Divisions Joseph Bates (8 July 1792 – 19 March 1872) was an American seaman and revivalist minister.

His father, also named Joseph,[2] was a volunteer in the Revolutionary War and his mother was the daughter of Barnabas Nye of Sandwich, Massachusetts.

In June 1807, Bates sailed as a cabin boy on the new ship commanded by Elias Terry, called the Fanny, to London via New York City.

He experienced conversion and became involved in a variety of reforms, including helping to found an early temperance society.

Bates 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.

[4] One of Bates' most significant contributions was his ability to connect theologically the Sabbath with a unique understanding of the heavenly sanctuary.

[11][12] By 1844, Bates had given up all forms of alcohol, tea, coffee, meat, tobacco and "greasy and rich foods.

Other helpful treatments include Virgil E. Robinson, Cabin Boy to Advent Crusader (Southern Publishing Association, 1960), which was a popular treatment intended primarily for a youth audience; G. T. Anderson, Outrider of the Apocalypse: Life and Times of Joseph Bates (Review and Herald, 1972); and George R. Knight, Joseph Bates: The Real Founder of Seventh-day Adventism (Review and Herald, 2004).