Actions Taken at the College View Council by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

Actions Taken at the College View Council

By William Ambrose Spicer

The report of actions taken by the College View Council of the General Conference Committee was interrupted by last week's Missions special. We can give little more than the actions themselves in the space available. The discussion of plans for the raising of the special fund for missions led to the following actions:—

The $300,000 Fund

Whereas, At the late session of the General Conference it was recommended that three hundred thousand dollars be raised to supply institutions already required in foreign fields for the proper development of our work, these institutions to consist of schools, printing plants, and sanitariums; also to erect homes for missionaries where conditions require; and,—

Whereas, There is great need in many lands for immediate use of this fund; therefore,—

We recommend, 1. That the systematic raising of the $300,000 fund be begun early in 1910.

2. That the responsibility of raising this three hundred thousand dollars be assumed by the union and local conferences of North America, apportionment being made on the basis of church and company membership as published in the statistical secretary's report of membership for 1908; that this membership be adhered to until the fund is raised; and that on this basis the apportionment stands as follows:—

UNION CONFERENCES AMOUNT Atlantic ........................................ $24,892.80 Central ......................................... 44,097.60 Columbia ........................................ 31,536.00 Lake ............................................ 61,200.00 Northern ........................................ 28,704.00 North Pacific ................................... 29,073.60 Pacific ......................................... 36,580.80 Southeastern ............................ (to be supplied) Southern .................................. (to be supplied) Southwestern ................................... 22,036.60 Canadian ......................................... 4,233.60 Western Canadian ................................ 4,027.20

3. That we invite Seventh-day Adventists in all the world to join the North American union conferences in raising this fund.

4. That the making up of this fund be completed by Dec. 31, 1912.

5. That all donations to this fund be paid through the regular channels.

6. That treasurers be instructed to report and forward all receipts on this fund, together with all other funds, monthly,—churches not later than the last day of each month, State treasurers not later than the tenth of each month, union conference treasurers not later

than the fifteenth of each month.

7. That in the raising of this fund each union conference is free to pursue such policy as it may elect.

8. That the General Conference treasury department publish monthly a report of all receipts in the REVIEW AND HERALD, by union and local conferences.

9. That the General Conference treasury department report monthly to local conferences all money received on this fund from conference territory not having passed through the regular channels.

10. That we request the Sabbath-school Department to provide one or two Sabbath-school lessons each quarter on tithes and offerings.

11. That the Signs of the Times be invited to open its columns in behalf of this fund, as well as in behalf of other missionary enterprises; that it report to the General Conference treasury monthly, by individuals and conferences, all receipts on this fund, in order that due credit may be given.

It was with hearts full of courage and confidence that the brethren discussed these plans for the raising of the largest fund the denomination has yet undertaken. The workers present believed that all the people will unite heartily in the enterprise so that it will be carried through promptly, and without decreasing the ordinary mission gifts so necessary to keep the regular work going.

Our Sanitariums

Much time was given to this topic. Brother L. M. Bowen, of the St. Helena Sanitarium, and now at Washington, D. C., read a paper on sanitarium management, which we hope to publish later in full. Many cheering testimonies were borne in the discussion of the spiritual interests and influences in our sanitarium work. Elder A. T. Robinson spoke of numbers of persons who had found not only physical help, but had fully accepted the light of the message through the Nebraska sanitariums. That work, in fact, he counted upon to bring as many people into the truth in a year in Nebraska as any minister. Elder G. F. Watson testified similarly, on his observation formerly in Colorado; and Elder R. A. Underwood spoke of an ingathering of souls at the Chamberlain (S. D.) institution. Dr. D. H. Kress cited interesting experiences in Australia, and in the Washington Sanitarium, which is but beginning its work. Dr. H. F. Rand told of a Catholic priest who, taking him by the hand, said, “I know God is in this place.” This priest works earnestly to send patients to the sanitarium. When the decisive time comes, Dr. Rand believes many will take their stand who have learned the principles of the truth at our institutions.

