Review and Herald Publishing Association
Stockholders’ Forty-Third Annual Meeting
According to legal notice printed in the REVIEW AND HERALD for three consecutive weeks, the forty-third annual meeting (twelfth under the new charter), convened in the Tabernacle, April 21, 1903, at 10 A. M., local time. The president, I. H. Evans, was in the chair. Meeting was opened by singing, and prayer was offered by G. A. Irwin. The reading of the minutes of the last meeting of the previous session was waived. The secretary then proceeded with the roll-call, which developed the fact that there were 1,543 shares represented in person and by proxy. The chairman then made a few remarks concerning the work during the year, stating that it had been one of the most prosperous, with the probability of a large gain. About three hundred employees were connected with the institution, and there were bright prospects for a busy year in 1903, more work being offered than the institution would have been able to handle. The catastrophe which occurred on the evening of December 30 could not have happened at a more disadvantageous time for the publishing house. No one could determine the cause of the fire, every precaution being taken to prevent any such occurrence. After the fire, it was decided not to take any action in regard to rebuilding until the council of the General Conference could be secured, and the matter placed in the hands of the stockholders. Not having attended the General Conference, the chairman stated that he could only know indirectly the sentiment of that body. From the REVIEW AND HERALD he read the following quotation from remarks made by Mrs. E. G. White:— “The very worst thing that could now be done would be for the Review and Herald Office to be once more built up in Battle Creek. I must say to our people that the Lord would have that institution established in an entirely new place. In reply to the question that has been asked in regard to settling somewhere else, I answer, Yes, let the General Conference offices and the publishing work be moved from Battle Creek. Never lay a stone or a brick in Battle Creek to rebuild the Review Office there. God has a better place for it.” The following resolutions that were adopted by the delegates at the General Conference were also read:— “1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Conference that the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association ought not to rebuild its factory in Battle Creek. “2. Resolved, That favorable consideration should be given to proposals which may look to the transfer of the REVIEW AND HERALD and the Youth’s Instructor to some publishing concern organized in the Eastern States according to the counsel of the General Conference Committee. “3. Resolved, That if the stockholders should deem it advisable to wind up the business of the corporation, such action would meet with the approval of this Conference.” The chairman then continued, stating that the situation is now in the hands of the stockholders to act upon, and to give such instructions to the incoming Board as might seem best. At the close of the chairman’s address it was moved by G. W. Amadon that the Chair appoint the usual committees. Seconded by H. W. Cottrell, and carried. The treasurer then submitted the following report:— Financial Statement of the S. D. A. Pub. Assn.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1902
RESOURCES LIABILITIES
Real Estate $ 50,000 00
Personal Property 2,301 55
Notes Receivable 30,954 14
Cash 7,175 96
Cash in Banks 16,699 47
Accounts Receivable 138,090 28
Stock in Wholesale Department 56,978 56
Stock in Retail Department 3,598 67
Insurance Contracts 100,000 00
Notes Payable $136,226 03
Demand Notes 21,269 37
Capital Stock 149,460 00
Accounts Payable 98,843 23
Stock not Issued 61,647 27
Surplus 78,373 93
$140,021 20
Net Loss 140,021 20
$405,798 63 $405,798 63
Present Worth $149,460 00 After some explanations, and the answering of various questions, the auditor, Mr. R. H. Cadwalader, submitted his report, which is as follows:— Mr. I. H. Evans,
President Review and Herald Board.
DEAR SIR: After completing audit of the accounts of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, as authorized by you, I hand you herewith statements and balance sheet for the year ending Dec. 31, 1902. With the closing of the year’s business an inventory was taken of the cash on hand, which amounted to $7,175.96. The bank balances were $16,699.47, making a total amount of available funds on that date of $23,875.43, which agrees with amount that appears on balance sheet. The bank accounts have been carefully checked and verified, and found to agree with statements furnished by the banks. A comparative statement has been made showing the loss and gains of the different accounts for the year 1902; this, when compared with 1901, shows a total loss of $158,779.69, due to the loss sustained by the fire of December 30. There are also itemized statements of the Notes Receivable and Notes Payable accounts, which have been prepared for the purpose of giving information that might be desired. It has been my part to do this work in a manner that would testify to the correct condition of the Office. I find the accounts to be as represented, having been kept in an intelligent manner, the cash balanced each day, and the accounts correctly balanced at the close of each month. In submitting this report I feel free to say that it is true and correct according to the records of the Office. Very truly yours,
R. H. CADWALADER,
Auditor. Motions were then made and adopted accepting the treasurer’s report and report of the auditor. The chairman then announced the committees as follows:— On Nominations: G. A. Irwin, M. J. Cornell, E. T. Russell, E. R. Palmer, Joseph Smith. On Plans: W. T. Knox, W. C. White, R.. A. Hart, Geo. I. Butler, L. R. Conradi, F. D. Starr, J. D. Gowell. Meeting then adjourned to April 22, 1903, 10:30 A. M., standard time.
