ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN

“The present state of our faith and hope, with the severe trials which many of us experience, call for much brotherly love, forbearance, patience, and prayer. No cause, be it ever so holy, can exist in this present world, without its attendant evils. Therefore, it becomes necessary for all who are connected with this cause to exercise great charity; for charity covers a multitude of sins.MWM 309.6

“The cause we advocate calls upon all men to read the Word of God, and to reason, judge, compare, and digest for themselves. This is certainly right, and is the privilege of all rational members of the community. Yet this very liberty may become a stumbling-block to many, and, without charity, be the means of scattering, dividing, and causing contention among brethren. Human nature is such, that those who are governed by a desire to rule over others will seize the reins, and think all must bow to their decision; while others will think such unfit for the station they assume. James foresaw the evils under which we labor, and gives us a caution in his third chapter, to which we shall do well to take heed. Our present difficulties arise more from the multiplicity of masters and leaders among us (some of whom are governed by carnal motives), than from any want of light. The word of God affords light enough to guide us in all cases, ‘that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.’ But among the thousand-and-one expositions of Scripture, which are every day being palmed upon us, some of them, at least, must be wrong. Many of them are so weak and silly that they bring a stigma on the blessed Book, confuse the mind of the inquirer after truth, and divide the children of God.MWM 310.1

“To remedy this evil, we must learn to judge men and principles by their fruits, and not be too hasty in receiving the expositions which may be presented by every pretender to wisdom and sanctity. Any exposition of Scripture which conflicts with other texts must be spurious. Any man whose object is to obtain followers must be avoided. Whatever produces envy and strife, brethren, is of the devil; and we must resist his temptations in their beginning. If God has been with us from the commencement of our illumination respecting the hope of His glorious appearing, shall we abandon the truth wherein our souls have been comforted, and our brotherly love established, for fables? We ought to be careful lest we grieve the Holy Spirit. How did we receive this doctrine at first? Was it not by searching the word of God, and a careful comparison of Scripture with Scripture? Yes; our faith did not rest on the word of man. We then required chapter and verse, or we would not believe. Why should we leave our former rule of faith, to follow the vain and changing opinions of men? Some are neglecting the lamp, and seeking to walk by sparks of their own kindling. There is a propensity in many to make all prophecy apply to our time and country. Others have split on this rock. Some of the best writers and commentators have thus erred. They have, in many instances, considered themselves, their sect, or their nation, as the peculiar favorites of Heaven; and have therefore often failed to apply prophecy aright. An Englishman, writing on prophecy, will make the English territory the principal place of action - the Frenchman, France - the German, Germany - and an American, the United States. So is it with all sectarians. When minds are contracted by selfishness and bigotry, they lose sight of the glory of God, and his word, and seek only their own glory. On the other hand, they neglect, if they do not actually reject, such parts of the oracles of God as militate against their views, and rush headlong into error. If we are thus liable to be deceived by the cunning craftiness of men, we ought to be cautious how we are led by every fanciful interpretation of Scripture. Let us then be more wary, and, like the noble Bereans, search the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things are so. Then, if we err, we shall have the consolation that we have made a careful examination of the subject, and that the error was one of the head, and not of the heart. Christians should receive no evidence but the testimony of God as a ground of faith.MWM 310.2

“We are commanded to be sober, and hope to the end for that grace which is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Our disappointment, as to the time, should have no effect on our hope. We know that Christ has not yet been revealed, and the object of our hope is yet in the future. Therefore, if we believe in God’s word, as we profess, we ought to be thankful for the trial of our faith.MWM 311.1

“We shall not have to wait long for the glorious appearing of Christ. Therefore, let us lift up our heads and rejoice, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh. We regret to see any impatience manifested among the friends of Jesus. God is now trying our graces. How solemn the thought, that any should lose the crown when near the goal! Let us arise, shake off our dullness, redouble our diligence, let all the world know there is such a grace as Christian perseverance, and let all see that we are truly seeking a better country. Can it be possible, after we have run well for a season, loved the appearing of Jesus, come to a time when we must expect him, and should be ready to cast ourselves into his arms, that we shall go back, or again strike hands with a thoughtless world? May God forbid! Let us then go forward. It is death to go back; to go forward can be no more.MWM 311.2

