Proceedings of the South England Conference by Glen Wakeham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 7, 1904

Proceedings of the South England Conference

By Glen Wakeham

In Session, May 20-29, 1904

The regular annual session of the South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists convened in the Albert Hall, Southsea, at 10:30 A. M., May 23, 1904.

The first meeting was devoted largely to the hearing of reports from the representatives of the other divisions of the British Union Conference, including Elders E. E. Andross, from the North England Conference; A. F. Ballenger, from Wales; Wm. Hutchinson, from Ireland; A. Ritchie, from Scotland; and Dr. Geo. W. Thomason.

Before the close of this meeting, a committee of twenty-four members, including the visiting brethren, was nominated from the floor. To this committee was assigned the duty of appointing the working committees of the conference. At the second meeting the names of these committees were announced, and approved by the conference.

The Health Work

was taken up at the second meeting. Dr. A. B. Olsen gave a very encouraging report of the work at the Caterham Sanitarium. Our brethren and sisters in America who donated so liberally to this institution, will be gratified to know that it has been liberally patronized from the very day of opening, and, although some very necessary appliances have been purchased from the earnings, the first year's work will show a financial gain. The religious influence at the sanitarium has been greatly appreciated by the patients, and several persons have been brought into the truth directly through this means.

The following resolutions were then presented:—

“Whereas, The signal blessing of the Lord has attended the efforts put forth by the churches generally in raising the means for the endowment of the Caterham Sanitarium, and the Lord has blessed the work there most abundantly, there having been a liberal patronage during the past year,—

“1. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the blessings which have attended the institution, and every phase of the health work, and that we put forth greater efforts in the future to make the work of the institution more widely known to the general public.

“Whereas, A training-school for nurses has been started at Caterham for the education of our young people in the medical missionary work,—

“2. Resolved, That we encourage suitable young men and women to enter the training-school with a view to fitting up for that work; and,—

“Whereas, The Duncombe Hall College has provided a special preliminary course for prospective medical workers,—

“3. We recommend, That such young people avail themselves of this preparatory training before taking up the nurses’ course.

“Whereas, The Good Health magazine is proving to be a very effective means of disseminating the principles and carrying to the people the gospel of health,—

“4. Resolved, That we encourage all our Sabbath-keepers, both young and old, to build up among their neighbors a small permanent list of a dozen or more subscribers to the magazine each month, these papers to be delivered personally; and, recognizing the favorable opportunities now presented for carrying forward this branch of the work, we will put forth our best efforts to materially and proportionately increase the circulation of the Good Health in the South England Conference.

“Recognizing the importance of the principles of healthful living which the Lord in his mercy has sent to this people,—

“5. We recommend, That our churches and companies meet together once a month, or oftener, for the purpose of studying these principles, and of becoming better acquainted with the laws of health concerning physical culture, diet, dress, and simple treatments for the sick; and for the purpose of promulgating these principles by visiting among their neighbors and friends, holding cottage meetings, establishing Good Health Leagues, etc., where these subjects can be presented in a simple, practical way; and that in these leagues, earnest efforts be made to engage in Good Samaritan work, visiting the sick, the afflicted, and the discouraged, and endeavoring to brighten their lives by ministering to their physical and spiritual welfare as far as lies in our power.”

These recommendations were heartily approved of in the discussion that followed, and unanimously adopted.

The third meeting of the conference was devoted to—

The School Work

In his report, Prof. H. R. Salisbury, principal of Duncombe Hall College, stated that the enrolment for the past year had been fifty-three, and the average attendance about forty-five. There are now twenty-six former students of the college in direct connection with various branches of our denominational work in different parts of the world, in addition to several of last year’s students who will enter the work this summer. The financial report of the college shows a small surplus.

It is interesting to note that twenty-two young men and women entirely supported themselves last year in the college by canvassing in London, taking full school work at the same time, and that the average scholarship of these students was much above the rest of the school.

Professor Salisbury announced that suitable buildings had been secured for a students’ home, and this feature will accordingly be added to the school work next year.

The following resolutions were read and unanimously adopted:—

“Whereas, There is an urgent call for trained workers to enter fields both at home and in foreign lands,—

“1. Resolved, That we consider as one part of our missionary work during the coming summer to search out promising young men and women, and encourage them to enter our missionary training college in September.

“Whereas, A good library is indispensable for the proper carrying on of the work of our training college,—

“2. Resolved, That we do our part, before the first of August, toward raising a fund of sixty pounds (three hundred dollars) for this purpose.”

A collection and subscription was taken up on the spot for this purpose, whereby the sum of twenty pounds and ten shillings (one hundred dollars) was realized.

The financial statement for the year 1903 was presented at the fourth meeting, a summary of which appears below.