I. H. EVANS, Chairman.
C. D. RHODES, Secretary. Second Meeting of the Forty-Third Session
I. H. Evans in the chair. Minutes of first meeting were read and approved. The Chair: We call for the report of the Committee on Nominations. Is their Chairman, or any of the members present? E. T. Russell: We are not prepared to report. The Chair: Have any of the stockholders any business they would like to introduce.2 I might say that a few weeks ago we received news of the death of Elder Uriah Smith. Brother Smith has long been in the employ of this institution; has given his life to it, really, and has done the most faithful service, perhaps, of any man in the institution or in connection with our work. The trustees adopted some resolutions immediately after his death, offering the same to the family, and we thought perhaps it might be well for the secretary to read the same here to the stockholders, and either you might appoint a special committee to draft others, or adopt these, or in some way express yourselves in behalf of the bereavement of the family, and the loss we have sustained as an institution. The Secretary: These resolutions were adopted by the Review and Herald Board, March 11, 1903:— “Whereas, In the providence of God, our beloved brother, Elder Uriah Smith, who has from the incorporation of the Association been an esteemed member of the Board, and for nearly half a century editor of the REVIEW AND HERALD, has suddenly been removed by death from his place and work among us; therefore,— “Resolved, That we recognize the loving-kindness of our God, through whose sparing mercy there was granted to our brother a well-rounded life of threescore and ten years, the whole strength of which was devoted to the kingdom of God in the earth, and the proclamation of the coming of our blessed Lord. “Resolved, That we hereby express our high estimate of the Christian character and faithful labors of Brother Smith, and our deep sense of the personal loss which we have sustained in his death. “Resolved, That we extend to the family of our deceased brother our sympathy in this bereavement, with the prayer that the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, will sustain them in their affliction. “Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon our records, and that a copy of them be transmitted to the bereaved family.” W. W. Prescott: Acting as a stockholder, I move that this meeting express its appreciation of the sentiments set forth in these resolutions, and adopt the same as its own expression in regard to this bereavement. Elder Evans: You hear this motion. These resolutions are now before you. Are there any remarks? Do you wish them read again? W. W. Prescott: It may be felt that in a certain sense the adoption of these resolutions at this time would be a mere matter of formality, inasmuch as the same resolutions were adopted by the Board, and inasmuch as expression has already been given in a very public way in this place to the general sentiments of this body, both by the associates of Brother Smith and by the community at large. At the same time I would not like to have these resolutions acted upon merely as formalities. I would like the privilege of expressing what I believe to be the general sentiment of the meeting, that while no extended remarks are made at this time, in view of the fact that services specially devoted to these have already been held, yet I believe I can safely say that I do express the hearty sentiments of this body, that their adoption is not a mere formality, and that it is simply putting on record their sentiments, which have already been fully expressed on proper occasions heretofore. Elder Evans: All in favor of the adoption of these resolutions please manifest it by rising to your feet. Opposed by the same sign. Unanimous. I would ask if the Committee on Plans is now ready to report. Brother Knox is the chairman. Elder Knox: Our secretary will render the report. Elder Starr: Your Committee on Plans for the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association would most respectfully submit the following:— 1. Whereas, At the late session of the General Conference held in Oakland, California, it was recommended concerning all our institutions which the denomination is supposed to sustain and patronize,— “(a) That all institutions created directly by the people, through General Conference, union conference, State conference, or mission field organization, to be owned by the people through these or such other organizations as the people may elect. “(b) The electors or constituents of each institution to be the membership of the denominational body owning the same. “(c) Where possible under existing corporation law, the controlling body of all institutions to be elected by the conference.” And further, Whereas, at the same session of the Conference it was unanimously resolved,— “(a) That it is the opinion of this Conference that the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association ought not to rebuild its factory in Battle Creek. “(b) That favorable consideration should be given to proposals which may look to the transfer of the REVIEW AND HERALD and Youth’s Instructor to some publishing concern organized in the Eastern States, according to the counsel of the General Conference Committee. “(c) That if the stockholders should deem it advisable to wind up the business of the corporation, such action would meet with the approval of this Conference;” and— 2. Whereas, The late disaster by fire which has come to the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, completely destroying its manufacturing department, has made it possible for the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, together with all its interests, to be transferred to some other State; and,— 3. Whereas, The removal of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association will remedy to a certain extent the congested condition that exists in Battle Creek, and meet with a hearty response by the denomination throughout the entire world; therefore,— Be it resolved,—
1. That the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists be requested to provide for the establishment of a printing plant in the East, in harmony with the recommendations of the General Conference concerning the control and ownership of all denominational institutions.
2. That our trustees are hereby instructed to as rapidly as possible transfer all the interests of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association to the General Conference, or to a new corporation to be created, including all of its assets and liabilities of every nature whatsoever.
3. That we ask the General Conference to make an earnest appeal to all stockholders in the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association to assign said stock, without consideration, to the corporation to be created by the General Conference.
4. That our trustees are hereby instructed to speedily collect all outstanding accounts and settle all bills now contracted by the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
5. That if necessary to effect these purposes above mentioned, a branch institution be temporarily established at such point in the East as the General Conference may select, until such time as the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association can legally transfer its assets and interests to the General Conference, or to the corporation to be created.
6. That the conditions of this transfer be such that the new corporation shall be a non-dividend paying and non-stock company, and that all earnings of the new association shall belong to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for the promulgation of the gospel in all parts of the world.
7. That the trustees are hereby instructed to as rapidly as possible dispose of all real estate and other properties that are not needed or can not be used by the General Conference or by the new corporation that is to be created.
