The Southwestern and Central Union Conferences
By James Cochran
The first meeting of the Southwestern Union Conference was held in the Auditorium at Topeka, Kan., April 16–27. The conference was represented by forty-six delegates. The first three meetings were devoted to the giving of reports. The fourth meeting was largely occupied by Elder A. G. Daniells in presenting to the conference the propriety of a change in territorial lines. The following recommendation was adopted:— (1) That a conference be organized to be known as the Northern Union Conference, and to embrace the Conferences of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and the missionary territory of Manitoba, Assiniboia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan; (2) that a conference to be known as the Central Union Conference be organized, and that it be composed of the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri; (3) that the Southwestern Union Conference be continued, and that it include Arkansas and Texas, and Oklahoma and Indian Territories. Contemplating this action, the States of Iowa and Nebraska sent delegates; hence the Southwestern and Central Union Conferences were fully represented in the remaining portion of the conference. The work of the two conferences was carried on jointly in the eleven meetings that were held after the division of territory was effected. The standing committees of the two conferences also acted together in most cases. The following recommendations were passed:— Whereas, There is a demand for many more thoroughly prepared teachers, who can successfully manage church schools, therefore,— 1. We recommend, (1) That thoroughly equipped normal departments be conducted at Union College and Keene Academy; (2) that a teachers’ institute be conducted in each conference, covering a period of not less than ten days, at such time and place as shall best serve the interests of each conference, presumably at the close of the camp meeting; (3) that each teacher be required to pass an examination as to literary qualifications and the theory and practice of teaching; and that a teacher’s certificate, either first or second grade, be issued, showing that the holder of the same is duly qualified to take up church-school work, and gives evidence of spiritual fitness for the sacred responsibility of a teacher; the lists of questions to be made out by the educational secretary, and given by him or the State superintendent, as seems best; said certificate to be signed by the president of the conference and the State superintendent. Support of Church Schools
2. We recommend, In the financial support of church schools, that the following principles be kept in mind in the formation of plans:— (1) Debt should be avoided, even as the reproach. (2) The church should regard its school as the nearest and one of the most promising missionary fields, and “all should share the expense.” (3) The self-respect and dignity of children, families, and churches should be preserved by bearing their own burdens as far as possible. (4) The companion principle of bearing one another’s burdens should also be judiciously exercised. (5) It is true economy to provide good facilities and capable teachers at greater cost than would secure poor facilities and inferior teachers. In carrying out these principles we suggest the following plans:— (1) That the parents place upon the children the responsibility of helping to meet the expenses of tuition. (2) That pledges or donations be paid by all church members, whether they have children or not. (3) That canvassing, the cultivation of land, and the establishment of industries be encouraged. (4) We also suggest the establishment of conference educational funds to be judiciously used by the executive committees where really needed. Campaign of Christian Education
Whereas, A proper understanding of Christian education is essential, therefore,— 3. Resolved, That earnest efforts be put forth 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 general circulation of the Advocate of Christian Education, which is the official educational organ of the denomination; (2) by means of church-school and Sabbath-school conventions. 4. Resolved, That we heartily indorse the plans presented by the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference for the better training of Sabbath-school officers and teachers (1) by the study of the Testimonies on Sabbath-school work, the conducting of branch Sabbath schools, and the use of the Advocate of Christian Education; (2) by urging that all our ministers and workers present the principles of education at every opportunity; and that as they travel among the churches, they devote time to the training and instructing of Sabbath-school teachers and officers, and encourage Young People’s Societies. Whereas, The Educational Committee of the General Conference has recommended the “Home and Church School Manual” for general use, therefore,— 5. We recommend, That it be used by parents and teachers in organizing home and church schools. 