p. 15 | Our First Interschool Foreign Mission Band Meeting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 4, 1913

Our First Interschool Foreign Mission Band Meeting

By L. L. Caviness

At the last General Conference our first interschool foreign mission band meeting occurred. The band at Union College had led out by writing to the other schools and asking them to have representatives at the General Conference. A meeting was called May 21, with representatives present from four of our five colleges and from all our foreign seminaries,—Pacific Union, Walla Walla, Union, and Mount Vernon Colleges; German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish Seminaries. The various schools reported the condition of the foreign mission interests in their own student body, as well as their plans for the future. After an interesting discussion, committees were appointed on organization, and on courses of study.

A second meeting was held May 29, at which time Emmanuel Missionary College and South Lancaster and Keene Academies were also represented. The committees reported, and the following reports were adopted:—

Plans for Organization

"1. That all our advanced schools be encouraged to form foreign mission bands.

"2. That each band have a written constitution, and that the membership be on the double basis of active and associate members.

"3. That there be a purpose pledge card for the signature of the active members.

"4. That the associate members consist of those who faithfully follow the course of study outlined for the band.

"5. That there be an interband secretary, to whom the band secretaries shall report, at least, twice a year, the report to include names of active members, age, extent of education, preferred field, and preferred line of work.

"6. That to cover local and general expense of missionary correspondence and membership blanks, active members pay an annual fee of twenty-five cents, ten per cent of which shall be sent to the interband secretary.

"7. That the interband secretary be chosen at the time of each General Conference by a meeting of such active members of different bands as may be present.

"8. That each band be asked to keep in touch by correspondence with those foreign missionaries who have gone out from their school, and that these be considered honorary members of their respective school bands.

Course of Study

"Whereas, There is a need for graded courses of study for the foreign mission bands, your committee presents the following three courses:—

"1. An introductory course on missionary geography and biography, spending one month on each country, dividing the time between the geography and biography, the first week being given to geography.

"Suggestive texts:—

"a. 'Winners of the World,' by Gardner.

"b. 'Advance Guard of Missions.'

"c. 'Effective Workers.'

"NOTE.—Students having had 'History of Missions' may begin with the second year's course, if so desired.

"2. A second year's course on the missionary and his problems.

"Suggestive texts:—

" 'Foreign Missionary,' by Brown.

" 'Supplementary reading.'

"3. A third year's course, consisting of detailed study of special fields.

"Suggestive texts:—

" 'Student Volunteer Movement sets, $5.

"NOTE.—Each group formed shall

study one particular field for the entire year."

At this meeting the writer was chosen interband secretary, and a collection of five dollars was taken up to purchase a record book and for other necessary general expenses. Also a committee was appointed to draw up our plans and present them to the General Conference Educational Department. This was done and the plans were approved by the department, with a pledge of their moral support. It now lies with the students of all our advanced schools to do their share during the coming school year. May the Lord greatly increase the number of those definitely planning and preparing to "go to the front." It is not too soon to plan, even though your preparation may mean several years yet in school, and some experience in the home field.

L. L. CAVINESS.