Loma Linda University TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works Adventist Heritage Loma Linda University Publications Summer 1978 Adventist Heritage - Vol. 05, No. 1 Adventist Heritage, Inc. Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/advent-heritage Part of the History Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation 17,946 KB This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the Loma Linda University Publications at TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Adventist Heritage by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. As the Seventh-day Adventist Church has devel- support 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. 2 TESTIMONY FOR THE BATTLE CREEK CHURCH. By MRS, E. G. WHITE. OAKLAND, CAL.: PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1882. courtesy: Ada Williams Turner courtesy: Ada Williams Turner HARRIS,ON. GALESBU RC: . Mabel Grubb became the wife of George Williams George Arthur Williams as he appeared shortly be- two years after this photograph was taken. fore his marriage in 1888. they attended meetings held by William Byington the college and the publishing association moved, White, President of the Nebraska Conference. Much and the sanitarium was destroyed by fire, Williams to the regret of both their families, George and moved to Franklin, Kentucky, and op'ened a Mabel became convinced of the correctness of mercantile business there. Less than a year later, in Seventh-day Adventist teachings and were baptized December, 1903, he assumed the management of the into church membership at the conclusion of those Southern' Training School store in Graysville, meetings. Tennessee. While at Graysville, Williams completed Two years after joining the Adventist church, the a business course at the school and concluded his Williams family moved to Alabama as self-support- formal education. ing missionaries. Under Williams' leadership, a Having demonstrated his business abilities at church was organized at Citronelle and a building Graysville, Williams was called to Atlanta in 1908 to erected. Williams found that he could not support his serve as manager of the Atlanta Sanitarium. In expanding family, eventually to become seven December, 1909, he took his family back to Nebraska children. Concerned about Adventist educational where they settled in Harlan County. After two years opportunities for his children, he moved the family to of farming he became business manager of the Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1901, where he opened Nebraska Sanitarium in Hastings. He operated a and operated a successful mercantile business. After farm north of Hastings and while there served as elder of the Hastings church. After twenty years away from the Fairmont farm, Williams returned William White serves as assistant principal of the there in 1914 and once again took up full-time Andrews University Academy. farming. 26 courtesy: Lorna Linda University Heritage Room ILLIAMS WAS well-liked and respected by his neighbors and fellow farmers. During World War I he served on the Filln:ore County Council of Defense and managed the county's second American Red Cross fund drive. He was also a longtime mem- ber of the Sons of Union Veterans. During the spring and summer of 1918, his friends convinced him to run for a seat in the state House of Representatives. Before filing for the Republican nomination from the Forty-first District, Williams sought counsel from Nebraska Conference officials. Receiving their bless- ings, he entered the August Republican primary, was nominated, and then elected in the November general election. His record apparently pleased his constituents, for in the 1920 primary he ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. Endorsing Williams for a second term, the Nebraska Signal said: The same integrity and high sense of morality that has always characterized his home life and his business relations marked his course in the legislature. He was always found on the right side of questions involving morality, clean citizenship and that have to do with the rights of the people. George and Mabel Williams are pictured with five of William Byington White, president of the Nebraska their eight children. This portrait was taken about Conference, converted Williams and his wife to 1902 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Seventh-day Adventism in 1893. 27 Williams represented the Forty-first District in the Nebraska State House of Representatives for two terms. more committees and only five members of the 100 served on as many committees as did Mr. In 1918 George Williams ran successfully for the Williams. He was chairman of the railroad Nebraska State House of Representatives on the committee, secretary of the road and bridge Republican Party ticket. courtesy: William G. White committee and a member also of the committee on school lands and funds, conference committee, code committee and sifting committee. Member- Being a man of broad ,education and wide ship on the sifting committee, appointed near the business experienc'e, and the same hard worker in close of each sessi9n, is always eagerly sought. At the legislature that ..heis on his farm, he was able various times Mr. Williams was chosen to preside to impress his personality on his fellow members over the house while in committee of the whole and exert an. influence that was somewhat and not even in the heat of debate were any of his unusual. The daily newspaper frequently referred rulings ever questioned. Mr. Williams alone or in ; to him as one of the leading members'of.the house connection with other members introduced and his counsel was frequently sought by thirteen bills, ten of which became laws. members of both houses and by state officials. No The Signal also endorsed Williams for the speak- member of the house was made a member of ership of the House which he had indicated his willingn~ss to accept, but which he was not actively s~eking. The paper said, About 1911 Williams became business manager of No doubt there is considerable excellent the Nebraska Sanitarium in Hastings, Nebraska. ,material in the house for the speakership, but E probably no member is better qualified by o o education and wide experience than Mr. ..•. a: (1) Williams. He is a man of fine education. He.is a Cl good parliamentarian and an able public speaker. ~,- (1) His ability as a presiding officer was demon- I strated on several occasions during the session two years ago. He has had a wide experience in business' as a farmer. He is a real dirt farmer and has been such for a number of years and he is an intelligent'student of the many trying problems that now confront the farmer and the stock raiser. An element not always considered in the selection of men for public place is Christian character and the study of manhood that puts their possessor above petty suspicion, even though his consti- While no longer involved in the formulation of bills, tuents may not always agree with him on every he was highly respected by both parties as a fair and detail of legislation and every element of public policy.