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Lessons from Past Experiences

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 14, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 20.

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Lessons from Past Experiences

By GEO. O. STATES

— No. 26
GEO. O. STATES
EVER since I can remember, my mother took the REVIEW. As soon as I could read, I remember reading articles from a man from New England. He wrote so much that just his initials were placed after his name. In 1859-60, when Brethren James White and J. N. Loughborough began to agitate the matter of organization, this brother thought he saw a departure from the simplicity of the truth, and that our people were going into the world. He wrote a number of articles in which he presented quite reasonable arguments in opposition to organization. The arguments for and against this question were confusing our people. Many of them honestly believed that if we should organize, we would depart from the truth. At that time Testimony No. Six was published, and we were told that “the people of God should move understandingly, and should be united in their efforts. They should be of the same mind, of the same judgment; then their efforts will not be scattered, but will tell forcibly in the upbuilding of the cause of present truth. Order must be observed, and there must be union in maintaining order, or Satan will take advantage. A stormy future is before us; and the church should be awake to make an advance move that they may stand securely against his plans. It is time that something was done. God is not pleased to have his people leave the matters of the church at loose ends, and suffer the enemy to have the whole advantage and control affairs as best pleases him. Unless the churches are so organized that they can carry out and enforce order, they have nothing to hope for in the future; they must scatter into fragments. If ministers of God would unitedly take their position, and maintain it with decision, there would be a uniting influence among the flock of God. Separating bars would be broken to fragments. Hearts would flow together, and unite like drops of water. Then there would be a power and strength in the ranks of Sabbath-keepers far exceeding anything we have yet witnessed.”
As soon as this Testimony from the Lord was received, our brother who had so bitterly opposed organization, gave up his opposition, and fell in line with the body, although it was hard to do it. In thinking over the confusion that existed among us before we were organized, and what it was that brought us to the unity of the faith, I have thought of late, “What would we do were it not for the gift of the spirit of prophecy among us?”
During the summer and fall of 1861 a number of general meetings were held in Battle Creek to study this question and perfect more fully the organization.
It was not long after the Lord gave the light on this important question before we had State conferences, which were organized into a General Conference.
As time passed on, and we were in danger of going to extremes, we were told, “While God’s people are justified in securing church property in a lawful manner, they should be careful to maintain their peculiar and holy character. I saw that unconsecrated persons would take advantage of the position which the church has recently taken, and would overstep the bounds, carry matters to extremes, and wound the cause of God.”
Thus you see as this people were in danger of going to extremes in the matter of organization, the Lord sent us just the counsel we needed. “I was pointed back, and saw that in every important move, every decision made, or point gained, by God’s people, some have arisen to carry matters to extremes, and to move in an extravagant manner, which has disgusted unbelievers, distressed God’s people, and brought the cause of God into disrepute. The people whom God is leading out in these last days, will be troubled with just such things. But much evil will be avoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind, united in their plans of action, and united in effort. If they will stand together, sustain one another, and faithfully reprove and rebuke wrong, they will soon cause it to wither.”
As the ministers heeded this counsel, the Lord blessed in the work, and the ministers who were so strongly opposed to organization ceased to oppose, and all united in establishing the churches.
There was some difference in the matter of choosing a name, but when wewere told, “The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind; like an arrow from the Lord’s quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God’s law, and will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” then the ministers united on that, and the people fell into line.
As we were counseled in the matter of systematic benevolence, and followed the light on that question, the means came in to spread the work. So it has been in every important move in which the Lord has led us through the gift of prophecy. As we followed the counsel, we knew we were moving in harmony with the mind of the Spirit of God.
Cedaredge, Colo.