The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

First-day Adventists in 1849 and Onward

The writer, being privileged to hear the first angel’s message in December, 1843, witnessed to some extent the conflict between the churches and the Adventists, and having united with the latter by baptism in the spring of 1849, has a distinct recollection of the situation among that people from the time of his association with them up to September, 1852, when he heard the third angel’s message, and united with those of this faith. During the three and one-half years of his connection with First-day Adventists he preached the advent doctrine. As a body they were opposed to any form of church organization. No church records were kept, not even a list of members. If a person was sincere in his faith, and was baptized, his name was considered enrolled in the “Lamb’s book of life;” it being held that that “was record enough.” During this period of three and one-half years no mention was made of needing church officers, and no ordination of any kind took place, except that of one preacher, who, in 1851 urged that according to the New Testament plan, those going forth to preach and baptize should be ordained. To some of the leading ministers he mentioned and urged his own ordination. They reluctantly consented to it, but instead of its being a solemn and impressive ceremony before the body of believers, the ministers waited until the congregation had left, when one of the ministers offered a dry, formal prayer. There was no laying on of hands, and no charge was given. COOD 89.2

Neither had that people any system of raising money for the support of their work. If any one felt disposed to give to the ministry, he gave to the minister direct. If special fancy was taken to a particular minister, he received many gifts. Another might be just as efficient, perhaps more consecrated, but if retiring in his manner and diffident about pleading his own needs, he might be left to largely support himself by manual labor. COOD 90.1

As we “call to remembrance the former days” of relaxed ideas of order which prevailed among the early advent believers, it makes it clearer now why it required years of patient labor and prayerful study to develop and perfect the system of order that now exists among Seventh-day Adventists. COOD 90.2