Adventist c iielltageVol 5 Nol HON.GEORGE A.WILLIAMS GR 7 S W OL D CSOVE Pri01-1 STAT r. of N E BRAS HA EXECUTIVE OF FILE LINCOLN July 1946. Rev. Carl 411I Sheri3z,IL Dou.lort.rd, Lincoln, -,7ebr;.•_ r au:: :I in: I am it.t.zy !Int 1 7e. rk-6..i-..r.71 ai ay t: .111 ;1 11 ..,:. I • L•st-6 2.! .4_1zr ;ay: rtf very st, •,/1..; . _ st l T._ Reprec›,...:7ctr.ztiv.,:::, in 1 921 r,2sLdetl. avr•r• t, L .3e - • • was a r I •.•t! . : • • _ tti IN Nebraska Governor Dwight Griswold, long-time friend of Williams, was unable to attend the funeral. He wrote this letter to Carl Sundin, one of the minis- ters who officiated at the service. cAdventistcHentage A JOURNAL of ADVENTIST HISTORY EDITORS Gary Land Summer, 1978 / Volume 5, Number 1 Andrews University Jonathan M. Butler Loma Linda University Published by Adventist Heritage Publications ISSN 0360-389X ASSISTANT EDITORS Ron Graybill Loma Linda University Libraries Ellen G. White Publications Eric D. Anderson Pacific Union College CONSULTING EDITORS Godfrey T. Anderson Editor's Stump Loma Linda University 2 C. Mervyn Maxwell Articles Andrews University TI Richard W. Schwarz • f—T, Andrews University Ethical Politics: Adventism and the 3 Case of William Gage MANAGING EDITOR James R. Nix by John Kearnes Lorna Linda University Walter E. Read and the British Union Conference 16 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT by Nigel G. Barham Patti A. Hansen Loma Linda University Lieutenant Governor George A. Williams: 25 DESIGN/LAYOUT An Adventist in Politics Fred Knopper C by William White, Jr. Loma Linda University EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS The Bible Research Fellowship: A 39 Jerome Clark Pioneering Seventh-day Adventist Everett N. Dick Organization in Retrospect Frederick Hoyt by Raymond F. Cottrell Maurice D. Hodgen Wayne Judd Paul J. Landa Heirloom Donald R. McAdams Wm. Frederick Norwood Uriah Smith's Small Epic: The Warning 53 V. Norskov Olsen Voice of Time and Prophecy J. G. Smoot by John 0. Waller MANAGING BOARD Norman J. Woods, Chairman Bookmarks James R. Nix, Secretary Adventism and Politics 62 Godfrey T. Anderson by John Kearnes Dalton D. Baldwin Jonathan M. Butler Maurice a Hodgen Marginal NoteA_ 64 Gary Land Paul J. Landa George G. O'Brien* George V. Summers •Adventist Heritage is published semi-annually by the Department of Archives Library. Loma Linda, California 92350. and Special Collections, Lorna Linda University Library. Bulk rate postage *Adventist Heritage invites manuscripts. Each will be considered, but no paid at Lorna Linda, California. Copyright 1975 by Loma Linda University responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited material. Library, Loma Linda, California 92350. *Adventist Heritage is indexed En the S.D.A. Periodical index and The •Subscription rates: $2.50 a copy; $5.00 a year {additional postage outside American Historical Review. U.S. Y. Available back issues are sold at the single copy rate. •Adventiat Heritage is available In microform from University Microfilms Inter- •SubSCriptiOn orders, change of address notices, editorial correspondence, and national. manuscripts should be sent to: Adventist Heritage, Loma Linda University As the Seventh-day Adventist Church has devel- of denominational leadership. In telling this oped from a small group of rather poor believers to a story, William White does not speculate on whether well-established and prosperous world-wide body it the changed attitude toward politics was simply an has experienced growing pains. Sociologists de- aberration of the times or a reflection of a deeper scribe the process as one of movement from sect to change in the Adventist world view whereby denomination. Whatever the terms one uses, Adventists had become more accepting of their however, the development process itself has been at social environment. To answer that question will times difficult. Three of the articles in this issue require wide-ranging research and analysis — work directly chronicle some of the changes and pains that needs to be done. involved. Where the controversy over political involvement The early Seventh-day Adventists opposed politi- causes us to examine the relationship of Adventists cal activity — at least beyond voting — by church to the larger society, Raymond Cottrell's memoir of members. They believed they had a more important the Biblical Research Fellowship reminds us of the task than working for earthly kingdoms, and further- tensions resulting from intellectual development more felt that such involvement would compromise within the church. The Seventh-day Adventist both denominational and personal integrity. Ironi- commitment to education has — and again it seems cally, the strong Adventist temperance position inevitable — produced scholars interested in study helped push one of the church's ministers into the and research with the result that sometimes long- political arena of Battle