General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists
Washington, D. C. May 22, 1905. To His Excellency President Roosevelt:- The world's Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists is now in session, at Takoma Park in this city. From this body we have the honor of being a deputation chosen to extend to you the greetings of our people. While our Saviour is the King of kings and Lord of Lords, still, as Christians, we recognize that Civil Government is of Divine ordinance; and, while, in accordance with His command we render to God the things that are God's, we also, according to the same command, cheerfully render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's. As Protestants, we believe in the American idea of Civil Government. The principles upon which this national government was founded are our principles. We therefore honor the names of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, and others of your predecessors who stood for the great principles of Civil and Religious Liberty, and approve your own position on the side of the rights of the people. We wish you long life, and success in all that makes for the glory of God and for the peace and prosperity of this nation and of the world. Patriarchs and Prophets, Daniel and the Revelation, and Great Controversy
As to the present importance of these three books we quote the following, written by Mrs. E. G. White, Jan. 16, 1905:—
“Instruction has been given me that the important books containing the light that God has given regarding Satan’s apostasy in heaven, should be given wide circulation just now; for through them the truth will reach many minds. ‘Patriarchs and Prophets,’ ‘Daniel and the Revelation’ and ‘Great Controversy’ are needed now as never before. They should be widely circulated because the truths they emphasize will open many blind eyes. Many of our people have been blind to the importance of the very books that were most needed. Had tact and skill been shown in the sale of these books, the Sunday law would not be where it is to-day.” The following brief description of these three books containing special light due the world at this particular time will aid our readers to recognize the importance of these books as mentioned in the Testimony quoted above:— A commentary on the principal Bible subjects from Adam to the death of David, including an exhaustive study of the sanctuary and its services, the exodus, the law, the giving of the manna, the Sabbath, etc. The life of each of the patriarchs from Adam to King David is thrillingly portrayed; and from each a lesson is drawn, pointing out the consequences of sin, and bringing vividly to mind Satan’s studied plan for the overthrow of the race. It traces the great conflict between good and evil from its inception down through the centuries to the time of David’s death, and reveals God’s wonderful love for mankind by his dealings with “holy men of old.” The book is written in plain, simple style, yet in such a manner as to stir the soul of the reader, and awaken the emotions of the mind. The work contains 760 large octavo pages. Thoroughly illustrated with beautiful engravings, more than half of which are full page. Cloth binding, gilt, $2.50; full morocco, gilt, $4.50. The work is also issued in the Danish, Swedish, German, and Dutch languages at the same prices. A valuable work upon the great controversy between Christ and Satan during the Christian dispensation. It is a companion volume to “Patriarchs and Prophets.” The book contains the most intensely interesting history that has ever been written on the great conflict between Christianity and the powers of darkness as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers, on the other. Beginning with our Lord’s great prophecy given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, this book outlines the history of the whole dispensation down to the time of the end, when God’s entire universe is clean, and the great controversy is forever ended. The work contains 700 pages, and is appropriately illustrated, handsomely printed, and bound in the following styles: cloth, marbled edges, $2.25; cloth, gilt edges, $2.75; library, marbled edges, $3; half morocco, gilt edges, $4.50. Published also in Danish, Swedish, German, and French at the above prices. Daniel and the Revelation
“Daniel and the Revelation” is a verse-by-verse study of the prophecies recorded in the books of Daniel and the Revelation of the Bible. These books of the Bible have been considered difficult to understand; but this book is a key which makes plain what was before dark and obscure. It follows the correct rule of interpretation, which has guided every reformer in the past from darkness to light. The field of history is carefully scanned, and the emphatic response it gives in thrilling confirmation of the voice of prophecy is shown to be clear and beyond dispute. A prophecy fulfilled is a most powerful antidote against skepticism. The book of Daniel reveals many prophecies fulfilled, and cites others still future. It also gives scenes of the most startling nature which are yet future, and should be understood. The book contains 757 octavo pages, exclusive of sixty-six full-page illustrations. It is beautifully and substantially bound in the following styles: cloth, marbled edges, $2.25; cloth, gilt edges, $2.75; library, marbled edges, $3; full morocco, gilt edges, $4.50. The new edition of “The Empires of the Bible,” “Great Empires of Prophecy,” and “Ecclesiastical Empire” is now ready. This new edition is printed on better paper, and bound in uniform binding, so that the three volumes now form a neat and most valuable set. “The Empires of the Bible” traces the history from the origin of nations to the captivity of Judah, and carefully reveals the causes of the rise and the fall of these early peoples. The Biblical records, together with secular history and modern research, establish the manner of the development of the great empires of Egypt and Assyria, and the founding of the races from which the great nations of later times developed. The reader is greatly assisted in the study of this work by the twenty-one colored maps made especially for this book. There are 410 large pages. Bound substantially in cloth. Price, $1.50, post-paid. The Great Empires of Prophecy
“The Great Empires of Prophecy” is a history of the great nations of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. Gleanings of the most important and interesting histories are herein compiled, to set forth the real influences that caused the prosperity and the decay of each of these great nations. On account of the great number of noted historians quoted in this work, it might be appropriately termed a cyclopedia of history, and a ready book of reference. It contains 712 pages and 22 full-page colored maps. Nicely bound in cloth. Price, $2, post-paid. “Ecclesiastical Empire” contains the account of all the principal events that have affected the civil governments and tended to the establishment of ecclesiastical authority, from the time of the fall of Rome to the publishing of this book. It contains a good history of the Reformation, a compendium of the principles of true Christianity, the reason for our national apostasy, and a full treatise upon the union of church and state. This book contains 874 pages. Substantially bound in cloth. Price, $2.50, post-paid. This series contains 1,996 pages of the most important historical matter, especially prepared and condensed for the use of those who do not have access to the original histories, and who have not the time to search out these facts had they the books. The combined price of the full set of these volumes is only $6, post-paid. ONE of the best books for workers to use in missionary work is “Education,” by