Small Beginnings, Bright with Promise
A handful of Christians dedicated to an open search of truth. They accept the Millerite message in 1843. In 1851 Ellen White visits the congregation. Her detractor and critic, Stephen Smith, is separated from fellowship. In 1857 White writes to Smith, but he locks the despised letter, unopened, in a trunk and forgets it.
Slowly the fortunes of the congregation wane. By 1867 the congregation has dwindled. Services are no longer held. Attempted revival fails. “They’re all hypocrites,” cries one teenager.
Then holdout is Stephen Smith. Then, in 1885, he opens the letter!
A Who’s Who of Adventist pioneers, the church at Washington, New Hamsphire, might be regarded as the birthplace of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Mark Ford’s illustrated historical account is an inspiring record of God’s leading in denominational history.