Resolutions Adopted by the Thirty-Seventh Session of the General Conference
1. For the manifold mercies of God which have been over us as a people; for his special blessing, which has preserved this great, threefold message in its integrity, and maintained unity among its faithful believers; for the success which has crowned the work of this advent movement during the past four years, as seen in its rapid growth and in its extension into new fields, in the prosperity which has attended our educational interests, in the conversion and consecration of our young people through the Sabbath-school and Missionary Volunteer departments, in the marked increase in the circulation of our literature in many languages, and in the preservation and progress of our medical missionary work; for the God-given liberties of conscience still vouchsafed to us; for these and all other divine blessings and favors which have been bestowed upon us by a compassionate and merciful Heavenly Father, we render our sincere praise and heartfelt thanksgiving. FINANCIAL POLICY — 1909 APPROPRIATIONS
Believing the hour has come, through the providences of God, that this denomination should quicken its pace in giving the message to all the world in this generation,—
1. We recommend, The following financial policy for the ensuing four years:—
(a) That the Executive Committee of the General Conference make appropriations annually to mission fields, equitably distributing the money raised, proportionate to the needs of the fields. (b) That for the year 1909, the following apportionment of funds for the support of what is known as the “evangelistic work” be made:—| Field |
Amount |
|---|
| Australasian Union Conference |
$8,500 |
| Canadian Union Conference |
6,000 |
| China Mission |
42,000 |
| European Field |
10,000 |
| Indian Mission |
26,000 |
| Japan Mission |
11,000 |
| Korean Mission |
8,000 |
| Hawaiian Mission |
600 |
| Mexican Mission |
8,000 |
| South African Union Conf. |
23,000 |
| South American Union Conf. |
20,000 |
| Southeastern Union Conf. |
6,000 |
| Southern Union Conf. |
6,000 |
| Southwestern Union Conf. |
4,500 |
| West African Mission |
3,000 |
| Western Canadian Union Conf. |
6,000 |
| West Indian Union Conf. |
19,000 |
| Greater New York Conf. |
5,000 |
| Chesapeake Conference |
750 |
| Virginia Conference |
750 |
Total appropriations for the evangelistic work for 1909 $214,100
(c) That all other requests for appropriations be referred to the General Conference Committee.
(d) That the General Conference Committee be authorized to make such changes in the appropriations granted for the evangelistic work as the demands of the various fields seem to make necessary. 2. We recommend, That the General Conference Executive Committee at once start what shall be known as the $300,000 Fund for institutional work and missionary homes in foreign fields, a certain portion of this money to be raised each year during the succeeding quadrennial term, and to be apportioned approximately on the following basis:—
(a) To specified fields,—| Field |
Amount |
|---|
| China |
$100,000 |
| Japan |
50,000 |
| Korea |
25,000 |
| India |
50,000 |
| Mexico |
15,000 |
| South America |
35,000 |
| Russia |
5,000 |
| Abyssinia |
3,000 |
| Latin Union School |
5,000 |
Total $288,000
(b) The balance of the $300,000 to be apportioned by the Executive Committee of the General Conference to such fields as stand in greatest need.
(c) That the Executive Committee of the General Conference shall from time to time designate which field shall receive a per cent of its apportionment, so that local committees can gauge their expenditures on a cash basis and prevent embarrassment to the general treasury.
(d) No field shall expend its appropriation faster than it is raised, unless previously arranged with the Executive Committee of the General Conference.
(e) The Executive Committee of the General Conference is hereby authorized to change the apportionment of any field, at any time, as conditions may demand.
