The Origin of Seventh-Day Adventists WE come now to the fourth PART angel's message—and with a and last point: The fact that we IV separating call to come out of are the outgrowth of the Millerite Babylon—t h e second angel's movement does not require us to By Francis D. Nichol, message. Anything beyond this Associate Editor of the Review and minimize in any degree the sig- Herald is not of the essence of Millerism. nificance of the distinctive teach- For example, when a prominent ings developed under the third Millerite, George Storrs, brought angel's message, but rather the statement on all doctrine. Rather, forth his views on the nature contrary. Nor does it require us he viewed the advent movement of man—which views both we to subscribe to the individual as a call to study and believe a and the leading First Day views that might have been held great truth, the personal, soon Adventist group believe to-day— by any Millerite preacher. coming of Christ, in the setting Miller and most of his associates It would be most erroneous to of certain prophecies. Millerism opposed the views as much for think of Seventh-Day Adventism was not a denomination, it was their being extraneous to the as being limited in its range of not synonymous with a creed. single purpose of the movement doctrine because of its relation- That fact must be kept dear in as for their being erroneous, as ship to Millerism. Nor is any our minds. The individual they thought. such conclusion demanded by the beliefs of certain preachers or If we keep in mind this easily fact of our historical connection. laymen—they were from vir- established historical fact that An editorial in the Review in tually every religious persua- the Millerite movement was a 1854 makes this clear: sion—may have tinged the think- great awakening on one central "We have no idea that William ing of such persons, but they truth in the setting of certain Miller had all the light on every did not give the movement its prophecies, and thus in fulfilment point. The path of the just was to real colour. The true colour of of prophecy, we have no diffi- shine more and more till the per- the movement was that of the culty in understanding how the fect day should come. He shed a golden hue of the advent morn- Seventh-Day Adventist pioneers flood of light on the prophecies ; advent movement could write so unqualifiedly as but the subject of the sanctuary ing. It was an was to be opened to the waiting —a movement whose distinctive they did regarding our connec- flock, in the period of the third character was due to its prophetic tion with it, while at the same message. • . • setting. We should never forget time holding that God had given "As to the great fundamental that Millerism proper was con- to Seventh-Day Adventists cer- doctrines taught by William Mil- cerned primarily with the pur- tain truths not understood or ler, we see no reason to change our pose, manner, and time of the preached in the Millerite move- views. We claim all the light of advent. ment. Our Seventh-Day Adven- past time on this glorious theme, tist pioneers saw a significance and cherish it as from Heaven. As the movement drew toward And we cheerfully let the provi- its climax in 1844, the call to in the work which was shaping dence of God, and plain Bible tes- come out of the churches became under their humble preaching timony correct our past view of strong and clear. This call served after 1844, first and most defi- the sanctuary, and give us a more to make Millerism stand out nitely because they believed it harmonious system of truth, and a more sharply from other religious was the fulfilment of the third firmer basis of faith."—April 18, groups. Thus the movement angel's message—the third in a 1884, pages 100, 101. came to its climax on October divinely connected series. They It should be remembered that 22, 1844, with one great truth saw the very distinctive doctrine Miller never sought to create a distinguishing it, the judgment of the seventh-day Sabbath, for new denomination with a creedal hour of God at hand—the first example, in the setting of that third angel's message, and de- logical, prophetical development which ignores the past work ["of clared that only in that setting of a work begun by God when the - once harmonious body of could the real force of the doc- He stirred men to preach the Advent Believers," before Octo- trine be realized in these last days. first angel's message. As James ber 22, 1844], is a castle in the White declared: air, a pyramid without a base, a The threefold message, which building without a foundation." began as a fervent preaching of "The truth and work of God in Ibid, December 17, 1867, page one central truth of the personal this movement, commencing with 8. And what is it but ignoring second advent, and which next the labours of William Miller, and "the past work" if we seek to called on men to come out of reaching to the close of probation, dissociate ourselves from it? Babylon, has come into its full is illustrated by these three angels. dimensions under the third . . . These angels illustrate the Surely there applies here the three great divisions of the genu- admonition of God's messenger, angel's message, .as a reform in ine movement."