ORGANIZATION by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 7, 1862

ORGANIZATION.

By Editor

Two years since we suggested the necessity of organization, and had a right to expect that the subject would be met with christian candor by all of our people. In this we were disappointed. Some of our best men opposed, and stirred up that element of insubordination and lawless independence which has ever followed us as a people, and not a few distinguished themselves in heaping their anathemas upon us for suggesting such a thing as organization. Their productions will be preserved as memorials of their past misfortune in suffering reason to be dethroned by prejudice.

Others secretly were in favor of organization, but dare not advocate it openly, until the scale turned in its favor, and now their tongues and their pens are employed in its advocacy. But, certainly, their labors on this subject were more needed eighteen months since than now. Then we stood nearly alone. The battle went hard, and we needed help; but many of our very prudent men saved their ammunition to fire away upon the subject of organization now when the battle is fought and the victory won. Almost every day we receive a communication from some good brother upon the subject of organization. A few only of these have found place in the Review. Some speak of being especially impressed to write on the subject. But if these impressions had come from a very high source, we are inclined to the opinion that they would have come when they were needed, and not now after the battle is fought. Therefore our good brothers will not mourn the non-appearance of their articles on organization, unless they have something especially new and important to offer on the subject. We recommend to keep the channel clear, and not let it get so pent up with matter that when it breaks away we have a flood on one subject. This gives the appearance of fitfulness. Rather, may we as a people stand in the counsel of God, and be ready to speak out boldly when there is necessity to speak, and thus keep the channel clear.

There is danger of carrying organization to an extreme, to the neglect of other subjects. In many places believers are not ready. Bro. Cornell says, "Strike when the iron is hot." This is right. But if you work it cold it will break. We want to preach one Sabbath and first-day to the brethren, and let the warming influence of the present truth soften their feelings, and then affectionately and plainly set forth the evils of tobacco, tea, &c., and entreat all to leave these idols and turn fully to the Lord before attempting to organize. We shall not give these idolatrous souls up till we know they are joined to their idols; then we shall have to let them alone. May we not hope that all who have borne well the Sabbath cross will yet bear every cross necessary to secure the favor of God, a place in the bosom of Jesus, and the full fellowship of the saints? O God, help thy people to bear the cross that they may wear the crown.

Habit is exceedingly strong with some persons. A sister once said, "If I must give up one, my pipe or heaven, I must give up heaven." She took her dreadful choice, and her course since gives proof that it was a final one. Such have a hard battle. Help them all you can. In your labors for such be firm, but kind. Do not suffer yourself to enter into the spirit of controversy with such. Come near to them. Get into their heart, if possible. Stand where you can help them. The Lord bears long with erring mortals. "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

But if persons cling to their idols after they have been enlightened, convicted, and have been entreated to cast them away; if they reject the testimony of God's messengers, and of his holy Spirit; if they stand out with a spirit of war against those who are laboring to have the church clean "from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit," they are utterly unfit for a place in a church soon expecting to be translated to heaven.

They might as well take Satan himself into the church. In some cases it would be best to postpone organization until faithful labor be bestowed upon those who have not overcome their idolatry.

At Battle Creek none of these things troubled us. At Caledonia organization has been an injury, as the Sabbath-keepers there were not in a state to warrant the organization of a church. But a part were willing to enter it, and most of those were not in a fit state. That organization is given up as premature. When we were there a few weeks since they became united; but we could not organize them till they give evidence that they are overcoming their childish differences. We have great confidence in that body of brethren. But unfortunately they have fallen into the habit of willingly differing upon small matters. When all try as hard to agree, then they will be a united, happy people. At Wright we organized, after laboring for two days to reach every mind and heart with the word of the Lord. Some had not gotten victory over the filthy weed; but on resolving to leave it, and asking the prayers of the brethren, they were cheerfully voted into the number, where they would feel greater responsibility, and their brethren also would feel their duty to watch over them, and encourage them to carry out their resolutions. We should move no faster in organization than we can move in the light.

Our first suggestions upon organization had reference only to those legal steps necessary to hold church property. Here has been our principal burden. Then we were driven up to be responsible for borrowed money necessary in managing our book concern to that extent that in case of total loss by fire, of which there was great danger in the old wooden building, we should have been left $3000 worse than nothing. Now we have a safe, comfortable building. The Association is the safest savings bank in the country, and there are more to deposit, without interest, than the treasurer can accommodate, and all debts are paid excepting these deposits, amounting to about $4000. This matter has succeeded far beyond our expectations.

The unpaid pledges will all be considered good. The hard times is a sufficient excuse for many who have not yet paid. A full list of all the paid and unpaid will be given before July, and we hope to be able to give a clean list of paid pledges. As long as the Association's publications are needed, the door will be open for donations from churches and individuals, and for the payment of pledges, and taking more shares. This will be a matter of necessity till these deposits are paid, then what is paid in, with all the surplus arising from the business of the Association, will go out in donations of publications to our missionaries.

But as we turn from the present prosperity of the publishing department to the struggle of the past two years, sadness comes over us. We feel at least four years older than two years since, and sometimes fear that we never can fully recover from the effects of those heart-reaching discouragements which so nearly drove us from the brethren, and from that cause which was dearer to us than life. Again, our people have had great confidence in their self-sacrificing ministers. This confidence with many has been dreadfully shaken. The shock has been felt by all, and it is hard to recover from it. Until full confidence is restored between preacher and preacher, and between preachers and people, but little success can be expected. May God give wisdom to his servants that they may see the cause of the evils which have fallen upon us, and labor to remove it, that these evils may cease to tear down the cause of truth.

We wish to say to the brethren East, that we much regret the discouragement and gloom that was upon us during our Eastern tour last summer, which made our labors of so little value. That sadness is wearing off, and we hope to regain our usual freedom before making another tour East. We have not forgotten the cheering words of Bro. A. Stone at the Wolcott, Vt., conference, "Courage in the war, brethren! Courage in the Lord!" May God bless him and make him strong to cheer on the fainting. On our Northern tour we enjoyed freedom, and began to feel the power of living faith as in past days. We hope to be able to rise above the discouragements of the past. It may not be our duty to again refer to the trials connected with the subject of organization. We advise all to

make thorough work in relation to their past wrongs which have brought the cause into its present condition, and may God forgive past errors, and help all to press forward to the crown of life. A lack of confidence in each other will ruin us as a people. Then let us be faithful and true to our own consciences, true to each other, and true to our God.