Ellen White wrote extensively about the National Reform Association, warning that it posed a serious threat to religious liberty. She explained that "the organization which embodies almost every form, and works in every way to gain its end, is the National Reform Association" (
GC88 688.2). This movement originated from a conference representing eleven different Christian denominations and gained support from prominent church leaders, the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and the Prohibition Party. The Association's stated goals were deeply concerning. Ellen White noted that it proposed to amend the national constitution in order to constitute a Christian government,one "acknowledging almighty God as the source of all authority and power in civil government, the Lord Jesus Christ as the ruler among the nations, His revealed will as the supreme law of the land" (
GC88 688.2). This would place "all Christian laws, institutions, and usages of our government on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land" (
GC88 688.2).
The rhetoric from National Reform leaders revealed their intentions toward religious enforcement. Ellen White quoted various leaders, including David Gregg, D.D., who claimed the state has "the right to command the consciences of men" (
GC88 688.2). The Christian Statesman declared that government must "enforce upon all that come among us the laws of Christian morality" (
GC88 688.2). Even more alarming, Rev. E. B. Graham stated that "if the opponents of the Bible do not like our government and its Christian features, let them go to some wild, desolate land; and, in the name of the devil, and for the sake of the devil, subdue it, and set up a government of their own on infidel and atheistic ideas" (
GC88 688.2).
Ellen White also warned about the connection between this movement and Rome. She noted that "as the purpose of the national reform association is identical with that of rome, it is only to be expected that they should show a readiness to 'gladly join hands'" (
GC88 689.1). She explained that "whenever Protestantism gains control of the civil power, whether with or without the aid of Rome, that will be but to erect an image of the papacy" (
GC88 689.1). She was deeply concerned that Adventist leaders were not taking this threat seriously enough. Ellen White wrote: "When the National Reformers began to urge measures to restrict religious liberty, our leading men should have been alive to the situation and should have labored earnestly to counteract these efforts" (
5T 714.2).
She lamented that "the National Reform movement has been regarded by some as of so little importance that they have not thought it necessary to give much attention to it and have even felt that in so doing they would be giving time to questions distinct from the third angel's message" (
5T 714.2). She concluded with a plea: "May the Lord forgive our brethren for thus interpreting the very message for this time" (
5T 714.2). --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
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