General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

Conference Proceedings. THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen

June 3, 9:15 A. M.

H. W. Cottrell in the chair. Prayer was offered by M. B. Miller. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.11

A. G. Daniells, chairman of the board, called a meeting of the Washington Training School Association at this hour, report of which appears elsewhere. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.12

Allen Moon brought before the delegates the name of Dr. George Runck, of the Lake Union Conference, who had been in attendance for some time without being seated, although he was a regularly appointed delegate. Dr. Runck was seated as a delegate. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.13

O. A. Olsen: Mr. Chairman, at our last meeting it was arranged that a committee be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions expressing our appreciation of the action of the government of the Czar of Russia regarding the granting of religious liberty; these resolutions to be handed to the Russian Ambassador in Washington. As chairman of yesterday’s meeting, I appoint J. T. Boettcher, L. R. Conradi, H. J. Loebsack, W. W. Prescott, and Guy Dail as this committee. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.14

Further Report, Committee on Nominations GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.15

Further reports being called for, the Committee on Nominations presented the following further report:— GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.16

For Treasurer: W. T. Knox. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.17

For Secretary North American Negro Department: C. W. Flaiz. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.18

For members of the Board of Trustees of the General Conference Corporation: A. G. Daniells, W. A. Spicer, W. T. Knox, W. W. Prescott, I. H. Evans, G. A. Irwin, S. N. Curtiss. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.19

For members of the General Conference Association: A. G. Daniells, I. H. Evans, H. E. Rogers, W. T. Knox, W. A. Spicer, O. A. Olsen, W. W. Prescott, G. A. Irwin, K. C. Russell, Allen Moon, Wm. Covert, A. G. Haughey, R. A. Underwood, E. K. Slade, S. N. Curtiss, D. W. Reavis, W. A. Westworth, E. T. Russell, S. E. Wight, Frederick Griggs, H. R. Salisbury. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.20

Foreign Mission Board: A. G. Daniells, W. A. Spicer, W. T. Knox, O. A. Olsen, G. A. Irwin, G. B. Thompson, W. W. Prescott, H. R. Salisbury, W. A. Westworth. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.21

Chairman: We will proceed to the consideration of the regular business, the partial report of the Committee on Plans and Finance, found on page 288 of the BULLETIN, beginning with Resolution 39. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.22

It was moved and seconded that this report be adopted by considering and acting on each resolution separately. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.23

Discussion of Resolutions

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Resolution 39 (on financial policy for ensuing four years) was read. On motion of J. W. Westphal, it was amended by changing the South American Union’s appropriation from $18,000 to $20,000, the chairman of the Committee on Plans stating that he believed this change should be made in view of additional laborers appointed to the field. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.24

The question was put, and Resolution 39, as amended, was adopted, making appropriations of $225,600 to mission fields for regular work during 1909. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.25

$300,000 Fund

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Resolution 40 (on the $300,000 Fund), page 288, was read. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.26

D. C. Babcock: I notice that in Section (b) of this recommendation, it is stated that the balance of the $300,000 is to be apportioned by the Executive Committee of the General Conference to such fields as stand in greatest need.” Now we have not had an opportunity to present the real needs of West Africa yet. We have asked for two thousand dollars for homes in West Africa. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.27

H. H. Votaw: I would like to ask what has governed the apportionment. I notice that Japan with fifty million inhabitants has $50,000, while China, with almost ten times as many people, is given $100,000. Is there a reason for this? GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.28

I. H. Evans: There are certain institutions required in every large field, such as a training-school, a printing-plant, a sanitarium, etc. Now it costs approximately the same to get these institutions started in one place as another. But in China’s apportionment as compared with Japan’s, we have, in our minds, considered devoting a considerable sum of money for the establishment of homes for the 40 or more families that have been called for. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.29

W. T. Bartlett: What is the exact meaning of paragraph (f)? GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.30

(f) This apportionment for institutional work shall not be considered a debt, but is a united effort on the part of this people to raise this amount for the upbuilding of the work in foreign fields. GCB June 4, 1909, page 309.31

H. W. Cottrell: The meaning is this, that if an apportionment is made to any field and if for any cause the General Conference fails to secure sufficient money to turn it over to the field, or if conditions change so that the field does not need it, at the end of the term, it is not a debt of the General Conference. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.1

C. T. Everson: What is the idea of the words “missionary homes”? GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.2

