North American Division Conference Executive Committee Council
By G. B. Thompson
The fall council of the North American Division Conference Executive Committee was held in Takoma Park, D. C., Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, 1914. In his report of the proceedings of the General Conference Committee Council held at the same time, the secretary recorded the names of those in attendance, so it is unnecessary to repeat them here. It was the feeling of all present that this was one of the best councils we have ever held. The presence of the Holy Spirit was very manifest. Many important and perplexing questions occupied the attention of the council, but all the discussion was marked by the most kind, Christian spirit, and the unity of the Spirit was seen in the conclusions reached. The following recommendations and resolutions will be of general interest:— First Session of Division Conference
In view of the swift progress of events betokening the soon coming of the Lord, and the necessity of economizing both time and means in order that every resource may be devoted to winning souls to Christ, we feel that at this stage of the growing work the number of conference sessions may profitably be reduced, thus enabling conference laborers to give themselves more uninterruptedly to evangelistic efforts; therefore,— We recommend, That the first regular session of the North American Division Conference, which was appointed for 1915, be postponed, and that the meeting be held at the time of the next General Conference, in 1917. Voted, That it is the sense of this council that there be no council of the executive committee held in the spring of 1915, unless some special developments and unforeseen circumstances make such a council necessary. In view of the reduced fares obtainable to points westward next year— We recommend, That the next autumn council of the North American Division Conference be held at some point in the Pacific Union Conference. Whereas, The publication of quarterly reports showing the state and progress of the work throughout the Division Conference is a means of greatly strengthening the hands of local, union, and division officers, and a source of encouragement and an incentive to earnest service to all our churches, therefore,— We recommend, That the church clerk be urged to forward complete quarterly reports to the conference office not later than the eighth day of the month following the close of the quarter, and that the conference secretary send his report to the union office not later than the fifteenth of said month, thus enabling each union secretary to furnish complete reports to the general office before the close of the month. Term of Sabbath School Offices
Whereas, Progressive plans for the improvement of our Sabbath schools are often hindered by the frequent changes of officers, therefore,— We recommend, That beginning with the year 1915, the term of office in our Sabbath schools be one year, instead of six months as heretofore. The following appropriations were voted:—
Atlantic Union .................. $18,500
Columbia Union ................. 15,000
Eastern Canadian ............... 7,000
Southern Union ................. 11,000
Southeastern Union ............. 9,000
Southwestern Union ............. 3,500
North Amer. For. Dept. ......... 13,000
Negro Department ............... 28,000
Loma Linda ..................... 10,000
Christian Record ............. 2,000
Total .......................... $116,000 Voted, 1. That an appropriation of $6,000 be made for the school at Huntsville, Ala., which shall be raised by a special collection to be taken up Sabbath, Feb. 6, 1915. This is to be the only offering for 1915 for the Division Conference.
2. That we appropriate the proceeds of the Henderson estate to the Oakwood School, to be used for the dormitory, with the understanding that the dormitory be known as the Henderson Memorial.
3. That $2,000 be appropriated for opening a training school for foreign workers in the city of Chicago. The question of the surplus tithe turned over by the local conferences to the Division Conference was given very careful consideration, and some adjustments were made. The following was voted as the basis on which the per cent of tithe given to the Division should be reckoned:— The funds of the Division Conference shall consist of the tithe of the union conferences and a per cent of the tithe of the local conferences to be paid as follows: 5 per cent required on a tithe of $15,000 and under, and an increase in the rate of 1 per cent for each additional thousand dollars tithe until it amounts to 20 per cent. Improvement of the Ministry
With a view of securing greater efficiency in the ministry it was— Voted, That the chairman appoint a committee of seven, himself being one, to study the question of the ministry, the ordination to this sacred calling, the granting of licenses and credentials, and the real work and goal of a gospel minister; this committee to make definite recommendations to the fall council in 1915. Denominational Hymn Books
The following recommendations in reference to denominational hymn books were adopted:—
1. That “Hymns and Tunes” in its present form, without revision, be continued as the denominational hymnal.
2. That “Christ in Song” in its present form, without revision, be continued for use in Sabbath school work and gospel meetings.
3. That the Review and Herald be asked to publish a small, inexpensive book of ninety-six to one hundred and twenty-eight pages, for use in evangelistic services.
