INTERNATIONAL SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
THIS meeting was held in Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 29, at 2:30 P. M. After the opening exercises and the secretary's report of the previous meeting, E. J. Waggoner said that the change that was made in the Constitution at the previous meeting necessitated still another. He thereupon moved that Article V, Section I, be amended by striking out all that matter relating to the duties of Treasurer. That a new section be added to this article, to be numbered Article III, and to read as follows: Section III. The duties of the Treasurer of this Association shall be to receive and hold all moneys belonging to the Association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the Association or the Executive Board may direct, through the written order of the President. The motion was carried.
The Committee on Resolutions then made the following report:— 1. Resolved, That we recognize the blessing of God in the prosperity that has attended the Sabbath-school work during the past year, both in the line of the organization of new schools and associations, and in the increased interest on the part of those previously engaged in the work; further, 2. Resolved, That this blessing shall be received by us only as an incentive and an encouragement to greater consecration to the work. WHEREAS, The sole object of the Sabbath-school should be to lead souls to Christ, and no one can lead another in a way which he himself does not know; therefore, 3. Resolved, That we again recognize and emphasize the necessity of having converted teachers in the Sabbath-school. WHEREAS, The formation of new schools rests largely in the hands of the ministers, and the instruction given at the time when the school is organized has much to do in shaping its future course; therefore, 4. Resolved, That we urge all who labor in the field to become thoroughly and practically familiar with all branches of Sabbath-school work; and further, 5. Resolved, That we request the officers of the various Conferences to insist that such knowledge shall be a necessary qualification of those whom they send out to labor in the ministry. WHEREAS, The experience of the past has shown that our Sabbath-schools have made the most progress when a systematic correspondence has been kept up with them by the officers of the Association; 6. Resolved, That, while we would most earnestly encourage personal work by the officers to as great an extent as possible, we express it as our belief that nothing can take the place of regular correspondence, and that we urge the State Secretaries to keep in constant communication with all the schools in their respective associations, so that they may know the exact standing of each, and be enabled to give the instruction that is needed; and further,699 7. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Association, that when a State Association has secured a competent secretary, she should be encouraged to devote her entire time to this work. 8. Resolved, That the International Association send a representative to each State camp-meeting, to direct and aid in giving instruction to officers and teachers, and to counsel with the State officers concerning the best means to advance the Sabbath-school work in the State. WHEREAS, The officers of the Association need a medium of communication whereby they may give instruction to the officers and teachers of the Sabbath-schools throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, This medium needs to be in a form convenient for reference, and separate from matter that is designed for general circulation; 9. Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to revive the Sabbath-School Worker, as a quarterly, in such form as they may think best. 10. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to issue the Senior Lesson Pamphlet in such form that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket. 11. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to furnish, and the Review and Herald Office to publish in the Instructor, a continued series of children's lessons in place of the lessons for the senior division. 12. Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to have a series of lessons prepared upon the subject of tithes and offerings, to begin in July, 1889. 13. Resolved, That we request the preparation of lessons upon Health and Temperance, to be used as soon as practicable. WHEREAS, The General Conference has voted to buy and use for missionary purposes, if found to be suitable, the ship in which Brethren Cudney and Tay sailed for Pitcairn Island; and
WHEREAS, The work which has been begun in Russia, and which has prospered in the face of the greatest difficulties, is much crippled for lack of means; therefore, 14. Resolved, That we recommend that all our Sabbath-schools throughout the world devote their missionary contributions for the first quarter of 1889 to the purchase of the above-mentioned ship; that the contributions for the second quarter be given to the Russian Mission; and that the contributions for the remaining half of the year be devoted to the establishment of a city mission in Hamburg, Germany; and further, 15. