General Conference Committee Council by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 15, 1910

General Conference Committee Council

By William Ambrose Spicer

November 23 to December 4

Second Report

As stated in last week’s report, much of the time in the earlier days of the council was given to papers and general discussions on the topic of city work.

Evangelistic Work in the Cities

The following actions were taken in regard to city evangelization, summing up the general plan of campaign:—

1. From a careful study of the many messages of instruction that have come to us, urging the immediate working of the cities, it is our deep conviction that this is a pressing call to this whole denomination to arouse, and earnestly and quickly proclaim God’s last message to the masses in every part of the world.

2. In view of the special mention of the cities in the eastern part of North America, we feel that most earnest efforts should now be made to proclaim our message in these cities.

3. Resolved, That it is our belief that this city evangelistic work in North America should be carried on, and supported by, the believers and the regular conference funds in the American conferences, without drawing upon the ten-cent-a-week fund of the General Conference.

Whereas, The membership of our people, the staff of workers, and the funds in the Eastern conferences are altogether inadequate for the work we are now called to do in the cities of these conferences; therefore,—

4. Resolved, That we earnestly request the stronger conferences in the West, where so much efficient labor has been bestowed during the last half-century, to assist the Eastern conferences, just as far as consistent, with workers and means.

Although the papers that have been read at this council call for a large staff of workers, many facilities, and a large amount of means to carry on an ideal effort in the large cities,—

5. We recommend, That most earnest efforts be made by all conferences in behalf of their large cities, with the laborers, means, and facilities they have, even if these do not reach the highest ideal set before us.

Believing that the medical and evangelistic efforts should be more closely combined in all our city work,—

6. We recommend, That in our sanitariums this missionary idea be kept prominently before the students, and that as far as possible nurses, after graduation, be encouraged to spend at least six months in connection with some training center in one of our large cities, and engage in medical missionary work.

7. We recommend, That our sanitariums aim, as far as possible, to arrange their work by securing sufficient competent help so that physicians can spend as much time as possible in medical evangelistic work in the cities.

8. We recommend, That conferences in which are located large cities plan to open one or more small training centers, where workers of various kinds can receive an all-round training in city work; these homes to be under the supervision of competent superintendents. We suggest that wherever possible to provide suitable facilities, a small treatment-room be connected with the training center, and a large room for lectures, demonstrations, Bible readings, etc.

Whereas, The gospel plan is that two and two should go forth into the gospel field, uniting their labors in harmony and Christian unity, developing the interest with more than one talent; therefore,—

9. We would counsel our conferences to give careful attention and thought to this divine arrangement in the prosecution of the work.

10. Resolved, That where conditions are favorable, the special efforts in our largest cities be so conducted as to accomplish as much as possible in the training of the younger conference laborers and laymen,—

(a) Through the participation by the less experienced preachers in the visiting, Bible work, distribution and sale of literature, and the musical work of the effort.

(b) Through the participation of trained nurses and Bible workers, who by attendance at the evening services can be a help in the singing and visiting; who could also receive daily regular instruction in Bible study and methods of labor, and who would devote a part of each day to very earnest and well-directed labor among the people.

leaders in local evangelistic effort, who could take part, as far as their experience and circumstances warrant, in the same work as the Bible workers and missionary nurses.

Whereas, There is a great dearth of laborers, and the demands upon the workers now in the field are constantly increasing; and in view of the emphatic calls that have been coming to us from the spirit of prophecy, urging our lay members into active service, and laying responsibility upon ministers to train church-members for this work; therefore,—

11. Resolved, That a systematic and far-reaching effort be made to so strengthen our local churches, and train their members for service, that they may continue to thrive and grow, even though the principal part of the time of the ministers and other conference employees be taken away from them, and devoted to the united efforts in the largest cities; and, further,—

12. Resolved, That to this end conventions be held at times and places wisely selected, where faithful instruction shall be given respecting their duties to—

(a) Church elders, deacons, treasurers, missionary secretaries, and clerks.

(b) Leaders in the Sabbath-school and young people’s work.

13. We recommend, That the needs of our cities be kept before the students in our schools; and that some of the most mature and promising students be encouraged during vacations and after graduation to connect with the city training-schools, and assist in carrying forward the periodical work, Bible work, etc., and at the same time receive the instruction which will enable them to become efficient city workers.

14. We recommend, That members of the school faculties of our various schools be encouraged to act the same part in active work in cities, in order that they may be able to impart to the school the spirit which will make it an effective agency for the development of missionaries.

15. Resolved, That it is the privilege and duty of the members composing the conferences in which the large Eastern cities are located, to raise a special city evangelistic fund by donations as liberal as they are able to make, to assist in carrying forward the broad and expensive work for which the Spirit of God is calling.

In view of the difficulty of securing a large attendance of the public at our meetings in the large cities, where there are so many counter-attractions; and in view of the great value of well-directed Bible work in private families and cottage gatherings; therefore,—

16. We recommend, That earnest efforts be made to train a large number of efficient Bible workers to aid in carrying forward this city evangelistic work.

It is impossible here to give any outline of the discussion of these resolutions. The sum of it all was the deep conviction that God is calling for a move upon the unworked portions of the fields, and that the power of his salvation and his guiding hand will be seen as all hearts respond to the call to go forward.

Miscellaneous Actions

Among items and recommendations of a miscellaneous character may be listed the following:—

That a small manual be prepared at once on “Church Organization and Missionary Work,” outlining the duties of all church officers, their proper choice and election, and simple methods of home tract and missionary work.

That the North American Foreign Department be encouraged to associate a few young French workers with Elder G. G. Roth’s work in New England, with a view of building up a force of laborers among that nationality.

That the effort for the Jewish people be definitely added to the North American Foreign Department work, Elder F. C. Gilbert to act as leader in this branch of effort.

Approval was given to the plans of the North American Foreign Department for a council of leading workers among foreigners in America, to open in Chicago, December 27.

That the Harvest Ingathering campaign, which has borne so good fruit in gifts for missions and in acquainting the public with our missionary operations, be continued in the autumn of 1911.

That the Bahama Islands, which have been a mission field of the Southeastern Union, be transferred to the General Conference oversight, on account of the fact that there are no certain lines of mail and shipping communication between the islands and the Southeast; this transfer to go into effect Jan. 1, 1911.

Further report of the council must be deferred till next week. While the council closed the evening of the fourth, much of the detail consideration of requests from the fields had to be left for the minority quorum to deal with. The situation was reviewed, however, and the agenda paper—the paper listing “things to be done”—was recognized as calling only for actually urgent needs in the fields.

With mission resources exhausted for the present, it was evident that only one by one, as the funds come in, can the calls be answered; but all the council, local and union officers and workers generally, united in giving reassuring word to our missionaries abroad that gifts will come flowing in from the believers, and from conferences as well, and ere long more help shall go forward.

W. A. SPICER, Secretary.