General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
Departmental Meetings
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
NORTH AMERICAN FOREIGN DEPARTMENT
First Meeting, May 14, 8 A. M.
The department held its first meeting Friday morning, May 14, at 8 A. M. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.3
G. A. Irwin, chairman, called the meeting to order, and B. G. Wilkinson was chosen as secretary. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.4
The chairman spoke of the work of the department during the four years, emphasizing the important work it has in hand in the effort to reach the populations speaking foreign tongues in the United States. W. C. White suggested a careful study of the relation of this department to the work in Europe, that close co-operation between this country and Europe may help in reaching European peoples in America. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.5
A program committee was appointed as follows: L. H. Christian, O. A. Olsen, S. Mortenson, G. F. Haffner, W. C. White, O. E. Reinke, A. Boettcher. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.6
It was decided on alternate days to hold this department meeting in the large tent, inviting delegates from other lands to be present, and on the other days to have the different nationalities meet separately in council. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.7
Second Meeting, May 16, 8 A. M. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.8
Elder L. H. Christian presented the first report of the program committee. To this committee were added the names of S. S. Svenson, F. C. Gilbert, H. H. Dexter, L. Zacchetto, G. W. Schubert, D. P. Boresena, and H. Schultz. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.9
Reports of Leaders in the Foreign Work GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.10
Elder G. F. Haffner spoke of the good progress of the German work west of the Mississippi River, especially in North Dakota. There two churches and many scattered members have been raised up for the truth. In all there are now about three thousand believers representing the German language west of the Mississippi River. There has also been growth in the publishing work. Last year there were 87 German students at Union College, 20 at Walla Walla, and very great growth in the North Dakota school. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.11
Elder E. O. Reinke, speaking for the German work in the East, gave some interesting statistics. Briefly speaking, the East may be summarized as follows: German population, 6,260,219; German churches, 14; membership, 418; scattered membership, 216; tithes per capita, $17.62; Sabbath-schools, 16; membership of Sabbath-schools, 471; Sabbath-school offerings per capita, $3.43; ordained ministers, 23. During the last four years, five churches have been organized, with a membership of 96. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.12
Elder L. F. Christian, representing the Danish-Norwegian work in North America, spoke of the desire for a closer union with the same work in Europe. The Danes and Norwegians in North America are scattered from Maine to California, there being something like 1,200,000 Danes and 500,000 Norwegians in the United States. We have at present 48 Danish-Norwegian churches. Brother Christian gave the following suggestions drawn from his experience with the Danish-Norwegian work: 1 Let laborers in these languages stick to the language; 2 stronger and more efficient organization in this branch of the work; 3 better co-operation between the workers in the different languages, and between the work in this country and that abroad. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.13
Elder S. Mortenson, representing the Swedish work in North America, spoke encouragingly of his work in connection with the Swedes. There are about 1,500 Swedish believers in the United States, one-half of whom are strictly Swedish members, the other half being largely mingled with the American and Danish-Norwegian churches. There are 22 active conference workers in the field. The average per capita tithe of the Swedes rises as high as $19, and the per capita offerings to $11. The Swedish brethren are loyal to their work, and they endeavor always to extend a sympathetic co-operation to all the brethren in other languages. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.14
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Second Meeting, May 16, 5 P. M.
