Earlier text: Thy Light Is ComeMedical Missionary Department
Fifth Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
Dr. A. C. Selmon in the chair. The topic, “How Shall Our Medical Students Receive Training in Sanitarium Methods?” was introduced by a paper read by Dr. Orville Rockwell. He referred to the importance of thorough training in sanitarium methods in connection with our institutions, and raised the query, Should this special course be taken before or after the medical course? His observation was that the early impressions are deepest, and that one thoroughly trained in drug methods does not afterward easily gain full confidence in physiological methods. The doctor suggested, as a practical solution of this question, summer courses of instruction for medical students at some of our leading institutions. Dr. A. C. Selmon suggested the intern system for graduate students, allowing graduates to enter our sanitariums as internes. Dr. Lauretta Kress seconded this suggestion, emphasizing the importance of such experience for the newly graduated physician. Dr. A. B. Olsen recommended one year’s preliminary nurses’ work in a good sanitarium, with less domestic work than the usual nurses’ course calls for, and attendance on the two senior classes. The proper time to make impressions is before the prospective physician begins his medical course. Such should learn to give treatment. Practise should accompany theory. Dr. R. M. Clarke, who finished a university medical course, told how those who have not had a thorough training in hydrotherapy have to fall back on drugs because of their insufficient knowledge of the beneficial results of water treatment. He thought that in many colleges a chair in hydrotherapy would gladly be maintained if an efficient teacher were available. Dr. W. A. Ruble said that this question presents a problem to be solved at this Conference if our work is to make the progress it should. He thought that each physician taking a course in an ordinary medical college should spend his summers in gaining a knowledge of hydrotherapy. This would not be sufficient, but would be a partial solution to the problem. If necessary, such students should have financial assistance from the conference. They must go into the bath-room, and give the treatments, or they can not prescribe them intelligently. Dr. A. A. John suggested turning one of our present educational institutions into a medical school for the training of gospel medical missionary evangelists. Dr. Lucinda Marsh said that physicians without thorough training in hydrotherapy are unable properly to train nurses for this work. Brother L. A. Hansen spoke of the principles of rational therapeutics which have come to us as a special blessing from the Lord. For those unable to take institutional training, knowledge can be gained to a practical extent by reading and a personal study of the instruction now available. Dr. D. H. Kress believed that our young physicians who have not had this training should connect with a sanitarium for a year or longer, and be willing to go into the treatment-room and see results accomplished as a result of their own efforts. Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The discussion on how our medical workers shall secure experience in sanitarium methods was continued. Recommendations were suggested that those intending to take a medical course be advised to precede it by a year’s work in one of our sanitariums; also that those who have recently graduated without such training be recommended to spend at least six months in practising these methods in one of our larger sanitariums. Objection was made that too heavy requirements should not be made of medical students by giving them unnecessary work. To this Dr. R. H. Habenicht replied that the aim of the committee had been to suggest only those things which experience has shown to be absolutely essential to the person intending to take control of a sanitarium. L. A. Hansen favored making such training in sanitarium methods a requirement, because the physicians employed in our sanitariums are expected to have a thorough understanding of the methods of treatment which have distinguished our institutions. Dr. R. S. Ingersoll, recently from India, emphasized the importance of physicians who go to foreign lands being able to give the treatments as well as to prescribe them. He suggested that students devote not only a preliminary year to sanitarium work, but their summer vacations also. Dr. Charles Curtis, of Atlanta, Ga., had learned from early life to have great confidence in non-drug treatment, as his mother had always advocated pure water, pure air, good food, and a clear conscience. The successful treatment of more than eighty cases of typhoid fever by means of hydrotherapy without a single death, resulted in the establishment of a chair in hydrotherapy, diet, and hygiene in the oldest medical college in Georgia. Dr. D. H. Kress: I believe we should have a medical school, not to meet the worldly standard, but to do work in the lines indicated by the spirit of prophecy. Such a school may not receive worldly recognition. We have strong men and women who could go to the medical schools of the world, and in these, would be able to exert an influence for good, and come out fully qualified to meet any requirement. Dr. A. B. Olsen: We already have facilities for training two distinct classes that can do all the work required. I would deprecate two grades of physicians. Nurses can never know too much. I would not object to giving them a four years’ course, and let them go out as nurses. In this capacity they would in many places be far more valuable than physicians. Physicians would consult with these nurses regarding our methods of treatment where they might not if physicians were present. We should increase our nursing force. They do most essential work. They win the doctors and open doors. Our doctors should be minute-men, capable of answering a call to any field. We should be more careful in the selection of men for this work, and then give them a most efficient training. Seventh Meeting, May 21, 8 A. M.