H. W. Cottrell: The thought was that some provision must be made for the workers in fields where they are unable to find proper houses to live in. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.3

C. T. Everson: Does the General Conference own such property? GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.4

H. W. Cottrell: Yes, they own the houses, and rent them for a nominal sum. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.5

R. A. Underwood: I would like to ask the chairman of the committee to explain to the Conference more about the needs of these homes, especially in China. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.6

I. H. Evans: I think the reports of our missionaries from parts of India, China, Korea, and some parts of Africa are an argument in themselves to show the need of providing suitable homes in which our missionaries can live. Every field has its own difficulties. In some of the port cities in China, you can find very good homes, but the price of rent is so high that our missionaries, on the salary that we pay, can not afford to rent one of these suitable homes. It would take sometimes his entire salary to pay the rent by the month. Our missionaries have been compelled to seek living quarters in places where the rent is cheap. They have thus often exposed their lives to the bubonic plague, to cholera, and to conditions of malaria and fever and infection. Some have lost their lives, and others have broken down. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.7

It will save the lives of missionaries, it will save the waste of the years spent in getting the language only to be compelled to return to this country because of failing health. I believe there is no line of work that we can take up that will economize the resources of the denomination to the same extent as to see that our missionaries in these unhealthful countries are provided with suitable living quarters at an early date. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.8

L. F. Hansen (of India): I want to say “Amen” to everything Brother Evans has said, and my heart is glad because of this resolution to provide homes for missionaries. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.9

D. U. Hale: Having been in a foreign country [West Africa], I know the inconveniences there. This resolution meets a response in my heart that no other resolution has. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.10

E. W. Farnsworth: I believe it is cheaper to build a cottage on the hillside than to dig a grave in the valley. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.11

D. C. Babcock (of West Africa): When I went to West Africa I was compelled to locate down in the city. We had a good house. It cost us about $20 a month; nevertheless, the fever came on us just the same, because of the excessive heat; but as soon as we were enabled to purchase land up on the side of the mountain, and began to erect a mission house, my health began to improve; and from the time we moved into the mission home, nearly three years ago, I have not been troubled with fever. While we have asked for missionaries to come to West Africa, we do not want them until the General Conference is ready to build mission homes for them. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.12

E. K. Slade: I want to ask if it was in the minds of the Finance Committee, that there should be an apportionment of the $300,000 fund to the various conferences on a pro rata basis. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.13

I. H. Evans: The resolution asks that the Executive Committee of the General Conference shall at once formulate plans. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.14

Probably the Executive Committee, if this is passed, will want a council with the union and conference presidents here to lay the plan that will meet with the most general acceptance. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.15

The question was put and Resolution 40 was unanimously carried. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.16

Recommendation 41 was next read by the secretary:— GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.17

TEN-CENT-A-WEEK PLAN

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41. We recommend, That the ten-cent-a-week plan be adopted by our people, and that each conference endeavor to raise no less than this amount for the world-wide work of the General Conference, in addition to the $300,000 Fund, for foreign institutions and missionary homes; and that the following funds be included as making up the ten-cent-a-week offerings: annual offerings, mid-summer offerings, Sabbath-school offerings, and specific offerings for foreign missions, when not designated for a specific purpose for which no appropriations have been made. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.18

G. B. Thompson: It is easy to pass a recommendation appropriating half a million. I quite understand that all the $300,000 is not to be raised in one year; but while you have been discussing the resolution, I have been making some figures. To raise half a million dollars a year would be fifteen cents a week for our membership in the United States. I believe that the time has come for us to face the situation, and not settle down to the idea that we must reach merely ten cents a week per member, or fifteen cents; we must put it a great deal higher than that. But this never can be done by the General Conference Executive Committee alone. It never can be done alone by the executive committees of the union or local conferences. Brethren, I believe the time has come when every Seventh-day Adventist minister and Bible worker must get under the load, and lift as never before. The elders and deacons and officers in the local churches must feel that they are under the load just as much, proportionately, as the president of the General Conference. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.19

There are large resources that can be tapped. There is plenty of money in the banks that men are holding in mortgages; large sums that can be gathered into this cause; and, with the offerings of the poor of our people, put together, and every one lifting, we could raise this entire sum in one year. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.20

