p. 697 | The Missionary by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 16, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 44.

The Missionary.

By Editor

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

THE twenty-seventh annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which convened at Minneapolis October 17, adjourned sine die at noon of the 4th inst., having transacted a great deal of important business pertaining to the various branches of the work. An account of the organization of the Conference, with a list of the delegates and committees, was published in these columns two weeks ago.

Early in the session the Committee on Missions made a very interesting report concerning the work in various parts of the great field, and upon their recommendation it was decided to purchase the vessel on which Brethren Cudney and Tay sailed for Pitcairn, in case the same should be found suitable for missionary purposes.

A number of interesting reports were presented from various missionary fields. C. W. Olds described the progress of the work in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Brother Rupert, who had labored four years in the South, gave an account of his trip to South America and the West Indies. Brother Lane, who has also been in the South, made encouraging remarks concerning the canvassing work in that field. Brethren Reese, Henderson, and Gibbs also presented interesting facts. Financial reports were given, which will be published in full in the Year Book.

W. C. White, the foreign missionary secretary, presented a report. Among other things, he said that the Christmas donations last year amounted to the generous sum of $27,162.89, without which our faithful missionaries could not have kept the field without actual suffering. He stated that the recommendation of the financial committee that our people everywhere literally carry out the advice of the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2, has been quite generally followed. Over 23,000 boxes, prepared for the reception of these offerings, have been distributed, and the amount received for the first quarter was $1,231.46; for the second quarter, $2,960. He also spoke of how the recommendations for labor in the various mission fields had been carried out. He made very interesting statements in regard to the work in London, Hongkong, and various other places. Altogether the report was most encouraging. He also presented an interesting statistical report, which will be printed in full in the Year Book.

The question of how our foreign publications might be made self-supporting was discussed, as was also the necessity of establishing schools in the various countries of Europe, where our young people can be properly educated for the work. In this connection Elder Conradi, of Germany, made some pertinent remarks on mission schools and the canvassing work. He stated that last year our agents had sold nearly $10,000 worth of books in the European field.

Resolutions were adopted acknowledging the hand of God in carrying forward the work, and pledging the members of the Conference to renewed zeal in disseminating the truth. The officers of the various Conferences were urged to provide for instruction at our camp-meetings relative to church discipline, and the duties of church officers. It was also recommended that Sabbath-school, church, and missionary officers meet together at least once a month for prayer and counsel. The principles of the American Health and Temperance Association were heartily indorsed, and the following resolution was unanimously passed:—

Resolved, That while we pledge ourselves to labor earnestly and zealously for the prohibition of the liquor traffic, we hereby utter an earnest protest against connecting with the temperance movement any legislation which discriminates in favor of any religious class or institution, or which tends to the infringement of anybody's religious liberty, and that we cannot sustain or encourage any temperance party or any other organization which indorses or favors such legislation.

It was advised that suitable young persons be encouraged to attend the Sanitarium Training School, as a knowledge of how to care for the sick renders missionary laborers more efficient.

The work of the National Reform Association was also discussed, and the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:—

WHEREAS, We see in the fast increasing strength and influence of the National Reform party a menace to religious freedom in this country, and also a proof of the correctness of our positions; and WHEREAS, Many are not aware of the results which will follow when this party shall secure its aims; therefore, Resolved, That we will awake to the importance of this question, and will put forth greater exertions to scatter the light of Bible truth upon it by circulating the American Sentinel and other literature of a similar nature.

Further Resolved, That we believe it to be the solemn duty of our ministers and laborers to qualify themselves to present the correct views of the relationship between religion and the State in their labors everywhere.

WHEREAS, Many have not the books of reference necessary to obtain full information on the subject of National Reform and, WHEREAS, We deem the instruction given on this subject by Elder A. T. Jones very important; therefore, Resolved, That we request that the same, or the principal part of it, be furnished in pamphlet form.

