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Historical Foreword
xiii
Battle Creek College was built. Thus three major institutional devel-
opments forged ahead in Battle Creek, drawing an ever-enlarging
number of Seventh-day Adventists into a rapidly growing denomi-
[xix]
national center. Men of business experience were called in to care
for the business interests of the institutions. As the business interests
expanded and developed and prospered, some of these men came
to trust more in their business acumen than in God’s messages of
guidance. To them, business was business
.
Before a decade had passed the denomination was confronted
with a struggle between the interests of an educational program
founded on Spirit of prophecy principles and the educational pro-
gram of the world, guided by men steeped in worldly policies and
methods
.
The pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church were largely
self-made men. They were men of consecration, ability, and skill.
One has but to read their writings to discern this. But, knowing the
limitations of their scholastic backgrounds, they were inclined to feel
very humble. When there came into their midst in the early 1880’s
an educator bearing his degrees, it is not surprising that he should be
pushed ahead into the position of leadership in the educational work.
Elevated quickly to a position of high trust at a time when he knew
but little of the doctrines and history of Seventh-day Adventists, he
was found to be unprepared for the responsibilities placed upon him
.
The issues became painfully acute, with leaders and laymen in
Battle Creek taking sides. Some were swept off their feet by the
leadership of an educator with his degrees, while others endeavored
to stand with those things set forth in the Spirit of prophecy counsels.
The outcome was disastrous to the college and to the experience of
those involved. Battle Creek College was closed for a year. Things
said and positions taken left their marks on the experience of not a
few leaders and church members
.
[xx]
It was in this period that the articles comprising
Testimonies
for the Church, 5:9-98
, were published, first in a pamphlet entitled
Testimony for the Battle Creek Church
. This pamphlet included not
only that which was later republished in volume 5, but also more
personal references dealing with individuals and situations in Battle
Creek. One needs but to read the titles to sense the atmosphere of