The Spirit of Prophecy and Military Service

Chapter 7—Instruction Through the Spirit of Prophecy

At this juncture the church received counsel through the Spirit of prophecy. In January, 1863, “Testimony for the Church,” No. 9, was advertised in the Review, with the statement that it contained instruction regarding “the war, and our duty in relation to it.” SPMS 10.2

This was not the first testimony article making reference to the Civil War, but it was the first to give specific counsel in regard to the draft, enlistment, etc. An article entitled “The North and the South” (Vol. 1, pp. 253-260), published a year earlier (January, 1862), helped to clarify in the minds of Seventh-day Adventists the true issues of the war. And there was a second article which followed entitled “Slavery and the War” presenting the vision of August 3, 1861. SPMS 10.3

But it was in this chapter, “The Rebellion,” published in January, 1863, and now found in Testimonies for the Church 1:355-368, that entered into a discussion of the draft that seemed inevitable. It was revealed to Mrs. White that God held the nation accountable for the sin of slavery, and that both the North and the South were being punished. Of the final outcome of the war she said: SPMS 10.4

God is not with the South, and He will punish them dreadfully in the end.... I saw that God would not give the Northern army wholly into the hands of a rebellious people, to be utterly destroyed by their enemies.... I saw that both the South and the North were being punished. In regard to the South, I was referred to Deuteronomy 32:35-37: “To me belongeth vengeance and recompense: their foot shall slide in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:359, 365, 368.

Regarding some who were boldly asserting that they would die rather than submit to the draft, and who had criticized the position taken by James White and other leaders, the testimony declared: SPMS 11.1

I saw that those who have been forward to talk so decidedly about refusing to obey a draft, do not understand what they are talking about. Should they really be drafted, and, refusing to obey, be threatened with imprisonment, torture, or death, they would shrink, and then find that they had not prepared themselves for such an emergency. They would not endure the trial of their faith. What they thought to be faith, was only fanatical presumption.—Testimonies for the Church 1:357.

The following most excellent caution was given against maintaining a boastful confident attitude as to how a future crisis would be met: SPMS 11.2

Those who would be best prepared to sacrifice even life, if required, rather than place themselves in a position where they could not obey God, would have the least to say. They would make no boast. They would feel deeply and meditate much, and their earnest prayers would go up to Heaven for wisdom to act and grace to endure. Those who feel that in the fear of God they cannot conscientiously engage in this war, will be very quiet, and when interrogated will simply state what they are obliged to say in order to answer the inquirer, and then let it be understood that they have no sympathy with the Rebellion.—Testimonies for the Church 1:357.

Jealousy and lack of unity among the leaders of the Northern army was declared in this testimony to be largely responsible for the long protraction of the struggle and for many of the losses of the Federal forces. ³ SPMS 11.3