8. That our trustees are hereby instructed to execute or to assist in executing the above plans with all due dispatch. W. T. KNOX,
GEO. I. BUTLER,
L. R. CONRADI,
F. D. STARR,
H. W. COTTRELL,
A. G. DANIELLS. This is the majority report. I. H. Evans: What is your pleasure with this report? R. A. Hart: I am unfortunate enough to be placed in the hardest place that I ever was in my life. I was placed on this committee, and it has rendered this report, and of course I stand as approving this report unless I make some objection. Now I really feel, brethren and sisters, while I have but little interest as far as dollars and cents are concerned, in the institution, I really feel this morning that we are coming to, and are liable to take one of, the greatest steps we have ever taken in this denomination. I look3over the past fifty years, and see our center here, and see the large expense we have been to, and see the buildings that are left, and see this large Tabernacle, and now to have this left for our enemies to take possession of, perhaps, in the future, and to be handed down as a monument of our failure,—it hurts me, and I can hardly contain myself; and if our corporation moves away from here to the Atlantic, as you have read in the Bulletin, there is not a State there where we can run a press and do printing on Sunday. I think Sister White said, if I am correctly informed, that Michigan was the most favorable place, the most favorable State there was, for this message to be closed up in; that it would be the last State to pass laws against us; and that the city of Battle Creek would be the last city to oppose us; and that our printing could be done here until the seven last plagues should fall. The interests of many of our people have been centered here. Men have spent their lives here, and now to break up entirely means not only, I fear, a loss in dollars and cents, but I fear in my very heart, brethren, that it is opening up the greatest avenue that has ever been opened among us for a division of sentiment to arise. Now here is our metropolis in this city, and there is a demand for the exponent organ of the denomination belonging to our people here, and when you take into consideration the many perplexities and the division of sentiment, and the spirit that has risen among us in the last year here, and throughout our denomination, in regard to our sanitarium, it does seem to me that this is the most unwise time, at least, that there ever was in the history of the denomination to take such a step; and I believe that if we should take more time to consider this thing, and what its results will be, it would be far better; and as far as I am concerned, I can not stand and approve of this, for I feel that we are making a mistake. Of course I know that I am simply one member of this committee. I want to express myself kindly in regard to it. My brethren are in earnest. They really believe this is right, and they are honest in it. I am alone, but I believe we are making a mistake. I simply desire to submit this as my opinion, for I can not approve of the report as rendered, nor do I believe it best for the prosperity of the cause financially or spiritually. Our enemies will take advantage of this move. They will say that we had an institution here, but it burned down, and that what was left of it was transferred down to the East. They will make a handle of this against us as a people. R. A. Underwood: I move that we adopt the report. E. T. Russell: I second the motion. I. H. Evans: The report of your committee is now before you, open for remarks. Would you like to have it re-read? W. W. Prescott: It seems to me that it would be only a proper thing that we should give a little attention to the matters placed before us in the remarks of Brother Hart. I do not see how any one who has been associated with the work here, who has known of its history and growth here, and all the circumstances to which very brief reference has just been made, could reasonably take any other view than that those who are opposed to this work will make a “handle” of it. I do not see how any one who senses the situation could expect anything else. I think it is not necessary for us to infer that this will be so. It is already being done. But, Brother Chairman, I think we ought also to look at the other considerations in the case. For my own part I am well satisfied that if such a course had been taken with our work and our institutions as God has over and over again said should be taken, we should not now have an institution over here in ruins, and a recommendation from Sister White herself and from the General Conference, that this institution should be moved out of Battle Creek. You have only to recall some of the principles brought out in the history of God’s people to remember that this is not the first time in the history of the work when God’s people have been obliged by circumstances to suffer a reproach that they never need to have suffered if they had taken the course that God opened to them. But after the course had been taken which brought the circumstances, which brought upon the people the situation, there was no other way out than that the people should bear the reproach, a reproach that need not have been brought upon them if they had taken his counsel earlier. But after the counsel had been rejected and the course taken that brings a certain set of circumstances, then the outlook is entirely different than it would have been under different circumstances. Therefore, while I recognize as true what has been placed before us, that the destruction of this institution that has stood so long here, and has gained for us and for the denomination an enviable name, and the removal of what remains will be looked upon by the world, will be interpreted by the world, as being evidence of failure, evidence of backward steps in this work; yet under the circumstances in which we are placed, and in view of the whole combination that has brought about the present situation, I am unable to see how we can take any other action now than that just recommended in this report. Brother Booth: I am one of the original stockholders of this institution. I have lived in Battle Creek, and been a member of this church, for thirty-eight years. I can say myself, by my age and my connection with this cause, that I have taken great pride in this institution, and also in the one on the hill. But with my own eyes I watched those fires. I have been watching the thing ever since, and although I have to stand humiliation and scorn, yet I want to tell you, as I expressed myself to my wife, as we were going out yesterday, I would not dare to vote my stock to keep this institution here. God has spoken, and he has spoken time and again. Now let us heed. Sister Risley: I represent the stock of my husband. We have always been very conscientious in every step that has been taken in regard to the Review and Herald, for the reason that we knew God established this institution. God has planted it; and if he says take it out, then let us take it out. But let us not do it until he wants us to take it out; and his opening providence will be the evidence. I was glad to hear read in the resolution that it should remain here until the interests in the East should be so presented that there would be a call for it to move it East. Now if there is anything that God’s people are to be guided by, it is by his opening providences. I have not seen that Sister White has said that it has been shown her that this Office should be transferred to the East, but she says, Let us have a new imprint. That means go out of Battle Creek. But whether it is to go out of Michigan, to go East or not, seems to me to be a matter for prayerful consideration. I am with Brother Hart on a number of points about being careful how we move in this meeting. H. C. Winslow: I would like to say a word. While there is no question in my mind but that this institution should be removed from Battle Creek, I would inquire, Why should we move it from the State of Michigan? We have the organization in this State, and it is going to be an expensive process to close it up and then reorganize. Why not move it to some other place in this State? Certainly no one has spoken against the State of Michigan. This State has been as favorable to us in its laws as any other State in the Union. It seems to me, from all that has been said, that there has been no good reason presented why it should be removed to the Atlantic States. Why not remain in the State of Michigan? This is a question I would like to have answered. D. T. Bourdeau: On account of my disposition it is very difficult for me to make changes, and it always has been so. Nevertheless, God has spoken. When he speaks, what he says is worth our consideration. I have put myself down for many years as a believer in the Testimonies. I remember the starting of this institution in Battle Creek. I was an original stockholder, and gave my influence, as far as it went, to the starting of this institution. At that time we were told that this was the best place for the establishment. I remember thirty-seven years ago, when a crisis came in Battle Creek in connection with our beloved Brother White; when wrong views were taken of that dear brother, and when he was accused of being guilty of things he was not guilty of. I remember, for I was here at that time, and spent one week in standing up for Brother White, and for a while I had but one other man to stand by me in favor of that dear brother. I was then young, but I took a broad view of this subject, and although I did not reprove other ministers directly, I would have done so if I had been as old as I now am. Yet I stood for this man.
