Order and Organization by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 26, 1913

Order and Organization

By John Norton Loughborough

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

It has been very truthfully stated that “order is heaven’s first law.” This is manifest in the precise and orderly movement of the planets. Of this the prophet Isaiah said, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isa. 40:26.

Concerning the accuracy of these movements I quote from a French work entitled “God’s Glorious Creation,” written by Harmon Kline and Thorne, English translation: “In two thousand years the day has increased in length the eighty-third part of a second. Observations since 1850 [about fifty years] show that the earth has gained in its passage around the sun two seconds.”—Vol. I, page 22.

Not only has the Lord established order in the movement of the heavenly bodies, but also in the church. When he brought Israel out of Egypt with Moses as a visible leader, it was not a promiscuous motley crowd, but they were “harnessed” (“five in a rank,” margin). Ex. 13:18; Joshua 1:14. In all the arrangement of erecting and removing the tabernacle and in their encamping, the most perfect order was observed. In the days of David the commendation was for those who “could keep rank.” 1 Chron. 12:33.

In apostolic times they were troubled with men who, like Diotrephes, exalted themselves in their independent ways. 3 John 9, 10. To guard the church from heresy there was an examination and ordination of those who stood firm on the gospel message, thus preserving harmony in the work. 1 Tim. 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-11. As the work advanced, it became more and more important to “set in order the things that were wanting.”

When the work of the third angel’s message was developing before there was any form of organization among us, there was nothing to guard the church from the encroachment of false teachers. As early as 1850 a testimony was given, found in “Early Writings,” calling attention to the course pursued by the apostles when commending teachers who were known to be in full harmony with the work. Our people were told that it is just as essential now for us to pursue a similar course. This resulted in granting to an approved minister a card of recommendation, showing that he was approved by the leaders in the work. I shall quote the words of the one I received in 1853, as a sample:—

“This is to certify that Brother J. N. Loughborough, of Rochester, N. Y., is one whom we recommend to the church to labor among them. “(Signed) JAMES WHITE, “JOSEPH BATES, “Leading Ministers.”

Such action cleared our ranks of those who had false theories to present. Then the public interest arose to hear the message. The number of ministers increased, and it became apparent that

there should be a systematic distribution of labor. This led to the organization of State conferences, the first of which was the Michigan Conference, organized Oct. 6, 1861. As other State conferences were organized, it was evident that for the unity of action and systematic development of the work there must be concert of action among the State conferences. So to accomplish this the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was organized in Battle Creek, Mich., May 21, 1863.

As we met at Washington, D. C., in this jubilee year of the General Conference, and heard the reports from all parts of the world, demonstrating what order has accomplished, with God’s blessing, in the harmonious advancement of the message, we say this of itself is a proof that the Lord has led in the work. On this fiftieth anniversary year of the General Conference organization it is the unanimous sentiment of thousands of Seventh-day Adventists to push on the work under the same banner of systematic order.