THE CONFERENCE SESSION IN DISTRICT 5 by R. M. Kilgore; R. W. Parmele

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 27, 1900

THE CONFERENCE SESSION IN DISTRICT 5.

By R. M. Kilgore; R. W. Parmele

A CONFERENCE and institute for District 5 was held in Kansas City, Mo., February 15–25. Besides a large delegation from the Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas Conferences, Elders Irwin, Haskell, and Kilgore, and Sister Haskell were present. Elders Irwin and Haskell, and Sister Haskell imparted much precious instruction, which was heartily appreciated by all present. Elder Irwin read to us many Testimonies recently received; and as our errors were pointed out one by one, there was a general desire to be freed from them, and to redeem the time that we have lost by pursuing wrong methods.

Elder Haskell’s discourses on the Third Angel’s Message were listened to with much interest; and as the truth was so beautifully presented to us, we could but exclaim, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” His instruction, supplemented by Sister Haskell’s, showed that every point of truth that we as a people hold, centers in the sanctuary. In the sanctuary service there is an act intended to illustrate each precious truth that enters into the great system that goes to make up the Third Angel’s Message. Thus our hope becomes an anchor, and “entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered.” And this anchor holds.

Sister Haskell’s instruction was especially in the Bible work. Her experience of many years in this work especially fits her for giving such instruction. To say that the principles presented were greatly appreciated by all present, regardless of the particular work in which they are engaged, but mildly expresses it. We are sure that, if her instruction is put into practice, greater success will attend the efforts of the workers in this District.

The business sessions were characterized with perfect freedom on the part of all; and while differences of opinion necessarily existed in regard to certain questions that came up, yet the best of feeling prevailed throughout, and all were satisfied with the results.

Elder R. M. Kilgore, the superintendent of the District, was chosen Chairman, and R. W. Parmele, Secretary. The following committees were appointed, and did faithful work: On Plans, Resolutions, Constitution for the District Conference, and Distribution of Labor, Elders J. M. Rees, W. A. Hennig, C. McReynolds, E. T. Russell, and A. E. Field; on Missions, Missionary Work, and Sabbath-schools, Elder J. W. Westphal, Dr. W. W. Hills, S. C. Osborne, L. W. Felter, and Sister Haskell.

The following business was transacted:—

“CONSTITUTION FOR THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE.”

“Resolved, That we form a District Conference, composed of the Conferences and mission fields of District 5,—Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and the mission field of Arizona,—and that this Conference meet biennially, alternating with the sessions of the General Conference. Special sessions may be held at the call of two thirds of the Conferences composing the District.

“ARTICLE 1.—NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION.”

“This Conference shall be known as the Fifth District of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, including Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Indian Territory, Colorado, New Mexico, and the mission field of Arizona. The object of this Conference shall be to further the gospel as embraced in the Third Angel’s Message, and to transact such business as may come under its supervision.

“ARTICLE 2.—OFFICERS.”

“The officers of this Conference shall be a President, who shall be the superintendent of this District by appointment of the General Conference, and a Secretary, pro tem.

“ARTICLE 3.—MEETINGS.”

“The sessions of this Conference shall be held biennially, alternating with the sessions of the General Conference. Special sessions may be held at the call of two thirds of the Conferences composing the District.

“ARTICLE 4.—MEMBERSHIP.”

“In the deliberations of this Conference, the several State Conferences in the District shall be entitled to one delegate, and one additional delegate for each two hundred members. The mission fields of the District shall be represented by their respective directors, and each recognized denominational institution in the District shall be entitled to one delegate.

“ARTICLE 5.—AMENDMENTS.”

“This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all the delegates present at any session of the Conference.

“RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.”

“Whereas, The Lord has told us, through the Testimonies, that the spiritual progress of our people will depend upon their activity in the Lord’s work, and that simple plans must be devised and definite work laid out for them, therefore,—

“Resolved, That we encourage our people to more earnest personal effort in the work: (1) By laying out work for them, to be done in connection with our camp-meetings; (2) By doing more work in the distribution of our literature, especially the Signs of the Times; and (3) That this work be done as systematically as possible, and in a way to call into action personal labor.

