Joseph Bates

The Seventh Day Sabbath: a Perpetual Sign (Dodo Press) Joseph Bates

Joseph Bates (1792-1872) was an American seaman and revivalist minister. He was the founder and developer of Sabbatarian Adventism that developed into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is also credited with convincing James White and Ellen G. White of the validity of the seventh-day Sabbath. In 1810 Bates was forced into servitude for the British navy and spent time as a prisoner during the War of 1812. After his release he continued his career eventually becoming captain of a ship. He became disturbed by the way the sailors (regardless of their religion) were forced to go to Anglican services; later in life he became adamant that the separation of church and state should be upheld. He also was a strong supporter of abolition. After 1844, like many other Millerites, Bates sought meaning out of the Great Disappointment. During 1845 Bates accepted the seventh-day Sabbath after reading a pamphlet by T. M. Preble. He soon became known as the "apostle of the Sabbath" and wrote several booklets on the topic. One of the first, published in 1846, was entitled The Seventh Day Sabbath: A Perpetual Sign.