O. Montgomery: I notice that the appropriation for evangelistic work amounts to $205,000. I should like to inquire, Is not this ten-cent-a-week plan to be applied on this sum to be raised for evangelistic work? I notice also that the $300,000 fund is to be raised in four years. That would be raising $75,000 a year. Have I the right idea? GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.21

I. H. Evans: Yes, sir; I think so. But I think you may conclude, because we have said there was to be $205,000 appropriated to foreign missions, that that included all the general expense of the denomination, and was the amount of money that would be needed for our appropriations. That would be a great error, for we not only have to make these appropriations to the foreign fields, but to meet the whole operating expense of the General Conference, a large sum each year. Besides this, the General Conference has to carry the expense of wives and children whose husbands and parents have died in foreign fields. There is a large amount of expenditure not in this budget at all. My judgment is that the General Conference will have to have, for its administrative work for this year, if we make the appropriations that are in that budget for 1909 to foreign fields, about $325,000. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.22

The General Conference does not like to borrow money to carry on its evangelistic work. Its plan, its policy, is to go no faster than the people will supply the money, and yet in spite of the policy and in spite of our faith in the policy, we are continually compelled to go on, in order to open up the fields that are ripe for the harvest, and maintain the stations that we already occupy. I do hope that everybody will rally to this ten-cent-a-week plan, and that the conference committees, and the ministry, and the laity everywhere, will take hold of this plan, and make it a fact instead of a theory. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.23

A. G. Daniells: I want to say that I do not think that the appropriation here on this paper is anything like what this denomination ought to expend in the mission fields during the coming year. It simply touches the fringe of it. Now, Mr. Chairman, I want to say further that we have to-day no adequate, no well-defined provision made for meeting these tremendous demands upon us. We have been spending two weeks or more every morning, from six to seven, in the Seminary chapel hearing from the representatives of mission fields regarding the situation and their needs. The presidents of union and local conferences, and the secretaries and treasurers, have met there. We have taken little time to discuss the ways and means, but we have taken a great deal of time to discuss the great needs. Now it would be a great calamity, it would be a tremendous mistake, if this Conference were to close without these union and local conference men discussing this question, and propounding and setting on foot here a movement for the provision of adequate funds to meet these great needs that we are facing. The hour, brethren, has come to do that thing. We have not done it as a denomination yet. There must be adequate provision made. It must be definite, certain, and well-defined, or we shall break down in our foreign mission policy. Now that is the truth as I view it. Never in our history have we had such a splendid opportunity to settle this question and to launch something as we have here to-day, this minute. Never has this denomination seen such an auspicious hour for taking hold of this proposition, and arriving at a just and proper and comprehensive arrangement, as we have right here to-day. Now, Mr. Chairman, I want to request that we be allowed to consider Resolution 44 in connection with No. 41, and I want to ask that Elder Robinson be permitted, after the reading of 44, to read a paper to us on the question of an adequate provision for the support of our foreign mission enterprises. I move that Resolution 44 be considered with No. 41. GCB June 4, 1909, page 310.24

H. W. Cottrell: This will take precedence to the other motion. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.1

The motion was seconded and carried. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.2

Resolution 44 was then read, as follows:— GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.3

SHARING CONFERENCE TITHE

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Whereas, There is most urgent need of reapers to gather the harvest in the great destitute mission fields; therefore,— GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.4

44. Resolved, That our local and union conferences be urged to curtail their expenses wherever expedient, and that they be invited to definitely appropriate from one fourth to one third of their total tithe receipts to the support of the work in the regions beyond. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.5

At this point Elder A. T. Robinson, president of the Nebraska Conference, read the paper referred to by Elder Daniells. The paper was a strong appeal to our local conferences to share the tithe with the mission fields, the plan already having met with much favor in Nebraska, resulting in a great increase of the tithe. We can not insert this paper in this report, but believe we may promise to have it printed later, either in the BULLETIN or the Review. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.6

Chas. Thompson (Kansas): I might say that I feel perfectly in harmony with the spirit of the resolution. I believe in the doctrine advocated in it, and I am satisfied, from experience, that we shall be none the poorer (if you allow me the use of this phrase) in our home conferences as a result. I might be permitted to relate a little experience that we had,—not from any desire personally to bring before this body anything that we may have done out in Kansas, but simply because we wish to tell you of an experience that has come to us. At our conference meeting last fall, we proposed giving $1,000 from our surplus tithe to the General Conference. We thought that about as much as we could do. But the General Conference representatives who were there urged that it be increased, so $2,000 was voted by the delegates, with the understanding that we would have a full year in which to forward $1,000 of this amount. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.7

