Our First Regular Publication, Initiated and Sustained by Divine Comman
The record of the period from 1844 to 1855 is replete with allusions to instruction from Heaven, sent to direct and protect the infant Church. Not alone was such guidance given in the larger, far-reaching steps, but oftentimes the leaders were directed by the Spirit of prophecy in matters of lesser moment. Illustrating this point, we cite here a few instances of such specific guidance concerning conferences and individuals, drawn at random from the documents of the times:
1. "I was taken off in vision and saw concerning the state of some here, and also saw there would be a conference at your place and that it was duty of my husband to attend, and that a conference should be holden in Paris. Maine, and souls would be strengthened and comforted there. I then saw it was not duty to go to New York, but that we must tarry and abide where we were."—E. G. White Letter 1, 1848 (May 29, 1848).
2. "Since I have been writing, the brethren have flocked in and Ellen has had a most glorious vision. She has seen in vision that we shall go farther before we return to Maine. She saw that you would have a conference in Maine, but we must go west farther before we returned to Maine."—James White Letter. July 2,1848. Record Book I, p. 118.
3. "The Lord gave me a vision and showed me that the truth must be made plain upon tables, and it would cause many to decide for the truth."—E. G. White Letter, Nov. j., 1850. Record Book I, p. 82.
4. "I then saw Brother Edson, that he must gird on the whole armor and stand in readiness to go, for a journey was before him, and that souls needed help."—Vision. Aug. 24, 1850. Record Book I, p. 112.
5. "We began to inquire of the Lord what He ' would have us to do, or where we should publish, and it was shown me in vision that James must lay his hand to the work and strive to open the way, and if the way should bend before him, he must remain, but if it was shut up and did not open, we must go elsewhere. James has been doing as God showed me he must do, and the way has opened before him so that the first paper will be off today.''—E. G. White Letter, full, 21, 1851, Record Book I, p. 149.
6. "The Lord showed me about four or five weeks ago, that we must not go to Paris again, that they had not appreciated our labors there, and that they would yet desire to see some of the servants of God in Paris."—E. G. White Letter 4, 1851 (Aug. 11,1851).
7. "I saw that it was now time for the brethren to move out wherever there was an opening, and God would go before them and would open the hearts of some to hear. New places must be entered, and when new places are entered, it would be well to go two and two so as to hold up the hands of 'each other."—Vision, July 2, 1853. Record Book I, p. 100.
Establishing the Publishing Work
As noted in the fourth article of this series, the leading points of doctrine were unitedly found and accepted by group study at the Sabbath conferences of the summer of 1848. Up to this time little had been done in publishing lines. Now that the Sabbathkeeping Adventists were in possession of a quite well-defined body of essential truth, familiarly known to them as the "third angel's message," it was fitting that they should take appropriate steps to herald this message to the world. Shortly after the Sabbath conferences, while Ellen White was in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in November, 1848, she was "given a view of the proclamation of the sealing message, and of the duty of the brethren to publish the light that was shining upon our pathway."—"Life Sketches," J. 125.
Disappointed during the succeeding eight months in his efforts to find financial support for the paper that was called for, James White contemplated securing work in the hayfield to furnish means with which to print it. But at this juncture Ellen White was shown that her husband "must write, write, write, and walk out by faith."—"Spiritual Gifts," Vol. II, p. 115. ("Life Sketches," p. 126.)
The first issue of the Present Truth, printed at Middletown, Connecticut, July, 1849, was sent out largely to former fellow believers in the advent movement. Of its reception we learn that "very soon letters came bringing means to publish the paper, and the good news of many souls embracing the truth."—Id., p. 116. ("Life Sketches," p. 127.) At the outset, however, James White had no thought of the magnitude of the work he was undertaking. In an early number he states: "When I commenced the Present Truth, I did not expect to issue more than two or three numbers."—Present Truth, December, 1849, p. 47.
