“Advent-Christian Conference of North America.”
By John Harvey Waggoner
This is the title taken by a body which met in Rochester, N. Y., Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1869, and held its sessions over the following Sunday. It was composed of delegates present from thirteen States and the Canadas. No “platform” was adopted, though it was designed to adopt one. Whether their failure in this respect is to be ascribed to a fear of everything looking like a creed or article of faith, or to opposing elements in the body, I am not able to say. A resolution was passed recognizing the right of women to labor publicly. Also a proposition was adopted to publish a book on their faith and to advertise it extensively. The following resolution was passed, which must be of some interest to all calling themselves Adventists: “Resolved, That this body will recognize as Advent ministers only those preachers who bear letters of commendation from conferences co-operating with it; or, from localities where no conference yet exists, from churches rendering similar co-operation.” That class of Adventists represented by the Advent Herald, if we are not much mistaken, was not represented in that body. So far as looking for the coming of the Lord is concerned, we do not know why their faith is not as genuine and sincere as that of any class bearing the “Advent” name. They have quite a number of ministers of undoubted ability, and, so far as we know, of undisputed piety. ’Tis true, they generally hold to the immortality of the soul, a denial of which is, by some, supposed to constitute any one an Adventist. But many deny the immortality of the soul who have no particular interest in the advent, while William Miller and most of his fellow-laborers were firm believers in that doctrine. We cannot see the propriety of measuring any one’s faith by his co-operation with a certain “Conference,” while it is yet quite possible that his faith on a Bible basis is as correct and genuine as that of the members of that Conference. The action of the Conference presents a precedent fraught with evil consequences, as its unavoidable tendency is to create division between those who, on Bible principles, might walk together as brethren. A resolution was also passed indorsing the Crisis and Times, so that these periodicals are the organs of the body. Now we have been, at different times, thrown into the society of the managers of these papers, and they have ever treated us with the utmost courtesy, and greeted us in a brotherly manner. This leads us to query how, or by whom, this resolution was introduced, or under what influence it was passed; and whether the said organs of the body can act and speak their own feelings and carry out the action of the body. And as to our faith, we are willing to undertake to show that we hold more nearly to the “original advent faith,” than any other body bearing the name; and that we are alone following the chain of prophecy down to the coming of the Lord. We shall still strive to “make full proof of our ministry,” without the least desire to “resolve” that we alone are the ministry! We do not speak to find fault with their action—it does not affect us; but we cannot fail to notice it inasmuch as many co-operating with that body have not failed to charge us with being “exclusive” in our faith and feelings. Consistency demands that they now acknowledge that the charge does not lay on us. They adopted a constitution and elected the necessary officers to effect a permanent organization; and transacted some other business not of general interest. I was favored with the privilege of attending its sessions on the first day, and much regretted that my business would not permit me to remain through the entire meeting. J. H. WAGGONER.