“In view of the fact that a recent Testimony says that one hundred persons should be engaged in the canvassing work where there is now one, we accept this reproof, and believe that it calls for humility on our part, and an earnest seeking of God that he will raise up more laborers for this important branch of the cause; and we ask our brethren in this District to pray for the laborers, especially on Monday mornings as they start out to their work.

“Whereas, The Lord has said, ‘The work of the canvasser is to bring before the world as fast as possible the light God has given;’ and ‘persons should be encouraged to take hold of the work to bring before the world the books so essential at this time,’ therefore,—

“Resolved, That we encourage our canvassers to handle such books as ‘The Desire of Ages,’ ‘Great Controversy,’ ‘Patriarchs and Prophets,’ and ‘Daniel and the Revelation.’

“Resolved, That we recognize in the Colorado Sanitarium an agency for the spread of the truth in this District, and that we will use our endeavors to advertise the institution as a sanitarium for the treatment of all chronic diseases, except consumption, and that we will do all we can to increase the patronage of the sanitarium by urging non-consumptive patients to enter the institution for care and treatment.

“Whereas, the large cities offer an extensive field for missionary labor, therefore we—

“Recommend, That missions be conducted in harmony with the Testimony given on pages 128 and 129 of the Bulletin of 1899, and that in order to carry out this recommendation, consecrated men and women be encouraged to enter the Bible and colporteur work, and that they be properly instructed therein.

“Resolved, That we request the Review and Herald Publishing Company to publish ‘Daniel and the Revelation’ in the Polish and Bohemian languages.

“Inasmuch as our churches, tent workers, missions, and others working in different branches of the work, see the great need of suitable hymn-and-tune books to use in their gatherings, and as there is no book that seems to take the place of all other books so well as does our large hymnal, and,—

“Whereas, The prices of the present bindings are above the reach of the majority, therefore,—

“Resolved, That we request the General Conference to print an edition, using common paper, binding in pasteboard covers, that can be sold for 50 or 75 cents a copy, that all may be supplied.

“Whereas, There has been in recent years a falling off in our efforts to educate the people in religious liberty principles, and,—

“Whereas, The American Sentinel has been established in the order of the Lord to disseminate a knowledge of these principles, therefore we—

“Recommend, That renewed efforts be put forth in the circulation of the American Sentinel, that the world may be educated in the right principles of religious liberty.

“Whereas, We recognize the importance of every Seventh-day Adventist family’s having the writings of Sister White, and,—

“Whereas, Many of our people are unable to purchase these books at regular retail prices, therefore we—

“Recommend, That for the period of one year, agents’ prices for cash be granted our people on all her writings, except subscription books.

“Whereas, We recognize the Sabbath-school work as one of the branches of the work, and God has said, ‘The Sabbath-school work is crippling along behind the message,’ and it can be demonstrated that at least thirty per cent of adult Seventh-day Adventists are not members of the Sabbath-school, we would, therefore,—

“Recommend: (1) That an earnest effort be made to bring the people to a sense of their individual responsibility in this work; (2) That plans be devised whereby the ministers may take an active part in the Sabbath-school work; (3) That such time may be allotted to the State Sabbath-school officers as may be necessary for the proper discharge of their duties.

“RECOMMENDATIONS MADE.”

“The Committee on Distribution of Labor made the following recommendations: That J. Riffel, of the Missouri Conference, connect with the German work in the Texas Conference; that W. L. McNeely, of Texas, connect with the Missouri Conference; that J. W. Norwood, of Arkansas, and D. E. Huffman, of Kansas, exchange fields of labor; that Dr. Sommerville, of Arkansas, connect with the Oklahoma Conference.

“We recommend that, at camp-meetings, at least one service be held each day for the young people and the children, and also that there will be a daily kindergarten.”

Probable dates for our camp-meetings were suggested, but not submitted to the consideration of the Conference.

It was the aim of the Conference equally to establish all branches of the work, and they all received due consideration. The meeting closed Sunday night, February 25, when Elder Haskell pointed out to a large congregation the trials awaiting those who will be among the one hundred and forty-four thousand; the special fitting that their experience will give them; and their final glorious exaltation.

We left this gathering feeling that it had been good for us to be there, and with a firm determination to make a straight journey to the city of God.

R. M. KILGORE, Pres.

R. W. PARMELE, Sec.