Meeting Places

“A compilation of writings by ELLEN G. WHITE, answering the question, “Is it proper and permissible for God’s people to gather and hold meetings in places other than their own churches?”

At times, thoughts have been advanced by some individuals that it is improper for God’s people to hold their religious meetings in rented churches of other denominations, halls, or other public places when the church does not have its own house of worship. Such action has been branded by these individuals as apostasy and as being equal to worshiping at Baal’s altar.

We regard this as an extreme view and believe we are safe in taking the well-considered position that we shall not take any false stand as long as we follow the instruction and guidance of the Bible and the Testimonies, which contain much historical information as well as direct inspired counsel on this point.

“The danger that threatens our churches is that new and strange things will be brought in, things that confuse the minds of the people, and give them no strength, at the very time when they most need strength in spiritual things. Every phase of fanaticism and erroneous theories, claiming to be the truth, will be brought in among the remnant people of God. These will fill minds with erroneous sentiments, which have no part in the truth for this time.

Quotations from PRACTICAL ADDRESSES AND NOTES OF TRAVEL, by Ellen G. White

“Friday evening I spoke in Temperance Hall, on the subject of Temperance in the Home. Sunday afternoon we had another meeting of the brethren and sisters, and in the evening I spoke in the Town Hall. The ‘Union Temperance Prize Choir’ volunteered to come and sing.” P. 162.

“Our first meeting was held on Friday evening, in a little fourth-story hall close at hand, used for Sabbath meetings by our people.” P. 180.

“After some effort, however, the brethren secured a hall which they assured us would meet the requirements. What was our surprise, upon going to the place for service, to find it in the basement of a building, in the upper stories of which were halls for dancing, and places for drinking. The room was large enough to accommodate two hundred persons, but contained seats for only half as many. It was quite damp, the moisture at times being plainly seen on the walls. One evening, while I was speaking, some young men from the drinking halls above, half intoxicated, gathered about the windows of our hall, and by loud talking and laughing endeavored to interrupt the meeting, they even thrust their heads through an open window, shouting into the room. If it is necessary to speak in such places, we will do so cheerfully. If in this rich and beautiful city there is no suitable room where the truth can be presented to the people, we remember that there was no room in the inn at Bethlehem for the mother of Jesus, and that the Saviour of the world was born in a stable.” P. 183.

“Our people hold their meetings in a union house built by dissenters, and open to all denominations.” P. 195.
“Here, as in other places, it was difficult to obtain a good hall. But the best in the place was secured, a hall used for balls and concerts, about thirty-six by eighty feet in size, with a narrow gallery on each side, and a huge stove in each end. There was no pulpit nor place for one. Six beer tables, brought in from an adjoining room, served to make a platform, a square carpet was thrown over this platform, and another table set on top for light-stand and pulpit, while steps were made with chairs and stools. We doubt if the hall or beer tables were ever put to so good use before. The people came and filled the seats, the galleries, and all the standing room, and listened with the best attention while I spoke to them of the love of Christ, and His life of sacrifice. Wednesday and Friday evenings another hall was secured in Christiania, and I spoke to about five hundred each evening.

“The meeting was held in the soldiers’ military gymnasium, the largest hall in the city. An American flag was placed as a canopy about the pulpit; this was an attention which I highly appreciated.” P.207.
“The next Sabbath, I spoke to the brethren and sisters in the hired hall in which they held their regular Sabbath meetings.” P. 231.
“Before the next Sabbath another hall had been hired, and handbills posted stating that meetings would be held Friday and Sunday evenings and Sabbath and Sunday afternoons.” P. 236.

“Brother Geymet has been visiting and holding Bible readings with the people in these stables. At the time we were there, he was holding two meetings a week in a stable in the Angrogna Valley, about seven miles from Torre Pellice. The interest was good and the average attendance was from forty to fifty. There, on the dirt floor of the stable which was sometimes strewn with leaves or straw, or sitting on boards placed across boxes, they would sit and listen for an hour or two, and then would remain after the meeting closed, to talk over what had been said. Occasionally the meeting would be interrupted by the movements and noise of the quadrupeds.” P. 248.

Quotations from ADVENT REVIEW, by Ellen G. White

“When we reached Chicago they had made an appointment for me to speak in their newly hired hall, and the people were already assembling. My head was dizzy, and I knew I was in no condition to labour; but the pleadings of my brethren prevailed and I was soon standing in the humble but well-filled room.” Jan. 29, 1884.

“In the afternoon I walked half a mile to the Baptist church and for an hour and a half spoke to a full house on the subject of Temperance. There was the best attention; and at the close of the service, several ladies came forward and expressed their grateful appreciation of the words spoken. I was glad to see our brethren and sisters manifest a disposition to bring their offerings to the Lord. At this meeting about five thousand dollars was pledged to be used in enlarging the missionary work in the Pennsylvania Conference.” Feb. 5, 1884.

“The evening after the Sabbath I spoke in Washington Hall. This is a plain, convenient, home-like room—and excellent place for meetings.” Feb. 10, 1885.

“I spoke in the National Church on Sunday afternoon, upon the subject of temperance. The minister who had refused to give notice of my appointment the first time, was invited to be present and open the meeting with singing and prayer. He readily consented to do this. I had much freedom in speaking to an attentive audience.” Apr. 5, 1887.

“On Sabbath, I spoke to the church in Chaux-de-Fonds about one hour. The only hall the church could obtain in which to hold meetings was like a private room. And if the windows were opened to obtain air, the atmosphere was loaded with the fumes of liquor casks and wine barrels; for directly across the narrow street was a manufactory of liquors. And the noise of hammering and pounding and clatter would not permit one to hear. The room was so packed that it was impossible to kneel down, so all stood while prayer was offered.

“Here were more than sixty persons assembled in a place so small that they could not find room to kneel, and the impossibility of securing proper ventilation made the atmosphere anything but healthful. I felt compelled twice, as I was speaking, to change the exercise, and have all arise and engage in singing; for a sleepy lethargy seemed to be upon the people who were compelled to work hard during the week. The windows were thrown open as often as practicable, but the strong fumes of fermented wine were most offensive to the senses of those who were temperate. I spoke again on Sabbath, and then there was a social meeting.” Sept. 27, 1887.
“Sunday afternoon I spoke in the opera house at Fresno.” July 10, 1888.

Quotations from THE REVIEW AND HERALD, by Ellen G. White

“A number of rumsellers have turned their shops into meeting-rooms and these places that were once devoted to intemperance and revelry are now devoted to prayer and praise.” Nov. 25, 1884.

“On Sunday morning I spoke to a congregation of between thirty and forty in the old schoolhouse at Dora Creek.” Oct. 18, 1898.

“Twice I spoke in the theater, to attentive audiences. Elder Starr laboured untiringly for the church, and several of the evening meetings were called early in the evening, and divided into two meetings.” May 30, 1893.
“Sabbath afternoon I filled my appointment in the large Congregational church that is now being used by our people.” Feb. 7, 1907.
AMEN.