6. We recommend, That the educational secretary, in consultation with the State superintendents, prepare a suitable system of report and certificate blanks for the church-school work. 7. We recommend, That systematic efforts be put forth to encourage the Home Department of the 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,— 8. Resolved, That we enter heartily into the plan that provides readings on missionary subjects for our Sabbath schools. 9. Resolved, That in view of the important work which Union College and Keene Academy are doing in the training of laborers for the different branches of the Lord’s work, we pledge to these institutions our hearty support, and recommend our laborers to improve every opportunity to influence our young people to take every advantage of the facilities which they offer. Whereas, The industrial enterprises of Union College and Keene Academy labor under serious disadvantages, and some enterprises are made impossible by the long annual vacation occurring at a time when students’ help is most necessary; therefore,— 10. We recommend, That the school boards provide for work to continue all the year, and that the normal work be made a special summer feature. 11. We recommend, That properly qualified men and women be encouraged to fit themselves for medical missionary work, and that conference committees take definite steps, in co-operation with our sanitariums, for a health educational campaign, by establishing schools of health, and treatment rooms and hygienic restaurants in our cities, and by the distribution of health literature, and that instruction in health principles be given in our various canvassers’ and teachers’ institutes. 12. We recommend, That the German laborers now in the field devote as nearly as possible their entire time to German work, and that promising young people be encouraged to attend Union College to obtain a preparation for the German field. We also ask the board of managers of Keene Academy to consider the advisability of establishing a German department in that school. 13. We further recommend, That a general move be made among the English and German brethren for increasing the circulation of our German paper, Christlicher Hausfreund, among those not of our faith. 14. We recommend, That the president, secretary, general agent, educational secretary, and missionary secretary of each union conference be a missionary committee for the conference, and that these committees reorganize the State tract societies as far as necessary, that they may be better able to do the work for which they were organized, and that a general book and tract movement be inaugurated. 15. We recommend, That, in pursuance of this plan, the State tract society officers be relieved from conference business outside of the missionary department, and that they be supplied with sufficient office help to enable them to devote a large share of their time to progressive missionary work, both in the field and by correspondence. 16. Resolved, That we fully indorse the plan of planting missionary acres and gardens, the proceeds to go toward the purchasing of the Battle Creek College for the use of the American Medical Missionary College, and we pledge ourselves to urge this upon the brethren. 17. We recommend, That the conferences comprising these union conferences adopt a uniform method of supporting their aged and feeble ministers and the families of deceased ministers. 18. We request that, if it be consistent, Dr. Kellogg issue “Living Temple” simultaneously in the German, Scandinavian, and English languages. 19. Resolved, That, in view of the manifold blessing to be derived by all from the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” we proceed immediately to organize for one great effort, to be continued until every book is sold. Recommendations Adopted by the Southwestern Union Conference
Whereas, The Lord has given us a great and good plan in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” whereby all the people of this denomination may be interested in personal service, and— Whereas, We have abundant evidence that God is fulfilling to us his promise, therefore,— 20. Resolved, That we express our thankfulness to God for the revival of this good work, and that it is our intention to push this work to a glorious consummation. Whereas, The educational work, both in church and in Sabbath schools, is a fundamental and necessary feature of the third angel’s message, and—16Whereas, This work sustains the same relation to the children and the youth that the church work sustains to its members and those outside the faith, therefore,— 21. We recommend, That the executive committee of the Southwestern Union Conference, in conjunction with the Educational Department of the General Conference, formulate a plan for the systematic regulation and support of the church-school work. Whereas, There is a great need of church-school teachers, therefore,— 22. We recommend, That consecrated men and women attend our training school at Keene, to qualify themselves for this sacred calling. We also request the superintendents of church schools, during vacation or some other suitable time, to visit the churches in their conference, and lay before them the necessity of Christian education. 