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
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
Tenth Meeting
A further partial report was submitted by the committee on plans, the following among other recommendations being made:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.16
1. (a) That the Educational Department appoint a central buying agency, to retail to the schools all over the country the apparatus required at a price just enough above the wholesale buying price to pay for the office expense, and at the end of each year the balance be divided among the schools in proportion to the amount of business done. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.17
(b) That this buying agency be regulated by a committee of five science teachers from our colleges, the chairman of which is to be the purchasing agent; all business going through his hands. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.18
(c) That the chairman make a report each year to all schools entering this cooperative system, and enjoying the benefits therefrom, giving a printed statement of all money received and expended. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.19
(d) That we ask the General Conference to give this agency its financial backing. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.20
(e) That all our schools be encouraged to buy through this agency, thus saving for us thousands of dollars, and giving the colleges an opportunity to check the apparatus used in our academies. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.21
2. That the committee on science equipment and libraries be requested to continue its work during another year, and make a final report at the educational convention of 1914. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.22
3. (a) That the committee on standards be requested to continue its work another year, and make a final report at the convention of 1914. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.23
(b) That the Department of Education make such changes in the personnel of the committee as may be necessary to give proper representation to our academies. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.24
(c) That the committee thus constituted standardize the courses in our schools of 10, 12, and 14 grades respectively. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.25
(d) That this committee consider the advisability of making certain adaptations of the work in the last one or two years offered by the 14-grade schools, with a view to rendering them suited to the needs of the pupils, who go from these schools directly into the work. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.26
4. That the respective library and laboratory funds in our various academies and colleges be employed exclusively for building up the libraries and laboratories. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.27
5. That in the purchasing of books for our libraries, due attention be paid to the relative importance of the different lines of study, special emphasis being placed on Bible, history, and English. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.28
There was a further consideration of the report of the committee on standards, the following being among the recommendations passed:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.29
1. That, beginning with Sept. 1, 1915, we ask schools teaching science subjects to have an equipment for any such subject equal to the amount specified by the committee on science equipment. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.30
2. That if all branches are taught, the minimum laboratory equipment shall be three thousand dollars. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.31
3. That such schools strive toward a five-thousand-dollar equipment as a more efficient means of teaching the subjects. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.32
Eleventh Meeting
A paper on “Subjects to Be Taught in Our Summer Schools” was read by W. W. Ruble, secretary of the Northern Union. It was discussed by Professors Stone, Graf, and Butler, and Miss Peck GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.33
The report of the committee on industrial education was read by its chairman, C. B. Hughes. It was discussed at some length by C. W. Irwin. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.34
Twelfth Meeting
A few minutes were given to an informal discussion of the place to hold our convention in 1914. It was the consensus of opinion that it be held where the largest delegation can be assured. June 10 to 24 was suggested as a suitable time. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.35
The report of the committee on certification was read by its chairman, H. G. Lucas. Inasmuch as this report was of such a nature that it needed some study before discussion, it was voted to have it duplicated, and to have the committee continue its work, with the addition of the following five members: C. A. Russell, M. M. Hare, C. B. Hughes, M. E. Cady, M. B. Van Kirk. This committee to make its final report at the time of the convention, in 1914. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.36
Unfinished business was taken up by continuing the discussion of the report on college standards. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.37
The committee appointed to revise an amendment to recommendation 2 made its report, which was adopted, as follows:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.38
That the qualifications of a teacher be at least a collegiate degree or its equivalent in scholarship, with special reference to the line which he is to teach, and a successful test of teaching ability of at least two years’ duration, during which time he shall have demonstrated his ability to develop the various subjects taught in harmony with the principles of Christian education, and have shown sympathetic participation in the spiritual and missionary work of the school. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.39
The original amendment was divided, and the following part added to proposition 1 of the report: And of conducting the work of the school in full harmony with the system of Christian education given to Seventh-day Adventists, as outlined in the spirit of prophecy. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.40
“Vocational Work” was discussed by Professors Lamson, Howell, Benson, Graf, and Olsen. It was finally voted to refer the recommendation dealing with this phase of our work to an industrial committee appointed by the department, which was to confer with the committee on courses, and report at the convention of 1914. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.41
Thirteenth Meeting
Unfinished business was first taken up, by completing the consideration of the report on college standards, which, after some changes, was adopted as a whole. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.42