But the point I want to touch now is this one: At that time Brother and Sister White spoke strongly in favor of moving the Office to some other point unless changes occurred. And there are some4persons here who well remember that. I was here, and my memory does not fail me. I will not go into the minutia and mention the many points which have occurred to me in regard to the workings of the Office here. I do not wish to attack any one who has been managing the institution recently, for I honor them, and I believe they have done the best they could. But many things have occurred in connection with this institution which have grieved me to the heart. As God has suffered his protection to be withdrawn for wise reasons, I dare not say, Hold the institution in Battle Creek. God has spoken. As far as moving it out of Michigan is concerned, it seems to me that the fact that the work is moving eastward, and is doing much good and prospering in that direction, and is connecting with the work in the Old World by being nearer the Atlantic, is one good reason for moving the Office to some Eastern point. If God had not spoken, I would have taken my position that the institution should remain here in the city. But as it is, although Sister White did not say in so many words, ‘I was shown so and so,’ when she speaks, I believe that God does influence her mind. If I were to take my position as some have, that they were afraid Sister White was being influenced by this one and that one or the other one,—if I were to take that position, I would renounce my views and all my faith in the Testimonies. God has not released Sister White from the gifts he has laid upon her, and I believe that what she said was in harmony with the leading of the Spirit of God. If God has not withdrawn her from that position, he has not only given her views of things, but he has guided her in the expression of these views. And she has been shown again and again concerning the errors in connection with the management of this institution. I believe that the judgment of God was in our fire. I do not believe that he who numbers the hairs of our heads, and knows all about our trials, would have suffered such a fire unless his hand was in it to teach us a lesson. Since God has spoken to us, I am the last one to say, Let us hold the institution here. I take this position before you to-day. Elder Geo. I. Butler: The question before us, brethren and sisters, is indeed, as has been stated, a very important one. This is sort of a turning point in our history as a denomination. I do not know but it is worthy of the name of a crisis in the history of our denomination. I did not care to speak, and would not wish to speak, but perhaps there are certain reasons why it would be proper for me to speak in this connection. I was one of the committee chosen to consider these matters, and my name was signed, as you have noticed, to the report.
I have been thinking over these matters for some time in the past. At one time it was my privilege to serve for nine or ten years as the president of this association, and I can heartily enter into the feelings of Brother Hart at the present time. I feel that this is something that ought indeed to touch our emotions. It certainly is touching to those of us who have been connected with the Review and Herald, and have had much to do with it, and have devoted our best efforts to its furtherance and success. I do not know how we could be expected not to have emotions of sadness. When I came here for the first time since the fire, a day or two ago, and saw in ashes and ruins that great institution for which we have labored, and in which we have taken such an interest, it was indeed a sad sight. I have wondered many, many times how this thing could come about. I have noticed in the past history of the work, in not only the Review and Herald Office, but in the Sanitarium, fire after fire has started and threatened to ruin these institutions, but they were saved. These fires which have recently occurred, and which have resulted in the destruction of the buildings, were not stopped. There was no power on earth that could stop them. They seem to be under a powerful influence, and scarcely could those who were in the buildings get out before they were burned to the ground, and both of these fires came in one year. I remember very well when the news first reached me of the burning of the Sanitarium. I was in southern Florida. One afternoon I went after my mail, and although I was a stranger to the postmaster, as he handed out my mail he gave me a paper, the leading topic of which was the account of the destruction of the Sanitarium. Of course I took it, with feelings of great sadness, and read the article concerning the destruction caused in that fire. I thought to myself, What can this mean? I wonder if Sister White has ever been shown anything in regard to this. Afterward I was in California last May, as some of you know, and we were out looking at the flowers together by ourselves, and I said to her, ‘Sister White, were you ever shown anything about the burning of the Sanitarium?’ She looked down for a moment, and said, ‘Brother Butler, I do not wish to talk on this subject.’ I afterward learned that she said she thought the Review and Herald would go first. And as was stated in the Bulletin, she was shown that there was a fiery sword hanging over the institutions here. There were some reasons, I suppose, why these things have come. And it is a fact, as has been referred to, that I was here when these matters were agitated thirty years ago. Elder Andrews was here, and Elder Waggoner, and Brother Smith, and the leading brethren at that time were here. It was presented to our people here that if there were not great changes, calamities would come upon us here. And I remember one night as I went to my room, I expected that the Review and Herald and the other institutions would surely be moved out of this place the next morning; but for some reason they were allowed to remain. For twenty or thirty years I have been expecting that calamities would come here in Battle Creek. I was, of course, in constant communication with Sister White. While I was in the Office as president of the General Conference, I never made any important movements without consulting with the one whom I believed God led. I knew that I was not competent to fill such a position, and I felt that my only safety was in being in close touch with the revelations of the Spirit of God to our people. I have always been a firm believer in the Testimonies, as some of you know. Our people have been pouring into Battle Creek, until they are in one another’s way. While I was conversing with one of the brethren here, he said that there are about eight hundred members of this church living in Battle Creek, and about seventeen hundred Adventists who have no membership here whatever. Just think of such a condition. And yet God has been calling us for the last ten or fifteen years, and pleading with us, and telling us to get out of Battle Creek, and go to work in the needy fields for the cause of God. Now these great calamities have come upon us here, and what does all this mean?