James White, George Butler, Uriah Smith and Ellen White on the Doxology

Originally published on Facebook, June 9 at 5:45 AM

Here recently I have been privileged to interact with a leading brother who believes in God the Father and His pre-incarnate only begotten Son. While we discussed many interesting things I noted, during our conversation, that he seemed to have a bit of disdain for the doxology. And here on facebook, just a few days ago, another brother issued this interesting response to an EGW quote that positively referenced the doxology.

Brother A wrote: So EGW invited demons in her ranks? [End Quote]

No, sister White did not invite demons into the ranks by positively referring to the doxology. This is one of the extreme arguments that this forum is designed to correct. Therefore, in an effort to help this type of argument from being made again in the future, please let me share a few facts with you about the SDA pioneer view of the doxology.

James White’s View:

Cover-James White's 1849 Hymnal
Inside cover-James White's 1849 Hymnal
Doxology in 1849 Hymnal #53

The picture up above (click to enlarge) is actually from the very first SDA hymnbook. It was called “ Hymns for God’s Peculiar People, that Keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus.” That’s a mouthful huh? Lol! Well this little songbook was published by none other than the SDA luminary James White. And what concerns us is in Hymn # 53. As you can see for yourself, up above, it reads like this:

“HYMN 53.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him all creatures here below;

Praise him, above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. [End Quote]

Now it is beyond contesting that elder White did not ascribe to the doctrine of the trinity. Yet, as this picture evidences, neither did he have a problem singing the doxology. He actually included it for all SDAs to sing in the first hymnal and the church was clearly non-trinitarian back then. I would like to suggest to you friends that our pioneers were more broad minded in their understanding and application of the original foundation than some are today who claim to be standing upon it. This hymn is clearly not demonic and neither is its line about “praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost” ascribing any praise to the fallen cherub. We need to purge all such thinking from our minds.

George Butler’s and Uriah Smith’s View:

Now George Butler was not a trintiarian. He actually opposed J.H. Kellogg when he adopted a view of the holy Spirit as a separate person. And Uriah Smith is probably the most well known non-trintiarian of the SDA pioneers! Yet did you know that they both had a great deal to do with a SDA hymn book too? This one was made in 1886 and it is entitled “The Seventh-day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book” (see pics below-click to enlarge the images). I will also included a scan of the minutes for the 14th meeting of the General Conference on November 19th, 1884 where we can see when this was commissioned. “FOURTEENTH MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 1884, 2:30 P.M.

Cover of 1886 Hymnal
Inside cover of 1886 Hymnal
1886 Hymnal, pg. 99 “God in three persons, blessed trinity” modified to “God over all, who rules eternity"

Prayer by Elder Haskell. Minutes of last meeting approved. The statistics of the different conferences were read for the purpose of correction.

The committee on new hymn book reported as follows:–

“We, your committee to consider plans for the production of a new hymn book, would submit the following report:–

“1. That a committee of twenty-five, of whom Elder George I. Butler shall be chairman and Elder U. Smith secretary, shall be chosen to gather up both hymns and music, and each individual, after due examination of what he collects, shall send it to the secretary of the committee.

“2. That there be a central committee of seven, with the same president and secretary, who shall examine all hymns and tunes sent to them, and shall have power to call to their aid such musical talent as may be needed to help them in their work; and this committee shall make a report at the next session of the General Conference of the progress made toward a new hymn book.

“3. We suggest the following names for the committee of twenty-five: George I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, Uriah Smith, J. H. Waggoner, W. C. White, Charles Jones, S. Brownsberger, W. H. Littlejohn, J. E. White, C. C. Lewis, Professor E. Barnes, Frank Belden, B. L. Whitney, O. A. Olsen, G. C. Tenney, E. W. Farnsworth, L. McCoy, R. M. Kilgore, E. W. Whitney, R. F. Cottrell, D. B. Oviatt, D. A. Robinson, A. J. Cudney, J. G. Matteson, M. C. Wilcox.

“4. We suggest that the following persons be the central committee: George I. Butler, W. H. Littlejohn, U. Smith, J. E. White, J. H. Waggoner, W. C. White, Professor E. Barnes. I. D. Van Horn, H. W. Decker, R. F. Andrews, M. H. Brown, William Ostrander, Committee.” [End Quote]

Now, at this point in time in SDA history, the view of the brethren was clearly non-trinitarian. Yet guess what song they included in the hymnal? You guessed it! The doxology. It’s on pg 256. You can see it for yourself (see picture attached).

So then does this mean that they had become trinitarians? No, it does not. In fact on pg 99 of this same hymnal they changed the last line of the song “Holy, holy, holy” from reading “God in three persons, blessed trinity” to reading “God over all, who rules eternity” (see attached photo above). This is a clear evidence that they still did not ascribe to the doctrine of the trinity but even so, were quite comfortable singing a hymn of praise to Father, Son and Spirit collectively.

Uriah Smith’s Apology (defense) of the doxology:

Now, as one might expect, there was some question about this particular hymn and Uriah Smith actually defended its usage in a quote that stuns many modern day SDA non-trinitarians:

Uriah Smith-Apology as it appears on the publication

“Do the Scriptures warrant the praise or worship of the Holy Spirit? If not, does not the last line of the doxology contain an unscriptural sentiment? D. H.