The report of the committee on commercial text-books was read by B. B. Smith, secretary of the committee. The report was considered item by item, and adopted, with the exception of referring recommendation 4, on the teaching of commercial law, to the committee on courses of study. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.43
Certain of the recommendations of the committee on plans, printed in the report of the tenth meeting, were passed. GCB June 9, 1913, page 326.44
Fourteenth Meeting
A very interesting and instructive paper, entitled “How Shall Social Culture Be Taught?” was read by C. C. Lewis. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.1
G. H. Heald, editor of Life and Health, read a paper on “School Sanitation.” The discussion, by H. C. Menkel, of this paper laid emphasis upon the importance of putting into practise the principles of health we already know. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.2
Fifteenth Meeting
The remaining recommendations of the committee on plans, published in the proceedings of the tenth meeting, were passed. Also the following:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.3
That the specifications in the report of the committee on college standards adopted at this council take effect not later than Jan. 1, 1915. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.4
That a committee of five be appointed by the general department to standardize the elementary school work. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.5
That the syllabi prepared by the various sections be tested and tried out during the coming year, final action on them to be taken at the convention of 1914. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.6
That colleges, academies, and intermediate schools make no radical changes in their courses of study without advising with the general department. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.7
Some time was spent in a helpful discussion of the work of the Correspondence School, Professors Howell, Lewis, Benson, Kellogg, Olsen, and others taking part. It was the generally expressed conviction that the foundations of the school had been well and strongly laid, and that it was filling a very important place in our scheme of educations. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.8
The following recommendations was introduced from the floor, and adopted by a standing vote:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.9
In view of the shortness of time, and the vast amount of work yet to be accomplished in carrying the third angel’s message to the world in this generation, and in view of the wrong and worldly ideals that surround our schools, and of the fact that they unconsciously have a strong tendency to mold our educational ideas and policies, we do hereby pledge ourselves before God to more constant prayer, that we and our fellow teachers may more clearly understand and more strongly realize the importance of the principles of Christians education as presented in the spirit of prophecy, especially those regarding the value of industrial education and of the Bible as a fundamental element in every line of our school work, and the dangers of games and social functions, and we as a convention and as individuals do hereby consecrate our lives more fully to the application of these God-given principles. Thus we may do our part in the finishing of the work. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.10
MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
Fourteenth Meeting
The committee on junior work submitted the following final report:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.11
We recommend, (a) That all junior Volunteers be encouraged to adopt the study of the Morning Watch Calendar; GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.12
(b) That meetings be held and special effort be put forth for the juniors at our camp-meetings; and— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.13
(c) That an earnest effort be put forth to enlist all our juniors in the reading courses provided for them. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.14
An enthusiastic discussion followed. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.15
Mrs. Crisler: My heart always goes out to the juniors. They are glad to be with the seniors, but I think they do not get from the meetings what they should get. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.16
Elder MacGuire: I am convinced that if we as secretaries get enthusiastic about the junior work, and go home and start it, we will find a great field that has been unoccupied. I believe that when we as secretaries enter upon a strong, earnest campaign for juniors, we shall find that it strengthens our hold upon the regular young people’s work. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.17
Professor Van Kirk: Some years ago I was a preceptor. In our morning workship we used the Morning Watch. All the boys learned the texts. Occasionally Friday evenings and Sabbath afternoons we reviewed the month’s texts. The boys also took a large part in the prayer service. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.18
Fifteenth Meeting
The Missionary Volunteer workers met in special session to attend to all unfinished business of the department. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.19
In harmony with the paper presented by Mrs. H. W. Carr, at a former meeting, the following reading course recommendation was passed:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.20
We recommend. That to promote an interest in the reading of good books, as well as to encourage our youth to pursue the Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses, each conference missionary volunteer department maintain a library of all the books used in our reading courses, and that this library be accessible to our young people at camp- meetings and conventions and general meetings where young people may be in attendance, and where our young people’s work may be considered. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.21
Upon the last Sabbath morning of the Conference, the young people’s workers met for a farewell consecration service. The workers expressed their determination to pay the price of highest success in soul-winning, and go forth to attempt greater things for God, and to expect greater things from him. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.22
CURRICULUM FOR SANITARIUM NURSES’ TRAINING-SCHOOLS
[Adopted by the General Conference Medical Department]
For the purpose of raising the standard of our nurses’ training-schools, and that we may send out from our sanitarium more efficient workers, we would recommend the following:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.23
1. That all sanitariums carrying on training-schools should have a training- school faculty of not fewer than five teachers. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.24