“We are pained to see a disposition to murmur against those who have been pioneers in the war, - who have sacrificed all earthly considerations to support a truth so unpopular as the second advent and personal reign of Jesus Christ.MWM 312.1

“Brethren, shun such as cause divisions among very friends. Remember the admonition of James: ‘Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth at the door.’ We see, by this rule, that when a brother loses his fellowship for the saints, he is certainly in darkness. We must be careful not to follow what he may term ‘light.’ Love for brethren is a test of our interest in Christ, without which all gifts, and works, are like sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal. Let us cultivate, with peculiar care, this loveliest of all Christian graces, and frown on the man who attempts to cause division. ‘Offences must needs come, but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!’ What can we say more, to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance?MWM 312.2

“We would, therefore, recommend more study of the Scriptures, and less writing, and that we be careful not to submit to public inspection mere speculations until they are closely scrutinized by some judicious friend. Thus we shall avoid many errors. We should always be more jealous of ourselves than of others. Self-love is the strongest, most dangerous and deceitful foe that we meet in our Christian warfare. We have arrived at a period of deep interest and peril. It is interesting, because the evidence of the Saviour being at the door is plain, so that no sincere student of prophecy can be at a loss to know that that day, for which all other days were made, is near. How interesting to live in expectation of the day which patriarchs, prophets and apostles, desired to see, but died without the sight! Persecution and death lose their sting, in prospect of the coming Conqueror, who hath all power, and who hath engaged to put all enemies under his feet. We need not murmur; for, in this our day, God will bring to pass this act, this (to the worldly man) strange act, for which all the weary saints, for six thousand years, have lived and prayed. We entreat you to hold fast the confidence, which you have had in the word of God, unto the end. ‘Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’ ‘Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.’ ‘Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.’MWM 312.3

“WM. MILLER, Chairman of Committee.”MWM 313.1

Thus harmoniously terminated a Conference, very fully attended, and congregated under circumstances of peculiar interest, in view of many conflicting opinions, with great forebodings as to the result. The best of feeling prevailed, and great calmness and patience characterized their deliberations. Everything adopted by the Conference was carefully examined in full meeting, and each separate item unanimously received, and then the whole without a dissenting voice.MWM 313.2

Mr. Miller, in relating the story of his inability to convince the old lady who “we” were, remarked that he went to the Albany Conference with a heavy heart, fearing disunion and conflicting views; but was there cheered and strengthened anew by the unanimity and harmony that prevailed. And he was “rejoiced that so goodly a number had thus united in making known to the world who and what we were.” He returned to Low Hampton, and the old lady referred to soon had an opportunity to read the doings at Albany. The first time she again saw Mr. Miller, she grasped his hand, and exclaimed:MWM 313.3

“I have found out who we is; and I shall still be an Adventist, and stand by the old ship.”MWM 313.4

“And I am glad,” said he, in narrating it, “that you have told the world who you are. And if anybody wishes to know where I am, I wish to let them know that I am with you who approve of the doings of that Conference, and have told the world what you are.”MWM 313.5

The doings of that Conference gave great satisfaction to all of the consistent Adventists, but mortally offended those who had taken new positions, and sought to lead away disciples after them. It was so much misrepresented and opposed that Mr. Miller, a few weeks subsequently, came out, over his own name, in its defence, as follows:MWM 313.6

“OBJECTIONS TO ITS DOINGS CONSIDERED.MWM 314.1

“DEAR BROTHER HIMES:- I wish to make a few remarks respecting the doings of the Albany Conference.MWM 314.2

“While nine-tenths that I have conversed with highly approve of the doings of that Conference, some do not discern clearly the motives which actuated those who there assembled, or understand fully the import of the conclusions arrived at. That some would seek to find fault with the deliberations of those who there represented our brethren in the different sections of the land, we had reason to expect; but all who are sincere inquirers after truth will desire to advance the cause of God by inducing ‘brethren to dwell together in unity,’ ‘endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,’ ‘till we come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; that we be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ.’ Those, therefore, who desire to be set right, if they err at first, on seeing the subject in its true light, will be prompt to plant themselves on the side of truth and righteousness. All others will be expected, of course, to walk in their own ways, and, if possible, draw away followers after them. It is, therefore, my present purpose to answer the objections of all honest minds against those proceedings, so that all such may be free from any embarrassment respecting it.MWM 314.3

