The First Session of the Central Union Conference
By R. W. Parmele
At the first session of the Southwestern Union Conference held in Topeka, Kan., in April, 1902, there was organized the Central Union Conference, composed of the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado, and the Territory of New Mexico. The first biennial session of this conference was held in Germania Hall, in Omaha, Neb., March 4-14, 1904. There were present at this conference nearly one hundred and fifty delegates, besides visiting brethren and a number of general laborers. This being the occasion also of the meeting of the International Publishing Committee, a number of representatives of various publishing interests were also present. Eighteen meetings in all were held, and much business of interest and importance was transacted. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and a good feeling prevailed throughout. The reports of the presidents of the various conferences composing the union were very encouraging, nearly all showing a number of additions to the sisterhood of churches. The writer is not prepared to give the exact statistics of these reports, not being in possession of them. The report of the union conference treasurer showed money received during the time from April 10, 1902, to March 1, 1904, to the amount of $75,646.74. This was distributed among various funds as follows: tithe to the Union Conference, $20,385.45; second tithe for the General Conference, $5,050.78; annual offerings to missions, $12,091.20; other offerings for missions, $37,918.81. There remained in the treasury, March 1, 1904, $3,459.99 tithe. All branches of our work received careful attention, and the following recommendations were adopted:— We recommend, That the support of the church schools recognize the following principles: (1) The prime responsibility for the education of children rests with the parents; (2) the church should co-operate with the parents in bearing the responsibility; (3) the conference should co-operate with the church; and further,— We recommend, That tuition, or such other plan as may best meet the needs of the local school, be the basis of securing the funds for the support of the teacher; that a church fund be raised to supplement the tuition, and that a conference fund be raised to supplement the tuition and church fund; that to make the church-school work a success, we recognize the necessity of a corps of experienced, God-fearing, devoted teachers, and19that every effort possible be put forth to develop such a class of teachers. Whereas, The success of our church schools depends not only upon the character of the teacher, but upon the length of term the children are under her influence, therefore,— We recommend, That our conferences make an effort to maintain each school for as many months each year as consistent with the church in which established, and that all conference employees use their influence to establish schools where needed. We recommend, The establishment of an educational advisory board for the Central Union Conference, to be composed as follows: The educational secretary of the Central Union Conference, the president of Union College, the educational superintendents of each local conference, vice-president of the Central Union Conference, and the doctor in charge of the Iowa Sanitarium. We further recommend, That one or more teachers' training-schools be conducted during the summer of 1904, and that said school be under the direction of the Educational Advisory Board, who shall arrange for the time, place, length of term, and employment of teachers. The expense of said school to be met as shall be provided by the Central Union Conference Committee and the Educational Advisory Board. The reports of the educational secretary showed that during the biennial term there had been operated in the union conference, 76 church schools, with 1,332 students, employing 81 teachers. [Continuation:] Received quite careful consideration. This important work was made a department of the conference, and Prof. M. E. Kern was elected secretary, with the understanding that he devote most of his time, if not all, to the interests of the same. A meeting to further consider this work was announced to convene in College View the day following the close of the conference, but during the conference the following recommendations were passed:— Whereas, God has spoken to us in no uncertain words concerning the organization of our young people for work, and,— Whereas, We have, as yet, hardly begun this work,— We recommend, That the young people's work be made a department of each conference, and of the Central Union Conference; that the persons chosen to labor in these departments, as far as possible, give their entire time to work in the field with the young people; that an institute be held as soon as practicable in which workers in this line, and others who are especially interested, shall study this question, that the work may be carried forward harmoniously. Whereas, Much of the work for young people has led to a drawing apart of parents and children, we would therefore,— Recommend, That in all this work, much care be taken to fulfil Mal. 4: 5, 6. Resolved, That a committee on a manual for young people's work be appointed for this union conference, and we recommend the following names for this committee: M. E. Kern, Luther Warren, E. T. Russell, A. T. Robinson, Floyd Bralliar. The Medical Missionary Work
