General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
Departmental Meetings
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The discussion of resolutions on spiritual work for and by our young people occupied the morning hour. The home, the church, the school, the social circle, should each contribute to the spiritual welfare of our young people. The greatest need of our youth is a deep spiritual life, in order that they may meet the approval of God in their own lives, and be able to lead others to Christ. As young people’s workers we should recognize a change of heart and the reception of the Holy Spirit as fundamental in all work. To this end earnest evangelistic efforts should be put forth in behalf of the youth. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.4
The foundation of all organized effort is prayer and personal work. For this reason we should encourage the formation of prayer bands in every church. The prayer band is the nucleus around which every successful society is formed. Brother Burdick, of New York, said: “A society is a good thing. It is a machine; but in these prayer bands the contact with the dynamo of heaven is made. There we get the power, and the machine is put into action.” GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.5
Experiences related by different workers emphasized the importance of the resolutions under consideration. Miss Hoover, of Western Washington, said: “We have had a demonstration of what a prayer band will do. The leader of a society wrote me that there was such a lack of spirituality in their church that they could not have a society; so I suggested that they have a prayer band. I think there were three in this band at first, and as they prayed, others united with them. As a result, all the young people united in this prayer band, and they now have the most spiritual society in our field. Brother Fulton of Australia and others present gave similar testimonies. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.6
THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT
Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The interest and attendance are increasing each day as the work of the publishing department progresses. Thorough, prayerful attention is being given to many of the most vital interests of the home tract and missionary and publishing work. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.7
The two questions under consideration at this meeting were: What provision shall be made in our plans of organization for handling efficiently the home tract and missionary work? and, What provision shall be made for the revision and improvement of our standard denominational literature? Both questions were enthusiastically discussed. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.8
In considering the first, the importance of the home tract and missionary work was repeatedly emphasized. Many speakers affirmed that it was their belief that the home work in the churches and by isolated members forms the foundation upon which all the publishing work rests, and that thorough organization should be established for handling it efficiently. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.9
It was felt that this home work should be managed by the Publishing Department of the General Conference, and that the name of the department should be so changed as to refer directly to the home missionary work as well as the publishing work. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.10
Plans were also laid for the revision and improvement of our literature. GCB May 21, 1909, page 91.11
These will come before the general body, and be published later. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.1
The publishing department headquarters has become a busy, interesting corner. How glad we would be to welcome all our dear people throughout the world, and show them the beautiful and extensive literature which, in the providence of God, has been prepared in many forms and many languages for the speedy heralding of the message. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.2
We trust that plans may be laid in this convention which shall greatly extend the circulation of this excellent literature. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.3
MEDICAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT
Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The discussion on how our medical workers shall secure experience in sanitarium methods was continued. Recommendations were suggested that those intending to take a medical course be advised to precede it by a year’s work in one of our sanitariums; also that those who have recently graduated without such training be recommended to spend at least six months in practising these methods in one of our larger sanitariums. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.4
Objection was made that too heavy requirements should not be made of medical students by giving them unnecessary work. To this Dr. R. H. Habenicht replied that the aim of the committee had been to suggest only those things which experience has shown to be absolutely essential to the person intending to take control of a sanitarium. L. A. Hansen favored making such training in sanitarium methods a requirement, because the physicians employed in our sanitariums are expected to have a thorough understanding of the methods of treatment which have distinguished our institutions. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.5
Elder R. S. Owen said, “The Lord has given us light which will place us at the head if we follow it.” GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.6
Dr. R. S. Ingersoll, recently from India, emphasized the importance of physicians who go to foreign lands being able to give the treatments as well as to prescribe them. He suggested that students devote not only a preliminary year to sanitarium work, but their summer vacations also. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.7
Elder J. A. Burden thought the recommendation a step in the right direction. He said, “The desirable thing is for our medical workers to get their whole training where principles are right.” GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.8
Dr. Charles Curtis of Atlanta Ga had learned from early life to have great confidence in non-drug treatment as his mother had always advocated pure water, pure air, good food, and a clear conscience. The successful treatment of more than eighty cases of typhoid fever by means of hydrotherapy without a single death, resulted in the establishment of a chair in hydrotherapy, diet, and hygiene in the oldest medical college in Georgia. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.9
Dr. D. H. Kress: I believe we should have a medical school, not to meet the worldly standard, but to do work in the lines indicated by the spirit of prophecy. Such a school may not receive worldly recognition. We have strong men and women who could go to the medical schools of the world, and in these, would be able to exert an influence for good, and come out fully qualified to meet any requirement. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.10
Dr. A. B. Olsen: We already have faculties for training two distinct classes that can do all the work required. I would deprecate two grades of physicians. Nurses can never know too much. I would not object to giving them a four years’ course, and let them go out as nurses. In this capacity they valuable than physicians. Physicians would consult with these nurses regarding our methods of treatment where they might not if physicians were present. We should increase our nursing force. They do most essential work. They win the doctors and open doors. Our doctors should be minute-men, capable of answering a call to any field. We should be more careful in the selection of men for this work, and then give them a most efficient training. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.11
THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT
Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Elder E. A. Merrell, after which Mrs. W. A. Ruble sang a religious liberty song, the congregation joining in the chorus. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.12
By request, the subject discussed in the fourth meeting of the department, that of “Sunday Legislation and the Laboring Man,” was taken up for further consideration. The discussion was participated in by Brethren C. H. Edwards, R. A. Underwood, G. B. Thompson, W. M. Healey, F. Griggs, E. T. Russell, W. W. Prescott, and W. A. Colcord. GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.13
The discussion again delved into the question of a one-day-in-seven rest-day law for the regulation of corporations, and, for a time, touching even the question as to the propriety and rightfulness of laws closing saloons one day in seven. There was a free interchange of expression and opinion, and an evident desire to investigate the question in all its bearings as fully and as thoroughly as the time would permit, and thus arrive at the truth. The principle upon which the meetings of this department are conducted is manifestly that laid down by Macaulay: “Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly, as when they discuss it freely.” GCB May 21, 1909, page 92.14