Northwestern Union Conference
The first session of the Northwestern Union Conference was held in Des Moines, Iowa, April 3–13, 1902. The conferences and mission fields of Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territory were represented by fifty-six delegates. There were thirteen meetings held during the session which were devoted to the study of reorganization, education, and general lines of missionary effort carried on by the denomination. The meetings at nine o’clock and in the evening were devoted to these studies. Aside from these, different days were set apart for specific subjects, when the recommendations on these various themes were considered, some one previously appointed leading out in the discussion, after which all the delegates present were at liberty to join in a general discussion. At the very beginning of the business was the appointment of a large advisory committee, which consisted of the president of the union conference, the presidents of the local conferences, the president of Union College, the district canvassing agent, and others to represent the mission fields and the medical work, together with the president of the General Conference. This committee was to appoint the various committees; namely, on Nominations, Plans for Labor, Credentials and Licenses, Constitution and By-laws, Distribution of Labor, and such other committees as were deemed necessary during the course of the meeting. The committees were as follows:— On Plans: C. C. Lewis, L. A. Hoopes, J. O. Beard, J. D. Shively, O. E. Cummings, F. H. Westphal, Lewis Johnson. On Credentials: N. P. Nelson, L. F. Trubey, H. J. Dirksen, C. M. Everest, C. W. Flaiz. On Nominations: L. F. Starr, H. S. Shaw, G. M. Brown, N. W. Allee, Andrew Nelson. On Distribution of Labor: N. W. Allee, L. A. Hoopes, N. C. Bergersen, W. A. Spicer, Neil McGill. Pastoral Committee: Andrew Mead, E. G. Olsen, C. A. Burman. On Organization and Incorporation: C. M. Everest, J. Sutherland, M. W. Newton, John Walker, G. M. Brown. The reports of the conferences and institutions in the union, submitted by the various presidents and superintendents, are too lengthy to be inserted in this report. The report of Union College will appear in the forthcoming educational number of the REVIEW, one interesting feature being the fact that the college is paying expenses this year. From the treasurer’s report we glean the following: The amount of tithe deposited in the union conference treasury from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Dakota, Manitoba, and individuals, $5,731.56. Money to be devoted to other purposes than the tithe, $3,837.17. The amount received during the first quarter of 1902 from the same source, $5,540.08, and for other purposes, $8,458.35. The indebtedness of Union College, principal and interest at the beginning of the crusade for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” $80,686.08. Received on the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” on Kansas Building Fund, and donations during the same time, $26,634.20, showing the present indebtedness to be $54,051.88. The educational secretary reported the number of church schools, as follows: Minnesota, 19 (enrollment, 342); Dakota, 10 (enrollment, 144); Iowa, 14 (enrollment, 163); Nebraska, 9 (enrollment, 143); Manitoba, 1 (enrollment, 16); new schools started during the past year, 27. The following resolutions and recommendations were presented to the conference, and after due consideration they were adopted:— German and Scandinavian Work
Whereas, The last General Conference recommended that the proceeds from the sales of the Danish-Norwegian edition of “Christ’s Object Lessons” go to the Christiania Publishing House, from the Swedish edition to the Swedish Industrial School, and from the German to the Friedensau school; therefore,— 1. Resolved, That we recommend that every member of our Scandinavian and German churches in the Northwestern Union Conference be encouraged to sell at least four copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in these languages, and that our ministers and other laborers, with the permission of their respective conference committees, shall see that this number of books is sold, if possible, before the close of this present year; and we would also recommend that our English laborers be encouraged to sell the Danish-Norwegian and German books wherever they can among these nationalities. Whereas, The Review and Herald Publishing Company is willing to publish a special number of the Danish-Norwegian and Swedish papers; therefore,— 2. Resolved, That we seek to circulate this number as widely as possible (1) by encouraging all our laborers and churches to order and circulate as large a number as it is possible for them to take; (2) by seeking the co-operation of our English brethren in the circulation of it; (3) by laying this matter before the different tract societies, and asking them to help in this circulation; (4) by getting as large a number as possible of suitable persons to sell this number from house to house, especially in large settlements and in cities where the Scandinavians are well represented. Whereas, There are many large Scandinavian districts, which for lack of proper systematic effort are unworked; therefore,— 3. Resolved, That we recommend to the local conferences (1) that the work during the coming summer be carried on in new places in tents by two ministers and one or two Bible workers and colporteurs; (2) that at other times in the year the Saviour’s plan of sending the laborers out two and two be followed wherever possible. Education of Scandinavian Laborers
Whereas, The Scandinavian department of Union College has been the instrumentality, in God’s hand, of educating many workers for active service, and— Whereas, There is a great need of Scandinavian laborers, therefore, be it— 4. Resolved, (1) That we will seek to encourage as many as possible to attend Union College to educate themselves to become workers in the Scandinavian languages; and (2) that during the coming winter a Bible and canvassers’ school or institute be held in one of the larger cities in the Northwestern Union Conference, and that the teachers and the students of such school carry on public work in connection with their school work and that a committee be chosen to select the place for the school, and the teachers for the same. Realizing the dearth of German laborers in this conference, therefore,— 5. Resolved, (1) That we urge those already in the field to consecrate themselves anew to the work; and (2) that we recommend the conference committees to encourage these laborers to devote their entire time as far as possible to the German work; (3) that we recommend the several conferences to encourage promising young people to enter the German missionary field in its various departments, or to attend Union College to obtain a preparation for the German work. Whereas, Our German paper, Christlicher Hausfreund, has been the means of bringing many to a knowledge of present