Appendix
655
how this desire might be effected so that “we as a people” might act to
secure the above advantages
.
Among the first responses to this request was one from the Brother
B referred to in this connection, in which he expressed his conviction
that it would be wrong to incorporate as a religious body according to
law. This he held would be “making us a name,” as was the purpose
of the builders of the tower of Babel, and would “lie at the foundation
of Babylon.” As for insuring the meeting houses, were they not the
Lord’s property, and could he not take care of his own without the aid
of insurance companies? Further, said he, those who lend money to the
office should not insist on having a note signed by a legal corporation,
for “they lend it to the Lord, and they must trust the Lord for it.”—
The
Review and Herald, March 22, 1860
.
After much discussion the misgivings regarding the propriety of
legally organizing the publishing office were largely overcome, and at
a conference held in September, 1860, the Advent Review Publishing
Association was formed. A few months later the name was changed
to the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. Even after this
step there still remained with some a reluctance to enter into church
organization, and the subject continued to be discussed. However, with
the large majority favoring organization, the movement proceeded,
first by the organization of churches, then of state conferences, and,
finally in 1863, of the General Conference
.
The testimony on “Organization” (pages 270-272) speaks of the
opposition that was encountered in New York State to this move and
of the vision given regarding it
.
[716]
Page 292—The magicians did not really cause their rods to become
serpents; but by magic, aided by the great deceiver, they were able to
produce this appearance. It was beyond the power of Satan to change
the rods to living serpents. The prince of evil, though possessing all
the wisdom and might of an angel fallen, has not power to create or
to give life; this is the prerogative of God alone. But all that was in
Satan’s power to do he did; he produced a counterfeit. To human
sight the rods were changed to serpents. Such they were believed to
be by Pharaoh and his court. There was nothing in their appearance
to distinguish them from the serpent produced by Moses and Aaron.
Thus the testimony speaks of it in the language of the Scriptures; while