(f) This apportionment for institutional work shall not be considered a debt, but is a united effort on the part of this people to raise this amount for the upbuilding of the work in foreign lands.13 3. We recommend, That the ten-cent-a-week plan be adopted by our people, and that each conference endeavor to raise no less than this amount for the world-wide work of the General Conference, in addition to the $300,000 Fund, for foreign institutions and missionary homes; and that the following funds be included as making up the ten-cent-a-week offerings: annual offerings, midsummer offerings, Sabbath-school offerings, and specific offerings for foreign missions, when not designated for a specific purpose for which no appropriations have been made. Whereas, There is most urgent need of reapers to gather the harvest in the great destitute mission fields; therefore,—
4. Resolved, That our local and union conferences be urged to curtail their expenses wherever expedient, and that they be invited to definitely appropriate to the support of the work in the regions beyond, from one fourth to one third of their total tithe receipts, after taking out the tithe to the union and the General Conference. 5. We recommend, That our people be encouraged to send their offerings to missions through their local church treasuries, rather than to forward donations direct to missions or to individuals; and that isolated believers remit their offerings to missions through their State conference or mission field treasury. 6. We recommend, That all our people be encouraged to pay their tithes and offerings weekly, and that all regular funds be passed from the respective treasuries through the regular channels monthly, and that special funds be forwarded immediately. Whereas, In the growth and progress of our denominational work many institutions involving large investments have been, and must be, established for carrying forward the various branches of our work; and,—
Whereas, It seems self-evident that such institutions as are built up and maintained by the donations, services, and patronage of our people, should belong to the people, as a whole, and not to a few, as is the case in many stock companies; therefore,—
7. We recommend, That great care be exercised in the organization of corporations to hold property; that the constituency be such as shall preserve all investments to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, and as far as possible, place the elective franchise and controlling power with the denomination, and not with individuals. G. C. C. AND G. C. A. INDEBTEDNESS
8. We recommend, That the General Conference Committee be hereby authorized to apply on the debts of the General Conference Corporation and of the General Conference Association, 5 per cent of the general funds, when conditions of the treasury will warrant. Whereas, The midsummer offering, of Sabbath, July 3, is right upon us, at a time when the mission treasury is in great need, and unable to provide the means to send to the fields many consecrated workers who are ready to go in response to the Macedonian cry; therefore,—
9. Resolved, That we urge all our people to pray and work with special earnestness at this time to make the midsummer offering the largest we have ever received at the midsummer season, in order that laborers may be hastened forth to the fields white for the harvest. MISSIONARY INGATHERING CAMPAIGN
Whereas, The Thanksgiving missionary campaign last year was a great success in bringing the truth of the message and its progress before the world, and in gathering funds for the extension of our missionary work; therefore,—
10. Resolved, That a missionary number of the REVIEW AND HERALD be issued for 1909, and that a vigorous campaign be inaugurated for its circulation, the date of the campaign to be fixed by the General Conference Committee. STATISTICAL REPORT, PER CAPITA BASIS
Whereas, There is need of slight changes in the matter of our statistical reports; therefore,—
11. Resolved, (a) That the per capita basis of the computation of the funds raised by each conference shall be the reported membership of organized churches and companies.
(b) That the annual statistical reports of the statistical secretary shall be accepted as official by the denomination; and that the church-membership given in the Year Book shall agree with the membership published in the preceding statistical report, and shall constitute the basis for the per capita computation of funds. GENERAL AND FIELD MISSIONARY AGENTS
Whereas, In the beginning of our subscription-book work, one of the principal factors in establishing it was the organization of the field under the leadership of general and local agents; and,—
Whereas, That line of work suffered years of decline through disorganization, but is now being strongly revived wherever the field is being properly manned; therefore,—
1. Resolved, That we move forward with all possible haste in the work that has been begun, of selecting and training general and field missionary agents, and of placing them where they are most needed, until all the great fields of the world are manned for handling the circulation of literature thoroughly. ELIMINATING COMMERCIAL WORK
Whereas, The blessing of the Lord has rested upon the efforts of our publishing houses to eliminate commercial work; and,—
Whereas, Their progress in this direction has met with the approval of our people, and has brought improved conditions both in the publishing houses and in the field; therefore,—
2. Resolved, That we approve of these steps, and that we support our publishing houses loyally in carrying them out. IMPROVEMENT IN LITERATURE
Whereas, Thorough attention should be given to the revision and improvement of our standard literature; and,—
Whereas, This will be an undertaking which will involve much labor; therefore,—
3. We recommend, That this work be provided for as follows:—
(a) That a book editor be appointed by the General Conference Committee, who shall be, or shall thereby become, a member of the Publishing Department of the General Conference, and devote as much time to this work as its needs require.
(b) That the publishing houses in the United States each be advised to appoint a book editor, who shall be a member of the respective literature committees of these houses.
