General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
Conference Proceedings. TWENTY-EIGHT MEETING
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
June 3, I0 A. M.
A. G. DANIELLS in the chair. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.1
G. B. Starr offered prayer. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.2
Resolutions GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.3
Resolution 20, of report of the committee on plans (page 2I8 of BULLETIN), was read and question called without discussion. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.4
Resolution 21 (page 243) was read and question called. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.5
Resolution 22 (page 243) was read. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.6
L. W. Graham: I would like to ask a question on this recommendation, section (a). In case a church was disbanded, how would a member get a letter. He might have been disfellowshiped, and later repented, and in the meantime the church disbanded. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.7
A. G. Daniells: I suppose he would come in then on confession of faith, if he had been disfellowshiped and the church disbanded. There is just one question on both of these items. I think, brethren, that we ought to exercise more care in the matter of our church membership, that the privileges and blessings of church membership may be held higher. Then, with reference to the matter of the laborer: I think that this recommendation should apply to an administration that may succeed another, as much as to an entirely new field of labor; for oftentimes a conference administration, after most careful, thorough investigation and consideration of the case, deems it proper to dispense with a laborer, or retire him. Perhaps later the individual comes forward for employment, after a change in administration, and without much investigation, sometimes this laborer is brought back; but after a few months it is found that a serious mistake has been made. When individuals apply for service, we should give the matter prompt, hearty, thorough attention, and encourage every one we possibly can; but where we feel perfectly sure that there are things in the way, we ought to be frank and honest and fair, and deal with the case at the very start. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.8
G. M. Brown: Under this section (b), it occurs to me that this is not quite explicit enough. It says “without a thorough examination of the case on the part of the conference officers proposing his employment.” There might be a question as to what constitutes a thorough examination. It seems to me that a thorough examination would include securing counsel from those in the field in which this man had previously been employed. Sometimes people think they are making a thorough examination when they examine the applicant thoroughly; but his view of the case may not be the correct one. I therefore move to add the words “and counsel with the local or union conference in which the worker was formerly employed.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.9
W. C. White: Would it not serve the same purpose if we all consent that that is what the thorough examination includes? It seems to me it means that, and in some cases it may mean more. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.10
E. L. Maxwell: While it may not be altogether in line with this resolution, there is one matter that I would like light on. Some of those who are on the Sustentation Fund feel that they are at liberty to go anywhere they please in this country, and do about as they please. I would like to know how we are going to deal with such cases when they come into our territory and do things that are contrary to our arrangements. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.11
A. G. Daniells: How would it do to have that a subject for a special talk? As this is the first Conference we have had since this plan was adopted, and we have never discussed that, let it, with other items, be brought up for special consideration. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.12
A. B. Olsen: Does this word “laborer,” in recommendation 22, include all laborers? Would it include all missionaries, like doctors and nurses? If it does, then I would like to second Brother Brown’s motion. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.13
The motion was carried. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.14
The report as a whole was then adopted. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.15
A. G. Daniells: Now I would like to call for the report of the committee on constitution. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.16
W. T. Bartlett: The committee on constitution presents a further report. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.17
A. G. Daniells: You will understand that we are not adopting a new constitution, but are making verbal changes in the one we have already acted upon. These changes are mostly for the purpose of harmonizing with the new organizations we have been forming. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.18
W. T. Bartlett (reading): [The report was read.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.19
The report of the committee, after amendment, was adopted, making the constitution in full to read as follows, save for section 5 of article III, fixing the numerical basis of representation in the General Conference (the portion printed in brackets), which was referred back to the committee for further report:— GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.20
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
Article I—Name
This organization shall be known as the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.21
Article II—Object
The object of this conference is to teach all nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.22
Article III—Membership
Section 1. The membership of this conference shall consist of:— GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.23
(a) Such division conferences as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.24
(b) Such union conferences not included in any division conference as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.25
(c) Such local conferences not embraced in any union conference, as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.26
(d) Such division missions and such union missions not included in any division conference or mission as have been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.27
(e) Missions, properly organized, not included in union conferences or missions. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.28
Sec. 2. The voters of this conference shall be designated as follows:— GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.29
(a) Delegates at large. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.30
(b) Regular delegates. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.31
Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be:— GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.32
