Book: Clarence Creager Crisler, Organization: Its Character, Purpose, Place, and Development in the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1938). HTML, PDF.
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Chapter 8: A Period of Development
With the introduction of important features of gospel order, called for so definitely in 1853 and 1854, the cause of present truth was freed from some of the elements that had for a time hindered its progress.
As a precautionary measure and a means of mutual protection, the workers in whom the believers had confidence were given cards “recommending them to the fellowship of the Lord’s people everywhere.” Through the wise ministrations of these workers, confidence was restored, and during the next few years the cause of present truth was liberally supported. Of this period of prosperity, J. N. Loughborough writes:
“The work advanced so rapidly that at the close of 1857 the number of Seventh-day Adventists had doubled, and the office property of the Review and Herald had increased from seven hundred dollars to five thousand dollars.”—The Church: Its Organization, Order, and Discipline, pp. 104, 105.
The growth in numbers was largest in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio. A good beginning had also been made in Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. In the Eastern States, where the third angel’s message had been proclaimed first, progress was very slow. One reason for this slow advance is that the believers in the East had allowed some of their best laborers to go west to labor in States known at that time as “mission fields;” but other and more [p. 68] weighty reasons are given in an early testimony, entitled, “The East and the West,” published in 1856:
“The Lord has shown me in vision some things in regard to the East and the West, which I feel it my duty to set before you. I saw that God has been opening the way for the spread of present truth in the West. It requires much more power to move the people in the East than in the West, and at present but very little can be accomplished in the East. Special efforts should be made at the present time where most good will result.
“The people in the East have heard the proclamation of the second coming of Christ, and have seen much of the display of the power of God, and have fallen back into a state of indifference and security, where it is almost impossible to reach them at present. After uncommon efforts are made in the East, with the best gifts, but very little is accomplished.
“I saw that the people in the West … have not had the light of the truth, and have not rejected it, and their hearts are more tender and susceptible to the truth and the Spirit of God. The hearts of many in the West are already prepared to eagerly receive the truth; and as the servants of God go out to labor for the salvation of precious souls, they have much to encourage them in their arduous work. As the people are anxious to hear, and many embrace the truth, the gift which God has given His servants is called out and strengthened. They see that their efforts are crowned with success.
“I saw that tenfold more has been accomplished in the West than in the East with the same effort, and that the way is opening for still greater success. I have seen that much can be done at present in Wisconsin, and still more [p. 69] in Illinois, and that efforts to spread the truth must be made in Minnesota and Iowa. It will take effect in many hearts there. There was a large, very large, field of labor spread out before me in vision, which has not yet been entered; but there is not self-sacrificing help enough to fill half the places where the people are all ready to hear the truth, and many to receive it.
“New fields of labor, entirely new, must be visited; many will have to go a warfare at their own charges, enter such fields with the expectation of bearing their own expenses. Here, I saw, is a good opportunity for the stewards of the Lord to act their part, and support those who carry the truth to these places. It should be a great privilege for these stewards to render to God that which belongs to Him. By so doing they will discharge a Scriptural duty, and free themselves of a portion of their earthly treasure, which is now a burden to many who have an abundance. It will also add to their treasure in heaven. …
“I saw that special efforts should be made in the West with tents; for the angels of God are preparing minds there to receive the truth. This is why God has moved on some in the East to move to the West. Their gifts can accomplish more in the West than in the East. The burden of the work is in the West, and it is of the greatest importance that the servants of God should move in His opening providence.
“I saw that when the message shall increase greatly in power, then the providence of God will open and prepare the way in the East for much more to be accomplished than can be at the present time. God will then send some of His servants in power to visit places where little or nothing can now be done; and some who are now indifferent, [p. 70] will be aroused, and will take hold of the truth.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 146-149.
