Ministers' Lecture Association by James White; Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1870

Ministers' Lecture Association.

By James White; Uriah Smith

MARCH 25, 1870, a meeting was held in Battle Creek, for the purpose of taking into consideration the formation of an association, the object of which should be to secure an annual course of lectures for the benefit of ministers, those who contemplated entering the ministry, Sabbath-school superintendents, Sabbath-school teachers, and all others who might wish to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the truth pertaining to this time. The president and secretary of the General Conference were elected chairman and secretary of the meeting. Wm. C. Gage was chosen treasurer. And these three, with the executive committee of the General Conference were chosen a committee to perfect arrangements, and propose a definite plan of organization.

At the second meeting, March 26, after remarks by Bro. White on 1 Pet. 3: 15, the committee reported a Constitution, which was adopted, and at a subsequent meeting slightly amended. The following is the form in which it now stands:

ART. I.—NAME.

This Association shall be known as The Ministers' Lecture Association of S. D. Adventists.

ART. II.—OBJECT.

The object of this Association shall be to give instruction in the fundamental truths held by Seventh-day Adventists, that those engaged in teaching them, whether in the ministry, in the Sabbath School, or in the more private walks of life, may be better qualified for the duties devolving upon them.

ART. III.—OFFICERS.

Its officers shall consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of three, of whom the President shall be one; and they shall be elected annually.

ART. IV.—MEMBERSHIP.

Any person may become a member on the payment of the annual lecture fee, the membership holding good for one year.

ART. V.—COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.

The Course of Instruction shall consist of an annual series of lectures on Biblical subjects, and other topics relating to the work of the ministry, together with such educational works as the committee may designate from year to year.

ART. VI.—AMENDMENTS.

This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the Association, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.

The price of membership was fixed by vote of the meeting for this year as follows: Gentlemen, $5. Ladies, $3. Subscriptions being then called for, sixty persons handed in their names. The Association having now attained a real and tangible existence, the following officers were chosen for the coming year: President, James White; Secretary, U. Smith; Treasurer, W. C. Gage; Executive Committee, James White, J. N. Andrews, and J. H. Waggoner.

James White, J. N. Andrews, J. H. Waggoner, G. H. Bell, and U. Smith, were appointed a committee to prescribe a course of study for ministers.

The exercises for this year were carried out as follows: At 7 o'clock each evening, a lecture on some one of the great subjects of the present truth. At 8, the next morning, prayer-meeting. At 9, exercise in penmanship. At 10.30, lecture and exercise in English grammar. At 4 p. m., class examination on the previous evening's lecture. The membership fee entitled a person to all the exercises.

Owing to some unfavorable circumstances mentioned below, the course was not completed this year. Only nine lectures were given; and on this account, all who had paid, had the privilege of withdrawing their money if they wished. Most, however, chose to let it remain to form the basis of a fund for future operations.

The idea of such an Association was comparatively new. It was entered into without time for sufficient preparation. Hence it labored under some disadvantages. But on the overall, its success has been very

gratifying, sufficiently so for all who entered into it to desire that it be a permanent institution.

JAMES WHITE, President, U. SMITH, Secretary.