p. 24 | The Council

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 22, 1903

The Council

THE past week has been one of interest and progress in the doings of the council of the General Conference Committee, a partial report of which was given in last week's issue. The attendance has been increased by the arrival of several brethren from different States.

On Sunday afternoon, October 11, Brother A. G. Daniells read some instruction from Sister White dealing with our present situation, and pointing out clearly some of the dangers which threaten the work. This instruction brought light and liberty into the council, and removed some of the difficulties which were embarrassing the brethren. On Wednesday morning Brother Daniells read three communications from Sister White, which had been received the previous evening. They were of a most solemn nature, and made a very deep impression upon those who heard them. Nearly all present testified to their thankfulness for the counsel which the Lord had thus sent. One of these Testimonies, which points out the dangerous character of the teaching in the book, “The Living Temple,” is printed in this paper. It is quite probable that others will be printed later.

These Testimonies settled an issue which has brought trouble into our ranks, and have greatly helped some minds which had become confused concerning the teaching contained in this book. Other Testimonies were read on Friday morning, setting forth most plainly some of the wrong principles which have been adopted in late years in the conduct of the medical missionary work, and making clear the serious situation to which we have been brought in this work on account of a failure to heed the counsel of the Lord. A communication was also read by Brother A. T. Jones, which approved of the Missionary Acre Fund as a proper way for raising the money with which to pay the old debt on Battle Creek College.

The following actions have been taken at different sessions during the week:—

Voted, That it is the sense of this council that suitable treatment rooms be opened as soon as possible in Washington. It is expected that this recommendation will be carried into effect immediately after the adjournment of this council, and that this work will be under conference supervision.

Voted, That the week of prayer be from Sabbath, December 12, to Sabbath, December 19. The topics suggested for the readings are as follows: “Nearness of the End,” “Our Work from the Prophetic Standpoint,” “God’s Opening Providences for Aggressive Work,” “A New Consecration Needed,” “The Promise, Need, and Effect of the Holy Spirit,” “The Education of Our Young People for Service,” “Calls from the Regions Beyond,” “The Call for Calebs and Joshuas.”

Voted, That all our churches and people everywhere in this country make a special effort to sell a large number of the forthcoming issue of the Signs of the Times on capital and labor.

That a special organized campaign be inaugurated in all our churches for the circulation, by sale or otherwise, of our literature this fall and winter.

That this campaign be opened by a missionary convention in all the churches, November 21, 22.

Voted, That a vigorous effort be made this winter to proclaim the advent message in Washington, this evangelistic effort to include public meetings, Bible work, and distribution of literature.

Voted, That one hundred thousand dollars be raised for the work in Washington, this amount to cover the investment in the sanitarium, the school, and the building for the offices of the General Conference and Mission Board.

All the brethren in attendance upon the council spent a considerable part of Tuesday, October 13, at Takoma Park, visiting the suggested sites for the Review and Herald printing plant, and inspecting the tract of land purchased for school and sanitarium purposes. The day was a delightful one, and so far as we learned, all seemed favorably impressed with what they saw.

The time set for the adjournment of the council was Wednesday, October 21. A further report will appear next week.