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The Autumn Council

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 43.

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The Autumn Council

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

THE autumn Council of the General Conference Committee was held in College View, Neb., Oct. 5-15, 1909. All the members of the Committee in the United States and Canada were present except Elders S. N. Haskell, G. I. Butler, and H. R. Salisbury. Several conference presidents and heads of our leading institutions met with us by invitation, and rendered much appreciated help in dealing with the various questions that were before us.
During the recent General Conference, when representatives from all parts of the world were together, large plans were laid for the extension of the work. But we could not at that time give the careful consideration to the execution of these plans that was necessary. For this reason it seemed advisable that as many as possible of those upon whom the responsibility rests of putting into operation these aggressive measures should come together to give these great interests careful study.
The principal questions considered were:— 1. The launching of the $300,000 fund, for establishing printing houses and other institutions, and homes for our missionaries in foreign countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, India, and Africa. 2. The Harvest Ingathering campaign, with the special Missions number of the REVIEW AND HERALD. 3. A careful and prayerful study of the true purpose of our medical missionary work, and how we can best help our sanitariums to fill the important place which the Lord designs they shall fill in the closing work of this message.
Many other important matters were dealt with; but these were the leading questions considered. And while the solving of such great and important questions is always attended with some perplexity, we felt that the Lord gave us special help and blessing from above.
It was voted that each union conference undertake the task of raising its pro rata share of the $300,000 fund, being left free to adopt such plans in doing so as may seem wise to those having charge of the work in each union conference. In this matter the union conferences assumed more fully than ever before the strong place in the organized work which they should fill. The cheerful, courageous manner in which these conferences took hold of this great undertaking was most encouraging indeed.
The Harvest Ingathering campaign had already been set on foot in each union and local conference. The presidents reported that their plans were already quite well perfected to push this work. We are encouraged to believe that most excellent results will be seen all over the field, and that a goodly sum will be gathered in by means of this campaign to advance our work in the mission fields.
The careful study given the interests of the medical department we feel sure will result in great profit to this branch of our work. All united in planning to aid and strengthen the sanitariums in the excellent work they are endeavoring to carry forward. Union and local conferences will assist in securing and supporting chaplains to look after the spiritual interests in these institutions, and to conduct Bible studies with the nurses. This co-operation will surely be of great service.
Very serious consideration was given the question of starting new sanitariums without sufficient funds to properly furnish and equip them, and also without prospect of securing efficient workers to take charge of them. The rapid development of our sanitarium work during the last ten years has brought heavy responsibilities and burdens. In view of the help that the institutions already established should receive, it was the unanimous decision of all present that greater caution should now be exercised by all our conferences in launching new enterprises.
Definite plans were laid for a campaign to relieve the indebtedness of some of our sanitariums. This movement will be set on foot early in 1910, and will be under the supervision of the medical department. The plans proposed can easily be carried out, and if they are, they will bring large financial returns to the sanitariums.
One very important decision reached at this Council was to establish training-schools for the education of the young people among our German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish Sabbath-keepers. Heretofore there have been maintained in Union College departments for these nationalities; but this does not at present meet their demands. It was, therefore, decided to establish a German school in either the Central or the Southwestern Union Conference, a Danish-Norwegian school in the Northern Union Conference, and a Swedish school in the Lake Union Conference. The definite location and other important interests were left to competent committees, who will announce the results of their work from time to time. One important feature of the decision to establish these new schools was to do so without creating financial obligations. The money will be raised to meet the bills as the work proceeds.
If the plans for the establishment of these new schools are carried out successfully, we shall be in a far better position to develop workers for the foreign people in this country, and in other lands as well. We believe that this step will bring a great blessing to both the parents and the young people of the nationalities most directly interested.
During this Council we were still more deeply impressed with the rapid growth of this work, and we urge that all our people remember, at the throne of grace, the officers of our union and local conferences who are entrusted with the great responsibility of carrying forward the large plans we seem forced to inaugurate. These men are carrying many heavy burdens, and are doing it cheerfully; but they must have the prayers and co-operation of our people. With these the work will surely triumph.
A. G. DANIELLS.