Received careful consideration, and the following recommendations were unanimously adopted:— Whereas, True medical missionary work is an essential principle of the gospel as set forth in the threefold message of Revelation 14; and,— Whereas, We have been repeatedly counseled by the spirit of prophecy that medical missionary work should not be separated from the gospel work of the conference, the church, and the people; therefore,— We recommend, (1) That this branch of our work be made the medical missionary department of our conference organization; (2) that the medical missionary work in all its features receive the same fostering care and financial support from the conference organization, churches, and people that is given to other branches of our work; (3) that the general advisory and administrative work of this department in the union and State conferences be placed in the hands of the proper committee of suitable size and experience to properly develop the medical work; (4) that the real estate and personal property of the medical institution created and supported by conferences be held in trust for said conferences by legal corporation created by the conferences, and that the trustees of said corporation have the executive management of the institutions belonging to the corporation of which they are trustees; (5) that the constituency of departments and executive committee aforementioned, shall be elected by the conferences in session; (6) that nine persons shall be elected by this conference to be the advisory committee of the Medical Department of the Central Union Conference. A union conference medical missionary board was chosen, the work of which was outlined as follows:— 1. Territory: The field of the Central Union Conference.
2. Duties: To aid in advancing all the medical missionary interests in the Central Union Conference.
3. Relationship: To the Central Union Conference, departmental and administrative; that is to say, the medical missionary board is responsible to the union conference for doing the work of the conference in the Medical Missionary Department; to local medical boards, institutions, and enterprises, advisory and co-operative. We recommend, That this branch of our organized work shall be designated as follows: The Medical Missionary Department of the Central Union Conference. Whereas, The Medical Missionary Department will require funds to meet the expenses of postage, stationery, traveling salaries, providing literature, etc., therefore,— We recommend, That the Central Union Conference provide what may be deemed best from the regular funds or from special offerings taken for this work. We recommend, That a standing committee of four be appointed to provide suitable literature for the medical missionary work of the Central Union Conference. Whereas, There is a great need on the part of our people, and the world as well, of fuller knowledge of the truths of healthful living; therefore,— We recommend, That there be inaugurated a vigorous health and temperance campaign throughout the Central Union Conference. Resolved, That our people be encouraged to utilize medical missionary and health publications as they may be able, in their homes, and in doing self-supporting medical missionary work. Resolved, That provision be made for systematic instruction in medical missionary work, including simple treatments, hygiene, physical culture, and dietetics, at all general gatherings of workers, as far as consistent. Resolved, That the local conferences and institutions be invited to consider the advisability of sharing equally the expense of sending out well-trained workers, who shall organize schools of health among the churches, and devote a portion of their time to the sale of health literature in their territory. We request the Nebraska Sanitarium and Benevolent Association and the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association of Battle Creek, Mich., to make such changes in the legal corporation of the Nebraska Sanitarium and Benevolent Association as will disconnect the Nebraska Sanitarium, located at College View, Neb., from all legal connection with the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, and place the ownership, control, and direction of the institution and all that pertains to it entirely in the hands of the Nebraska Sanitarium and Benevolent Association, or some other corporation created by the Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. We request that the Colorado Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association at its next regular meeting take such