Plans for the General Conference
By Arthur G. Daniells
FROM the first suggestion to hold the General Conference session in Washington, it has been generally understood that we should be obliged to adopt the Chautauqua, or camp-meeting, plan of living and conducting our meetings. That is to say, we should be obliged to use tents for lodging and public meeting purposes. The brethren in Washington to whom have been assigned the responsibilities of selecting the location, and providing for the care of delegates, etc., have given these matters the most careful and painstaking attention. Some of the questions to be decided have proved very perplexing. This is especially true regarding the location of the camp, the comfort of delegates, and the expense of living. We have desired to make this conference as great a blessing to the people of Washington as possible. With this thought in view, we have felt that our meetings must be accessible to the public. A special committee was appointed to search for a location in the city; but they were unable to find a suitable piece of ground large enough for our camp. And as we seemed compelled to go to one of the suburbs, we all agreed that Takoma Park would be the most suitable suburb of the District. After deciding upon the location, the question of providing suitable accommodation engaged our attention. For a time it seemed that we should be able to rent a large summer hotel near the site selected for the camp, but in this we have been disappointed. From the first, we have counted on using the three school buildings which have been erected. These are located about one mile from the spot we had selected for the camp. The distance between the school buildings and the camp would make it necessary for us to operate two dining establishments—one at the school and the other at the camp. When we came to ascertain the cost of providing the necessary equipment and the expense of operating two separate boarding places, we could scarcely see how either the General Conference or the delegates could stand the expense. While studying the proposition in its various phases, his suggestion came to the committee to locate the entire camp on the school grounds. This would oblige us to operate but one dining-hall, and would give the delegates many privileges that could not be provided if the main camp were located a mile from the school buildings. Another question that caused more or less concern was the possibility of rather cool weather for tenting. While the prospect is fair for pleasant weather, yet it is possible that the evenings may be cool, and the weather at times rather damp. By locating the camp at the school, all the delegates will have access to the sitting- and reading-rooms of the buildings, which can be heated during the cool part of the day. Another great advantage in being located by the school buildings, will be the opportunities that will be afforded the delegates in economizing in the expenses of living. A good store can be operated, at which all kinds of foods, fruits, etc., can be purchased, and abundance of hot water can be provided for all. One of the greatest blessings that will come from this retired position will be the excellent opportunity that will be afforded all to retire to the beautiful groves for prayer and communion with God. But the question will at once suggest itself to many as to how we shall be able to reach the public if we place our camp in such a retired place. The arrangement we propose is this: To hold our business meetings in the large pavilion at the camp during the day, and to hold public meetings in the evening in tents, pitched in different parts of the city. It is planned to have one pavilion erected in the center of Takoma Park, on the ground we had at first intended for the camp. This will give all the people of Takoma Park an opportunity to attend the evening services. We have also planned to erect two or three tents in different parts of the city of Washington, and conduct public services each evening during the week. We have learned by personal observation that the people of Washington do not attend conventions to any extent during the day. There are many large and influential gatherings being held in Washington during the winter and spring. These are held in splendid buildings, and are under the auspices of leading citizens of Washington and other large cities of America. But they do not draw the people. No matter where our conference proceedings are held, we can not expect to secure an attendance from the citizens. The only hope we can have of reaching the citizens is by public services in the evening. As we have studied the situation, we have come to the conclusion that we shall be able to reach the largest number by conducting tent-meetings in three or four different parts of the District. It is our plan to have two or three ministers attend each one of these services. We shall arrange to have our missionaries from foreign fields speak in these different tents. We hope that by thorough advertising we shall be able to interest many people in these services. Those who conduct large religious conventions here usually arrange for the delegates to speak in the different churches on Sundays, and to some extent evenings as well. We can not occupy the churches, but we hope that by judicious and earnest efforts our tents will take the place of the church buildings. We feel sure that our ministers and missionaries from the various States and mission fields will greatly enjoy conducting these tent services during their stay in Washington. By being located together on the school grounds, we can begin our work early in the morning, and press it advantageously until about five o’clock, when everything can close at the camp, and those appointed to attend the tent-meetings can then attend to the work of the evening. In connection with these public services in behalf of the citizens, we shall plan to supply the daily papers with good reports of our conference proceedings, and the subjects presented by the ministers and missionaries in the various tents. This arrangement is the most satisfactory of any we have had under consideration, and meets the approval of nearly all our brethren and sisters in Washington. We trust it will commend itself to our delegates and our people everywhere, and that the special blessing of God will attend the conference, and our efforts in behalf of our fellow citizens.