p. 572 | GENERAL CONFERENCE

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 22, 1881

GENERAL CONFERENCE.

CONFERENCE assembled Dec. 1, 1881. Delegates presented credentials from Michigan, Vermont, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New York, California, Kansas, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, and Indiana. Invitations were given to brethren present to represent New England, Province of Quebec, Scandinavians in the West, Colorado Mission, Kentucky and Tennessee. Whole number of delegates, 38.

Reports were received from Eld. J. N. Andrews, Switzerland; Eld. J. G. Matteson, Norway; Eld. G. W. Colcord, Upper Columbia; Eld. Wm. L. Raymond, Oregon; Eld. I. D. Van Horn, now of California; C. M. Kinney and J. W. Allen, Nevada; Eld. L. P. Hodges, North Carolina; Eld. C. O. Taylor, Alabama; and A. C. Neff, Virginia.

The following resolutions were adopted at the second session of the first day:—

Resolved, That we express it as the opinion of this Conference that no person should presume to go to any of the European missions, with a view to connecting themselves with these missions as laborers, until they have first received from the General Conference Committee credentials which will show to the brethren to whom they are accredited that they are worthy of their confidence and support.—Adopted.

WHEREAS, The recommendation of this Conference concerning the annual election of church officers has in some instances, through misapprehension of the design of this recommendation, resulted in changes which have proved detrimental to the interests of our churches; therefore—

Resolved, That while we recognize the importance of this arrangement as a means of relieving the churches of such officers as are not serving them to the best advantage, we most earnestly recommend that such changes be made only in cases where there exists an evident necessity for such change, and then only with the advice and counsel of the Conference Committee.—Adopted.

Resolved, That in the selection of new officers great care should be exercised that those chosen to these responsible positions be sound in the faith, and in all points in harmony with the spirit of our work.—Adopted.

At the other meetings resolutions were presented as follows:—

WHEREAS, In the providence of God, Eld. James White has, during the past Conference year, been removed by death from the labors and responsibilities which have devolved upon him for so many years; therefore—

Resolved, That while we feel that words are inadequate to express the sense of loss which we feel at his death; and while we are deeply conscious that there is no one among us who can fill as he did the position of counselor and laborer in the work of the third angel’s message, we will nevertheless earnestly pray that the same God who helped him to devise and execute the plans which have contributed so much to the prosperity of the cause of present truth, may permit the mantle of his faithfulness and power to fall upon others, whose devotion to the cause of God shall be characterized by the same spirit of self-sacrifice and be crowned with the same marked success as that which distinguished his life and labors.

Resolved, That we hereby express to our afflicted sister, Ellen G. White, and the other members of her family, our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in this great bereavement which has fallen upon them; and that we assure them of our earnest prayers that our Heavenly Father will graciously sustain them under the deep affliction and great loss which they have experienced.

This and the preceding resolution were adopted, not by the Conference only, but by a rising vote unanimously given by the whole congregation.

Resolved, That we renew the expressions of our confidence in the spirit of prophecy, which has acted so prominent a part thus far in directing the efforts of our people in giving the last message of mercy to the world; and that we will earnestly pray that God in his infinite mercy may remember the humble instrument he has employed in connection with the same, and impart to her in her present enfeebled condition the strength necessary to enable her to visit the different parts of the field, and actively participate in such general gatherings as may be held from time to time.—Adopted.

WHEREAS, The College at Battle Creek was founded for the especial purpose of fitting young men and women for usefulness either in the ministry or in fields of missionary labor, and—

WHEREAS, In our judgment, the children’s department, which is at the present time connected with the College, interferes materially with the success of the institution in that direction; therefore—

Resolved, That we most respectfully recommend the Educational Society to take into consideration the propriety of making such provisions that the children’s department shall be either wholly separated from the College, or so conducted that it will not interfere with the usefulness of the same in the accomplishment of its specific work.

Resolved, That we express it as our conviction that the College at Battle Creek could greatly advance the interests of the cause of God by preparing young men and women to act as teachers, and that we earnestly recommend the faculty of that institution to spare no pains to secure that end, by giving particular attention to the interest of that department of the school which is devoted to the instruction and drill of those who design to act in that capacity.

Resolved, (1) That we recommend the establishment in States where the same can be done to advantage, of schools where students can pursue such branches of study as it will be necessary for them to master before entering the College at Battle Creek; (2) That these preparatory schools be established in such places, and conducted on such principles as the General Conference may recommend.—Adopted.

WHEREAS, It is in the highest degree important that our churches should enjoy, as far as possible, the labor and watchcare of our ministers, and—

WHEREAS, The church in Battle Creek cannot be materially aided by the presence of ministers other than those who are connected with the institutions located there: therefore—

Resolved, That we recommend our brethren in the ministry to find homes in the vicinity of churches which have need of their labor and oversight.

We regret that the report received in the Review of Dec. 13, was incomplete. We will give any items of interest in the proceedings hereafter.