General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
Departmental Meetings
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
THE SABBATH-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
First Meeting GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.13
The first council meeting of the Sabbath-school Department convened in the chapel of the Foreign Mission Seminary at eight o’clock Friday morning, May 14. About seventy-five were present. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.14
Elder G. B. Thompson, chairman of the Department Committee, and Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, secretary, extended words of greeting to the secretaries, and presented the object of the council meetings, their limitations and possibilities. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.15
Elder M. C. Wilcox, of California, one of the members of the Sabbath-school Department Committee, was present, and spoke a few words expressing his pleasure in attending such a meeting, and of his interest in Sabbath-school work. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.16
The Spirit of God was present, and the attendance and attention indicated a deep interest on the part of every one present to add to their experience in Sabbath-school matters, and to fit themselves more perfectly to carry on this important work. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.17
The topic for special consideration was “Institutes and Convention Work.” Mrs. Mary C. McReynolds, of Wisconsin, led out in the presentation of the paper which set forth in detail the value of conventions and institutes, and many suggestions were given on methods of making such meetings a success. To lead those in our local churches and Sabbath-schools, especially the officers, to sense their personal responsibility, to teach them how to think definitely, how to plan wisely, and to arouse all the mental powers of both teachers and officers to greater activity in Sabbath-school work,—these are the prime object of Sabbath-school conventions and institutes, and all these results will follow the season spent in earnest and systematic study. Not only should those now teaching or managing schools be roused to do better work, but many youth should thus be trained to bear responsibility in Sabbath-school work. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.18
The success in all such work depends upon the careful selection of the place where the meeting shall be held, the time when it shall be held, and the efforts that are made to encourage local members to present and discuss the subjects of especial interest to them. Efforts should be made to secure the attendance and co-operation of persons not of our faith. The isolated should be visited and encouraged to attend wherever possible. It is a decided advantage to have the presence of a minister or Bible worker who can hold an evening meeting during the session. It was urged that a two-days convention should be undertaken wherever the situation permits. The value of such meetings not only to the Sabbath-school work but in augmenting the spiritual interests of the churches represented by such a meeting, is very encouraging. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.19
Mrs. L. H. Proctor, the secretary of the Greater New York Conference Sabbath-school department, discussed the topic briefly. She spoke of the fact that all organizations resort to convention work as a means for accomplishing the specific object of their organization, and the Sabbath-school work is no exception. She also spoke of her experience in visiting the Sabbath-schools in the Greater New York Conference. The plow, if not in use, becomes rusty; so with many of our Sabbath-school members. They have excellent talent, but it lies dormant. The one who writes a paper gets even more help than those who listen to its reading. Therefore the more papers written by those who need help, the greater will be the educational value of the convention. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.20
The Greater New York Conference gives very hearty support to the Sabbath-school secretary, being so well acquainted with her personally, as the field is so small and the schools may be visited frequently. They are thus led to cooperate heartily with every plan that may be outlined for their betterment. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.21
A general discussion followed. Miss Ella E. Merickel, of Minnesota, stated it to be her experience that greater good is accomplished in small conventions than in large ones, owing to the fact that many who are timid about taking part in a large convention would feel more responsibility about helping in a smaller meeting, and that many times their ideas are excellent. She thought it a most helpful plan to send out a convention program from time to time, asking the schools to carry it out, even that every secretary felt that such programs were of help, and that in the large majority of cases those that had been furnished in the past had been well received and carried out at the schools. GCB May 16, 1909, page 14.22
Others discussed the topic briefly. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.1
In closing, the following committees were appointed:— GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.2
Sabbath-school Finances: Mrs. W. O. Howe, Mrs. E. E. Prescott, Miss Helen McKinnon, Mrs. Maud Lowry. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.3
Home Department Work: Mrs. R. W. McMahan, Miss Fannie Murray, Miss Helen McKinnon. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.4
Test Question Plan: Mrs. Lee S. Wheeler, Miss Gradye Brooke, Miss Faye Eagle. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.5
Literature, Blanks and Records, Supplies, etc.: Mrs. Lee S. Wheeler, Miss Winnie P. Hunt, Miss Dollie H. Callender. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.6
Daily Family Study of the Sabbath-school Lessons: Miss Sue M. Andrews, Miss S. Lela Hoover, Mrs. Jessie B. Everett. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.7
The Worker, Suggestions and Plans for Getting It in Every School: Miss Ella E. Merickel, Mrs. Anna E. Rambo, Miss Bessie E. Acton. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.8
Institutes and Conventions: Mrs. Mary McReynolds, Mrs. L. H. Proctor, Miss Tillie E. Barr. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.9
Sabbath - school Teachers’ Reading Course: Miss Winnie P. Hunt, Mrs. Fannie D. Chase, Miss Katherine B. Hale, Miss Ona M. Russell. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.10