(c) That the book editor of the General Department secure co-operation between the literature committees of the several publishing houses in accomplishing this work.14 PREPARATION OF OUR PUBLICATIONS
Whereas, With the rapid extension of our publishing work it becomes vitally important that our publications be prepared with great care, so that they may present clearly and suitably the truths of the third angel’s message; and,—
Whereas, Sundry publications are being distributed on individual responsibility, which neither represent the denomination nor carry any part of the financial burdens of the organized work; therefore,—
4. Resolved, (a) That information be given to our people concerning the thorough, painstaking work of the literature committees of our publishing houses in examining manuscripts, and preparing the subject-matter of all publications; and that our people be cautioned to discriminate between literature published by the denomination and that which is issued by private individuals.
(b) That missionaries, as far as practicable, submit manuscripts to properly constituted literature committees for their respective fields.
(c) That copy for literature prepared to meet emergencies, and for use in local campaigns, be at least submitted for criticism to the conference or mission committee of that territory, and bear the conference or mission imprint.
(d) That all our people be urged to work energetically and loyally for the circulation of our standard denominational literature. PUBLISHING HOUSE TITHE PAYING
5. We approve, Of the action of several of our publishing houses in paying a tithe into the treasury of the General Conference, and we invite all the publishing houses to follow their example. TRACT AND MISSIONARY WORK
Whereas, A question has arisen concerning the advisability of organizing a General Conference department to take charge of the periodical and home tract and missionary work; and,—
Whereas, We believe that confusion would result from the circulation of literature being directed by two departments operating through the same general offices, and through the same field; therefore,—
6. We recommend, That the periodical and home tract and missionary work continue, as in the past, under the direction of the Publishing Department, and that the General, union, and local conferences unite in making the necessary provision for conducting more thoroughly and aggressively these neglected lines of work.
7. We recommend, That all State conferences and mission fields give thorough attention to the organizing and carrying on of the home tract and missionary work in churches, companies, and by isolated members, and that the home work, thus organized, be made the basis both organically and educationally for the upbuilding of all lines of the publishing work. 8. We recommend, That in the varied lines of our home missionary and publishing work, we recognize a progressive system of education and practical training; beginning with mailing papers, loaning tracts and books, and selling periodicals and forty-per-cent books in the vicinity of the church, and advancing, step by step, to the systematic sale of periodicals in the great cities, and to the sale of regular subscription books; and that all these have as their object the training of workers for all departments of Christian service in the world-wide field. 9. We recommend, That a field missionary secretary be appointed in each local conference to take general supervision of the home tract and missionary and periodical work; that he be assisted energetically by every officer and employee of the conference; and that he devote his entire time to this work when consistent. 10. We recommend, That each conference take full charge of the work of canvassers for periodicals in their respective territories by,—
(a) The selection and training of workers for periodicals.
(b) The assigning of territory.
(c) The adoption of a general reporting system. READING COURSE FOR SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS
Whereas, One of the greatest factors in the promotion of a successful Sabbath-school is the teacher, and since many who are called to teach have had very meager advantages for training in their work; therefore,—
1. We recommend, That the Sabbath-school Department of the General Conference prepare in permanent form a reading course for the benefit of our Sabbath-school teachers. Whereas, The Sabbath School Worker is a molding factor in our Sabbath-schools, and it is the medium whereby Sabbath-school laborers are kept in touch with progressive methods; therefore,—
2. We recommend, That earnest efforts be made to place this journal in the hands of every officer and teacher in our Sabbath-schools, by—
(a) A liberal use of sample copies, calling attention to special articles and practical illustrations.
(b) Personal labor and continual correspondence by the State Sabbath-school secretary.
(c) Enlisting the co-operation of the missionary and tract society secretaries and conference laborers.
(d) Small leaflets containing selections from the Sabbath School Worker, testimonials, etc.
(e) Frequent testimonials in our periodicals of help received from the Sabbath School Worker.
(f) Arranging, if possible, for club rates to subscribers for single copies of the Sabbath School Worker and Youth’s Instructor, or Sabbath School Worker and Little Friend, or for single copies of the three papers. SABBATH-SCHOOL HOME DEPARTMENT
Whereas, The Home Department of the Sabbath-school has been established to meet the needs of our people who are isolated from those of like precious faith, as well as those whom circumstances prevent from attending the local school; therefore,—
3. We recommend,—
(a) That the conference workers be urged to co-operate with our secretaries in strengthening this work by securing the names and addresses of all isolated Sabbath-keepers within their territory, that they may be brought in touch with the progress of the message.