That the necessary training-school equipment should include a well-equipped laboratory, a library of not fewer than one hundred volumes; yearly subscriptions to two good nursing journals, a skeleton, and necessary charts. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.25
2. That minimum requirements for entrance to training-school be: Age of twenty years, ninth-grade preliminary education, good health, evidence of thorough consecration and unselfish missionary purpose, the object being to train workers for the field. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.26
3. That eight hours per day, or forty-eight hours per week, with necessary Sabbath time, be the basis for required work in these training-schools. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.27
4. That there shall be at least twelve class periods of not less than forty-five minutes each per week, forty weeks in the year, for three years, making a total of 1,440 hours’ class work (hour, a class period). GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.28
5. That classes shall be held in the following subjects: Bible, pastoral training, spirit of prophecy, anatomy, physiology, domestic science, hygienic dress, physical training, practical nursing, ethics of nursing, practical and theoretical hydrotherapy, practical and theoretical massage, manual Swedish, hygiene, dietetics, cookery, bacteriology, surgical nursing, bandaging, accidents and emergencies, operating-room drill, general diseases, tropical diseases, nervous and mental diseases, children’s diseases, obstetrics, gynecology or genitouranary diseases, material medica, chemistry, practical laboratory work, electrotherapeutics. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.29
6. That the minimum number of hours, or class periods required for each subject, be as follows:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.30
Bible 240; pastoral training, 120; spirit of prophecy, 40; field work, consisting of missionary and evangelistic effort, three months or more; anatomy, 40; physiology, 80; domestic science, 10; hygienic dress, 20; physical training, 120; practical nursing, 40; ethics of nursing, 10; practical hydrotherapy, 60; theoretical hydrotherapy, 60; practical massage, 60; theoretical massage, 20; manual Swedish, 20; hygiene, 20; dietetics, 20; cookery, 20, with three months’ practical work in the kitchen, under the direction of a competent instructor; bacteriology, 10; surgical nursing, 20 (with care of four cases); bandaging, 10; operating-room drill, 10; accidents and emergencies, 20; general diseases, 10; nervous and mental diseases, 80; tropical diseases, 10; nervous and mental diseases, 10; children’s diseases, 20; obstetrics, 40 (with care of six cases); gynecology, 10; genito-urinary diseases, 10 (for men); material medica, 20; chemistry, 20; practical laboratory work, 20; electrotherapeutics, 20. This leaves a margin of 120 hours which can be applied on those subjects according to desire of faculty. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.31
7. We wish to emphasize the need of a better preparation of workers for work in foreign field, including the paying of special attention to the subject of tropical diseases and tropical hygiene, also the need of giving our nurses in training regular and systematic experience in field work, such as school of health work, Christian Help work, and city work. We believe that special attention should be paid to the study of health reform, hygiene, dietetics, practical and scientific cookery, and hygienic dress, that our nurses may be equipped to go out as efficient educators of our own people and the people of the world. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.32
8. We believe that we should aim to keep our sanitariums on a high plane, and seek to mold the minds of our people in regard to this important branch of our work, “the right arm.” GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.33
9. We recommend that the names of schools coming up to or above standard be listed, and that our young people be encouraged to take their training in such schools, other sanitariums not possible to bring up the standard being advised to discontinue training-schools and to affiliate with larger institutions. GCB June 9, 1913, page 327.34
MEETINGS FOR BIBLE WORKERS
Seventh Meeting
The topic for this meeting was “The Health Reform Message Due at a Certain Time in the History of the World.” The day of atonement in the earthly sanctuary is a type of the day in which we live. While the high priest officiated in the most holy place, there was something for the people to do. Leviticus 23:27-31. They were to fast and afflict their souls. This is a type of the work to be done today in controlling the appetite. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.1
Questions GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.2
How many texts should be used in giving a Bible reading?” This was answered by Sister, Starr, Breed, and Boyd. No set rules may be given that will suit all occasions. Many times one text will convince a person. If it does not, present another, and still another, until the point is clear. Usually two texts on each point are sufficient. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.3
How may people be brought to the deciding point? The worker should be so familiar with the Word that the Spirit of God may use that portion which will touch the heart. Sister Haskell gave an illustration of a thread of heavenly light which the servant of the Lord saw reaching from consecrated workers to heaven; and still other threads of light connecting with heaven earnest hearts seeking for truth. When the Bible worker who had such a connection with heaven came to a home where the thread of light shone the two threads came together. and souls were born into the truth. The Word of God does the work. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.4
Eighth Meeting
“How to Conduct a Successful Bible Training-School” was taken up at this meeting. A suggestive outline of daily work was placed on the blackboard: Rising bell, 6; breakfast, 6:30-7: Bible study, 7-8; domestic work, 9; Bible study, 9-10; private study, 10-12:30; dinner, 12:30-1. Afternoon and evenings, work in the city. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.5
Sister Haskell stated that system is next in importance to consecration and devotion. Without system a training- school will rarely if ever be a success. She suggested that domestic work may be divided equally among the workers. men and women sharing alike, the leader also doing his part with the rest. Each one may take turns preparing the breakfast. If no one is employed to prepare the dinners each may take his turn doing that also. If there are twenty or more in the company each person will not need to do this work oftener than once in three weeks thus making the work light for all. The person preparing dinner does not usually go out in the afternoon. All domestic work except preparing the dinner should be done in the two hours allotted to it, and one period should not be allowed to enroach upon another. Two class studies are held each day and much of the success of the school depends upon these being carried on uninterruptedly. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.6