Reviews—Length of Time, and Method: Elder C. A. Hansen, Mrs. W. O. Howe, Mr. Chancy Wood, Miss Eliza Warner. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.11
At the close of the meeting the secretaries spent a little time in getting acquainted, and in planning how to make the most of the opportunity thus afforded them of exchanging ideas with reference to the work in which all were engaged. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.12
THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
First Meeting GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.13
Thirty-four were present at this opening session, of whom twenty were physicians. Dr. A. C. Selmon, of China, was chosen temporary chairman. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.14
Dr. W. A. Ruble spoke for a few moments on the purpose of the daily medical councils. It was suggested that the opening meeting be devoted to informal remarks by physicians from different portions of the field. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.15
Dr. Selmon expressed his conviction of the importance of the medical missionary work in the mission fields. His observations in Asia had impressed him with the fact that the lay missionary must have at least a rudimentary knowledge of medicine. The fact that preventable disease disables workers in the fields, is evidence that attention must be given to instruction in the care of health under the conditions obtaining in tropical and unhealthful countries. He felt the need of a revival of interest in this department of the work at home and abroad. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.16
Dr. D. H. Kress spoke hopefully of the present status of the medical missionary work. “I believe,” he declared, “that this branch of our cause is receiving much attention on the part of our people generally. The medical missionary work is on the upward grade. In the past, it has not always received the prominence that it should receive in the message; but a change is coming in in that respect. My association with our people and with the brethren leading out in the Advent movement, leads me to the conviction that there is a deep interest manifested by our leaders and by the rank and file of our brethren and sisters, in the medical missionary work, and in the reforms that we should teach as a people. I rejoice in the omens of good that I can see on every hand.” GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.17
Dr. J. R. Leadsworth emphasized the importance of disseminating instruction in matters pertaining to health. He said that it was sometimes felt that our people were backward in taking hold of these principles, but, in his work, he had always found the people ready to receive help and instruction. One difficulty is that our churches can not be visited as often by teachers of health as might be desired; and very often when these visits are made, so many interests are to be represented that little time can be given to considering this phase of the work. He felt that for years our doctors had perhaps neglected their privileges as instructors. He believed a more thorough campaign of education is needed. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.18
Elder Daniells seconded the remarks of Dr. Leadsworth, and suggested that there were two dangers. One danger is that our evangelical laborers are apt to become so busy with other lines as to neglect the medical work; while the second danger is that our medical men may become so interested in medical work as to forget the foreign missionary work and other phases of the message. He referred to the excellent work done at the Los Angeles camp-meeting last year, in co-operation with other organizations, and felt that this should be extended. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.19
J. A. Burden referred to this work at Los Angeles, and emphasized the importance of laying broad plans for the successful conduct of temperance campaigns in co-operation with agencies already at work. He pointed out the fact that the large temperance rally at the Los Angeles camp-meeting was the logical development of a small work begun in a humble way,—a work that could be undertaken and carried forward successfully in many other places. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.20
Dr. A. A. John desired to make a clear distinction between medical work and medical missionary work. He noted on the program that the medical work had been reserved for the three days following the regular session, and he hoped that the policy would be pursued of devoting the time during this meeting entirely to the medical missionary phase of the work. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.21
Elder R. S. Owen spoke as an educator. He felt that in this department much more should be done in the line of preparing our young people with a moderate amount of medical knowledge. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.22
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT
First Meeting GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.23
A good-sized tent, conveniently located, has been set apart for the departmental meetings of the Religious Liberty Bureau. The tent is neatly decorated, and contains a good display of religious liberty charts and maps. A large canvas, with the motto, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land,” is stretched on top of the tent between the two center poles. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.24
The first meeting of the department was held Friday morning, May 14, at 8 o’clock. The meeting was opened with the singing of the hymn, “O Christian, Awake,” and led in prayer by Elder A. J. Breed. After brief opening remarks by the chairman, Elder K. C. Russell, the meeting was turned into a praise service, in which twenty or more earnest testimonies were borne by workers from different parts of the field, expressing gratitude to God for the glorious principles of truth which he has made known to us, for the many victories gained of late, and the prospects of a strong, united band of workers to carry forward the work in the conflict yet before us. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.25
The plan for future meetings was outlined, printed programs were distributed, and the chair was asked to appoint the necessary committees. Meetings of the department are to be held each day, excepting Sabbath, at eight o’clock in the morning. It is expected that many questions of interest and importance will come up in these meetings from time to time for consideration. GCB May 16, 1909, page 15.26