Our Roots, Pt. 17

Organization—No. 14 (Review and Herald, May 9, 1907)

In our brief study of the development of organization in connection with the cause of the third angel's message, we have traced its history from 1844 to the organization of the General Conference in 1863. It may be well for us at this point briefly to note the most important facts we have found in our study. These may be summarized as follows: —

1. Organization, as applied to the church or to gospel work, had no place in the great movement connected with the first angel's message.

2. Near the close of that movement in 1844 the course pursued by the popular churches led many connected with the first angel's message to conclude that the churches were Babylon, that all church organization was a part of Babylon, and was therefore wrong.

3. The confusion, division, and scattering that followed the great disappointment in 1844 led the leaders in the proclamation of the first angel's message to see the need of organization, and to make an attempt to organize the believers. But their efforts failed. They were never able to make the matter clear to them, and to bring them together.

4. Out of the great and grand movement created by the first angel's message, and the disintegration that followed the disappointment, there grew the greater movement created by the third angel's message.

5. Owing to the small beginning of this latter movement, and the entire absence of facilities, no thought was at first given to the question of organization.

6. As this cause grew and extended in different directions, it became apparent to some of its leaders that some sort of organization was absolutely necessary in order to secure the order, system, and intelligent co-operation required to make the work a success.

7. This conviction led Elder James White to publish, in the REVIEW of Feb. 23, 1860, a proposal in behalf of some simple form of organization for the cause.

8. This proposal alarmed the majority of our people, because they believed that anything approaching organization would result in spiritual declension and unscriptural alliance with the world.

9. The alarm created by the call for organization quickly developed into an opposition which proved difficult to overcome.

10. This opposition was not arrogantly silenced by those who favored organization. It was dealt with fairly. The whole question of organization was given careful, extended investigation and discussion.

11. As a result of the thorough discussion of the subject, the majority of the believers became convinced that organization was a necessary arrangement given by the Lord for the welfare of his cause.

12. When the conviction became general that organization was necessary for the welfare of the cause, councils were held for the purpose of effecting a proper and complete system of organization for this many-sided, world-wide movement.

13. Representatives from all parts of the field occupied at that time attended these councils, and joined in working out the plans for the organization and management of the affairs of churches, conferences, and institutions.

14. Although there was a decided difference of opinion at the beginning of the controversy regarding the wisdom of having any organization, there was almost universal agreement at the end, both as to the need of organization and the forms it should take to meet the varied needs of the cause.

15. The general plan or system of organization adopted by the pioneers at the completion of their work of organization in 1863 has never been changed in any material feature by their successors.

16. In this long, anxious struggle for an efficient system of organization in full harmony with gospel order and organization as set forth in the Scriptures, the spirit of prophecy exercised a guiding, molding influence.

17. Through the gift of the spirit of prophecy as exercised in this church, God placed the seal of his approval upon the system of organization then established and still maintained.

Forty-four years of trial have proved the efficiency of the system agreed upon by our brethren in 1863. Writing of this a few years ago, Sister White said: —

What is the secret of our prosperity? We have moved under the order of the Captain of our salvation. God has blessed our united efforts. The truth has spread and flourished. Institutions have multiplied. The mustard seed has grown to a great tree. The system of organization has proved a grand success. Systematic benevolence was entered into according to the Bible plan. The body "has been compacted by that which every joint supplieth." As we have advanced, our system of organization has still proved effectual.

An arrangement that has proved such a blessing to our cause should not be thoughtlessly cast aside.

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