Organization-No. 7 by Alonzo G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

Organization—No. 7

By Alonzo G. Daniells

A Brief Account of Its History in the Development of the Cause of the Third Angel’s Message

In an editorial relating to the General Council held in Battle Creek to consider the question of organization, the editor of the REVIEW said:—

We were gratified to see quite a full representation of preachers from different parts. Among these were Brethren M. Hull and M. E. Cornell from Iowa; Wm. S. Ingraham from Wisconsin; Joseph Bates, J. H. Waggoner, James White, J. N. Loughborough, J. B. Frisbie, R. J. Lawrence, and J. L. Edgar, from Michigan; T. J. Butler and G. W. Holt, from Ohio; E. A. Poole, from New York; and also J. N. Andrews and C. W. Sperry from their labors in that State the past summer.

Many brethren met for the first time at this meeting, whose cordial salutations and beaming countenances bespoke their joy at meeting, their union of heart and their love for the truth. As the hour arrived for religious exercises at the commencement of the Sabbath, the house was densely filled with the brethren and sisters who had come up from different States to this happy gathering to wait upon the Lord and receive his promises. —Review and Herald, Vol. XVI, page 156, Oct. 2, 1860.

The official report of the business proceedings of this Council was printed in three consecutive numbers of the REVIEW, and, altogether, fills twenty-five pages of the paper. The first meeting of the Council was held Sept. 29, 1860. Elder Joseph Bates was elected chairman, and Uriah Smith secretary.

After the delegates had expressed their views in a general way regarding organization, Elder T. J. Butler, from Ohio, made the following motion:—

I will propose, Mr. Chairman, through you to this conference, that we organize upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone; and that we call ourselves the Church of God. The foundation is a sure one; it has got God’s seal upon it; and such a building he will inhabit by his Spirit. We propose the organization of Eph. 2 : 20.—Id., page 169.

This is the first definite proposal for organization and the adoption of a church or denominational name ever made in the general councils of our people. Although this resolution was not adopted by the Council, it helped to focus the discussion of the question, and called out some very interesting and pointed statements for and against organization. Elder E. A. Poole, from New York, said:—

I hardly know how to get out what I would like to say upon this subject. It is a subject on which I have felt and thought much. It is a subject in which is involved very important consequences. The way the cause has been managed seems to have been blessed of God; and if it could go on so still, and those who have conducted it felt free to still act as they have acted, it seems to me it would be well to “let well enough alone.” The proposition of Brother Andrews is simply one by which we might hold property, while it leaves the matter of church organization out. It seems to me it is impossible to organize a church without compromising that principle of Christianity that we are called unto liberty. . . . As I understand, a church built upon the foundation of prophets and apostles, Christ being the corner-stone, is such that when a man comes into Christ, he is, by virtue of that relation, a member of that body, and a portion of that church.—Id., pages 169, 170.

Replying to certain objections that were raised, Elder James White made the following remarks with reference to

the importance of adopting a denominational name:—

To be sure we should be obliged to have a name; and I must say, dear brethren, that I hope we shall decide upon what name we shall have; what we wish to be called by. I meet with friends very often who ask me what the name of our people is; and it is quite an embarrassing position to be in, not to be able to give any. We give our children names when they become a few weeks or a few months old. When we commenced to labor in this work, when the cause was young and individuals who had embraced it few, we did not see the necessity of any such steps. But it seems to me that the child is now so grown that it is exceedingly awkward to have no name for it.—Id., page 170.

Elder M. E. Cornell urged that a name be chosen. He said:—

To do this, we must be known by some name. Is there any scripture to show that it is wrong to have a name? Are the churches Babylon because they have names? I doubt it. I can not see the force of the objections that have been brought up against legal organization. I am glad to see the true issue now coming up. When a necessity exists, it should be met if we can do this and not go contrary to Scripture.—Id., page 171.

As the delegates could not agree upon the motion submitted by T. J. Butler, it was withdrawn, and the following resolution was presented by Elder J. N. Loughborough:—

Resolved, That this conference recommend to such churches as already have church buildings, or intend to have them, so to organize as to hold their church property or church buildings legally.—Id., page 171.

This resolution did not receive the approval of the entire Council, but after being discussed at considerable length it was carried by a majority of the votes cast. As soon as this resolution was adopted, a committee, consisting of J. N. Andrews, J. H. Waggoner, and T. J. Butler, was appointed to prepare business for the afternoon meeting. This committee presented the following report:—

Your committee would present as the next business the subject of general organization. By this we mean an organization to hold the publishing property of the church. And as the best means of bringing the matter before the meeting, we present to the Conference the following recommendation:—

“1. We recommend to the conference the organization of a publishing association that may legally hold the Review Office.

“2. That the association shall consist of seven members selected by this conference, who shall apply to the Legislature for an act empowering them to hold the Office property and carry on the business of publication.

“3. That members may be admitted to this association on the payment of one dollar annually, and they may become life members on the payment of twenty-five dollars.

“4. That the officers of the association shall consist of a business agent, a committee on publication, a treasurer who shall also act as secretary, and an auditor, to be elected annually.

“5. The business agent shall be the presiding officer of the association.

“6. This association shall be called the Advent Review Publishing Association.

“7. It shall be located at Battle Creek, Mich.

“8. The whole amount obtained by donations, subscriptions, sales of publications, or otherwise, shall be expended in the publication of periodicals, books, and tracts, and for charitable and benevolent purposes.”—Id., page 171.

These recommendations were given very careful consideration and were unanimously adopted without any change. This being done, the council appointed Brethren Andrews, Waggoner, Butler, Poole, Loughborough, Smith, Ingraham, White, Hull, and Appleton a committee to draft a constitution for the publishing association to be formed.

This committee presented an outline of a constitution, consisting of ten articles, which met the approval of the Council, and the following persons were chosen to act as the incorporators and first trustees: James White, J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, G. W. Amadon, U. Smith, Geo. T. Lay, and D. R. Palmer.

This committee subsequently learned that it could not effect the organization in the manner designated by the Council, and at a general meeting held in Battle Creek, April 27, 1861, requested to be discharged. The request was granted, and another committee, composed of James White, J. N. Loughborough, U. Smith, G. W. Amadon, and Moses Hull was appointed to effect an organization according to the Michigan Act. See REVIEW AND HERALD, Vol. XVII, page 189.

On May 3, 1861, this committee incorporated the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, and on May 23 a meeting of this association was held to adopt the by-laws, and to elect the officers. This completed the first step in organization in the history of our cause.

A. G. DANIELLS.