Meeting was opened by singing “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It.” GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.15
The report of the committee on nominations was presented, as follows:— GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.16
On Resolutions: H. R. Salisbury, C. W. Irwin, Otto Graf, B. G. Wilkinson, W. J. Blake, Otto Luepke, E. A. Sutherland, S. M. Butler, B. F. Machlan, A. C. Selmon, H. C. Lacey, F. W. Field, and Miss Thompson. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.17
On Text-Books: M. E. Cady, Sarah Peck, Miss Hale, Mrs. Heffley, G. A. Grauer, Otto Luepke, P. E. Berthelsen, C. B. Hughes, Miss Andre, Jean Vuilleumier, A. Anderson, and F. M. Rossiter. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.18
On a System of Reporting: J. G. Lamson, Lamson, B. E. Huffman, M. B. Van Kirk, Mrs. Williams, I. C. Colcord, C. Sorenson, Ethel Harris, Miss Bates, G. F. Wolfkill, and C. A. Hansen. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.19
On Educational Campaign Literature: H. G. Lucas, C. S. Longacre, G. W. Caviness, B. A. Wolcott, O. A. Johnson, R. B. Thurber, E. L. Stewart. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.20
On Courses of Study: M. E. Cady, H. C. Lacey, C. C. Lewis, H. R. Salisbury, Sarah Peck, C. W. Irwin, B. F. Machlan, T. D. Rowe, B. G. Wilkinson, E. E. Farnsworth, G. A. Grauer, B. E. Huffman, J. G. Lamson, Mrs. W. Heffley, Mrs. C. N. Sanders, Miss Hale, H. M. Hiatt, F. W. Field, Otto Luepke, and R. B. Thurber. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.21
There being no other business to come before the meeting, adjournment was made until 5 o’clock, Monday, May 17. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.22
THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting, May 17, 8 A. M.
The subject discussed was “True and False Theocracy.” C. M. Snow led out in the discussion, presenting a very interesting and carefully prepared paper. Brethren C. H. Keslake and G. E. Langdon followed, each likewise reading thoughtful and well-prepared papers on the subject. The question was so well, so ably, and so clearly set forth in these three papers that there was at once a call for their publication, either in complete or abridged form. The thought was expressed that we were in need of literature upon this subject. GCB May 18, 1909, page 43.23
Both in the papers and in the discussion which followed, the question was raised as to when the theocracy of Israel came to an end, whether in the days of Samuel, when the people asked for a king; or in the days of Zedekiah, when the diadem was removed, and Israel went into captivity; or at the first advent, when the Jews rejected Christ as their king, and said, “We have no king but Caesar.” From various scriptures presented, as well as from a quotation from “Desire of Ages” (page 738), it seemed quite evident that it was not until the time last mentioned. Though the people kept departing from God, and from their proper relations to him as their rightful king, ruler, and lawgiver, under a pure and perfect theocracy, still God clung to them as his people and did the best he could for them, by them, and through them, under the circumstances, and they were not finally and fully cut off as a nation until they rejected Christ, their rightful King, and declared themselves openly, absolutely, and solely for another. Then the theocracy, so far as this present world is concerned, came to an end. Then their house was left unto them “desolate,” and the kingdom of God, in any national or world-wide sense, was to be no more “until he come whose right it is, and it shall be given him.” GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.1
THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting, May 17, 8 A. M.
The third meeting of the Publishing Department convention was called at 8 A. M., May 17. E. R. Palmer occupied the chair. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.2
The officers, who were authorized in the previous meeting to appoint a committee on plans and recommendations, announced the following names:— GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.3
E. R. Palmer, N. Z. Town, D. W. Reavis, J. Cochran, J. M. Johanson, F. F. Byington, S. N. Curtiss, I. A. Ford, H. Hartkop, C. E. Weaks, J. B. Blosser, and W. W. Eastman. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.4
The time was spent in an enjoyable discussion of three resolutions referring to the prosperity of the publishing work during the past four years, the reorganization of our publishing houses on a membership basis, and the elimination of commercial work. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.5
These resolutions were unanimously approved, and will be passed on to the general committee on plans for the regular conference session. If approved, they will appear later in the BULLETIN as a part of the regular deliberations of the Conference. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.6
It was a very interesting and enjoyable meeting. The Spirit of the Lord was present. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.7
THE MEDICAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting, May 17, 8 A. M.