(b) That we urge the carrying forward of this work more fully in our local schools, thus bringing the vitalizing power of the Sabbath-school lessons to the whole denomination. SABBATH-SCHOOL OFFERINGS TO MISSIONS
Whereas, Our Sabbath-schools need the blessed inspiration of a real burden for mission fields, while opportunities to spread the message in foreign lands are multiplying faster than their means; therefore,—
4. We recommend, That our Sabbath-schools give all their donations to missions, providing for their expenses in some other way; and, further,—
5. We recommend, That each conference pay the entire expenses of the Sabbath-school departmental work without drawing upon the Sabbath-school offerings given by the schools for missions. Whereas, In many schools there is a great lack of proper equipment, such as laboratory, library, and class-room facilities, and the necessary means for conducting industrial studies; therefore,—
1. Resolved, That we urge all our boards of management properly to equip the schools for the work which they have to do. Whereas, One hindrance to successful church-school work has been the improper and inconvenient rooms in which schools have been quartered; therefore,—
2. Resolved, That we urge our conferences as far as practicable, and wherever church-school buildings are to be erected, to see that neat, inexpensive, well-adapted buildings, surrounded by grounds adapted for school gardens, be provided; and, further,—
3. Resolved, That in the erection of school buildings, advice and counsel be obtained from the Department of Education where the school is to be established, so that the buildings may be well adapted to the needs of the school. Whereas, It is impossible for many of our young people to obtain the advantages of our schools; and,—
Whereas, We have men and women of years of experience who, under proper conditions, would be able to pursue studies greatly to the advantage of themselves and their work; and,—
Whereas, Correspondence schools have been shown to be successful; therefore,—
4. Resolved, That the Department of Education be urged to take under advisement plans for such a school, and the General Conference Committee be requested to establish it, if after careful consideration, it seems wise to do so. 5. Resolved, That the Executive Committee of the General Conference arrange for the publication of an educational journal adapted to the development of our school work, the policy and contents of the journal to be under the direction of the Department of Education of the General Conference. RELATION AND SCOPE OF DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SCHOOLS
Whereas, Experience has shown that the schools conducted by local conferences should seldom carry work beyond the tenth grade; and,—
Whereas, Several of these local schools are now called academies, though not doing, or equipped to do, full academic work, for lack of libraries, laboratories, and sufficient teaching force; and,—
Whereas, We have the following instruction from the spirit of prophecy: “It is not wise for a new school to lift its banner, and promise a high grade of work before it has proved that it is fully able to do preparatory work as it should be done. It should be the great aim of every intermediate school to do most thorough work in the common branches. . . . It would be a sad mistake for us to fail to consider thoroughly the purpose for which each of our schools is established. This is a matter that should be faithfully considered by our responsible men in each union conference. All the different educational interests should be given careful consideration, and then each school should place its work on a proper basis;” therefore,—
6. We recommend, (a) That the local conferences, in counsel with their union conference committee, adapt the name and grade of work of these local schools to the intermediate school standard, except in those special cases where circumstances make this step unadvisable.
(b) That the union conference training-schools do not draw intermediate students from the territory within the jurisdiction of the intermediate schools without previous arrangement with the local conference president.
