THE CHURCH by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1901

THE CHURCH.

By John Norton Loughborough

State Conferences.

ELDER J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

“If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.” Gal. 6: 3-5.

In “Testimony for the Church,” No. 31, page 243, is the following comment on this text: “The apostle adds a caution to the independent and self-confident: . . . He who considers himself superior in judgment and experience to his brethren, and despises their counsel and admonition, evinces that he is in a dangerous delusion.”

From the earliest period of what we denominate the Third Angel’s Message, the Testimonies have presented to this people the importance of unity in the work, and the counseling of the laborers together in order that this unity might be secured, as the following quotation from “Experience and Views” (1851) will show: “I saw that the shepherds should consult those in

whom they have reason to have confidence, those who have been in all the messages, and are firm in all the present truth, before they advocate new points of importance, which they may think the Bible sustains. Then the shepherds will be perfectly united, and the union of the shepherds will be felt by the Church.”—Page 52.

In 1855 the following Testimony was given: “There is too much of an independence of spirit indulged in among the messengers. This must be laid aside, and there must be a drawing together of the servants of God. There has been too much of a spirit to ask, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Said the angel, ‘Yea, thou art thy brother’s keeper. Thou shouldst have a watchful care for thy brother, be interested for his welfare, and cherish a kind, loving spirit toward him. Press together, press together.’”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, pages 113, 114.

Again: “Much evil will be avoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind, united in their plans of action, and united in effort.”—Id., pages 212, 213.

The following was published in 1858: “God is leading out a people, not a few separate individuals here and there, one believing this thing, another that. Angels of God are doing the work committed to their trust. The third angel is leading out and purifying a people, and they should move with him unitedly. Some run ahead of the angels that are leading this people; but they have to retrace every step, and meekly follow no faster than the angels lead. . . . But some restless spirits do not more than half do up their work. As the angel leads them, they get in haste for something new, and rush on without divine guidance, and thus bring confusion and discord into the ranks. They do not speak nor act in harmony with the body.”—Id., page 207.

In 1860 the following was published: “As we near the close of time, Satan comes down with great power, knowing that his time is short. Especially will his power be exercised upon the remnant. He will war against them, and seek to divide and scatter them, that they may grow weak and be overthrown. The people of God should move understandingly, and should be united in their efforts. They should be of the same mind, of the same judgment; then their efforts will not be scattered, but will tell forcibly in the upbuilding of the cause of present truth. Order must be observed, and there must be union in maintaining order, or Satan will take the advantage.”—Id., page 210.

The force of these quotations will be more clearly seen when the reader gets before his mind a view of the situation. Until the year 1861 there was no organized Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The Testimonies, all along, had been speaking of “plans, counseling together” to secure unity in the work, and to save confusion. There was no system by which the labor of a minister could be regulated, or laborers be appointed for a specified field. Sometimes three ministers would be with one small company at a time, neither knowing that the others were to be there; and that in a place where there was no special need of even one minister. The labors of a minister were often scattered from place to place with no concentrated effort. Thus it was becoming more and more evident to our people that something was wanting to remedy this growing difficulty.

In the REVIEW of July 21, 1859, is an article from Elder James White, in which was first suggested the plan that each State hold a yearly meeting, in which the brethren could plan for the work in their respective States, that in place of the confusion which too frequently existed, order might be observed.

Nothing is said in this article concerning delegates, but it was supposed the meeting would be composed of all our people who might come together. It was in a meeting of this character, held in Battle Creek, Mich., in the fall of 1860, that the matter of legal organization was decided upon.

As a result of this suggestion of Elder White’s, compared with instruction given in the Testimonies, the different States where the message was established, beginning with 1860, held, in their respective fields, their yearly meetings for counsel, and to plan for the work of their ministers. The adoption of this mode of procedure we will denominate point number four in church order.

The practical utility of such councils, meeting together prayerfully to plan for the work, and the comparing of ideas and methods, must commend itself to all. Clearer and clearer have been the Testimonies borne to us respecting the harmony that should exist among the laborers, as shown in the following quotations:—

“As the Lord’s workmen, you are to open your plans to one another. These plans must be carefully and prayerfully considered, because those who do not this the Lord will leave to stumble in their own supposed wisdom and superior greatness.”—“Unpublished Testimony,” 1898.

“Many want to do things after their own style; they object to consultation, and are impatient under leadership. Well-matured plans are needful in the service of God. Common sense is an excellent thing in the worship of the Lord. The thinking powers should be consecrated to Christ, and ways and means should be devised to serve Him best.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 71.

“The peril which threatens our usefulness, and which will prove our ruin if not seen and overcome, is selfishness,—placing a higher estimate upon our plans, our opinions, and our labors, and moving independently of our brethren. ‘Counsel together’ have been the words repeated by the angels again and again.

“Satan may move through one man’s mind to warp things out of their proper channel; he may succeed with two who view things in a similar light; but with several minds enlisted, there is greater safety against his wiles. Every plan will be more liable to be viewed from all sides, every advance will be more carefully studied, so that no enterprise will be so likely to be entered upon which will bring confusion and perplexity, and defeat the work in which we are engaged. In union there is strength; in division there is weakness and defeat.”—“Special Testimony,” No. 5, page 3.

“It is your duty to counsel with your brethren. This may touch your pride, but the humility of a mind taught by the Holy Spirit will listen to counsel, and will banish all self-confidence. When counsel is given that conflicts with your personal wishes, you are not to think that your own wisdom is sufficient for you to give counsel to others, or that you can afford to neglect the counsel given. . . .”

“Let your plans be closely investigated; and with earnest prayer commit your case to Him who knoweth all things. Counsel together. Let not the whisperings of your own mind, or of other minds, close the door of your heart against the counsel of the Lord’s servants.”—Id., No. 7, pages 48, 49.

“Companies should be gathered together to call upon God for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that the people of God may know how to plan and devise and execute the work.”—Id., No. 2, page 19.

“Committees of councils, as far as possible, should let the people understand their plans, that the judgment of the Church may sustain their efforts. Many of the church-members are prudent, and have many other excellent qualities of mind. It is proper that their wisdom should be exercised, that others may become aroused in reference to the great question to be considered. Many may be awakened to the fact that they should have deeper insight into the work of God.”—Id., No. 3, pages 49, 50.

“As a people we should study God’s plan for conducting His work. Wherever He has given directions in regard to any point, we should carefully consider how He regards His expressed will. This work should have special attention.”—Id., No. 8, pages 28, 29.

“Never allow any one’s ideas to unsettle your faith in regard to the order and harmony which should exist in the Church. Many of you do not see all things clearly. . . . The God of heaven is a God of order, and He requires all His followers to have rules and regulations, and to preserve order.”—“Testimony for the Church,” No. 32, page 30. “There is order in heaven; and there should be system and order upon the earth, that the work may move forward without confusion and fanaticism. Our brethren have been working to this end; but while some of our ministers continually bear the burden of souls, and ever seek to bring the people up in spiritual attainments, those who are not so conscientious, and who have not carried the cross of Christ nor felt the value of souls as reflected from Calvary, will, in teaching and educating others in the mechanical working, become formal and powerless themselves, and bring no Saviour to the people.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, pages 601, 602.

While these Testimonies teach the necessity of order and organisation in the advancement of the cause, they as distinctly show that these forms, separated from a body of living members of Christ, avail nothing.