Chapter 57—Organization
August 3, 1861, I was shown that some have feared that our
churches would become Babylon if they should organize; but those in
central New York have been perfect Babylon, confusion. And now un-
less the churches are so organized that they can carry out and enforce
order, they have nothing to hope for in the future; they must scatter
into fragments. Previous teachings have nourished the elements of
disunion. A spirit has been cherished to watch and accuse, rather than
to build up. If ministers of God would unitedly take their position, and
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maintain it with decision, there would be a uniting influence among the
flock of God. Separating bars would be broken to fragments. Hearts
would flow together and unite like drops of water. Then there would
be a power and strength in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers far exceeding
anything we have yet witnessed.
The hearts of God’s servants are made sad as they journey from
church to church, by meeting the opposing influence of other minister-
ing brethren. There are those who have stood ready to oppose every
advance step that God’s people have taken. The hearts of those who
have dared to venture out are saddened and distressed by the lack of
union of action on the part of their fellow laborers. We are living in a
solemn time. Satan and evil angels are working with mighty power,
with the world on their side to help them. And professed Sabbath-
keepers who claim to believe solemn, important truth unite their forces
with the combined influence of the powers of darkness to distract and
tear down that which God designs to build up. The influence of such
is recorded as of those who retard the advancement of reform among
God’s people.
The agitation of the subject of organization has revealed a great lack
of moral courage on the part of the ministers proclaiming present truth.
Some who were convinced that organization was right have failed to
stand up boldly and advocate it. They let some few understand that
they favored it. Was this all that God required of them? No; He was
displeased with their cowardly silence and lack of action. They feared
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