General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
Departmental Meetings
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT
Seventh Meeting
L. S. Wheeler, of New York City, presented an interesting paper upon the subject of “The Testimony of History to the Fulfillment of the Prophecy of Daniel 7:25.” GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.2
He used numerous reliable quotations from Roman Catholic authorities showing that during those centuries covered by the prophetic word, in which such a power, should arise to persecute the church, the Papacy had recourse to force, corporal punishment, and torture, inciting bloody wars in her attempt to crush heretics. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.3
The period of 1,260 years covered by this power, or from 538 A. D. to 1798, was proved by numerous citations to be correct, as held by the Seventh-day Adventists. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.4
Eighth Meeting
Under the topic, “On the Use of Quotations,” W. W. Prescott, secretary of the Religious Liberty Association, led our in a discussion, in which he laid bare many facts touching the use of certain quotations by our workers and writers purporting to be authentic, but which, when traced up, have been found to have had no certain reliable origin. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.5
He recited the case of some of our workers in Canada who were holding meetings, and who made public use of certain quotations relative to the change of the Sabbath. These quotations were supposed to have originated in Roman Catholic sources. They had been handed down from one writer to another until their origin was difficult to trace. A Roman Catholic priest attended the meetings and openly challenged our workers to produce the authorities from which the quotations were supposed to have been taken. He branded them as lies, and used the public press in denunciation of those who made use of them. The brethren at once began a search after reliable authority by which they hoped to justify their use of the quotations. They enlisted the assistance of those at the General Conference headquarters. But their efforts also were futile. Traced back from one writer to another, the quotations finally vanished into obscurity. They found absolutely no ground for their use, and the result was a near defeat in that particular locality. Their experience, however, was valuable, Professor Prescott pointed out, in that it served to bring forcibly to the attention of our workers everywhere the important fact that when dealing with the principles of Roman Catholicism in public, great caution should be exercised. Only such quotations should be employed as can be traced to reliable sources. He stated there is no dearth of such statements as will serve the purposes of our workers in their public speeches and writings that can be authenticated. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.6
A very animated discussion followed, and those present strongly endorsed the chairman’s position on the timely topic. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.7
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
Eighth Meeting
Prayer by F. M. Wilcox. L. A. Hansen gave a summary of points in W. B. White’s paper, read at a previous meeting, urging greater effort to utilized the services of our nurses directly in the work of our conferences. F. M. Wilcox spoke of the need of close counsel in this work. The medical missionary who does not at once find a place directly in the conference work, may be loyal and true, and such will ever seek to uphold and advance the interests of the organized work. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.8
Chas. Thompson said that every converted man and woman owes all his time, talent, and ability to the work of saving souls. Dr. A. B. Olsen thought he could discern among his brethren representing the medical work a desire to come together in a spirit of loyalty and devotion to the work. The desire of his heart was to see all classes of medical workers united under one common banner for the advancement of the cause of God. W. B. White admonished every one, whether minister, doctor, or nurse, to hold himself in readiness to answer the call of God, whatever that call to service may be. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.9
Geo A. Williams read a paper emphasizing the importance of establishing a nurses’ bureau, in order to conserve for direct service the force of nurses coming from our sanitariums year by year. Our consecrated nurses do not wish to become mere professional nurses in the world, but to have their work count in every way possible for the building up of the cause of this message. G. B. Starr urged the uniting in service of all our forces, both evangelical and medical. The work of God calls for every converted man and woman. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.10
PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT
Ninth Meeting
“If I had one hundred thousand dollars, and ten years in which to give the message to Mexico, I would use ninety thousand dollars and nine years in filling the country with literature. Then I would use the good canvassers who scattered the literature, to follow up the work with Bible readings and preaching, using the last year and ten thousand dollars for this purpose.” This striking statement, made by G. W. Caviness, on the subject “The Place Our Literature Should Occupy in Giving the Message in Spanish-Catholic Fields,” shows his high appreciation of the printed page. From his paper and experiences it would seem that our tracts, papers, and books have been almost entirely responsible for the companies of believers raised up in Mexico. Calls have come from persons getting a part of a paper or a tract. During the past six months Professor Caviness has baptized eighty-five persons. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.11
Recently, a man attended meetings in Pochutla a few evenings. When the speaker made his acquaintance, the man showed him a tract he had carried for eleven years. It proved to be one of the first tracts printed on the little press in Tacubaya. As a result of this and the meetings, he was baptized. In spite of revolution and other difficulties, eight colporteurs have, during the past two years, sold fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of books, tracts, and papers in Mexico. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.12
J. W. Westphal, in outlining some of the needs in South America, stated that be believes only a slight beginning has been made in our literature in that country. In addition to health literature, he feels the need of something simple on practical Christian living. These, he believes, can be followed successfully with books treating upon the different points of truth. GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.13
Elder Westphal’s paper was strongly seconded by a paper sent by Max Trummer, who has charge of the colporteur work in Argentina. Our bookmen are familiar with the kind of man Brother Trummer is, and with some of the difficulties he has had to face, and of the victories he has gained in that country. Elder Westphal spoke particularly in his paper of the preparation for, and successful methods in, pioneer colporteur work, enlarging upon the following outline:— GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.14
1. Qualities and consecration of the worker.
(a) A thorough conversion.
(b) Passion for souls.
(c) Given to faith and prayer.
(d) Industrious and persevering.
2. The course of instruction.
(a) Bible examples and testimonies.
(b) Salesmanship and the laws of success.
(c) General instruction.
(d) Study of the literature to be sold.
GCB May 28, 1913, page 176.15