Important Changes by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 2, 1912

Important Changes

By A. G. Daniells

At the recent meeting of the General Conference Committee, held in Loma Linda, Cal., it was decided to release Pastor K. C. Russell from the Religious Liberty Department, that he may devote his entire time to evangelistic work in our cities. This action has been under consideration for a year or more. The messages that have been coming to us since the session of the General Conference three years ago, calling for greater efforts in behalf of our large cities, have awakened a new interest in the evangelistic work, and created a great demand for evangelical workers.

As Pastor Russell has had years of experience in this work, many calls have come to the General Conference Committee to release him for city work, and, as already stated, this has now been done. In doing so, the committee recommended that he respond to the pressing call that had come from the brethren in Chicago for his services. On returning from the Pacific Coast, Pastor Russell and the writer met the officers of the Northern Illinois Conference and a large number of the Chicago brethren, to talk over plans of work. The brethren gave Brother Russell a most hearty welcome, and promised the fullest possible cooperation. They will begin their first effort with the opening of the coming tent season.

On releasing Pastor Russell for city work, further action was taken by the General Conference Committee, requesting Prof. W. W. Prescott to take the secretaryship of the Religious Liberty Department. Since the location of our headquarters at Washington, nine years ago, Brother Prescott has taken a prominent part in the work of this department. He has met with us in our councils, assisted in drawing up our strongest appeals and protests to Congress, and has taken part in nearly all the committee hearings and public efforts in Washington against religious legislation.

The aggressive attitude of the Church of Rome in America seems now to call not only for protest against proposed religious legislation, but for a bold and earnest proclamation of the Protestantism of the sixteenth century. The burden of this work has pressed upon Brother Prescott's heart for a number of years, and he has been giving the question most careful study. This, it is felt by the committee, has prepared him to do effective work in this phase of our message. We hope the changes here mentioned may result in distinct gain to our work in every way.

A. G. DANIELLS.

ONE feature of the recent ministerial institute held in Los Angeles, Cal., which contributed in a large measure to the comfort and convenience of the delegates and the success of the meeting, was the excellent cafeteria service furnished by Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Fulton. The food was of liberal variety and excellently prepared. We learn since the close of the meeting that Brother Fulton has opened another restaurant in another part of the city, making three that he is carrying forward in Los Angeles. This affords him facilities for seating nearly six hundred persons at one time. His patronage is found among the best class of people. On the tables before them are placed continually our missionary journals and other publications, and in a number of instances a deep interest has by this means been awakened in the study of the truth. We believe that work carried on in this way may exert a strong Christian influence and prove a valuable agency in the dissemination of the light of truth, not only on the subject of health, but as well on the more positive and direct truths constituting the gospel message of this day.