steps by amendment of its charter or otherwise as shall make the constituency of said association the delegates of the Central Union Conference, thus placing the ownership, control, and direction of the Colorado Sanitarium in the hands of this conference. Resolved, That we recognize the Kansas Sanitarium at Wichita as a regularly organized denominational institution, and that we welcome it as a member of this union conference, and accord it representation therein. Resolved, That it be the privilege of the International Publishing Association to fill all orders it receives for foreign tracts and pamphlets; that in common with other publishing houses, the International Association fill retail orders for all its publications secured as a result of its advertising; that it be their privilege to offer for sale at reduced prices such of their publications as are imperfect, out of date, or unsalable for lack of variety of bindings; that the association by every means at its command encourage and build up the circulation of its publications in all our conferences, in harmony with the working plans of these conferences; that in recognition of the fact that the association must have some definite territory for the training and development of workers, near-by conferences be invited to turn over to the exclusive control of the association a certain portion of their territory containing a large proportion of foreign population. We recommend, That beginning about Nov. 1, 1904, one month be set aside in an especial manner for missionary effort by our churches; that this be introduced by simultaneous missionary conventions in all the churches; and that special literature be prepared to introduce the campaign, which shall be followed by a judicious use of our general literature, and that our people be encouraged to lay aside their regular employment as far as consistent during this time, and give their best energy to this work. Resolved, That we invite conference officers, and particularly missionary secretaries and State agents, to unite with us in earnest efforts to train our church-members everywhere to circulate small literature; and that the following books and such others as may be agreed upon in each union conference be set apart, at forty per cent discount, for their use: “Education,” “Mount of Blessing,” “Things Foretold,” “Steps to Christ,” “Power for Witnessing,” “Daniel” (paper), “Revelation” (paper), “Great Nations of To-day,” “Sunshine at Home,” “Vegetarian Cook Book,” “Cobblestones” (without illustrations—trade edition); that other small books be reserved for the use of regular agents, and that territory for their sale be arranged with the State agents; that our tract societies allow a uniform discount of twenty-five per cent to our people on all subscription books; and that all forty per cent books designed and set apart for resident canvassers be sold at retail prices. These recommendations were unanimously adopted. The following recommendations were adopted:— We recommend, That each conference in the Central Union be asked to encourage worthy persons to enter the canvassing field, to make it a life-work, and, when necessary, proper financial help be granted in fitting persons for this important work. In view of the instruction of the Testimonies respecting the distribution of our literature, we would urge all our ministers to carry a good assortment of books and tracts, and to make an earnest effort to place them in the hands of the people in every place.20 Whereas, Much more can be accomplished by regular work than by spasmodic action, therefore,— We recommend, That all our people be urged to set apart a specific amount of their time each week for missionary work, and that our ministry and other conference workers be asked to unite in an earnest effort to place a copy of the Testimonies, Volume VIII, in the hands of all our people, and as a further means of accomplishing this work, that some one be selected in each church to diligently canvass its members for this forthcoming volume. In view of the importance of reviving and keeping up the interest of our religious liberty work, we recommend:— 1. That attention be given this question at our camp-meetings.
2. That our workers, our church officers, and our people generally be urged to give the time, thought, and consideration to this subject which its importance demands, and labor, in harmony with general plans which may be laid by the General Conference, or the Religious Liberty Department of the General Conference under the direction of the General Conference Committee, for the dissemination of religious liberty principles.
3. That religious liberty institutes or conventions be held in different places, as arrangements can be made for them, for studying the principles of religious liberty, awakening an interest in the subject, and laying and carrying out plans for the furtherance of the work.
4. That suitable literature bearing on this subject, especially in the form of small, inexpensive leaflets, be freely circulated.