That was in August. At the close of the quarter, September 30, we found we had enough tithe on hand to send $2,000, and still we had more left than we had at the time of the camp-meeting. After that, the committee thought we might send another $1,000, making $3,000. Since that time we have sent another $1,000, making $4,000 in all; and we still have more money on hand than we had last fall when we voted the appropriation of $2,000. I believe that God’s system of finances is that as we give, he increases. I am in favor of the resolution. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.8

E. T. Russell (Central Union): I might add in this connection, that two of our conferences have already squared themselves to reach the maximum mentioned in this resolution. They have already pledged themselves to pay one third of their tithe, and I believe other conferences will do the same. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.9

Geo. E. Langdon (Upper Columbia): If this is carried, does it mean that we are first to pay a tithe from the local conference to the General Conference? It has been our custom in the conference to pay a tithe to the union conferences, and sometimes a second tithe. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.10

The Chairman: I understand that local conferences are expected, by this resolution, to pay their tithe to the union, and the unions to the General Conference, and then pay from one fourth to one third of the remainder into the General Conference treasury. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.11

W. H. Thurston (Canadian Union): I believe one reason why we have not received more tithes and offerings, is that our people have not been well instructed in the matter. Many are not paying tithe, and I think, in a measure, at least, this is due to a lack of being instructed and informed regarding the importance of this duty. I believe if our workers, as they go about from church to church, would instruct our people, talk with them, pray with them, many who are not paying tithe to-day would pay it. I believe that every worker, every minister at least, as he goes from church to church, ought to supply himself with one of these maps of the world, hang it up, and study the mission fields with our churches. Our people are a liberal people, and they are willing, and if they are informed properly, there will be money forthcoming. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.12

L. R. Conradi: I am thankful to-day that this resolution does not say that this shall be done merely in the United States. I believe I speak the sentiment in Europe when I say that we are perfectly willing over there to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brethren and our conferences in the United States on this basis. I believe the time has come for this people, by the strength and Spirit of God, to move forward. I believe the time has come when we should indeed find the words of the prophet Malachi fulfilled, that our treasury will be filled as we believe the promises of God and move onward. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.13

Now, we have a large population in our organized conference territory in Europe. I suppose that in twenty-odd conferences we have a population of something like 150,000,000. Counting our mission field territory, I think our total population is about 535,000,000. I remember the time when some of our smaller conferences could not even support their president, or at least said they could not. After two or three years’ work, they agreed to support their president. They were blessed in this, and after awhile took another step,—that of paying a tithe to the union. As the treasury still was filled, they decided to pay another tithe. And still, instead of doubts, difficulties, and deficits they could report a surplus at the end of the year. I am thankful to say to-day that about twenty of our conferences are pledged by their constitution, to pay twenty per cent, or one fifth of their tithe. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.14

I believe that if this resolution is adopted, it will mean $100,000 more for the mission fields. This work must be done in this generation; it will call for means; God’s Spirit is ready to move upon us as we step forward. Why should we not step forward to-day as a people? Let us be careful in our expenses as conferences, as unions, and set the right example before the people; talk courage to them and urge them to be faithful. If we do this, we shall see in a little while what great things God has in store for this people. May the Lord help us at this meeting to take the proper stand. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.15

C. Santee (Southwestern Union): There is one other point that I think is worthy of mention in this connection. The reason that a large number do not pay a real, true tithe is because self gets between themselves and their duty to God. That situation is not only shown in a partial tithe, but in other ways, and I believe that the effort that is made in all our churches to get every Seventh-day Adventist to pay a full tithe will be helpful in more ways than one. I am heartily in favor of this resolution, and I believe it will be the means of interesting many that are not paying tithes among Seventh-day Adventists. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.16

C. McReynolds (Wisconsin): I think no other resolution presented has interested me more than this; and I think there has been no other resolution that has interested the congregation more. I have observed that in our large camp-meetings, when we strike the question of foreign missions, and this message to the world in this generation, there is no other question that so interests the people. I am heartily in favor of this resolution. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.17

