“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4, KJV).

ABSTRACT

The article shows how the 1888 message of righteousness by faith exposed deep division, invited personal repentance, and revealed that only a living faith in Christ can heal the church and unite believers in God’s refining love.

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH: A FIRE IGNITES DIVISION

The 1888 General Conference in Minneapolis marked a pivotal moment in church history, introducing the message of righteousness by faith that polarized the community into acceptors and resisters, highlighting stories of personal transformation and tragic rejection, revealing a profound spiritual crisis, emphasizing the ongoing sifting process, and ultimately demonstrating God’s refining love amid division. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ, as the initial factions at the conference illustrate the dangers of hesitation and outright opposition. Scripture reveals that “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, KJV), underscoring the peace that comes from embracing this truth. Moreover, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, KJV), affirming that salvation is a divine gift received through faith alone. In Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers we read, “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 91, 1923). Through inspired counsel we are told, “Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 92, 1923). This pivotal event calls the community to reflect on how embracing righteousness by faith can bridge divides and foster spiritual renewal, but what happens when key figures initially resist this transformative message?

THE 1888 GENERAL CONFERENCE: A CRUCIBLE OF FAITH

The 1888 General Conference in Minneapolis wasn’t just another meeting; it was a crucible. The message of righteousness by faith, like a lightning strike, illuminated the spiritual landscape, revealing deep fissures within the Church. Initially, three factions emerged: those who embraced the message, those who outright rejected it, and a hesitant group caught in the middle. This middle ground, however, proved as unstable as shifting sand. Soon, the church polarized, cleaving into two distinct camps: those who accepted and those who resisted this pivotal truth. This division, like a scar, would mark the church for years to come, exposing profound questions about faith and allegiance within its ranks. Among those who initially rejected the message were Uriah Smith and L.R. Conradi. This initial rejection planted seeds that would later bear bitter fruit. Revealing its role clearly, righteousness by faith demands full acceptance, as “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5, KJV). In the midst of division, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16, KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through brethren Waggoner and Jones” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 91, 1923). The inspired pen reminds us, “By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 91, 1923). The experience of 1888 teaches the community the importance of openness to divine truth, but how did one prominent figure navigate from doubt to full embrace of this message?

URIAH SMITH: A PATH FROM DOUBT TO ACCEPTANCE

Uriah Smith, a giant in Adventist publishing, initially stood against the message of righteousness by faith. Recognizing his immense contributions to the church’s early publishing work, expressed a deep personal connection, stating, “I hoped to always see his name at the head of the list of editors for The Review and Herald, as he had been deeply involved in the church’s early struggles”. Despite his initial error, God hadn’t abandoned him. Smith’s eventual acceptance of the message serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of repentance and the boundless grace of God. His journey, like a testament to God’s enduring love, shows us how divine correction is meant to draw us closer to Him, not cast us aside. It reminds me that even when I stumble, God’s hand is still outstretched, ready to lift me up. Christ, through His redemptive work, offers restoration, as “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, KJV). Moreover, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12, KJV). Ellen G. White wrote, “The Lord would have every one of his believing children rich in faith; and this is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1538, 1888). A passage from The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials reminds us, “It is God’s purpose that we should be educated by providential experience and be habitual learners, building securely on Jesus Christ, the only sure foundation, which will stand fast forever” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 363, 1888). Smith’s transformation highlights the grace available to all who turn back, but what are the perils when resistance to truth persists without repentance?