Serious Administrative Problems
For a time after the removal of the Review and Herald office from the East to Michigan, the brethren in responsibility found it possible, usually, to confer with one another regarding the general interests of the cause in Michigan and other States near by. Local meetings, and a general annual meeting in Michigan, gave the leaders in the work direct access to the people of the Central States, and occasional tours in the East gave them opportunity to bring before the believers in New England important matters requiring attention.
As the cause developed, and laborers pressed on into new territory in widely scattered districts far removed from the center of the work and from the strong constituency in the East, those bearing the burden of leadership found themselves facing some serious administrative problems. How were the efforts of the messengers at the outposts to be wisely directed? What adequate means of support could be assured those who were venturing their all to give to others a knowledge of the third angel’s message?
As was natural, those constituting the older groups of believers, while giving somewhat regularly for the support of their home work, failed to appreciate fully the necessity of sending workers and means into unentered fields. How were these believers to be made acquainted with the needs of the cause in the newer and more promising fields, where the work could not at first be carried forward on a self-supporting basis?
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Systematic Benevolence
One of the plans inaugurated at this time, as a solution of the problem of support, was “the plan of systematic benevolence, on the tithing principle,” which was set before our people in the columns of the Review and Herald, in February, 1859.
This plan, which has since developed into the tithing system, was laid before representative assemblies of believers in many parts of the field in 1859 and 1860, and was generally endorsed and adopted. (See Review and Herald, Feb. 3, 1859; also June 9 and 16, 1859.)
In Testimony for the Church, No. 5, published in 1859, there is a communication addressed to the believers, from which a few paragraphs are selected:
“There is order in heaven, and God is well pleased with the efforts of His people in trying to move with system and order in His work on earth. I saw that there should be order in the church of God, and that system is needed in carrying forward successfully the last great message of mercy to the world. God is leading His people in the plan of systematic benevolence, and this is one of the very points to which God is bringing up His people which will cut the closest with some. With them this cuts off the right arm, and plucks out the right eye, while to others it is a great relief. To noble, generous souls, the demands upon them seem very small, and they cannot be content to do so little. Some have large possessions, and if they lay by them in store for charitable purposes as God has prospered them, the offering seems to them like a large sum. The selfish heart clings as closely to a small offering as to a larger one, and makes a small sum look very large.
“I was pointed back to the commencement of this last [p. 72] work. Then some who loved the truth could consistently talk of sacrificing. They devoted much to the cause of God, to send the truth to others. They have sent their treasure beforehand to heaven. Brethren, you who have received the truth at a later period, and who have large possessions, God has called you into the field, not merely that you may enjoy the truth, but that you may aid with your substance in carrying forward this great work. And if you have an interest in this work, you will venture out and invest something in it, that others may be saved by your efforts, and you reap with them the final reward. Great sacrifices have been made and privations endured to place the truth in a clear light before you. Now God calls upon you, in your turn, to make great efforts and to sacrifice in order to place the truth before those who are in darkness.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 191, 192.
Annual Meetings
In the hope of solving the problem of concerted action on the part of the entire body of believers in every State, and of bringing the stronger constituencies into close touch with the messengers at the outposts, James White suggested the advisability of holding general meetings annually in the various States. In an editorial in the Review and Herald, he wrote, under the heading “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 [Michigan], 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? …
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“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 in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania; several in New York, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa; one in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and so on as the truth spreads, and friends rally around the standard? …
“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.”—Review and Herald, July 21, 1859.
A month later, James White and his wife were in the State of New York, beginning a tour of the Eastern States. “One object of this tour,” Elder White declares in his first report, “is to awaken interest in behalf of missions in those parts of our country which seem to be waiting for the word of God, where there are but very few, if any, friends of the cause. The time has come to increase our efforts, let our light shine, and sound the alarm abroad.”—Id., Sept. 1, 1859.