“And, 1st. What was the cause of the assembling of that Conference? It need not be replied that it was convened to deliberate respecting, and, if possible, to extricate ourselves from the anarchy and confusion of the ‘BABYLON’ in which we had so unexpectedly found ourselves. Notice of the proposed convention had been extensively given; all had been invited to be represented there who had the good of the cause at heart; and the brethren came together there from all parts of our land.MWM 314.4

“2nd. The doings of the Conference. Everything which could not meet the unanimous approval of all present was promptly stricken out; and had there been a dissenting voice on the passage of any act, such act would have been promptly reconsidered. The determination was to do nothing but what all, in view of all the circumstances, could fully approve. And it was taken for granted that all who did not meet with that body, or were not represented there, either stood aloof from them from a want of sympathy, or else were willing to acquiesce in the conclusions of those who should there assemble; for if any wished to be identified with those brethren, and feared their deliberations might be actuated by wrong counsels, duty - imperious duty - required that all such should be present to counsel, to advise, and to instruct those who should be in danger of erring in any way from the teachings of the gospel.MWM 315.1

“But the Conference assembled; and witness the harmony, the unanimity, the freedom from all contention and strife, - the full discussion and examination to which every act was subjected. In view of all this, will any say that those dear brethren had not the cause of God at heart; that they did not weight well the evils they would remedy, or the means of their removal, or did not desire to act in view of the common good of the children of God? And when those who were absent fancy they see difficulties in the results arrived at, as they were not present to hear the reasons advanced, ought they not to be very careful, and cautiously to inquire if they have a full understanding of the exact state of the case, before they throw in a fire-brand to divide and distract the brethren, and thus to defeat the very end for which that Conference assembled?MWM 315.2

“3rd. Objections to the doings of the Conference. The name ‘ADVENTISTS’ is objected to as a sectarian name; and it is claimed that, instead of being called an Advent Church, we should be called ‘The Church of God.’ This is, in my opinion, a misconception of terms. I should oppose our being called, in an associated capacity, a church with any name. The Conference at Albany made no provision for calling churches by any distinctive appellation. They merely expressed themselves as regarding ‘any congregation of believers who habitually assemble for the worship of God, and the due observance of the gospel ordinances, as a church of Christ.’ They designed to prefix or affix to it no appellative whatever. To call any denomination the Advent Church, the Church of God, or any other name, I regard as contrary to the usage of the apostles.MWM 315.3

“All true churches are ‘churches of God,’ 1 Thessalonians 2:14; ‘churches of Christ,’ 1 Corinthians 11:16; ‘churches of the saints,’ 1 Corinthians 14:33. They are thus called in the Scriptures; but they are not thus called as distinctive appellations; neither have we the right to choose either of those as a specific term. And if we wished to select either of those terms, by which to be designated, which should we select? The Winebrennarians of Pennsylvania call themselves ’The Church of God,’ as a denominational term. If we were also to be known as such, we should be confounded with them. But we have no right to take a name that belongs generally to the whole family, and apply it exclusively to a branch of the family. If a branch of the family wish for a distinctive appellation, they must apply to themselves a term significant of what they are. But I contend that no name should be applied to the churches as such.MWM 316.1

“A church, according to the Scriptures, is a religious assembly, selected and called out of the world, by the doctrine of the gospel, to worship the true God according to his word. The church must include all the elect of God, of what nation soever, from the beginning to the end of the world, who make but one body, whereof Jesus Christ is the Head. - Colossians 1:18. ‘The church’ in any certain place must include all the faithful who are wont to assemble in such place for solemn worship. - Romans 16:5. We thus have in the Scriptures not only ‘churches of God,’ ‘churches of Christ,’ and ‘churches of the saints,’ but we have ‘the church at Jerusalem,’ Acts 8:1; ‘the church which is at Nymphas’ house,’ Colossians 4:15; ‘the church at Babylon,’ 1 Peter 5:13; ‘the church in the wilderness,’ Acts 7:38; ‘the church at Antioch,’ Acts 13:1; ‘the church of Laodicea,’ Colossians 4:16; ‘the church of Ephesus,’ Revelation 2:1; ‘the church that is in their house,’ Romans 16:5; ‘churches of Galatia,’ ‘of Asia,’ 1 Corinthians 16:1, 19; ‘churches of Judea,’ Galatians 1:22; ‘churches of Gentiles,’ Romans 16:4; etc. etc. The above are sufficient, to my mind, to establish the position that a church should be simply called a ‘church,’ so described that its characteristics may be understood. You, therefore, in Boston, have considered yourselves as ‘the church at the Tabernacle.’MWM 316.2

