It was not long before the early Adventists had a break away. This was Stephenson and Hall of Wisconsin. They created a journal entitled The Messenger and thus were called the Messenger party. They preached what was then termed the "age to come" doctrine which taught that there would be a second chance for salvation during the 1000 year Millennium.

Alliance Broke Down

There was a shaky alliance between the Adventists who held that view and those who did not. The agreement was that Stephenson and Hall would not preach the doctrine if the Review would not print anything contrary to it.

The agreement broke down and Ellen White states that Stephenson and Hall both took advantage of James White's spirit of trying to work with them.

Whatever the case, the Messenger Party demonstrates that even in the very beginning there were differences over the doctrines.

Truth or Our Theories

Sister White says that they were convicted of the truths that came from her visions, but they sacrificed that truth for the Age-To-Come doctrine. We all have doctrinal understandings. It is impossible for us not to construct a theological foundation and understanding. However as we construct these foundations, we must always make our construction subservient to the truths as they come to us. And if Adventism has taught us anything it is that truth is a progressive march on to the brighter day of found in God's future.