The subject of “Uniformity in Curriculum and Text-books” was presented in a paper by Dr. Lucinda Marsh of the Wabash Valley (Indiana) Sanitarium. The paper suggested a full three years’ course in those sanitariums having the facilities for giving the advanced studies. Sanitariums not so fully equipped should attempt to give only a two years’ course, but to give this thoroughly; and then be so affiliated with some sanitarium giving a three years’ course that students can go to this latter institution and complete their work without loss of time. Dr. Lauretta Kress suggested, as a change desirable in the proposed curriculum, not less than 48 hours on “Daniel and the Revelation” given the first year. She would give more importance to the principles of health reform during the first year, and would devote more time to gymnastics, teaching the students especially to stand and sit correctly. Another topic to be given more attention was cooking. Dr. W. A. Ruble: I move that a committee be appointed to consider this curriculum, and recommend the same to the committee on plans and resolutions, said committee to consist of one representative from each of our sanitariums at this meeting. This motion was carried, and the following committee appointed: Dr. Lauretta Kress, Dr. A. B. Olsen, A. W. Semmens, Dr. Lucinda Marsh, Dr. W. E. Bliss, Dr. J. H. Neall, L. A. Hansen, Dr. J. R. Leadsworth, Dr. H. F. Rand, Dr. Orville Rockwell, Dr. A. C. Selmon, Dr. R. H. Habenicht. Elder Geo. B. Starr, of Australia, urged close contact between conferences and sanitariums, by which our nurses may be saved to the direct work. Eighth Meeting, May 23, 8 A. M.
The sanitarium gymnasium was crowded for the eighth meeting of this department. The topic for consideration was “Diet from the Bible and Testimony View-point.” Dr. Lydia Kynett Parmelee read a paper prepared by Dr. L. J. Otis. After this, a paper was read by A. W. Semmens. These papers referred to the original diet of man, given by God in Eden, and traced the successive occasions on which man fell away from this diet, and the reforms instituted by God to bring man back to a simple fare. In his paper on “Diet in the Light of the Testimonies,” Brother C. C. Crisler said, “In a brief presentation of the question of dietetics, as related to the teachings of Mrs. E. G. White, it is possible7to attempt merely an outline of underlying principles. . . . There has been an unfolding of these principles, not only in later instruction through the spirit of prophecy, but by means of study and research on the part of many scientists and conscientious men and women among the laity.” Among other generally understood facts, he enumerated that obedience to natural law must not be lost sight of by those who would be obedient to the law of God; that God has mercifully given his people the light of health reform as a means of escape from many physical dangers, as well as a means of spiritual help; that dietetic reform tends toward purity of mind and body, quickness of perception, clearness of thought, freedom from disease, spiritual insight, and growth in grace; that the principles of healthful living should be imparted freely to those who have not yet learned how to live aright; that dietetic reform is essentially progressive, and can seldom be brought about in a day, hence much patience must be exercised in teaching the people to provide a dietary that is wholesome and nourishing, as well as appetizing; that the Testimonies have urged a sensible rather than an extreme view on questions relating to the use and the non-use of certain articles of diet; and finally, that the instruction given in the Testimonies has a sound scientific basis. The soundness of the principles outlined in the Testimonies in the early days of the health reform movement among Seventh-day Adventists has in more recent years been abundantly confirmed by scientists and investigators of unquestioned authority. Elder W. C. White: The Scripture says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” Some persons teach diet from a Bible standpoint, some from the viewpoint of the Testimonies, still others from a scientific basis. Our teaching will be most forceful if we use all three, beginning with the Bible, following this with the teachings of science, and ending with instruction from the Testimonies. As presented in “Ministry of Healing,” these truths have been embodied in a form best adapted to the needs of the people. Dr. A. B. Olsen expressed deep interest in all three papers, and commended especially the paper by C. C. Crisler, because it deals in underlying principles without attempting to lay down hard and fast rules of diet. Ninth Meeting, May 24, 8 A. M.
