North American Division Council
By G. B. Thompson
Extension of Church-Schools
RECOMMENDATIONS touching the efficiency and extension of our church-schools was presented by the Educational Department, and adopted as follows:— Whereas, Our church-schools are proving one of the strongest forces among us for the spiritual and cultural uplift of our children; and,— Whereas, An increase of efficiency in their service means not only more effective results in character building during the most impressible years of child development, but also added recruits for our higher schools and for field service; and,— Whereas, One of the most urgent needs at present is the development of manuals in the various lines of study for the use of the teacher; we recommend,— 1. That the Educational Department be authorized to arrange with one or more of our stronger normal departments for the preparation of material for such manuals, with a view to having them criticized and finally revised at our general convention and the normal institute following in the summer of 1914. 2. That we appropriate $600 as a fund to promote this work. In pursuance of the recommendations passed at the recent General Conference on the ranking of our academies in relation to the college, the following was passed:— 1. That in each union a careful study of the academy and college interests be made on the ground by the union men and a representative of the North American Department of Education, with a view to ascertaining the merits of the case for each academy from the viewpoint of its efficiency. 2. That in determining this efficiency four main points be kept in mind: (a) its faculty, (b) its equipment, (c) its finances, and (d) its ability to serve the best interests of its constituency. 3. That the result of these findings and the bearing that the rank to be fixed for the academy would have upon the welfare of the college with which it is affiliated, be made a basis for determining the number of grades the academy shall carry. 4. That where found advisable the decision reached in such counsel be submitted to the North American Department of Education for further consideration and approval. Efficiency of the Local Church
The question of how to make the local church a stronger factor in carrying forward plans laid for the advancement of the work was given careful study, and the following recommendations were passed:— Whereas, The rapid growth and expansion of the third angel's message throughout the world demands a greater efficiency on the part of conference and church officers in order to keep pace with said growth, and,— Whereas, It is recognized that the link between local conference organizations and our churches should be strengthened, as a means to this end we recommend,— 1. The immediate preparation of a church officers' manual or handbook outlining in detail the duties of all officers, and giving special attention to the duties of elders on— a. Spiritual work for their members. b. Their relation to the organized work as a whole, in cooperation in conference campaigns, etc. c. Their relation to church finances as they pertain to local, conference, and general work. 2. The holding of church officers' institutes, where instruction can be given on the duties pertaining to each office, with special regard to instructing elders on such subjects as,— a. How to conduct Sabbath services in the absence of a minister. b. How to enlist the interest and support of their members in local and conference lines of work. c. The elder as a pastor and under-shepherd. d. The elder's duty in cooperating with conference officers in carrying out plans covering all phases of the work. e. How to enlist the interest and support of their members in raising funds for the local and the general work and in increasing the tithe. 3. That every minister be instructed that in organizing a new church he should give careful instruction to the church officers, giving them to understand that they are a part of an organized body, the strength of whose efforts lies in the unity with which they carry out the general plans. 4. That every minister and licentiate who visits and labors with the churches should, in harmony with the Testimonies, give more time to instructing the churches along such lines of practical missionary work as distributing tracts and papers, selling magazines and home workers' books, holding Bible studies, Christian Help work, and the Harvest Ingathering campaign. 5. That every church and isolated believer be kept fully informed by the conference in regard to all general plans for promoting different branches of the work and raising mission funds. The following transfer of laborers was voted:— 1. That Elder L. C. Sheafe, of Washington, D. C., connect with the Pacific Union Conference. 2. That the request of the Atlantic Union Conference for the labors of Elder K. C. Russell be granted. 3. That C. F. Woertz, of New Jersey, make the Southern Illinois Conference his field of labor. 4. That T. H. Jeys be invited to take the editorship of the Gospel Herald. Some other actions were taken in reference to the exchange of laborers, which will be published later when all the arrangements for their transfer have been made. The following recommendations of the committee on nominations were passed:— 1. For treasurer, W. T. Knox. 2. For educational secretary, J. L. Shaw. 3. For assistant educational secretary, W. E. Howell. 4. For auditor, J. J. Ireland. 5. For home missionary secretary, J. R. Ferren. 6. For assistant home missionary secretary, Miss Edith M. Graham. 7. That the securing of an assistant for the Sabbath School Department be left to the officers of the division conference. Religious Liberty Offering
