had she been innocent of the charge made against her, it would
naturally be expected of her to rise up and deny the whole thing. If
guilty, and grossly corrupt, she might be none too good to deny it all,
even though she knew it to be true. Instead of this, she did just what the
testimony said she would do when reproved. She slowly rose to her feet,
while every eye was fixed upon her, and putting on a sanctimonious look,
slowly said, “The-Lord- knows- my-heart,” and sat down without uttering
another word. She had said just what the testimony said she would say, and
said it in the same manner.
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Guilt Acknowledged
True, God knew their
hearts, and they knew themselves to be guilty of the charge; for afterward
the young man said to Mr. Gardner, a resident of the same place, who
closely questioned him concerning the matter, “Mr. Gardner, what Mrs.
White said about us was too true;” and the woman, after telling Mrs.
Wilson at Greenville, in 1862, that she “would not dare to say a word
against Sister White lest she should be found fighting against God,”
admitted that what was shown about her and the young man was true.
The
Messenger Party
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 given
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a 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 of
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paying 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 schoolhouses 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.
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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 her parcels 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.
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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
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passengers, of 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.
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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.”2
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
of
2 Ps.
124:1-3.
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God? 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.3
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 becoming
3
These
facts last noted were stated by his family to Brother Frederickson, of
Dakota, in April, 1892.
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thus, 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 expose‚ 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, and
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the 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 an
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almost 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
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was shown, 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,
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while 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 No. 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:-
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“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 house
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who 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 property
340
destroyed 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.”4
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, l861, 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 fulfillment 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.”
4
Encyclopedia Britannica (ninth edition), Vol. XXIII, page 780.
341
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 fulfillment 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!
342
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.”
343
22.
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.”1
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.
Opposition to Organization
In a footnote 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.”
1 Titus 1:5.
344
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 organized. 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.”2
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.”3
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.4
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:-
2
Midnight Cry, Feb. 15, 1844.
3 Titus
1:5-9.
4 1 Tim.
3:1-15.
345
“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 to 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 examples 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 to 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.
346
Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time.’5
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.’6 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.”
5 1 Peter
5:1-6.
6 Matt.
23:11.
347
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.”7
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.”8
7
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, No. 6, page 210.
8
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, No. 14, page 653.
348
Christ’s Prayer for Order
In a testimony written in
1882 we see the same sentiment expressed in these words, “That union and
love might exist among his disciples was the burden of our Saviour’s last
prayer for them prior to his crucifixion. . . . ‘Neither pray I for these
alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent
me.’ “9
Danger of Individual Independence
In 1885 this testimony was
given: “One point will have to be guarded, and that is individual
independence. As soldiers in Christ’s army, there should be concert of
action in the various departments of the work.”10
Satan Delights to Overthrow Order
In a special testimony
published in 1895 we read, “O how Satan would rejoice to get in among this
people, and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is
essential, and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings,
and refute claims not endorsed by the word of God. We want to hold the
lines evenly, that there shall be no breaking down of the system of
regulation and order.”
Commendation of Ministers
One of the first points to
be considered in establishing order among our people, in harmony with the
testimonies just quoted, was some mode of recognizing those who preached
the message. From 1850 to 1861 the plan adopted was that of giving the
ministers who had proved their gift, and were evidently approved of the
Lord, and in harmony with all the work, a card recommending them to the
fellowship of the Lord’s people everywhere, simply stating that they were
approved in the work of the gospel ministry. These cards were
9
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, No. 31, pages 236, 237.
10
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, No. 33, page 534.
349
dated and signed by two of
the leading ministers, known by our people to be leaders in the work.
Ministerial Support
In the winter of 1858-59
instruction was given to the effect that the Bible contained a complete
system for the support of the ministry, and that if our people would study
the subject from a scriptural standpoint they would find that system.
Accordingly a Bible class was held in Battle Creek, over which Elder J. N.
Andrews presided. After careful and prayerful study of the Scriptures, an
article was prepared and published in the Review of Feb. 3, 1859,
presenting a plan that embraced the principle of tithing. An address on
that subject was submitted to a large gathering of our people, assembled
in a general meeting in Battle Creek, Mich., June 6, 1859, and unanimously
adopted by a vote of the entire assembly.
The
Established Order Commended
In Testimony No. 6, 1861,
the Lord thus spoke, through Mrs. White, concerning the system that had
been adopted by Seventh-day Adventists: “Rob not God by withholding from
him your tithes and offerings. It is the first sacred duty to render to
God a suitable proportion. Let no one throw in his claims and lead you to
rob God. Let not your children steal your offerings from God’s altar for
their own benefit.
The
Tithing System to Develop Character
“This tithing system, I
saw, would develop character, and manifest the true state of the heart. If
people have this matter presented before them in its true bearing, and
they be left to decide for themselves, they will see wisdom and order in
the tithing system.”
