Minneapolis - 1888: The “Forgotten” Issue

“Minneapolis—1888!”

That those two words should stir even a flicker of recognition in the eyes of the average Seventh-day Adventist church member a century later, in 1988, is probably and primarily due to the efforts of two Adventist ministers who, almost singlehandedly and for the past three decades, have persistently prodded their church by writing tractates, organizing a study committee, sponsoring field workshops, and publishing a journal devoted to the two landmark convocations held in that northern city a hundred years ago, and their aftermath. 1888FI 1.1

Whether one accepts or rejects the basic assumptions and conclusions of Robert J. Wieland and Donald K. Short (and there are many who, while readily acknowledging the industrious, single-minded, persistent dedication, and commendable, undoubted spirit and commitment of these two servants of the Lord, do not view things quite as they do), yet perforce one must admit, I think, that were it not for Wieland and Short, the interest generated today in our church by Minneapolis/1888 would be substantially less. Consider the following: 1888FI 1.2

• The Review and Herald Publishing Association this year published a spate of historical and theological books this year in their “1888 Centennial Series”:

• The Adventist Review (in January) and Ministry (February) devoted virtually entire issues of their respective journals to the drama that was Minneapolis/1888.

• The Ellen G. White Estate undertook its unprecedented mammoth venture in collecting from its substantial archives 1821 pages of Ellen White letters and manuscripts which it published in four volumes ¹ (and to which the Pacific Press added a fifth volume of 591 pages of non White “manuscripts and memories”) ²

• And Loma Linda University and Andrews University are this week each holding their own major lectureship in commemoration (if not celebration) of the events of that bygone era.

At the outset, then, let us fulfill our ethical and Christian obligation to “render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7). And let us in charity give Wieland and Short their due. 1888FI 2.1