General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
Departmental Meetings
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
SABBATH-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
A call was made for the reports of committees. Three recommendations were presented. These dealt with the proposed teachers’ reading course, the Home Department work, and the enlargement of the subscription list of the Sabbath School Worker. These recommendations will be passed to the General Conference Committee on Plans for further consideration, and will come before the Conference later. GCB May 20, 1909, page 75.6
The special topic for the day was the “Test Question Plan.” Mrs. Lee S. Wheeler, secretary of the Central New England Conference, read a valuable paper on the topic. In part she said: “How like a bugbear to some people is the sound of ‘test,’ especially when applied to acquired knowledge, or rather, to knowledge not acquired. But it is a recognized necessity in all departments of learning to apply frequent tests to the pupils. These tests determine the student’s understanding, and also assist the instructor in ascertaining his weak points, so that he may receive proper help. The real test of the effectiveness of teaching lies in having frequent reviews. GCB May 20, 1909, page 75.7
“The test question plan, which has been introduced into some of our Sabbath-schools as a review of each quarter’s work, should be thoroughly tried. Those who introduce this plan should have confidence in the advantages to be gained by it. In the written reviews, mental concentration is necessary. In this work, we, as secretaries, must lead out; we must be able to show the people how to take advantage of proper methods; then this work will advance more rapidly.” GCB May 20, 1909, page 75.8
Miss Faye Eagle, the Oklahoma secretary, led in the discussion. She emphasized the need of presenting these tests in an attractive way, so they will not be dreaded or avoided. Others followed, relating helpful experiences. The consensus of opinion was in favor of a continuation of the plan of publishing the test questions in the Sabbath School Worker, perhaps making some of them shorter. It was urged that more definite plans be made for conducting these written reviews. GCB May 20, 1909, page 75.9
NORTH AMERICAN FOREIGN DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting, May 17, 8 A. M.
Elder Irwin in the chair. GCB May 20, 1909, page 75.10
Brother Adolph Boettcher, of the New York foreign book depository, presented maps and figures concerning the distribution of foreigners in the United States. It is computed that in 1905 there were from thirty-five million to forty million foreigners in this country. Half of our foreign population belongs to the German-Scandinavians, while the rest belong to the immigrants from other nationalities, who, unlike the Germans and Scandinavians, are scattered, and live in groups distinct from each other. It is a great problem to know how to reach these latter nationalities. During the last few years, immigrants have been coming in at the rate of over a million a year. GCB May 20, 1909, page 75.11
A good place to reach these is at Ellis Island; but while other denominations largely have access to this place, our church workers have thus far been debarred. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.1
With respect to the progress of our work in this country among the foreigners, North Dakota has a splendid showing. In the ten to fifteen millions of foreigners outside the Germans and Scandinavians in this country, little has been done for the spread of the message. The most that has been done has been accomplished in the Greater New York Conference. That conference has five foreign laborers, two Italian churches, and one Bohemian-Slavonic church. In West Michigan Brother Hofstra has labored for the Hollanders. Michigan has about 45,000 Finns who have settled there and are very prosperous. Something ought to be done to reach them. The same is true in Massachusetts. One Russian brother has been working among the Russians in North Dakota. Beyond this we have done little for the great masses of foreigners in this country. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.2
The remaining time of the department was taken up with a discourse from Sister White. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.3
MEDICAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT
Fifth Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
Dr. A. C. Selmon in the chair. The topic, “How Shall Our Medical Students Receive Training in Sanitarium Methods?” was introduced by a paper read by Dr. Orville Rockwell. He referred to the importance of thorough training in sanitarium methods in connection with our institutions, and raised the query, Should this special course be taken before or after the medical course? His observation was that the early impressions are deepest, and that one thoroughly trained in drug methods does not afterward easily gain full confidence in physiological methods. The doctor suggested, as a practical solution of this question, summer courses of instruction for medical students at some of our leading institutions. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.4
Dr. A. C. Selmon suggested the intern system for graduate students, allowing graduates to enter our sanitariums as interns. Dr. Lauretta Kress seconded this suggestion, emphasizing the importance of such experience for the newly graduated physician. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.5
