The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts

The Years Before the Conference

The years preceding the Minneapolis conference of 1888 were indeed a period of peril to the advent movement. Legalism was increasing, and a dead, formal preaching was everywhere in evidence. It was the worst crisis into which the church had yet come. In order that we may understand how questions of mere theory had come to the front and how the love for debates was quenching the Spirit by causing dissensions in our own ranks, it should be remembered that just before the conference the editor of the Signs had written several articles stating his position on the “law in Galatians,” and the General Conference president had replied in some articles setting forth the exact opposite understanding of this question in the Review. People came to the conference with the definite expectation that there would be conflict, and some rejoiced to believe that they might have part in this kind of debate. FSG 227.3

There was with some a harsh spirit, a personal love of argument, and a vain boasting of their skill to win. They came to the workers’ meeting before the session in a fighting spirit, and this resulted in much heated discussion and debate concerning certain points, especially the so-called “law in Galatians” and the names of the ten nations symbolized by the ten horns of Daniel 7. More than a year before the Minneapolis conference, Mrs. White wrote to Elders Jones and Waggoner disapproving of the dissensions which were coming in, especially about Galatians. Thus in this timely manner the Lord again sent help to His people through the Spirit of prophecy. In a letter written in Basel, Switzerland, February 18, 1887, and addressed to the two men who were leading out in the discussion of these topics, we find these words: FSG 227.4

“I have not been in the habit of reading any doctrinal articles in the paper that my mind should not have any understanding of anyone’s ideas and views, and that not a mold of any man’s theories should have any connection with that which I write.... FSG 228.1

“It is no small matter for you to come out in the ‘Signs’ as you have done and God has plainly revealed that such things should not be done. We must keep before the world a united front. Satan will triumph to see differences among Seventh-day Adventists. These questions are not vital points.... I did see years ago that Elder [E. H.] Waggoner’s views were not correct, and read to him matter which I had written.... FSG 228.2

“The Reformation was greatly retarded by making prominent differences on some points of faith and each party holding tenaciously to those things where they differed. We shall see eye to eye ere long, but to become firm and consider it your duty to present your views in decided opposition to the faith or truth as it has been taught by us as a people, is a mistake, and will result in harm, and only harm, as in the days of Martin Luther.... But how do you think I feel to see our two leading papers in contention? I know how these papers came into existence, I know what God has said about them, that they are one, that no variance should be seen in these two instrumentalities of God. They are one and they must remain one, breathing the same spirit, exercised in the same work, to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord, one in faith, and one in purpose.”—Letter 37, 1887, to J. H. Waggoner and A. T. Jones from Basel, Switzerland, February 18, 1887. FSG 228.3

It was not in harmony with the manner of labor followed by Mrs. White to argue doctrines or to bring strong pressure to bear upon any in regard to disputed points. She urged all to exalt Jesus in their Bible study, making Him the source and center of every doctrine, and to avoid needless and ambitious strife. The whole tenor of her instruction was away from a merely nominal religion. FSG 228.4