General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7

FOURTEENTH MEETING

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson

May 22, 2:30 P. M.

W. T. Knox in the chair. GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.18

Prayer by M. N. Campbell. GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.19

W. T. Knox: When we adjourned, we were considering the report on the General Conference constitution. The secretary will read, beginning with Article IV, section 2. GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.20

By motions to amend and by common consent, the remainder of the report on the General Conference constitution, was amended to read as follows:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.21

Article IV, section 2, to read:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.22

“Sec. 2. The executive committee shall consist of the president, the vice-presidents, the secretary, the treasurer, the vice-presidents of division conferences, the presidents of union conferences, the superintendents of organized union missions, the secretaries in charge of duly organized departments; namely, the Publishing, Medical, Educational, Sabbath School, Religious Liberty, Young People’s Missionary Volunteer, North American Foreign, North American Negro,—and seven other persons.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.23

Article V, section 1, to read:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.24

“Section 1. The regular officers of this conference shall be a president, three vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, and an auditor, who shall be elected by the conference.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.25

Article V, section 3, to read:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.26

“Sec. 3. Vice-presidents: The president of the European Division Conference shall be one of the vice-presidents of the General Conference. His duties shall be such as are prescribed by the constitution of the Division Conference. He shall preside at the councils of the members of the General Conference executive committee which may be held in Europe, in the absence of the president of the General Conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.27

“One of the vice-presidents shall labor in the North American Division, as the executive committee may advise, and, in the absence of the president, preside at the councils of the members of the executive committee which may be held in North America. GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.28

“One of the vice-presidents shall labor in the Asiatic Division, as the executive committee may advise, and, in the absence of the president, shall preside at the councils of the members of the executive committee, and at missionary conferences which may be held in the Asiatic Division.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.29

Article V, section 4, to read:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.30

“Sec. 4. The Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of the proceedings of the conference sessions and of the committee meetings, and to collect such statistics and other facts from division, union, and local conferences and missions, as may be desired by the conference or the executive committee, and to perform such other duties as usually pertain to such office.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.31

Article V, section 5, to insert after the word treasurer, “and the assistant treasurer.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.32

Article V, section 6, to read:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.33

“Sec. 6. Election of Officers: All officers of the conference, and the members of the executive committee except such members as are presidents of union conferences or superintendents of union mission fields, and excepting also the president and vice-presidents of division conferences, shall be chosen by the delegates at the regular quadrennial sessions of the General Conference, and shall hold their offices for the period of four years, or until their successors are elected, and appear to enter upon their duties.. GCB May 23, 1913, page 111.34

Article IV, section 1 of the by-laws to read:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.1

“This conference shall receive a tithe from all of its division, union, and local conferences, and the tithe of its union and local mission fields.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.2

No. 2 of the committee’s report, pertaining to a change recommended in the General Conference Corporation constitution, was also discussed. Question was called for on the whole report, and the report was unanimously adopted. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.3

European Division Conference GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.4

W. T. Knox: The next business in order will be the consideration of the suggested constitution and by-laws for the European Division Conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.5

W. W. Prescott: As the means of acting upon this constitution and by-laws, I move that the following action be taken:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.6

In response to the request of the European delegates to this conference for a European organization,— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.7

Resolved, That we hereby authorize the accredited delegates from the following union conferences now present in this General Conference, namely, the British Union, the Central European Union, the Danube Union, the East German Union, the Latin Union, the Russian Union, the Scandinavian Union, and the West German Union,—to meet and organize the European Division Conference; and,— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.8

We recommend, That in organizing said conference, they adopt and act upon the following constitution and by-laws:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.9

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF EUROPEAN DIVISION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

WASe

Article I—Name

This organization shall be known as the European Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.10

Article II—Territory

The territory of this conference shall be Europe; the Russian and the Turkish possessions in Asia; Persia, Arabia, and Afghanistan; and that part of Africa not included in Rhodesia, British Central Africa, and the Union of South Africa. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.11

Article III—Object

The object of this conference is to teach the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.12

Article IV—Membership

Section 1. The membership of this conference shall consist of:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.13

(a) Such union conferences as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.14

(b) Such union mission fields as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.15

(c) Such local conferences outside of any union as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.16

(d) Missions, properly organized, not included in any union. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.17

Sec. 2. The voters of this conference shall be designated as follows:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.18

(a) Delegates at large. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.19

(b) Regular delegates. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.20

Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.21

(a) The division conference executive committee and the General Conference Committee. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.22

(b) Such representatives of organized missions in the division as may be recommended by the executive committee, and accepted by the delegates in session. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.23

Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be such persons as are duly accredited by union conferences and by local conferences not included in any union. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.24

Sec. 5. Each union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each conference in its territory, and an additional delegate for each five hundred of its membership. Each local conference not included in any union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, and to one additional delegate for each five hundred members. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.25

Sec. 6. (a) Each union mission shall be represented in conference sessions by delegates chosen on the basis of one for the union mission, one for each organized mission within its territory, and one for each five hundred of its members. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.26

(b) Each organized mission field outside of any union shall be entitled to one delegate. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.27

(c) The delegates of union and local mission fields shall be appointed by the executive committee of the conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.28

Article V—Executive Committee

Section 1. At each session, the conference shall elect an executive committee for carrying on its work between sessions. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.29

Sec. 2. The executive committee shall consist of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, the presidents of the union conferences, the superintendents of organized union missions, one member each representing the publishing, medical, educational, young people’s, and Sabbath-school interests, and three additional persons. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.30

Article VI—Officers and Their Duties

Section 1. The regular officers of this conference shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer, who shall be elected by the conference. One or more auditors shall also be elected by the conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.31

Sec. 2. President: The president shall act as chairman of the executive committee, and labor in the general interests of the conference, as the executive committee may advise. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.32

Sec. 3. Vice-president: It shall be the duty of the vice-president to assist the president in his work, as the executive committee may advise, and, in the absence of the president, to preside at the councils of the members of the executive committee. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.33

Sec. 4. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of the conference sessions, and of the meetings of the executive committee, and to collect such data from union and local conferences and missions as may be desired by the conference or by the executive committee, and to perform such other duties as usually pertain to such office. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.34

Sec. 5. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all funds, and disburse them by order of the president, and to render such financial statements at regular intervals as may be desired by the conference or by the executive committee. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.35

Sec. 6. Election of officers: All officers of the conference and members of the executive committee except such members as are presidents of union conferences or superintendents of union mission fields, shall be chosen by the delegates at the regular quadrennial session of the European Division Conference, and shall hold their offices for the period of four years, or until their successors are elected and appear to enter upon their duties. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.36

Article VII—Incorporations, Departments, and Agents

Section 1. Such incorporations and departments may be created as the development of the work requires. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.37

Sec. 2. At each regular session of this conference, the delegates shall elect such trustees of all corporate bodies connected with this organization as may be provided in the statutory laws governing each. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.38

Sec. 3. The conference shall employ such committees, secretaries, treasurers, agents, ministers, missionaries, and other persons, and shall make such distribution of its laborers, as may be necessary to execute its work effectively. It shall also grant credentials or licenses to its ministers and missionaries. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.39

Article VIII—Sessions

Section 1. This conference shall hold quadrennial sessions at such date and place as the executive committee shall designate by a notice published in the European Division Quarterly at least six weeks before the date of the session. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.40

Sec. 2. The executive committee may call special sessions at such time and place as it deems proper, by a like notice, and the transactions of such special sessions shall have the same force as those of the regular sessions. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.41

Article IX—By-Laws

The voters of this conference may enact by-laws and amend or repeal them at any session thereof, and such by-laws may embrace any provision not inconsistent with the constitution of the European Division Conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.42

Article X—Amendments

This constitution or its by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voters present at any session, such amendments to be not inconsistent with the constitution of the General Conference, and provided, further, that if it is proposed to amend the constitution at a special session, notice of such purpose shall be given in the call for such special session. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.43

BY-LAWS

WASe

Article I—Executive Committee

Section 1. During the intervals between sessions of the conference, the executive committee shall have full administrative power, with authority to grant and withdraw credentials and licenses, and to fill for the current term any vacancies that may occur in its offices, boards, committees, or agents—by death, resignation, or otherwise—except in cases where other provision for filling such vacancies shall be made by vote of the conference. The withdrawal of credentials or filling of vacancies on the executive committee shall require the consent of two thirds of the members of the executive committee. GCB May 23, 1913, page 112.44

Sec. 2. Any five members of the executive committee, including the president or the vice-president, shall be empowered to transact such executive business as is in harmony with the general plans outlined by the committee, but the concurrence of all five members shall be necessary to pass any measure. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.1

Sec. 3. Meetings of the executive committee may be called at any time or place by the president or vice-president; or such meeting may be called by the secretary, upon the written request of any five members of the executive committee. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.2

Sec. 4. Previous to each session of the conference, the executive committee shall provide such temporary committees as may be necessary to conduct the preliminary work of the conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.3

Sec. 5. At each session of the conference, the executive committee shall nominate for election the presiding officers of the conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.4

