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The General Conference

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 14, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 15.

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The General Conference

Summary of Daily Proceedings, April 6 to 11

MONDAY: The following report was presented by the Committee on Institutions, and was adopted with slight changes:—

General Plan for Reorganization of Institutions

“1. All institutions to be owned directly by the people, either General Conference, union conference, State conference, or organized mission field.
“2. The electors or constituents of each institution to be the membership of the denominational body owning the same.
“3. Where possible under existing corporation law, the controlling boards of all institutions to be elected by the conference.
“4. The power of all boards to be limited as follows: (a) no disposal or transfer of institutional property to be made without a vote of the electors or constituents authorizing same; (b) no large additions or extensions to be made to existing institutions without the electors or constituents authorizing the needed improvements; (c) changes and amendments to be made to Articles of Incorporation only by action of electors.
“5. Where institutions are of a profit-earning nature, the Articles of Incorporation to be so formed that the electors or constituents be empowered to appropriate the profits at each annual meeting either to the betterment of the existing institution or to the starting or advancement of some other missionary, philanthropic, or benevolent enterprise. “6. Where the law is such that conference trust associations can not operate institutions, then the Conference Association is recommended to own the property, and same to be operated by a corporation created for the express purpose of operating said plant, but the operating company is to be responsible to, and controlled directly by, the Seventh-day Adventist Conference, as far as possible under existing State laws.
“7. All institutional property to be treated as departments of conference work, and where possible, to be represented on the conference committee.
“8. That an advisory committee of three be appointed by this conference for the study of institutions, and to render such assistance in the carrying out of these recommendations as may lie in their power.
“C. H. PARSONS,        L. R. CONRADI, W. D. SALISBURY,        S. H. LANE, W. T. KNOX,                Committee.”
The Committee on Plans and Constitution submitted a further partial report, one resolution only being prepared, as follows:—
“We recommend, That the General Conference offices be removed from Battle Creek, Mich., to some place favorable for its work in the Atlantic States.”
The following resolutions outlining the financial policy to be followed in the work of the denomination were adopted by a rising vote:—
“Whereas, The work of carrying on the third angel’s message is rapidly enlarging and extending into new fields; and,—
“Whereas, Unless careful management be given to the operations in extending the message, large debts will be contracted; therefore,—
“1. We recommend, That all evangelical and missionary enterprises carried on in the name of the denomination, or under the denomination’s support, be conducted on a strictly cash basis.
“Whereas, Most of our corporations and institutions are carrying large liabilities; therefore,—
“2. We recommend, That said corporations and institutions be requested to give special attention to the rapid liquidation of their obligations.
“3. We further recommend,—
“(a) That the General Conference or Mission Board from this day shall not be held financially responsible for any obligations which they have not assumed by their own action.
“(b) That the foregoing be the general policy of the union and State conferences and other organizations and institutions of the denomination.
“(c) That all parties undertaking local enterprises, such as institutions, church buildings, and other undertakings in this country, secure their means in their respective local territories, and not by general call for means, unless previously arranged.”
The following further resolution was adopted:—
“That the Treasury and Finance department of the General Conference be broadened and strengthened by the selection of a treasurer of wide experience in the field, and the appointment of a sufficient staff of clerical help to do office work.”
Evening, report of Elder G. A. Irwin, president of the Australasian Union Conference.
TUESDAY, forenoon, educational reports by E. A. Sutherland, R. C. Porter, E. K. Slade, J. S. Osborne, S. M. Butler, G. M. Brown, and M. E. Cady. Afternoon, report of Mrs. Flora Plummer, corresponding secretary of the Sabbath-school department. Evening, missionary address by Elder W. A. Spicer.
WEDNESDAY, forenoon, miscellaneous matters. Afternoon, report of Elder G. I. Butler, president of Southern Union Conference. Evening, talk by Elder L. R. Conradi on the work in the Orient.
THURSDAY, forenoon and afternoon, discussion of proposed changes in constitution. Evening, amended constitution adopted after long discussion. The most important amendments provide that the president, two vice-presidents, the secretary, treasurer, and auditor shall be elected by the conference, and that any five members of the executive committee, including the president or vice-president, shall be empowered to transact such executive business as is in harmony with the general plans outlined by the committee.
FRIDAY, forenoon, recommendations of committee on educational work considered. Report on work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Afternoon, resolution adopted granting special help, financial and otherwise, to Southern Publishing Association. Remainder of time devoted to miscellaneous business. Evening, address by Elder A. T. Jones, on Christian education.
SABBATH, forenoon, sermon by Elder G. I. Butler; subject, Spiritual Gifts. Afternoon, memorial service for Elder Uriah Smith; addresses by Elders A. G. Daniells, J. N. Loughborough, G. I. Butler, S. H. Lane, G. A. Irwin. Evening, report of publishing committee discussed and adopted. The General Conference Executive Committee was elected as follows: A. G. Daniells, president; W. W. Prescott, L. R. Conradi, vice-presidents; W. A. Spicer, secretary, I. H. Evans, treasurer; D. B. Parmelee, auditor; the presidents of all union conferences and union mission fields: Drs. David Paulson, A. J. Read, and J. C. Ottosen; L. A. Hoopes, A. T. Jones, C. H. Jones, W. C. Sisley, W. C. White, Frederick Griggs, R. M. Kilgore, S. N. Haskell.