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The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts - Contents
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    First Great Advance in Organization

    But that beautiful order was not always known among us. During the first decade of the advent movement we had almost no general organization. There were indeed a few local churches, disconnected and scattered hither and yon, but there was no connected and directed planning. Each minister traveled as he chose and preached what he desired without either ordination or wages. The church’s properties, few and small, were held in the name of some individual member, and at his death went to his children even though these were not in the faith. In 1853 Elder and Mrs. White began to write and preach in favor of church organization. At first they met bitter opposition and blind misunderstanding. But as the confusion increased and as the local churches complained that they were imposed upon and plagued by unworthy and sometimes fanatical ministers who roved about, sometimes in a life of idleness and even sin, it became clear that something must be done to bring about an effective church order. But what kind of organization was it to be?FSG 118.1

    Just as a farmer’s buildings, machinery, and other equipment reveal what kind of farmer he is, so the organization and directed activity show the character and objectives of a church. The external order grows out of the inward spirit and needs. This applies with peculiar force to the advent faith and mission. The guidance of the Lord in the advent movement is seen as clearly in our world-wide organization and local church order as in the doctrines we teach. The divine message and mission task really made necessary and brought forth our present marvelous organization, unlike that of any other church. The “1844 movement” had practically no church organization. It was an intense revival work and mission endeavor, but each minister planned for himself very largely and supported himself. After the great disappointment some suggested an organized advent church, only to meet opposition. Within the small circle of advent Sabbath keepers nearly all were afraid of and opposed to the old denominational forms of church organization. Their trying experiences in the other churches led them to fear this organization, and it was strongly denounced as Babylon.FSG 118.2

    James White has been called the father of our present church order, and his work was large, but Mrs. White did more in making plain the imperative need of organization and in persuading our members to accept it. In the Review of December 6, 13, 20, and 27 of 1853, Elder White published a series of articles on organization as then so urgently needed. He wrote:FSG 119.1

    “God has been leading His people out of Babylon. The voice from heaven (Revelation 18:4) is yet to be heard, saying to other of God’s people, ‘Come out of her My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues.’ It is the will of the Lord that His people should be called away from the confusion and bondage of man-made creeds, to enjoy the oneness and freedom of the gospel. But it is a lamentable fact that many of our Advent brethren who made a timely escape from the bondage of the different churches, who as a body rejected the Advent doctrine, have since been in a more perfect Babylon than ever before. Gospel order has been too much overlooked by them.”—The Review and Herald, December 6, 1853, page 173.FSG 119.2

    “The Advent people professed to take the Bible as their guide in doctrine and in duty. If they had followed this guide strictly, and had carried out the gospel principles of order and discipline, much confusion would have been saved. Many in their zeal to come out of Babylon, partook of a rash, disorderly spirit, and were soon found in a perfect Babel of confusion. And there are those at the present time who start back at the idea of gospel order. They seem to see no difference between teaching and enforcing the pure doctrines and sweet harmony of the gospel, and the errors and confusion of the creeds of Babylon. Such need ‘eye-salve,’ that they may see.”—The Review and Herald, December 6, 1853, page 173.FSG 119.3

    “Union is strength. And where there is union of action, the union is real and abiding. Each will then take some responsibility, and labor cheerfully in the common cause of truth. But where there is not union of action, there is but little lasting interest, and but little accomplished. What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business. The united action of the church relative to those who take the watch-care of the flock, would have a powerful influence to unite the church in love....FSG 120.1

    “In no one thing has the gospel suffered so much as by the influence of false teachers. We can safely say, from the experience of several years, that the cause of present truth has suffered more in consequence of those who have taken upon themselves the work of teaching, whom God never sent, than in any other thing. In sending out these men, Satan has caused reproach to be brought upon the precious cause.”—The Review and Herald, December 20, 1853, page 189.FSG 120.2

    To James White’s articles in the Review there was but little response, and nothing was done in the matter of church organization. In the meantime certain preachers of rather turbulent habits and temperaments left us and began the so called Messenger Party. They printed a paper full of scathing attacks on the Seventh-day Adventists, and especially on Elder and Mrs. White. They constantly accused Elder White of being a scheming, money-grasping man who collected gifts, and printed and sold literature as a private business for his own profit. At the same time there was lack of unity, fanaticism, and serious abuses in the churches in several places.FSG 120.3

    Elder White desired to turn over to the church all the Review property and assets, valued at some $20,000—which he later did. But our ministers were fearful and held back. About this time messages began to come from the Spirit of prophecy of the need of orderly planning and methods. Mrs. White wrote:FSG 120.4

    “The Lord has shown that gospel order has been too much feared and neglected. Formality should be shunned; but, in so doing, order should not be neglected. There is order in heaven. There was order in the church when Christ was upon the earth, and after His departure order was strictly observed among His apostles. And now in these last days, while God is bringing His children into the unity of the faith, there is more real need of order than ever before....FSG 121.1

    “I saw that this door at which the enemy comes in to perplex and trouble the flock can be shut. I inquired of the angel how it could be closed. He said, ‘The church must flee to God’s word, and become established upon gospel order, which has been overlooked and neglected.’ This is indispensably necessary in order to bring the church into the unity of faith.”—Early Writings, 97-100.FSG 121.2

    This instruction turned the tide in favor of organization. From 1859 and on, as our leading men studied this light from the servant of the Lord, they came to see that Elder White’s suggestions were right. One meeting after another was called to study the need and method of organization. The first question settled was that of name. Some, including Elder White, advocated that we should call ourselves “The Church of the Living God.” The name finally chosen at the meeting in Battle Creek, October 1, 1860, was “Seventh-day Adventists.” At this meeting, however, the question of the local church and conference was not settled. The fear of opposition was still too strong. But on April 26, 1861, another conference was convened in Battle Creek to study these further questions of organization. Many helpful things were considered at this time. (The Review and Herald, April 30, 1861.) However, the final action on church and conference did not come till a later meeting, October 4-6, 1861. At this important gathering a church covenant was adopted and both church and conference came into being. The first conference to be organized was in Michigan. During 1862 six conferences in as many States, were begun, and a year later, May 20-23, the General Conference was organized.FSG 121.3

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