—It means, not that God hates us, nor that he wants to do us any injury, but I think perhaps it means, for one thing, to give us a little help to get out of this place and go to work for God. In all parts of the field, souls are perishing for help, while here at this great central point there are thousands of people burdening down and congesting things, and we can not get them out, can not move them. I think it is time some of the attractions of Battle Creek were moving out. God looks with disapprobation upon the state of things that has existed here in Battle Creek for so many years. God wants many of these persons who have been here, to go out into the fields where there is nobody to present the truth. There are hundreds of people right here in Battle Creek who are qualified to go out and work successfully in this message, brethren. God wants them in his work. And our young people are congregating here in Battle Creek. My dear friends, there are fields all white for the harvest, and no one to go in and reap! May God help us to look around us. There are fields everywhere, with no laborers. Why should not they have the help of those who are standing in one another’s way in Battle Creek? As I realize what is coming in the future, and the importance of the times just before us, I fear exceedingly for Battle Creek. I feel it, brethren; I can not tell you all I feel. I believe that the great storm-center in our denomination is going to be right here in Battle Creek. Do you ever remember hearing about the shaking time in this cause, brethren? I have heard about it for thirty or forty years, and it is going to come. I never before saw things shaping themselves in a way that looked so threatening as they do at the present time. I think I have the honor of being considered one of the pioneers in this cause. I have been connected with the work for a good while, and I feel, brethren, in view of these things which are thus shaping themselves, that it is high time that we should be considering these things very carefully.
Now in regard to one other point that5was referred to, about going to the Atlantic Coast. Why is this? This was carefully considered at the General Conference. Now the old members in the cause know that the work started on the Eastern coast. But the people there had become hardened. The ground had been burned over by the great Advent movement until an impression could scarcely be made upon the people who had heard William Miller, and Brother Himes, and others of the leading members in the Advent cause. The people thought that this movement was all fanaticism. I remember very well that the word came to us from the Lord that we must move West with this cause, where the people were unprejudiced, where they had moved from their homes and churches, and there was a favorable opening for our work. That weak cause, struggling for a mere existence, was largely transferred into these great Western States, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota. But the servant of the Lord said also that the work would return to the East to be closed up. Well, we have about reached that time, and let us close up the work of this message. There are twenty-seven million people, quite a large proportion of the entire population of this country, concentrated in the cities in this comparatively limited territory along the Eastern coast,—such cities as Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, and many other large cities, Greater New York alone containing 3,500,000 inhabitants. And what has been done for the truth in those cities?—Scarcely any of them know anything concerning it. Here we are in the State of Michigan: it has been necessary to divide this great conference into three conferences. We are just a great body here, almost tumbling over one another, filling this great building almost full every Sabbath. And what are you doing? Has the missionary spirit almost died out? How is that, brethren? Is that so or not? I was talking with a brother the other day who said it was so. Very well. It is time something was done, brethren and sisters. At the General Conference, after spending days in the consideration of these matters, we felt that it was time to begin to move. The servant of the Lord came into the public assembly, and stated plainly that we must get all our institutions out of Battle Creek, and she also told me the same in a private conversation. I was not present at the beginning of the meeting, and did not hear the statement that she made concerning this in public. But the brethren who were there did hear it, and she has told me the same thing in private conversation. She made this statement clearly and emphatically, that the time had come to move out of Battle Creek. Now we want to secure a new place in some of those large cities. It will take a careful examination to find the best place. When we are located there, we shall be much more favorably situated to carry on the foreign work. The work is moving well in Europe. And I am truly glad to see how the work is prospering and being blessed in Europe. Our work is moving East largely. It is high time to throw the burden of the work onto the Atlantic Coast. I do not wish to prolong my remarks. I have said perhaps enough. You can see how the matter appears to me. L. McCoy: I do not know the exact nature of the question before the meeting, but from the remarks I have heard I can guess pretty well. I am very sorry indeed that this step is being taken. I can see no light in it whatever. I have been a resident in Battle Creek for about seventeen years, and I have been connected with this institution as a member of the Board of Directors for a number of years, not, however, for the past three or four years. But I want to say to you what I do say plainly: for I generally speak my mind so that I may be understood. I have great respect for the venerable brother who has just taken his seat, and I ought to have, for it was through him that I learned the truth. But I must dissent from some of the positions laid down. Now I want to say to you that I look upon this step as being one that is taken hastily, and it is a step backward. It marks the decline, in my opinion, of the prosperity of this association. You have not thought of it rightly; have not looked into it. I have no sympathy with this idea that the burning of the Sanitarium and the burning of the Review and Herald was a judgment from God. That is heathenism. I do not believe in any such idea. You know that the heathen, whenever they have any