	£	s	d	£	s	d
Net Tithe Received ..........
	1078	19	8¼
Appropriations ..............	164	18	4
Earnings and donations ......	105	2	11
Wages of workers ............				1101	11	3½
Total expense ...............				321		4
Balance .....................	73	10	8¼
	1422	11	7½	1422	11	7½
Deficit .....................				73	10	8¼

The deficit is explained by the fact that last year was a very unfavorable season, heavy expenses being incurred, while the crisis which the South England Conference passed through had a depressing effect upon the income.

The following resolutions were adopted:—

“1. Resolved, That we hereby express our grateful acknowledgment of God’s blessing bestowed upon this conference during the past year, and so graciously manifested during the present session, and, recognizing that God has made us stewards of his manifold grace, consecrate our lives afresh to his glorious service.

“Whereas, The proclamation of the present truth in this field depends largely upon our faithfulness in returning to God his own tenth of all our income,—

“2. Resolved, That we will individually honor God by bringing all the tithe into his storehouse.”

The committee on credentials and licenses reported as follows:—

For ordination and credentials, Alexander Ritchie; for credentials, Wm. Knight; for ministerial license, C. C. Jensen, S. Aris, A. E. Bacon, W. A. Shafer, George Nickels, R. Mussen, and T. C. O’Donnell; for missionary license, Mrs. L. Whitgrove, Mrs. C. C. Jensen, Mrs. W. T. Bartlett, Mrs. W. Knight, Mrs. A. Ritchie, Miss F. B. Cude, and Miss E. Barnard.

The committee on nominations reported as follows: For president, O. A. Olsen; Secretary and Treasurer, A. Bacon; additional members of conference committee, H. R. Salisbury, W. T. Bartlett, E. W. Farnsworth, and C. Jessup.

These reports were unanimously adopted.

The Publishing Work

The time of the fifth meeting being devoted to the publishing work, Brother W. C. Sisley presented a report of the London Branch of the International Tract Society. The average weekly circulation of the Present Truth has been 18,400 during the past year, and the monthly circulation of the British Good Health 46,150. The book sales in the South England Conference for ten months amounted to £752 15s. 5d. ($3,750).

The following resolutions were read and adopted:—

“Whereas, The past year has brought continued evidence of the value of Present Truth in interesting men and women in our message, and opening the way for more personal work, and,—

“Whereas, This has proved true, notwithstanding the reduction made in its size, therefore,—

“1. Resolved, That we feel an individual responsibility to increase the circulation of Present Truth by every means possible,—encouraging local lists, the taking of yearly subscriptions, its use in missionary correspondence, etc.,—and, furthermore,—

“2. Resolved, That we especially ask our ministers and Bible workers to urge upon those among whom they labor the importance of giving all our literature the widest possible circulation.

“Whereas, Our Day has already been valuable in reaching people who will not buy Present Truth and Good Health, and,—

“Whereas, It is planned that this shall be the first number of a series of papers dealing with different phases of our message, therefore,—

“3. Resolved, That we give this series a wide circulation during the coming year, at the same time not allowing this to hinder in the circulation of Present Truth or Good Health.

“Whereas, The cash system adopted by our publishing house has proved a help both to the office and to the workers,—

“4. Resolved, That we reiterate our approval of the system, and support it by our influence and example.

“Whereas, The systematic loaning of tracts has proved a successful means of opening up new interests in new localities, therefore,—

“5. Resolved, That we recommend this work to those who desire to create opportunities for more personal work.

“Whereas, The selection of territory for canvassers who depend entirely upon their sales for support is an important part of the general canvassing agent’s work,—

“6. Resolved, That those knowing of districts presenting favorable conditions for book work, such as prosperity in business, religious interests, etc., be requested to send such information to the general agent.

“Whereas, Canvassing is self-supporting missionary work of the highest order, and some of those who engage in it are, through sickness or other misfortune, sometimes financially embarrassed, therefore,—

“7. Resolved, That we authorize our general agent to solicit contributions for a fund to assist such needy cases.”

At the last meeting, the president outlined to the conference the plans of work for the coming season, which include the carrying on of three tent efforts, two of which will be in London, and one in Bristol. It is encouraging to know that one of these tents will be entirely in charge of students from the school. The conference expressed itself as highly satisfied with these arrangements, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—

“Whereas, We believe the time has fully come for a united forward movement in this conference, therefore,—

“1. Resolved, That we will faithfully support the effort to keep three tents in the field throughout the coming summer.

“2. Resolved, That the scattered members of the conference be organized into a conference church, to be cared for by the officers of the conference.”

In his concluding remarks, Elder Olsen expressed his gratitude for the abundant blessings that had attended the convention, and thanked the conference for their co-operation and heartiness in voting, and for their steady and regular attendance, after which the conference adjourned. GLEN WAKEHAM.