The third meeting of the Medical Missionary Department was held in the Scandinavian tent, with Dr. A. C. Selmon in the chair. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.8
The discussion of yesterday’s paper, “Medical Missionary Work in Mexico,” was continued by Elder George W. Reaser, president of the Mexican field, as follows:—than Mexico. The early experience of Dr. Lillis Wood (now Starr) in the city of Guadalajara proves this. Although Guadalajara was a fanatical center within a few weeks after the doctor had opened treatment-rooms, she was overwhelmed with the applications from all classes for healing. Had assistance been given her, and had the large fund provided at that time for medical work, been used in establishing treatment-rooms in half a dozen large cities in Mexico, there would have been numbers of influential centers radiating truth in different parts of the republic. We must use our failures of the past only as mighty counselors for the future. If we have made a mistake in dealing with our physicians in Mexico in the past, it was in not giving the same support and encouragement to them as to our evangelists. We desire to do everything in our power for the encouragement and support of our medical missionary workers in Mexico in the future. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.9
An excellent sanitarium near Mexico City is placed at our disposal, and we are anxious to secure a consecrated physician to take charge of this institution, and also to connect with treatment-rooms in the capital, and thus revive and place this department of our work on a sure footing in the republic. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.10
In the absence of Dr. G. K. Abbott, Dr. Olive Ingersoll gave a talk on “Preparation for Medical Missionary Work.” She referred to experiences in India, where nurses said, “I did not come out here to care for babies, but to do missionary work,” or, “I did not come out here to do housework, but missionary work.” GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.11
This raises the question, What is missionary work? The answer comes in the study of the life of Christ. The first thing that strikes one in his life is the long period of preparation for a comparatively short period of work. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.12
Dr. W. B. Monsen mentioned consecration to God as first in importance in preparation for medical missionary work. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.13
Dr. Ida Herr-Nelson spoke of the necessity of thoroughness and of having a special training in rational treatments, such as is not obtained in the regular schools. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.14
Dr. W. A. Ruble said that the important point in the mind of the committee in assigning this topic had not been fully touched. Shall we qualify in the legally recognized schools? or is it possible and advantageous to make preparation in a special missionary training-school, such as that at Loma Linda? GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.15
Dr. J. R. Leadsworth said that the missionary who gets in the ordinary college some very hard technical work, and then at the close takes a little veneering of Bible, finds it requires a real effort to do missionary work with his patients. In the school at Loma Linda there are some who are probably as well qualified as very many physicians to do medical work. These as a part of their required course go out and hold. Bible readings, visit the sick, and do medical evangelistic work, and to these it is not afterward an effort to do missionary work with their patients. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.16
SABBATH-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Second Meeting, May 17, 8 A. M.
One of the most important topics on the program came up for consideration “The Sabbath-school Teacher’s Reading Course” was read by Miss Winnie P. Hunt, the Nebraska Sabbath-school secretary, and the discussion was led by Miss Ona M. Russell, the Southern New England secretary. Selections were read from “Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work” showing the need of specific training for Sabbath-school workers. Our Sabbath-schools will never accomplish the purpose of God in the salvation of souls until the Sabbath-school workers have learned how to study and how to teach. The teachers in many of our schools have had no special training in this work. They have taken it up in the fear of the Lord, without training, without definite help, and with only a burden for the work on their hearts. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.17
Miss Hunt presented the report of the committee on the teachers’ reading course. Suggestions were made somewhat in detail for a course of one year. It was suggested that a manual on Sabbath-school work be prepared, and that this new manual be one of the books to be studied. “Testimonies on Sabbath-school work” should also form a part of the study, and one or two books on Sunday-school work were suggested as furnishing many helpful thoughts worthy of study by one who is fitting himself to become a teacher. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.18
The discussion was general, the speakers all expressing their gratitude that such a plan was being formed, and their conviction that it is greatly needed. It was urged by a number of the secretaries that the Home Department members be specially provided for in this course of study. The Home Department work has developed until it is a strong feature of the Sabbath-school work in nearly every conference. The secretaries were especially anxious to have that provided which would be of help to those who do not have the advantage of association with a regular school. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.19
The committee on the teachers’ reading course was asked to draft an appropriate recommendation for presentation to the General Conference Committee on Plans. GCB May 18, 1909, page 44.20