North American Regional Voice for 1987
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rigidityArA cc V01 OFFICIAL ORGAN OF TILE NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL CONFERENCES OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS VOLUME 9 AUGUST, 1987 NUMBER 6 confuse the roles of these two individuals. These were only men, never perfect, Just as John the Baptist's role was sometimes painfully human, but all sent to COVER STORY different from that of the apostle Paul, so fulfill a specific task for God. William Foy's was different from Ellen God never confines His work or secrets White's. Among the biblical religious to a select few. Yes, God uses selected orders there were different types of leaders in signal ways— we know that. prophets with different roles and functions. But the point is that the freedom and There are even major and minor prophets. sovereign providence of God is neither Consider the extended and varied limited nor parochial; it is unrestricted ministry of Isaiah against the limited, brief and world wide. role of Amos. Nevertheless, they were all As there are similarities between Ellen prophets. That is one who has been White's experiences and those of William chosen and consents to be a mouthpiece, Foy, there are also many differences. a spokesman, for God. David a statesman/ Ellen White had a vast, multifaceted work prophet, summed up the prophetic to perform, a work that included rebuke, definition when he said, "The Spirit of the warning, prediction, instruction, direction, Lord spake by me, and his word was in protest, strengthening. William Foy has a my tongue" (2 Samuel 23:2). function that was limited in scope and Contrary to popular misconception, brief in duration. Ellen White's ministry William Foy's role was never to be later lasted 70 years; William Foy prophetic filled by Ellen White. They stood at ministry lasted approximately two years. Elder Delbert Baker. different terminals of history, confronted QUESTION AND ANSWERS with different circumstances and chal- THE UNKNOWN PROPHET lenges. Their roles were different. But in Q. How would you describe William Foy? (Editor's note: In the fall of this year, a what ways were they different? A. Foy was an educated, talented, and most significant book, "The Unknown gifted speaker who was an effective Prophet , The Story of William Foy," will A Comparison of William Foy and Ellen preacher in both White and Black be published by the Review & Herald G. White settings. Though of a naturally retiring Publishing Association. This full length William Foy was a spokesman for God personality, he was signally used of God biography written by Elder Delbert W. to the advent movement in the Pre- to deliver divine revelations. His role that Baker, Editor of the MESSAGE Magazine, disappointment period, whereas Ellen of a prophet, preacher, and pioneer examines the life and times of William White was what we might call a post- church leader. Foy, the Black Prophet, preacher and Disappointment prophet. Foy was herald 0. Was Foy a mulatto? pioneer. This book, the result of five years and mouthpiece to the early Adventists, A. No. The best records indicate he was of research and writing expiates many of assuring them of God's personal interest, light-skinned Black man, not a mulatto in the common myths and misinformation motivating them on to greater revival and the academic sense of the term. surrounding the work of William Foy. For reformation, and bringing timely truths to Q. How old was Foy when he received once we are made to realize Foy's view that would later, if understood, spare his first vision? contribution to the Advent movement. In His people the Great Disappointment. Or A. He was a young man, only 24 years old. this article the writer gives us insight into at least prepare them for it. Foy received a Q. Did Foy die in 1845 or "shortly the life of this remarkable man.) limited number of vision with set objec- thereafter," as some histories state? In the annals of history a notable figure tives in mind. He never suggested that his A. No, He lived to be 75 years old. He died is sometimes forgotten or overlooked. prophetic role was to extend past 1844 or in 1893 in Ellsworth, Maine, area. His They are left as a legacy to be discovered that he was to receive more visions. gravestone can be seen there to this day. years later. Such is the case of William Here is where a misleading general- Foy, a Christian of great depth, a preacher ization is often made: That if Foy is Q. Did he suffer persecution and of unusual ability, a spokesman for God accepted as a genuine prophet to the resistance at times? with a special message. William Foy Advent movement for all time remaining. A. Yes. He spoke of having experienced passed off the scene not as one who This belief, though understandable, is persecution as he traveled from place to might have been used, but as one who unsupported. Prophet, like people, have place. He pointed out his strength was in was used—A mosaic of God's design. different functions. Peter was an early the sustaining and protecting power of Foy's story provided us with a fresh church leader, but he was not the God via the supporting presence of his new look at advent history from a unique missionary and theologian Paul was. guide. perspective. It illustrates the broadness of James was an apostle and early church 0. Was Foy involved in the Millerite God's plan for His children, and the administrator, but he didn't fulfill the movement? marvelously rich and multicultural ap- pastoral role that John Calvin did. William A. Yes, though we don't have indication proach He used during the beginning of Miller, who was at a particular time that he specifically expected Christ to Adventism. preaching God's message to the remnant, come On October 22, 1844. Some It is the belief of this writer that God a burning and central light of the Advent Millerites didn't accept a specific date, designed the work of William Foy and movement, certainly didn't fill the founda- although they didn't oppose it. They Ellen White to be different from the very tional and organizational role that James joined in with other Millerites and start. It would then be a mistake to White did in the early S.D.A. movement, heralded the soon coming Christ. In his Page 2 Cover Story August 1987/North American Regional Voice pamphlet he makes no reference to the They were both prophets, having received accepted the Sabbath, sanctuary, or Disappointment, but simply says he was messages from the same God, and some Spirit of Prophecy truths. In fact, he waiting for Jesus near approach. of the scenes they saw were similiar. apparently opposed some of them. But O. Did Foy reject his commission? There are certain terms and phrases that again God in His omniscient providence A. No. He paused for a three-month Ellen White uses that are similiar to those accepts judges us in our own individual period, but continued actively after that Foy used. Their emphasis and style were contest and according to our individual period, sharing what he had seen as long different, though there were some circumstances (See Psalms 87:4-6). as there were interest and invitations. He similarities in scenes and terms. Q. Will William Foy be saved? never rejected commission. His ministry O. Why hasn't Foy been generally A. First, it should be said that finite man is continued to the time of his death. recognized as a prophet in Adventist left to depend on a person's fruits to O. Who has attested to the legitimacy of denominational history? venture such a judgement. From the best William Foy's revelatory experience? A. In some instances he has been rightly records indicating the godly fruit pro- A. Ellen white, John Loughborough, John recognized as a prophet, but in the duced by William Foy both in his middle and Charles Pearson, a medical doctor, majority of cases he is generally over- as well as later years, I believe he will be eight local witnesses, he wife, and William looked. Why? Possibly because of lack of saved. As with William Miller, Martin Foy himself. And in our day Arthur White. information and research on his life and Luther, the Old Testament judges, and The legitimacy of his prophetic ministry is work. host of others. God judges His servants clearly documented. There has also been ample misinfor- on the light and truth that they have mation. And in some cases prejudice or known and lived up to. Thus we join with Q. What were the purposes of Foy's narrow thinking has caused him to be Abraham in saying, "Shall not the Judge visions? ignored or overlooked. It should be of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25). A. To warn, to prepare, and to prevent stressed, however, that in many cases disappointment to those who would O. What is Foy's message for us today? people have not yet even known enough understand and heed. Further, the A. Get ready, stay ready, for the judgement about his life and work to make a content and message of his visions and hour message is here. Jesus is soon to judgement. experiences have admonition, instruction, come, and only those who are prepared and exhoration for us today. Q. Do you think William Foy was to have will be saved. His message reveals God's been the prophet to the S.D.A. Church? compassionate and personal interest in A.