Dr. A. B. Olsen recommended one year’s preliminary nurses’ work in a good sanitarium, with less domestic work than the usual nurses’ course calls for, and attendance on the two senior classes. The proper time to make impressions is before the prospective physician begins his medical course. Such should learn to give treatment. Practice should accompany theory. He had found two subjects of his early training especially valuable in medical work,—cooking and the giving of water treatments. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.6
J. A. Burden: Ministers trained in other denominations find it difficult to learn how to present the truth. In our medical work there is a special setting, and those who do not get hold of it work at a constant disadvantage. The medical man with an outside medical training, is very much like the minister who has been trained in another denomination. The educational, publishing, and other departments of the message have been sidetracked by worldly methods as well as the medical. The other departments are now getting back on right lines, but the medical work is still groping. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.7
Dr. R. M. Clarke, who finished a university medical course, told how those who have not had a thorough training in hydrotherapy have to fall back on drug because of their insufficient knowledge of the beneficial results of water treatment. He thought that in many colleges a chair in hydrotherapy would gladly be maintained if an efficient teacher were available. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.8
Dr. W. A. Ruble said that this question presents a problem to be solved at this Conference if our work is to make the progress it should. He thought that each physician taking a course in an ordinary medical college should spend his summers in gaining a knowledge of hydrotherapy. This would not be sufficient, but would be a partial solution to the problem. If necessary, such students should have financial assistance from the conference. They must go into the bath-room, and give the treatments, or they can not prescribe them intelligently. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.9
Dr. A. A. John suggested turning one of our present educational institutions into a medical school for the training of gospel medical missionary evangelists. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.10
Dr. Lucinda Marsh said that physicians without thorough training in hydrotherapy are unable properly to train nurses for this work. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.11
Brother L. A. Hansen spoke of the principles of rational therapeutics which have come to us as a special blessing from the Lord. For those unable to take institutional training, knowledge can be gained to a practical extent by reading and a personal study of the instruction now available. He mentioned cases where such a course had been followed with success. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.12
Dr. D. H. Kress believed that our young physicians who have not had this training should connect with a sanitarium for a year or longer, and be willing to go into the treatment-room and see results accomplished as a result of their own efforts. We need to urge those who take a medical course to take a training in a sanitarium. We should have a medical school. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.13
It was voted that the program for the medical day in the Conference session, and for the afternoon lectures, be referred to the present program committee, and that the chairman and secretary be added to that committee for this purpose. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.14
THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT
Fifth Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
Elder N. Z. Town, from South America, occupied the chair. The principal topic of discussion was based upon the following resolution:— GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.15
“Whereas, In the beginning of our subscription-book work, one of the principal factors in establishing it was the organization of the field under the leadership of general and local agents; and,— GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.16
“Whereas, That line of work suffered years of decline through disorganization, but is now being strongly revived wherever the field is properly manned; therefore,— GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.17
“Resolved, That we move forward with all possible haste in the work that has been begun of selecting and training general and field missionary agents, and of placing them where they are most needed, until all the great fields of the world are manned for thoroughly handling the circulation of literature.” GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.18
The missionary spirit, which is the key-note of this General Conference session, has a large place in the Publishing Department meetings. The general agents expressed their determination to co-operate with the foreign work by offering themselves or the best of their men for the needy fields that are yet unmanned. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.19
Elder J. N. Anderson, from China, made a strong plea for three or four men to be appointed to the Chinese field at this time. Two or three years must be spent in learning the language, and studying the needs of the country, and it is high time that experienced leaders in the publishing work be preparing to handle the great question of scattering literature among the hundreds of millions in China. He stated that there are many promising native Chinese who can engage in that work, but they must have leaders who can train and organize them. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.20
Other speakers emphasized the need of leaders in Japan, India, Africa, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.21
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
Fourth Meeting, May 18, 5 P. M.
