p. 92 | General Conference

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 21, 1878

General Conference.

THE enlargement of the work in all its departments, and the consequent necessity of devising ways and means to most effectually improve the openings which God in his providence is placing before us, seemed to demand a special session of the General Conference, to be held in Battle Creek, Mich.

The Conference met March 1, 1878. There was a more general representation by delegates than had been anticipated. Twelve States were thus represented, and letters were received from other Conferences, and from most of our missionaries All evidently came together with the same views and feelings in regard to the work. God is speaking to us by his providence in opening ways before us faster than we can fill them; a great and solemn work is upon our hands; how can we accomplish it more expeditiously and to the best advantage, was the great question to the solution of which the brethren addressed themselves with faith and zeal.

On the Sabbath the house of worship was filled to overflowing. Extra seats were put into every available space, and chairs into every remaining crook and corner. The congregation surged up to the pulpit steps, and upon the gallery stairs, and many stayed away because they knew that the house would not afford even standing room for all who wished to come. The occasion furnished an excellent text for the subject of a new meeting-house in Battle Creek, which was considered by the Conference. A stirring discourse was given by Elder Canright in the forenoon and by Elder Haskell in the afternoon.

The president, Elder James White, being absent, the meeting was called to order by the secretary, and Elder S. N. Haskell was chosen president pro tem. Prayer was offered by Elder Canright; and the object of the meeting, and a general view of the business to come before it, was presented by the chairman.

Twenty-two delegates were present, representing twelve States. Letters were read from the presidents of several State Conferences; and remarks were made on matters introduced in these letters by Elders Haskell, Canright, St. John and Farnsworth. Communications were also presented from Elders Matteson and Bourdeau, and from Elder Lane of Virginia, and Elder Burrill of Alabama.

Letters were read from Elder Andrews of Bale, Switzerland, and Dr. Ribton of Naples, Italy; which called out full remarks upon the European mission by W. C. White, D. M. Canright, H. W. Decker, and J. H. Waggoner. A resolution was thereupon offered and adopted, expressing thankfulness for the success of the European mission, and the openings for a wide-spread work among the nations, and appealing to the friends of the cause to donate of their means to sustain the mission, as the General Conference Committee may suggest.

Interesting remarks were also made on the extent of the work, the greatly increased demands, and the more complete facilities now possessed by the offices of publication, and other branches of the cause, for a rapid and extended work.

The immediate necessity of help for the cause in Italy and other portions of Europe was considered. The demands upon the European mission having been such, that, under the most careful management, it has overdrawn its funds to the extent of about $2,000, it was resolved to recommend and invite further $100 donations and smaller sums to aid in this branch of the work. It was also resolved that the Conference recognize the providence of God in the success which has attended the mission in Denmark, and that in consequence of the increased magnitude of the work there, the Conference shows its sympathy with Elder Matteson and interest in his work by rendering him all the assistance in its power, and by sending him, as soon as arrangements to that effect can be made, an assistant; and also to recommend him to procure a tent for his use, friends of that mission to assist by their means to this purpose.

Matters in reference to the Battle Creek College, Health Reform Institute, camp-meetings, quarterly meetings, Sabbath-schools, etc., were deliberated upon and resolutions adopted.