General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

DELEGATES AT LARGE

N. W. AlleeJ. W. Loughead
W. A. AlwayC. C. Lewis
A. J. BreedM. W. Lewis
M. H. BrownGeo. E. Langdon
W. T. BlandS. H. Lane
Geo. I. ButlerSaraMcEnterfer
C. P. BollmanJ. H. Morrison
A. W. BartlettAllen Moon
Mrs. G. H. BaberH. M. Mitchell
E. S. ButzP. T. Magan
H. W. CottrellL. T. Nicola
M. E. CadyB. E. Nicola
G. W. CavinessAndrew Nelson
B. J. CadyB. R. Nordyke
C. M. ChristiansenO. A. Olsen
Adelaide B. CooperR. S. Owen
S. N. CurtissH. E. Osborne
A. G. DaniellsSarah Peck
H. J. DirksenMrs. L. Flora
Guy DailPlummer
I. H. EvansF. I. Richardson
W. H. EdwardsD. W. Reabis
I. A. FordW. D. Salisbury
F. GriggsE. L. Stewart
L. A. HoopesE. A. Sutherland
S. N. HaskellL. C. Sheafe
Mrs. S. N. HaskellL. A. Smith
H. P. HolserH. Shultz
A. F. HarrisonA. Swedberg
S. B. HortonW. H. Saxby
Estella HouserW. A. Spicer
A. J. HaysmerJ. L. Shaw
B. L. HoweU. Smith
G. A. IrwinC. A. Thorp
Mrs. G. A. IrwinW. H. Thurston
C. W. IrwinN. Z. Town
C. H. JonesT. Valentiner
A. T. JonesI. D. Van Horn
J. O. JohnstonM. C. Wilcox
S. M. JacobsW. C. White
Lewis JohnsonMrs. E. G. White
J. E. JayneJ. E. White
Mrs. Carrie R. KingWm. Woodford
R. M. KilgoreA. O. Wilson
W. T. KnoxF. H. Westphal
J. H. KelloggJ. H. Watson
J. N. LoughboroughDavid Paulson

The following-named persons were not present at roll-call of first meeting:—

M. H. BrownW. T. Bland
Geo. I. ButlerC. P. Bollman
B. R. NordykeH. E. Osborne
Dr. D. PaulsonD. W. Reavis
S. M. ButlerE. Leland
Wm. OstranderE. A. Sutherland
H. ShultzT. Valentiner
E. R. WilliamsN. P. Nelson (Neb.)
Fred AndersonM. H. Gregory
E. E. FrankeR. S. Owen (Cal.)
O. S. FerrenW. R. Simmons
G. F. HaffnerL. Mathe
G. W. SchubertPaul Roth
R. F. AndrewsJ. P. Henderson
R. S. DonnellS. S. Davis
A. L. ChewE. G. Olsen
J. W. AdamsJ. W. Dorcas

The President then asked if there were any new Conferences to be admitted—State or territorial. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.1

A. G. Daniells: In behalf of the Union Conference of Australasia, I wish to state that there are two Conferences there that wish to be admitted. They are Queensland and South Australia. I have asked brethren from that field to speak regarding these Conferences. Elder W. C. White will speak in behalf of the Queensland Conference. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.2

W. C. White: Mr. Chairman, I take pleasure in formally introducing to this General Conference the Queensland Conference. It is already a member of the family, through its adoption into the Australasian Union Conference. The territory covered by this new Conference is about 668,000 square miles; or, to put in a more convenient phrase, it is six and two-thirds times the size of the State of Colorado. Colorado has just about 100,000 square miles, and is a very convenient block by which to measure other areas. The population of Queensland is a little less than half a million -482,400. The Conference was organized in October, 1899. It now has 6 churches, and 270 members. There are 2 ministers laboring in the Conference—Elder George Teasdale, and Elder Herbert Lacey. There are 3 licensed preachers, and 9 canvassers. The tithes of this Conference in the year 1900 amounted to $3,047.44; average for each member, $11.28. In this Conference there is a staff of workers—all persons embraced in the work of the cause. There are quite a number engaged in various lines. There are two bath-houses in operation in the Colony. In this Conference, as in all our Australasian Conferences, we have a book depository, and a well-organized tract and missionary department. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.3

There are one or two characteristic features that would be of interest to you. One relates to the history of the Conference. The territory was large, and far distant from other groups of Sabbath-keepers, and it seemed desirable to organize at an early date; but in doing so, we would seem to transgress some of the precedents of waiting organization until we had reached three fourths. One is a membership of sufficient size to carry forward the work independently. We saw plainly that the interests of the field would be advanced by local government: but that, financially, it was not able to stand the load. Therefore we varied from the ordinary plan, and organized the Conference, with the understanding that it should have financial aid. Heretofore the Union Conference had been expending about two hundred pounds upon the field, and it was thought that by organization it would be able to do with one hundred; so the Conference has been having the privilege of self-government. As it gains in experience and strength, the amount expended by the Union Conference each year diminishes. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.4