The time of this meeting was occupied in the consideration of resolutions presented by the committee on resolutions. The plan of securing these resolutions is different from former customs. Months ago the chairman of the Educational Department sent out letters to leading educators throughout the denomination, requesting them to send in resolutions on subjects they would like to have considered at this Conference. From the matter thus gathered a list of suggestive resolutions was made out, and placed in the hands of the Educational Department committee on resolutions. The first week of the council was set apart for the consideration of these subjects, and the resolutions as finally passed by the council will then be presented to the General Conference. As finally adopted by the General Conference, they will be published in the BULLETIN. At present these reports will be confined to talks presented at the council in the discussion of these resolutions. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.22
Much interest was shown in a uniform scholarship plan for those who sell our books and magazines; and a committee consisting of H. G. Lucas, O. J. Graf, and C. A. Hansen was appointed to confer with a like committee to be appointed by the Publishing Department in the preparation of a uniform scholarship plan which can apply to all schools. This plan will be submitted to both the Educational and the Publishing departments, and will finally be presented for approval either to the General Conference or to the General Conference Committee. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.23
The subject of the extension of our church-school system, and the distribution of literature among our people to deepen the interests of the church-school work, brought out many valuable talks. Prof. C. W. Irwin, of Australia, described a plan that had been successfully employed in that field. A series of leaflets entitled “Natural Education Series” was prepared, and at stated times these leaflets were taken up as regular lessons on the Sabbath. The sample leaflet which he presented consists of five pages of matter on “Parental Responsibility,” from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White, followed by questions upon the lesson. This plan has proved successful in educating our people upon these important subjects. GCB May 20, 1909, page 76.24
Another subject which called forth much discussion was “School Gardens.” These are being successfully conducted in many places. In one school in California a profit of $110 was realized by the children from their school garden. Another garden gained $45. Through these gardens the school grounds are beautified, and the children are taught to love the cultivation of the soil. GCB May 20, 1909, page 77.1
THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT
Fifth Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
Again the interest in the meetings of this department was shown by the large attendance, over two hundred twenty-five being present to listen to the discussion of the question, “How to Meet the Rapidly Growing Encroachments of the Papacy.” GCB May 20, 1909, page 77.2
Prof. B. G. Wilkinson led out in the discussion, presenting a stirring and intensely interesting paper on the subject. Few, he said, realize the rapid growth and spread of the principles of the papacy, or know the influence the Jesuits and their teachings are exerting in all countries, particularly in those hitherto strongly Protestant. He argued the necessity of all becoming acquainted with the true situation; of the designs of the papacy, and its utter and irrevocable hostility to the doctrine of the separation of church and state; and he advocated a reassertion of the true principles of Protestantism, and a wide-spread propagation of the gospel doctrine of religious liberty, and its necessary corollary, the separation of church and state. These should be taught in our schools, and literature bearing upon this subject should be circulated extensively,—literature not making direct attacks upon the Roman Catholic Church, but reasserting the true gospel principles of religious liberty. This, he asserted, is the most effective way to meet and overthrow the principles and strongholds of error. GCB May 20, 1909, page 77.3
Elder Allen Moon followed, relating some interesting personal experiences which he had in connection with the representatives of the Catholic Church while engaged in religious liberty work in Washington some years ago. The priests of this church, he said, are better informed in regard to our people and their work than many suppose. With Professor Wilkinson, he declared that the most effective protest that can be made to the doctrines of the papacy is the proclamation of the principles of true Protestantism. GCB May 20, 1909, page 77.4
Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau occupied the remainder of the hour, showing the influence the Catholic Church has upon present-day literature, and the changes that have been made in school text-books in consequence of this influence. With the previous speakers, he agreed that only through the power of God in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, can we meet the encroachments of Rome. We are not to hurl darts at those in error, but to teach the principles of Protestantism, the principles of the gospel. These are most dreaded by the advocates of error, and most destructive of error. GCB May 20, 1909, page 77.5