—"Life Sketches" who, after "reviewing our past all matters of doctrine and life (1868 ed.), page 306. history" from Millerite days on- in readiness for the advent. This ward, declared, 'We have noth- is consistent with the plan God In conclusion I would offer ing to fear for the future, except has followed in all times, leading a personal testimony. Even the as we shall forget the way the men, onward in advancing light. limited study I have given this Lord has led us, and His teach- The awakened interest in Bible subject in the last year or two ing in our past history."—"Life study, particularly of the pro- has provided me with a new and Sketches," page 196. phecies, under the first angel's stronger conviction concerning message, placed men in an ideal the unique place in prophecy that position for God to give them Seventh-Day Adventists hold. I illumination. The separation from no longer have any embarrass- Notes from the the churches freed them of the ment over, our connection with hindrance that so often prevents Millerism, for I have discovered Union President men from accepting further light, that most of the libellous stories the fear of what their church about the movement are a tissue associates will think. Thus God of lies. On the contrary, I am prepared men for the message stirred to emulate the courage and WEEK OF SACRIFICE AND ANNUAL of the third angel. Fervently fervour that dominated Miller OFFERING, NOVEMBER 17TH TO searching the Scriptures, certain and his associates, and enabled 24TH that God had led them thus far, them to do a mighty work for LAST year the General Confer- and desiring to follow on to God in a few years of time. How ence decided to amalgamate the further truth, our Seventh-Day greatly we need such courage and Week of Sacrifice and the Annual Adventist pioneers sought God fervour to-day if we are to finish Offering, and to take one offering with strong cryings and tears. the task God has given us to do! at the time of the Week of Prayer Mrs. White tells of the many The historical record and the in November. We did not adopt times they gathered together to testimony of our Seventh-Day the plan, mainly because we could study the Bible and to pray. Adventist pioneers leave no pos- not get the Week of Prayer read- "Sometimes the entire night was sible doubt concerning our origin ings in time. spent in solemn investigation of and the honourableness and pro- This year, however, we have the Scriptures, that we might phetic significance of that origin. hopes of obtaining the manuscript understand the truth for our Personally, I haw decided to early, and we therefore propose to times."---`Christian, Experience stand firmly by that record and hold our Week of Prayer Novem- and Teachings," page 193. testimony. To do otherwise—to ber 17th to 24th, and the Week Light came, the truth unfolded give credence to silly stories about of Sacrifice and the Annual Offer- under such study and also under the Millerites, and then to ing will be taken as one at the the impetus of the Spirit of pro- attempt to sever our movement close of the special Week of phecy, a gift given in fulfilment from Millerism to escape the Prayer. of prophecy. Ere long the full taint of the stories—would give In America this, it is reported, significance of the third angel's the lie to the testimony of our led to a larger income for the message dawned upon our pion- own pioneers, to say nothing of cause than from the two offerings, eers, and along with that came the evident facts of history. And and we hope it may be so here. an understanding of other truths —mark this well—it would Shall we not plan ahead to this that had either been neglected also besmirch the good names end? Further announcements will or distorted through the cen- of our own Seventh-Day Adven- follow, but this preliminary notice turies. The advent movement tist. pioneers, for they were Mil- may help our workers and laity thus developed into its final form lerites. As George I. Butler well to budget their offering on a not to make ready a people prepared said, "If that [Millerite move- less generous basis than last year. to meet their God. But, as the ment] was a fanatical movement, Those who still wish to give their ,cleclarations of our pioneers make this must be also."—Review and Week of Sacrifice offering in July transparently clear, this final Herald, February 10, 1885, page (before the holidays!) may still phase of the advent movement 89. And as TJriah Smith emphati- do so, and their Annual Week of for the last days was ever viewed cally declared: "Every advent Prayer Offering later. by them as the flowering, the theory that has been devised, H. W. LowE. 2 BRITISH ADVENT MESSENGER