“Is it asked, Do you repudiate the name of ‘Adventists?’ I reply, I do, when it is applied to the church, but not when it is applied to those who compose the church. Words are the symbols of ideas. All bodies of men have their peculiarities and characteristics. It is, therefore, necessary to distinguish them as such. Thus God has divided mankind into peoples, kindred, tribes, nations and tongues. Those of the same peculiarities have an affinity for each other, and naturally associate together. All these branches of the race are known by their distinctive names, and all acknowledge the convenience of their being thus known; it enables us to designate those we wish by an intelligible term. Thus the Israelites of old were known as belonging to the tribes of Judah, of Joseph, of Dan, etc., as the case might be. To call men sons of Jacob was sufficient to show that they belonged to the nation; but even then it was found necessary to know their tribe, their family, and their household; and even the different members of the same household must have different names to distinguish one from the other.MWM 317.1

“While all Christians in the days of the apostles were known as Christians, yet if they had had no other distinctive appellations, there would have been as much confusion as there would be in a city, if all its inhabitants were known by the name of John and Mary; or as there would be in a family, if there should be twelve children with no individual names, - call one, and all would run; or as it is at the present time, none would regard the call. They would not know which was meant. Therefore, we find the apostles writing, now to the Hebrews, then to the Romans, and again to the Ephesians, and Galatians, etc. etc. If, therefore, it was right for Paul to speak of the ‘churches of the Gentiles,’ Romans 16:4, it may not be so very wrong for us to speak of the churches of the Adventists, or the churches of the Congregationalists, etc.; while, at the same time, it would be unscriptural to call an association of churches the Advent church, the Methodist church, etc. etc.MWM 317.2

“It is again said that we have no right to be called Adventists, because there are others who believe in the pre-millennial advent; and that to apply it to ourselves is arrogancy. To this I reply, that it cannot be arrogancy if no others claim it but ourselves. We do not claim it belongs to us exclusively. All have a right to it who wish thus to be designated. But those who repudiate the name have surely no right to find fault with our use of it: such can have no claim to it. Neither do we, when we call ourselves Adventists, say that we are the only Adventists, any more than we say, when we call ourselves Americans, that we are the only Americans. It should, however, be understood, that words are entirely arbitrary, and that custom alone establishes their use. Was the term Adventist in use ten years ago? No; it is not in the dictionary; it is a newly-coined word, made by appending an affix to the word Advent. In the use of the word it has been only applied to those of like precious faith with ourselves; and by its use the community understand who, and who alone, are intended. The coiners of the word are entitled to it, and those who associate with them. But let it be distinctly understood, that, at the Albany Conference, the question did not arise whether we should adopt that name. It was already upon us; and the only question that arose respecting it, was whether, when speaking of some fanatics who call themselves Adventists, the word should be permitted to remain in that connection. But, says one, why is that Conference called a ‘Conference of Adventists’? It is not so called by vote or direction of the Conference; but as an Adventist is, in accordance with the use of the term, one who believes in the immediate coming of Christ, and as all those who thus assembled professed thus to believe, it was in truth a conference of Adventists. What’s in a name?MWM 318.1

