[1] He was born December 19, 1865, in Freeborn, Minnesota, in the United States in a Seventh Day Baptist home.

[2] As Secretary to the General Conference, Spicer assisted President Daniells in shaping the church's response to issues.

[6] The Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement had come about as a result of the actions of L. R. Conradi and certain European church leaders during the war, who decided that it was acceptable for Adventists to take part in war, which was in clear opposition to the historical position of the church that had always upheld the non-combative position.

Since the American Civil War, Adventists were known as non-combatants, and had done work in hospitals or given medical care rather than taken combat roles.

He was known in the church as an enthusiastic editor and successful author an influential preacher, proficient organizer and a passionate missionary.