(c) That in each union conference there be created a board of visitors, consisting of the union conference president, the union conference educational secretary, and one member of the training-school faculty, to be appointed by the faculty, to counsel with the individual conferences or schools, in order to unify and grade the work of the intermediate schools and academies of the union conference. PATRONIZING OUR SCHOOL INDUSTRIES
Whereas, The tent-making and other industries of our schools are a means of education and a financial help to the students; therefore,—
7. We recommend, To the favorable consideration of our people the purchasing of the products of the industrial departments of our schools. 8. Resolved, That we invite our conferences throughout the United States and Canada to select men and women of such age and experience as will meet the needs of our foreign fields, and recommend them to the Foreign Mission Seminary for a course of instruction preparatory to foreign service.15 RECOGNITION OF ADVANCED NORMAL DIPLOMAS
9. Resolved, That the diplomas reaching at least to the fourteenth grade, from the advanced normal courses of our union conference training-schools which have model practise schools connected with them, be considered equivalent to first-grade teacher’s certificates, and good for three years following their issuance; and that upon the completion of three years of successful teaching out of the first five years following graduation, the Department of Education of the General Conference shall, upon the recommendation of the school issuing the diploma, grant a seal to the diploma, which shall be valid anywhere in the denomination as a teacher’s certificate, so long as the holder is in good and regular standing in church-membership in this denomination. Whereas, The book “Education” contains truths most vital to the proper understanding and appreciation of educational questions and to the development of our school work; therefore,—
10. Resolved, That we most earnestly urge our people everywhere not only to secure, and to study, this book, but to dispose of it to educators and parents not of our faith, as a means of interesting them in our educational work, and so in our cause of truth. “CHRIST’S OBJECT LESSONS”
Whereas, “Christ’s Object Lessons” was given for the relieving of our schools from indebtedness; and,—
Whereas, It has already accomplished a great work in this direction to the extent of securing some three hundred thousand dollars; and,—
Whereas, It has been some seven or eight years since we conducted a general campaign with this book; therefore,—
11. Resolved, That the Department of Education be instructed to organize and vigorously prosecute such a campaign, similar in purpose and plan to that formerly undertaken for our advanced and intermediate schools, and that we urge our conference committees everywhere to heartily co-operate in this undertaking. SELF-SUPPORTING SCHOOLS IN THE SOUTH
Whereas, The Southland of the United States and the mission fields offer many opportunities for self-supporting school work; and,—
Whereas, Not a few of our people are planning to undertake this line of work; and,—
Whereas, A close, friendly relationship should exist between the organized work of the denomination, and these self-supporting schools; therefore,—
12. We recommend,—
(a) That the educational departments of our organized work, where these schools are located, provide for their representation in the conference educational departments.
(b) That the educational departments assist in the selection of those who shall be encouraged to enter this line of work.
(c) That indorsement be given to those selected, who need financial assistance, that those from whom funds are solicited may know whom to assist.
(d) That the organized work assist in locating said schools, and advise in the expenditure of funds secured by donations from our people.
(e) That the closest bonds of sympathy and co-operation be maintained between these self-supporting schools and our organized work. (f) That the educational departments be encouraged to so co-operate with these self-supporting schools that the utmost possible help may be rendered, and the best results accomplished.
13. We further recommend, That our stronger conferences search out and encourage suitable persons to undertake this self-supporting work, and that the workers thus selected be encouraged to pursue a course of instruction at the Nashville Normal and Agricultural Institute. SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN OF MISSIONARIES
Whereas, The children of our foreign missionaries, in many fields, do not have the advantages of an education, unless they are returned to their home lands, or placed in schools not of our faith; and,—
Whereas, This situation demands the sympathy and active co-operation of all believers in the home lands; therefore,—
14. Resolved, That in heathen mission fields, where the number of foreign workers makes it necessary, Christian boarding schools, providing the first twelve grades of work, be established by the General Conference; that such schools be conducted in harmony with the educational policy of the denomination; and that suitable charges be made to all students. GERMAN SCHOOLS IN AMERICA
Realizing the great importance of educating our youth, and seeing the absence of system and co-operation among our denominational schools in which German is taught, and recognizing the urgent need that the General Conference lay plans for the betterment of this condition,—
15. We recommend, That our German church-schools follow the curriculum and system adopted by our English schools, as far as possible, substituting such German studies as are adapted to their respective grades.
Whereas, There is great need of uniformity in the German departments of our higher schools; therefore,—
16. We recommend, That the same course of study be pursued by these departments, and that, wherever possible, the same text-books be used; and,—
17. We further recommend, That the regular course in these higher schools be four years, after the completion of which, certificates of proper recognition be granted. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY INSTITUTES
Whereas, All our people should be well informed in the principles of religious liberty, that they may be enabled to meet the rapidly approaching crisis; therefore,—
1. We recommend, That our religious liberty secretaries everywhere, in conjunction with their respective conference officers, arrange to hold religious liberty institutes at such times and places as the cause of truth may demand, and that at these institutes regular time be set apart for all in attendance to do practical work in introducing the journal Liberty, and other similar literature, to the reading public.