In full harmony with the prediction of the vision that the paper would receive financial support, James White writes: "While publishing the four first numbers in Connecticut, the brethren sent in more means than was necessary to sustain the paper."—Thid.
However, all did not continue to go well, and by January, 185o, it seemed to the editor-publisher that it would be best to cease publishing. Writing on January 3, he stated in a personal letter : "As for the poor little paper, it has so little sympathy, and (I fear) so few prayers that I think it will die. . . I think I shall hang all up for the present."—James White Letter, Jan. 3, 1850. Record Book I, p. 50. And one week later the outlook was still dark: "Brother Bates discouraged me about the paper, and I gave it up forever."—Tames White Letter, Jan. Io, 1850. Record Book I, p. 51.
This was the Lord's work, however, and not to be abandoned. Just at the time of deepest discouragement the voice which had many times testified was heard. Writing the next day, James White tells of God's providential interposition:
"Last night [Jan. 9, 1850] . . . Ellen had the following view in relation to the Present Truth: 'I saw the paper, and that it was needed, that souls were hungry for the truth that must be written in the paper. I saw that if the paper stopped for want of means and those hungry sheep died for want of the paper, it would not be James' fault, but it would be the fault of those to whom God had lent His money. . . . I saw that God did not want James to stop yet, but he must write, write, write, write, and speed the message and let it go. I saw that it would go where God's servants cannot go.' "—Id., pp. 51, 52.
As he continues with the story, note his confidence in the acceptance of the vision by some who had misunderstood:
"My way now seems to be made plain and I hope all my brethren will do their duty, and no more nor less. . . I do not doubt for a moment Brother Bates's good will and kindness toward us, still he does not see everything correctly at one glance. I shall write him this vision, which will, no doubt, make him see a little differently on some things. I hope to be humble and faithful in my work. I need all your advice and prayers."—Id., pp. 52, 53.
Publishing of the Advent Review
At the conference held at Paris, Maine, in November, 1850, the paper was enlarged, and the name changed to Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. In the summer of 1830, Elder White laid plans for a new publication. He announces his expectations in a letter still preserved on file.
"The Lord has shown Ellen that I must publish the testimonies of those who acknowledge the work done and the advent move of God after 1844. Now this is my first work. I expect to get out a paper called the Advent Review, sixteen pages, the size of the Present Truth. . . . The cause calls for it. I hope to get out six numbers, 3,000 copies each; will cost $250. I shall move as the means comes in. . . My way is onward. Men of Israel, help. Now is the time to work for God."—Id., p. 75.
The undaunted couple were warned of difficulties and trials before them in this enterprise. Note these words written at the time:
"The Lord showed me some weeks ago that as James would begin to republish what the leaders had written in '44 [in Advent Review] upon the truth, Satan would try to hinder us, but we must struggle for the victory and go on. It has been just so. He knows this work will hurt his cause and save some jewels ; that is why he rages so, but he is driven back."—Ellen G. White Letter, Aug. 15, 1850. Record Book, p. 178.
Four numbers of the paper were published in August and September, 1850. They were issued by a publishing committee comprised of Hiram Edson, David Arnold, George W. Holt, S. W. Rhodes, and James White. The leading articles were republished in September, in a forty-eight-page combined number. In November, the fifth and last number of the series appeared.
Captain Joseph Bates was a health reformer from early days, having given up the use of alcohol in 1821 ("Life of Bates," p. 148) ; tobacco in 1823 (Id., p. 178) ; tea and coffee about 1828 (Id., pp. 341. 342) ; meat and rich foods in 1843 (Health Reformer, July, 1871, p: 2, col. 1). In 1827, he led out in organizing one of the first temperance societies in America ("Life of Bates," pp. 2II-2I3). Adventists generally, however, and Sabbathkeeping Adventists for a time following the disappointment, gave little or no attention to the question ,Of physical habits or health. The first recorded revelation to Ellen White involving reform in manner of living was in 1848. We present the story in documented outline form:
1. Vision Regarding Tobacco, Tea, and Coffee (1848).—"It was twenty-two years ago the present autumn 1184811 that our minds were called to the injurious effects of tobacco, tea, and coffee, through the testimony of Mrs. White."—James White, Review and Herald, Nov. 8, 1870, p. 165, col. 2. ("Counsels on Diet and Foods," pp. 495, 496.)