Elder Meade MacGuire, of Boulder, wished that all our people might understand what a grand missionary field our sanitariums are. Elder W. T. Knox called attention to the fact that not only were our sanitariums helping multitudes who otherwise might never be brought in contact with our work, but they are giving hundreds of our young people a training equal to that of our schools. It means a three-years' course of study and schooling, with a definite aim. The danger is that amid the care and pressure, and the necessity of thinking of finances, the spiritual life may not be fostered. Here is where the close contact between the institution and the conference is required. Our people should be holding up our institutions in their prayers and sympathies, to help them to do their appointed work and to remedy defects in conditions. Dr. W. A. Ruble urged the appointment of a medical secretary in each union to devote a large amount of time to giving instruction; such work, he felt, would bring strength to the sanitariums. The following actions were taken:—

Actions on Sanitarium Work

We recommend, 1. That as General, union, and local conferences, we render to our sanitariums and those connected with them in their institutional work the fullest possible co-operation, and to make more effective this co-operation, we suggest the following,—

(a) That General, union, and local conference sanitariums be assisted by said conferences supplying and supporting efficient chaplains, who may also act as Bible teachers for the institutions, giving special attention to qualifying nurses to do efficient Bible work.

(b) That our physicians and sanitarium workers be encouraged to take a deep interest in the evangelical work of the conferences, as well as in the spiritual work of the institution with which they are connected, and that whenever possible they unite with the ministers of the conference in their evangelical work.

(c) That we urge all our people to rally to the support of our sanitariums by distributing advertising literature among their acquaintances; and, further, when in need of medical help, to patronize our institutions, as well as to urge their friends and neighbors to do the same.

(d) That all conference employees be earnest advocates of the sanitariums in their conference, recommending the institutions to those in need of medical aid.

2. That union and local conferences endeavor to arrange for the employment of all graduate nurses who have satisfactory recommendations from the institutions from which they have been graduated, and to make this effective we suggest the following:—

(a) That each union conference create what may be termed a Nurses' Bureau, whose duty shall be to provide employment for graduate nurses from our institutions.

(b) That these nurses be employed to give their time to caring for the sick, distributing literature, conducting health schools, engaging in Bible work and the holding of cottage meetings, and in such other medical missionary work as the conference employing them, in counsel with the Nurses' Bureau, may direct.

(c) That these nurses receive a fixed salary from the conference in which they labor, and that they turn their earnings into the conference treasury on such plan as each conference may arrange.

(d) That the conference co-operate in the most sympathetic manner with the work of the nurses, helping to make their work effective, and give to them the same hearty support they give to other conference employees.

3. That, in order that our medical work may prove the entering wedge to the third angel's message, we recommend that, when practicable, medical workers who are qualified to lecture on health topics, conduct health schools, minister to the sick, distribute literature, connect with the evangelical tent efforts in our larger cities and elsewhere.

4. That when the trustees of any institution find they are operating said institution at a loss, a council of the leading brethren in the territory in which the institution is located be called to devise a policy by which the institution may be operated without loss.

5. That the General Conference Committee appoint a committee of three experienced sanitarium workers, whose duties shall be, when called upon by union or local conference institutions, either singly or as a committee to visit the same, study into their financial management, train laborers for efficient service, give advice as to how to minimize operating expenses and to increase receipts, and, in every possible way, help to place the institution on a paying basis, it being understood that the services of this committee shall not in any way involve the General Conference financially.

6. That the conference calling for such help meet the transportation and salary of said committee, or member, while in their employ.

7. That the management of each sanitarium, in order to make the institution more effective in the service of God, endeavor to place the institution upon a self-supporting basis, and that such changes in management and operating be made at the earliest possible date as will enable the institution to cover its own operating expenses and promptly meet its obligations.

8. That when the establishment of a sanitarium is contemplated in any conference, counsel be had with the constituency of the local conference and the executive committee of the union, and that no steps be taken in the erection of said institution until sufficient funds have been contributed to make the enterprise safe; and we counsel against the establishment of numerous institutions, but rather urge our people to active service in behalf of those established, and the diffusion of the principles represented by them.

9. The book “Ministry of Healing” having been given by Sister E. G. White to our medical work as a factor in relieving the finances of our medical institutions, we recommend that a vigorous campaign be inaugurated to sell this book, the receipts being devoted to the financial relief of our sanitariums.

10. We suggest to our medical boards that frequent changes in the medical staff and managers of our sanitarium institutions be avoided as far as possible.

11. That institutional buildings and equipment be kept in good repair and inviting to the public.

The discussion of these resolutions was an interesting one. If the plans are carried out,—and they must be,—and

the entire people rally to help the institutions to become all they are designed to be, it will bring new power into the work. They are to be light stations and training centers.

Further report of actions of the Council must be deferred.

W. A. SPICER, Secretary.