Dr. A. B. Olsen read a paper entitled “Diet from a Scientific View-point.” After giving a brief summary of present knowledge relative to the chemical composition of foods, the doctor gave four reasons why we do not eat flesh food: (1) It is not necessary to take the life of animals; (2) there is a real and increasing danger from flesh food, owing to the fact that animal food is so generally diseased; (3) under the most favorable circumstances, meat from healthy animals, properly cared for, contains refuse which must be more or less deleterious to the system; (4) the vigorous lives of vegetarians and many endurance tests bear out the superiority of a non-meat diet. Milk, as delivered in our larger cities, is often the dirtiest food taken into the human stomach. If not known to be clean and wholesome, it should be Pasteurized or boiled. The objection to narcotics and stimulants is that they are not foods, that their only influence upon the body is that of poison. All artificial appetizers act as irritants, and disturb digestion. There is much more tendency to over-eat than to under-eat. Dr. J. R. Leadsworth: In order to counteract the putrefaction which readily occurs in the large intestine as a result of a meat diet, sour-milk products are being used freely; but it is doubtful whether the lactic acid from these products reaches the large intestine; the best remedy is a dietary consisting more of grains, paste foods, and rice, with fruits, eliminating meats. Dr. W. S. Sadler: It is useless to have good digestion and good assimilation unless the system is provided with enough oxygen, through proper breathing. Until people breathe sufficiently, so that the body is supplied with a proper amount of oxygen, these people will have indigestion and other disorders. One may have a good diet and good digestive powers, but without physical exercise, and the fresh air which this demands, he will continue to have indigestion and other similar disorders. Dr. Gardner told how infants suffering with indigestion resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygen have been quickly relieved by a proper supply of fresh air. Dr. David Paulson stated the fact, demonstrated by experiment, that a person engaged at hard mental labor requires no more food than a person doing no work at all. He recommended a very helpful book, “Scientific Nutrition Simplified,” by Dr. Brown, in which the results of recent discoveries along the line of digestion and nutrition are so presented as to be readily understood by the common people. Dr. D. H. Kress deplored the lack of attention to dietetics in medical schools. Experiments have shown that at least one-third less food, with proper mastication, is better for the body than the usual amount consumed in the way it is usually eaten. A mistake is made in using too much super-cooked food. Appetizing food should be selected. Even good foods should be relished, if we are to receive from them the benefit we should. E. C. Widgery (of British Guiana) related his own experience as a result of following out the statement of one of our foreign missionaries, that the foods natural to the different countries seem to be the best suited to people living in such countries. He had followed a vegetarian diet, using no milk, eggs, or butter, but using in their place, milk from the coconut, and other natural products of the country. His health had been much better than it was fourteen years earlier in the same country, when such a diet was not adhered to. Tenth Meeting, May 25, 8 A. M.