4. That the North American Division Conference appoint a committee of eighteen persons, of whom six members shall form a local working quorum, to select the hymns for use in this collection; and that the work be hastened so as to have this collection ready if possible for distribution May 1, 1915. The following persons were named as this committee, the first six persons named to constitute the working quorum: F. Griggs, I. A. Ford, W. W. Prescott, G. B. Thompson, C. L. Hamer, F. W. Paap, Henry de Fluiter, C. H. Jones, O. O. Bernstein, M. H. Serns, C. B. Haynes, W. D. Dortch, W. H. Branson, Milton St. John, B. E. Beddoe, M. W. Newton, E. H. Dexter, Ernest Lloyd. Voted, 1. That we concur in the recommendation of the General Conference Committee that the medium for the Harvest Ingathering campaign for 1915 be either the Signs Magazine or the Signs weekly.
2. That the plan of the Harvest Ingathering campaign for 1915 be as follows:—
a. That the promotion of the campaign be under the North American Division Treasury and Home Missionary Departments.
b. That we ask the publishers of the foreign periodicals to bring out an Ingathering number of the German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish papers.
c. That the general goal be fixed 25 per cent higher than the receipts on the current year’s campaign, it being understood that the goal shall not be less than $100,000. Panama Exposition Exhibit
In response to the request from the Pacific Union Conference for counsel regarding the question of an exhibit at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, we favor an exhibit creditable to the denomination, if it can be had for a total expenditure of $2,500 or $3,000. Otherwise, we do not favor a larger expenditure. Whereas, The plan of raising twenty cents a week per member for foreign missions and for the relief of our institutions has met with a hearty response everywhere from our people, and is proving a reliable means for the advance of the third angel’s message, therefore,— Voted, 1. That we reaffirm our belief in the splendid possibilities of this plan, and urge all our conferences to renewed efforts to make the plan a success.
2. That we suggest to the conferences the following as methods whereby all may do their full part in this plan:—
a. All the workers throughout the union, as far as possible, give $1 a week or more, and lead the brethren to do the same. Supplement this method by publishing regularly in the union paper a list of those who give.
b. Secure a list of the brethren who would be able to give liberal offerings, and write them a personal letter, asking them for the same.
c. Urge the missionary acre idea upon the people, in which the children as well as the adults may have a part.
d. Send monthly an encouraging letter to each church, accompanied by a financial report.10 e. That the Sabbath school offering for missions be taken at the end of the exercise, in order to include the offering of those who come late; and that all members of the church make their offering whether they come to Sabbath services or not, and that special attention be given to isolated members.
f. To instruct all members to come to the regular church service, as well as to Sabbath school, with an offering in hand for missions, exhortation being given to every church to take up an offering regularly at the Sabbath service.
g. To assist in this giving, that attention be given to using at different periods, various designs, such as a blackboard, clock, thermometer, etc.
h. That from now on during 1914 we recommend that each conference be divided into districts, a worker to be placed in charge of each district to see that all members are encouraged to take part in these liberalities. Relief of Local Indebtedness
Whereas, The rapid extension of our work has called for enterprises involving them to a greater or less extent in debts, which demand immediate attention, therefore,— Resolved, That we recommend each union, in counsel with the local conferences, to adopt at once, in addition to the twenty-cent-a-week plan, some plan to decrease outstanding liabilities. Uniting Small Conferences
Voted, That union conferences give careful attention to the territorial arrangement and division of conferences or mission fields, in order that the greatest economy and efficiency in administration may be secured; and that where two conferences in a union are so situated as to make it practicable for one set of officers to satisfactorily administer the work, they be united. Strengthening Union Conferences
Whereas, distinct advantages have accrued to this work from the organization of unions, therefore,— Resolved, That we recommend the union and local conferences to give more study to the benefits which flow from the union of fields into that sisterhood of conferences known as the union conference, in order that all lines of work may be greatly strengthened. Voted, That the officers of the General and Division Conferences be requested to prepare a leaflet giving instruction regarding the proper method of transfer of laborers between local, union, Division, and General conferences, and between institutions. Voted, That three bookmen’s conventions be held early next year, one each in the territory of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the Southern Publishing Association, and the Pacific Press Publishing Association. Religious Liberty Department
Voted, That without formally changing the name of the Religious Liberty Department at this time, we ask the department to add to its work the feature of temperance legislation, thus standing as a department for religious liberty and temperance legislation. The following resolutions on the medical work were adopted:— 1. That three or more medical conventions be held in the early part of 1915, to which there shall be invited union conference committeemen, all physicians, sanitarium managers, treatment room workers, nurses, and such other ministerial and medical workers as are able to attend.