’The rose would smell the same, If called by any name.’MWM 318.2

“2. Another objection to that body is, that they told the world some things which they believed the Scriptures teach, and some things which they believed they do not teach. Let us look at this objection. Has not a man a right to tell the world what he does or does not believe? O, yes, certainly. Then have not five, or ten, or fifty men the same privilege? Most certainly. Then, wherein, pray, is the objection? O, says one, it looks too much like a creed; and I object to all creeds, either oral or written. But what do you mean by a creed? If you mean by it a test of Christian character, I agree with you; and the Conference expressly voted that they had ‘no fellowship with any of the new tests, as conditions of salvation, in addition to repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and a looking for and loving his appearing.’ But if you mean that a man or body of men have no right to speak or write what they believe, I must dissent from you. The objector replies, We want nothing short of the entire Scriptures for our creed; that alone is sufficient. And that alone is sufficient for me. But while I receive the entire word of God according to my understanding of its teachings, and while different men draw different and opposite conclusions respecting its teachings, have I no right to inform the world what I conceive to be the truth it inculcates?MWM 318.3

“To say that I believe the Bible, and that alone, is to say the same that all denominations say. It is, therefore, meaningless as far as any distinctive idea is conveyed; it is truth in general, meaning nothing in particular. And with that view, why should we stand aloof from all others who claim to believe the same? Theodore Parker, the rationalist, claims to stand on that ground; and yet his constructions of Scripture are so anti-scriptural, that even the Unitarians repudiate him. Can there then be no line of demarcation between what we believe to be the truths and errors which are alike claimed to be based upon the word of God? Have we no right to tell the world which of opposite doctrines we believe are therein contained? If not, we have surely no right to disfellowship Theodore Parker and his adherents; and nothing can be rejected, and nothing received. And if so, those who told us to come out of Babylon, because the churches rejected their creed, which was their understanding of the Scriptures, did wrong.MWM 319.1

“I wish here to say, that, in proclaiming the coming of Christ to the world, nothing was further from my thoughts than to form a separate, distinct body of Christians. It never came into my heart; I thought to benefit all. But, by a combination of circumstances within and without, over which we had no control, we find ourselves as we are. We have been called out of the churches, and thrust out of the churches. The churches have refused to fellowship us; and what shall we do? We cannot go back, and give up our blessed hope. And all we can do is to find what the gospel teaches, and act accordingly.MWM 319.2

“The fact is, there is no man living without his distinct creed; for a creed is nothing more or less than (credo) a belief. When a man makes his belief, or a body of men make their belief, the test of other men’s salvation, they act as bigots; they usurp God’s prerogative. But when he or they allow to others the same liberty of thought and speech that they ask for themselves, making them only responsible to their Maker, they do not transgress the ‘golden rule.’MWM 320.1

“What a man believes is his creed. The creed of the infidel is, ‘I believe in all unbelief.’ The creed of another is, ‘I believe we have no right to write out our belief.’ Another’s creed is, ‘I do not believe in any creed, except the New Testament.’ And the creed of another is, ‘I believe we have the right to write out and undeceive the world as to our understanding of scriptural teachings.’ Now shall the man whose creed is, ‘I believe we have no right to have an oral or written creed’ (belief), make that creed the standard to which all men must submit? If he does, he is himself a bigot. A man who thus believes, has no right to speak or write; for, if he speaks what he believes, he has an ’oral creed,’ and if he writes what he believes, he has a ’written creed.’ If, therefore, he speaks or writes, he puts forth his creed, unless he speaks or writes what he does not believe; and then he is a hypocrite. A man who thus believes, can write for no periodical; he can preach no sermon; every thought he gives utterance to is a violation of his creed; it is a departure from it, or in confliction with it. And while thus continually violating his own creed, he has surely no right to oblige all others to submit to it.MWM 320.2

“Those who cry the loudest against creeds, and disclaim the strongest, are the very men who require others to submit to their ipse dixit. They require the largest liberty for themselves, and allow the least to others. And if others are not ready to comply with their fancies, ever varying as they are, they are ready to consign them to perdition. For shame on such absurd inconsistencies!MWM 320.3

“The aim of all our writings has been to show the church and the world what we believe to be the great truths the Bible inculcates. We have had a right so to do. These truths have had a mighty influence on the community. To bring discredit on them, and thus to weaken our labors, the adversary has connected with them, in the mind of the public, various odious extravagances. When we, therefore, set ourselves up as teachers, all have a right to demand of us what we believe, and what we teach. Says the apostle, ’So we preached, and so ye believed.’ We must, therefore, be ever ready to tell how we believe, what we believe, and why we believe. If, therefore, we have no fellowship with any of the abominations so rife among us, we have the right to tell it to the world. And if a large company of ‘like precious faith’ have the same views on these points, they have an equal right to unite in thus proclaiming it to the world. Those who have sympathy with those things, or who will unite with none who avow to the world their belief, have the same privilege to dissent from them. And if any prefer to stand alone, rather than to unite with a body who do not act in every respect in accordance with their individual creed, who seek to get up a party that do, let it be so understood, that all may act accordingly and understandingly.MWM 321.1

