Tell It to the World

by C. Mervyn Maxwell

"The Story of Seventh-day Adventists. For many years, Tell It to the World has served as a source of stories, historical information, and inspiration to Seventh-day Adventists. This popular history of the Great Second Advent Movement has now been revised and updated, but it still focuses on the people and events that led to the development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Like any good storybook, once you start Tell It to the World, you'll have a hard time putting it down. Author C. Mervyn Maxwell brings the tradition of the storyteller (he's a son of "Uncle Arthur"), and the precision of a trained historian, to the task of explaining how a tiny group of sincere believers could found a movement that now counts millions of members worldwide. As you read this book, you'll find yourself moved, encouraged, and inspired. Seeing how God has led in the past will renew your faith in His plans for your future and for the future of this church.

Genres: History

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginnings and the early development of the Seventh-day Adventist church spans continents and over a century that sees a handful of disappointed believers grow into a worldwide church with millions of members. Tell It to the World is a popular history by Mervyn Maxwell who used his long career teaching students to write church history in an engaging way.

The history begins with William Miller beginning his ministry about the coming of Christ in 1843-44 and how for years he remained in small towns until events brought his message to a much wider audience. The events in the United States and around the world at the same time that contributed to the Great Second Advent Movement before the Great Disappointment gave background not only to the times but the individuals who would soon shape the Seventh-day Adventist church. The aftermath of the Great Disappointment brought about division among Millerites and one small group formed what would become the Seventh-day Adventist church through Bible study and the Voice of Prophecy. The slow process of organizing the church along the concurrent beginnings of missionary work first around the nation and then across the world are interwoven together to show how both helped and harmed one another until a more centralized structure brought things into place. But this only took place after 16 years of crisis that brought reforms to the structure of the church that would allow it to continue to grow into the 20th Century.

Though the text is only 270 pages long, Maxwell packs a lot of information and anecdotes into the 32 chapters of the book that many Adventists would appreciate. Being a popular history, this book shies away from scholarly prose but Maxwell’s professionalism makes sure that footnotes are peppered throughout the text so those who question statements or wanting to know more could examine his sources. As stated above Maxwell used his long career in teaching to write so his students would enjoy reading and because the book was first published in the late 1970s, the ease of reading holds up very well.

Tell It to the World gives readers an ease to read history of the beginnings and early development of the Seventh-day Adventist church that is informative and riveting. Mervyn Maxwell’s book brings to focus a lot of Adventist history that many lifelong and new members of the church will find inspiring and instructive. If you’re a Seventh-day Adventist and haven’t read this before, I encourage you to do so.

[Jermaine Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful summation of the Seventh-day Adventist legacy. Starting with the great disappointment in 1844, the author gives a gripping picture of what things were like for Adventist throughout history. Since I am now developing a stronger interest in this field, I must confess that I certainly enjoyed reading this book.

[Noble Guyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

amen

[Johny Krmkr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good to know about the pioneers

[Raphael Ludescher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional overview of the history of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church from an Adventist perspective.

[Eric Anderson]

K I did read this one for class.

[Canny Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most interesting way of delineating the history of Adventism.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of the textbooks for a class I took on Seventh-day Adventist Church History. Some textbooks are not worth keeping once a class is finished, but this book is definitely going into my personal library! Mervyn Maxwell does an excellent job of keeping your interest while providing a fairly comprehensive overview of Seventh-day Adventist history. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to gain a deeper appreciation of their Adventist heritage and understand how that heritage impacts our lives today.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good introduction to the history of the Adventist church. It covers everything from William Miller and the Great Disappointment to the later struggles faced by the church in establishing its identity. I had to read the book in college for an SDA history class. It helped me gain a new appreciation for my heritage -- and there are plenty of stories included that perhaps not many Adventists know about.

[Jeonghyeon Bae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells most about how great second advent movement began and explains what makes this movement go, and how it hopes to end. Until I read this book, I was just a Adventist that didn't know about my own religion. However, this book moved, encouraged and inspired me in lots of different ways. I personally liked how Maxwell backs up his stories with documented references. It made me look deeper into my religion.

[Nathan Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exceptional story of the origin of this church. Taking the reader back to the roots of Biblical discovery, it becomes evident that the modern church should spend more time reflecting on the grace God has bestowed on those who followed His instructions. He will continue to bless those who follow His commands and share the message of hope. I will go and share the love of God to the world.

[David Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the 7th Day adventist church. A very good book if you are interested in how the church came about. They go back and I mean waaaay back, so far back that it becomes more of a bio of William Miller, but does cover a lot of what is mentioned in the church.