Answer.— We know of no place in the Bible where we are commanded to worship the Holy Spirit, as was commanded in the case of Christ (Heb. 1 : 6), or where we find an example of the worship of the Holy Spirit, as in the case of Christ. Luke 21: 52. Yet in the formula for baptism, the name ” Holy Ghost,” or “Holy Spirit,” is associated with that of the Father and the Son. And if the name can be thus used, why could it not properly stand as a part of the same trinity in the hymn of praise, ” Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ” (Uriah Smith, Review and Herald Oct 27th, 1896, pg. 685)

So Uriah Smith himself defended the usage of doxology on the basis of the formula for baptism in Matthew 28:19. If the holy Spirit could be associated with Father and Son there, he argued, then why could it not properly stand as a part of the same trinity in the hymn of praise? A reasonable argument if I’ve ever heard one.

Note: Please note that this was a generic usage of the word “trinity” and not the creedal doctrine or even the doctrine held by the SDA church today. Even after this quote, Uriah Smith still upheld begotten theology and taught a doctrine that he called the “evolution of the deity.” I can prove that if anyone doubts it.

Ellen White’s view:

Now here we will look at the view of an inspired author. The pen of inspiration has several references to the doxology.

Review and Herald, January 4th, 1881, cover page.
Starting page of EGW's Review and Herald, January 4th, 1881 article.
EGW's reference to doxology in Review and Herald, January 4th, 1881, pg. 5

“….Let cheerful freewill-offerings be brought to the Lord, let us consecrate to Him all that we are, and all that we have, and then may we all unite to swell the songs,—“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise him, all creatures here below;Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” {Review and Herald January 4, 1881, p. 5 Art. C, par. 18, 19}

Letter:

“The Lord gave me special victory as I spoke from the third chapter of First John. The people listened with great earnestness, and seemed to drink in the words of life. After I had finished speaking Elder Corliss, seeing that the people were deeply moved, asked all who desired to give themselves to the Lord to come forward. More than one hundred responded. Elder Corliss’s son and his wife came forward, and this almost overcame the father. The Spirit of God was in the meeting, and His power was felt. We knew that Christ and the angels were with us. At the close, the voices of all in that large congregation pealed forth in singing the doxology, and we know that God and the angels rejoiced. {Lt149-1900.14}

Journal Entry:

“As I ceased speaking Brother Hoskins started the doxology, and the whole congregation rose to their feet and poured out their voice in {Ms39-1892.36}

“Praise God from whom all blessing flow,

“Praise Him all creatures here below,

“Praise Him above ye heavenly host,

“Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” {Ms39-1892.37}

Stenography Report:

“If any one comes to you and begins to tell you of the faults of another, if you cannot stop that voice in any other way, lift your voice and sing the doxology… {Ms4-1885.8}

Posthumous publication (based on journal entry):

“As I ceased speaking, Brother Hoskins started the doxology and the whole congregation rose and with clear voice sang the praise of God. The expression of the heart poured forth in thanksgiving to God, how musical it was. I never listened to the voice of song more fitted to the occasion, or that came forth from human lips with more earnestness and power. I knew that many had seen the light of truth as they never had before.” {EA 21.2}

It is irrefutable that Mrs. White used and endorsed the doxology. In fact she even wrote this:

“It should be remembered that singing as a part of religious service is as much an act of worship as is the prayer…” {ST June 22, 1882, par. 20}

That has clear implications for how we relate to the heavenly trio doesn’t it? Brothers and sisters in Jesus, I would suggest to you that the SDA pioneers had broad minds and were not narrow in their thinking. If we really want to return to their position then let us do so indeed, including their broad-mindedness! Please think about it.

When you go to worship God and His Son corporately, whether it is in a building designated for worship, like a church, or within a home fellowship, do you just approach it any old way? Or do you believe in demonstrating reverence as you enter into house of God? And if you say the latter then why? Are you in the physical or tangible presence of God or Christ? No, for They are in heaven! So then what presence is there with you that compels such reverence? Is it not the spiritual presence of God and Christ by the holy Spirit?

“True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence. With this sense of the Unseen, every heart should be deeply impressed. The hour and place of prayer are sacred, because God is there. And as reverence is manifested in attitude and demeanor, the feeling that inspires it will be deepened…” {PK 48.3}

And if you will show such reverence due to the presence of the holy Spirit of God then why in the world would you say that to sing a hymn of praise that includes It, along with Father and Son, is demonic? Isn’t that illogical? Based on the quotes, I feel safe to say, that the SDA pioneers mentioned above would certainly view it that way.

So therefore let us have liberty on this matter. If you cannot sing the doxology, in good conscience, because you cannot find praise for the holy Spirit within the Bible and/or because you know that many have a false conception of God when they sing it, then so be it. Those are valid and good reasons not to sing it. Yet, let us simultaneously give liberty to those who do wish to sing it because they find it explicit within the testimonies and because they have a clear and definite conception of the heavenly trio that does not negate God the Father as the great Source of all, His only begotten Son as the receiver of all things, and the mysteriously-natured holy Spirit as the omnipresent personal representative of Them Both.

Below is a video viewing of the original Adventist hymnals, dated 1886, 1888 and 1895 from the Southern Adventist University Library vault, containing the doxology (hymn 256).

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10 Responses

  1. Praise God from whom all blessings flow
    Praise Him all creatures here below
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

    Thank you my brother

  2. Praise God from whom all blessings flow
    Praise Him all creatures here below
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

    Thank you my brother

  3. Lovely. It is really emancipating for me because I’ve always felt confused about this matter. Above all let every man be persuaded in their own mind.

  4. Lovely. It is really emancipating for me because I’ve always felt confused about this matter. Above all let every man be persuaded in their own mind.

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