“But what has the Albany Conference done? Why, it has committed the crime of informing the world of some of the important truths which the members of it believe the Bible inculcates, with the reasons therefor; and some things which they believe are not therein contained! No Advent lecturers or writers can consistently object to that; for in so doing they would condemn themselves. ‘Thou, therefore, which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?’ ‘Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?’MWM 321.2

“3. Another objects to the doings of that Conference because they recommended organization. Indeed! And what did they recommend? Why, they recommended to all ‘a careful examination of the Scriptures, and the adoption of such principles of association and order as are in accordance therewith, that they may enjoy the advantages of that church relation which Christ has instituted.’ It is left to each church to judge of their own association for themselves. Those who would object to this would surely object to the recommendation of the Scriptures as a rule of faith and practice. Those who would object to this would have objected had they recommended all to fear God and give glory to Him.MWM 321.3

“4. Another objection is, that they passed resolutions expressive of their sense of truth and duty. This is a great sin, truly. It is said, a resolution can prove nothing; and that it would be absurd to resolve that light is light, or that God reigns. That may all be; and yet it may be perfectly proper to resolve that we will walk in the light, or that we will submit to the rule of God. Every soul does this at conversion; and what may be done individually may certainly be done collectively. To bring forward, as an absurdity, the use of a thing to which it is never applied, as an argument against its being applied to other uses, is to set up a man of straw which cannot stand alone, and, in knocking it down, take to one’s self the credit of having overturned an immutable principle, of which it was only an effigy. Resolutions serve the two-fold purpose of showing our true position to the public, and of nerving up our hearts in defence of such position.MWM 322.1

“5. Another objection is, that they have expressed themselves with regard to the intermediate state of the dead, respecting which there is a difference of opinion among Adventists. To this I reply, that that question did not arise at the Conference. No allusion was made to it either in their doings or speeches. They expressed, what all Adventists believe, that the time of the entrance of departed saints into their inheritance is at the resurrection. But the question, whether the intermediate state of the dead is a conscious or an unconscious one, was not even mooted there. This shows the necessity of great cautiousness in stating objections against what is not perfectly understood.MWM 322.2

“6. Another objection is, that the proceedings ‘look like doing something in the future;’ ‘seem like aiming at something which we shall not approve.’ Well, as those are not objections to what was there done, and are only fears of what may be done, arising out of the jealousy of the human heart, I shall not spend any time in replying to them; for all magnanimous minds are content with pointing to actual transgressions, and never allude to future fancied ones, unless they are very desirous of finding something to find fault with, in accordance with their pre-judgment.MWM 322.3

“The above are all the objections I recollect to have heard or seen advanced against the doings of the Albany Conference; and those have been by a very few. I am happy to see that the doings there give such general satisfaction. What weight such objections are entitled to, all must judge of for themselves. It must be evident, that unless we come out of the BABYLON into which we have been thrust, God will not bless us.MWM 323.1

“The question then comes home to each one of our hearts, Shall we continue in the anarchy in which we have been, or shall we take gospel measures to restore gospel order, that, at the Master’s coming, we may be approved of Him? It must be evident to all, that without union we can do nothing; and if there are no ‘important truths’ in which we are united, all can see that there can be no union among us. ‘How can two walk together except they be agreed?’ We can only unite on those points in which there is union. The great doctrine which has called us out is the nearness of Christ’s Advent. To persuade men to repent, in view of the coming King, we should all be willing to lay aside the unessentials of our belief, which are at variance with such union.MWM 323.2

“All union consists in a sacrifice of individual prepossessions for the common good. Those who love the peace of Zion more than they do their private opinions will be prompt thus to unite. Those who love self more than they do the general good will contend for their own selfish ends. Any doctrine, however plausible to the human mind, which tends to divide true Christians, cannot be of God. We cannot be the disciples of Christ, unless we love one another, and faithfully labor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And, therefore, those who seek to produce disorder and confusion, contrary to the doctrine of Christ, cannot be true friends of the cause.MWM 323.3

