General Conference District 4 by J. H. Morrison; E. L. Stewart

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1900

General Conference District 4.

By J. H. Morrison; E. L. Stewart

(Concluded.)

Fourth Session, March 6, 10:30 A. M.

Elder N. P. Nelson presided, in the absence of Elder J. H. Morrison. The minutes of the last session were read and approved. The Committee on Organization presented a final report, as follows:—

“ART. VII.—The duties of the President and the Secretary shall be such as usually belong to their respective offices, and in addition the Secretary shall be required to transmit a copy of all the proceedings of this Conference to the secretary of the General Conference, also to the district superintendent, immediately at the close of each session.”

Elder C. W. Flaiz moved to amend so as to read, “and presidents of Conferences and the superintendent of each mission field.” Carried.

The Committee on Plans presented a further report, as follows:—

“Whereas, The deceptive workings of Satan are constantly assuming new phases, and his wonder-working power is on every hand, we therefore—

“(4) Recommend our ministers and other workers to thoroughly study the principles so clearly stated in the Bible and Testimonies by which these spurious manifestations may be detected, and further that these principles be taught to all our people.

“Whereas, Our interest in and support of any enterprise is always limited by our knowledge of the same, we—

“(5) Recommend, That the second-Sabbath plan of instructing our people in regard to the needs of the foreign work and the claims of God upon them for its support be vigorously followed; that each Conference through its proper officers make special efforts to induce every family to take and study the Missionary Magazine; and, further, that we give more time to the consideration of the foreign work in our general meetings.

“Inasmuch as the blessing of God has rested upon the labors put forth in camp-meetings, therefore we would—

“(6) Recommend, That each Conference hold such local camp-meetings as may seem advisable, but that these in no wise take the place of or supplant the general State camp-meetings.”

The report of the Committee on Plans was taken up, and Recommendation 2 was considered. Elder Rees said that in the cities quiet house-to-house work is very successful, as opposition is not aroused. Elder Santee said that the time has not yet come to discontinue tent efforts in the cities. The real secret of success is a depth of consecration on the part of the workers. Elder Flaiz said that city tent companies should be carefully selected for the particular locality.

A motion to adopt the recommendation was then carried.

Fifth Session, March 7.

After prayer and the reading of the minutes of the last session, Recommendation 3, concerning church schools, was taken up. A motion to postpone its consideration till the teachers in the college could be present, was carried.

The Committee on Plans presented the following recommendations:—

“Whereas, We can expect that very soon a stronger effort than ever before will be made to secure religious legislation; and,—

“Whereas, But little has been done of late to keep our people informed of the great danger before us in this direction, therefore,—

“(7) Resolved, That we recommend all our brethren to join the Religious Liberty Association, and support it by annual fees and contributions, and that efforts be made to educate all, both ministers and people, in regard to what constitutes our duty in this respect at this time.”

The recommendation was spoken to by Elders Hill, Santee, Morrison, and Rees, and others. A motion was made by Elder J. O. Beard and supported by Elder W. B. Hill, to amend the recommendation by including the American Sentinel, so as to read, “That we recommend all our brethren to join the Religious Liberty Association, and support it by annual fees and contributions; that all our people be urged to subscribe for the American Sentinel; and that efforts be made to educate all, both ministers and people, in regard to what constitutes our duty in this respect at this time.” The recommendation as amended was carried unanimously.

A motion that the Chair appoint a committee to take memberships in the International Religious Liberty Association was carried, and forty memberships were taken.

Sixth Session, Thursday, March 8.

Elder G. A. Irwin read a Testimony just received regarding our attitude toward unbelievers. The minutes of the last session were then read and approved. The Committee on Plans presented a recommendation concerning Union College, as follows:—

“Inasmuch as there has been an effort on the part of all concerned to bring the educational work at Union College into harmony with the instruction of the Spirit of God; and inasmuch as there has been an increase in the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the institution, as manifested in the general deportment of the pupils; and as there is increasing evidence of the prospering hand of God in financial lines through increased attendance, and through the industrial department thereby being able to meet its running expenses, we therefore—

“(8) Recommend, That the several Conferences composing this school district redouble their effort to support the college both by their influence and by encouraging an attendance of their young people.”

The recommendation was discussed, and the general workings of the college set forth. Professor Wilkinson explained the European plan of boarding, showing the cost of living to range from two and a half to seven dollars a month, according to the choice of the student. Elder O. A. Johnson spoke in regard to the spirit and unity among teachers and students; also in regard to the religious training classes, bringing out the principles of teaching the Bible by book, chapter, and verse; also of giving Bible readings, preparing sermons, opening and conducting meeting. The special blessing of God has been upon the work. Prof. W. T. Bland spoke of the relation of the college to the field, of the influence of the school, and also of the influence of the early training of the students upon the school.