Wm. Covert (Northern Illinois): I believe that our own souls, in a measure, depend upon the things that are involved in this resolution. I believe that many of our people are allowing themselves to pass along in unfaithfulness in this matter. I have thought that if our workers would be more faithful in teaching the subject of tithing and the financial responsibility that rests upon those who make the profession that we do, we would see better results. It seems to me that one of the first things taught to a new convert should be the tithing system. I believe also that every person should tithe what he was possessed of when he accepted the truth. I certainly do not want to hold title to anything in this world that has not been tithed, and I think that if we would give advice carefully and kindly along these lines, it would be a great help. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.18

J. N. Anderson (China): I want to say that I regard these as splendid resolutions; and, while we in foreign fields have the utmost confidence that you will always support us, that you will raise the money somehow, yet I can see that when the foreign workers in the field see this Conference pledge itself to do as we recommend in these resolutions, it will prove a great inspiration, a great uplift, to our workers over in those great fields. I am glad to see these resolutions brought in here, and to see them spoken to with so much enthusiasm. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.19

R. A. Underwood: I would like to speak to both resolutions. The first one (41) I hope that no one will get an idea, if No. 44 is adopted, that we can let go of the idea of making gifts to missions equivalent to an average of ten cents per week. We must press this, urge it, and it will require a continuous effort on our part to keep it before our brethren. If all in the United States had given ten cents a week during the past year, we would have raised $338,000. A few have reached that point, but many have not. Now I believe that we should make a strong effort in all our conferences to get our brethren to actually carry out the ten-cent-a-week plan. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.20

I believe it is well to bring before our people many of the things by which we save in our living expenses. If we give to foreign missions on an average of twenty-five cents a week, which has been suggested, how much would that be?—$13 a year. That is about the average that men in the United States pay for tobacco. Then look at the tremendous amount paid out for liquor. We ought to thank God that we are not touched with any of these things. We save a tremendous amount by being simple, plain, consistent Christians in our dress. We do not have to wear jewelry. We do not have to attend theaters. GCB June 4, 1909, page 311.21

Elder A. G. Daniells: Would you like some actual figures? The report of the American Grocer is reliable, and it says that there is spent in the United States an average of $16 for every person for alcoholic drinks. With our membership, it would make over a million dollars that we save by not using alcoholic drinks. For tobacco, the average is $11.57, making an average of over a million dollars saved by our ninety thousand people. On theaters it is estimated that there is spent an average of $1.21; so we save a hundred thousand on that; on patent medicines, $6.92, making our saving $82,000; on jewelry, $ .73, our saving $65,000. The total for these and two or three other items, is an average of $33.66, or a total saved to our people, by not using them, of over $3,000,000. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.1

R. A. Underwood: I see that home unions, in Canada and the South, call for appropriations. I believe these ought as soon as possible to raise their tithe so that these calls would not have to be met. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.2

The outlook is encouraging. Some conferences are already paying one third of the tithe. When they put an additional ten per cent into the union, it will cut down the resources of our local conferences to less than sixty per cent of their tithe, that they will have in their own field. Many of these conferences have a greater or less number of disabled worthy ministers that they must support. When you have counted the expense of the best men that they have got in the local fields that must go out in the conference and use their strength to raise this money, you have got a very small amount in the local conference to use for real aggressive evangelistic work in developing new churches. I think our brethren sometimes are led to think that the men at home are not working as they should. We must give our brethren a glimpse of the situation, and that will encourage them to give more. I do not believe that our brethren should become discouraged or disheartened with the work at home, so that they would be led to say, “Now here, I will not give my money to this conference; I will send it on to somebody else who is doing better.” Perhaps if the other men were at home—accounting for their ability being better—they would not do so much better than some who are now in these positions. Let us bring to our brethren courage. And the best way to encourage our home people is to raise up Sabbath-keepers in our midst. The best way to increase our tithe is to put forth aggressive work in our home conferences. [Amens.] I have heard a few men say, “O, well, the work is all done at home, and our work is now in the foreign fields!” I believe the word, as we have heard from Sister White here, that God calls upon us to enter our cities, and unoccupied fields, even at home. We will build up our work at home, and ask our brethren to go to the distant fields. We must sustain and support the work at home, and in doing that, we shall have a healthy growth, and we shall give our brethren courage in the home field. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.3