5. That one general collection be taken up each year for the carrying on of this work. Miscellaneous Recommendations
We recommend, That the management of the Scandinavian and German work be left to the local conferences, and that such general help as may be needed shall be provided by consultation between the committees of the Central Union Conference and the local conferences. We recommend, That a committee of three be appointed by the Central Union Conference Committee to consider the advisability of arranging a series of Bible readings, covering the points of present truth, for use in house-to-house work; and if it shall be thought best, this committee with the Central Union Conference Committee shall arrange for publishing these readings. Resolved, That we indorse the action of the Central Union Conference in donating $1,200 of its funds now on hand to the Southwestern Union Conference, and we request that the larger portion of this amount be used by the executive committee of the Southwestern Union Conference toward building up the work in Arkansas. We recommend, That the Central Union Conference furnish a 30 x 50 foot field tent for the work in Scotland, and that the conference committee procure the tent and ship it. Whereas, Other and cheaper song books are taking the place of our church hymnal in many of our new churches, therefore,— Resolved, That this conference request the printing and publishing of a cheap and complete edition of our regular church hymnal that can be sold as cheaply as possible. In view of the intensity that is taking possession of all the affairs of this world, and the cunning and deceptive delusions that are being put forth,— We recommend, That our ministers be more diligent and thorough in the study of the Bible, together with the Testimonies, and exercise greater boldness as watchmen over the fold of God. Whereas, “The Story of Joseph” has been set apart for the aid of mission school work in the South, which is one of our most important and most needy missionary enterprises; therefore,— We recommend, That the Central Union Conference join in the campaign for the sale of this book, helping to make the sales the present season reach the one hundred thousand mark if possible. The Distribution of Labor
It was recommended that A. R. Ogden and wife labor in the Mexican work in the Colorado Conference, and that the Central Union Conference make an appropriation of six hundred dollars toward the expenses of the Mexican work; that John Wallenkampf be invited to make Kansas his field of labor; that as Frank Jencks has resigned his position as State agent in the Kansas Conference, in order to enter the regular canvassing work, C. W. Hardesty be invited to take the State agency in Kansas; that G. O. States be recommended to make the Missouri Conference his field of labor; that A. P. Heacock make Colorado his field of labor; that H. K. Willis make Kansas his field of labor; that A. E. Johnson labor in the Iowa Conference; that G. G. Rupert be invited to labor in the Missouri Conference; that J. J. Graf be invited to visit St. Louis and spend some time in the interests of the German work, under the direction of the Union Conference Committee; that A. C. Anderson, of Nebraska, go to the Province of Alberta to labor in the interests of the Scandinavian work as soon as arrangements can be made; that all further necessary changes be referred for adjustment to the Central Union Conference Committee. Officers for the ensuing biennial period were elected as follows: Conference President, E. T. Russell; Vice-President, R. C. Porter; Secretary, L. A. Hoopes; Educational Secretary, B. E. Huffman; Treasurer, J. Sutherland; Auditor, L. E. Koon; Secretary Young People's work, M. E. Kern. Executive Committee: the President; Vice-President; Presidents of the local conferences composing the union; President of Union College; General Canvassing Agent; Manager Kansas City Branch, Pacific Press Publishing Co.; Manager International Publishing Association; Dr. W. A. George; Educational Secretary. Conference Association Trustees: E. T. Russell, L. A. Hoopes, A. T. Robinson, Theo. Valentiner, J. Sutherland. For representative of the Central Union Conference, on General Conference Book Committee, A. T. Robinson. The office of General Canvassing Agent was left for the Executive Committee to supply. Union College Board of Managers: E. T. Russell, L. A. Hoopes, A. Swedburg, M. E. Kern, W. R. Sutherland, and the presidents of the local conferences composing the union. The following brethren were chosen to compose the Medical Missionary Advisory Board: W. A. George (chairman), F. M. Wilcox (secretary), J. E. Colleran, D. R. Callahan, W. A. Droll, L. F. Starr, W. S. Cruzan, H. Rand, and L. C. Christofferson. Credentials were granted to E. T. Russell, L. A. Hoopes, L. Johnson, F. H. Westphal, W. A. Colcord, and J. H. Morrison. Ministerial licenses were given to Theodore Valentiner, A. Swedburg, C. A. Thorp, P. E. Berthelsen, M. E. Kern, Dr. W. A. George. Missionary licenses were given to L. E. Koon, J. Sutherland, Katie Coleman, Carrie Segebartt, Vera Thompson, D. D. Rees, H. A. Morrison, M. W. Newton, Miss Winifred Peebles, E. C. Kellogg, E. E. Gardner, M. H. Serns, Miss Roberta Andrews, and Miss Genevieve Johnson. The press and people of Omaha were very cordial in every respect, and a goodly number were present each evening to hear the stirring truths for this time. We trust lasting good was accomplished. The hearts of the delegates were made tender as we listened to the messages borne by the servants of the Lord, and we took our departure with a stronger faith and a firmer determination to press the battle until it shall be ours to shout the victory on the sea of glass.