calamity or pestilence, think their god is angry with them, and they go to work to do something to appease his anger. They have no such thing in their theology or religion as tenderness, love, mercy, and forgiveness. They have not even words to express those ideas in their languages. According to that, whenever any calamity befalls me, the Lord is angry with me. When my wife dies, God is angry with me. When my little child dies, or my house burns down with everything I have, then it must be all attributed to Providence. I tell you I do not believe in any such idea, and I do not like to have this applied to this institution. I feel very sorry that it has been applied to this institution, brethren. I do not think God wanted it to burn. I do not give God credit for bringing upon us all the sorrow and troubles that come to us. I think we bring it upon ourselves by our wickedness and wrong-doing. I can account for the burning of the Sanitarium, and the burning of the Review and Herald. They were magazines, so filled with combustibles and such material that they would burn like tinder, and only needed to be touched with a match, and that match might have been the crossing of an electric wire, and the only wonder to my mind is that they were not burned long ago.
Now suppose we move this association away to some city in the East. The same men who have been managing it here for these years will go there and manage it; and what difference will there be? They are here this morning telling us about how wicked this city is, and it is charged up to the people who have come to this place and lived here for a while, and because the Review and Herald was not properly managed, and the Sanitarium was not properly managed, that God burned down these buildings. Now I do not like to have any connection with this kind of work. I believe that God planted these institutions in Battle Creek, and that they should last here until the close of time. It seems to me that to pull them up and abandon the field is saying to the world that we do not believe in this work. I do not suppose that what I say will do any good, but I want to say this morning that I am sorry that we should make such a record. I am sorry to say to the business men of this city, when they ask me if the Review and Herald is going to rebuild, that we have been so unfaithful and so perverse that God had to burn up our institutions, and that they will be removed to some other place. After all the accumulation of these years of work, and gaining the standing and reputation that we have here with the business men of this city, it is sad indeed to lose all this confidence. Only a few days ago one of the prominent business men of this place, a banker, one who controls capital, said to me, ‘Are you going to rebuild?’ He said, ‘If you can not see your way clear, if you lack means or assistance in any way, we will be glad to give you every attention we can, for we want to see you prosper. And if the association can not be retained, then let some private parties secure the institution to the city. We would like to see it prosper. It has been these institutions largely which have made the city what it is to-day. We do not like to see you distressed or crippled in any way. If there is anything we can do with voice, or pen, or money, we are ready to do it.’ That is the result of the reputation we have made in this institution. We have the confidence of business men here, and I would like to know, brethren, if this is not something that is worth being proud of. I ask if it is not worth something. If we wanted to get a loan of money here, we could get it. The managers of this institution are regarded as being honest men, men of integrity and standing. Now what would they think if we should take this step? The same argument would apply to the Sanitarium.
It seems to me that the Adventist people ought to cling to these institutions. Their accumulations of fifty years have been placed in these institutions, building them up. And now we are told that it was all wrong, that it was wrong for them to be here, and that they have been a hindrance and stood in the way of the work of this denomination. If this is so, we have been deceived all the way along. Now when it comes to taking this step, I feel very sad about it. It almost breaks my confidence in the message. I can not say that God sent this fire as a judgment to this place. I would rather say that the devil burned the Review and Herald, brethren, than to say that God did it. The devil never liked the Review and Herald, and he never liked the people here. I want to6say to you that if there is a hard time coming here in Battle Creek, if the devil proposes to disturb the people here, and this is to be the storm-center of the denomination, I want to be in the midst of the fight. I entered this work to remain until the end of time, and what ambitions I have had have been to forward this cause. When I see it languishing, it pains my heart. I dislike very much to differ from these my brethren, whom I certainly highly esteem. But I have known great bodies to make great mistakes. I ask you to consider this matter very carefully, and see if moving this institution to some other point would not be a repetition of the fire as far as the financial consideration of it is concerned. This institution lost $150,000 in the fire, and if this move is made, it will have to sacrifice $50,000 or $100,000 more. It will be a very expensive thing to move this institution. John I. Gibson: I indorse fully the remarks of Elder McCoy. I wish to be put on record here as a stockholder, and as a former member of the Board of Directors of the Review and Herald, as being entirely opposed to this move. I feel pained and sad that we allow ourselves to be moved by the impulse of the moment to do a thing of this kind. I was talking to a man the other day, and he said that this was because we had been doing too much commercial work. I suppose the stockholders know that Brother Nelson was the one who had charge of soliciting this commercial work for the Review and Herald. He was doing that when I came here. Now Brother Nelson has been sent down to Nashville, Tenn., to help that printing establishment there to secure commercial work to help pay its debts. Now it occurs to me that if it is wrong to do commercial work in Battle Creek, it is also wrong to do this same kind of work in Nashville. I also know of several other institutions where commercial work is done, and the proceeds used to help the work. And another point which struck me very forcibly is the legal view of this question. As nearly as I can ascertain, this institution can not be moved legally without a very seriously complicated arrangement being entered into. I wish to call the stockholders’ attention to that. It is a matter that should be thoroughly looked after and attended to.