The action of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, in establishing a branch office in New York City, was heartily approved, as was also the proposal of the Review and Herald to establish branch offices in London, Chicago, Toronto, and in some Southern city.

It was advised that a ship mission be established at Hamburg. It was also recommended that the General Conference Daily Bulletin be published at every session of the Conference, and that it be of a size sufficient to admit the insertion not only of a full account of all the business meetings, but also of an outline of the principal sermons preached, and the general instruction given.

The Conference expressed its appreciation of the generous action of Brother Burgess in providing a vessel to enable Brother Cudney to reach the islands of the Pacific.

Recommendations of the Committee on Finances were adopted, to the effect that December 15-22 be set apart by our churches as

a week of prayer, and that December 19 and 20 be appointed as days of humiliation, fasting and prayer, that God may raise up laborers, and sustain those already in the field; and that December 22 be observed as a day of thanksgiving to God for blessings received during the past year, and that praise services be held on this day in all our churches. It was also advised that articles and Bible readings be prepared to be read in the churches, setting forth the wants of the foreign mission fields, and the duties and dangers of the present time. It was recommended that a committee be appointed to arrange a program for Christmas exercises, and that on Monday, December 24, or on Christmas-day, the people assemble in their respective churches to demonstrate their interest in the cause of God by liberal donations to the foreign missions.

It was advised that the recommendation passed by the last General Conference in regard to first-day offerings be more fully carried out. Also that a series of lessons, presenting the principles of love and sacrifice as exemplified in the life of Christ and his followers, and presenting the Bible plan of supporting the ministry, be issued as speedily as possible.

It was urged that all ministers and Conference laborers become informed in regard to the work in foreign fields, in order to be able to present it properly before the people, and that they become so familiar with the details of Sabbath-school and missionary work that they may be qualified to instruct others.

A resolution passed by the California Conference, requesting that a delegation be appointed to appear before the Senate Committee on Education and Labor, at the next session of Congress, and in the interests of religious liberty, to use every reasonable effort to secure the defeat of the Blair Bill, was referred to the General Conference Committee.

The Committee on Distribution of Labor presented the following recommendations:

That J. W. Bagby of Kansas go to North Carolina, and make that his field of labor.
That T. H. Gibbs of Louisiana labor in the Nebraska Conference.
That J. M. Rees of Tennessee make Indiana his field of labor.
That R. S. Donnell go to Tennessee to take the place made vacant by Brother Rees, and to take the oversight of the work in Kentucky.
That S. H. Lane of Georgia go to New York and labor in that Conference.
That M. J. Huffman of Virginia occupy the field made vacant by Brother Lane.
That B. F. Purdham of Indiana make Louisiana his field of labor.
That G. H. Rogers of Illinois labor in the Upper Columbia Conference.
That W. B. Hill of Minnesota go to Iowa and labor in that State.
That W. A. Colcord of Iowa go to Battle Creek to connect with the Review and Herald office.
That H. R. Johnson of Iowa return to Wisconsin and make that his field of labor.
That O. A. Johnson of Montana attend Elder Matteson's training school in Chicago, and then make Iowa his field, and labor exclusively in the Scandinavian language.
That John Covert of Indiana connect with the Michigan Conference and labor in that field.
That C. W. Flaize of Kentucky make Minnesota his field of labor.
That in harmony with the request of J. H. Durland, we recommend him to return to this country and labor in Ontario, under the direction of the Michigan Conference.

