The message God gave A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner was "a special message",
"a most precious message", "to be given to the world", "to prepare a people
to stand in the day of God." It was "the matchless charms of Christ"
(E. G. W. 1888 Materials, p. 43, 1336-1337, 1814, and 348).
At the age 20, A. T. Jones began three years of service in the
Army. Interestingly enough, he spent much of his time pouring
over large historical works, SDA publications, and the Bible.
He was baptized when he left the Army, and began preaching
on the West Coast. In May, 1885, he became editor of the
Signs of the Times, and was later joined by E. J. Waggoner.
In 1888, these two men stirred the General Conference
session in Minneapolis with their preaching on righteousness by
faith. For several years thereafter, they preached on that subject
from coast to coast. Ellen White accompanied them on many
occasions. She saw in Jones' presentations of "the precious
subject of faith and the righteousness of Christ...a flood of light"
(EGW 1888 Materials, p. 291).
Jones was on the General Conference Committee in 1897
and editor-in-chief of the Review and Herald from 1897 to
1901.
In 1889, with J. O. Corliss, he spoke against a bill in the
U.S. Congress on Sunday observance; the bill was defeated.
Thereafter he was a prominent speaker for religious freedom,
serving as editor of the forerunner of the Liberty magazine.
After being president of the California Conference
(1901-1903), he joined Dr. J. H. Kellogg's staff against the
counsel of E. G. White, a move which after a series of
unfortunate misunderstandings and unwise choices, led to his
separation from denominational employment and loss of church
membership.
Jones remained a Sabbath observer and loyal to most of the
other doctrines of the church. He is remembered especially for
his part in bringing into prominence the doctrine of justification
by faith.