(a) The General Conference Executive Committee. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.33
(b) Such representatives of missions of the General Conference as shall receive delegates’ credentials from the executive committee, such credentials to be given only by the consent of a majority of the executive committee. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.34
Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be such persons as are duly accredited by division conferences and missions, by union conferences and missions not included in any division conference or mission, and local conferences not included in any union conference. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.35
[Sec. 5. Each division conference or mission shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each union and local conference or mission in its territory, and an additional delegate for each five hundred of its membership. Each union conference not included in a division conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, an additional delegate for each conference or mission in its territory, and an additional delegate for each five hundred of its membership. Each local conference not included in a union conference shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers, and one additional delegate for each five hundred members. Union missions and local missions not included in division or union conferences shall have such representation as may be decided by the General Conference Executive Committee.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.36
Article IV—Officers and Their Duties
Section 1. The regular officers of this Conference shall be a president, the vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, and an auditor, who shall be elected by the Conference. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.37
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 June 4, 1913, page 260.38
Sec. 3. Vice-presidents: The president of each division conference or mission shall be a vice-president of the General Conference. His duties shall be such as are prescribed by the constitution of his division conference or mission. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.39
Sec. 4. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of the proceedings of the conference sessions and of the conference 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 June 4, 1913, page 260.40
Sec. 5. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer and the assistant 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 the executive committee. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.41
Sec. 6. Election of officers: All officers of the conference, and the members of the executive committee except such members as are presidents and vice-presidents of division conferences and presidents of union 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 June 4, 1913, page 260.42
Article V—Executive Committee
Section 1. At each session the Conference shall elect an executive committee for the carrying on of its work between the sessions. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.43
Sec. 2. The executive committee shall consist of the president, the vice-presidents, the secretary, the treasurer, the vice-presidents of division conferences and missions, 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, Young People’s Missionary Volunteer, the ex-presidents of the General Conference having credentials from this conference, and eleven other persons. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.44
Article VI—Incorporation, Departments, and Agents
Section 1. Such incorporations may be authorized and departments created as the development of the work requires. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.45
Sec. 2. At each regular session of this Conference, the delegates shall elect the trustees of all corporate bodies connected with this organization, as may be provided in the statutory law governing each. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.46
Sec. 3. The Conference shall employ such committees, secretaries, treasurers, agents, ministers, missionaries, and other persons, and make such distribution of its laborers, as may be necessary to effectively execute its work. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.47
Sec. 4. The Conference shall grant credentials or licenses to its ministers and missionaries. In division missions and in union missions outside of division missions the respective executive committees shall have power to grant credentials and licenses to foreign and native workers. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.48
Article VII—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 Advent Review and Sabbath Herald at least three months before the date for the session. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.49
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 June 4, 1913, page 260.50
Article VIII—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. GCB June 4, 1913, page 260.51
Article IX—Amendments
This constitution or its by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voters present at any session, provided 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 June 4, 1913, page 260.52
BY-LAWS
Article I—Regular Sessions
Section 1. At each session of the Conference the executive committee shall nominate for election the presiding officers for the session. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.1
Sec. 2. 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 June 4, 1913, page 261.2
Article II—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 officers, boards, committees, or agents, by death, resignation, or otherwise, except in cases where other provisions for filling such vacancies shall be made by vote of the General 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 June 4, 1913, page 261.3
Sec. 2. Any five members of the executive committee, including the president or a 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 four members shall be necessary to pass any measure. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.4
Sec. 3. Meetings of the executive committee may be called at any time or place, by the president or a vice-president, or such meeting may be called by the secretary upon the written request of any five members of the committee. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.5
Article III—Departments
Section 1. The work of the departments of this organization shall be in charge of the secretaries elected by the General Conference, associated with the committees selected by the executive committee, when such committees are not otherwise provided for by the Conference. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.6
Article IV—Finance
Section 1. This Conference shall receive a tithe from all of its division, union, and local conferences and division missions, and the tithe of its union and local mission fields. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.7