Mrs. E. G. White. This book has been published to meet a great need in the proper education of all classes in the essential and practical duties of life. Its aim is to aid in securing life’s greatest benefits, development, and joy in service here, and a more complete fitness for that higher service open to every human being in the school of the hereafter. It reveals the right way to the youth, the parent, the teacher, and all professional and business classes, and warns them of the dark and treacherous theories that lead to destruction. It is profusely illustrated, and beautifully bound in three-colored cover design, and contains over 300 pages of the most important information ever published upon the true principles of cultured life. The following are some of the subjects treated, which practically reveal the comprehensiveness of the work: Lessons on Life, Mental and Spiritual Culture, Science and the Bible, Business Principles and Methods, Bible Biographies, Poetry and Song, Mysteries of the Bible, Study of Physiology, Temperance, Dietetics, Deportment, Relation of Dress to Education, Faith and Prayer, The Life Work, Discipline, The School of the Hereafter. This valuable work has been dedicated to our educational institutions, and every copy sold will help to release our schools from debt, and to place them upon a self-sustaining basis. Order of Review & Herald, Washington, D. C.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Assn., Nashville, Tenn.; or your State Tract Society. An Interpretation of the Conference
By G. B. THOMPSON
As the conference proceeds with its daily work, the thought which impresses us most is the definite purpose and aim to which the entire proceedings are devoted. Here is a large body of men, gathered from all parts of the United States, and from all the principal countries of the world, studying and forming plans,—for what? With an unshaken faith they are deliberately and carefully planning to finish a work which means the end of the world, with all that this comprehends, in this generation. This is the theme toward which the entire deliberations of this world's conference are devoted. Every note which has been sounded thus far in the meetings has testified of an unwavering faith in the belief that in fulfilment of prophecy this whole movement is in the earth to proclaim to every nation, kindred, and tongue that the Son of man is soon to come, and with a fixed determination plans are laid accordingly. This thought impresses us much. There has been no such movement since the creation of Adam, God has had special movements in different ages in the work of the gospel, but never since the fall of man has there been such a movement as this. The time has come when the Lord purposes to bring an end to sin, and usher in the long-hoped-for period of everlasting righteousness, and the people necessary to fulfil the prophetic announcement of this sublime consummation are in the earth. Such a gathering as we see here is in itself an infallible proof that the end will quickly come. The same unity which characterized the opening of the meeting continues. There is no time wasted in needless discussion, or wrangling over plans. As a result, the deliberations of the conference are carried forward with dispatch. The reports from the various departments, and from the fields in general, have been a strong factor of the meeting, and all have been intensely interesting. The departmental work of the conference has been more fully systematized and developed, and placed on a firmer and more substantial basis than ever before. Advanced steps were taken to place the medical branch of this work on the same basis as the other departmental lines of the work. This was given the most careful and prayerful consideration, both by large subcommittees and in the open conference, and in all the steps taken great harmony of action has prevailed. There can be no question but that the work of this department will develop very rapidly, and fill an important place in the work of the message in the future. Special emphasis was given to the advisability of this step made in the interests of the more complete unification of the work, by a talk given by Sister White the same day, concerning the union which exists between all parts of the work. We were strongly urged not to remove the coupling-pin, and separate this branch of the message from other parts of the great work given us to do in the earth. THIS conference has definitely settled quite a number of questions. Some of these decisions have been embodied in formal actions taken by the delegates, while other decisions have not been recorded in the minutes of any meeting, but are indicated rather by the absence from the minutes of names and a class of resolutions which have generally been given quite a prominent place at past gatherings of this kind. Among other things it is clear that the delegates to this conference do not look with favor upon any phase of the so-called “New Theology,” which is making such havoc in the different evangelical denominations, and that their confidence is in the original message, and in the original work committed to this people. This does not shut out any increase of the true light, neither does it prohibit any legitimate growth and expansion of the fundamental doctrines, but it does forbid the acceptance of such interpretations of old truths as will make it impossible to distinguish between substance and shadow, or such an application of the resources and energies of this denomination to a single phase of its work as will make it practically impossible for it to do its whole work in any satisfactory manner. This conference has acted upon the basis that principles are greater than men, and has demonstrated that the confidence of this people is in principles rather than in men. This attitude brings fresh hope, and inspires renewed courage in the hearts of some whose fears have at times almost overwhelmed them. We can face the future with confidence. This message will not be corrupted by false teaching. This advent platform is built upon a solid foundation, and it will not be overthrown. There is sufficient power in this advent movement so that it is able to free itself from those influences which have permanently fastened themselves upon the other denominations. The third angel’s message will preserve its original individuality, and the definite work of preparing a people for the coming of the Lord in this generation will continue to be the aim of this movement. Some questions have been settled at this conference. TUESDAY of last week was devoted to the consideration of the medical missionary phase of this message, and matters of interest relating to the organization and the administration of this part of the work were brought to the attention of the delegates, in addition to interesting and instructive papers by different physicians, and a talk by Sister White. In harmony with recommendations already adopted by the council of medical workers, the conference by its action provided for the formation of a medical department of the General Conference on the same general basis as the other departments which have already been in successful operation. This is an important step in the right direction. We believe that it promises a unity which has been lacking in the past, and that the efficiency of the general medical missionary work of the denomination will be greatly increased. The head of this department will be a member of the General Conference committee, and the committee will heartily co-operate in the plans and efforts for the upbuilding of this branch of the work. The conference has done well to complete its general plan of organization by placing the medical missionary work upon the same basis as its other lines of work.