General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
Fifth Meeting, May 25, 1909
After prayer by Elder A. G. Daniells, Elder F. M. Wilcox spoke on the subject of “Organization, Underlying Principles of the Present Plan.” The presentation was clear and concise. Elder Daniells led out in the discussion, giving something of the special needs of work for our young people and of his encouragement because of the progress already made. The time being too short to complete the program, a special meeting was appointed for 6:30 P. M. The two meetings will be reported in tomorrow’s BULLETIN. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.2
MEDICAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT
Tenth Meeting, May 25, 8 A. M.
Dr. W. A. George, the chairman of the department, was present to call the meeting to order. The time was occupied in a continuation of the discussion on diet. The digestibility of starch as a result of cooking was first emphasized, then the application of certain Bible texts to the question of a flesh diet was discussed. This discussion brought out that while the Bible gives the diet best suited to man’s needs, it also recognizes the necessity of using other foods when these are not obtainable, and that if a diet is chosen which man has been taught is not the best, God will still give to him the best methods in following the course of his own choice. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.3
Dr. Kress stated he attributed his success in teaching health principles to the fact that he adheres strictly to the teachings of the Bible along these lines. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.4
Dr. David Paulson said that Christ, in deciding the question of divorce, stated a fundamental principle that applies to diet. In the beginning it was not so, but because of the hardness of the hearts of the people, certain things were permitted. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.5
Dr. W. S. Sadler quoted the text in Ezekiel 20:24, 25, showing that God, because of the rebellion of man, gave him statutes that were not good and judgments whereby he should not live. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.6
Dr. A. B. Olsen emphasized the danger of being too dogmatic in recommending certain foods, and the need of showing sufficient respect to the opinions of others. There is much in the old adage, “What is one man’s food is another man’s poison.” By being too extreme, we may harm the cause of health reform instead of helping it. “On the other hand,” he said, “I believe there are certain principles in regard to diet in which we can all agree, and stand shoulder to shoulder. In the matter of intoxicants, I believe we stand on the platform of total abstinence, also in the use of condiments, and of tea, coffee, and similar beverages, and in total abstinence from flesh as an article of food. After we have passed these things I feel that we should be modest in urging any particular dietary. I would call attention to Elder S. N. Haskell’s articles, appearing in the Review ten or twelve years ago, in regard to the use of flesh from the standpoint of the Bible. I believe the most unwholesome milk food we can get is sour milk. I never recommend many manufactured foods. They are good, but I do not think it is necessary to have complicated dishes. I do not believe in trying to imitate, in form or in name, the foods we have been taught to discard, although such substitutes may be stepping-stones toward a proper diet. It is not eating food alone that is important. If you do not get sufficient oxygen to burn up the food eaten, you can not live comfortably and healthfully, even on a wholesome diet.” GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.7
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT
Tenth Meeting, May 25, 8 A. M.
Prayer was offered by Elder R. M. Kilgore. The chairman stated that it will be impossible to consider all the subjects that have been outlined for these meetings, or that we might wish to consider during the remaining days of the Conference, and said it would be necessary, therefore, to take up only those we deemed most important. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.8
Prof. W. W. Prescott occupied the first half hour of the meeting, with an address upon the subject of “The Inter-Church Federation Movement, and Our Relation to It.” After referring to the origin and development of this movement, which has arisen since the last session of the General Conference, he outlined, in brief, the general plans and purposes of the movement, as stated in its official reports, and referred to the declaration that the movement is “epoch making.” The Catholic Church, he said, needed no such movement; for they were already federated; but until the last few years there had been no federation or united organization of the Protestant churches. The evident aim of the federation is to control government, and bring about moral and religious reforms through legislation. He referred to the fact that the movement had not only definitely committed itself to Sunday legislation, but, through an official action, had plainly indicated that it did not intend to tolerate the observance of the seventh day. The report of this action, and the discussion upon it, however, had for some reason been wholly eliminated from the published report of the recent session of the federation. He said we could not join in this movement, or in our work adopt the methods they propose to employ. We must preach the gospel to individuals. The churches involved in this federation have lost their message, and are seeking to accomplish through human devices what can be accomplished only through the gospel and the power and working of the Holy Spirit. GCB May 26, 1909, page 155.9
Following Professor Prescott’s address, a male quartet sang, “Sleeping on the Tennessee.” GCB May 26, 1909, page 156.1
Brother L. A. Smith, editor of the Watchman, read a carefully prepared paper, dealing particularly with the attitude which we should sustain toward this movement in its present stage of development. We have a message, he said, which, from its nature, must necessarily come in conflict with the work and purposes of this federation movement. The leaders in this movement have officially declared that it is their purpose to know the standing of each person in every community, and his political bias, in order that it may control politics and direct legislation in harmony with its purposes. Not only is this a movement with which we can not unite, but one which from the very nature of things, we must necessarily oppose. The fact is already recognized by the leaders in this movement, that we are not friends of it. In view of the fact, however, that there are in this movement things which we, as well as they, would like to see accomplished, and of the further fact that many in the movement are doubtless earnest and sincere men, and have no idea or desire of persecuting us, he thought we should be careful in our references to it, not to make wholesale denunciations or unwise attacks upon it. We must not, however, make any compromise. Concluding, he thought it would be well for the General Conference, our highest official body, to draw up a statement, setting forth clearly our attitude toward the movement, and why we can not unite in it. GCB May 26, 1909, page 156.2
Elder C. D. M. Williams, from Honolulu, spoke of how the churches there had federated and divided up the territory among themselves, and threatened that if those of other denominations came in and interfered with their arrangements, legislation would have to be secured which would expel them from the country. GCB May 26, 1909, page 156.3
Elder S. B. Horton, emphasizing the suggestion made by Brother Smith, stated that inasmuch as the church federation at its recent session in Philadelphia had made direct reference to Seventh-day Adventists, it was quite proper, he thought, that we should make a statement of our attitude toward the movement. GCB May 26, 1909, page 156.4
The chairman stated that he thought the reference which the Federal Council of Churches had made to us was a tribute, and should be so regarded by us. GCB May 26, 1909, page 156.5