The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Church Organization

In an address delivered by Elder White before the General Conference in Battle Creek, in April, 1861, and published in the Review, June 11, 1861, he introduced the idea of a more complete organization of our churches. By invitation, nine ministers held a Bible class to seek light upon the subject, and were requested by the Conference to publish in the Review the results of that investigation. After presenting the Scriptural testimony on church order and church officers, the topic of equal representation from the several States in the General Conference was considered, as well as proper and equal representation of churches in the State conferences. In reality this was the first introduction of the idea of having duly elected delegates to general associations on some equal ratio that might be agreed upon. GSAM 352.1