And further, like Elder McCoy, even in the past few days I have talked with several business men in the city who have expressed to me the same sentiment that the banker expressed to him. If there is any money wanted, or any influence wanted, they are willing to give it.
And in another thing, brethren, I am like Elder McCoy. I do not want to be put down as one who will run away from a fight. You will find it the same every place you may go. You will find it the same any place on the Atlantic Coast. You will have to meet the same temptations, and contend with the same things. I admit that Battle Creek is a bad place, maybe it is the worst place in the world. But let us stay right here, stick to our colors, and win; do the work of the Lord right here where we are. Do not run away because it is a bad place. Let us stay right here, and show the people we are Christians. W. W. Prescott: I do not wish to make any further statement or argument concerning the question of the removal of the institution, one way or the other, but I would like to enter my public protest against an interpretation of gospel principles which has been set forth here, and which I could not allow to pass. When a calamity comes upon a heathen, he says, ‘My god is angry with me,’ and he proceeds according to his best light in doing that which will appease his god. His method of doing that is simply his method of self-justification; his method of dealing with his god is not to receive or accept any rebuke, nor to receive forgiveness, and draw nearer to God through a change of character. His effort is to change the character of his god, and maintain his own character. That is heathenism.
When upon the Christian comes what seems to be a calamity, the Christian says: ‘My God loves me, and my God does not wish me to do anything to appease his anger, but he is calling upon me to come into harmony with his character, and with his justice. He is speaking to me in love, and dealing with me as a Christian;’ and the Christian who takes that view, which is the only right view of the principles of Christianity, does not attempt by anything that he does, to justify himself, and to make his God come into harmony with his views; but he justifies his God, and submits all to be brought into harmony with his God’s views. That is the difference between Christianity and heathenism. I would like to say this one word further: The fundamental principle of Christianity, and the principle which must always be recognized by the Christian, is that God is love, but the love of God is not sentimentalism, and the love of God is not to take human views of human character or of human events, but the love of God is just as clearly revealed in his justice and in his judgments as in any other way. The Christian who does not recognize that truth does not know his God and the fundamental principles of Christianity which he professes. I wish, therefore, to make these remarks, not as bearing especially upon the removal of this Office, but as bearing very directly upon the question of our common Christianity. D. T. Bourdeau: I wish to make a remark upon one point. I do not impute to God the direct act of the burning of the Sanitarium or the Office. But I do say that God permitted these things, that he withdrew his power to protect these institutions, for wise reasons, although there may have been wrong agencies set at work to bring about these results. Therefore I exonerate God from being the direct author of those calamities. But he was the one who permitted it, as he permitted also a great many things in the Dark Ages, although not being guilty of those things. And I could not before you take a different position without renouncing my faith in the Testimonies, after what Brother Butler has told us that he heard from Sister White. There is one other point on which I wish to touch. That is in regard to the extent to which we suffer the sayings of our world to move our course and mold our actions in determining what should be done. If you suffer that principle to rule you, there will be no end to the terrible results awaiting you. This would be to assume a position which is clearly dangerous. Let us stand by what God has said. As I said in my speech before, many years ago the Lord said that the Review Office would be removed unless there was a change. There was a change for the time being, and it was not removed. God was waiting, and has been waiting, for these things to be brought into the position where they should be, but now he has suffered the stroke to fall. He withdrew his protection on account of these continued mistakes of the past. When our institution was burned, I felt it keenly. I was bound up in it, and I am still. The thought of its removal causes me to feel sad. When coming to this meeting, I told my wife that I felt as if I was coming to a funeral; but I believe that God can give this work a resurrection. He can add his blessing, and his blessing is worth more than all the praise of the world. Upon what do we depend? Do we depend upon the world?—No. It is right to have and to keep a good reputation as far as we can have it and please God. That is the principle to follow. As far as we can maintain a good reputation before the world, and please God, have it. But the moment we disobey God for the sake of having a worldly reputation, that moment we depart from God. Which do we want, the power of God or the power of man? I would rather have the power of the Most High. A. G. Daniells: It is after quitting time, and I suppose that we should not hold the audience very much longer. It may be necessary to have another meeting for the consideration of this question before it is finally decided. But I would like to say a word or two. I am a little surprised that any one should represent this action proposed by the committee as a hasty action, based on sentiment. I do not know on what ground any man can make such a statement as that. The building was not burned yesterday, nor last week. It has been weeks and months since the fire occurred. We have purposely delayed, and deferred the holding of this meeting, to give us plenty of time to consider the question, and to counsel together, and to get the opinion of our people generally throughout the country; so the action is not a hasty one. We deferred holding this stockholders’ meeting until after the General Conference, when we could have the presidents of all the conferences, and the delegates from all the various parts of our field together, and thoroughly consider this question. So it is not hasty. It is a very deliberate action we are taking, very deliberate indeed. And then again7regarding sentiment. On what ground can any one charge this action, this recommendation, as being based on sentiment? To my mind the sentiment is on the other side. We are tied to an institution. We are wrapped up in an institution, and in a city, and in a reputation, and in what the people will say about us. To my mind there is where the sentiment exists. But why do we talk about moving this institution? Is it not to place ourselves where we can do the work intrusted