p. 117 | Ministerial Lectures

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1873

Ministerial Lectures.

By General Conference Committee

LAST week's REVIEW contained the following resolution, passed by the General Conference at its recent session:— “Resolved, That with great pleasure we consider the subject of Biblical lectures by Bro. Uriah Smith in the several divisions of the wide field, and with deep interest for the success of the enterprise confide it to the management of the General Conference Committee, to make the proper arrangements with Bro. Smith, and with the State Conferences that shall desire the lectures.” This resolution should be explained more fully so that its bearing may be fully understood.

It is well known to most of the readers of the REVIEW that our cause stands in great want of laborers properly qualified to present our views to the people who are everywhere ready to listen to them. It is believed there are those among us who have ability sufficient, could they have the proper instruction. Our proposed denominational school will take some time at least to be fully developed and put in successful operation. But there are present and pressing wants that must be met immediately. There are some young men and women among us who would be glad to receive instruction in the doctrines of our faith, and who would be profited by the same, who cannot afford time to take a regular course of instruction in the school.

To meet these and other wants, these courses of Biblical lectures referred to in the above resolution are proposed. We are not prepared to give the particulars of any plan at this writing. Yet we deem it best to refer to it for the benefit of any who may wish to attend them.

It is proposed to have courses of lectures in different Conferences. For instance, commencing in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, with a course of lectures, say of eight weeks’ length. Individuals from all parts of New England could gather there. Another course of the same length could be held in New York, accommodating New York and Pennsylvania. Perhaps two courses should be held in connection with the school at Battle Creek, accommodating Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Another course somewhere in Illinois, accommodating Wisconsin and Illinois. Another between the Mississippi and the Missouri, accommodating Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri. These would fill up the year.

The localities where these courses of lectures should be held could be decided by the different State Conference Committees. They should be central, and should be chosen in reference to accessibility, where there is a suitable building in which to hold the lectures, and where there are numbers sufficient to board those who should attend. It is not proposed to require any more for tuition than is necessary for lights, fuel, and hall rent, for the lectures. Boarding would therefore be the main expense, excepting fare each way.

Bro. Uriah Smith will deliver these lectures. There need be no effort to show that he is properly qualified to do it to those who have perused his writings on the varied points of truth advocated by us. In connection with these lectures, opportunity will be offered for instruction in penmanship, grammar, and the preparation of articles for the press. It is not designed that these lectures shall contain merely a statement of the main points of our faith, such as are given generally in new fields, but shall be thorough, critical courses of instruction, such as will give a clear understanding of our positions. And these are not to be confined to those who propose to enter the ministry, merely. Any who wish to become better acquainted with our positions, will be welcome to attend.

Those who desire to qualify themselves for any position of usefulness among us, are cordially invited. And we think there must be persons scattered here and there, in all directions, who have become partially acquainted with our views, and who desire to become better acquainted. We see no reason why there should not be many such persons who would desire to attend, and know fully the reasons of our faith. Thoughtful, cautious persons who have not had a very good opportunity to hear the truth, could find an excellent opportunity for doing so. We think these lectures will be a very important agency to advance the cause of truth, by furnishing means of instruction hitherto lacking, yet very necessary for the progress of the cause.

We earnestly call the attention of our young men and women of inquiring minds to this subject. Is it not time to recognize the claims of God upon you? When are we going to realize that a world is to be warned of its approaching doom? Will your skirts be clear of the blood of souls if you neglect opportunities for proper preparation to labor in the cause of God? Can you labor on and use the talents God has given you entirely in worldly pursuits, when the fields are white for the harvest, and you making no efforts to prepare yourself to gather sheaves into the garner of the Lord? Everywhere calls are coming to our ears for help, and such calls that a heart of stone would almost be moved. God will test us. Let us remember that those who can labor must labor for God, or they will be reckoned unprofitable servants.

We think the time has come for action. And although this will be partially an experiment, as every new undertaking is, till proved a success, yet it seems to give such strong grounds of hope that we must give it a fair trial.

To this end, we propose to have these lectures commence in New England, probably at South Lancaster, Mass., about the first of May. Every individual in the New England States who has thoughts of attending them should address Eld. S. N. Haskell, S. Lancaster, Mass., immediately, so that there may be an understanding of what provisions should be made for their accommodation. He will be happy to correspond with them, and give definite information concerning the matter.

Meanwhile other Conference Committees interested should correspond with the General Conference Committee, and state whether they desire such lectures, where they can be held, and the probable interest that will be taken in them. Those living in these States can correspond with their own Conference Committees as to their desires in the premises.

The first course in New England will be of great interest as going far to stamp this undertaking as a success or failure. We have great faith that the result will prove it to be the former. It is time to take hold of these important matters as though we meant business. God calls upon us all to arouse. Let us use every means to qualify ourselves for usefulness in the great and glorious work committed to our hands. As we work, God will work with us. More particulars hereafter.

GEN. CONF. COM.