The Missionary by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 24, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 49.

The Missionary.

By Editor

Items from the General Conference.

WE present the following resolutions and recommendations which were acted upon at the General Conference, in addition to those published last week. They are of general interest, as indicating the condition and progress of our work:—

9. Resolved, That we hereby indorse the standing rule of our Sabbath-school Associations in regard to taking offerings on the Sabbath, for the following reasons: (1) It trains our young to the habit of giving; (2) If appropriated, not merely for school expenses, but, as is now being done in some places, in part for missionary work, it cultivates a missionary spirit in the children; (3) It is in harmony with the Lord's will as expressed in the law, when more offerings were made on the Sabbath than on any other day; (4) It is in harmony with the light given to us as a people. And—

10. Resolved, That the same principles apply to the subject of donations on the fourth Sabbath of the month, which day is devoted to the missionary work; and we recommend that they be so taken.

11. Resolved, That in view of the uncertainty of the times, and the danger of depositing money where we can have no idea of its security, we recommend that our Conferences east of the Rocky Mountains deposit their surplus funds in the office of the Review and Herald, and those west of the mountains deposit the same with the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

12. Resolved, That our denominational hymn book be the property of the General Conference, and that all profits which arise from its publication be devoted to the support of missions.

16. Resolved, That we recommend that the President of the General Conference visit the Pacific Coast Conferences during the months of April and May, 1886, and that he arrange his visit so as to attend the annual meeting of the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association and of the Healdsburg College.

17. Resolved, That we recommend that Elder S. N. Haskell return to this country in season to attend the May camp-meetings.

The Hymn Book Committee submitted the following report:—

Your Committee appointed to consider the matter

of the new church hymn book, and make suggestions in regard to the publication of the same, would respectfully submit the following:—

On examination we find that the committee to which this matter was referred at the last General Conference have been diligently at work selecting hymns and tunes, and have already arranged for twenty-six departments, as follows:—

Repentance, Missionary, Reward of Saints, Judgment, Waiting for Christ, Social Worship, Baptism, Lord's Supper, Gospel, Sabbath, Law of God, Sanctuary, Dedication, Second Advent, Christian Experience, Closing Hymns, Family Devotion, Holy Spirit, Praise and Thanksgiving, Public Worship, Kingdom of God, Faith, Closing Message, Funeral Hymns, Special, and Miscellaneous.

We find that most of the hymns and tunes in our present hymn book have been retained, and to these have been added many others of real value, gathered from various sources. We think that so far as the committee has gone, the collection is a good one, and the departments well arranged. But we think that one or two important departments have been omitted.

It is a fact that there is a demand for a book containing pieces especially adapted for use in tent-meetings, camp-meetings, and new Sabbath-schools. Your Committee would therefore recommend that a department covering this ground be added to the hymn book.

For the convenience of those who do not care for the tunes, and to supply the demand in our tent and camp-meetings, where the large book would be too expensive to use, we would recommend that three separate books be prepared, as follows:—

1. A book containing all the hymns and tunes, this book to be printed on strong and durable paper, and substantially bound. We also recommend that the type for the music be the larger of the two samples shown to the Committee; that the type of the hymns be Brevier No. 4, as shown in Barnhart Bros. & Spindler's book; that the size of the page be about the same as that of the "Spiritual Songs" published by Scribner & Co., New York; and that in addition to the regular index of hymns and tunes there be an index to the first line of each verse.

2. As there are a large number who do not care for the tunes, on account of not being able to read music, we recommend that another book be prepared, to contain the hymns alone, without the tunes; the size of page of this book to be about the same as that of our present hymn book, "Spiritual Songs."

3. And we recommend that still another book, of about 150 pages, be printed, for special use in tent labor, camp-meetings, and new fields, where it would be too expensive to use the large book; that this last book be made up of pages taken directly from the large book, without change of numbers, said book to contain all those pieces in that department of the large book devoted to tent labor, etc., and such other pieces as shall be thought suitable for this purpose; this book to be bound in paper covers, and gotten up as cheaply as possible and be consistent with good work; the retail price not to exceed ten cents per copy.