In 1919; the world was reeling from the destructive forces of World War I; American Protestants were uniting against Modernism in defense of the inerrancy of the Bible; and Adventists were recovering from the 1915 death of Ellen White; their beloved prophet. Needing to confirm the movement’s identity in rapidly changing times; some 65 Adventist leaders; editors; and Bible teachers met from July 1 to August 9; 1919; in Columbia Hall on the campus of Washington Missionary College near Washington; D.C. Their discussions were candid and often heated; prompting A.G. Daniells to occasionally ask stenographers to stop their recording work. Minutes of the conference were buried in the archives and would eventually be rediscovered in 1974. Today; the Seventh–day Adventist Church continues to grapple with issues raised at this epochal event.