Sec. 2. The executive committee shall be authorized to call for such special donations as may be necessary to properly prosecute its work. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.8
Sec. 3. The Conference shall receive offerings devoted to missions. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.9
Article V—Audits
Section 1. The executive committee shall have the accounts of the Conference and of its several departments audited at least once each calendar year, and shall report upon the same to the General Conference at its regular sessions. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.10
Sec. 2. The executive committee shall appoint annually eight persons not in its employ, who, with the president, the vice-presidents, the secretary, the treasurer, and not less than seven presidents of union conferences, shall constitute a committee for auditing and setting all accounts against the General Conference. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.11
Discussion of Constitution GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.12
[On article V.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.13
A. G. Daniells: The change is this: It omits the secretaries of the North American Foreign and the North American Negro Departments, as they are departments of the North American Division Conference, and so do not belong to it. Then we make this provision: that always hereafter, men who have served as presidents of the General Conference will be members of the General Conference Committee. It is a fact that sometimes the nominating committee overlooks our old ex-presidents in nominating officers. Now the constitution, it is thought, ought to make this provision so that there will be no failure in the matter. Then, again, the constitution that we have been working under, provided that besides these various officers and ex-officers, there should be seven other men. But our work has become so broad and our various lines so numerous, that we felt there ought to be a large number of laymen occupying responsible positions in the work. So we recommended it should be increased from seven to eleven. Now these are the material changes proposed. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.14
W. W. Prescott: This constitution now provides, as the old constitution did, that the Religious Liberty Department should be a department of the General Conference. Now the North American Division has been organized, which will take over the work in this territory in which the Religious Liberty Department has carried on its work. Although it has been nominally a General Conference department, its work has been confined practically to the territory now granted to the North American Division. When this matter was up for consideration in the large committee, those who were present know that I was unable to see that there was a call for a general department to carry on that line of work as a world-wide work. I am yet unable to see that it will be a practical working department unless it has a field and can do practical work. Now, being convinced of this, I am prepared to move that this department be stricken out from the General Conference departments, leaving this work to the North American Division. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.15
The motion carried. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.16
[On section 5, article III, the section referred back after discussion.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.17
W. J. Fitzgerald: The constitution as amended provides for the same representation as the previous constitution. Regarding the provision of one delegate for each additional five hundred, I wish to state that that would mean a large delegation would have to be sent to the General Conference. It would mean the sending of a large body of men a long distance, which would involve considerable expense. I therefore move that in the place of the words “five hundred,” there be substituted “two thousand.” [The motion was seconded.] Let me illustrate this by our union. The British Union has twenty-five hundred members at the present time. Now we have one delegate at large and seven others, making eight delegates altogether; but at the present rate of one delegate to each five hundred members, it would add five more delegates to this number, making it thirteen delegates for a membership of twenty-five hundred. We considered that in a world’s general missionary council that would be a big representation. But by placing the representation at one delegate for two thousand, it would make nine delegates, and this would be ample for our membership. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.18
H. R. Salisbury: Yesterday in one of our meetings the question came up of holding an educational convention next year. Some presidents of conferences were there, and rather questioned the matter, inasmuch as they informed us that two years from this time there will be held the first meeting of the North American Division. We are told it would probably be a meeting of this size. I suppose it would be minus a few of the foreign delegates. Then two years after that would come again the General Conference. Two years again after that the second quadrennial meeting of the North American Division. In Europe they will hold a European meeting every four years. Why should there be held a great meeting of the world’s conference, with a representation on the same basis as the division meetings. GCB June 4, 1913, page 261.19
W. H. Thurston: It may be that the delegation should be reduced; but it seems to me that the motion before us is not in harmony with the instruction given us in the spirit of prophecy regarding the General Conference. We are instructed in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, that at the General Conference there should be delegates from all parts of the world. If this motion carried, I think it will materially affect that. So I think the motion is not in harmony with the instruction given us through the spirit of prophecy. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.1
W. J. Fitzgerald: That is not the case at all. Take, for example, a union mission, with a mission organization and six local missions, with five hundred members altogether. Without any representation for membership as such, they would have one delegate for the union, and one for each of their six local missions; and so they might have a representation of seven, be that union mission as far removed from the place of the General Conference as it possibly could be. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.2