to us to better advantage? Is it not to place ourselves where hindrances will be removed? where difficulties which stand in our way will be taken away, and we can hasten on to the whole wide world with our message, and bring the glorious consummation of this work? Now, to my mind that is the consideration that moves us in this thing. Of course to go into all the details of this question and to develop them, and show how this step of moving out of Battle Creek would lead to that, would take more time than I have at my disposal. I know that just on a superficial view of the question any one would say, Why can not you hasten this work and stay right here? There are many reasons, my friends, why remaining here, and why developing another institution here, would surround us with difficulties and obstacles that would bind and tie us down, and stand in the way of doing that thing. Brethren, it is not the great and grand institutions that hasten this message, and that accomplish this work which we are to do. We were called out from the world half a century ago by a mighty truth, by a mighty message, that was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth to warn humanity of the greatest of all the events that will ever occur in the history of man. We have not done that work yet. That is the work we are committed to, and the publishing house, the Sanitarium, and the school, or any institution whatsoever, is simply a facility created for this one great end. And just as soon as that institution gets in the way of the accomplishment of that purpose, then it is a hindrance, instead of a facility, and a benefit, and a blessing. Now we have been told repeatedly that the centering of great facilities in this place has brought great injury to the work of God. Do you doubt that? Do you disbelieve that? Do you think that it is not true that the centering of institutions and large facilities in one place creates a situation that really binds us down, puts bands upon us, and hinders us in the development of the work? I do not doubt that a particle. I know that this is precisely the situation. The object of moving this facility is to relieve the cause of one of these difficulties, one of these hindrances. Some who have spoken here spoke as if the removal of this institution, or the failure to rebuild this institution, was striking a blow at the cause of God, to which we are committed. Why, my friends, I look at it in just the opposite light. To my mind the removal of this institution will strike a blow for the advancement of this work. It will change the situation so that we shall be able to do our work better than we are able to do it now, or than we shall be if we rebuild here. As has been pointed out, there is a vast population on the Atlantic Coast. There this truth had its birth, there this message was started. And we can see now how the providence of God directed those pioneers to the West, to gain a hold among the people of these States, and to give backbone, and strength, and foundation to this work. Now they have done that. All over these Central States we have a constituency that brings great resources to this cause. And the spirit of prophecy has plainly pointed out that the time would come when the message would return in power to its birthplace, and then the work of the Lord would be finished. Ever since the fire, this has been the constant direction, and the constant counsel given, that we should face toward the East, and go among those people, and do the work that was pointed out years ago. The next day after the fire occurred, I wrote to Sister White about it. I know some people have said, I would not depend for all my light upon one individual, or, I would use common sense. Now, my friends, it seemed to me perfectly proper and perfectly right that when this institution was destroyed, we should have the counsel of Sister White, who was one of the founders, one of the first to help plant these institutions here, and one who has labored more than any of us, and probably more than all of us. I believe it was right that she should be consulted about this thing. She is the one through whom God has given great light in many times of perplexity and difficulty, the one who all through these years has been directed regarding these things. Surely she should be carefully consulted in this matter. It seemed to me perfectly proper that I should do that, and that all the rest of us should. In reply to my first letter, there was no positive position taken as to where we should go, but it was pointed out that God had a controversy with us here in Battle Creek. I do not believe, friends, that this is heathenism. I do not see how our brother can say such a thing in the light of what the Bible tells us concerning the experience of Israel. God did all that in love to humanity. While he was displeased with the course that was taken, he brought judgments upon Israel, that they might be brought out of that situation, and that he might save them, and through them save the world about them. Of course the papers will not put it that way, and the world will not look at it in that way. But are we to govern our policy by what the reporters write up for the papers, and what the mayors, and bankers, and prominent men of affairs say about our movements? My friends, we have our eyes on a different country. We are reckoning from a different basis. We are dealing with this problem from another standpoint entirely. If I were to be governed by that, I certainly would not be doing what I am doing in the world. What we want is for this message to go with power to the world, and not to rally around an institution and battle with all the perplexities there are in connection with these things. As far as I am concerned, it is not a matter of sentiment, but a desire to place myself in a position, and to see this denomination take a position, that will greatly advance the cause of God, to which we are giving our lives. My friends, if we will be true to this work, it will not be long that we shall have any of these institutions to deal with. We will finish this work that God has given us, and we will bring the end which we have been delaying by our false views and by our wrong course. And brethren, to me the delay of this work in the presence of these Battle Creek citizens, contrary to the teachings we have been giving ever since we came to this place fifty years ago,—to me the delay in this work is a far greater humiliation than the humiliation in the removal of this institution from Battle Creek. We came here about fifty years ago telling these people that the end was coming, that we had a closing message to the world, but by our foolish course, by our failure to discern God’s providences and his teachings, we have been delaying this message, and this event; and to me this delay is a greater humiliation than anything else. Now let us turn our steps, and face about, and take the course that God directs, and let the world say what it will, but let us give to the world the light that God has given us, finish up this work, and receive the reward that he has promised.