p. 29 | GENERAL CONFERENCES by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 24, 1862

GENERAL CONFERENCES.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

BRO. WHITE :—I wish to agitate a subject that has been much on my mind, especially for a few months past. I refer to General Conferences. This subject was introduced in the conference address of 1861, (spring conference,) which was endorsed by the Brn. generally, but this part of it has been suffered to pass out of notice. I do not believe that we shall ever fully realize the benefits of organization till this matter is acted upon. The necessity of such action has been very apparent in making arrangements for this season. Let me give my own experience in the matter.

Last spring I received urgent calls from Ohio and Iowa. I could give no reply to Ohio, as Bro. Cornell had received calls from Ohio and New York. He had given a conditional promise to Ohio, which left me in suspense. The action of the Northern Iowa Conference did not commend itself, and the management of Southern Iowa was left, to a great extent, in inexperienced hands. I could see no probability of two tents running in Iowa. It was evident to my mind that other arrangements, such as have recently been made, would have to be made, but that which should have been deliberately effected two months ago, is now hastily done after the tent season has properly commenced.

Every one can see at a glance that such a state of things greatly cripples us, and if a remedy can be applied, it should be done immediately. The remedy is in co-operation. If every conference or State had its own laborers, the case would be somewhat different; but while there exists the necessity for one State or conference to call upon another for laborers, steps must be taken to shut out this confusion. Without urging the matter further, I propose the following plan:

That a General Conference be appointed to convene at or near the time of the annual meeting of the Publishing Association. That every conference of Seventh-day Adventists send a delegate or delegates to the General Conference; and that a General Conference Committee be appointed, with whom the State conferences may correspond, and through whom they shall present their requests for laborers.

This may answer to begin with. If any have better suggestions to make I shall cheerfully co-incide with them. Who feels interested in this matter?

J. H. WAGGONER.