Joseph Bates (Adventist)
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Joseph Bates (July 8, 1792 - March 19, 1872) was an American sailor and elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is noted for introducing the seventh-day Sabbath to the early Adventists and was a champion of health reform.
Biography
Early Life
Joseph Bates was born in Rochester, Massachusetts on July 8, 1792. His father, also named Joseph, was a volunteer in the Revolutionary War and his mother was the daughter of Barnabas Rye of Sandwich, MA. In 1793, Bates' family moved to the part of New Bedford, Massachusetts that would become named Fairhaven in 1812. In June 1807, Bates sailed as cabin boy on the new ship commanded by Elias Terry, called the Fanny to London via New York City. This was the commencement of Bates sailing career.During his life as a sailor he came to believe very strongly in several basic Adventist beliefs. 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. In his every day life as a sailor he noticed the intemperance of the sailors and the resulting side effects. Many of these problems came from poor rations but many more were the result of overindulgence by the men. He became one of the champions of health reform; abstaining from all alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, even becoming a vegetarian.
Also publisher of a 46-page tract, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The tract, entitled Seventh-day Sabbath, set forth the Biblical evidence for the sacredness of the seventh day. It convinced James and Ellen White.
References
External links
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