Article II—Finance

Section 1. The Division Conference shall receive a tithe from all its union conferences, and from local conferences outside of any union, and the tithe of the union missions and local mission fields outside of any union. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.5

Sec. 2. This conference shall pay a tithe of its regular tithe to the General Conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.6

Sec. 3. The executive committee shall be authorized to call for such special donations as may be necessary to properly prosecute the work of the conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.7

Sec. 4. The conference shall receive offerings devoted to missions. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.8

Sec. 5. The conference shall receive any second or surplus tithes that may be turned over to it by any field. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.9

Article III—Audits

Section 1. The executive officers shall have the accounts of the conference audited at least once each calendar year, and shall report upon the same to the executive committee of the conference at the annual sessions of the committee. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.10

Sec. 2. The executive committee shall appoint annually four persons not in its employ, who, with the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, and not less than five presidents of union conferences or superintendents of union mission fields, shall constitute a committee for auditing and settling all accounts against the conference. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.11

W. J. Fitzgerald: I second the motion introduced by Brother Prescott. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.12

The motion was put and carried, the delegation having previously studied in detail the constitution recommended, and making various changes, as will be noted by comparing the amended reprint with the copy printed in the BULLETIN, on page 91. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.13

The meeting adjourned, the congregation uniting in singing “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.14

W. T. KNOX, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

“Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love!
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.15

Fawcett.

REPORT OF THE LEVANT UNION MISSION

WASe

(Read during the twelfth meeting of Conference session, May 21, 2:30 P. M.)PHOTO-Our first colporteur in Berea, Macedonia

The eyes of the whole world have been turned toward the Near East by the recent Italian-Turkish war, which wrested Tripoli from the rule of the Crescent, and by the successful advance of the forces of the Balkan States, almost to the very gates of Constantinople. As students of prophecy we are all intensely interested in the outcome of the conflict, because of its bearing upon the work among twenty-one millions of people in this field that must hear the loud cry of the third angel’s message. Perhaps the humiliation of Turkey may lead many a sincere follower of Mohammed to lend a more willing ear to the teachings of that Book which twenty-five centuries ago foretold the destiny of the Sick Man of the East. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.16

The Turkish Mission

In spite of revolution, and war, and famine, the last four years have been encouraging to our Turkish work and workers. During the latter part of 1909, the forces of this union were materially increased by accessions from without. Brother C. Voigt, of the Hamburg house, was sent to open the publishing work in Constantinople. He was followed by Elder E. E. Frauchiger and family, of Germany, who took charge of the field, and by Brother and Sister Scior, who had been laboring in Austria, and by Dr. V. Pampaian and wife, who established the work among the Armenians in the Trans-Caucasian field. Brother Girou, of Belgium, went to Constantinople the latter part of 1911. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.17

The adoption by Turkey of the constitution in 1908 made it possible for us to attain a good degree of success in the publishing and canvassing work. At the time Elder Frauchiger went to Constantinople, a young man made the trip thither from Germany at his own expense, that he might fulfil the desires of his heart to “bring the printed page to every family in Constantinople.” He was zealous, full of courage, and did not get alarmed by imprisonment or on account of the rage of the populace, who gave him some rather rough treatment, but kept right at work. His example was really a great incentive to the native brethren to attempt the sale of our literature. Publications in the Greek, Turkish, Armenian, and Arabic have thus far been issued here. In the Levant field, there has been a gradual increase in sales, which rose from $96.03 in 1909 to $896.22 last year, or a total of $2,169.76 for the four years. The number of canvassers varied from three to twelve. During the same time the Syrian sales were $319.31; and the Egyptian, $240.94. So far as I know, Seventh-day Adventists were the first to undertake the canvassing work in Turkey—that is, selling Christian literature among the Mohammedans. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.18

The school has held two successful terms at Constantinople. Some time each week was devoted to practical colporteur work, the students going out in the city. Something over a dozen pupils were in attendance. Instruction was imparted chiefly in the Greek, Turkish, and Armenian languages. In this connection, we would refer to the question that has to be settled since Christians are now being taken by the government of Turkey to act as soldiers. This change in the attitude of our government has caused many of the Christian youth to flee. A number of our own young men have left the country because of this, and, if it continues, it will rob us of the very young men we need for workers in this land. We advise our youth to so live out the message before their fellow soldiers and superiors as to bring honor to the name of their Captain, Jesus Christ. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.19