2. That we request the Educational Department to include in its Ministerial Reading Course a book on medical science, to be recommended by the Medical Department.
3. That each union conference arrange for proper representation of medical work at all camp meetings.
4. That our sanitariums hold schools of health wherever practicable, and that the Medical Department be asked to assist in providing suitable literature, sample programs, and other needed material.
5. That one Sabbath of each year be set aside as Health and Temperance Day, and that suitable readings and articles be prepared by the Medical Department, to be furnished all ministers and church elders.
6. That our conference committees plan, as far as possible, to utilize our graduate nurses in connection with conference work; to assist suitable workers to locate in cities to carry on dispensary work, nurses’ bureaus, district nursing, and to conduct treatment rooms. The following recommendations on the foreign work in America were adopted:—
1. That B. E. Miller, of New York City, be elected secretary of the German work in the East.
2. That P. E. Broderson be elected secretary of the Danish-Norwegian Department, and that L. H. Christian assist him in this work, especially in matters of finances.
Whereas, There is a very large foreign population in this country, aside from the Germans and Scandinavians, therefore,—
3. Resolved, That we approve the plan of establishing training missions in important centers for the preparation of workers among these different nationalities.
Whereas, Calls are constantly coming for labor among the various nationalities of our country, therefore,—
4. Resolved, That we instruct the secretary of the Foreign Department to make arrangements with the various conferences from which these calls come, to fill such calls as far as circumstances will permit.
Whereas, Literature has proved to be a great factor for the dissemination of the truth of God among all classes of people, therefore,—
5. Resolved, a. That plans be put into operation to prepare such literature as is needed for the Hungarians, Roumanians, Bohemians, Poles, Servians, Italians, etc., and further,—
b. That we look with favor on the plan of publishing small papers as needed in these various languages; the publication of said papers to be under the supervision of the secretary of the North American Foreign Department, in counsel with the North American Division Conference Committee. The following recommendations touching the educational work were passed:— 1. That a council of the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments be held this winter at some central location, the place and time to be determined by the departments.
2. That in general the delegation be made up of two from each union conference having no training school of its own, and three from each union conference having a training school of its own. This list includes all members of the department and a few others.
3. That the traveling expenses of the delegates be pooled.
4. That a convention of ten days’ duration, conducted by the secretaries of the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments of the Division Conference, be held in connection with the summer school at each of the five colleges in the United States, and that an effort be made to bring together at these conventions all the educators and the Missionary Volunteer secretaries in the territory tributary to each college.
5. That in accordance with the plan adopted at the council a year ago, the Sabbaths of April 10 and August 7 be devoted to our educational work, and that appropriate programs for these days be prepared by the Educational Department.
6. That we counsel all our schools to offer uniform scholarship terms, varying only in accordance with the variations of their regular fixed charges, and that these uniform terms be determined by the Educational and Publishing Departments.
7. That the following names, in addition to those of the secretary and the assistant secretary, constitute the membership of the department for the ensuing year: J. L. Shaw, C. C. Lewis, M. E. Kern, C. L. Benson, C. W. Irwin, O. J. Graf, E. C. Kellogg, H. A. Morrison, E. G. Salisbury, M. E. Cady, E. J. Hibbard, W. W. Ruble, M. B. Van Kirk, J. I. Beardsley or his successor, C. B. Hughes, N. W. Lawrence, L. H. Wood, T. D. Rowe, H. W. Miller, L. A. Hoopes or his successor, Newton Evans, C. A. Russell, B. F. Machlan, C. L. Stone, C. J. Boyd, M. E. Olsen, J. H. Schilling, M. L. Andreasen, G. E. Nord, H. G. Lucas, J. L. Kay, J. B. White, S. M. Butler. Missionary Volunteer Department
The following goal and recommendations for the work of the Missionary Volunteer Department were approved:— 1. That a financial goal be retained for the coming year.
2. The conversion of 2,000 young people.
3. 1,000 Standard of Attainment members.
4. 3,000 Reading Course certificates.
5. 2,000 Bible readers.
