The European Conference.
By S. N. Haskell
THIS conference commenced Thursday, September 14. Brethren Loughborough, Matteson, John, and Drew were present, and represented the cause in Norway, Sweden, and England. Brethren living in Switzerland were also in attendance. In many respects this meeting was a very interesting one. The trials and difficulties experienced in the several European missions, were spoken of, and the most successful methods to meet them were freely talked over. This was a source of much encouragement, for it was evident that our brethren, although widely scattered, had experienced similar difficulties and trials. Much was brought out which showed that we have one common foe to meet. Satan is ever ready to suggest that our trials and perplexities are peculiar to ourselves, but we are all in a common enemy's land. Those who are embassadors for Christ, especially those who are laboring in foreign countries, will find that Satan will make his attack upon them in the most effective manner, in order to hinder the progress of the work. Plans for carrying forward the cause were freely discussed. The publishing work received considerable attention, and all present were agreed that a paper published in Europe would be more effective than any that could be published in a foreign country. It was also the opinion of those of experience that a monthly paper, containing the same amount of reading matter, is preferable to one issued weekly or semi-monthly. Bro. Matteson had come to this conclusion before the meeting, and now designs to issue his paper, the Tedernes Stegn, after the first of October, each month, in an enlarged form. The character of the matter to be printed, the manner of conducting a paper, how to obtain subscribers, etc., were freely discussed. It was evident, from the testimony that was given in at this meeting, that in nearly every locality in Europe where there are now Sabbath-keepers, an interest was first awakened by reading periodicals sent from America. As the doctrinal articles in the French paper were designed to meet the peculiar objections existing in Europe, many of which are different from objections commonly urged in America, it was considered advisable to preserve them in English, for future use in other European papers. A European Conference was organized and officers elected for the ensuing year. The Constitution adopted was as follows:— This Conference shall be called the European Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The object of this Conference shall be to promote the missionary work by establishing more intimate relations between the brethren of the different nations of Europe, and also between them and the brethren of America. All who are members of any Conference or mission of S. D. Adventists shall be considered members of this Conference if they see fit to attend its sessions. The officers of this Conference shall consist of an Executive Committee of three, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. When any important enterprise involving a considerable expenditure of money, or affecting the general interests of the cause, is to be entered upon by any mission, it shall be the duty of those conducting that mission to consult with the Executive Committee of this Conference. ARTICLE VI.—TIME OF MEETING.
There shall be an annual meeting of this Conference at such time and place as the Conference Committee may appoint. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of this committee. This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present. It was the design in drawing up this Constitution to make it as simple as possible and meet the present need. The Treasurer provided for in it is not to hold any local Conference funds either in Europe or America, or to interfere with any relation existing between the missions and different funds in America. The design was to provide for meeting such expenses as may arise outside the limits of any European Conference where the providence of God is opening the way into new fields of labor. These are continually presenting themselves in different portions of Europe. No one in America is excluded from assisting in these enterprises if they choose to do so. The Sabbath was spent as a day of fasting and prayer for God's blessing to rest upon the work in Europe and especially upon Bro. Andrews. Conference closed Sunday. On Monday, Bro. Andrews was apparently stronger, with a returning appetite. We look upon this as a token of returning health, and an evidence that an angel of God has touched him and rebuked the disease which has so long preyed upon him.