The time was occupied in a continuation of the discussion on diet. The digestibility of starch as a result of cooking was first emphasized, then the application of certain Bible texts to the question of a flesh diet was discussed. This discussion brought out that while the Bible gives the diet best suited to man’s needs, it also recognizes the necessity of using other foods when these are not obtainable, and that if a diet is chosen which man has been taught is not the best, God will still give to him the best methods in following the course of his own choice. Dr. Kress stated he attributed his success in teaching health principles to the fact that he adheres strictly to the teachings of the Bible along these lines. Dr. David Paulson said that Christ, in deciding the question of divorce, stated a fundamental principle that applies to diet. In the beginning it was not so, but because of the hardness of the hearts of the people, certain things were permitted. Dr. A. B. Olsen emphasized the danger of being too dogmatic in recommending certain foods, and the need of showing sufficient respect to the opinions of others. There is much in the old adage, “What is one man’s food is another man’s poison.” By being too extreme, we may harm the cause of health reform instead of helping it. “On the other hand,” he said, “I believe there are certain principles in regard to diet in which we can all agree, and stand shoulder to shoulder. In the matter of intoxicants, I believe we stand on the platform of total abstinence, also in the use of condiments, and of tea, coffee, and similar beverages, and in total abstinence from flesh as an article of food. After we have passed these things I feel that we should be modest in urging any particular dietary.” Religious Liberty Department
Fifth Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
AGAIN the interest in the meetings of this department was shown by the large attendance, over two hundred twenty-five being present to listen to the discussion of the question, “How to Meet the Rapidly Growing Encroachments of the Papacy.” Prof. B. G. Wilkinson led out in the discussion, presenting a stirring and intensely interesting paper on the subject. Few, he said, realize the rapid growth and spread of the principles of the papacy, or know the influence the Jesuits and their teachings are exerting in all countries, particularly in those hitherto strongly Protestant. He argued the necessity of all becoming acquainted with the true situation; of the designs of the papacy, and its utter and irrevocable hostility to the doctrine of the separation of church and state; and he advocated a reassertion of the true principles of Protestantism, and a wide-spread propagation of the gospel doctrine of religious liberty, and its necessary corollary, the separation of church and state. Elder Allen Moon followed, relating some interesting personal experiences which he had in connection with the representatives of the Catholic Church while engaged in religious liberty work in Washington some years ago. Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau occupied the remainder of the hour, showing the influence the Catholic Church has upon present-day literature, and the changes that have been made in school text-books in consequence of this influence. Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Elder E. A. Merrell, after which Mrs. W. A. Ruble sang a religious liberty song, the congregation joining in the chorus.8 By request, the subject discussed in the fourth meeting of the department, that of “Sunday Legislation and the Laboring Man,” was taken up for further consideration. The discussion was participated in by Brethren C. H. Edwards, R. A. Underwood, G. B. Thompson, W. M. Healey, F. Griggs, E. T. Russell, W. W. Prescott, and W. A. Colcord. The discussion again delved into the question of a one-day-in-seven rest-day law for the regulation of corporations, and, for a time, touching even the question of the propriety and rightfulness of laws closing saloons one day in seven. There was a free interchange of expression and opinion, and an evident desire to investigate the question in all its bearings as fully and as thoroughly as the time would permit, and thus arrive at the truth. The principle upon which the meetings of this department are conducted is manifestly that laid down by Macaulay: “Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly, as when they discuss it freely.” Seventh Meeting, May 21, 8 A. M.
After the opening devotional exercises and remarks by the chairman, J. S. Wightman read a paper on “The Importance of the Public Press in Teaching the Principles of Religious Liberty, and How to Use It.” He traced the history of printing from the earliest times to the present, and showed what a powerful factor the public press is in reaching the people and molding public opinion. He urged making large use of this means of disseminating the principles of religious liberty, giving examples from experience of the effective use of the press in reaching large numbers. S. B. Horton followed with a carefully prepared paper, in which he stated that this is a reading age. We have a great work committed to us. We are, so to speak, a corps of publishers. There will doubtless be found in the kingdom of God many who received the first rays of light from the public press. Elder C. H. Keslake drew a lesson from God’s instruction to the seer of Patmos, “What thou seest, write.” It would seem that God had prepared the public press of to-day especially with a view to publishing this last closing message. Many of our people, he said, might become useful in this work if they would only prepare themselves for it; especially should the students in our schools receive instruction upon this subject. The chairman emphasized the advantages of the public press, as well as its dangers, in consequence of articles carelessly written or improperly prepared. Eighth Meeting, May 23, 8 A. M.