2. Tobacco Using Reproved in 1851.
"I have seen in vision that tobacco was a filthy weed, and that it must be laid aside or given Up." "Unless it is given up, the frown of God will be upon the one that uses it, and he cannot be sealed with the seal of the living God."—Ellen G. White Letter 8,1851. (Dec. 14, 1851.)
3. Further Light in 1854.—In vision (Feb. 12, 1854), advance steps relating to physical habits were set forth:
a. Cleanliness.—"I then saw a lack of cleanliness among Sabhathkeepers." "I saw that God would not acknowledge an untidy. unclean person as a Christian. His frown is upon such."—E. G. White MS. 3, 1854. (Feb. 12, 1854.)
b. Rich food.—"I then saw that appetite must be denied, that rich food should not be prepared."-Ibid.
c. Fine food.—"Eat less fine food ; eat coarse food, free from grease."—Ibid.
Many Revelations of Future Events
Thus, step by step the foundation was laid for the more advanced phases of reform, the earlier counsels dealing with the more apparent abuses and transgressions.
During this formative period many revelations were given to picture to the scattered flock future events in their order, thus aiding in a preparation for the second advent. One has but to scan "Experience and Views" (1851) (reprinted as "Early 'Writings," pp. 11-78) to observe this. Here are a few outstanding instances, together with the periods covered:
1. First Vision ("Early Writings," pp. 14- 17) : Disappointment, 1844, to rewards in New Jerusalem.
2. Vision of New Earth ("Early Writings," pp. 17-20) : Descent of New Jerusalem and New Earth.
3. Vision of Importance of Sabbath ("Early Writings," pp. 32-35) : Close of advent movement to ascension of redeemed.
4. The Sealing ("Early Writings," pp. 36-38) : Jesus' ministry in most holy place, holding four winds, to close of probation.
5. To the Little Flock ("Early Writings," pp. 48-52) : Destruction of earthly possessions, close of the work, and destruction of wicked.
6. Last Plagues and the Judgment ("Early Writings," pp. 52-54) : Seven last plagues, work of redeemed during i,000 years, and events connected with destruction of wicked and new earth.
7. Mark of the Beast ("Early Writings," pp. 64-67) : View of seven last plagues.
Great Controversy Vision of 1848
It is of particular interest to note that early in this critical, formative period, and in the very year of the historic Sabbath conferences, there should be opened up to Ellen White a comprehensive view of the great conflict through the ages. Although it was not made a matter of record at the time, we can ascertain the scope of this important vision by a statement made in 1860. Describing the 1858 controversy vision, Ellen White states:
"In this vision of Lovett's Grove [in 1858], most of the matter of the great controversy which I had seen ten years before [in 1848] was repeated, and I was shown I must write it out."—"Spiritual Gifts," Vol. II, p, 170. ("Life Sketches," p. 162.) (Italics mine.)
The description of the revelation regarding the great controversy constitutes the entire first volume of "Spiritual Gifts" (1858). ("Early Writings," pp. 145-295.) Note the comprehensiveness of the revelation:
1. Lucifer's rebellion in heaven.
2. Fall of man and plan of salvation.
3. Ministry and sacrifice of Christ.
4. Early church and work of apostles.
5. Great apostasy.
6. Reformation of sixteenth century.
7. Advent movement.
8. First, second, and third angels' messages.
9. A firm platform.
10. Closing of the message.
11. Scenes connected with second advent. 1. Millennium. in. Final eradication of sin.
Truly, this twelve-year formative period was crowded with significant experiences in the work of God.
