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.GSAM 333.2

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 the position he will occupy on his own throne, in his future eternal kingdom,—a throne with which no mediatorial priesthood will be connected.GSAM 333.3

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.GSAM 334.1

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.GSAM 334.2

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:—GSAM 334.3

“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.”GSAM 334.4

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.GSAM 334.5