Voted, That the religious liberty offering be taken the fourth Sabbath in February. Foreign Department Offering
Voted, That the offering for the North American Foreign Department be taken the fourth Sabbath in August, 1914. The committee on appropriations made the following recommendations, which were passed:— The organization of the North American Division Conference has resulted in some changes in our financial situation which ought to be clearly understood. The agreement entered into, about two years ago, by which all local conferences were to pay a per cent of their tithe to the treasury of the General Conference, added largely to the funds previously available, and enabled the General Conference Committee to make quite liberal appropriations for city work in Eastern conferences.1123The available funds for the North American Division Conference for all purposes consist of the tithe from union conferences, the per cent of tithe from local and union conferences, and special donations. The organization of the new conference necessitates maintaining an executive force to carry the work hitherto done by the General Conference, and this expense must be met from these funds. It is, therefore, plain to all that the North American Division Conference Committee cannot appropriate for evangelical work as large a sum as has been appropriated by the General Conference Committee, unless the per cent of tithe from local and union conferences be increased; but some of the fields in the East and South must receive help. We, therefore, recommend,— 1. That the per cent of tithe from local and union conferences, as hitherto agreed upon, be paid in full to the North American Division Conference. 2. That the special offering for the Negro Department and the North American foreign work be well worked up by all local and union conferences, that a large donation may be received. 3. That the strictest economy be practised in administration, and that traveling and operating expenses be reduced to the minimum, in order that funds may be available in the local, union, and division conferences for aggressive work. 4. That all our people be encouraged to bring a full tithe into the treasury, that the work be not hindered because of a lack of funds. 5. That we unite our best efforts in every local and union conference to bring the donations up to twenty cents a week per church-member. 6. That we earnestly entreat each worker in the division conference to produce the largest possible results in the great work of soul-saving during the coming year. 7. That the request from the International Publishing Association for an appropriation of $1,500 be referred to the Pacific Press Publishing Association for such action as it deems best. 8. That in making these appropriations the North American Division Conference is not owing these sums, and if not able to secure the funds, is responsible only for passing to each field its pro rata share of what is available. The study of our financial situation occupied much of the time of the council. After prayerful deliberation the following restatement of our financial policy was made by the finance committee and adopted:— From the annual financial reports prepared by our statistical secretary, it is evident that the indebtedness of our denomination is rapidly increasing. The chief cause of this present situation has been the launching of various enterprises with borrowed money. The large amount of interest which these institutions must pay, together with their expensive operation, requires an expenditure far beyond their income. The result is a continual addition to the indebtedness that already exists. We by no means consider the present financial situation alarming, but it is serious, and requires that immediate steps be taken to change the situation that exists. This can be done only by an entire change of denominational policy. In 1902 this same question, only in much smaller proportions, was before the General Conference Committee. At that time it was decided to adopt a cash policy in the operation of our work. Had that policy been followed it would have saved us from the embarrassing situation that now confronts us. At the fall council of the General Conference Committee in 1912, this question was again considered, and at that time the action of the committee in 1902 was reaffirmed, with additional recommendations regarding the policy to be pursued. We believe that we can do no better at this time than to present as a part of our earnest recommendations the action of the General Conference Committee Council in 1912, which is as follows:— Whereas, The work of carrying on the third angel's message is rapidly enlarging and extending into new fields; and,— Whereas, Unless careful management be given to the operations in extending the message, large debts will be contracted; therefore,— We recommend, That all evangelical and missionary enterprises carried on in the name of the denomination, or under the denomination's support, be conducted on a strictly cash basis. Whereas, Most of our corporations and institutions are carrying large liabilities; therefore,— We recommend, That said corporations and institutions be requested to give special attention to the rapid liquidation of their obligations. 