Adventist Heritage Stories

October has been traditionally Adventist heritage Month.  Ever since the Great Disappointment of 1844, when on October 22 Millerite followers expected Jesus to come, Adventists look back at that date seeking a renewed hope, and knowing that there was god’s hand even in their disappointment (Revelation 10).

I picked up a new book published by a secular Oxford press.  A compilation of articles about Ellen G. White titled “Ellen Harmon White. American prophet.”  As I read through historical research there a lot of interesting details about our heritage.  I will share some that these may serve as an encouragement for us today.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in 1841 “an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man,” suggesting that people of significance leave a legacy behind, by establishing an institution that will outlast them, and survive in time.  Consider the LEGACY left by Ellen. G. White.  One cannot deny the Divine inspiration through her as a person influencing what is the Seventh-day Adventist world wide movement.  But things were not easy.

A book by George Knight “lest we forget” published as 2009 daily devotional shared 365 unfamiliar stories.  I will share some unfamiliar facts here too.

When in July 1849 James White located a printer who was willing to publish his paper Present Truth on credit, with postage due to recipients, and expecting that people will send money after receiving the paper (how crazy is that?! Imagine London Free Press sending you the paper, and hoping you will send them money for it J!!!).  By September of that year the publication was fully paid.  It was done by faith because Ellen told her husband of the vision that she saw.  But other leaders did not support it.  Joseph Bates, the elder statesman, objected to any publishing, as he feared it would create an institution from the movement.  For 13 month, from December 1849 to January 1851, Bates refused to support the paper, and discouraged James White so much, that James vowed to give up publishing “forever”!  James suffered physical exhaustion trying to build things up while his senior leader was tearing things down.  Just think – 13 month!  Imagine the leading pastor objecting to the first elder for 13 month J  In all this Ellen did not give up, because of visions she had.  And finally her strong words got through to Bates, just as James quit, Bates began to write and became a wholehearted supporter of the Advent Review, becoming a major fundraiser specialist for the press.

Just because leaders disagree it does not mean that god is not in the project.  Some may just need more time to hear from the Holy Spirit.  The conviction and determination of those called, of those who received a mission from God will be the driving force behind God-led projects.