Need of Unified Teaching and Action

Again in October of the same year, a warning was sounded along another line, mentioning “the strange notions that some have run into, that the saints have yet to go to old Jerusalem, etc. Brethren, beware of such heresies.”—Review and Herald, October 7, 1851, p. 36, col. 1.EGWMR 44.10

While the little flock was advised to be on guard against these fanatical teachings, they were informed that only a small number had thus far become involved. Here are James White’s assuring words:EGWMR 44.11

“We do not speak of false excitement and fanaticism as existing to any great extent among those who observe the Sabbath, though we fear that a very few are in danger in this respect.”—Review and Herald, August 19, 1851, p. 13, cols. 2, 3.EGWMR 44.12

When the believers met for the conference in West Medford, held late in October, they “were much grieved to learn that some discord had been created among the brethren by the presentation of fanciful views of unfulfilled prophecies.”—James White, Review and Herald, November 25, 1851, p. 52, col. 1. And James White points out that “all felt deeply the importance of being ‘perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment,’ and of united action in the great work before us.”—Ibid.EGWMR 44.13

Gradually, by means of the experiences through which the early believers were passing, the conviction was growing that there must be some system of church order to meet the practical needs of the cause. At the next conference, following in just a few days, a crisis was reached.EGWMR 45.1