The Next Session of the General Conference
By A. G. Daniells
It is now definitely settled that the next session of the General Conference will be held in California, March 27 to April 13, 1903. This question received careful consideration by the General Conference Committee at the council held in Battle Creek, November 10–25. The time of the year, attendance, traveling expenses, general features of the conference, etc., were carefully canvassed. It is believed that the time selected will be as favorable for the American delegates as any time of the year. The weather in California at that time will probably be as pleasant as in any part of the United States. The traveling expenses required to reach the conference will no doubt be a little heavier than they would have been if the meeting had been held in one of the Central States. It was thought that it would not be wise to endeavor to secure a large attendance this year. The last conference was a large one. A full delegation was present from most, if not all, of the States, and many came from foreign lands.7 Those who came from abroad have just got well settled in their work since returning, and it does not seem best to either the Committee or the Mission Board to have these laborers leave their fields so soon for another conference. Many new workers have gone to foreign lands who need the presence of those who have been longer in those fields. Therefore it was decided that no delegates would be called from mission fields by the Board. It was also thought best to counsel our brethren in distant conferences that have few laborers and limited funds to consider the wisdom of sending only a limited delegation. Of course, each union conference must act its pleasure on this point. It has been suggested that the conference two years later should be made a great missionary conference, and that a large attendance would probably be called for. More will be presented in the future regarding the conference to be held in California. The definite place in which the conference will convene will be announced as soon as it is settled. We bespeak for the coming conference the earnest prayers of God's people. The following sections of the constitution of the General Conference will give required information regarding membership, voters, and delegation:— Section 1.— This conference shall be composed of (a) such union conferences as have been or shall be properly organized; (b) such local conferences as are not embraced in any union conference, provided such conferences shall have been accepted by vote at a session of the General Conference; and (c) such mission fields as have not been organized into conferences of Seventh-day Adventists in any part of the world. Sec. 2.— The voters of said conference shall be such duly accredited delegates from the union conferences, such members of the General Conference Executive Committee, and such other persons in the employ of the General Conference as shall receive delegates' credentials from the executive committee, as are present at any duly convened regular or special conference session. Sec. 3.— Each union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each local conference embraced in its territory, and an additional delegate for each one thousand of its membership. Each local conference not included in the territory of any union conference shall be entitled to one delegate, without regard to numbers, and one additional delegate for each one thousand members. President of the General Conference.