General Conference Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 20, 1909

General Conference Notes

A good number of delegates are receiving their first impressions of America and the headquarters of our world-wide work. We hope they will be inspired for further courageous service at the outposts.

The testimony of living witnesses who can speak from personal knowledge concerning the beginning of this advent movement shows what has been accomplished during the last six decades. But the most rapid progress is yet to come.

All were interested at the opening meeting to hear Brethren G. W. Amadon and J. L. Prescott relate some particulars of their experiences in the early days when advent believers were few. A spirit of tender regard for the aged pilgrims was fittingly manifested.

It is a great pleasure to greet so many delegates from “the regions beyond.” In fact, this is the first conference in which the territory outside of America has had an adequate representation. We are sure that the results, both direct and indirect, will be most helpful. This will be a world-wide movement.

After an absence of seventeen years spent in active labor in the Australasian Union Conference, Elder G. B. Starr and his faithful companion have returned to America, and are enjoying the opportunity of meeting many old friends at this Conference. Brother Starr is one of the delegates from his field.

Departmental meetings, in the interests of the educational, publishing, medical, Sabbath-school, and young people’s work, are a daily feature of the Conference. They are well attended, and are helpful in the discussion and preparation of resolutions relating to the work of these departments to be brought before the Conference later.

The editorial committee of the Bulletin is, W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, Mrs. I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen. The special reporting staff, for stenographic work for the Bulletin, is, H. E. Rogers, C. C. Crisler, D. E. Robinson, Miss Mertie Wheeler, B. P. Foote, E. B. Beuchel; and Misses Carrie Bailey and Elizabeth Zeidler will also assist.

To bid good-by to the workers in Japan, Korea, and China, and then to greet them again at this Conference, is an experience which can come to but few. The editor greatly appreciates the privilege of again associating with those in whose labors he joined for a short time in the far East. He hopes that their presence and testimony in the Conference will draw additional workers to that great heathen field.

The familiar faces of Elders A. J. Breed of Washington, H. W. Decker of Oregon, J. O. Corliss of California, J. H. Morrison and J. S. Hart of Nebraska, R. M. Kilgore of Georgia, R. A. Underwood of Minnesota, Wm. Covert of Illinois, T. H. Purdon of Vermont, and others who have regularly sat in many conferences, make one sure that the old guard are still loyal to the advent message.

Quite full reports of the Conference are appearing in the Washington papers, illustrated with views and groups taken expressly for this purpose.

Photographs of all the delegates in one large group were taken on Friday afternoon for a syndicate of New York papers, including Harper’s Weekly.

The dining-tent is conducted on the cafeteria plan, and the service is excellent. It is a serious problem to provide for so many at a distance of about seven miles from market, but the work is being well handled by Brethren J. R. Scott and P. G. Stanley, with a faithful corps of assistants.

The large meeting tent is fitted up in a very satisfactory way. The floor renders the place dry and clean, the chairs are comfortable, and the platform arrangements are admirable. The only difficulty will be to furnish sufficient accommodations for the large number in attendance. It is probable that overflow meetings will be held on Sabbaths and Sundays, when the local attendance will be considerably increased.

Much satisfaction is expressed by both delegates and visitors at the improvements made on the Sligo property since the Conference four years ago. During this quaternial period the Sanitarium, the nurses’ dormitory, and the Seminary building have been erected, and the grounds have been graded and otherwise improved. In addition to this, the approaches have been greatly changed for the better, and the new bridge, just ready for traffic, renders the place easy of access. Taken altogether, the Conference is delightfully located.

The following general program indicates the daily work of the General Conference, with the exception of the Sabbath services:— 6-7    Devotional Meeting. 7-7:45    Breakfast. 7:45-8    Morning Work. 8-9    Departmental Meetings. 9:15-10:15    Bible Study. 10:30-12:30    Conference (Business). 1-2 P.M.    Dinner. 2-3    Committee Work. 3-5    Conference (Reports). 5-6    Committee Work. 6-7    Lunch. 7:45-9    Evening Service.

The following additional committees have been appointed:— On licenses and credentials: W. A. Spicer, chairman; J. L. Shaw, J. N. Anderson, F. W. Field, E. W. Farnsworth, A. G. Haughey. Distribution of labor: The General Conference Committee. On reference: W. C. Sisley, chairman; A. T. Robinson, G. I. Butler, C. W. Flaiz, H. Shultz, M. N. Campbell, C. H. Edwards, C. H. Jones, J. M. Johansen, N. Z. Town, W. H. Heckman, G. W. Caviness, R. T. Dowsett, C. N. Woodward, J. O. Miller, C. P. Bollman, J. T. Boettcher, J. Curdy, H. Hartkop, G. Oblander, W. T. Bartlett, R. H. Habenicht. On constitution: H. W. Cottrell, chairman; W. A. Westworth, James Cochran, W. T. Bartlett, I. H. Evans, C. W. Irwin, L. R. Conradi.