L. R. Conradi: We had the other day a very interesting time in speaking on the need of doing more work in saving souls. Now I am sure if you all carry this out, and we seek God for his grace, that during the next four years we ought to have at least twenty thousand more members; and if you have twenty thousand more members, and keep organizing conferences and mission fields and union missions, we shall have as many delegates then with this little change of two thousand, as we have at the present time. You must remember that we are constantly increasing our organizations. More conferences are being organized—I suppose some twenty or twenty-five during the last four years. Mission fields are multiplying, union missions—everything is increasing, and must increase. But they are all represented here, and they all bring in additional delegates. So it seems to me that our general representation would not be smaller, even with the change. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.3
E. R. Palmer: I believe that this would be a serious step in the wrong direction for this reason: While organizations increase in number, it will bring in additional ex-officio members; at the same time this change will cut off practically our department members from our union conferences; and I believe that one of the greatest benefits of the General Conference is derived from the fact that it brings together a large number of these department representatives for educational purposes. These men need a great meeting of this kind. We found from the day this organization met here that there was need of extending the delegation to a larger number of men than were admitted under the old five hundred basis. There is no difficulty in any well-organized union or division mission field located far from the place of holding the meeting, in regulating its own delegation. It can cut down the number to a reasonable number to travel that long distance. The change is at a place where it cuts right at the foundation of the education necessary to our department secretaries. I believe it is a step in the wrong direction, and I hope the motion will not prevail. [Voices: Amen.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.4
E. E. Andross: I am opposed to the proposed reduction in the representation. Now it makes a vast difference whether a conference with two or three thousand members is represented by one delegate, or whether a conference of one hundred fifty or two hundred or three hundred members is represented by a delegate; for each conference, without respect to its membership, is to be represented in the General Conference by a delegate. And, therefore, it seems to me that the reduction in the delegation would be very largely in this country, where the vast responsibility for the raising of funds, for the prosecution of work in the great fields beyond, would be made. It would be so largely out of proportion to the other parts of the world. And I think we need a much larger representation than would be allowed if this proposed amendment should carry. Now I believe, as has been stated here, that if our fields outside in the distant lands, do not wish to send their entire delegation, they can send what they wish. They do not need to send the entire representation. But I do believe that such a radical change as is proposed in this amendment of reducing the delegation from one for five hundred to one for every two thousand members, is so radical that it surely ought not to be made here without very careful consideration. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.5
Dr. A. B. Olsen: I am very much in favor of the idea of reducing the number of delegates to the General Conference; but I am equally in sympathy with what Brother Palmer has told us. I would like to ask this question: Would it be possible to leave the number of delegates, one for every five hundred, as we now have it, and then make this change: in each union have one delegate for every two conferences or organized missions instead of one for each conference or mission? GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.6
Voices: No, no. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.7
J. A. L. Derby: It has been suggested to have one delegate for every five hundred changed to two thousand. I am in favor of splitting the difference, and move that we insert one thousand. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.8
V. B. Watts: We have a meeting in our conference, and then a meeting of the North American Division Conference the next year, and the General Conference follows in two years after that. it seems to me that the divisions can work out some of the questions right in the home field, better than in the General Conference. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.9
Charles Thompson: It seems to me that this motion proceeds upon the supposition that all this congregation here are delegates. The visitors here are not delegates. Whether the basis of representation is five hundred or two thousand has nothing to do with their being here. If they were not here, and the delegates were scattered out in this big tent, I believe our good brother would rather make a motion to have it the other way. It seems to me that the premise of the motion is the fact of this large congregation being here, but this large congregation are not delegates. There are not many delegates to this Conference. I think it would be very wrong to swing from the basis of one to five hundred to one to two thousand. It seems to me the hope of its being lost in the fact that it is so radical. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.10
Voices: Question, question, question. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.11
W. J. Fitzgerald: I wish to state that the motion was not made with reference to this great congregation that are not delegates, it was made with reference to the expense of an unnecessarily large delegation at a world’s conference, in view of the fact that we now have these division conferences, holding meetings once in four years for the great divisions of the field. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.12
A. G. Daniells: All who favor the proposed amendment, make it manifest by raising the hand. Contrary by the same. The amendment is lost. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.13
[On section 2, article V.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.14
W. H. Green: I would like to make a statement. I notice in the constitution regarding the executive committee, that on the executive committee are to be represented the heads of mission fields, the heads of union conferences, the heads of some of the departments. I think it is proper now that I should make this constitutional objection, because if it passes, it will be four years before it can be rectified. I notice two departments have been left off. It seems to me, Mr. President, that the cabinet department of this conference, or of the division conference, ought to be represented on the executive committee of the General Conference. Now it is this: The Division Conference of North America is made up of union conferences, and the union conference is represented in the General Conference by its president, and also the division conference is represented by its officers. I do not see why it could not be arranged so that the executive department of the division conference, along with the executive departments of the union conference, could be represented on the General Conference Executive Committee; for instance, the North American Negro Department and the Foreign Department. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.15