“The union that prevailed at the Albany Conference was what should ever characterize the children of God. They laid aside their prejudices, and acted for the general good; and the Adventists, as a body, approve of their doings.MWM 323.4

What, then, shall we think of the efforts of any who seek to undermine the counsels which there prevailed? Shall we not look upon them as endeavoring to divide the children of God? Shall individuals set up their own individual creed as the criterion to which a united and harmonious body shall come?MWM 324.1

“Let all ponder these things well. We live in an awfully dangerous moment of time, when we are beset with foes without and foes within. Let us, therefore, take heed to our ways, to all our thoughts, and to all our doings. Let us have no enemies in disguise among us, professing to be friends. Let all who have no fellowship with the principles we inculcate, manifest it. But let all who are willing to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints not be afraid to tell the world what they believe the Scriptures teach, and fight manfully the good fight, for they will soon win the race. Yours in the blessed hope,MWM 324.2

“WILLIAM MILLER. “Boston, May 27, 1845.”MWM 324.3

The doings of that Conference were unanimously ratified by the annual Conferences subsequently held, in that year, in New York, and in Boston; and the “important truths” there inculcated were often unanimously reaffirmed, so that they have become the settled principles of those known as Adventists. Others, dissenting from them, but agreeing in unimportant particulars, and yet claiming to be Adventists, are not recognized as such by Adventists.MWM 324.4

By the date of the foregoing article it will be seen that Mr. Miller was in Boston, where he arrived on Saturday, May 24th, to attend the annual Conference there of the week following. That commenced on Monday, May 26th, when Mr. M. discoursed from Revelation 6:17, - “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” He made a personal and practical application of this event, and presented the evidence of its probable nearness.MWM 324.5

During the Conference, he spoke feelingly of the passing of the time. He remarked that, “Ere this, he had been in hopes of meeting all present in the heavenly kingdom. But, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, however much we may be disappointed, we shall not forget Christ’s coming. God may see fit to disappoint us, sometimes, for our good. We may not see the wisdom and fulness of the whole of God’s plan; but he never tries us but for our profit. Therefore, we should not be disheartened or cast down. Every disappointment only made him more strong in the belief of the certainty of the nearness of Christ’s appearing.MWM 324.6

“I had,” he said, “denied the Bible for twelve years. I used to read it to see how curiously men would act, and contradict each other. But, suddenly, I became more solemn; its truth began to dawn upon my mind; and I was in great darkness for six months. I saw that I was a poor sinner; but I was soon enabled to love Jesus Christ, and have continued to love him even till the present time. I saw that, if the Bible was true, Christ was the only Saviour of men. I then began to study more fully the Scriptures, - determined to study, text by text, till I was fully satisfied as to their import. In comparing Scripture with Scripture, such a light broke in upon my mind as I had never before seen. I was about two years in going through with the Bible, in this manner; and I found it a perfect piece of order and beauty. And, though I have been greatly disappointed, yet I have never ceased to love and regard the authority of the Scriptures.MWM 325.1

“Brethren, we must keep humble. I sometimes tremble when I see individuals endeavoring to exalt themselves, and denounce others who do not see just as they do. Be careful not to err in favor of self. Be careful to avoid self-righteousness. I have noticed that those who have left the Second Advent cause are the very ones for whom I used to tremble, in view of their arrogancy and self-righteousness. We must not look to ourselves, but must look alone to God. We must cling to our Heavenly Father’s arm, that we may hold fast our confidence even unto the end. The word of God teaches us that we are to be guided alone by Him. Had our brethren, who have apostatized, thus looked to Him, they would never have fallen into the awful errors into which they have been led. I love those brethren, but I tremble for their errors. O, let us depend wholly on God, that we may be preserved also from departing from the rectitude of our faith! And may we all be enabled to live out the prayer, ‘Not my will, O God, but thine be done.’”MWM 325.2

It was at this Conference that he narrated the story of the old lady, whose anxiety to know who “we is” was so happily allayed by the doings at Albany.MWM 326.1