figures possible., We thank God dren and Miss Essery served at for a humble part in the great the organ. Welsh Mission world prograMme and for the The superintendent of the Mis- Superintendent : Pastor S. G. Hyde material (as well as spiritual) sion, at the afternoon service, re- Office Address : "Ventnor," Ty- blessings by which such attain- ferred to the death of Pastor T. glas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff ments were made possible. H. Cooper and of his nineteen Telephone : Llanishen 600 years of appreciated service to the PASTOR BENTON'S VISIT church in Wales. The congrega- SOUTH Wales members gathered tion stood in silence as a mark of Superintendent's Notes in large numbers on Sabbath, the esteem in which our late February 10th, for a day's fellow- brother was held, while prayer was WALES has done it again! The ship in Cardiff. A large city offered on behalf of Sister Cooper year 1944 surpasses anything pre- church, kindly loaned to us for and her children and other mem- viously, known, as far as the the day, was filled with an eager bers of the family, that the God church's faithfulness in sustaining and expectant congregation, in- of all comfort would sustain them the cause of Christ. A year ago cluding many members of the in their sorrow. we referred to the increase in tithe U.S.A. forces. Pastor Roy L. Ben- S. G. HYDE. of £323 over the previous year as ton the General Conference being a remarkable increase, con- Camp Pastor, was the principal sidering that there had been a visitor, and his ministry was £560 increase the year before that. richly blessed of God. Scottish Mission But faithfulness continues and The very large Sabbath-school the year 1944 shows a further was led by Pastor F. S. Jackson Superintendent: Pastor J. A. Mc- £377 increase in tithe over 1943 ! Millan and the congregation became the Address: 15 Rowallan Gardens, In the same way, the offerings one class for the day's lesson, the Broomhill, Glasgow, W.1. have increased, too. We wrote a teacher being Pastor S. G. Hyde. Telephone: Western 6350 year ago of 1944: An offering of over £10 was "What will this year bring donated to missions. forth? That no one knows. But Between the morning and after- this we do know : Our dear people noon sessions, Pastor Benton bap- Superintendent's Notes will continue loyally and devotedly tized one of the American soldiers WE are now in a position to to do their part to sustain the who had been won to the message render a report of the activities of growing cause of God in all the through the faithful witness and workers and members for the year earth," labours of an Adventist soldier 1944. Financially, we have had the And they have! Nearly £200 from Texas. Finding himself a best year in our experience as a more in Sabbath-school offerings; patient in a military hospital (hav- mission. The table of tithes and £430 more in the Ingathering; ing been wounded in battle) he offerings below should offer en- £3 more in the Annual offering; also found himself being tended couragement to all our faithful £7 more from the Young people by an Adventist soldier nurse— believers, and praise to God for for missions; £18 more in the who not only saw him nursed His signal blessing. Week of Sacrifice. Nearly £640 back to health but also into fuller We are also glad to report that more in total offerings! See how light. the colporteur sales for the year the increase is steadily main- Pastor J. M. Howard, who showed an increase of £49. 9s. tained: , accompanied Pastor Benton, also We pray that the pages of truth Total Tithe addressed the congregation in the will reap a harvest of souls for the Tithe per member £ a. s. d. afternoon, and in the evening we kingdom of God. 1937 1,696 .3 13 0 spent two hours socially in the 1938 1,862 .4 0 '0 church hall. MEMBERSHIP 1939 1,867 _4.0 6 Refreshments were, as usual, DURING the past year eight of 1940 2,202 4 13 0 provided by sisters of the Cardiff our faithful members passed to 1941 2,627 5 12 6 church. their rest. While figuring as a loss 1942 3,188 6 10 0 1943 3,511 7 18 -6 There were many helpers— in our membership reports, we 19M 3,888 8 16 9 stewards, singers,, stokers—too believe that these precious souls numerous to mention by name. are in the keeping of the Saviour, Sabbath- All School Ingath'ing Offerings Miss Baird ministered to the chil- and will share in the resurrection £ Z. Z 1938 385 4,003 1,474 1939, 392: 1.066 " 1,546 1943 1944 Increase 1940 425 1,160 1,701 Z. s. d. £. s. d. s. d 1941 496 1,271 1,906 Tithes 2778 10 7 2860 13 5 82 2 10 1942 573 1, 402 2,142 Sabbath-School 432 3 10 518 10 6- 86 6 8 1943 652 1,673 2,541 Ingathering 920 11 3 1154"10 6 233 19 3 1944 840 2,104 • 3,179 Annual Offering 49 0 7 47 8 0 -1 12 7 Young PeOple's Society 12 12 2 16 1 8 3 9 6 Onlypeople a imbued`With-the Week Of Sacrifice 67 8 5 91 2 8 23 14 3 right spirit and having a love for Big Week 19 19 3 43 15 11 23 16 8 God, and for the building tip of Total Offerings- 1501 15 6 1872 9 3 370 13 9 His kingdom could inak& such FEBRUARY 23, '1944_ to eternal life. Six were dropped 1944 Showed a net decrease of sonal call, resolving to practise it from our membership lists be- four. so that the Lord may use each of cause of apostasy. Two baptismal Our most urgent need in.1945 us this year as links in the saving services were conducted during is that we earnestly ,Pray and chain let clown