Some Key Events in Seventh-Day Adventist History: a Chronological List
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Some key Events in Seventh-day Adventist History: A Chronological List Pilgrims Books 2 Key Chronilogical History Events PB–653 Some Key Events in Seventh-day Adventist History: A Chronological List Published by Pilgrims Books Beersheba Springs, TN 37305 USA Printed in the United States of America Cover and Text Copyright © 1998 “Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the government of God by planting his banner in the Christian church. If the followers of Christ could be deceived and led to displease God, then their strength, fortitude, and firmness would fail, and they would fall an easy prey . “Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood firm, declaring that they could make no compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, urging that this might be the means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the Word of God . “Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God’s professed people. There is an alarming indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars of the Christian faith. The opinion is gaining ground, that, after all, these are not of vital importance. This degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false theories and fatal delusions which the faithful in ages past imperiled their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded with favor by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ.” —Great Controversy, 42-46 FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES: One copy - $5.00, plus $1.50 p&h / Five copies - $4.50.00 each, plus $3.00 p&h In Tennessee, add 8.25% of cost of books. / Foreign: add 20% of cost of books. 3 Contents Abbreviation of Sources 4 Publisher’s Preface 5 PART TWO Author’s Acknowledgements 6 1980 23 Author’s Forward 7 1981 25 Author’s Introduction 8 1982 27 Author’s Prologue 9 1983 27 1984 27 PART ONE 1985 28 1844 11 1986 28 1851 11 1987 29 1883 13 1988 31 1887 14 1989 32 1890 15 1990 35 1902 15 1991 38 1905 15 1992 42 1908 15 1993 44 1913 16 1994 45 1915 16 1995 47 1929 17 1996 48 1931 18 1997 50 1935 19 1998 51 1954 19 Other Studies 50 1957 19 1959 22 Appendix: 60 1960 22 1872 Fundamental Principles 1964 22 Epilogue 63 1970 22 Index to Historical Sections 64 4 Key Chronilogical History Events Source Abbreviations Ellen White’s Books AA The Acts of the Apostles ChS Christian Stewardship CW Counsels to Writers and Editors GC Great Controversy GW Gospel Workers LS Life Sketches 1MR Manuscript Releases, Vol. 1 (Vols. 1-21) MYP Messages to Young People PP Patriarchs and Prophets 2SP Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2 (Vols. 1-2) 2SG Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2 (Vols. 1-4) 2SM Selected Messages, Vol. 2 (Vols. 1, 2, 3) 1T Testimonies, Vol. 1 (Vols. 1-9) TM Testimonies to Ministers Pilgrims Rest Tracts and Tractbooks AS Adventist Stewardship Series FF Firm Foundation Series TB Tractbook WD Winds of Doctrine Series WM Waymark Series Seventh-day Adventist Denominational Literature ABC Adventist Book Center 1BC Bible Commentary, Vol. 1 (Vols. 1-7) Guide Florida Focus Southern Tidings Seventh-day Adventist School Newspapers Newbold College - Flier Pacific Union Recorder Southern Accent Student Movement Bibles quoted KJV King James Version NIV New International Version NEB New English Bible Publisher’s Preface 5 Publisher’s Preface A casual glance through this volume strikingly “If My people, which are called by My name, shall reveals the fact that the increasing compromise humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and and apostasy in our denomination is unfortunate. turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from This book is truly cause for weeping. It has heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their been produced in the hope that it may arouse our land.”—2 Chronicles 7:14. people to arise and stop this growing trend to- “Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall ward unscriptural, worldly, ways. search for Me with all your heart.”—Jeremiah 29:13. What should be done about the problem? “So we fasted and besought our God and He was There is no doubt that we should earnestly pray entreated of us.”—Ezra 8:23. and seek to help fellow Advent believers awaken “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him, I to the crisis that is accelerating so fast. While there will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and is time, we must also work earnestly for the lost honour him.”—Psalm 91:15. outside the Advent Movement. “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I Our most urgent responsibility at this time is will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will that we study the Inspired Writings, the Bible and hear.”—Isaiah 65:24. the Spirit of Prophecy, and that, by faith in Christ “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to our Saviour, we obey what we read. forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigh- Some may say that we must leave the denomina- teousness.”—1 John 1:9. tion, and others may say that we must remain in it. Yet church relationship is not the crucial issue! It In preparing this book for publication, we have is obedience to God’s Word! combined some items which, in separate entries, deal Having said that, what should we do about church with the same topic. relationship? This is a matter for each one to prayer- The major editing involved placing the entries in fully work through for himself. chronological order under their respective years, and In some instances, the local congregation may be preparing an alphabetical index. (The author had conservative and the individual is able to worship, placed the entries in alphabetical order, with the in- pray, and share with brethren. In others, faithful souls dex in chronological order.) are being hounded out by worldly pastors, members, Various patterns used by the author, such as her and boards. use of ellipses, were left unchanged, along with her No one can speak for another. Each must cry method of referencing. to God and, in His strength, trust, obey, and help— You can imagine how much work it must have trust God, obey His Word, and do all he can to required for her to amass all this data into a single help those around him. whole! In the Author’s Preface, the author of this book Although the great majority came from our pub- will state her position. But the solution lies in what lications, other sources were also used (the writings you and I will do about the matter. Whether in the of Ralph Larson, Colin and Russell Standish, Hope organized church or out of it,—will we plead with Publications, etc.). God for help in this terrible crisis? Will we plead Since this book is actually a historical reference, with others to forsake their worldliness and re- we added a listing of our Waymarks tracts, by year turn to their Maker? of publication, at the end of each yearly section. For It is urgent that the professed people of God re- additional reference, our other tracts are listed at the turn to belief in, and obedience to, the full Inspired back. Many of the older tracts are now in tractbook Word of God, including the precious counsels given format. us in these last days through the Spirit of Prophecy. — vf Author’s Forward 7 Author’s Forward Celebration Seventh-day Adventist services, New into her “Adventist Family,” she searched the Scrip- Theology, and the Neuro-linguistic Programming tures and the Spirit of Prophecy as never before and terms appeared in printed materials and by word of consulted with friends. However, it seemed, as the mouth here and there; and people known to the au- apostasies deepened, the understanding of the mem- thor were actually attending these services and pro- bers became more confused. Some hearts were claiming their merits in the author’s world of Sev- hardened, some bruised, and others just gave up enth-day Adventism, in about the years of 1988-1991, and went “out of the church”—either back into the with the increasing severity and seriousness on the world they came in from or to other denominations. part of the people involved, much to the consterna- And the pot of controversies boiled on and on. tion of the author and contemporaries. This turn of events around 1988 only inspired Since living the life of the avid atheist until the the author to search even deeper into the Scriptures year 1980 and accepting the Seventh-day Adventist and to pray more often, lengthening her time with faith and doctrines soon after in May 1981, the au- the Lord. This book is the result of her walk with thor was not mildly disgusted with this turn of events, the Lord which she is now sharing with you. For felt it was her duty as a “watchman on the walls” to some time now, the author has been impressed to search out the facts for herself, and with pen and compile the information you have before you con- mouth to counteract this cancer in the heat and soul cerning the apostasies and the splinter groups in- of the newly found, beloved, faith and lifestyle.