- Preface
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- Chapter 6—My First Vision
- Chapter 7—A Vision of the New Earth
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- Chapter 10—The Sabbath of the Lord
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- Chapter 12—The Heavenly Sanctuary
- Chapter 13—Gods's Love for His People
- Chapter 14—The Sealing
- Chapter 15—The Trial of Our Faith
- Chapter 16—To the Little Flock
- Chapter 17—Shaking of the Powers of Heaven
- Chapter 18—Preparation for the End
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- Chapter 21—Prayer and Faith
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- Chapter 26—The Two Ways
- Chapter 27—The Two Crowns
- Chapter 28—Modern Spiritualism
- Chapter 29—Snares of Satan
- Chapter 30—The Shaking
- Chapter 31—Traveling the Narrow Way
- Chapter 32—Preparing for the Judgment
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- Chapter 34—God's Love for the Church
- Chapter 35—Missionary Work
- Chapter 36—Broader Plans
- Chapter 37—Extension of the Work In Foreign Fields
- Chapter 38—Circulating the Printed Page
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The Introduction Of Church Order
Our numbers gradually increased. The seed that was sown was watered of God, and He gave the increase. At first we assembled for worship, and presented the truth to those who would come to hear, in private houses, in large kitchens, in barns, in groves, and in schoolhouses; but it was not long before we were able to build humble houses of worship.CET 195.1
As our numbers increased, it was evident that without some form of organization there would be great confusion, and the work would not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable.CET 195.2
Yet there was strong feeling against it among our people. The First-day Adventists were opposed to organization, and most of the Seventh-day Adventists entertained the same ideas. We sought the Lord with earnest prayer that we might understand His will, and light was given by His Spirit, that there must be order and thorough discipline in the church,—that organization was essential. System and order are manifest in all the works of God throughout the universe. Order is the law of heaven, and it should be the law of God's people on the earth.CET 195.3