The chairman, K. C. Russell, gave the opening talk upon the subject, “Religious Liberty Campaigns, and How to Conduct Them.” The chief and ultimate object of our religious liberty campaigns is not simply the opposing of Sunday legislation, but the salvation of souls, the bringing of the truth to the knowledge and attention of the people. In these campaigns we should get all our people, as far as possible, engaged in the work. That worker or that secretary is the most successful, he declared, who gets the most people to work, not he who does the most work himself. J. O. Corliss stated that a good general, in planning for battle, never let the enemy get the advantage in position. So in a campaign the sooner we are in the field, the better. Plans are already laid for future campaigns in California. In the campaign just closed there, they had six or eight secretaries who traveled all over the State visiting our churches and schools, and interesting our people in the circulation of petitions and literature. Seventy-five thousand copies of the Signus special, to meet the situation, were distributed during the campaign. These were sent to the members of the legislature, to prominent men, and to all the school-teachers and many other persons throughout the State. A. J. Clark spoke of the effect the sending of letters written by our people to legislators had had in the New York Legislature the past winter. C. H. Edwards likewise spoke of the use of telegrams in campaign work, and said that, by this means, he had in one day seen two Sunday bills which had been introduced into the New York Legislature a year ago last winter, withdrawn by the men who had introduced them. Ninth Meeting, May 24, 8 A. M.
Continuing the discussion of the subject considered in the previous meeting, that of “Religious Liberty Campaigns, and How to Conduct Them,” Elder W. A. Hennig, secretary of the Religious Liberty Department of the Australasian Union Conference, read a paper in which he narrated the plans and methods which had been employed in the religious liberty work in Australia. In this work they had been quite successful in securing the publication of a number of religious liberty leaflets in some of the leading papers of the country,—in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, etc. He advocated the systematic distribution of our literature as an important factor in this work. As a result of distributing 75,000 religious liberty leaflets in Sydney, and 150,000 in Melbourne, efforts to secure additional municipal Sunday laws in these cities had been defeated. Public meetings, he said, should not be deferred until the last moment, and the circulating of petitions may be a means of great good; but he thought that personal effort would probably do more good than any other one means. Earnest effort, he said, should be made to enlist the co-operation of influential men and women in teaching the great principles of religious liberty. In all our campaign work we must be sure that our own hearts are filled with the great spirit of liberty. Elder J. S. Wightman narrated some recent experiences in campaign work in the State of Missouri, in which his wife had, by invitation, spoken twice before the members of the State legislature in the capitol building at Jefferson City. Her addresses were well received, and, from all reports, made a good impression. Elder W. A. Westworth read some communications he had just received from the Southeastern Union Conference, stating that one of our brethren there had been arrested, tried, and convicted for chopping a little wood Sunday morning, with which to cook his breakfast. Elder Westworth said they felt the need of some active campaign work in this field, and hoped to arrange soon for the distribution there of a large amount of religious liberty literature. Elder H. G. Thurston, of Arizona, spoke of some experiences they have had in this territory recently over the question of Sunday legislation. Arizona, he said, was one of the few remaining portions of the United States which, as yet, has no Sunday law. This is still “white,” and he said by energetic efforts our brethren there intend to keep it white as long as possible. Tenth Meeting, May 25, 8 A. M.
Prof. W. W. Prescott occupied the first half hour of the meeting, with an address upon the subject of “The Inter-Church Federation Movement, and Our Relation to It.” After referring to the origin and development of this movement, which has arisen since the last session of the General Conference, he outlined, in brief, the general plans and purposes of the movement, as stated in its official reports, and referred to the declaration that the movement is “epoch making.” The Catholic Church, he said, needed no such movement; for they were already federated; but until the last few years there had been no federation or united organization of the Protestant churches. The evident aim of the federation is to control government, and bring about moral and religious reforms through legislation. He referred to the fact that the movement had not only definitely committed itself to Sunday legislation, but, through an official action, had plainly indicated that it did not intend to tolerate the observance of the seventh day. The report of this action, and the discussion upon it, however, had for some reason been wholly eliminated from the published report of the recent session of the federation. He said we could not join in this movement, or in our work adopt the methods they propose to employ. We must preach the gospel to individuals. The churches involved in this federation have lost their message, and are seeking to accomplish through human devices what can be accomplished only through the gospel and the power and working of the Holy Spirit. Following