ORGANIZATION by Henry E. Carver

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 5, 1861

ORGANIZATION.

By Henry E. Carver

DEAR BRO. WHITE: As the subject of organization is being considered in the Review, I thought a word from myself, together with a few facts, might be of some use to the cause of present truth; and as I desire to exert what little influence I may have, for the advancement of that cause, I send you this, which you may use as may seem best.

When the subject was brought forward by you, I found my old prejudice excited. I was an Adventist in 1843-4. The teachings of the ministers in the section where I lived (Cincinnati) were against organization as it existed in the churches. Those church organizations stood in the way of, and opposed, the Advent message; hence my prejudice against organization. But prejudice will not do to live by, and will not prepare me for the great events just before us; therefore I am determined to lay aside prejudice, and by the aid of the divine Spirit examine things upon their own merits.

I have no doubt that God was in the Advent message; but I am also conscious that many of us, by getting ahead of the light, imbibed erroneous views on some points, which we have been constrained, by time and subsequent light from the court of heaven, to relinquish, hard as it may be to give up cherished opinions. All will admit that there is perfect order in heaven; and when it became necessary, the rebellious angels were expelled, to maintain the order of heaven. We have perfect confidence that order to its fullest extent will exist in the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

But, descending from these high and holy themes, let us for a moment view and admire the development of order in all the works and productions of nature. From the spire of grass that grows at our feet, up to the mighty constellations that adorn the heavens, all are in subjection to order; and the very bread by which our natural life is sustained is produced by the orderly succession of the seasons. We cannot look into any of the departments of human life but what we see the necessity of order. What would become of those vast steamships that plough the ocean, or those long trains with their living freight that traverse our railroads, if no order was observed in their movements? Let me come nearer home, and ask my brethren what would become of our shops, and counting-rooms, and farms, if left to the chances of disorder? We all know we could not expect success.

Now the conclusion to be drawn from all this is, that if the successful operation of everything else in heaven or earth depends on order, surely the success of God's living church must also depend on order. As to the precise measures necessary for the remnant church to adopt, I do not feel qualified to suggest, but would lay down as a true foundation the principle that only such measures should be adopted as are necessary for the successful proclamation of the third angel's message; and, according to my best judgment, nothing has yet been done that transcends that principle; and believing as I do, that God has been leading this people hitherto, and having confidence in the honesty and integrity of those whom God has qualified and placed as leaders in the message, I do not believe that he will allow them to be led far astray on the subject of organization while the object is to glorify him and advance his cause.

It was not my design to say so much on this subject; but it seemed as though I could not say less. It was my intention to present some facts in connection with past Advent experience to show some of the results of the disorderly theory.

When the first message came to Cincinnati and took hold on the minds of the people, and when it was shut out of the churches, with one consent it was resolved to build a "Tabernacle." One about 80 feet square was erected on a rented lot. I for one took so little interest in the financial affairs of the building, I do not know who held possession, only that a door-keeper was appointed. Money was plenty among us for the cause, and everything went along smoothly until our disappointment. Many went back to the churches then, and soon after the body divided on the doctrine of the real and spiritual advent. The spiritualizers, headed by Jacobs, were in the majority, and held possession of the Tabernacle for some time, till finally the other party, under Eld. J. P. Weechee, took forcible possession, and after holding it for some time, it finally passed into other hands, but by what process I do not know; and thus that large and convenient house of worship was converted into a vinegar establishment.

Afterward it was determined by Eld. Weechee and the church to build a neat and convenient chapel; but how should it be held? They were not organized so as to be recognized in law, and in fact, Eld. W. was preaching against all human organizations. The lot was leased on perpetual lease in the name of one in whom all placed implicit confidence as a trustworthy man and humble christian. A neat chapel was built and furnished, and Eld. Weechee labored there for some time, and a pretty good interest was awakened, and things went along apparently all right for several years. Finally it began to be whispered from one to another that Mr. T., who held the lease, was not all right; that he claimed the lease as his own property; that he contemplated removing to L., and that he might sell the lease, &c. This caused quite a stir, and an investigation was set afloat, but all to no purpose. Mr. T. sold the lease, and the lot (a valuable one then), and chapel, and furniture, including even the Bible, in which were recorded the names of the members, fell into the hands of a colored barber of Cincinnati. An attempt was made to regain the property by law, but nothing could be done, because T. had a perfectly legal title to the land. The result was, the church was broken up, and the cause has nearly, if not quite, died out in Cincinnati.

Now the question arises, Was God glorified in that matter as it resulted? If he was, then it was all right. But the fact that the cause went down, proves to my mind that God was not glorified in it; and so far as the lack of organization conducted to that result, so far that lack of organization was wrong.

In conclusion permit me to say a few words to Bro. Phelps. Dear brother, although we are strangers in the flesh, yet we have embarked in the same cause, and on that account I love you; and, loving you, I want to call your attention to one important point, and I hope you will give it that calm, serious, and prayerful reflection its importance demands. You have believed that God was in the third angel's message, and you labored in it in company and fellowship with Brn. White, Waggoner, Andrews, Loughborough and others. Do you now seriously believe that these brethren, and the body to which they belong, have become so corrupt that God has withdrawn himself from them and no longer directs by his word and providence? If you believe this, then it is your duty to point out the spot where the ark of the testimony now rests, if not with this people. But I think you cannot believe this; and if not, I submit it to your own judgment and conscience if you are not occupying dangerous ground in withdrawing from the body because some things may clash with your opinions.

Let me entreat you, my brother, to pause and look calmly and steadily as to where you will land should you make the final leap from the bulwarks of our noble ship. I do not believe she has yet sprung a leak. I do not believe her compass is yet broken. I do not believe her Pilot is asleep, and the ship driving before the gale.

No, my brother, the Captain is still at his post. The Pilot, with his hand on the wheel and his eye on the compass, will guide the good ship safely into port. Step back to your station, and help handle the ropes and work the ship, and at last you will have the unspeakable joy to help furl the sails and drop the anchor in the port of unfading glory. That this may be your and my happy lot, is my sincere wish and prayer. Amen.

HENRY E. CARVER.

Iowa City, Iowa.