Australasian Union Conference
The following items relating to the progress of the work in the Australasian Union Conference are gleaned from the minutes of recent sessions of the Australasian Union Conference Committee:— The week of prayer was appointed for June 14-21. The readings for this occasion consisted of the subjects presented in the General Conference Bulletin, No. 4, 1901, excepting “Our Privilege of Giving,” in place of which the substitution of an article on the general needs of the Australasian field, followed by a short Bible reading on Giving, was recommended; also excepting the article embracing the medical work, in place of which it was recommended to substitute a similar article dealing especially with the medical work in Australasia. It was voted “that the second tithe, as a systematic plan of benevolence, be adopted and presented to our people as a permanent means of raising funds for the cause.” Dr. Lauretta Kress presented a financial report of the Avondale Health Retreat, showing a gain in nine months of £204. It was recommended by the committee on the management of periodicals that Mrs. V. J. Farnsworth be editor of the Bible Echo; that E. C. Chapman be requested to act as managing editor of the Union Conference Record; and that the publication of the Joyful Tidings be discontinued. A report of the progress of the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” showed that thus far about two thousand books have been sold, and £200 received. The work has been started in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Victoria. It was recommended that the location of the food factory be changed from Cooranbong to Wahroonga, where the new sanitarium is now in process of construction, and that it be run in connection with that institution. In view of the financial situation of the sanitarium, the following resolution was adopted:— “Whereas, The financial condition of the medical work in Australasia is such that we do not feel free to borrow more money to complete the Sydney Sanitarium, and— “Whereas, The undertaking is greater than the brethren of these colonies seem able to lift, we therefore, as members of the Union Conference of Australasia in council assembled, appeal to our brethren in America to assist us to the amount of $15,000; this amount being less than the present actual deficit of the medical work, and calling for only twenty-five cents per member for each Sabbath keeper in America.” It was voted that the Sabbath-school donations be appropriated as follows:— Third quarter, 1902, fittings for Wahroonga Sanitarium treatment rooms; fourth quarter, Queensland; first quarter, 1903, missionary circulation of the Bible Echo; second quarter, 1903, Indian Tract Fund; third quarter, 1903, literature for our island mission field. Special quarter-end collections:— Third quarter, 1902, Avondale steam launch; fourth quarter, 1902, Sydney ship mission; first quarter, 1903, Union Conference church building fund; second quarter, 1903, Melbourne ship mission; third quarter, 1903, fittings for Christchurch Sanitarium treatment rooms. A short report of the work of the Echo Publishing Company was given by the manager, W. D. Salisbury. The report showed that the institution has been steadily prospering, the loss of the previous year being considerably reduced. The State tract societies under the cash system are steadily reducing their past indebtedness. The brethren in South Africa have offered the Echo Company the territory in Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony to work with our literature until such time as they shall be prepared to organize tract societies there. It has been decided to open a depository in Durban, with J. H. Camp as field man, and C. H. Pretyman as treasurer and office man, and it is hoped that this branch will be a help to both the Echo Company and the South African field. The following report on distribution of labor was presented and adopted:— R. Hare, Victoria; A. T. Robinson, Queensland; J. E. Fulton, Maoris of New Zealand; C. H. Parker, Fiji; G. Teasdale, Tasmania; E. H. Gates, Bible teacher for Avondale school. The subject of the Forward Movement was introduced by G. A. Irwin. It was voted that this study be begun as soon as the present lessons on Revelation close. In view of the fact that Brother F. W. Reekie had received an invitation to go to England as a canvasser, he was released from all claim on the part of the Australasian Union Conference, and left free to act according to his judgment in the matter.20 The Committee on Sanitarium and Medical Plans recommended:— 1. That a forward movement be made to disseminate the principles of health, and that the medical association send to our churches throughout this field the help needed to give lectures, instruction in healthful cookery, etc., with a view of fitting our people to do acceptable work on health lines in this community. 2. That the local conferences and churches encourage and make provision to meet either wholly or in part the expense of such work. 3. That an inexpensive cookery book be gotten up, with simple hygienic recipes, giving special instruction in the preparation and use of health foods. Also that literature on the evils of tobacco, spirits, tea, etc., etc., and the benefits to be derived from hygienic living, including instruction in rational treatments in common diseases, be provided.