The early morning study is devoted to general study of the Scriptures. The ten o’clock class is spent in learning to give Bible readings and in actual practise, giving them before the class. All go out in the afternoon and evening to their respective lines of work. Inexperienced Bible workers do not at once make appointments for Bible readings. It is much better for them to canvass for small books and papers at first to gain an experience in meeting people. This gives confidence and ability to help people to make decisions. It is recommended that all Bible workers be distributers of literature. This should be impressed upon them from the beginning of their training. Seek God for opportunities to place literature in every home where readings are held. It will preach the truth when the Bible worker is not present, and it gives God an opportunity to work should the Bible worker be shut out, as is sometimes the case. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.7
In closing, Sister Haskell told of a Bible worker who, although doubtful of this method of working, attempted to sell “Great Controversy” to one of her readers. When she went to her appointment the following week, her reader was gone. She returned to the training-school much discouraged. The next Sabbath the reader appeared at the Sabbath meeting keeping the Sabbath, the result of reading the book the sister had left. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.8
THE EARLY MORNING MEETINGS OF OUR MISSIONARIES
Throughout the Conference the missionaries met at six o’clock each morning (except Sabbaths) in the Foreign Mission Seminary chapel to discuss in a round-table manner the many problems with which they must deal in their work in the different lands. These were very profitable and blessed meetings, as in the exchange of experiences, valuable suggestions were made, which will surely bear fruitage in the future, as our work spreads out in these different fields. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.9
The following subjects were discussed:— GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.10
Round Table I
1. The aim in mission work evangelistic, soul winning.
2. Keeping one’s own spiritual experience and growth amid daily contact with darkness and superstition.
3. The missionary’s personal study.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.11
Round Table II
1. Occupying the field.
2. Locating the station.
3. Manning the station.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.12
Round Table III
WORK AMONG HEATHEN PEOPLES
1. The presenting of the message.
2. Methods of work.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.13
Round Table IV
1. Work in Catholic fields.
2. Methods pioneering agencies.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.14
Round Table V
1. The missionary recruit.
2. Meeting the recruit in the mission field.
3. Language study preventing failure.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.15
Round Table VI
1. Development of native workers.
2. Working toward self support in mission fields.
3. Experiences in securing elders and officers for native churches.
4. Shepherding the flock.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.16
Round Table VII
1. Getting on with one another in the fields.
2. Administration and cooperation.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.17
Round Table VIII
1. Meeting national prejudices and rivalries.
2. What is our attitude toward political strife? and how shall converts be helped to keep aloof from these things?
3. Moslem work methods.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.18
Round Table IX
1. Relation to other missionary societies and their converts.
2. Opportunities for self-supporting work, and how it may be made most effective.
3. Education of missionaries children.
4. Care of health in the tropics preventive measures health stations.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.19
Round Table X
1. Relation of older fields to mission fields.
2. Under the great commission, (a) Where are the greatest gaps to be filled in? and how shall we work toward them? (b) Special tokens of the divine hand hastening the finishing of the work in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Australasia, West Indies, North America.
GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.20
The heads of training-schools and teachers especially interested in mission study met with the missionaries as well as members of the General Conference Committee or Mission Board. It is hoped that some digest of suggestions made may be prepared for reference. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.21
THE NORTH AMERICAN NEGRO DEPARTMENT
Throughout the Conference there have been in attendance a goodly number of representatives from the North American Negro Department. These have united with their brethren in the various activities of the Conference; and inasmuch as it was desirable that all have opportunity to attend the departmental meetings having to do with vital interests in all fields and among all peoples, it was decided early in the session not to hold separate meetings of the Negro Department at the time allotted other departments. We regret that no reports of the few meetings held at the beginning, have been handed in for publication. Considerable time was given to a study of the work of the ministry, and to efficiency in service, also to the circulation of literature. Excellent reports from the field were brought in. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.22
During the last few days of the Conference the colored brethren met every morning at five o’clock for an informal discussion of problems connected with their field work. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.23
Although the progress during the past quadrennial period is most encouraging there is every prospect that in the near future there will be a still greater measure of success attending the labors of our colored brethren and sisters, than in former years. As the representatives of this line of work leave the Conference with renewed courage we pray that their efforts in the field may be richly blessed to the salvation of their fellow men, not only in the Southland but throughout the entire field: for everywhere are found perishing souls. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.24
“And they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Isaiah 27:13. GCB June 9, 1913, page 328.25