L.R. CONRADI: A TRAGEDY OF REJECTION

In stark contrast to Smith, L.R. Conradi never embraced the message of righteousness by faith. His resistance to Sr. White and the Spirit of Prophecy, coupled with his rejection of the message championed by A.T. Jones and E.J. Waggoner, led him down a path of dissent, sowing seeds of unbelief within the church. Conradi’s influence, particularly in Europe, was significant, and his actions contributed to a major crisis in 1914. Conradi’s story serves as a chilling reminder of the perilous consequences of rejecting divine guidance. His unwavering opposition, like a cancer, spread throughout the church, demonstrating how rejecting divine counsel can entrench one in error, leading to division, apostasy, and a harvest of sorrow. It makes me reflect on how crucial it is for me to remain open to God’s leading, even when it challenges my preconceived notions. Rejection of truth hardens the heart, as “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1, KJV). Furthermore, “Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:10, KJV). In The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials we read, “And then these leaders, in the blindness of their minds, give full sway to what is supposed to be righteous indignation against the ones who have set aside cherished fables. They act like men that have lost their reason. They do not consider the possibility that they themselves have not rightly understood the word” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1545, 1888). Through inspired counsel we are told, “Finite, sinful men are not to work the Holy Spirit. When it shall come as a reprover, through any human agent whom God shall choose, it is man’s place to hear and obey its voice” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1540, 1888). Conradi’s path warns of the lasting impact of unyielding resistance, but how did this rejection contribute to a broader spiritual crisis in the church?

THE CHURCH IN CRISIS: A SPIRITUAL SIFTING

The aftermath of 1888 plunged the Church into a precarious state. By 1893, Sr. White issued a sobering assessment: “Not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history”. This stark declaration unveiled the profound spiritual crisis gripping the church. Many professed faith, but their hearts were far from God, their lives indistinguishable from the world. The church, like a field overrun with weeds, was filled with those whose spirits remained unsubdued, their lifestyles mirroring the very culture they claimed to be separate from. This devastating reality underscored the desperate need for revival and reformation. We must examine our hearts and ensure that our profession of faith is more than just words. Spiritual apathy invites divine intervention, as “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Revelation 3:2, KJV). Additionally, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV). Sr. White wrote, “The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217, 1889). A prophetic voice once wrote, “Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217, 1889). The crisis of 1888 calls for self-examination and renewal, but how does this sifting process continue to shape the community’s faith today?

THE SIFTING CONTINUES: A CALL TO DISCERNMENT

As trials multiplied, the tension between unity and division within the Church intensified, creating a sharper distinction between those anchored in truth and those destined to fall away. This ongoing sifting process, like a refiner’s fire, reveals the true mettle of our faith. We are called, each one of us, to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are not merely professing faith, but living it out in every aspect of our lives. Trials purify the faithful, as “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, KJV). Moreover, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3, KJV). In Testimonies for the Church we read, “As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 400, 1901). Through inspired counsel we are told, “Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 400, 1901). The sifting demands vigilant discernment, but how does God’s love manifest even in the midst of such division and refinement?

GOD’S LOVE IN THE MIDST OF DIVISION

God’s love, often misunderstood, is not always comfortable. It’s a love that refines, tests, and purifies. As Sr. White wrote, “God’s reproof is not given to us to destroy us, but to correct our errors, to lead us to repentance, that He may save us”. The compassionate motive behind God’s dealings with His people highlights His intent. The 1888 experience, though painful, served as a crucible, exposing the church’s weaknesses so that it could be purified. The division that occurred, while tragic, ultimately revealed the true spiritual condition of its members. This painful process, like a surgeon’s scalpel, was necessary to remove the spiritual cancer that threatened the church’s life. God’s love, like a skilled physician, seeks to heal and restore, even if it requires painful measures. It is a love that desires our ultimate good, our conformity to His image. This understanding allows me to see even the difficult times as opportunities for growth and spiritual renewal. We can learn from the past and allow God’s love to refine us, to mold us into the people He desires us to be. Just as a potter shapes clay, God is working on each of us, perfecting us for His kingdom. Divine love unites amid trials, as “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16, KJV). Furthermore, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18, KJV). A passage from Testimonies for the Church reminds us, “Union is strength; division is weakness” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 236, 1889). The inspired pen affirms, “When those who believe present truth are united, they exert a telling influence” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 236, 1889). Embracing this love transforms division into opportunities for deeper unity and growth.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into the truths of righteousness by faith, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about righteousness by faith in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of righteousness by faith and God’s refining love amid division?