Organization by W. E. HASKELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 12, 1911

Organization

By W. E. HASKELL

W. E. HASKELL

WHAT is God's plan of organization? This must be determined by his Word. The human body, presented in the Word as an object-lesson of Christ and the church, is sufficient of itself to make plain the truth on this question.

In the Heavens

It is also true that “the heavens declare the glory of God.” As spiritual lessons are revealed in creation, may we not expect to see God’s plan of organization for his spiritual kingdom revealed in the organization of the heavens? What is the plan followed in their organization? Do we find each of the heavenly bodies, or each smallest group of bodies, with its orbit directly and only around one great final center, separate and independent from every other body or group?

Rather, we find one or more satellites revolving around a controlling planet, and many planets, forming a system, circling their central controlling sun; and many of these systems combined, revolving around a common center, thus forming a still higher system; and this continuing in ascending scale until we reach the final systems, circling the great final center, by which all are held together in one harmonious whole.

Under Christ, by whom “all things consist,” each body, according to its size and position, influences every other body, and is influenced by each in maintaining the perfect order of the heavens. Yet neither planet nor sun is supreme, but Christ is over all, controlling every system and every satellite. By him they all are fitly and wondrously placed, upheld, and controlled for the working out of the great plan by which the glory of God is declared.

If all were endowed with intelligence and freedom of choice, and if, in dissatisfaction with sun control, or in supposed loyalty to Christ, any one planet with its satellites should draw apart, no longer revolving in its appointed place in its system and higher systems, but choosing an independent orbit, would not such a course be in direct conflict with Christ’s plan and the harmony of the heavens?

In the Church

In the collective organization of the church, we should, as “members one of another” (Rom. 12:5), “be subject one to another” (1 Peter 5:5) in local church and conference, in union conference, and in General Conference; yet also, as “members of Christ” (1 Cor. 6:15), be subject to Christ alone as our head, who is the “head of the church” (Eph. 5:23), local and collective, and the “head of every man.” 1 Cor. 11:3. Any abuse of organization, imaginary or real, is no reason for setting aside, or drawing apart from, Christ’s plan, but rather for pressing together, that we may “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part; maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph. 4:15, 16.

When this is done the church will be “as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” Then will it, even as the heavens above, “declare the glory of God,” and the earth will be “lightened with his glory.”

Brayton, Tenn.