TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 by W. C. White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 5, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 42.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22.

By W. C. White

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which, after some discussion, were adopted:— Resolved, That this Council advise Elder A. C. Bourdeau to locate in the Waldensian Valleys, and devote his principal efforts to the work in Italy and France. WHEREAS, The harvest is great and the laborers are few; therefore, Resolved, That it is inconsistent for our laborers to remain continuously in one place. WHEREAS, It is contrary to the accepted and uniform plan of labor among our people that our laborers confine their labors to one locality, and WHEREAS, There exists special and urgent demands for labor in various localities in the Italian field; therefore, Resolved, That this Council recommend that Brother A. Biglia do not confine his labors to Naples, but devote the greater portion of his time to labor in new fields. Resolved, That we request the General Conference to send a German laborer to join Brother J. Ertzenberger in the vast German field. WHEREAS, The increase of the publishing work in Europe demands skilled laborers, and persons of experience in the various branches of the work; therefore, Resolved, That this Council recommend that Brother Chas. M. Andrews spend one or two years in our publishing house at Battle Creek, learning thoroughly the binder's trade. Resolved, That in the future sessions of our General Council, we request the chairman of each of the several Mission Boards to present a written report of missionary labor, not to exceed thirty minutes in delivering, and request written reports from all our laborers not to exceed fifteen minutes. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the labors and counsels of Sister E. G. White and her son, Elder W. C. White, at these meetings; that we invite them to visit Scandinavia, Great Britain, and other fields, and to remain sufficiently long in Europe to do the work Providence has assigned them.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23.

The officers of the Council and the Mission Boards for the ensuing year were elected, as follows:— Executive Committee: B. L. Whitney, chairman, J. G. Matteson, S. H. Lane; Secretary, A. B. Oyen; Treasurer, Addie S. Bowen. Mission Boards: Central European Mission, B. L. Whitney, A. C. Bourdeau, D. T. Bourdeau; British Mission, S. H. Lane, M. C. Wilcox, R. F. Andrews; Scandinavian Mission, J. G. Matteson, A. B. Oyen, E. G. Olsen. The question was then raised, Is it right for us to bear arms or serve in the army; and if so, is it lawful for us to serve on the Sabbath? From the ensuing discussion, it appeared that military service is compulsory in Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy. The length of service required varies in the different countries, but the service is such that it is very difficult to keep the Sabbath. In Switzerland, Sabbath-keepers have the choice of joining the sanitary corps, in which a person is exempt from bearing arms, but the duties to be performed on the Sabbath are not such as are proper for God's holy day. It was voted that the Executive Committee of the Council prepare a circular treating upon this subject, offering suggestions for the instruction of our brethren.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 24.

Various plans to increase the circulation of our periodicals were considered, and the best way to reach the traveling public of England. It was voted that we request the International Tract and Missionary Society to furnish distributors, to be placed on the transatlantic steamers leaving Liverpool. Elder Whitney introduced the question of establishing a school in Basel, especially for the children of Sabbath-keepers. Attendance at school is compulsory for children from six to fourteen years of age, and they cannot be excused from the school on the Sabbath. Several of our Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland have been fined, and some have been imprisoned, for refusing to allow their children to attend school on the Sabbath. It was thought that teachers could be obtained for a private school, and that a room could be obtained, if it were decided that a school should be organized. Elders B. L. Whitney, J. Ertzenberger, Albert Vuilleumier, W. C. White, and Ademar Vuilleumier were chosen as a school committee.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25.

The Committee on Resolutions introduced the following resolutions and recommendations:— WHEREAS, The Danish-Norwegian and Swedish health journals, Sundhedsbladet and Helse-og-Sygepleje, published at Christiania, are not circulated to any extent in America, and, WHEREAS, Our brethren there would receive great benefit from reading these papers; therefore, Resolved, That we invite our Scandinavian brethren generally in America to become subscribers to these journals, and to do what they can to circulate them among their countrymen in that country. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee of this Council to prepare petitions to the Swiss Government, that the children of Sabbath-keepers be exempt from attending the public schools on the Sabbath, and that they prepare tracts and leaflets on the subject, to be distributed by those who circulate the petitions. We recommend that the following named persons receive credentials: B. L. Whitney, D. T. Bourdeau, A. C. Bourdeau, S. H. Lane, A. A. John, M. C. Wilcox, R. F. Andrews, A. B. Oyen, E. G. Olsen, J. G. Matteson, J. H. Durland, and that Geo. R. Drew receive colporter's license. On motion, the above were acted upon separately, and adopted. Sabbath forenoon, Elder Matteson preached on the subject of the Third Angel's Message, and in the afternoon Mrs. White spoke from Zechariah 3:1-7. As she compared the situation of the people of God with that of Joshua before the angel, she was led to give most precious encouragement to those who are to pass through the time of trouble.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27.

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were acted upon singly, and adopted:— Resolved, That we express our continued confidence in the gift of prophecy, which God has mercifully placed among his remnant people, and that we will endeavor to show our true appreciation of the same by practically carrying out its instructions. Resolved, That we recommend that The Present Truth be published semi-monthly. Resolved, That we recommend that a Scandinavian laborer be selected to go and assist Brother Geo. Drew in his work in Liverpool. WHEREAS, The work is great and the laborers few, and the greater part of the work of enlightening the people on the subject of present truth must be done by means of publications; therefore, Resolved, That it is the duty of our ministers to encourage and educate young persons to become successful canvassers and colporters, by holding institutes, and by connecting them with tent labor, and with other labor where it may be deemed advisable, thus helping them to obtain the necessary qualifications for this work. Resolved, That we recommend that an institute of three or four weeks' duration be held the coming winter at Great Grimsby, England, for the purpose of giving instruction to canvassers and colporters. It was voted that W. C. White, J. G. Matteson, A. B. Oyen, M. C. Wilcox, and Sister E. H. Whitney be an International Lesson Committee, to advise as to the Sabbath-school lessons used in our papers published in Europe.

MONDAY, SEPT. 28.

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which was adopted:— Resolved, That the report of this Council, the financial and statistical report of the European Missions, with the report of Sister White's morning talks, and a sketch of her visit to the missions, be published in a large-page pamphlet in the English language, that our brethren in America may share the blessing of this good meeting. It was voted that we recommend that Brother Thos. G. Aslan labor six months or a year in Italy, in connection with Brother Geymet, under the direction of Brother A. C. Bourdeau. It was also voted that Brethren H. W. Kellogg and C. M. Andrews represent this Council at the coming General Conference. Also, that the next session of this Council be held in England. Monday evening, after a short discourse by Elder Matteson, Brother Albert Vuilleumier was ordained to the work of the ministry. From this meeting, the laborers go forth with new courage to their fields of labor. Five more will engage in the colporter work than have been in the field before, and we expect that our books and papers will have a much wider circulation than ever before. W. C. WHITE. Basel, Switzerland, Oct. 5, 1885.