Statement Regarding Adventist Bodies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 6, 1910

Statement Regarding Adventist Bodies

The accompanying table presents some interesting statistical information regarding the Adventist bodies in the United States, as shown by volume 2, pages 1-36, of the report of the United States Bureau of the Census, regarding religious bodies, for the year 1906. This indicates the growth since its preceding report, for 1890, and as the figures speak for themselves, it is not necessary to enlarge upon the statistical phase here. The facts set forth in the following presentation—decidedly brief though it is—are drawn from the census report, and are not stated here in any way for the purpose of drawing invidious comparisons, but solely as a matter of information. Each denomination was requested by the bureau to prepare the historical statement to accompany its report, the bureau securing statistical returns direct from the churches themselves, so that all that information might be put on the same original, authentic basis.

History and Doctrine

While all these bodies are classed in reports as Adventists, yet, so far as is known, there is no organic connection or affiliation between any of them. The oldest body is that known as the EVANGELICAL ADVENTISTS, the organization of which resulted from the advent movement of 1840-44. The believers in the advent doctrine met at Albany, N. Y., April, 1845, and formed a somewhat loose organization, which for ten years included practically all the Adventist believers except those who, in 1846, began the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, and were, in 1863, organized as Seventh-day Adventists. In 1852 there arose a discussion regarding the conscious state of the dead and the immortality of the soul. The party taking the negative side of these questions also proclaimed that Christ would come in 1854, and in 1861 organized a denomination known as the ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The next branch to organize was the SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, whose chief doctrines are, in a word, a belief in the near, visible, personal return of Christ—without setting a date for that event—and the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath.

The CHURCH OF GOD (Adventist) was established by those who withdrew from the Seventh-day Adventists in 1865 in opposition to the spirit of prophecy, also repudiating the view that the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days (Dan. 8:14) was the heavenly sanctuary. In 1905 a portion of this body separated yet again from the parent body, charging an exercise of arbitrary authority on the part of its General Conference, and organizing what are known as the CHURCHES OF GOD (ADVENTIST) UNATTACHED CONGREGATIONS. These two bodies observe the seventh day of the week, while the remaining four branches observe the first day.

The discussion which arose over the theory that there is to be no resurrection of the wicked, gave rise to the organization of the LIFE AND ADVENT UNION in 1864. The representation of a number of independent bodies holding Adventist views, yet refusing to be identified with other branches, met in 1888 and organized an association known as the CHURCHES OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS, a characteristic belief being that of the theory of an age to come.

Polity

The churches of the EVANGELICAL ADVENTISTS are congregational in polity, their annual conferences having “no ecclesiastical authority,” and consequently “no general missionary enterprises” are carried forward.

The organization of the ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH is on the basis that the churches are congregational in polity, the national body having no ecclesiastical authority, “each church being absolutely independent in its own management.” Foreign work is carried on at 12 stations in three countries, by 21 American workers, and 60 native helpers. They have three educational institutions, with an enrolment of 216.

In the SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST denomination, just as the members are united in a local church, so the total churches are united in a local conference, and the local conferences are united in a union conference, 21 of these forming the General Conference. The general body acts only in an advisory way in organized fields, but has direct supervision of work in unorganized territory, mainly now in heathen lands. Work outside the United States is carried on in 45 countries, by 284 American workers, and 1,108 native helpers. In 1906 there were 492 schools of all grades, having an enrolment of 11,997; 64 sanitariums, with 1,526 trained employees and physicians; 22 publishing houses, issuing over 1,200 publications in 52 languages [now 65]; 109 journals in 24 languages. Truly, it may be said that one of the reasons for the growth in this denomination is that “in union there is strength.”

In polity the CHURCH OF GOD (ADVENTIST) is “essentially congregational, except that the General Conference of churches is recognized as having a certain authority in matters referred to it.” Publishes one paper, and has no organized missionary work, but there are “two general missionaries working in different States.”

The CHURCHES OF GOD (ADVENTIST) UNATTACHED CONGREGATIONS withdrew from the body just named because of their rejection of the idea of a central representative body, and consequently rely wholly upon the efforts of the individual churches. There is sufficient co-operation, however, to permit the publication of a paper. No foreign work, and no educational work, so far as known.

The churches of the LIFE AND ADVENT UNION are distinctly congregational in polity, associations being merely for fellowship, and having “no ecclesiastical authority.” No foreign work is carried on, but about $500 is raised annually for the support of weaker churches in this country. One journal represents its interests.

The CHURCHES OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS are also congregational in polity, the state and district conferences exercising “no authority over the individual churches.” No foreign work is mentioned. No schools have been established. Home mission work is conducted by “a number of evangelists, who are supported by voluntary contributions.”