In this manner a system of
finance was established among Seventh-day Adventists, for supporting the
work of the ministry, and it is now in use by our people all over the
world.
350
In the Review of July 2l,
1859, as the result of instruction previously given through the
Testimonies, it was first suggested that each State hold an annual meeting
in which a careful planning of the work be made; and thus avoid the
confusion which too commonly existed in the manner of ministerial labor,
and that order and system be observed in our work. This suggestion really
looked forward to the formation of State conference organizations.
Holding Church Property
As the message advanced
and numbers increased, there naturally followed an accumulation of
property, which led to the consideration of legally holding church
property. In an article from Elder White, found in the Review of Feb. 23,
1860, we read the following:-
“We hope, however, that
the time is not far distant when this people will be in that position
necessary to be able to get church property insured, hold their
meeting-houses in a proper manner, that those making wills, and wishing to
do so, can appropriate a portion to the publishing department. We call
upon our preachers and leading brethren to give the matter their
attention. If any object to our suggestions, will they please write out a
plan on which we as a people can act?”
Legal Organization Endorsed
During the summer of this
year, there was more or less friendly discussion of this subject in the
Review. And in a general gathering of representatives of our people from
Michigan and several other States, held in Battle Creek from September 28
to October 1, there was a candid consideration of the subject, and a full
and free discussion of legal organization for the purpose of holding the
office and other church property-meetinghouses, etc. This discussion is
found at length in the Review, Vol. XVI, Nos. 21, 22, and 23, issued
October 9, 16, and 27, 1860.
351
As the result of the
deliberations at this gathering, it was voted unanimously to legally
organize a publishing association, and in order that such a corporation
might be formed as soon as practicable, a committee of five was elected by
the conference assembled.
A
Denominational Name
This conference also took
into consideration the subject of a name by which our people should be
called. This again called forth a diversity of opinions, some pleading for
one name and some for another. The “Church of God” being proposed, it was
objected to on the ground that it gave none of the distinctive features of
our faith, while the name “Seventh-day Adventists” would not only set
forth our faith in the near coming of Christ, but would also show that we
were observers of the Seventh-day Sabbath. So unanimous was the assembly
in favor of the latter name that when put to vote, only one man voted
against it, and he soon afterward withdrew his objection.
The
Name Approved
In Testimony No. 6, we
read: “No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which
accords with our profession, and expresses our faith, and marks us as a
peculiar people. . . .
“The name Seventh-day
Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will
convict the inquiring mind. Like an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, it will
wound the transgressors of God’s law, and will lead to repentance toward
God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The effect of the testimony was
to settle forever this question in the minds of the believers.
The
Office of a True Gift
Is not this the special
province of a manifestation of the gifts of God’s spirit? Paul said they
were placed in the
352
church “for the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith,” etc.11 How
appropriate, that after the believers have prayerfully and in humility
sought for light, the Spirit should speak and say, “This is the way; your
conclusions are correct;” and then “edify” the church still further, as in
this case, by telling them the practical bearing of the question, and some
of the good results that will accrue from their decisions.
Church Organization
In an address delivered by
Elder White before the General Conference in Battle Creek, in April, 1861,
and published in the Review, June 11, 1861, he introduced the idea of a
more complete organization of our churches. By invitation, nine ministers
held a Bible class to seek light upon the subject, and were requested by
the Conference to publish in the Review the results of that
investigation. After presenting the Scriptural testimony on church order
and church officers, the topic of equal representation from the several
States in the General Conference was considered, as well as proper and
equal representation of churches in the State conferences. In reality
this was the first introduction of the idea of having duly elected
delegates to general associations on some equal ratio that might be agreed
upon.
Michigan State Conference Organized
Oct. 6, 1861, the Michigan
Conference was organized by the election of a chairman, a secretary, and
an executive committee of three. By vote of the conference, it was
recommended that the churches enter into organization, adopting the
following as a church covenant:-
“We, the undersigned,
hereby associate ourselves together as a church, taking the name
Seventh-day Adventists; covenanting to keep the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus Christ.”
11 Eph. 4:12,
13.
353
Ministers’ Credentials
At this conference it was
first decided that credentials should be granted to all Seventh-day
Adventist ministers in this State who were in good standing, and that
ministers should carry papers consisting of a certificate of ordination,
and credentials signed by the chairman and clerk of the conference, which
credentials should be renewed annually.
It was also voted that a
committee be selected to prepare an address setting before our people the
mode of procedure in organizing churches. This address was published in
the Review of Oct. 15, 1861.
Delegates’ Credentials
In the month of September,
1862, the Michigan Conference held its first session in Monterey. Here
for the first time was presented the idea of receiving churches into the
conferences as members were voted into churches. As seventeen churches in
the State had already been organized, these were, by vote, taken into the
conference; and all members of these churches who were present were
accepted as delegates.