Whereas, Agitation for Sunday legislation is rapidly increasing in the United States and in Canada; and,—
Whereas, The general annual collection of funds for the prosecution of religious liberty work has heretofore been exclusively for the use of the general Religious Liberty Department; therefore,—
2. We recommend, That there be an equal division of the funds to the General, union, and local conferences in these fields. 3. We recommend, That a press bureau be established in connection with the Religious Liberty Department, having a central organization at Takoma Park, and local bureaus wherever practicable. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY LITERATURE
4. We recommend, That in the preparation of religious liberty literature, regard be had to the provision of an attractive and popular treatment of the subject, suited for general distribution. Whereas, The Medical Missionary Nurses’ Training Course embraces more than routine nursing; therefore,—
1. We recommend, That in each sanitarium the work be so organized that the nurses may have an equivalent to three months’ field work a year in the sale of our health literature, visiting the sick and in giving Bible readings; and that the union and State conferences co-operate in this work, so that at the completion of the nurses’ course, these laborers may be employed in regular conference work. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY CLASSES
2. We recommend, The adoption of the following requirements for entrance to medical missionary classes:—
(1) An earnest Christian character and a fixed purpose to devote the life to gospel medical missionary and evangelistic work.
(2) Sound health and physical development.
(3) Common school education, i. e., arithmetic, geography, grammar, reading, writing, elementary physics, elementary physiology, and Bible.
(4) Applicants should not be under twenty or over thirty years of age.
(5) The application should be accompanied by written recommendation of a Seventh-day Adventist school or of a union or State conference committee, also medical certificate as to condition of health.
(6) No one is to be received into the school whose purpose is to obtain a merely professional training. Whereas, There is a demand on the part of many preparing to do more efficient missionary work for a brief course in the essentials of diet, hydrotherapy, and various sanitarium methods of treatment; therefore,—
3. Resolved, That several of our larger institutions, including Washington, Loma Linda, Boulder, and Sydney sanitariums, be requested to provide a special nine months’ sanitarium training course for such persons, for which a certificate of attendance shall be given on completing the course satisfactorily. SPECIAL COURSE FOR MISSIONARIES
4. We recommend, The following special course for missionaries:—16 | Course |
Hours |
|---|
| Physiology |
36 |
| General nursing |
36 |
| Hydrotherapy (practical) |
24 |
| Bible |
36 |
| History of missions |
18 |
| History of the advent movement |
18 |
| Physical culture |
36 |
| Cooking |
24 |
| Surgical nursing |
12 |
| Hydrotherapy (theoretical) |
24 |
| General diseases |
36 |
| Nursing (practical) |
18 |
| Hygiene |
36 |
| Tropical diseases |
12 |
| Accidents and emergencies |
18 |
| Bandaging |
12 |
| Children’s diseases |
12 |
LENGTHENED NURSES’ COURSE
Whereas, There is a demand in our institutions and in the field for nurses of experience and advanced training; therefore,—
5. Resolved, (a) That a regular nurses’ training course of three years be required for graduation; and,—
(b) That certain institutions, such as the Washington and Loma Linda sanitariums, and our larger sanitariums in other countries, be requested to provide a fourth year post-graduate study and training for such nurses. Whereas, We recognize that our sanitariums are institutions for educating missionaries; and,—
Whereas, These institutions are greatly hampered in their work by debt; therefore,—
6. Resolved, That we make, during the coming quadrennium, a special effort to free these institutions from debt,—
(1) By their respective boards, faculties, and workers diminishing the indebtedness of the institutions,—
(a) Through the earnings of the institutions.
(b) By reducing the running expenses.
(c) Through the sale of “Ministry of Healing.”
