Special Mention by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 7, 1915

Special Mention

By I. H. Evans

The Coming Autumn Council

WHEN the North American Division Conference was organized, at the time of the last General Conference, it was understood that its first session would be held in 1915. But, in reviewing this plan, some of our leading men have felt that this would mean a very large expense, which should be avoided if possible. The question was considered in a joint meeting of the General and North American Division Committees, and it was advised that the North American Division Conference hold its first session in conjunction with the next General Conference.

In organizing the continental division conferences the General Conference has transferred the administrative work in each territory to its division conference. While this enables the General Conference officers to devote more time and attention to the mission fields, it greatly reduces the details of administrative work. For this reason, and also because many of the delegates to the Division Conference would be delegates to the General Conference, it is thought there would be a large saving of expense to hold the sessions of both conferences at the same time and place.

One year ago the attendance at the meeting of the General and North American Division Committees was limited almost exclusively to the members. Last spring no general committee meeting was called for either conference, it being understood that there would be a full meeting of the committees at the time of the fall council, when Elder Daniells would be back from the Far East, Elder Spicer would be in from Africa, and it was hoped that Elder Conradi would be able to come from Europe. It was also expected, at the time of the last General Conference, that a general council of the General Conference Committee would be held either in Europe or America, midway between the sessions of the General Conference. Conditions in Europe prevented the holding of this council there during the past summer. Owing to the growth of the work and the pressing needs in many parts of the field, it has been thought advisable to call a meeting of the General and Division Committees, together with other leading workers, in California, November 5-27.

It was left for the brethren of the Pacific Union Conference to decide where this meeting should be held, and they selected Loma Linda as the place best adapted to it. One reason for holding the council in California is the cheap rates which can be obtained, because of the expositions there. Our ministers generally travel on half rates, but the fare to California and return at this time is so much lower than clergy rates that it was thought there would be considerable saving in having the meeting in California rather than in the Central West.

The committees have invited the presidents of local conferences and some heads of departments to join them in this important council. It would be a very great pleasure to both committees to have all our leading men in attendance, but this would prevent holding a real committee meeting, and compel us to conduct our work as a conference. Local conference presidents are the men who must foster every interest of the work, supply men for foreign mission fields, and superintend the raising of money; therefore, it was felt that they should come in close touch with the plans laid at the council, in order to cooperate more intelligently in carrying them out.

We cannot say too much concerning the importance of the coming fall council. We surely are living in thrilling times. Since the last session of the General Conference, the European war has broken out, and a situation has developed such as has not been since the beginning of this cause. Some of our leading brethren should come together to consider what can be done to prosecute the work with greater activity, and to secure better results for the labor and means expended.

Our mission fields are calling for recruits, and it is imperative that we secure reenforcements for them. There must be increased appropriations to some of these heathen lands, to enable the workers there to hold the fields we already have entered, and to meet the calls coming from many sections yet unentered.

The work is taking on new phases in the homeland; our conferences and institutions are struggling to wipe out the curse of indebtedness, and the winning of souls is becoming more and more the watchword of our working forces.

We should be glad for many holding very responsible positions who have not been invited, and many others doing invaluable work in field and office, to attend the council, if it were best for so many to leave their work at this time, and if it were possible for our brethren in California to accommodate them. Our California brethren thought they could accommodate from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five persons. This number has been filled already, and they will find it difficult to care for too large a number of visiting brethren, especially in a rural community like Loma Linda.

We solicit the prayers of our people everywhere in behalf of the council, that it may bring to the cause of God and the workers engaged in it, strength and courage for the finishing of the work.

I. H. Evans, President North American Division Conference.