J. K. Humphrey: When this constitution was read over the first time, I rose to insert the North American Negro Department into the “delegates at large” under the heading “Conference Executive Committee giving credentials to delegates at large,” etc., and I observed that the executive committee this time consists of the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, etc., excluding the North American Negro and the North American Foreign Departments. I want to ask whether it is the desire of this delegation to exclude or divorce from the General Conference the North American Negro Department. I understand that unless the secretary of the department be a union conference president, or an ex-president, or a superintendent of an organized union mission, the North American Negro Department would have no representative at all on the General Conference Executive Committee. I would like to ask whether it is really desired that there should be no representative of these two departments, on the General Conference Executive Committee. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.16
A. G. Daniells: No, sir. There is no desire to exclude it, and under the constitution that we operated under the past quadrennial period that department was represented just as much as any other department. And now in this new arrangement it is no more excluded than any other nationality in the United States. There is no exclusion. There is no desire to exclude; but it is a matter of organization, and racial conditions and considerations do not enter into it in the least in any way, shape, or manner. The constitution considers every race just alike. Now those are the plain facts. It deals with all the nations of the world. The constitution does not place on the executive committee any one from the consideration of race or nationality, it is not a racial arrangement, it is an organic arrangement. GCB June 4, 1913, page 262.17
L. R. Conradi: As a member of the committee on constitution, I would call attention to what we had in mind. Hitherto the extra members were only seven, and these extra members included the ex-presidents of the General Conference, but now we have included the ex-presidents of the General Conference by specifying them. The number besides was raised from seven to eleven, understanding that if there are members, say in the North American Foreign Department, or members in the German, Scandinavian, Negro, or any other department, who, as men of experience, are desired to be placed on the committee, there is a chance to place them there without difficulty. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.1
A. G. Daniells: It would be utterly impossible to frame a constitution with reference to racial standing. It must be absolutely on merit and on our organic relationship. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.2
[Renewal of the discussion of section 5, article III.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.3
M. A. Altman: Now it does seem to me that we have not gained what we ought to gain in this reorganization into division conferences. If the representation of the General Conference is still the same as it is in the division conference, it does seem to me that the delegation is too large, and although, on this other basis, it does not seem best to decrease the delegation from the standpoint of membership, it does seem to me that there ought to be some way of reducing the delegation. I would like to move that that portion which specifies that there must be a delegate representing each local conference and each local mission field be stricken out, leaving the basis of representation on the five hundred membership basis, and leaving the unions to select those delegates as seems best to them. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.4
W. W. Prescott: The size of the vote in favor of reducing the representation so radically shows that there is a strong feeling in the delegation that some change should be made. It is almost impossible to make that change satisfactorily by off-hand motions. I move that that portion of the constitution presented relating to the delegation to the Conference be referred back to the committee for further consideration and report. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.5
The motion prevailed. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.6
Question was called on the remaining portion of the report, and the report was adopted, save as relates to the section referred. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.7
I. H. Evans: Brother Chairman, after we have discussed the constitution. I want to read you a little note from China. I received a letter this morning from one of our superintendents in the province of Human. They have just had their spring meeting, and of this meeting he writes:— GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.8
“Our spring meetings are now in the past. The last one,—the Hunan meeting, held from April 24 to May 3—closed last night. Of the 63 counties in this province, representatives were in attendance from 18. The believers present numbered about two hundred; and, aside from those who made other arrangements, 165 took their meals at the mission restaurant. Quite a few outsiders from the vicinity of our chapel, also attended when the weather was good. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.9
“In the preaching, special emphasis was given to the closing work of our great High Priest, and the threefold message which is to prepare a people to stand in the presence of a holy God. Never have I seen a more earnest, hearty response to the spoken word. It seemed that with one accord the people covenanted with one another and with their Saviour to put away everything that would keep them from meeting Jesus in peace. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.10
“Over fifty presented themselves for baptism, and on examination, 43 were accepted, and went forward with their Lord in this precious ordinance. Of this number only 5 had previously been connected with any other mission, thus giving us 38 who came direct from heathenism. They were a well-instructed class of candidates. This makes I0I who have united with the church through baptism at our spring meetings this year. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.11
“A further indication of growth was the Hunan offering to the mission board of $225, Mexican in cash and pledges, making a total for the three provinces of $455, Mexican. Our Sabbath-school offerings for the first quarter of I9I3 are $56.76. So our people in the home land may observe that their brethren and sisters on this side of the Pacific are, to the extent of their ability, beginning to line up in sharing the financial burdens of the work. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.12
