p. 12 | GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT 4

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1900

GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT 4.

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

The first meeting of District 4 of the General Conference was held in the Tabernacle, at College View, March 2, at 10:30 A. M. Elder J. H. Morrison presided, and after prayer by Elder G. A. Irwin, made a few introductory remarks. E. L. Stewart was chosen secretary pro tem.

Elder Morrison then set forth the situation in the world generally and among God’s people. While men cry Peace, they are preparing for war. Everywhere prophecy is fulfilling; but the clearest fulfillment is seen among the people of God. The great crisis is upon us. The lines are rapidly being drawn. While some are approaching God in character, others are separating from him. The peculiar features of our faith are becoming indistinct, and we are gradually drifting away from the old landmarks. A work has been done, but a far greater work must be accomplished. The canvassing work must be pressed. Only five persons have received ordination during the year, and two of these have gone into the medical work. We are behind in this branch of the work. Men must be educated and encouraged to enter the ministry. We have grown weak upon tithing. There is danger of the wonder-working power taking our people. We do not clearly discern between this and the work of God. This subject should be thoroughly studied in all our Conferences. Church schools must receive consideration. Organization, system, and order are among the most important matters, and must be thoroughly understood. We see perfect order in all God’s creative work. There are two extremes in this question. Men are not to go from Conference to Conference independently, neither are we to be moved constantly by the Conference Committee. God has special messages at this time through the Testimonies and through his servant Elder Haskell.

Elder G. A. Irwin said: The District Conference is a creature of the General Conference, to facilitate the work. As the message increases and spreads, the responsibility must be divided and subdivided. More local matters are considered by those more directly interested. Our great danger is from within, not from without. Unity must characterize the people of God. The only basis of union must be the three messages as brought out by the early work. This is a platform not a pin nor a timber of which is to be moved. The enemy will bring in minor parts, and attempt to make them the tests. But the Sabbath is the great test. This is to test every soul. “The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” is to be the burden of our message.

A simple organization is to be effected, consisting of a secretary pro tem., who shall keep a record of the proceedings and a constitution defining the basis of representation. It was then suggested that a committee for drafting a constitution, and a Committee on Distribution of Labor and Resolutions be appointed.

Elder Morrison said that we must sense the shortness of time and the necessity of doing, not resolving only. We are to come to this Conference as learners, as little children, not with set ideas. It is a solemn sinking into God that is needed now. We are to so conduct ourselves in the meeting and bring it about that men will realize that we have a life-and-death message.

Elder Geo. M. Brown moved that the Chair appoint the committees mentioned. Carried. The following committees were then appointed: Committee on Organization: Brethren Stevens, Stewart, Everest, Kneeland, and Olsen. The Committee on Plans, Distribution of Labor, and Camp-meetings: Brethren Santee, Nelson, Flaiz, Millman, and Johnson.

SECOND SESSION, MARCH 4, 10:30 A. M.

After prayer the subject of organization was taken up, and its importance and principles clearly set forth. Elder Morrison spoke as follows: The heavens declare the perfect work of God. The church of God on earth requires the most perfect order and system, since it is as an army in warfare. Just in proportion as we work in perfect harmony will the co-operation of heavenly agencies prove successful.

Elder Irwin said: The last days require more perfect unity and order than any other period. The constant tendency in these days is to spring something new; but we are not to begin now to tinker the work of God. Each is not to do as he pleases in all things, but we are to work in harmony. God is leading out a people, not simply an isolated individual here and there. The organization of the church in the wilderness, with its perfect order and system, is set forth as an example for us in these last days.

Elder Santee read from “Spirit of Prophecy” and from the REVIEW AND HERALD, illustrating these points. Remarks were also made by Elders Hill, White, and Phelps.

The meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.

THIRD SESSION, MONDAY, MARCH 5.

After prayer the report of committees was taken up. The Committee on Organization recommended a constitution for adoption, as follows:—

“ARTICLE I.—This Conference shall be known as District Conference 4 of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, comprising the Conferences of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Dakota, and the mission field of Manitoba.

“ART. II.—The object of this Conference shall be to facilitate the work of the General Conference in local matters, such as the distribution and exchange of laborers within the District, the arrangements of camp-meetings, the united study of the Third Angel’s Message, and the transaction of such other business as may come under its supervision.

“ART. III.—The officers of this Conference shall be a President and a Secretary. The General Conference superintendent of the District shall, by virtue of his office, be President of this Conference. The Secretary shall be chosen at each regular session.

“ART. IV.—The regular sessions of this Conference shall be held biennially, alternating with the sessions of the General Conference. Special sessions may be called if deemed necessary by the President, in conjunction with the presidents of the Conferences.

“ART. V.—Each Conference or mission field shall be entitled to one delegate, and one additional delegate for each three hundred membership.

“ART. VI.—This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all the delegates present at any regular session.”

It was moved to adopt the report by considering each article separately.

Article I was spoken to by Elders Nelson, Santee, Brown, and Thompson, and others. Elder N. P. Nelson offered an amendment, naming Wyoming and the Dakotas. The amendment was lost, and Art. I, as read, was adopted; also articles II, III, and IV in succession. Article V was read, and a motion to amend was offered by Elder V. Thompson, and supported by Elder C. Santee, so as to read, “two hundred membership.” This was spoken to by Elders Phelps, Hill, Millman, and Boynton. Article V as amended was then adopted; Article VI was also adopted.

It was moved by Elder G. M. Brown to ask the Committee on Organization to prepare an article stating the duties of the President and Secretary. Supported and carried.

Elder G. A. Irwin moved that this Constitution be operative in the future, and that all present be considered delegates. Carried.

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

“Whereas, The prosperity of the cause is endangered from the innovations coming in on the subject of gospel order, we therefore—

“(1) Recommend, That all our workers make an especial effort to inform themselves in regard to the teaching of the Bible and Testimonies on the subject of organization, with a view to instructing our churches in the same.

“Whereas, The Spirit of God has indicated that this is the most favorable time we shall ever have for prosecuting the work in our large cities, and—

“Whereas, The present method of work by our city missions falls far short of reaching the people, and bringing much-desired results, we therefore—

“(2) Recommend, To the several Conferences here represented, the advisability of entering such cities with a full corps of laborers, including ministers, Bible workers, and colporteurs, in order that the work may be prosecuted with vigor; also that young persons of Christian experience and deportment be encouraged to connect with such work, and labor from house to house under the counsel of the one in charge, thus gaining a practical experience in Bible work and other missionary effort.

“Whereas, The Spirit of God has urged the importance and necessity of establishing church schools; and,—

“Whereas, There are those of our denomination teaching in the public schools of our Conferences who, with proper training, could, and would gladly, take up the church school work, we therefore—

“(3) Recommend: (a) That the churches in this District take immediate steps to prepare suitable places for such schools to be held, and also that an effort be put forth by the officers of the church to interest the whole church in the work, thus making it a church school; (b) that a suitable person be selected who, under the direction of the Conference Committee, shall labor for the educational interests of the Conference; (c) that institutes be held where teachers may be called together to receive special training for this work; (d) that we urge suitable persons to attend the teachers’ training class in Union College, with a view to fitting themselves for this work.”

The first recommendation was then read, and spoken to by Elders C. W. Flaiz and G. A. Irwin, bringing out some valuable instruction on organization of churches, and showing the dangers coming in among us at this time, and how these dangers may be headed off. Quotations were read from “Early Writings,” pages 12, 13, under the head of “Gospel Order.” J. H. MORRISON, Pres.

E. L. STEWART, Sec. pro tem.

(To be concluded.)