23. We recommend, That a German department be opened in Keene Academy to prepare workers for the German field. Whereas, The work is in need of medical missionaries, therefore,— 24. We recommend, That an organized effort be made to connect with the academy and sanitarium at Keene, Tex., a training school to qualify ministers, canvassers, Bible workers, and teachers, in the practical use of hygienic treatment. 25. We recommend, That the Executive Committee take under advisement the propriety of establishing a Southwestern Union Conference paper, to take the place of the papers now published by the local conferences. 26. We recommend, That the canvassers’ course in Keene Academy be continued. The Committee on Distribution of Labor presented the following report, which was adopted:— 1. That the request of W. S. Cruzan, of Missouri, to be allowed to go to Mexico as a self-supporting missionary, be referred, with favorable mention, to the Mission Board, the Central Union Conference to pay his fare to that field. 2. That A. J. Voth, of Oklahoma, go to Kansas, to work among the Germans. 3. That H. Shultz labor both in the Central Union Conference and in the Southwestern Union Conference, and that each union conference pay for the time spent in that conference. 4. That Sidney Scott return to Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan. 5. That the part of Texas known as the Panhandle become a part of the Oklahoma Conference, and that H. Woodruff continue to work in this field under the direction of the Oklahoma Conference. 6. That C. W. Hardesty be transferred from Arkansas to Iowa as field missionary. 7. That J. J. Schiffner, of Oklahoma, go to Texas to labor, and that Oklahoma pay his salary for one year. 8. That H. Gellert remain in the St. Louis German Mission field, and that A. A. Meyer and Henry Meyer, of Missouri, be recommended to labor with him in tent work the coming summer, under the pay of the Central Union Conference. 9. That F. H. Westphal be requested to connect with the St. Louis work during the tent season, and take the oversight of the work, the Central Union Conference to pay him for his service. 10. That Marcial Serne, of the Colorado Conference, work among the Spanish in Texas, the Southwestern Union Conference to support him. 11. That W. D. McLay, of Kansas, be invited to labor in the Southwestern Union Conference. 12. That C. McReynolds make Kansas his field of labor, and take the presidency made vacant by the election of Elder Russell to the presidency of the Central Union Conference. 13. That R. W. Parmele be invited to labor in Little Rock, Ark., for three months, and that the Kansas Conference pay for his services. 14. That Miss Flora Herman be asked to take the secretaryship of the Arkansas Tract Society. 15. That W. C. Green take the place on the Arkansas Conference Committee made vacant by the removal of C. W. Hardesty from that State. 16. That D. U. Hale be invited to labor in southwestern Texas in the interest of the Mexican work, under the employ of the Southwestern Union Conference. A motion prevailed for G. F. Haffner to take the presidency of the Oklahoma Conference, made vacant by the election of G. G. Rupert to the presidency of the Southwestern Union Conference. C. Sorenson was asked to take the place on the Oklahoma Conference Committee made vacant by the removal of Elder Knight. A motion was adopted that J. A. Sommerville fill a second vacancy on the Oklahoma Conference Committee. The following officers were elected:— President, E. T. Russell; Vice-President, L. F. Starr; Secretary and Auditor, C. T. Caviness; Treasurer, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Kansas City, Mo.; Field Missionary, O. E. Cummings. Executive Committee, in addition to those provided by the constitution: Educational Department, president of the Union College; Medical Department, superintendent Colorado Sanitarium; Canvassing Department, field missionary; Publishing Department, manager Pacific Press Publishing Co., Kansas City, Mo. Southwestern Union Conference
President, G. G. Rupert; Vice-President, H. Shultz; Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor, C. N. Woodward; Field Missionary, manager Kansas City Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Co. Executive Committee: the president and the vice-president of the Southwestern Union Conference; presidents of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas Conferences; principal of Keene Academy; superintendent of Keene Sanitarium; C. N. Woodward, and the field missionary. President of the Central Union Conference; presidents of the Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado Conferences; business manager of College; president of College; superintendent Nebraska Sanitarium; a member of the college faculty to be appointed by the board. Board of Trustees for Keene Academy
President of the Southwestern Union Conference, presidents of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas Conferences; principal and business manager of Keene Academy; W. S. Greer; J. D. Matthews; B. F. Woods; J. S. Mosley; H. B. French. The treasurer’s report showed that the amount of tithe received for one year was $5,558.50; offerings, $8,511.93. Total, $14,070.43. JAMES COCHRAN,
Secretary, pro tem.