A. P. Adams

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Arthur P. Adams (1847-?) was a Methodist clergyman and pastor of a church at Beverly, Massachusetts. He When Russell toured the New England states in mid to late 1877, Adams and probably with his wife Ophelia (”Addie” in the Census of 1880) attended Russell’s lecture and was convinced by the message. In Harvest Siftings (1894) Russell recalled their meeting and Adams’ conversion, describing Adams as “a young Methodist minister, who became deeply interested and accepted the message heartily during the week that I preached to his congregation. Subsequently, I introduced him to little gatherings of interested ones in neighboring towns, and assisted otherwise, as I could, rejoicing in another one who, with study, would soon be a co-laborer in the harvest field.”Adams read Nelson Barbour’s Three Worlds and preached that message to his church. He was charged with preaching from the book Three Worlds and Plan of Redemption, which he acknowledged as contrary to Methodist Episcopal Doctrine. He was found guilty of heresy and suspended for one year, pending annual conference review. The church in Beverly MA supported him and refused to recognize the suspension or to allow the replacment pastor in the church, resulting in more charges of insubordination. At the New England Annual Conference on April 6, 1878, the conference affirmed a one-year suspension. The insubordination charges were brought against him on April 7, and a new trial was held, with a report back on April 8 that Adams was to be “expelled from the Methodist Episcopal Church” and his ordination documents were requested to be returned. His expulsion was noted in the Lutheran Observer of March 1, 1878 and in Zion’s Herald.When the movement fragmented over the Ransom and Atonement doctrine, Adams initial reaction was silence. He finally decided to espouse Barbour’s views, and remained with the Herald of the Morning, eventually becoming Assistant Editor. The deciding factor was Barbour’s more liberal views on who and how many would be saved. Barbour’s view was as near Universal Salvation as one can get and not be a Universalist. Peters described Barbour’s views as Rellyism, a type of Universal Salvationism. This appealed to Adams.Adams and Barbour parted ways in the mid-1880s. Adams wrote pamphlets or tracts sometime before 1885. I do not know the titles. The only reference to them is in the introduction to a reprint of Adams’ magazine, and the titles are not given. One small undated booklet was titled “The True Basis for Redemption.” Adams started The Spirit of the Word magazine in 1885 and continued it until at least February 1886. Because his views were similar to those of John Paton, they resumed an association that may never have completely ended. One wonders which persuaded the other. It is worth noting that the Ransom and Atonement controversy among Resitutionists (Barbourites, etc.) replayed a three centuries long controversy raging in Christendom that divided believers into three groups: 1. Eternal torment of the wicked; 2. Universal salvation for all; 3. Salvation for all but those who will not repent and eternal death without consciousness for the wicked.Adams became a significant force among those opposing Zion’s Watch Tower. He became the source of trouble twice, once with the publication of The Spirit of the Word and again with the publication of his book Bible Harmony. Paton advertised Bible Harmony in World’s Hope. Bible Harmony was read by many Watch Tower readers, and persuaded some. One letter to Russell said: “I learned that Mr. Adams had first gotten the truth from you (and I could see traces of the plan of the ages throughout his writings), and that he had as he supposed improved upon your writings: but to me his improvements had spoiled everything they mixed with.”Adams, his magazine and book, or his beliefs are mentioned in the following issues of Zion’s Watchtower: 1. March 1, 1895, Christian Common Sense. 2. January 1890, the New Covenant reprints page 1174 ff. 3. May 15, 1892, The Glory that Excelleth. 4. October 1, 1892 Zeal According to knowledge, p. 293. 5. April 1, 1891 A Criticism, page 56. 6. August 1890 Extracts from interesting Letters. (Other references exist, but these are easy to follow.)There are two photographs of A. P. Adams and one of his wife, all taken by John C. Sunderlin. Adams appears to have been living in 1903. He published a songbook that year.