Associated Action by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

Associated Action

By A. G. Daniells

Organization—No. 2

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

When the ministers who had taken a leading part in proclaiming the first angel’s message saw the confusion into which the believers were thrown by the disappointment of 1844, and when they saw contention, division, and scattering following the confusion, they made earnest efforts to hold the people together until harmony and union could be established. To this end William Miller published an “Address to the Brethren,” in which he pointed out some of the dangers that threatened the cause with which they were connected. He said:—

The cause we advocate calls upon all men to read the Word of God, and to reason, judge, compare, and digest for themselves. This is certainly right, and is the privilege of all rational members of the community. Yet this very liberty may become a stumbling-block to many, and without charity, be the means of scattering, dividing, and causing contention among brethren. . . . Our present difficulties arise more from the multiplicity of masters and leaders among us (some of whom are governed by carnal motives) than from any want of light.—“Life of Miller,” pages 350, 351.

These statements, made by this thoughtful, judicious leader of the movement within six months after the disappointment, reveal some of the causes of the disintegration that so quickly set in. Alarmed by the situation, the leaders called a conference to “consult together respecting the condition and wants of the brethren in the several sections of the country; that we may be better enabled to act in concert, and with more efficiency in the proclamation of gospel truths.” The conference convened at Albany, N. Y., April 29, 1845. Sixty-one ministers and delegates were present. A committee of twelve, of which William Miller was chairman, was appointed to prepare recommendations for the action of the conference. The committee prefaced its report with the following statement:—

In view of the many conflicting opinions, unscriptural views, leading to unseemly practices, and the sad divisions which have been thereby caused by some professing to be Adventists, we deem it incumbent on us to declare to the world our belief that the Scriptures teach, among others, the following important truths.—“Life of Miller,” page 344.

After giving a synopsis of the fundamental doctrines which they held, they offered the following recommendation regarding organization:—

Associated Action

We are induced, from present circumstances affecting our spiritual interests, to present, for your consideration, a few ideas touching associated action.

Order is heaven’s first law. All things emanating from God are constituted on principles of perfect order. The New Testament rules for the government of the church we regard as binding on the whole brotherhood of Christ. No circumstances can justify us in departing from the usages established by Christ and his apostles.

We regard any congregation of believers, who habitually assemble for the worship of God and the due observance of gospel ordinances, as a church of Christ. As such, it is an independent body, accountable only to the great Head of the church. To all such we recommend a careful examination of the Scriptures, and the adoption of such principles of association and order as are in accordance therewith, that they may enjoy the advantages of that church relation which Christ has instituted.—Ibid., page 349.

This recommendation was unanimously adopted. And this, it appears, was the first step taken by William Miller and his associates toward anything approaching permanent organization. It was taken immediately following the disappointment, and within a very short time after it had been declared by a prominent leader that they should take care never to “organize another church.”

This action is a plain, open acknowledgment that their former position regarding organization could not be safely maintained after the disappointment. It was a course which they saw was absolutely necessary in order to avert the utter disintegration that threatened them.

It is not difficult at this time to give a consistent explanation of the change that then took place. The first angel’s message was a warning to the whole world, including the existing churches. It was committed to the churches to proclaim. Pious men in those churches accepted

the message, and gave their lives to its proclamation. Thus the movement under the first angel’s message began in the churches, and for a time was carried forward by them. Under these circumstances there seemed to be no demand for any organization outside of the established churches.

But a regrettable change took place in the churches. The majority of both the preachers and the members turned against the message. They refused to allow it to be proclaimed in their houses of worship, and manifested such hostility toward those who received it as to make it almost impossible for them to hold to the message and remain in their churches.

This change took place when the first message was nearing its culmination in 1844. This called for the proclamation of the second angel’s message, announcing the fall of Babylon. The message was then given with an emphasis that called out nearly the whole body of believers in the first message. This separation was immediately followed by the disappointment.

The situation thus created called for organization. The leaders recognized this, and endeavored to provide what was needed. But they failed on two fundamental points. First, they failed to discover the Scriptural explanation of the disappointment, and the work to be done following it. Second, they failed to obtain anything like an adequate understanding of the organization that would be required to secure the co-operation necessary to carry forward the comprehensive, world-wide movement that was to follow the disappointment. They looked through a glass darkly. Like the blind man, whose eyes the Master was opening, they saw “men as trees walking.” Their proposal was less than a half-way measure, and it failed.

A. G. DANIELLS.