THERE ARE MANY TODAY, especially among so-called scientists, who propound various theories concerning the origin of man and the causes of races and color. Without attempting to specify every cause or answer every inquiry or guess of human minds on these topics, the Scriptures set forth one great fundamental fact, that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” and that Eve “was the mother of all living.” Acts 17:26; Genesis 3:20. It is just as clearly taught that the Lord loves all mankind and that Christ died for the sins of all. The Bible knows nothing of modern fanatical nationalism or of a super-race. The races differ greatly in their mental endowments if not in their physical prowess. Some races possess certain gifts that others do not have, at least in so marked a degree. It takes all these various talents to make one perfect human family; and this should also be true of the church and evidently will be true in the world to come. But in order that this great law of nationalities may be found in the brotherhood of God’s advent people, there must be unity in diversity among true believers.FSG 175.1

Some time ago I asked a teacher of history in one of our colleges, a keen thinker and a close student and believer in the Spirit of prophecy: “What to your mind is the greatest benefit that has come to the advent movement from the messages of the Lord?”FSG 176.1

“The very full instruction on the subject of unity among all races and nationalities in our church,” was his reply. And then he added, “I have been deeply impressed with this as I have studied the history of other churches right here in America and noted their many schisms and conflicts.”FSG 176.2

The teacher was right. In a world-wide mission church of many nationalities and languages, unity and a spirit of good will, if not a question of life or death, are surely one of prosperity or disaster.FSG 176.3

It is difficult enough sometimes for certain churches to preserve unity when they have but one language, and labor in but one country. But when a church has activities in all the world, these difficulties from a human standpoint become greatly intensified. The unity of the leaders of all nationalities in the advent movement was first worked out in America. Other denominations in this country who had worked among the different languages had solved their difficulties by organizing German, Swedish, and Danish-Norwegian conferences, as well as missions in other tongues. Adventists were instructed by the Spirit of prophecy not to do this but to hold together in one conference organization. To do this at first seemed impossible, and it would surely have failed if we had not had the Spirit of prophecy.FSG 176.4

There are several reasons why the Spirit of prophecy and the advent movement began in the United States. Millions of many nationalities have settled in America, and our country became, one might almost say, an experiment station for a world-wide church and mission work. Early in our history the Spirit of prophecy stated God’s purpose in their coming as follows:FSG 176.5

“God’s hand was in their coming to America, that they might be brought under the enlightening influence of the truth revealed in His Word, and become partakers of His saving faith.”—The Review and Herald, March 1, 1887, page 130.FSG 177.1

The advent message first began to be preached among the French and Germans in America, but the fruitage of this work was limited. During the first thirty years of our denominational existence, by far the larger number of foreign-language believers were Scandinavians living in the North Central States. In these churches serious difficulties arose mostly because of the difference in language. Many of the members became discouraged, and some of them dropped by the way. They were new emigrants and did not understand the ideas and ideals of America. G. I. Butler, then president of the General Conference, had known these people in Iowa, and was an understanding friend. His visits among them did much to help and cheer them. In one report he writes: “The progress of the cause among the Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians, has been more marked and satisfactory than among any other people in America.”FSG 177.2

But in spite of his encouragement, the lack of unity persisted. In 1883, Mrs. White wrote at length on that topic. She had visited what was then the strongest Danish-Norwegian church in America, the Erie Street Church in Chicago. Of this visit and the need of unity she wrote:FSG 177.3

“Sabbath afternoon our meeting was held in the Scandinavian church, which was crowded full, the congregation being composed of Americans and Scandinavians. Elder Waggoner opened the meeting with prayer in the English language, and Elder Hanson followed with prayer in Danish. The singing exercise was in both languages, and was made profitable to all. I felt it a privilege to address this assembly; and nearly all, I was informed, could understand what was said. Some who had not been in this country long could understand but little; but they felt and enjoyed the spirit of the meeting....FSG 177.4

“Sunday evening I spoke the second time to the Scandinavians in their house of worship, which was too small to seat all who came to hear. We hope greater efforts will be made to maintain union, harmony, and love between our American and Scandinavian Sabbath-keeping brethren. We are one in faith; and our love for one another should abound more and more. We should be of the same mind and judgment, worshipping with one accord, having an eye single to the glory of God. It is not pleasing to Him to have us maintain separate interests. We should avoid jostling against one another, and strive constantly for the oneness that is in Christ Jesus. In our plans and efforts to carry on the part of the work entrusted to us, we may seem to interfere with the interests of others, and may be in danger of losing sight of the Christian courtesy which should be ever exercised toward one another. Let us remember that no other Christian grace needs such constant cultivation as that of mutual forbearance. Without this, it is impossible for harmony and love to exist. We are not perfect in character; but if the spirit of love is permitted to reign in the heart, and is developed, there will be fellowship without a jar, although the habits and customs of different nationalities may be unlike.FSG 178.1

“We need to guard against a critical spirit; for it is much easier to find fault with others than to reform ourselves. Keep the eye fixed upon Jesus and His lovely character; and you will see your own imperfections so clearly that you will be inclined to look favorably upon the course of others. Will our Scandinavian brethren keep their hearts free from malice, envy, jealousy, and criticism? and will our American brethren and sisters be true and tender and helpful to these brethren, who need help, avoiding everything which would have the appearance of neglect or want of interest? God would bind our hearts together in mutual love. He delights in showing mercy, and as His children we are to exemplify in our lives the patience, meekness, and love of Jesus.”—The Review and Herald, February 10, 1885, pages 81, 82.FSG 178.2

