The Development of The Advent Movement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1908

The Development of The Advent Movement

WITHIN the memory of many who are now actively connected with it, there has arisen a great religious movement which has adherents in almost every country on the globe. More than this, there are some still living, and still working for the advancement of this movement, who were among its first advocates. A single generation has, therefore, witnessed the rise and growth of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

The beginning of this specific movement dates from the year 1845. Its adherents recognize the fulfilment of the Scriptures in the great reform movements that have arisen since Wyclif, the “morning star of the Reformation,” began his work in the fourteenth century. They recognize God’s gracious providences in the glorious missionary enterprises of the nineteenth century. And they believe most sincerely that the movement they are carrying forward is just as surely of God as were those others; in fact, that every reformatory and missionary awakening has been preparing the way for the world-wide proclamation of the message of the coming of Christ in this generation.

Like other reformatory movements, its origin was humble and its beginning small. But, like others also, it has possessed the hidden life and power that have caused it to flourish. It brings crosses and self-denial. It dethrones every idol of the carnal heart. But it wins the devotion of its adherents to the cause of Christ and to the message of reform now due to the world. The believers in it contribute their means to the work, consecrate their sons and daughters to missionary service, and themselves put forth earnest effort for its advancement.

Nothing has been able to stop this onward movement. As it has gained adherents, it has made them its heralds. As it has created resources, it has appropriated them for further progress. It has lost no ground. Every advance step taken has been held and used for another step forward. Every laborer sent forth in response to a call for help has sent an urgent appeal for others.

The believers in this work are associated together in churches organized on the plan of the New Testament churches. The churches of a state or province or large district are united in an organization called a conference. A number of conferences in a large territory are organized into a union conference. These unions with all the mission fields are united in one General Conference, representing and directing the work throughout the world.

DELEGATES FROM FOREIGN FIELDS TO THE LAST S. D. A. GENERAL CONFERENCE

Thus organized, the movement has one hundred thousand believers, twenty-five hundred churches, one hundred conferences, and twenty-one union conferences, all of which constitute the General Conference.

In addition to this, the work of the movement is organized on the bureau or departmental plan. The Foreign Mission Department looks after all the interests pertaining to the mission fields.

The Sabbath-school, Publishing, Educational, Medical, Religious Liberty, and Missionary Volunteer departments each fosters and develops the work which its name suggests.

The Foreign Mission Department has at present five hundred missionaries at work in sixty different lands.

The Publishing Department has twenty-two printing plants occupying thirty-seven buildings, employing about five hundred laborers, and turning out a million dollars’ worth of denominational literature each year in fifty-four different languages.

The Educational Department is operating thirteen colleges, thirty-two academies, twenty-two intermediate schools, and over five hundred primary schools. In these schools over nine hundred teachers are instructing about fifteen thousand pupils.

The Medical Missionary Department has sixty-four medical institutions, in which are employed about sixteen hundred physicians, nurses, and helpers.

Thus the movement is thoroughly organized throughout the world and in all its lines of work. The funds contributed last year by the members were: Tithes for the support of the general evangelistic work, $1,064,753.43; contributions for foreign missions, $264,323.16; for home missionary work, $170,266.79; and for local church work, $205,374.74; making a grand total of $1,704,718.12.