Memoirs of William Miller - Sylvester Bliss

washing and the salutation kiss, as practiced by
some professing Adventists as religious
ceremonies, sitting on the floor as an act of
voluntary humility, shaving the head to humble
one’s self, and acting like children in
understanding, are not only unscriptural, but
subversive, if persevered in, of purity and morality.
“And whereas our congregations have suffered
greatly from persons who have called themselves
to the ministry and taught errors, and by smooth
words and fair speeches have deceived the hearts
of the simple and led them astray; therefore --
“Resolved, That we recommend to our brethren
to encourage those men only who give evidence
that they are called of God to the work; who are of
good behavior; who abstain from all appearance of
evil; who are vigilant, sober, apt to teach, not
greedy of filthy lucre, no brawlers, not covetous;
men who will teach the unadulterated word of God,
and, by manifestation of the truth, commend
themselves to every man’s conscience in the sight
of God.
690