Creek, a town where Advent- held views are re-examined. Such activity has not ists constituted a significant part of the population. always sat well with administrators who are In retrospect, it seems as if entrance of an Adventist primarily concerned with action rather than reflec- into politics on the basis of the temperance issue was tion, nor has it easily fit into the denominational self- inevitable. Whether or not it was, William Gage's image as possessor of "the Truth." Whether term as mayor proved difficult, as John Kearnes Cottrell's story of the Fellowship's rise and fall shows, thereby confirming the negative view teaches us how to face such problems is for others to Adventists held of political activity. decide, but it certainly carries the message that A little more than thirty years later, though, change, though inescapable, is not dealt with easily. another Adventist, George A. Williams of Nebraska, Perhaps by understanding the process of change entered politics. Rising to lieutenant governor and as it occurred in the past we can more successfully candidate for governor, he surprisingly received the deal with the present. G.L. -51.11=fflim' 4111111111111r HAVE YOU MISSED A COPY OF cAdventistIletitage Adventist Heritage magazines are mailed at a special bulk rate and are generally considered non-forwardable. Please send us your change of address notice promptly so we can keep our files current. There will be a $1.00 service charge for all replacements of issues mailed to your former address. Loma Linda University Library Loma Linda, California 92350 2 Vr JOHN KEARNES ITHIN THE CHRISTIAN tradition the ed that year's presidential election. He raised the moral ambivalence of the state has question whether Adventists should vote for John C. been cogently summarized by Herbert Fremont and the non-extension of slavery. He con- Butterfield in his Christianity and cluded that his vote would not help the slave —and History: more importantly, that Bible prophecy had predicted There has come down in the Christian tradition that the United States, as symbolized by the two- a profound paradoxical system of teaching on the horned beast (Revelation 13) would make effectual subject of the origin of government. On the one laws for the observance of Sunday (the mark of the hand government is regarded as being due to the beast, verse 17). Fall of Man, a consequence of human sin, while at "Dear Brethren," Hewett wrote, "it will be a the same time it is looked upon as being of Divine dreadful calamity indeed to be found with any of institution, the creation of Providence.... Though those parties that break God's holy and immutable government does not cure men of sinfulness any more than the institution of the idea of property law, and make an image to the beast, . ." eliminates human selfishness, the evil is mitigat- He further pleaded: ed by institutions that are a gift of God, and it is My brethren, shall we spend our time in brought under regulation by the orderings of political campaigns to elect Buchanan or Fre- society. mont, when we so soon expect Christ in all the glory of his Father, and all the holy angels with Within the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, the him, when he shall sit upon the throne of his development of an ethic on politics presents a unique glory? Will not that be far better than a mortal illustration of this paradox. president elected for four years?....Where is the Perhaps the earliest statement made for general blessed Jesus? He has set down at the right hand distribution by Adventists on the subject of political of God. 0 may our treasure and hearts be there. involvement appeared in their church paper, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, in 1856. David Hewett John Kearnes teaches political science at the of Battle Creek, Michigan, in an open letter discuss- University of Minnesota, Morris. 3 These sentiments were shared in the same issue in Cottrell also felt that he could not vote against an article probably written by the paper's editor, slavery because the image would be against the Uriah Smith. To the direct question as to why Adven- "bond as well as the free." And he could not be tists did not with their votes and influence "labor asked to vote against Catholics, because the image against the evil tendency of the times," the writer would not be the beast, but something that resem- answered, "our views of prophecy lead us to the con- bles it. This left him only one conclusion. ". .1 can- clusion that things will not be bettered. .we feel it not vote for a bad man, for that is against my princi- our duty to confine our efforts to preparing our- ples; and, under the present corrupt and corrupting selves, and others. .for the great and final issue state of politics, I could not wish to elevate a good pressing upon us—the revelation of the Son of man man to office, for it would ruin him." from heaven.