Our Roots, Pt. 6

The article quoted in Our Roots, Pt. 5 referred, with the sterility of 50 years' distance, to James White writing "an editorial now and then on 'Gospel Order.'” To really give the feel for these early discussions we have decided to quote one of these editorials as a sample. It comes from the July 21, 1859 edition and makes the suggestion that yearly meetings be held in each region to bring the believers together and further evangelistic plans. After making this suggestion he proceeds to anticipate the priniciple arguments likely to be made against it and refutes them. This was before the days of political correctness, and the writing is very pointed.



Yearly Meetings

We wish to call the attention of the brethren to the subject of holding one or more Conferences yearly in each State where needed. Our yearly meetings in this State, held at Battle Creek, for a few years past, have been most beneficial and refreshing. Then why not have a regular annual meeting in each State, and, perhaps, three or four in Michigan, New York, and some other States? The yearly meeting in this State has a most healthful influence on the cause, especially in the vicinity, then why may not other States, and other portions of this, share the same blessing?

…We lack system. And we should not be afraid of that system which is not opposed by the Bible, and is approved by sound sense. The lack of system is felt everywhere, especially in New England, New York and the West. Much labor is lost by this lack. Why not have a yearly meeting…? Let the time and places of these meetings be seasonably known, and how easy to secure the needed amount of ministerial labor. Many of our brethren are in a scattered state. They observe the Sabbath, read with some interest the Review; but beyond this they are doing but little or nothing for want of some method of united action among them. It is time that all do something to add to the strength of this cause. Its enemies are many and active, and its friends should be awake and zealous. Then let the scattered friends of the cause of Bible truth be assembled in their localities yearly, to learn their present position and duty, and be cheered on to vigorous action.

We are aware that these suggestions, will not meet the minds of all. Bro. Over-cautious will be frightened, and will be ready to warn his brethren to be careful and not venture out too far; while Bro. Confusion will cry out, “O, this looks just like Babylon! Following the fallen church!” Bro. Do-little will say, “The cause is the Lord’s, and we had better leave it in his hands, he will take care of it.” “Amen,” says Love-this-world, Slothful, Selfish, and Stingy, “if God calls men to preach, let them go out and preach, he will take care of them, and those who believe their message;” while Korah, Dathan and Abiram are ready to rebel against those who feel the weight of the cause, and who watch for souls as those who must give account, and raise the cry, “Ye take too much upon you.”

In reply we would say that Bro. Over-cautious reminds us of the brakeman who supposed that all that was necessary to run a train of cars was to use the brake well. We would suggest the he, and others of the same views and feelings, try to run a train by the use of brakes. Their success in standing still would, we think, teach them the necessity of having an engine, wood, fire, water, steam, as well as brakes.

Bro. Confusion makes a most egregious blunder in calling system, which is in harmony with the Bible and good sense, Babylon. As Babylon signifies confusion, our erring brother has the very word stamped upon his own forehead. And we venture to say there is not another people under heaven more worthy of the brand of Babylon that those professing the Advent faith who reject Bible order. Is it not high time that we as a people heartily embrace everything that is good and right in the churches? Is it not blind folly to start back at the idea of system, found everywhere in the Bible, simply because it is observed in the fallen churches?

True, the Bible does not say in so many words that we should have yearly meetings; neither does it say that we should have a weekly paper, a steam printing-press, that we should publish books, build places of worship, and send out tents. Christ says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set upon an hill cannot be hid,” “Let your light so shine before men,” &c. He does not enter into particulars just how this shall be done. The living church of God is left to humbly move forward in this great work, praying for divine guidance, and acting upon the most efficient plans for its accomplishment.

Men of the world lay their plans wisely and well, combine their strength, and prosecute them vigorously. And should not the church, aided by the principles of the word, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, act as wisely in their high and holy calling? “But,” says Bro. Do-little, “Christ says that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Very true; but he does not say they should be. So far from it, that his words are a cutting rebuke on Bro. Do-little, and all his careless, disorderly brethren. It will be seen that these men have wound themselves up in a kind of cob-web argument, and have lain down in an easy position; but we design to tear off the cob-webs, and stir them up to find their place in the church of Christ.

There are two extremes which should be shunned; one is for human wisdom alone to combine its feeble strength to carry on the work of God; the other is to leave with God what he has left with us, and set down with the idea of waiting for special providences before moving. If such move at all, it is independent of the views and feelings of others, each individual constituting an independent church.

Some may cry, The Spirit! and others, The Word! but our cry shall be, The Word and the Spirit. The Word presents the form of doctrine, and requires systematic, united action, and the Spirit sanctifies the judgment, gives vitality to the body, and efficiency to the work. It leads into all truth.

Read the doings of the apostles in the book of Acts. Notice in particular the conference at Jerusalem recorded in chap. xv. Certain ones had been teaching circumcision as necessary to salvation, and had caused trouble in the churches. Paul, Barnabas, and certain others went up to Jerusalem to help settle the matter. After some contention with Judaizing teachers, Peter, Paul, Barnabas and James made scriptural and experimental remarks. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company with letters to the Gentile churches…containing the decision of the Jerusalem conference which commences as follows: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us,” &c. What life-giving words at the very opening of this conference address. They speak forth union among the brethren, and the testimony of the Holy Ghost. No wonder that Luke records the fact that the Gentiles “rejoiced for the consolation.”

We presume that Bro. Confusion and Bro Do-little would have said, “Leave these Judaizing teachers with the Lord. He will take care of them. You must not abridge their religious rights.” And the church would have been rent asunder if it had been left to the care of these unfaithful men. But Paul and his brethren stood forth in the counsel and strength of Christ, as the shepherds of his flock, and the guardians of his truth, and the Holy Spirit was with them to testify to the judgment of the whole assembly of saints, and to bring the unhappy dissension to a most happy settlement.

We wonder if the friends of extreme free discussion and confusion were never shocked at the word “decrees,” applied to the Jerusalem conference documents, in Acts xvi, 4.

In conclusion we would say that it is too late to be afraid of gospel order merely because others have gone into the creed business; too late to run off the bridge on one side, simply because the water roars on the other. Some may feel rebuked in this article; well, perhaps they need it, though this has not been our object, so much as to wake up thought on the subject of yearly conferences, and systematic action of the entire body. Hope others will speak out on these matters.


Next: Baby Steps