The enrollment has now reached five hundred, about two hundred more than for several years in the past. Twenty-eight different States and countries are represented: Nebraska, two hundred; Iowa, one hundred and twelve; Kansas, forty-five; Colorado, twenty-five; etc. There are serious difficulties to be met and overcome. Not all the students come for the purpose of real improvement. Sometimes severe discipline is necessary. We need the prayers of all the brethren. The industrial department should be improved and enlarged to meet the expense of the college.

The recommendation was then adopted.

The recommendation concerning church schools was taken up, and discussed by Elders Santee and Flaiz, bringing out the thought that harmony in the church is necessary before a church school can be made a success. Testimonies were read upon this point, showing that where discord has existed, the church school has not been a success. Elder Rees said that many who are successful in the public schools fail in the church school. Elder Flaiz said that in Minnesota those who were successful in the public school were also successful in the church school, where harmony existed in the church. He explained the financial part also,—a board of managers is chosen from the church where the school is to be established, who shall arrange for and with the teacher in regard to board, tuition, etc.

The recommendation was then adopted.

Seventh Session, March 8, 3 P. M.

The reading of the minutes was waived, and the report of committees taken up. The Committee on Plans reported as follows:—

“Inasmuch as the Spirit of God has repeatedly emphasized the importance of placing our denominational literature in the hands of the people, and inasmuch as the Spirit of God has just as definitely pointed to the necessity of carefully selecting and training persons to engage in this work, we therefore,—

“(9) Recommend, That more importance be attached to the selection and training of canvassers, and that persons of ability and consecration from among this class be encouraged, upon such terms as the several Conferences may elect, to devote a portion of their time to holding Bible readings, distributing literature, and calling the attention of the people to the books already in the field.”

The recommendation was discussed by Elder Santee, Brother Huntley, and Elder Flaiz, bringing out the importance of the canvassing work and the necessity of as much care in the selection of canvassers as in the selection of ministers. They should be prepared properly to explain the Scriptures, and nothing should bind about their hands.

The recommendation was then adopted.

Recommendation 6 was read, and by request was referred back to the committee.

Elder Irwin then read a Testimony on the importance of camp-meeting work. The camp-meeting is one of the most effective means of reaching all classes with the gospel message, and should be made as effective as possible. Praise meetings should be held each day. Nothing can equal our camp-meetings for making an impression upon the people.

A motion to adjourn was carried.

Eighth Session, March 9, 10:30 A. M.

After prayer and the reading of the minutes of the last session the report of committees was taken up. The Committee on Distribution of Labor reported as follows:—

“Your Committee on Distribution of Labor, after careful and prayerful consideration, would respectfully submit the following for your consideration: (1) That Elder D. Nettleton, of Minnesota, make the Dakota Conference his field of labor, in harmony with the request of that Conference; (2) that E. H. Huntley, of Manitoba, make the Minnesota Conference his field of labor; (3) that the Nebraska Conference release Elder E. L. Stewart, that he may comply with the request of the Walla Walla College to connect with that institution; (4) that Elder Dieffenbacher, of Iowa, make Dakota his field of labor; (5) that any other changes desired be referred to the Conference presidents in council with the district superintendent.”

It was moved by Elder Santee to adopt the report by considering each item separately. Carried.

Recommendation 1 was read and adopted. Recommendation 2 was read, and after discussion was adopted. Recommendations 3, 4, and 5 were also adopted.

The report of the Committee on Plans was taken up, and Recommendation 4 was considered, and after earnest discussion, emphasizing the importance of a knowledge of the message, and calling attention to the intense workings of Satan everywhere, and to their sudden and rapid increase, was unanimously adopted.

Recommendation 5 was discussed by several, and adopted.

Recommendation 6 was read. An amendment was offered by Elder C. F. Stevens, so as to make it read, “State Conference camp-meetings.” After discussion the amendment was lost. The original recommendation was then adopted.

Elder Rees then spoke in regard to the Boulder Sanitarium, concerning the separation of consumptive patients from other patients, and the impossibility of such a separation. That District Conference 5 had passed a resolution not to receive consumptive patients in the future.

A request was made not to send such patients unless money was also sent to support them outside the sanitarium. A resolution to this effect was offered by the Committee on Plans, and was laid on the table.

A motion to adjourn to the call of the Chair was carried.

J. H. MORRISON, Pres.

E. L. STEWART, Sec. pro tem.