Thirty-Fifth Meeting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 19, 1913

Thirty-Fifth Meeting

June 8, 10 A. M.

W. T. Knox in the chair.

W. J. Fitzgerald offered prayer.

An invitation from the Chicago Chamber of Commerce to hold the next session in Chicago was referred to the executive committee.

Consideration of Resolutions

The recommendations reported on page 586.

Question was called on numbers 48, 49, and 50 without discussion.

Resolution 51, relating to the number of colleges, was read.

B. G. Wilkinson: This is a very important recommendation. We have been studying this question for months. It seems to me we ought to take good time and deliberate over this very carefully. This recommendation is different from the one which the committee on adjustment of schools brought in. From the standpoint of the Columbia Union, it has a very serious bearing. Passed as it is, it will tie the hands of this division. Therefore, it seems to me the wisest thing will be to refer recommendation 51 to the Educational Department to work out this question in connection with the unions and the North American Division and the coming educational council. I would move that number 51 be referred to the Educational Department. [Seconded.]

E. E. Andross: It does not seem to me we ought to refer it to the educational council, for they will have no power whatever to put it into operation. We ought to refer it to some body which has power to execute.

H. R. Salisbury: As Brother Andross has said, it would be better to refer it to a body that has executive power. In our departmental convention next summer we would not have power within ourselves to effect this change. The heads of our colleges met and discussed this very fully, and we brought in a resolution among ourselves very much the same as this. I think there would be but little change in the resolution coming in from us next summer. The only change would be in determining whether this Foreign Mission Seminary would become a college. I do think we could hasten this, however, by referring it to a commission who could report to the North American Division Conference at its next meeting. Otherwise, it will postpone this for two and one-half years before anything is done. I would move as a substitute that this be referred to a commission appointed by the North American Division committee, to investigate more fully, taking counsel with the different unions, and report at the first meeting of the executive committee of the North American Division Conference.

B. G. Wilkinson: I accept this as the motion.

The motion carried.

Recommendations 52 to 55 were read, and question called without discussion, the word “young” being eliminated from section “b” of number 52 by common consent.

Action was taken on the whole, and the report adopted.

Further Resolutions

The committee on plans made a further and final report, which was adopted, after amendment, as follows:—

56. We recommend,— (a) That in union conferences in which there is located a union conference training-school, the local conference schools do not attempt to carry work above the tenth grade, any exception to the recommendation to be allowed only after obtaining permission from the executive committee of the union conference in which the school is located, together with the counsel of the North American Department of Education. (b) That there be the fullest cooperation between the officers of the various State and union schools in the matter of encouraging our people to patronize the conference and the union educational institutions in their respective spheres of work, students below the eleventh grade being recommended to attend the academy or the intermediate school in the local conference. (c) That these recommendations take effect not later than the beginning of the school year in 1914. (d) That these recommendations do not apply to our foreign seminaries.

Whereas, Much experience of value has been gained in the establishing and operating of our denominational schools during the past forty years, and it is in the interests of the work that this experience be utilized, we,—

57. Recommend. That, in harmony with the action of the General Conference Committee in its autumn council of 1912, any local conference or union conference contemplating the starting of a school or the raising or lowering of the grades of work being done in its schools, counsel with both the union conference committee and the North American Division Conference Educational Department, and be guided by the standardized plan of the denomination.

Whereas, At present the benefits of the Sustentation Fund are not extended in general to colporteurs, teachers, and physicians therefore, we,—

58. Recommend. That the General Conference Committee and the North American Division Committee give this matter careful study, and consider

advisability of increasing the Sustentation Fund, and of opening the way for these three classes to receive such benefit from it as may be necessary.

59. We recommend, That the General Conference Committee be authorized to reorganize the work in South America, and to provide for the organization of a South American Division Conference at such time and place as they may deem advisable.

The following resolutions presented were referred to the North American Division Committee, as being a division conference matter:—

We recommend, That the advisory committee of the North American Negro Department shall consist of the general secretary, the presidents of the Atlantic, Columbia, Central, Lake, Southern, Southeastern, and Southwestern Union Conferences, and the union evangelists of the Southeastern, Southern, and Southwestern Union Conferences, and two others, who shall be Negroes.

We recommend, A uniform plan of organization in the Southeastern, Southern, and Southwestern Unions, and therefore submit the following:— (a) That the executive board of each of the union missions be composed of a superintendent (president of the union), the secretary and treasurer (of the union), educational secretary (of the union), the local conference presidents, the union mission evangelists, and a Negro representative from each local conference. (b) That the executive board of each local mission be composed of the conference president, and not less than two other persons, of whom one must be a Negro.

In discussing the first of these resolutions, before referring them, remarks were made in explanation of them.

[On motion to refer to the North American Division.]

A. G. Daniells: It seems to me that in referring, there ought to be expressed a desire that the committee will formulate something to guide the secretary of the department. I know that we need to give careful attention to making up the advisory board, or committee, of the Negro Department. I am favorable to referring it, but it does seem to me that it ought to go from this body in this way for friendly or for favorable consideration, and definite action, so that the advisory committee can be made as strong as possible for the benefit of the department.

J. K. Humphrey: I appreciate the remarks of the last speaker. I do believe if the matter could come back again, and some definite action be taken, we could probably speak to it here more advantageously.