(d) Through securing of donations. TRAINING OF SANITARIUM WORKERS
Whereas, There is great need of well qualified workers in all our institutions; therefore,—
7. Resolved, That we encourage our sanitariums to give attention to educating business managers, matrons, cooks, and other responsible workers. MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
Recognizing the great need of a special work to be done for and by the thousands of youth among us, and also the good results that have already come from the establishment of the Missionary Volunteer Department,—
1. Resolved, That we heartily approve of the action of the General Conference Committee in the establishment of this department, and of the earnest efforts that have been put forth to inspire our young people with high purposes, and to organize them for service. Recognizing that the greatest need of our young people is a deep spiritual life that they may meet the approval of God in their own lives, and be able to lead others to Christ,—
2. Resolved, (a) That we emphasize a change of heart and the reception of the Holy Spirit as fundamental in all our work for the youth; and,—
(b) That to this end more earnest evangelistic effort be carried forward in their behalf. 3. Resolved, That in planning work for our young people we emphasize personal work as fundamental, and the basis of all lines of Christian work; and that, to this end, we encourage the formation of small bands for prayer and definite effort. Recognizing the importance of our youth being thoroughly grounded in the truths of the Scriptures, and in the history and principles of the advent movement; and recognizing the necessity of our young people storing their minds with valuable information,—
4. Resolved, That we heartily approve of the Standard of Attainment, Missionary Volunteer Reading Course, the preparation and selection of suitable literature for the young, and other educational features of the Missionary Volunteer work. 5. We recommend, That the Missionary Volunteer Department prepare a series of society lessons embracing the doctrines peculiar to our faith, and also other fundamental truths of the Scriptures, and that they be published—
(a) In pamphlet form as a text-book.
(b) As a series in the Youth’s Instructor, with suitable notes and helps for study.
(c) In such foreign languages as may seem advisable. Whereas, The success of our Missionary Volunteer work depends very largely upon proper leadership; and,—
Whereas, This labor for the salvation and training of our youth is missionary work of the highest order; therefore,—
6. Resolved, That our conferences make special efforts to secure the very best talent for this important work, and that the churches be encouraged to use great care in the selection of local leaders. 7. Resolved, That the present plan of organization be recommended to all our union and local conferences, as the general plan for the upbuilding of this important department of our work. Realizing the great importance of the early training of our children in the Lord’s work,—
8. Resolved, (a) That, first of all, parents be encouraged to associate their children with themselves in study and missionary work.
(b) That we encourage the organization of Junior Missionary Volunteer societies only in church-schools, and in large churches where home conditions seem to demand it, and suitable leaders can be obtained.
(c) That in any church where there are children, a Junior leader may be appointed, who will plan especially for the spiritual interests of the children, and enlist the co-operation of the Sabbath-school workers and the Missionary Volunteer Society in work for them. (d) That children who love the Lord and unite in this work either in a separate society or in connection with the Missionary Volunteer Society, be reported as Junior members. Recognizing the great opportunities offered at our annual camp-meetings for the salvation of souls, and for the training of our people in all lines of Christian work; therefore,—
9. We recommend, That diligent effort be made at these meetings for the salvation of our children and youth, and for their development as Christian workers; and we urge those who have this work in charge,—
(a) To make wise plans for the meetings and attendance.
(b) To organize the Christian young people into bands for prayer and personal work.
(c) To follow up the work diligently so that the results may be permanent. Whereas, There is a great educational and spiritual value to our youth in rendering definite assistance to foreign missions; and,—
Whereas, The Foreign Mission Seminary Scholarship Fund is greatly needed to assist in quickly preparing workers for the field; therefore,—
10. Resolved, That our conferences be encouraged to complete this fund as soon as possible.
11. Resolved, That the General Conference Missionary Volunteer Department keep prepared a list of definite opportunities to help advance the cause, and that the department co-operate with the local conference workers in choosing such of these opportunities as may seem best adapted to the local field. LITERATURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OTHER TONGUES
12. Resolved, That, as far as possible and necessary, the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department co-operate with the foreign departments in America, and with other fields, in producing literature, society lessons, etc., in other languages aside from the English. Whereas, The liquor traffic is a gigantic evil, condemned by the Word of God, by medical and scientific investigation, and by the experience of all time; and,—
Whereas, It is destructive of law, order, and the civil rights of humanity; therefore,—
1. We recommend, That our ministers, teachers, physicians, nurses, and people generally, engage in a vigorous campaign in behalf of total abstinence, by means of lectures, demonstrations, and the distribution of health and temperance literature, and that whenever consistent our people by voice, pen, and vote, place themselves on record as favorable to its restriction and entire prohibition. LABORERS FOR THE FOREIGN POPULATION OF AMERICA
Whereas, There is in America a very large foreign population, consisting of many nationalities, each with its own language; and,—
Whereas, There are now engaged in the English work many laborers of foreign parentage who can fluently speak17one of these foreign languages; therefore,—
2. Resolved, That we recommend such laborers to work for the people of their own nationality as far as the way is open for them so to do. Whereas, We are debtors to the millions of all nationalities in the large cities to give them the advent message as quickly as possible, and experience has shown that the sale of literature, house-to-house visiting, and Bible studies are effective methods of labor; therefore,—
3. Resolved, That we lay broad plans for the organization of city work, which will include the sale of periodicals and books, the distribution of tracts and leaflets, visiting and Bible studies in the homes, and the training of local church-members and students from our schools and sanitariums to become efficient helpers to those regularly appointed to this work. NORTH AMERICAN NEGRO DEPARTMENT
4. Resolved, That in carrying out the provision of the constitution creating a North American Negro Department of the General Conference, the following be a working basis:—
(a) That the work for the colored people in the Southern, Southeastern, and Southwestern union conferences be organized on a mission basis in each union.