“The most of the students who were in the Nanking Training-school, have returned, and are full of courage and zeal. In planning for the summer’s campaign in Hunan, we are sending fourteen evangelists and twenty-nine canvassers into the field. Twelve out-stations are being manned, and earnest please have come to us from six other places where there are interested companies. We confidently believe that the Lord is about to do a great work in central China, and the needs and magnitude of the work bring us often upon our knees to confess our helplessness and to plead for strength and wisdom.” GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.13
And that is in a province where one and one-half years ago we had only one little company, and not a single church of believers. [Voices: Amen.] GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.14
A. G. Daniells: We will now call for other business. Are any of the standing committees prepared to report? GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.15
O. A. Olsen: Our committee on nominations has a further partial report. Elder Fitzgerald will read the report. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.16
Report on Nominations GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.17
W. J. Fitzgerald: I will say that our report is not complete as to department secretaries as you will observe. (Reading): For secretaries of Departments: Educational, H. R. Salisbury; Publishing, N. Z. Town; Medical, W. A. Ruble; Young People’s Missionary Volunteer, M. E. Kern. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.18
For members of executive committee, in addition to ex-officio members: S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, W. C. Sisley, C. H. Jones, G. B. Thompson, E. R. Palmer, H. W. Miller, M. D., C. S. Longacre. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.19
For members of General Conference Corporation: W. T. Knox, I. H. Evans, F. M. Wilcox, B. G. Wilkinson, W. W. Prescott, E. R. Palmer, H. E. Rogers. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.20
For members of the General Conference Association: W. T. Knox, W. A. Spicer, I. H. Evans, W. W. Prescott, W. B. White, F. M. Wilcox, H. R. Salisbury, C. F. McVagh, B. G. Wilkinson, E. R. Palmer, G. B. Thompson, T. E. Bowen, I. A. Ford, H. E. Rogers, K. C. Russell, O. A. Olsen, S. E. McNeill, Allen Moon, H. W. Cottrell, D. W. Reavis, C. S. Longacre. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.21
For trustees of Foreign Mission Board: A. G. Daniells, W. A. Spicer, W. T. Knox, I. H. Evans, H. R. Salisbury, O. A. Olsen, W. B. White, G. B. Thompson, W. W. Prescott. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.22
The report was adopted. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.23
A. G. Daniells: Are there any other committees to report? GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.24
Partial Report, Committee on Plans GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.25
Guy Dail: The committee on plans beg leave to submit the following partial report: GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.26
“Whereas, The millions in our cities are to be warned in a short period of time; and,— GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.27
“Whereas, It has been demonstrated that the circulation of our message-filled tracts is one of the most practical methods of winning souls; therefore,— GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.28
23. “Resolved, That we request our publishing houses to furnish a series of tracts with attractive covers, covering the principal features of our message, at prices which will enable them to give GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.29
the colporteurs sixty per cent discount, and that an effort be made to encourage the lay members in our churches to engage in the sale of our tracts. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.30
24. We recommend, (a) That a joint educational and young people’s convention, to continue two weeks, be held in the summer of 1914 at such time and place as the departments may determine. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.31
(b) That the delegates to this convention, and the manner of meeting their expenses, be determined by the union conference committees, in counsel with the departments. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.32
25. We recommend, (a) That a normal institute, under the direction of the Department of Education, be arranged to follow the joint convention of educators and Missionary Volunteers to be held in 1914. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.33
(b) That this institute be composed of the normal directors in our union conference training-schools, and of educators who have shown special ability in developing certain subjects of Christian education along normal lines, the latter to be appointed by the Department of Education. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.34
26. We recommend, That the word “division” be stricken out of the technical name for the North American and the European Division Conferences, and the Asiatic Division Mission. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.35
27. We recommend, The approval of the action of the General Conference at the autumn council requesting the Educational Department to prepare a reading course for licentiates and ministers; and, further, that this course be outlined in detail, and the books be selected at the Bible teachers’ summer institute to be held at the close of the present Conference, their work to be reported to the General Conference Committee for final action; and that the subjects included in this course shall be Biblical, historical, and pastoral. GCB June 4, 1913, page 263.36
In view of the request that has come from the West Indian Union that their Spanish territory be turned over to the General Conference,— GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.1
28. We recommend, That the whole of the West Indian Union be placed under the direct care of the General Conference Executive Committee. GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.2
On motion to adopt, the consideration of the report was deferred. GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.3
A. G. Daniells: There is another item to be considered. A few days ago you appointed a committee of five to draft a memorial to be addressed to the President of the United States. This memorial is ready to be presented to the Conference, and we will call on the chairman or secretary of this committee to present it. GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.4
This memorial was presented by W. A. Colcord for the committee, and was adopted. (It will be printed after presentation.) GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.5
The officers of the Conference were asked to name the deputation to present the memorial to the President. GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.6
Conference adjourned. GCB June 4, 1913, page 264.7
A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman;
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.