The following resolutions were adopted:—

Resolved, That we express our thanks and appreciation to the conferences that have freely loaned their tents for this meeting, and to the Southern California Conference for the use of the newly constructed large pavilion, and to the following conferences: Indiana, New York, Western New York, West Pennsylvania, Ohio, Southern Illinois, West Michigan, East Michigan, North Michigan, Chesapeake, and Northern New England, for the use of gospel and family tents.

Resolved, That we extend to Brother E. G. Fulton and his staff of able assistants, the hearty thanks of this Conference for the faithful and efficient work done in the cafeteria, lunch room, and store; for his service of healthful, palatable food; the uniform courtesy on the part of the workers having been a great contribution to the material side and the success of this meeting.

A. G. Daniells: Brother Chairman, I move the adoption of the recommendations.

W. W. Prescott: May we include a third resolution expressing our appreciation of the space granted for reports in the four Washington papers?

W. T. Knox: If there is no objection, this also will be included.

Resolved, That we express the thanks of this Conference to the proprietors of the four Washington newspapers for their courtesy in giving so liberal space to reports of this Conference.

A. G. Daniells: There is another item calling for thanks, and that is the service of our union and local conference presidents, who so kindly came to these grounds to do the work of preparation, and have cared for the camp so well during the Conference; and other workers also.

W. T. Knox: Now I would like to suggest something also, and that is our reception committee, who have undergone a very nerve-racking work, and certainly have done it in a very acceptable manner.

H. S. Shaw: I do not think the union and local conference presidents care to have you thank us for this. We are all very glad to be here.

A. T. Robinson: I heard some one say that ten or a dozen missionaries had worked all the time, too.

W. T. Knox: Yes, and they are going to stay and work some more. Shall we pass these recommendations one by one, or shall we cover them all with one vote? All in favor of these recommendations of appreciation, signify it by saying, “Aye.” Carried.

A. G. Daniells: In a meeting of the General Conference Committee this morning two votes were taken that seem to have missed the committee on distribution of labor. It was voted there recommending that W. B. White take the presidency of the South African Union Conference, made vacant by the call of R. C. Porter to Asia.

H. S. Shaw: The committee on distribution of labor has made its final report, and referred all further recommendations to the General Conference Committee.

A. G. Daniells: I move that this Conference request W. B. White to take the presidency of the South African Union Conference, in response to the request of the South African delegation.

L. R. Conradi: I second the motion.

W. T. Knox: You have heard the motion and its second. Are you ready to vote? The question is called. All favoring this, say, Aye. It is carried.

A. G. Daniells: Now there is another matter that has been developed during this Conference. The South African people ask for another man. We have not taken it up in committee, but it is settled as far as they can settle it, that O. K. Butler and wife make South Africa their field of labor.

F. B. Armitage: It is the unanimous request of the South African delegation.

A. G. Daniells: I move that the request of the South African brethren be granted, that we recommend O. K. Butler to make South Africa his field of labor.

W. T. Knox: It has been moved and seconded that we recommend O. K. Butler to make South Africa his field of labor. Any further remarks? The question is called. All favoring say, Aye. It is carried.

A. G. Daniells: The General Conference Committee this morning voted requesting A. J. Haysmer to take the presidency of the West Indian Union Conference, made vacant by the resignation of U. Bender. This is the request of the West Indian Union delegation here. I move that this be granted. [Carried.]

Guy Dail: I have the following resolution to offer:— Whereas, Our brother, Elder Isaac Sanborn, one of the pioneers in the proclamation of the advent message, was suddenly taken from us by death on Sabbath, May 24, 1913,— Resolved, (1) That we hereby recognize his fervor in administration and timely counsel in the early days of this cause, and his faithful labors in raising up many churches; and,— (2) That we extend our sincere sympathy to the members of the bereaved family, commending them to God, and the comfort of his grace, who has promised a crown of righteousness at his coming to all who love him; further,— (3) That these resolutions be spread upon our records, and that a copy of them be furnished to the family of our deceased brother.

Voted upon and passed.

J. L. Shaw: In behalf of the foreign delegates who have been entertained here at the Conference, who have been well housed and well provided with food, I move that the foreign delegates be allowed to express their appreciation of the way they have been entertained at this meeting by a rising vote.

J. E. Fulton: I second the motion.

The vote was unanimous by all foreign delegates present.

W. T. Knox: I am sure that we have all been very much pleased to have had the opportunity of affording entertainment to you brethren coming in from the foreign lands.

All the business before the Conference has been completed, as far as the chairman knows. What is your pleasure?

J. N. Loughborough: While the third General Conference was in session in Battle Creek, there was a Methodist minister there attending our business meeting one day. At the close, he said to Elder White: “What in the world does this mean? I have just come from a Methodist meeting. They quarreled and fought and came near pulling one another’s hair. Your conference makes me think of the handle of a jug,—it’s all on one side. I do not understand it.” “Well,” said Brother White, “we act as brethren, and we get ready to vote, and then we vote.”

O, how this movement has grown! And, thank God, there has not a thing come up but what there has been a unanimous vote.

W. T. Knox: Instead of moving to adjourn sine die, suppose we simply adjourn. There may something arise so that the chairman will desire to call us together this afternoon. A motion to adjourn will be in order.

It was then moved and seconded to adjourn.