(b) That, as the work for the colored people develops, local missions may be organized in these union missions.
(c) That a strong effort be made to quickly place the truths of the message before the colored people of the South in the most effective ways, especially by the use of suitable literature, evangelistic work, and mission schools. Whereas, There are about 80,000 blind persons in the United States and Canada; and,—
Whereas, There is being published by our people a paper for the blind, known as the Christian Record, at College View, Neb., containing the message of present truth; therefore,—
5. We recommend, That our union and local conferences endeavor in their respective territories to place the Christian Record in the hands of such blind persons as understand the systems used in its publication. Whereas, Our standard book, “Hymns and Tunes,” is rapidly going out of use among our people, so that there is danger of its being wholly discarded; and,—
Whereas, The disuse of the old advent hymns contained therein is a distinct loss in our worship, and to the advent message; therefore,—
6. We recommend, That the General Conference Committee appoint a competent revision committee, whose duty it shall be to thoroughly revise the book, “Hymns and Tunes,” by discarding those portions of it which experience has shown to be least meritorious, and by inserting other choice hymns and tunes, that the book may continue to contribute its share in deepening the spiritual experiences of our people. ACQUIRING THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Whereas, The Bible teaches, and missionary experience everywhere demonstrates, that the gospel most quickly and effectively reaches the various nationalities of earth if carried to them in their own tongues; therefore,—
7. Resolved, That we encourage our workers to make every possible effort to acquire the language of the people among whom they are called to labor. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR MISSIONARY CANDIDATES
Owing to the heavy transportation expenses incurred in forwarding missionaries to distant foreign fields, and because of the hardship incident to mission work,—
8. Resolved, That we instruct the Mission Board to require a certificate of health, signed by a competent physician, from each person who is accepted for appointment to a foreign field. FOREIGN SEMINARY MANAGEMENT
Whereas, By vote of its constituency, in a meeting held June 3, 1909, the Washington Training College invited the General Conference to take title to its property, known as the Foreign Mission Seminary, and to assume the management of said institution; therefore,—
9. Resolved, (a) That the General Conference does not deem it advisable to take title to denominational institutions in our regularly organized territory; and,—
(b) That we advise the Executive Committee of the General Conference to have an equal fostering care over all denominational institutions controlled by our organized bodies, and that it do not assume the financial responsibility or the local management of the same. VARIOUS NATIONALITIES IN AMERICA
Whereas, There are in North America people of many foreign nationalities who speak the language of their native land, and for whom little or no special effort has been put forth by our workers; therefore,—
10. We recommend, That an earnest effort be made by our local and union conferences to evangelize our foreign population, by training and encouraging laborers speaking these languages to labor among their own people, and by the preparation and circulation of suitable literature on present truth among these peoples. Believing that our health food interests may be greatly advanced by unifying the work of the several factories; therefore,—
11. We recommend, That the General Conference Committee appoint a chairman and secretary to work for the best interests of the health food business, and suggest a general council to be held in some central place, with the idea of unifying the health food business, and giving attention to the best methods of marketing the products. Whereas, During the coming four years the General Conference Bulletin will be in constant use as a source of reference, therefore,—
12. We recommend, That the closing number of the Bulletin contain all the resolutions passed at this Conference, the revised Constitution, and an index of the Conference proceedings. 13. Resolved, That we express appreciation of the courtesies extended by the general and local press to our meeting; and, further,—
14. Resolved, That the secretary of the General Conference be asked to communicate this action to the press.