E. E. Andross (Southern California): I wish to record myself as being heartily in favor of this resolution. We ofttimes say that our field is the world; but I have just been noticing the statistics reported in the BULLETIN, and I find that in the United States last year there was raised $797,990 in tithe. Of this amount $105,706 was appropriated to fields outside of the United States. $170,866 was raised by offerings for the foreign mission work. The Sabbath-school offerings in the United States amounted to $67,871 for missions; or a total to the foreign work of $344,443. Now this amount was used to carry this gospel to fields outside the United States. But the population in this country is altogether disproportionate to the amount of money expended here in the United States. Of the $797,990 tithe raised in the United States, over $600,000 was expended in this country. It seems to me that we will not reach the ideal until we include the whole world in the use of the tithe. Let all the world share it. I believe this is an excellent step in this direction and I believe also that our people would support us in the use of the tithe in all the world. It seems to me this will raise the tithe in our own fields, just as we have been talking about this morning. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.4

O. A. Olsen: We have had very many interesting features in this conference. Our souls have been thrilled with the reports that have come from all parts of the field; and I suppose we were all thrilled when we saw this report of the Finance Committee. Now I think this meeting is one of the most interesting of them all. It is the response from the home field to the calls for help. Brethren, this looks much like the loud cry of the third angel’s message. Australia will be with you in every forward move. We thank you for the appropriations for the Australasian field. We asked for it; but Australia is putting about double that amount every year, in addition, into work in the mission fields, and we are increasing this every year. We have a large field, and it is the blessing of the Australasian Union Conference that we have this mission field. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.5

C. H. Keslake: I wish to say just a word with reference to the matter of Sabbath-school offerings. I represent Newfoundland, a territory of 42,000 square miles, with a population of only 225,000. The constituency of Sabbath-keepers there numbers about fifty; but we are a factor in this work. We have adopted the plan of bringing birthday thank-offerings in our Sabbath-school. Both the old and the young have taken hold of it with enthusiasm, and our Sabbath-school offerings have increased quite materially. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.6

Andrew Nelson (Oklahoma): It has been said that when resolutions are passed, they become a dead letter. As far as the Oklahoma Conference is concerned, we propose as a conference to carry out this resolution, both in the ten-cent-a-week plan and also in regard to appropriating from the tithe. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.7

E. K. Slade (East Michigan): I am much pleased with Recommendations 41 and 44. I believe that as ministers and as conference workers, we have given too little attention to the ten-cent-a-week plan. We have the inspired Word that it is God’s purpose that there shall be systematic giving. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.8

J. W. Lair: As you all know, Colorado has already adopted this plan. I believe this is a move in the right direction. I believe that every conference ought to adopt such a system. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.9

Dr. Kress: I was interested in the figures given by Elder Daniells, on the amount expended for alcohol, tobacco, and patent medicines, etc. I am certain that it would not be a hardship for us to give this amount of money to foreign missions. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.10

G. E. Langdon: I believe this resolution is good. We ought to pass it, but its reading is not clear as to whether the conference is to first pay a tithe to the union before making division of the total tithe. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.11

I. H. Evans: The Committee on Finance discussed this proposition, but they suggested it was not necessary to state that, because it was understood everywhere, and should be understood, that the conference tithe goes first to the union conference, and from the union to the General. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.12

W. A. Spicer: I move, as an amendment, that we insert after the words “total tithe receipts,” the words, “after taking out the tithe to the union and the General Conference.” GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.13

The amendment was carried. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.14

I. H. Evans (securing permission to introduce a resolution): I would move, Mr. Chairman, the following amendments to the Constitution:— GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.15

To amend Article III, Section 3, Subhead (b), by inserting after the words “General Conference,” third line, the words “and superintendents of work among the various foreign-speaking peoples in the United States.” GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.16

To amend Article V, Section 6, by adding, after the words, “presidents of union conferences,” the words, “or superintendents of union mission fields.” GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.17

Both amendments were adopted unanimously. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.18

W. T. Bartlett: I would like to move that in Article V, Section 6, where it reads, “election of officers and executive committee,” it be made to read “election of officers,” leaving out “and executive committee,” in order to conform with Article IV, Section 2. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.19

The amendment was adopted. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.20

A. G. Daniells: I would like to take a vote in regard to how many wish to continue the Conference sessions until Sunday night. It will be practically impossible for us to complete the business on hand by Saturday night, as we had hoped. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.21

There was a unanimous expression desiring that the Conference be continued until Sunday night. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.22

Motion to adjourn was made and carried. GCB June 4, 1909, page 312.23

H. W. COTTRELL, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.