Professor Prescott’s address, a male quartet sang, “Sleeping on the Tennessee.” Brother L. A. Smith, editor of the Watchman, read a carefully prepared paper, dealing particularly with the attitude which we should sustain toward this movement in its present stage of development. We have a message, he said, which, from its nature, must necessarily come in conflict with the work and purposes of this federation movement. The leaders in this movement have officially declared that it is their purpose to know the standing of each person in every community, and his political bias, in order that it may control politics and direct legislation in harmony with its purposes. Not only is this a movement with which we can not unite, but one which, from the very nature of things, we must necessarily oppose. The fact is already recognized by the leaders in this movement, that we are not friends of it. In view of the fact, however, that there are in this movement things which we, as well as they, would like to see accomplished, and of the further fact that many in the movement are doubtless earnest9 and sincere men, and have no idea or desire of persecuting us, he thought we should be careful in our references to it, not to make wholesale denunciations or unwise attacks upon it. We must not, however, make any compromise. Concluding, he thought it would be well for the General Conference, our highest official body, to draw up a statement, setting forth clearly our attitude toward the movement, and why we can not unite in it. Elder C. D. M. Williams, from Honolulu, spoke of how the churches there had federated and divided up the territory among themselves, and threatened that if those of other denominations came in and interfered with their arrangements, legislation would have to be secured which would expel them from the country. Elder S. B. Horton, emphasizing the suggestion made by Brother Smith, stated that inasmuch as the church federation at its recent session in Philadelphia had made direct reference to Seventh-day Adventists, it was quite proper, he thought, that we should make a statement of our attitude toward the movement. Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M. THE interest and attendance are increasing each day as the work of the publishing department progresses. Thorough, prayerful attention is being given to many of the most vital interests of the home tract and missionary and publishing work. The two questions under consideration at this meeting were: What provision shall be made in our plans of organization for handling efficiently the home tract and missionary work? and, What provision shall be made for the revision and improvement of our standard denominational literature? Both questions were enthusiastically discussed. In considering the first, the importance of the home tract and missionary work was repeatedly emphasized. Many speakers affirmed that it was their belief that the home work in the churches and by isolated members forms the foundation upon which all the publishing work rests, and that thorough organization should be established for handling it efficiently. It was felt that this home work should be managed by the Publishing Department of the General Conference, and that the name of the department should be so changed as to refer directly to the home missionary work as well as the publishing work. Plans were also laid for the revision and improvement of our literature. Eighth Meeting, May 23, 8 A. M. The headquarters room was crowded this morning, many being unable to secure seats. The topics for discussion were as follows:— 1. Permanent Canvassers:— (a) How may the canvassing work be made prosperous twelve months in the year? (b) Can winter canvassing become a success in cold, snowy climates? (c) What class of workers are most likely to continue permanently twelve months in the year? (d) Permanently located resident canvassers. (e) What kind of field missionary or agents may we expect to build up a permanent work? 2. Comparative Merits of the Several Methods Employed in Training Agents:— (a) Individual training,—privately, and from house to house. (b) Small institutes in private houses or local churches, wherever and whenever opportunity offers. (c) Large, well-organized institutes at seasonable times, such as: (1) During Christmas holidays, or early in new year; (2) in colleges, academies, and intermediate schools; and (3) immediately after camp-meetings. The discussion, which was enthusiastic, developed the following points:— 1. That thorough training makes permanent agents. 2. That pressure should be brought to bear upon the strong, able men in our churches by those who are leaders, urging upon them the times in which we live, and the need for strong, active work by every believer in the third angel's message. 3. That the most vital question before our canvassing work is how to select and train agents so as to make them permanent. 4. That men and women of mature age and experience usually become the most permanent workers. 5. That the institute method of training, without house-to-house training, develops transient workers. 6. That the house-to-house method of training agents should be the standard permanent method, and that the institute method should be the supplementary method for handling an overflow of agents. 7. That agents trained in institutes should be considered as only partially trained, it being necessary to follow up such training with house-to-house work. 8. That house-to-house training should be conducted personally by the field agent with his canvasser in each house except as the alternating method of work from house to house is resorted to as a test of the agent's ability. 