Referring to conditions in New York, Elder White writes:
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“We doubt not the way is preparing for successful labor in this State. The cause has long languished for want of united action. The numerous friends can fully sustain the cause and not feel it. Our preachers will labor where the way is opened for them, unless especially impressed to labor in some particular location. The brethren in Michigan have raised from one to four thousand dollars yearly to advance the cause in that State, and their numbers and strength have increased twentyfold within four years, while New York, without united, energetic action, has made but very little progress in numbers and in strength. The people of the Empire State are waiting for the word of God; and will not the church arise, and let her light shine? United action is indispensable to the progress of this cause—every brother and every sister must raise the helping hand.”—Idem.
In a later report of his efforts to arouse the brethren and sisters of New England to share in the support of laborers in the West, Elder White wrote from Topsham, Maine, under the heading, “New Fields:”
“Our venerable Brother Bates was the first in this cause, and knows all the hardships and discouragements of its early existence. His labors were greatly blessed in New England, and he was the first to enter the great West. His numerous friends in the East would be extremely gratified to enjoy his labors and visits, and sustain him liberally. And there would appear the greatest propriety in his enjoying the fruits of his former labors, in his advanced years. But he is continually breaking new ground, laboring incessantly, preaching from five to ten times a week, and receiving a limited support. Last winter about fifty came out on the Sabbath under his labors. God sees [p. 75] all this and a faithful record is kept in heaven. Says Jesus, ‘Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.’ Thank God for that—‘as his work shall be.’ Rev. 22:12.”—Id., Oct. 6, 1859.
Toward the close of this Eastern tour, Elder White wrote: “We are happy to know that among our people there is no East or West; but the cause is one everywhere. Eastern brethren now appear to take as much interest in the cause west, as in the cause at home.”
“The Vermont brethren did nobly for the cause of missions. They sent one of their tents west, let their most experienced preachers go west, and are now sending means west to help the cause in its present embarrassments. It will be expected of the numerous friends west, that they will be moved by the liberality of Eastern brethren, to contribute sufficiently to meet the wants of the cause in their own States, and extend the message to others.”—Id., Nov. 10, 1859.
Planning for a Large Work
During this Eastern tour, Elder White wrote an editorial entitled, “The Loud Voice of the Third Angel,” in which he outlined the greatness of the work before the believers. It gives some idea of his conception of the magnitude of the work to be accomplished in future years:
“We are now in the time of the third message, and the preparatory work for the loud cry of this message is going on. The work of the angel of chapter 18, is future, for it is a message to escape the last plagues, and will introduce the loud cry of the third message. With this view we get an exalted idea of the extent and power of the closing work of the message. …
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“Notice the terms [in Revelation 18:1, 2] which express the greatness of the work. The angel has ‘great power,’ the ‘earth was lightened with his glory,’ he ‘cried mightily with a strong voice.’ Be assured, dear reader, this glorious message will forget its feebleness soon; for the angel is to have great power, and cry ‘mightily’ with a ‘strong voice.’ This work will not be finished up in a corner; for the earth is to be lightened with his glory.
“The subject before us is of thrilling interest. If our views are true, is it not time for us to look these great truthful facts square in the face, and be making up our minds and laying our plans for a vast work? Where are we now? is a natural and important inquiry. We are in the time of the third message, but the loud cry of the message is future. …
“The present, then, is the time of preparation for the loud cry. The great truth of the message is being brought out and made plain. And now God is rolling upon His people the weight and importance of the subject of perfect unity of sentiment and spirit. He is making His people one according to the Bible standard of unity. …
“Those who are seeking for perfect union on Bible truth are gathering with Christ, and preparing for the loud voice of the third angel. Those who are stupid to the subject are in danger, while those disposed to act independently of the church please Satan, wound their brethren, and are preparing for a fall.”
“The work of Bible union is well begun among us, and is progressing gloriously. Thank God for religion that will convert both heads and hearts, so that we may be perfectly united in mind, judgment, and spirit!”—Id., Oct. 20, 1859.*
[*This article was reprinted in the Review dated April 26, 1860, shortly after the proposal was made to organize a publishing association.]