6. That the amount of the financial goal that we shall endeavor to attain be $25,000. Whereas, There is such great need of well-qualified workers for our young people,—
1. Resolved, That we approve of the plans of the General and North American Division Missionary Volunteer Departments to institute in our colleges and advanced academies, as can be arranged, a special course of instruction for the training of Missionary Volunteer secretaries.11 Whereas, Our young people constitute an important factor in the working force of this denomination, and should be in sympathetic accord with all lines of missionary work,—
2. Resolved, That special efforts be made to enlist, organize, and train all our children and youth, both the isolated and those in our churches, to take an active part in the great missionary campaign beginning this fall.
Whereas, Notwithstanding all our efforts, many of our young people are still drifting out of the truth annually,—
3. Resolved, That a special effort be made in all our conferences for the salvation of the unconverted young people, both isolated and those in our churches, during the week of prayer, and that Friday, December 18, be set apart for earnest prayer and labor for this class.
Whereas, It is through the studies given in local societies that the Missionary Volunteer Department can have direct influence in the development of our Adventist youth and in their training for God’s service, and,—
Whereas, The Missionary Volunteer Societies in our colleges and academies constitute one of the greatest forces in molding the society work in the whole field,—
4. Resolved, a. That the Missionary Volunteer Department make a special effort to prepare programs adapted to the needs of our youth everywhere, and,—
b. That all our Missionary Volunteer Societies, including those in our schools, follow these programs, adding such topics, of course, as may be necessary for the consideration of their local work. Home Missionary Department
The following actions in reference to the work of the Home Missionary Department were taken:— That it is the sense of this council that the home missionary work be separated from the Publishing Department, and organized into a separate department. That F. W. Paap be chosen as secretary of the department. Whereas, The time has come when all our people everywhere should with courage and faith put on the armor and go forth to give the light of truth to those who sit in darkness; and,—
Whereas, Our great home missionary work, now getting under way, is destined to bring results of the greatest magnitude,—
Be it resolved,—
1. That we urge upon every union and local conference, as well as upon every worker and church officer in the North American Division, the necessity and importance of doing everything possible to arouse our people to engage in personal soul-winning service.
2. That there be no slackening of our efforts in the prosecution of this work, but with an unflagging zeal we push this great home missionary campaign forward till this work is done.
3. That, as far as possible, a suitable leader be appointed in each conference who shall take charge of this home missionary movement with the idea of keeping constantly before the churches and members the duty of personal soul-winning activities.
4. That every church in the Division hold regularly a missionary meeting, and plan carefully, so as to work every home in its territory with our literature. 5. That in harmony with our organization we give careful attention to the matter of faithfulness in reporting all work done.
6. That missionary conventions and institutes be held from time to time with all the churches, preferably by grouping them together wherever practicable.
7. That a home missionary department be opened in the columns of our church paper, the REVIEW AND HERALD.
8. That a systematic distribution of our tracts be entered into by every member of the denomination; that we use the tracts put up in the regular envelopes and packages at 25 cents, $1, and $5 a set, and that we aim to reach the goal of an average of at least two sets at 25 cents each, a member.
9. That we encourage earnest and consecrated men and women to engage in the sale and distribution of our forty-per-cent books; and that at least 1,500 such agents be secured for 1914-15.
10. That we encourage men and women to devote all their time to the circulation of our bright, up-to-date, truth-filled magazines, and that we secure the services of at least 3,000 for this noble work during the year 1914-15.
11. That we seek in every way possible to place the Berean Library in the hands of our friends and neighbors, and that we set our goal for the circulation of this excellent library at not less than 10,000 sets for 1914-15.
12. That our pioneer missionary paper, the Signs weekly, be made to play an important part in this great awakening. The following are among the recommendations made for the transfer of laborers.
1. That Elder J. W. Lair be recommended to make South Dakota his field of labor.
2. That the Central Union Conference be requested to release Brother Ralph Rhodes to engage in tract society work in the Eastern New York Conference.
3. That the Pacific Union Conference be requested to release Brother B. M. Heald to labor in Florida.
4. That the Central Union Conference be requested to release Prof. M. B. Van Kirk to engage in the educational and young people’s work in the Northern Union.
5. That the Northern Union Conference be requested to release Prof. W. W. Ruble to engage in the educational and young people’s work in the Central Union Conference.
6. That Irving M. Martin, of Denver, be recommended to make Florida his field of labor.
7. That the Central Union Conference be requested to release Elder W. H. Clark to labor in the Southern Union Conference. G. B. THOMPSON, Secretary.