into the world's the year; one in Aberdeen, where vigorously plan for fruitful, evan- sorrow and need, bringing balm four were added to the church, gelistic soul-winning. and blessing to the lost and joy and one in Glasgow, where an- The Spirit of prophecy has to the heart of Jesus. other two joined the fellowship. given us this challenging and en- J. A. MclVinLAN. Two efforts, in Glasgow and couraging appeal: -4,- -0- Musselburgh, have yet to yield "If we would be kind and cour- their fruitage. In addition two teous and tenderhearted and piti- Wedding Bells lay-preachers have been conduct- ful, there would be one hundred BELL-CHASE. — On New Year's ing meetings for the public—D. conversions -to the truth where now day, in our church at Lowestoft, P. Bleasby in Greenock and H. F. there is only one."—"Testimonies," Olive Chase was united in marri- Vol. 9, Page 189. age to Edward Bell. There were Vigors in Kirkcaldy. On balance, many friends and churchmembers our membership at the end of May we all accept this as a per- at the ceremony to wish them God's blessing as they commenced life together. Brother Bell is the minister of our Londonderry church in North- ern Ireland. Mrs. Bell was for At Tarot some years a student in Newbold Missionary College. We believe Pastor ZIL i. Sorover the young couple will find much happiness in their work among the THE church in Wales—as well as members in Ireland. in Great Britain—has suffered a After the service a reception was great loss in the death of Pastor arranged where the happy couple T. H. Cooper. After nearly twenty- received their guests. nine years of faithful service—the We pray that the blessing of last nineteen of which were spent in God may always attend them. Wales—Pastor Cooper retired about two years ago. At the end of 1944 J. M. HOWARD. his health gave him much anxiety and by January 21st of this year Advertisements his condition necessitated his re- PRINTING.—C.. Russell, Newton Street, moval to hospital at Chester where Macclesfield. an immediate operation was per- QUALIFIED teacher gives postal tuition formed. Death supervened some in Shorthand, English and Arithmetic. three days later. Write for terms: Miss Tifton, 24 Wind. The funeral services were con- sor Terrace, Penarth, Glam. YOUNG widow (faithful S.D.A.) with ducted by Brethren J. R. Lewis and girl aged 4, seeks two unfurnished E. A. Butters (Pastors J. M. How- rooms within easy reach of Stanborough ard and the writer failing to arrive Park. Write: H.T.J., 65 Duthie Ter- on account of the abnormal weather race, Aberdeen. WANTED, boy interested in building conditions), and our late brother trade. 14-15. Lodgings found. Apply : was laid to rest in the quiet church- S. Herrington, 123 Sheepcote Lane, Gar- yard at Hawarden on January 30th ston, Watford. to sleep until he awakens at His FOLKESTONE: Board residence or Saviour's call on the morning of graduate from the College), and apartments. Comfortable home. Near" Myrtle. All are left to mourn and sea and S.D.A. church. Moderate terms. resurrection. Write: "Wharfdale," 82 Cheriton Road, Pastor Cooper was born in 1880 bravely "carry on," aided by Him Folkestone. at Tarporley, Cheshire, of farming who comforts us in all our afflic- stock. Never very robust in health, tion. Two sisters—Mrs. Vernon and Tax Editor acknowledges with thanks he visited the Caterham Sanitarium Miss Cooper of Rhyl—also remain the receipt of the Lord's tithe, 10/, in 1903 and while there learned of to mourn. Anonymous, Hull. and accepted the Advent message, We shall miss our brother. Ever being baptized a little later (it is ready to serve, unselfish, humble, SUNSET CALENDAR believed) by Pastor S. G. Haughey. loyal, and true, he was a successful Reproduced from the Nautical Almanac For a year or two he was one of winner of souls and a devoted pas- by permission of the Controller of the first band of students to form tor. There are many in such places H. M. Stationery Office. the College group at Duncombe as Southend, Torquay, Bristol, Lon'n Not'm Car'ff Edin Bert Bath, Swansea, Llanelly, Cardiff, Mar, 2nd 6.42 6.44 6.54 6.48 7 01 Hall, London. From there he re- Mar. 9th 6.53 6.57 7.06 7.03 7.15 turned to farming until 1911. Then Barry, Hereford, Rhyl, and other once again he became a student of places in North and South Wales, the College, now removed to Wat- who have reason to thank God for BRITISH ADVENT MESSENGER the ministry of Pastor T. H. Published fortnightly on Friday for the ford. He graduated, in 1915 and British Union Conference of Seventh. entered the ministry, being ordained Cooper. Day Adventists by the Stanborough in 1920. In that same year he Another servant of God has "died Press Ltd., Watford, Herts. was married to Marjorie Brown, in the Lord" and shares the prof- Copy for next issue.—February '28th. also a graduate, and to this union fered blessing. And surely, as EDITOR : W. L. EMMERSON were born three children—Victor "saith the Spirit, his works will (now in the ministry), Joy (soon to follow Him." S. G. HYDE. Vol. 50. No 4. February 23, 1945

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