p. 164 | LEADERSHIP by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 23, 1878

LEADERSHIP

By James White

It is very well known to most of the readers of the REVIEW that some five years since a mistaken view was taken of this question, insomuch that the position was taken that one man was to be recognized as the visible leader of Seventh-day Adventists, as Moses was the visible leader of the Hebrews; and what made this a very painful subject to us was the fact that the position was taken that we should be recognized as that leader.

The position of Moses was a very laborious and trying one, and good counsel suggested that a large number should be appointed to assist him in his work. We have but one leader, which is Christ, and the entire brotherhood of the ministry, while they should counsel with each other out of due respect for the judgment of each other, should, nevertheless, look to our great Leader as their unerring guide.

Our long experience in the general, successful management of matters pertaining to the cause gave our people confidence in us, and has had a tendency to lead them to look to us and lean upon our judgment too much. This experience we gained by anxious study and earnest prayer. Our brethren can obtain it in the same way. They should have looked to God more and gained individual experience. For the wrong, God has in wisdom removed us from them for a time, and we fear that the removal will be final unless they learn to look to God for themselves. We do not object to counseling with our brethren, if it can be taken as simply the opinion of one who is frail and liable to err, but when it comes to this that brethren demand of us our opinion, and add that they shall do just what we say, we shall withhold our opinion.

We now expect to be present at our General Conference, when and where we shall hope that these suggestions may be carried out.

A servant of the church and a counselor with the brethren, JAMES WHITE.