truth, and— Whereas, There are so few German laborers for the vast number of that nationality; therefore,— 6. We recommend, That all our churches located in the vicinity of German communities take a club of the Hausfreund, to use in missionary work among that people, and secure subscriptions for the same. 7. We recommend, That canvassers’ institutes be held among the German people in the various conferences where it is deemed practical to develop canvassers for the German field. Whereas, The work which Union College is doing in the training of laborers for the different branches of the Lord’s work, is of paramount importance, and that institution should have our hearty support, therefore,— 8. We recommend, That our laborers improve every opportunity to influence young people to take advantage of the facilities which it offers. Whereas, The industrial enterprises of Union College labor under serious disadvantage, and some enterprises are made impossible by the long annual vacation occurring at a time when students’ help is most necessary; therefore,— 9. We recommend, That the Union College Board provide for school work to continue all the year. Normal and Church School Work
Whereas, There is a widespread demand for many more thoroughly prepared teachers who can successfully manage church schools, therefore,— 10. We recommend, (1) That a thoroughly equipped normal department be conducted at Union College; (2) that a summer normal be conducted at Union College; (3) that a teachers’ institute be conducted in each conference, covering a period of not less than ten days, at such time and place as will best serve the interests in each conference, presumably at the close of the camp meeting, thus saving traveling expenses; (4) that each teacher be required to pass an examination as to literary qualifications and theory and practice of teaching, and that a teachers’ certificate, either first or second grade, be issued, showing that the holder is qualified to take up church-school work, and gives evidence of moral fitness for that sacred responsibility; (5) that a reading course on Christian education be arranged for teachers by the educational secretary in consultation with the other members of the educational department of the General Conference Committee. 11. We recommend, in the financial support of the church-school work, as principles to be kept in mind in the formation of plans, (1) that debt be diligently avoided; (2) that the churches regard the school as the nearest and most prominent missionary field, and that “all should share the expenses;” (3) that the self-respect of children, families, and churches be preserved by bearing their own burdens as far as possible, and by avoiding that which would tend to draw a pauper line; (4) that the companion principle of bearing one another’s burdens also be judiciously exercised; (5) that it is true economy to provide good facilities and capable teachers at a cost greater than would secure poor facilities and inferior teachers. We believe that the foregoing principles will be met by such an adaptation of the following plans as may be suggested by local conditions:— (1) A nominal tuition strictly enforced, such as any child could easily earn by his own efforts, or save by cutting off unnecessary indulgences. A tuition, for example, of five cents or more each week for grades one, two, and three; of ten cents or more a week for grades four, five, and six; and of twenty cents or more a week for work above the sixth grade.22(2) Monthly pledges or donations to be paid by church members, whether they have children or not, and to be received and judiciously solicited from benevolent people who may not be members of the church. (3) The establishment of industries, or the cultivation of land set apart for school purposes, and worked by all who love children and desire to see them trained for the service of God. (4) The establishment of conference educational funds to be judiciously used by the executive committee where really needed. Whereas, The first responsibility for the training of the children has been placed upon the parent, making it evident that the educational reform must begin in the home, therefore,— 12. Resolved, That we put forth earnest efforts to place the principles of Christian education before all our people (1) by the circulation of literature setting forth these principles, especially “Christian Schools,” “Home and Church School Manual,” and the Advocate of Christian Education; (2) by means of church institutes and conventions; (3) by urging that all our ministers and workers present the true principles of education at every opportunity. Whereas, The educational committee of the General Conference has recommended the “Home and Church School Manual” for general use, therefore,— 13. We recommend, That the Manual be adopted by the Northwestern Union Conference as an aid to parents and teachers in organizing and conducting home, church, and intermediate schools. Whereas, An understanding of the principles of Christian education is essential to the spiritual life of this denomination, and— Whereas, The Advocate of Christian Education is the organ of the denomination for inculcating these principles; therefore,— 14. Resolved, That we encourage all our brethren to take this paper, and that we recommend our ministers and workers to present these matters to the brethren. 15. We recommend, That the educational secretary, in consultation by correspondence with the State superintendents, prepare a suitable system of report blanks for the church-school work. Sabbath School Department
16. We recommend, That more attention be given to the training of Sabbath-school officers and teachers, and that all co-operate heartily in the various plans recommended by the Sabbath School Department for strengthening and developing all phases of Sabbath school and Young People’s work. 17. We recommend the adoption of the plans presented in the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference for the better training of Sabbath-school officers and teachers, by the study of the Testimonies on Sabbath-school work, the holding of conventions, the conducting of branch Sabbath schools, and the use of The Advocate of Christian Education. 18. We recommend, That systematic efforts be put forth to encourage the home department of Sabbath schools, also to bring our isolated Sabbath keepers more closely in touch with the Sabbath-school work. Whereas, We realize the need of awakening the missionary spirit in the members of the Sabbath school; therefore,— 19. Resolved, That we enter heartily into the plan that provides readings on missionary subjects for our Sabbath schools. Whereas, Each Conference is provided with competent Sabbath-school secretaries who keep in touch with the local Sabbath schools, and who report to the international secretary, thereby making it unnecessary to maintain in the union conference a Sabbath-school corresponding secretary, therefore,— 20. We recommend, That this office be dropped from the union conference.