North American Division Council by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 6, 1913

North American Division Council

By G. B. Thompson

The fall council of the North American Division was a most important and profitable occasion. This being the first meeting of the full committee since the organization of the division conference, there were many questions which required careful consideration. The meeting of the General Conference Committee, together with several brethren from local conferences and boards, brought together quite a number of those bearing responsibilities in the work. The counsel of all these workers was much appreciated. The names of those present having already appeared in the REVIEW, it is unnecessary to publish the list again. The good Spirit of God was present in the council, bringing unity of action into the deliberations.

Careful study was given to the financial situation which faces us in our institutions, many of which are resting under a heavy burden of debt. The condition which confronted us led to most earnest prayer that the Lord would send us help, and would point out the road to travel that we might be delivered from the slavery and bondage of debt which threatens to stagnate and seriously hinder our work throughout the world. The following actions of general interest were taken:—

Permanent Headquarters

Having regard to the close relationship in work of the General and the North American Division Conference offices and departments as at present organized, and the great economy to be effected in operating the various departments of work from the same headquarters; and in consideration of the fact that the work of the General Conference Committee calls for the presence in committee sessions of at least some of the officers and members of the division executive, without whom, in the absence of the president of the General Conference, it would be difficult to secure a working quorum for the transaction of Mission Board business, we,—

Recommend, That the offices of the North American Division Conference continue in Washington; and further,—

That the officers of the General Conference and of the North American Division Conference be authorized to add to the General Conference building such room as may be necessary to provide for the requirements of the combined work of the offices.

Scholarship Plan

The following recommendations were presented by the Educational Department, and after being carefully considered were adopted:—

Whereas, We recognize that there is a growing need of more efficient workers in our conferences and institutions in the large cities of this country, and in the mission fields, especially for well-trained ministers, teachers, Bible workers; and,—

Whereas, Our training-schools have been established and are being maintained at large expense for the purpose of giving our young people thorough preparation for the Master’s service; and,—

Whereas, There are a large number of young men and women not now in school who should attend our colleges and academies to obtain a better education for the work, to the end that the message may be hastened among all classes in all lands at home and abroad,—

We recommend, That an organized effort be made to arouse our people generally to the value of advanced education in qualifying our young people to fill their place and part in the finishing of the work. And to this end, we recommend,—

1. That our leading brethren prepare articles for the REVIEW AND HERALD setting forth the direct relation which a better preparation of our young people for service sustains to the advancement of the advent movement.

2. That in our churches and large public gatherings an effort be made to turn the hearts of parents more fully to the importance of giving their children the education necessary to efficient missionary service.

3. That two Sabbaths each year be set apart as educational days in our churches, for the purpose of studying the principles of Christian education and the needs of our work; and that suitable matter be prepared by the Educational Department for that purpose.

4. That the sacred calling of the gospel ministry be kept continually before our people, with the purpose of attracting many more bright, consecrated young men to this calling, and of inspiring them to make an educational preparation that will fit them to present the truth among all classes.

5. That a plan of tuition scholarships of fifty dollars each be arranged which shall provide for the tuition of acceptable young people in our colleges who have finished at least an academic course in one of our schools, and who wish to take further training for either the ministry, teaching, or other definite lines of gospel work; and that these scholarships be provided in the three following ways:—

a. That each of our conferences be recommended to provide two or more permanent tuition scholarships.

b. That our larger publishing houses be encouraged to provide three or more permanent tuition scholarships in educational institutions in their respective territories, available to students who have earned two tuition scholarships in the canvassing work.

c. That persons of private means be encouraged to endow permanent tuition scholarships in our advanced schools, either by payment annually of the sum of fifty dollars for each scholarship or by the gift of one thousand dollars as a permanent fund whose interest will provide one scholarship annually.

Legal Corporation

That a corporation be formed to be known as The North American Conference Corporation.

Quadrennial Session of the Division Conference

That the next session of the North American Division Conference be held in Los Angeles, Cal., Oct. 14-30, 1915.

The Washington College

1. That the Foreign Mission Seminary resume the status of a college, for which it already has a charter, on the following suggestive basis:—

a. That it operate in harmony with the general course of study adopted by our General and Division Educational Department in general convention.

b. That, in order to facilitate and strengthen the plan of the Mission Board for certain special training to be given its appointees to foreign lands, one of the main departments of the College be known as the Department of Foreign Missions, with the policy of its work fully determined by the Mission Board in conjunction with the College faculty.

c. That the College be given as its territory for regular students the Atlantic, Columbia, Southeastern, and Southern Unions, and all the territory of the Canadian Union Conference, except Ontario, Ontario being transferred to the territory of the Berrien Springs college, with the understanding that the Department of Foreign Missions receive as students any appointees the Mission Board may draw from any territory.

d. That the managing board consist of fifteen members, made up as follows: The presidents of the Atlantic, Columbia, Southeastern, and Southern Unions; the presidents of the New Jersey, Chesapeake, District of Columbia, Virginia, and Eastern Pennsylvania Conferences; whose academic patronage the school receives; the treasurer of the General Conference; the president of the College; and four other men. And that we recommend to the board that they designate seven of their number to act as an executive board between sessions of the full board.

e. That work on this basis begin in the autumn of 1914.

f. In making these changes it is understood that the indebtedness of the College shall not be increased.

2. That Mount Vernon College and the Southern Training-school carry only twelve grades, turning over their patronage and good will in grades thirteen to sixteen to the Washington College; and that there be some equitable division of the Columbia Union territory for the patronage in the academic grades, leaving to the future the determining of a policy of affiliation with the Washington College.

3. That South Lancaster Academy continue as a fourteen-grade academy, leaving to the future the determining of a policy of affiliation with the Washington College. But we advise the management that they do not increase their present facilities for students.

4. That Union College draw college students, as heretofore, from the Northern, Central, and Southwestern Unions, on some equitable policy of affiliation with Keene Academy and with the academies of the Central and Northern Unions, to be determined by the executive committees of the three unions in counsel with the North American Educational Department.

5. That Walla Walla College and Pacific Union College and their affiliated academies be visited as soon as consistent by a representative of the North American Department of Education, to study, together with the union officials, the highest interests of these schools, and report their findings to the department.

The following dates for holding the coming sessions of union conferences that were agreed upon: Atlantic, November 25 to December 7; Southeastern, December 24 to January 4; Southern, January 6-18; Central, January 13-25; Northern, January 27 to February 8; Western Canadian, February 11-22; North Pacific, February 25 to March 8; Pacific, March 11-22; Southwestern, April 1-12; Lake, April 14-26; Columbia, April 28 to May 10; East Canadian, summer of 1914.

Other recommendations will be given later.

G. B. Thompson, Secretary N. A. D. Conf.