Ministers’ Salaries
It was at this conference,
too, that the plan was adopted of paying ministers a certain sum per week
for services rendered. The ministers on their part were required to
report the time spent in labor in the conference, with their receipts and
expenses; and the conference receiving this report was to make proper
settlement.
Credentials First Presented by Delegates
May 20, 1863, the General
Conference was held in Battle Creek, Mich. It was the first session of
that body in which the delegates bore credentials from their respective
States. The representation was not, however, on a numerical basis.
354
The States represented on
this occasion were Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, and
Ohio.
General and State Conference Constitutions
May 21, a constitution was
adopted by the General Conference, and on the same day a State
constitution was recommended to the State conferences. It was adopted in
a session of the Michigan Conference. These constitutions provided a
numerical basis for delegate representation in the State conferences and
in the General Conference. The State constitution, there recommended, is
about the same as that used now by our seventy-two local conferences
throughout the world.
At the time of the General
Conference, in the spring of 1864, a recommendation was first made to the
State conference that an Auditing Committee of laymen who had not been in
the employ of the conference during the year, be selected to act with the
executive committee in auditing and settling accounts with ministers.
Thus step by step, as necessity required, order was established in the
work and cause of God.
Thus we have briefly
traced the steps that led to the formal organization of the work. This was
done when the denomination was very small compared with what it is at the
present time.
When the General
Conference was fully organized, in 1863, the whole number of delegates was
not so large as we now have annually in some of the small local
conferences.
Object of Organization
The object to be
accomplished by organization was that the property of the body might be
lawfully held and legally managed; and that the laborers in the work might
move in harmony, without confusion, because their movements were with
counsel, and, therefore, without distraction. The same
355
principles adopted in our
organization up to 1864 were incorporated into the work as it enlarged and
extended to other countries and nationalities.
General Organizations Formed
As the message advanced,
the following general organizations were formed, the officers of which
were elected at the regular sessions of the General Conference:-
The General Conference
Association-a legal body of twenty-one members, to hold the title to the
property of the various institutions in America and other countries.
The Foreign Mission
Board-to superintend and extend mission work outside of organized
conferences.
The International Tract
Society-whose province was the distribution of reading matter, and
correspondence, seeking to open up new missions.
The Religious Liberty
Association-its special field being to aid those persecuted for
conscience’ sake, and to circulate literature on the principles of
religious liberty.
The International
Sabbath-School Association-the object of which was the building up and
advancement of the Sabbath-school work in all fields.
The Medical Missionary and
Benevolent Association-its work relating to the training of physicians and
nurses, the conducting of sanitariums, homes for orphans, the aged, etc.
The
Field Occupied up to 1868
Up to 1868 our field of
operations included that portion of the United States east of the Missouri
River and north of the parallel of latitude corresponding with the
southern line of Missouri. At that time the General Conference Committee
had only three members, the president of the conference being one of the
members. The eight local conferences were all under the supervision of
the General Conference, which had its headquarters at Battle Creek, Mich.
356
Why
Re-Organization was Necessary
As the message extended to
other lands, a necessity arose for a re-organization of the entire field.
Hence, steps were taken in 1897 pointing in that direction; but the work
of re-arranging has been more thoroughly accomplished during the last four
years, in which time a European General Conference has been organized,
with an executive committee of fourteen members; and the original General
Conference, with its headquarters at Washington, D.C., has an executive
committee of twenty-eight members, representing all the various interests
of the message, and taking the place of some of the general associations,
which have been discontinued.
Organized Standing Jan. 1, 1903
The following from the
General Conference Year Book of 1904 gives some interesting statistical
facts up to Jan. 1, 1903:-
At that time our organized
work consisted of two General Conferences, comprised of fourteen Union
Conferences, seventy-two local Conferences, and forty-two missions.
These are distributed as
follows: Local Conferences in North America, forty-nine; outside of North
America, twenty-three. Union Conferences in America, eight; in other
countries, six. Mission fields in America, including Alaska, Hawaii, and
Newfoundland, five; missions outside of America, thirty-seven, located as
follows: Twelve in Europe; four in Africa; three in Asia; two in South
America; two in South Africa; and the remainder in Central America,
Mexico, West Indies, and the Pacific Islands. Connected with these
missions are sixty-seven ordained and licensed ministers and one hundred
and thirty-one churches.
Unity in Diversity
It is a source of
encouragement to know that these different organizations in various
countries and nationalities are all united in the promotion of the one
great cause of truth and salvation of men. Not in the mere formal
machinery of organization do we trust, but in God, the author of order.
With his blessing upon the united and harmonious action of his workers we
may realize how good and pleasant it is to have “all things done decently,
and in order.”
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