Editor’s Note ii

To the Reader v

Chapter 1. Who Are These Reformers? 1 Lifelong Reformers 1 Disgruntled Adventists 2 New Members 4 Spirit of Criticism 5

Chapter 2. Origin of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement 6 German Adventism Before and During World War I 6 Development of Protest 8 Attempts to Resolve the German Situation 11 Reform Movement Mind-Set 16

Chapter 3. History of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement 18 A Motto Misapplied 19 The Great Reform Schism 22 Attitudes Toward Education 25 Reformation Study Course 26 Fruitage of the Movement 27

Chapter 4. One Man’s Pilgrimage From Sinai to Calvary 30 Home Years 30 Service in the Reform Movement 33 Doctrinal Differences 37 Separation 41

Chapter 5. Mistaken Concepts—Part 1 44 Spirit of Pharisaism 44 Attitudes Toward Military Service 46 Developments after the American Civil War 56

Chapter 6. Mistaken Concepts—Part 2 60 Liberty of Conscience 60 Divorce and Remarriage 62 Healthful Living 64

Chapter 7. Divergent Doctrines 67 The 1888 Message 67 The 144,000 71 Closed Communion 73 Gospel Commission 74 The Remnant and the Laodicean Message 77 Nature of the Godhead 79

Chapter 8. The Wheat and Tares 82

Chapter 9. Conclusion 86

The author of this booklet grew up in a family devoted to the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement. His father served in its ministry in the United States. Pastor Kramer himself eventually entered the worker force of the Reform Movement and, together with his wife, gave many years of dedicated ministerial service both in the field and later in responsible administrative posts. In these pages pastor Kramer recounts his pilgrimage of faith which eventually led him and his family to leave the church of his childhood and active labors to become a Seventh-day Adventist. In telling his experience he examines in a kind and honest manner the basic doctrines which separate the Reform Movement from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. If, after reading this booklet, you hear the call of the Lord to change the direction you have taken in the past—if even to just say, Lord, I want to study these matters further—Pastor Kramer would like to hear from you. You may contact him by writing to him in care of the Biblical Research Institute, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.