9. That the canvasser can be successful at all seasons of the year. 10. That we should encourage more and more the establishing of resident canvassers in permanent territory. 11. That the general missionary agents should spend from three days to a week at least once a year, and oftener if possible, with each of his field missionary agents in house-to-house canvassing. 12. That small institutes with four to six canvassers may be conducted frequently and profitably in private houses and churches. 13. That well-organized institutes may be conducted profitably near the close of our large schools, immediately following a large camp-meeting, or in mid-winter. 14. That the best method of convincing people that work can be done at all seasons of the year is by actual demonstration. 15. That we should urge the fact that we are engaged in a high calling, second only to that of the ministry, if, indeed, it is secondary to that. 16. That it is sometimes necessary to help agents in a financial crisis, for which purpose it may be wise to create a special fund. 17. That success in this work means a close, living connection with the Lord. The North American Foreign Department
Fourth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
Elder F. C. Gilbert, our worker among the Jews, gave an interesting report of the past work and future possibilities of the Jewish work. The immense labors of Joseph Wolff, in the years preceding 1844, in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, show what a converted Jew can do. In this country alone there are more than 3,000,000 Jews, of which number we find 1,000,000 in the State of New York. It is the custom of the Jews to segregate in the different cities in colonies, called ghettos; nevertheless, we have seen already a large number of Jews accept present truth. Twenty or thirty Jews in the United States have accepted the truths of the message, and are remaining faithful. Brother Gilbert offered the following suggestions: (1) That the work for the Jews be placed under the North American10Foreign Department; (2) that a special fund be raised for the distribution of our literature and of New Testaments among the Jews; (3) the extension of the evangelical work; (4) the extension of the religious liberty work; (5) that a place be provided in which the newly converted Jew can be instructed and helped; (6) that provision be made for open-air work. Elder L. Zecchetto then reported the Italian work. It was four years ago when he began his work among the Italians in the Greater New York Conference. On November 17 of that same year he organized the first Italian church. Since then the work has spread among the Italians, a number of churches and some able laborers having accepted the truth. Brother Zecchetto also started an Italian paper, which is having a good circulation both in this country and abroad. He gave some interesting cases of conversions through this paper. He desired that broad plans might be laid at this General Conference for the extension of the work among the Italians. Brother Sevach, a Hungarian worker in the Greater New York Conference, gave some interesting statements concerning the Hungarian work in New York City. Elder J. W. Hofstra next spoke of the work among the Hollanders in Michigan. A start was made about twenty years ago in this work, but since then little or nothing has been done until last year, when work was once more begun. Many of our good books have been translated into the language of the Hollanders by the German Publishing House. These ought to be largely distributed. He hoped that this Conference would do something to organize the work among the Hollanders, and place it under a responsible chief. The Educational Department
On the subject of school gardens, some thought it of little use to undertake them unless the schools can be continued through the summer, when the gardens need most attention. But others were in favor of beginning, no matter what the circumstances may be. In some cities, where there is no land to be cultivated, good work has been done in beautifying the grounds and in raising plants in boxes. Thus the children learn to love the cultivation of the soil, and receive spiritual lessons of great value. Interesting experiences were related. One school realized a profit of $110 from its garden; another garden produced a profit of $45. In one school a class was started in woodwork; and the interest was so great that when the school board came to erect a permanent building, they provided a room for carpentry and another for sewing. The relation of our preparatory schools to the training-schools proved to be an interesting and vital question. On the one hand there is danger that the colleges will be loath to let go of preparatory work, and in consequence will think it necessary to maintain too large faculties; and on the other hand, there is danger that preparatory schools will overreach, and attempt to do work for which they are not prepared on account of meager facilities and limited teaching force. This will create difficulty in matching together the work of the two classes of schools. It was the prevailing opinion that it is wise to multiply strong intermediate schools, and to avoid the establishment of weak academies in the territory of training-schools. The establishment of German intermediate schools was a subject which aroused much interest. The interest in education among the Germans is increasing. The German department of Union College has doubled in numbers. There is a strong desire to establish intermediate schools in Oklahoma, Kansas, and other localities where there are strong German churches. It was thought that these schools should begin with a low grade of work, adapted to the needs of the students, and build up as fast as possible. Thus more advanced pupils can be supplied to the German training-school.