1. That the General Conference or Mission Board from this day shall not be held financially responsible for any obligations that they have not assumed by their own action. 2. That the foregoing be the general policy of the union and State conferences and other organizations and institutions of the denomination. 3. That all parties undertaking local enterprises, such as institutions, church buildings, and other undertakings in this country, secure their means in their respective local territories, and not by general call for means, unless previously arranged. To this action we recommend that the following counsel be added:— Whereas, Investigation shows that our present indebtedness has, to a large extent, been created by the starting of enterprises and the erection of buildings by individuals, boards, and committees, without due counsel with the people upon whom such obligations fall; and,— Whereas, This indebtedness is steadily growing larger because of the failure of various enterprises and institutions to meet operating expenses, therefore we urge,— 1. That when any local conference committee proposes to start an important financial enterprise, erect or purchase an institutional building, or make any large addition to either the buildings or equipment already provided, it shall first secure the authority of the people who are to furnish the funds; and further, that it shall obtain the approval of the union conference committee having general supervision of said local conference. 2. That when such authority and approval have been obtained, the local conference shall raise the funds required to meet the proposed expense, so that no additional debt shall be created. 3. That any union conference committee desiring to launch any large financial enterprise, erect a building, or take over an institution, shall, before doing so, secure the vote of the union conference in session, or of its several local conferences in session; and also obtain the counsel of the division conference committee and General Conference Committee. 4. That having been duly authorized to make such expenditure, the committee shall proceed to raise the amount necessary to finance the enterprise so that no debts shall be incurred. 5. That we earnestly counsel all committees and boards in charge of enterprises and institutions already established and carrying heavy financial obligations, to maintain the most rigid economy consistent with the purpose and welfare of said enterprise. 6. That our people be requested to loan to the institution without interest as far as they can do so, and that those who need interest make it as low as consistent with their needs. 7. That continuous and earnest efforts be made to secure donations to pay off liabilities. 8. That the financial condition of each institution be kept before its staff of workers, that they may be stimulated to aid in every possible way to remove the financial burden. 9. That an appeal be made to our people everywhere to stand by conference committees and institutional boards in their efforts to carry out these recommendations. 10. That earnest effort be put forth by every conference to raise their full quota of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund for the support of our missionary work and to afford relief to our institutions. 11. With respect to the operation of our conferences we believe that much may be accomplished by a more careful economical management. We would urge that conference committees give careful attention to the following features of conference work:— a. Elimination of unprofitable workers. b. Greater economy in hall rents, advertising meetings, traveling expenses, and greater endeavor to secure contributions to meet expenses of evangelistic effort. c. Greater economy in the operation of camp-meetings and general gatherings. d. Increasing receipts in tithes and offerings by systematic and thorough education of the members of the church. 12. That the finance commission be asked to investigate the advisability of continuing training-schools for nurses in connection with some of our smaller sanitariums, and that this matter be taken under careful advisement by the managing boards. 13. That as a means of bringing special help in the campaign for lifting the burden of debt from our institutions, a self-denial week be appointed, and that all conference and institutional workers be asked to dedicate that week's salary to this purpose, in special token of the dedication of our hearts and lives to the work of rolling away the reproach of debt from the cause of God; and that we invite all our people to make that week12a week of self-denial for the benefit of our institutions; and further, that the last week in May be the time for this united endeavor and consecration of life and service. The fund thus raised to be sent through the usual channels to the division conference treasury, to be disbursed by its executive committee on the same basis as that part of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund given to institutional relief. It being decided that an educational and Missionary Volunteer convention be held, it was voted,— That we invite the Sabbath School Department to join in the educational and Missionary Volunteer convention to be held in 1914. G. B. Thompson, Secretary.