One of the early workers among these people in the United States was Dr. Charles Lee, who left our church and took many with him. There is a testimony to him under the title, “Individual Independence,” in Testimonies, volume 3. From this we quote:FSG 178.3

“You need to cultivate kindness and tenderness.... You are constantly inclined to individual independence.” “God has made His church a channel of light, and through it He communicates His Purpose and His will. He does not give one an experience independent of the church. He does not give one man a knowledge of His will for the entire church, while the church, Christ’s body, is left in darkness.” “Satan has tried to prevent you from having confidence in your American brethren. You have regarded them and their moves and experience with suspicion, when they are the very ones who could help you and would be a blessing to you.”—Testimonies for the Church 3:417, 414, 418.FSG 179.1

This is one of the very few times in the Spirit of prophecy that we find the phrase, “American brethren,” but the need of unity among all nations is often stressed. These lessons of the Spirit of prophecy were not in vain. Before our work started overseas in Europe and various countries; there had come in a Christ like unity and a spirit of co-operation among all the Adventists of the many nationalities represented in America. If that had not come, the work overseas would have been most difficult, if not impossible.FSG 179.2

Other denominations or mission societies have founded national churches overseas, but the Spirit of prophecy pleaded for one world-wide church with one world-wide message for all races and nations. This ideal is fundamental with us and will remain with us even in this postwar time of strife and confusion. Adventists have always taught that this is not an American, church, but a world-wide spiritual awakening, in no sense racial or national, which gives all its members in all the earth the same standing. The presence of so many different nationalities and races in this country made it possible to preach the truth right here at home in many languages. It also prepared a large number of workers to go to practically every country in Europe, and to other parts of the world with the blessed advent hope. The foreign-language work in America became a sort of experiment station in which the supreme problem of one Adventist brotherhood of all nationalities was worked out. For this reason the home mission activity, which Mrs. White so strongly encouraged, has been most helpful. The Spirit of prophecy speaks of it as follows:FSG 179.3

“Among the foreigners of various nationalities who would accept the truth, there are some who might soon be fitted to labor among those of their own native land. Many would return to the places from which they came, that they might win their friends to the truth. They would search out their kinsfolk and neighbors, and communicate to them a knowledge of the third angel’s message.”—Pacific Union Recorder, April 21, 1910.FSG 180.1

Mrs. White not only constantly urged that work be done among the foreign-language people in the United States, especially the Europeans, but, at the request of the General Conference, she herself went to Europe to assist in the work of the church there. Of that she says:FSG 180.2

“Since these meetings began, I have felt urged to dwell much upon love and faith. This is because you need this testimony. Some who have entered these missionary fields have said, ‘You do not understand the French people; you do not understand the Germans. They have to be met in just such a way. But, I inquire, does not God understand them? Is it not He who gives His servants a message for the people? He knows just what they need; and if the message comes directly from Him through His servants to the people, it will accomplish the work whereunto it is sent; it will make all one in Christ. Though some are decidedly French, others decidedly German, and others decidedly American, they will be just as decidedly Christ-like.FSG 180.3

“The Jewish temple was built of hewn stones quarried out of the mountains; and every stone was fitted for its place in the temple, hewed, polished, and tested, before it was brought to Jerusalem. And when all were brought to the ground, the building went together without the sound of ax or hammer. This building represents God’s spiritual temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation, and tongue, and people, of all grades, high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. These are not dead substances, to be fitted by hammer and chisel. They are living stones, quarried out from the world by the truth; and the great Master-Builder, the Lord of the temple, is now hewing and polishing them, and fitting them for their respective places in the spiritual temple. When complete, this temple will be perfect in all its parts, and admiration of angels and of men; for its builder and maker is God....FSG 180.4

“I was almost afraid to come to this country, because I heard so many say that the different nationalities of Europe were peculiar, and had to be reached in a certain way. But the wisdom of God is promised to those who feel their need and who ask for it. God can bring the people where they will receive the truth. Let the Lord take possession of the mind, and mould it as clay is molded in the hands of the potter, and these differences will not exist. Look to Jesus, brethren; copy His manners and spirit, and you will have no trouble in reaching these different classes. We have not six patterns to follow, nor five. We have only one, and that is Christ Jesus. If the Italian brethren, the French brethren, and the German brethren try to be like Him, they will plant their feet upon the same foundation of truth; the same spirit that dwells in one, will dwell in the other, Christ in them, the hope of glory. I warn you, brethren and sisters, not to build up a wall of partition between different nationalities. On the contrary, seek to break it down wherever it exists. We should endeavor to bring all into the harmony that there is in Jesus, laboring for the one object—the salvation of our fellow-men.FSG 181.1

“Will you, my ministering brethren, grasp the rich promises of God? Will you put self out of sight, and let Jesus appear? Self must die before God can work through you. I feel alarmed as I see self cropping out in one and another here and there. I tell you, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, your wills must die; they must become as God’s will....FSG 181.2

“As workers together for God, brethren and sisters, lean heavily upon the arm of the Mighty One. Labor for unity, labor for love, and you may become a power in the world.”—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 136-138.FSG 181.3

A Plea for Larger Things

The Colored Work in America