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The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline - Contents
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    J. V. Himes on the Separation in 1844

    Concerning this second message and advent experience in that call for separation, we quote from Elder J. V. Himes, one of the prominent laborers in that message. Speaking of William Miller, he said: “His labors had been incessant and effectual in awakening professors of religion to the true hope of God’s people and the necessary preparation for the advent of the Lord; as also the awakening of all classes of the unconverted to a sense of their lost condition, and the duty of immediate repentance and conversion to God, as a preparation to meet the bridegroom in peace at his coming. These were the great objects of his labors. He made no attempt to convert men to a sect or party in religion. Hence he labored among all parties and sects, without interfering with their organization or discipline, believing that the members of the different communions could retain their standing and at the same time prepare for the advent of their King, and labor for the salvation of men in these relations until the consummation of their hope.COOD 81.1

    “When we were persuaded of the truth of the advent at hand, and embraced the doctrine publicly [in 1840], we entertained the same views, and pursued the same course among the different sects, where we were called, in the providence of God, to labor. We told the ministers and churches that it was no part of our business to break them up, or to divide and distract them. We had one distinct object, and that was to give the ‘cry,’ the warning of the judgment ‘at the door,’ and persuade our fellow men to get ready for the event. Most of the ministers and churches that opened their doors to us and our brethren who were proclaiming the advent doctrine, co-operated with us until the last year. The ministry and membership who availed themselves of our labors, but had not sincerely embraced the doctrine, saw that they must either go with the doctrine, and preach and maintain it, or in the crisis which was right upon them, they would have difficulty with the decided and determined believers. They therefore decided against the doctrine, and determined, some by one policy and some by another, to suppress the subject. This placed our brethren and sisters among them in a most trying position. Most of them loved their churches, and could not think of leaving. But when they were ridiculed, oppressed, and in various ways cut off from their former privileges and enjoyments, and when the ‘meat in due season’ was withheld from them, and the siren song of ‘peace and safety’ was sounded in their ears from Sabbath to Sabbath, they were soon weaned from their party predilections, and arose in the majesty of their strength, shook off the yoke, and raised the cry, ‘Come out of her, my people.’”-Letter of J. V. Himes, Aug. 29, 1844.COOD 81.2

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