At the first general meeting ever held in Turkey, at Constantinople in September, 1910, 25 delegates, from 14 churches and companies, came together to consider the needs of the field. The seven vilayets of Sivas, Trebizond, Mamouret-ul-Aziz, Diarbekr, Van, Bitlis, and Erzerum were separated from the Turkish Mission, and formed into the Armenian Mission, beginning with Jan. 1, 1911. Brother Z. G. Baharian, the superintendent, now assisted by one licentiate and one Bible worker, was enabled to gain eleven new members last year; in 1911, seven were received. The membership was twenty-four at the close of 1912. The tithe averaged $6.52 a member last year, and the gifts to missions, $1.91. Elder Frauchiger, the union superintendent, has recently visited this district, and though everywhere he found open doors, yet there are many difficulties, and converts to the message are not won without a hard struggle. GCB May 23, 1913, page 113.20

PHOTO-FIRST SABBATH-KEEPING FAMILY IN ALBANIA

There were a number of delegates from Turkey at the Friedensau council of 1911, and it was then decided to make a further division in the territory of the Turkish Mission and of the Levant Union. Syria and Egypt were cut off from the union, and the Cilician field (which contains the vilayets of Konia, Adana, and Aleppo) was organized out of the Turkish Mission territory. Brother A. M. Buzugherian was placed in charge. He is assisted by three missionary licentiates. As the action took effect Jan. 1, 1912, we have only one year’s report of this field under its present organization. Nine were baptized last year, and its membership is ninety-three. The tithe averaged $4.15, and the gifts were $1.03 per member. GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.1

Grecian Mission

The Grecian Mission is the smallest in membership of any we have in the union. Its territory is: Greece, Crete, the vilayets of Janina, Scutari, Salonica, Monastir, Kossovo, with Novi-Bazar, all together with a population of 5,650,000. Elder R. S. Greaves, who was formerly located at Janina, removed to Greece last year, and is located at Patras. They report eleven members. Brother Scior, the licentiate assisting Elder Greaves, is at ancient Thessalonica, and has learned the Greek language. The war has made his work exceptionally hard, but God has taken care of him. Our nurse, Sister Loxander, has been assisting in caring for wounded soldiers in the hospital at Thessalonica. GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.2

Central Turkey

The Central Turkish Mission has the largest membership. It contains the vilayets of Constantinople, Adrianople, Kastamuni, Aidin, Angora, Brusa, and the Turkish islands. Of course the country has suffered greatly by the advance of the contending armies in the recent war. Elder Frauchiger is the local superintendent here. He is assisted by one minister, three licentiates, and three licensed missionaries. One hundred two were added during the last four years, but it should not be forgotten that this includes the members received in the Armenian and Cilician missions until the time they were cut off from this field. The average tithe last year was $4.15; gifts, $1.02. The membership is now 189. In his recent trips, Brother Frauchiger has had some exceedingly interesting experiences. I will read from some of his letters, in closing, as they give a vivid picture of what one must surmount in traveling about in that land. GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.3

GUY DAIL, Secretary European Division.

Letters From Bible Lands

[The letters described travel in Pontus, Cappadocia, Mesopotamia, and Syria—regions over which the apostolic missionaries passed so long ago. The baptism of believers was reported at various places. Here are a few extracts:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.4

“At Diarbeker, the leading city of the Kurds, the cholera was raging. As we entered the gates, the dead were being carried out. We rented a house for meetings, and, in spite of the fact that the people had been warned by pastors to keep away, more came than could be let in. Indeed, there was such a rush for the meeting-place that the people stoned us and the house because they were shut out. Had not the police protected us, we would likely have lost our lives.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.5

Another:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.6

“We had good meetings in Tarsus and Adana. the hall was too small, so that, even though it was the cold season, we had to speak to the people under an arbor. Carpets were laid, and in our midst were two charcoal fires. Two were baptized in the Sihun River. Now I am planning the trip over the snow-covered mountains into Anatolia.” GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.7

PHOTO-WORKERS AT THESSALONICA, MACEDONIA

Again:— GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.8

“As I spoke at Smyrna, the secretary of the Grecian patriarch invited me to call on this ecclesiastical officer. I was received with open arms. We had a most interesting talk about the prophecies. An appointment was made for a further interview. When we came together the patriarch had his two secretaries by him and a professor of theology. Near by was another Greek of high standing. Through my translator, I explained Daniel 2 and 7. When we were studying the Papacy, the professor wanted to interrupt, but the patriarch would not allow it. Our interview continued during the afternoon and till eleven o’clock at night. We had our French book on Daniel, which they purchased. They only wished we had with us the work on Revelation also. The patriarch cordially invited me to come to Smyrna again.”. GCB May 23, 1913, page 114.9