The General Conference by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 17, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 48.

The General Conference.

By Editor

Up to November 25, the General Conference in session at Battle Creek, Mich., had acted upon the following resolutions:—

1. Resolved, That we express our conviction that it is neither consistent nor expedient to receive into our churches those who hold to trine immersion, inasmuch as we consider that such immersion is unscriptural, and its introduction among us can only result in confusion. And further—

2. Resolved, That as very many of those holding to trine immersion speak the German language, we request the Committee on Publications to have a work on the subject prepared in that language.

Whereas, We have a goodly number of men who have been ordained and furnished with credentials on the expectation that they would become efficient laborers, but who from some cause have not developed into regular laborers; therefore—

3. Resolved, That credentials be granted to such only as are willing to devote their time to the work, and are situated so that they can do so; and exceptions to this rule should be very carefully made.

4. Resolved, That great care should be used by our ministers in the selection of church officers, and that no person be ordained to fill offices of trust in God's work who is not sound in faith and practice upon all Bible doctrines as held by Seventh-day Adventists.

Whereas, There is a large Scandinavian population in this country among whom the truth has already made some progress, quite large numbers having already embraced it; and—

Whereas, The laborers are few, the time is short, and much must be done through the circulation of reading matter; therefore—

5. Resolved, (1) That systematic and organized efforts be made to circulate Scandinavian reading matter among these nationalities; (2) that while at this time new and important works are being issued in the Danish-Norwegian and Swedish languages, we would therefore recommend that a department be opened in the office of the Review and Herald to manage the sale, and care for the agencies, of the Scandinavian subscription books.

Resolutions 1 and 2 being read for action, resolution 2 was amended to include a general work on baptism in the German language, which should especially contain the arguments against trine immersion. As amended, the resolutions were adopted, as was also resolution 3.

Resolution 4 was adopted. A motion was made to amend resolution 5 so as to include the German work also; but this amendment was not sustained, because the facilities are not yet apparent to carry it into effect. The resolution as presented was then adopted.

The Committee then offered an additional resolution, as follows:—

Whereas, God has represented a failure to pay tithes as robbery of him, and we have evidence that many in our churches do not pay tithes; and believing that in many cases their failure is the result of ignorance on the subject; therefore—

6. Resolved, That the ministers and the officers of our Conferences and tract societies be instructed to make especial effort to place the pamphlets, "The Tithing System," and "Honor Due to God," in every family of our people, and that we all make continual efforts until all not only become educated on this question, but have a conscience void of offense toward God in this important duty.

On motion, this resolution was freely discussed, and adopted.

7. Resolved, That we hereby express our heartfelt thanks that the "Testimonies to the Church" Nos. 1-30 have been published in four volumes, and thus put into a durable form. And we hereby urge our ministers throughout the wide field to give them as large a circulation as possible. And we further urge all our people to read these volumes, and to induce others to read them, confident that the instruction and wise counsel contained therein will commend them to all classes, and will prove beneficial to all.

Whereas, It sometimes occurs that persons who have been excommunicated from one S. D. A. church, offer themselves as candidates for admittance to another church of S. D. Adventists; therefore—

8. Resolved, That it is a breach of Christian courtesy among churches, and an act of injustice to receive such into church fellowship, until they have first effected a reconciliation with their former brethren.

As many brethren spoke as time permitted, warmly and gratefully indorsing resolution 7; and after some further remarks on the salutary nature of resolution 8, the report was unanimously adopted.

The Conference has voted to take the necessary steps to become incorporated by law as a legal body, capable of holding property. The present Executive Committee, consisting of Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, O. A. Olsen, W. C. White, and R. A. Underwood, were named as the Incorporating Board of Trustees; but as Elder Haskell was not present, and therefore could not act, Elder U. Smith was nominated to act in his place.