The Conference and the Work at Battle Creek.
By George I. Butler
Others have written in regard to these, but I wish to say a word also. Our Conference, owing to the shortness of the notice, was quite small, and some might have thought it would be a failure for that reason. But I regard it as one of the most important meetings ever held among S. D. Adventists. The importance of any meeting does not necessarily arise from the numbers of those present, or the amount of discussion and speech-making connected with it, but, rather, upon the weighty matters decided upon, and the spirit of union and love prevailing among those in attendance. The meeting at Jerusalem after the ascension of our Lord was not a large one, yet the consequences growing out of it to the church and the world were mighty. The consultations of the few who considered the declaration of Independence previous to its promulgation on the fourth of July, 1776, might have been considered a small affair at the time by the enemies of American freedom, but probably they changed their minds afterward. We would not be understood as comparing our recent Conference with these events, yet, if we are not much mistaken, results will grow out of our deliberations of no small consequence to the world. If we have the special message of warning to the world we believe we have, designed to prepare a people for Christ’s coming, and to test men on God’s law and the faith of Jesus, it is not a small matter. Its importance is not second to any movement the world has seen for ages. These truths are weighty. The consequences of rejecting them are also weighty. The day which is hasting is none other than the great day of God’s wrath, foretold by all the prophets, and the grand theme of all who have loved and feared God for six thousand years. We reason, therefore, that every event which tends toward greater union among those who have faith in this work, is of no small importance in the world. In union there is strength. It is not astonishing that differences of opinion should arise in such a world as ours and such a work as ours. Any one can see, however, with the peculiar nature of our work, that union is indispensable to us. Other denominations do not aim particularly for it. Some even claim that it is better to disagree. Not so with us. We believe, as Christ our Lord taught, that we ought to be one even as the Father and the Son are one. We are to be sanctified through God’s truth, and truth is always harmonious. It never contradicts itself. God’s Spirit never leads people in opposite directions, but always to unity. These are general truths which seem to be lost sight of by our Protestant sects; but they are in the book of God. But now that we have reached the last days, when a people is to be prepared for Christ’s coming, who will be translated to glory without tasting death, should we not expect they would be a united people? As their work is one, a movement emanating from one central point, foretold by prophecy as one work, will not there be a close union in all its parts? We should certainly think so. God’s Spirit will lead that work which the same Spirit foretold would come in its proper time. We believe it is leading it. Never were there plainer evidences to show this than at our recent Conference. Never were there such clear evidences that God’s Spirit was cementing hearts which have been more or less divided. Never were the principles so plainly seen before, upon which true union must be founded. These things cause our hearts to rejoice. And we have no hesitation in saying they will cause a thrill of joy in the hearts of the true friends of the cause from Maine to California. We expect the time is not far distant when all true believers will stand shoulder to shoulder in union and harmony. Then let all expect to see a great work accomplished. The many important questions considered by the Conference were also a great source of encouragement. The prosperity of our tract and missionary work, our publishing interests, and the prospect of soon having works to distribute in other languages as well as our own, were issues of great importance. Our organization is being perfected so that it must be effective. With union and love prevailing, and the Spirit of God to impart strength, and an effective organization through which to work, we may expect to see a great work accomplished, because the truth of God is mighty and must accomplish that for which it is sent. We are happy to state further to the friends of the cause everywhere, that we never before saw so many omens of good for the cause in Battle Creek. Things which have long caused great perplexity and discouragement seem now to be passing away. Our meeting yesterday, in which there was a large movement of the people, so large that the whole center of the house was filled with those who had determined to seek the Lord, was solemn and encouraging. But this is not the main thing that encourages us. There seems to be a clearer understanding of the causes of past difficulty than ever before, and a determination to avoid them for the future. When the causes of trouble are fully seen, then there is a reasonable hope of escaping it in future. We have hopes that a better state of things will be seen here, around our institutions, than has existed in the past. The visit of Bro. and Sister White among us has been productive of great good to the cause. Never was a visit more opportune than this. Indeed it seemed to be a special providence of God. In conclusion, I wish to express the profound gratitude of my heart for the goodness of God to us, and for the clear evidence which has been given that the Guiding Hand is leading in this work. We have no cause for discouragement while this is seen in our midst. The work is onward. Let us close up the ranks, take our position on the Lord’s side, and move on in our work till victory crowns our efforts.