The College View (Neb.) Council
By Arthur G. Daniells
On another page will be found a report of the proceedings of the fall council of the General Conference Committee, held at College View, Neb., September 15-25. The object of this note is to speak of some general features of the council which the report of the proceedings does not touch. Viewed from my standpoint, this was the best council of the committee that has been held since my return to the States from Australia. All but three members residing in the United States were present. We were also favored with the presence of a large number of the union and local conference officers in the Central Western States. Nearly every member was present at the opening meeting, and remained until the council closed. The days were devoted to earnest work in committee and open meetings, and each evening a public service was held in the College View tabernacle. As Union College opened the day before our council convened, the ministers attending the council had the privilege of meeting the new students in the home, in the college chapel services, and in the tabernacle meetings. This brightened our council, and, we trust, helped the students in some measure. Union College opened this year with about two hundred young men and women of quite mature years. The outlook for this institution appears encouraging. Professor Lewis, the president of the college, has set his hand resolutely to turn every influence and resource of that institution in the direction of home and foreign missions. He sees no other reason for the existence of the school but the training of our young people for the service of God, as revealed to us in the great movement of the third angel's message. In this determination, Professor Lewis is supported by the majority of his faculty, many of whom have worked to this end very earnestly heretofore. But to return to the council. One of the best features of this meeting was the union, harmony, and brotherly love manifested from the first meeting until the last. While there was the fullest liberty granted for freedom of thought and speech, there was a very marked unanimity of thought. All seemed anxious to pull together. This made the business proceedings very pleasant, and enabled us to dispatch our work rapidly. We were obliged to deal with some perplexing questions, but these were discussed and disposed of with Christian courtesy and dignity. The candid, considerate, brotherly disposition manifested was certainly an omen of good for the future of our work. Elders Haskell and Farnsworth did most of the preaching in the tabernacle. They gave some stirring sermons on some of the principal features of our message. Sister White spoke a number of times, with clearness and freedom; but owing to hoarseness, did not take an active part in our councils. Much must be said regarding the decisions of the council, but this must appear in subsequent issues of the REVIEW. Altogether, this was a most encouraging and profitable meeting. I hope the readers of the REVIEW will read with care the proceedings published on another page. Pray that the decisions may be carried out successfully.