That E. W. Whitney make Great Britain his field of labor as soon as he can be spared from the work in Basel.
That H. M. Kenyon of Michigan labor in the Kansas Conference.
That S. J. Shrock go to Germany to labor in that country.
That L. R. Conradi spend several months in this country, holding institutes for the instruction of German canvassers and workers.
That D. H. Oberholtzer of Indiana go to Pennsylvania to labor among the Germans.
That John I. Gibson of California go to London as book-keeper, and to assist in the management of the office.
That R. F. Andrews labor in Indiana.
That M. B. Miller of Michigan take charge of the work in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
That W. S. Hyatt of Wisconsin go to Texas to take the presidency of the Conference and Tract and Missionary Society.
That O. C. Godsmark of Georgia make Illinois his field of labor.
That C. P. Haskell of Colorado labor in the Kansas Conference.
That E. P. Auger of Central Europe return to this country to labor in the French canvassing field.
That D. T. Bourdeau go to Canada to labor among the French, under the direction of the Michigan Conference.
That the Pennsylvania Conference take charge of the work in New Jersey.
That A. T. Jones, if the way opens to do so, visit Boston, Chicago and other points, where local Conferences secure suitable places to reach the masses of the people, and present the subject of religious liberty.
That R. A. Hart return to Norway to assist Eld. O. A. Olsen in the management of the Scandinavian printing house.
That B. M. Shull of Wisconsin spend six months at the Review and Herald office, learning what he can, and then go to Norway to labor in the publishing house.
That Rasmus Peterson of Minnesota go to the Review and Herald office to learn the book-binder's trade, with a view of going to Christiana to work in the printing office.
That M. C. Wilcox of New York go to the Signs office to assist in editing the Signs of the Times.
That J. W. Scoles go to Oakland and connect with the Signs office.
That May Taylor of Central Europe go to England to labor in Bible work.
That Elder J. F. Hanson attend the training school in Chicago, then to go to Denmark to labor in the great Scandinavian field.
That the canvassing company in Iowa, composed of the following named persons: M. W. Lewis and wife, Arthur Herr, N. P. Long, Willis Adams, Lewis Sturr, and Laura Farris, make Maryland and Delaware their field of labor during the coming year, beginning work in the city of Baltimore; and that M. W. Lewis act as State agent.
That S. F. Reader and E. Robb, with their wives, remove from Kansas to West Virginia, there to engage in the canvassing work, S. F. Reader to act as State agent.
That C. D. Wolf and wife, and J. E. Frazee, of Kansas remove to North Carolina to engage in the canvassing work, C. D. Wolf to act as State agent.
That A. F. Harrison and wife, J. B. Thayer, Thomas Stewart, Benjamin Hensley, and Moses Edwards remove from Kansas to Louisiana, there to engage in the canvassing work; A. F. Harrison to act as leader of the company; that I. L. Reynolds and wife and Geo. Winn of New Orleans connect with this company.
That Chas. F. Curtiss devote his entire time to the canvassing work, acting as State agent for Georgia and Florida; and that Chas. E. Giles and Wm. Fenner of Michigan, and Luther Harmon of Indiana, make Georgia and Florida their field of labor.
That J. H. Dortch devote his entire time to the interests of the canvassing work in Tennessee.
That the Indian Territory be given to Kansas as a canvassing field.
That Wm. Arnold return to Great Britain in the early spring.

South Carolina was added to the Florida and Georgia field. The following named persons were elected officers of the Conference for the ensuing year: President, O. A. Olsen; Secretary, U. Smith; Corresponding Secretary, W. H. Edwards; Home Missionary Secretary, Geo. B. Starr; Foreign Missionary Secretary, W. C. White; Educational Secretary, W. W. Prescott; Treasurer, Harmon Lindsay.

Executive Committee—O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, U. Smith, W. W. Prescott, W. C. White, E. W. Farnsworth, R. M. Kilgore.

Book Committee—W. C. White, U. Smith, R. M. Kilgore, W. W. Prescott, A. T. Jones, E. M. Morrison, C. Eldridge, J. H. Kellogg, E. W. Farnsworth, J. G. Matteson, F. E. Belden, A. T. Robinson, C. H. Jones.

General Conference Association—Geo. I. Butler, U. Smith, A. R. Henry, W. H. Edwards, Harmon Lindsay.

Labor Bureau—A. R. Henry, C. Eldridge, H. W. Kellogg.

The Missionary.

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.*

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.