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to prepare, as soon as possible, a statement containing as much information as can be secured concerning the Missionary Ship, and also interesting items relating to the situation and work in Russia and Hamburg, which shall be sent to all the schools, in order to make more real to the pupils the objects for which they contribute. It was moved by Brother V. H. Lucas that the resolutions be adopted by acting upon them separately. Carried. The first and second ones were, without comment, unanimously adopted. The third resolution called forth some interesting remarks by E. J. Waggoner and others, and was unanimously adopted. Quite a number entered heartily into the discussion of resolutions 4 and 5; and at the close of the discussion the motion to adopt these two resolutions was then carried. Several ministers expressed themselves as heartily in favor of resolutions 6 and 7. They thought that letters should be written, not only to the organized schools belonging to the Associations, but also to the families of lonely Sabbath keepers, and to the isolated schools which belong to no Association. They said that it would also be a great encouragement to the ministers to receive letters once in a while, containing hints and suggestions about the Sabbath-school work, and copies of all the circulars sent to the schools. They could then keep up with the work and know how to start their new schools in harmony with the most approved methods. The resolutions were adopted. Several said they thought that the different States would very much appreciate the help promised in resolution 3. It was adopted by a unanimous vote. On resolution 9, Captain Eldridge asked why it was necessary to make any change in the Worker. The president showed that it is very important for the officers of the Association to have a medium of communication; that there are a great many things which they wish to say to the officers and teachers which they do not wish to say to all the school, and which it is to the advantage of the teachers that the schools do not read; and that it needs to be printed in a form that may be preserved in a convenient size for future reference. The motion to adopt was carried without a dissenting voice. Resolution 10 was adopted, and pending discussion of No. 11 the meeting adjourned to call of chair. This meeting was held Thursday, November 1, at 9 A. M. Hymn 1198 was sung, and prayer was offered by Elder Geo. Starr. After the secretary's report, resolution 11 was again brought up for discussion. M. B. Miller wished to know more about the lessons that they proposed putting in the Instructor. The president said that as but a small part of the series was written he could not tell exactly what they would be, but as was voted last year it was intended to be a series on the Old and New Testaments, a little like our old question books, only introducing Christ sooner, and oftener, and leaving out some things that were unnecessary, the first lessons being adapted to still younger children than the books. The question was asked, "Will all grades of children study these lessons in the Instructor?" The president said that those with whom he had consulted thought it would be best for those studying the books to remain in them until the series becomes advanced far enough to fit their age and capabilities. Brother Lindsey asked what those schools would do that were organized after the series had been running awhile in the Instructor. Brother Jones answered that they would have to take up the lessons right where they were, or else use the question books until the new series is printed in book form. Several spoke about having the Youth's Instructor made into a children's paper. The president said that there had been a call for a paper adapted for little children, from all parts of the field, and he thought perhaps the Instructor might be changed so as to meet this want. Brother Belden said, "I am heartily in favor of having this change made. I believe that the publishers of the Instructor will be glad to receive any suggestions, and to make any change that will be for the good of the children." Brother M. B. Miller said, "We need the child's paper, and if possible arranged so that it will come a little cheaper. We are trying to do missionary work with it, and use it in organizing Sunday-schools, etc., so it ought to be adapted to that, and then we could get it a wide circulation." Resolution 11 was then adopted. Resolutions 12 and 13 were adopted without comment. On resolutions 14 and 15 Brother Frank Starr asked if it would not be well, since the greater part of the contributions is going to the proposed Hamburg Mission, to have Hamburg mentioned in the preamble. Brother M. H. Brown moved that a clause be inserted in the preamble referring to the mission to be established in Hamburg. Carried. The resolution as amended was then adopted. The president said, "I trust that you will all try to properly represent the importance of this one when you go home to your schools. We intend also to have all of these resolutions printed and sent to each school." In answer to a question, he said that the contributions and reports for the quarter ending December 31, 1888, would be sent to Oakland, California, instead of to Battle Creek, Michigan. The following resolution was offered and unanimously adopted:—
WHEREAS, There is an urgent call from all parts of the field for a paper devoted wholly to the interests of the children, therefore,
Resolved, That we request the Review and Herald to adapt their excellent paper, the Youth's Instructor, to meet this want. The rest of the meeting was taken up in answering questions which had been found in the question-box. Meeting then adjourned to call of chair.
C. H. JONES, President.
JESSIE F. WAGGONER, Secretary pro tem.