Another feature of interest regarding the Queensland work, is the character of its territory. It is naturally three great States, and you who are familiar with Australasian issues know that politically there is an agitation to divide it into three great States. The size of the territory is sufficient for three great States. And here are three groups of population, each reaching out their hands and pleading for the message, and two ministers to minister to these three great sections. We pray God that he may put it into the heart of some strong Conference to pray and to work for these unoccupied territories. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.5

G. A. Irwin: You have heard the report in regard to the Queensland Conference. What is your pleasure with reference to its admission to this body? GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.6

O. A. Olsen: I move that we accept the request, and that it be made a member of this Conference. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.7

W. T. Knox: I second the motion. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.8

G. A. Irwin: It has been moved and seconded that the Queensland Conference become a member of this Conference. Are you ready for the question? As many as favor this motion will say Aye. Opposed, No. It is a unanimous vote. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.9

A. G. Daniells asked W. D. Salisbury to introduce the South Australian Conference. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.10

W. D. Salisbury: The South Australian Conference also wishes to be represented at this Conference. What Brother White has said about the Queensland Conference applies quite largely to the South Australian Conference. The area is larger—903,690 square miles, while the population is considerably smaller—370,700. This Conference was organized in November, 1899. Three churches are reported, although I believe at the present time there are one or two more. The membership is 211. There are two ministers, one licentiate, three Bible workers, and eight canvassers; so in respect to dearth of laborers, it is similar to Queensland. All the workers are colonial, except one Bible worker. The tithe for 1900 was $2,254, an average for each member of $10.68. The receipts for the year were more than the expenditures. A bath-house is being maintained in Adelaide, and is meeting with success in its work. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.11

O. A. Olsen: I would also move that we accord the South Australian Conference a hearty welcome into this Conference. GCB April 3, 1901, page 19.12

The motion was seconded by R. M. Kilgore, and the Conference unanimously voted to admit South Australia into the sisterhood of Conferences. GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.1

N. W. Allee: I present to you for admission the Cumberland Conference, in General Conference District 2. GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.2

The following report is presented by the president of the Conference:- GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.3

The Cumberland Conference, embracing eastern Tennessee and eastern Kentucky, with a population of a little over two million people, and an area of something over 75,000 square miles, was organized by Elder George A. Irwin Sept. 14, 1900, adopting the constitution recommended by the General Conference. It contains seven churches, with a membership of some less than 400. There are also three unorganized companies and several isolated families and individuals of our faith. The tithe is a little over $4,000 per annum. The Conference has one ordained minister and two licentiates and six licensed missionaries. There are two meeting houses and a liberal supply of tents belonging to the Conference and a tent and camp meeting fund of $180. The Tract and Missionary Society which was organized at the same time has its headquarters at Lexington, Ky., is unincumbered, and doing a good business. The canvassing work is in a prosperous condition. One canvasser in a single day in a rural district in eastern Kentucky sold over $100 worth last summer, and we have plenty of territory for this work yet unentered. It is with pleasure that I now comply with the expressed wish of the Conference and respectfully request that the Cumberland Conference be admitted as a member of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.4

SMITH SHARP.
Delegate.

Upon motion, it was unanimously voted to admit the Cumberland Conference into the General Conference, and receive its delegate, Elder Smith Sharp. GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.5

A. J. Breed: I wish to present to this body the Ontario Conference, organized into a Conference at London, Ontario, during their camp meeting held in June, 1899. At the time of its organization, there were 7 organized churches, with a membership of about 350: and 8 unorganized companies. They now have 15 churches, nearly 500 members, 6 ministers, 1 licentiate, 6 Bible workers, and 11 canvassers. A Sabbath-school association and a tract society are in active operation. The population of Ontario is over two million, and in the Province there is an excellent class of people. The work in Ontario has been carried on for a number of years by Michigan and the General Conference, until in 1899, when it was thought advisable by the General Conference Committee, all things being favorable, that the Conference be organized. I move that Ontario be admitted to this General Conference, and their delegate, Elder F. D. Starr, who is here, be seated. GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.6

The motion was seconded, and carried unanimously. GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.7

The Chair: The Conference seems now to be fully and completely organized. The roll of delegates has been called, and those who are present have responded to their names; and the Conferences organized since our last biennial session have now been admitted. I have a brief address which I would like to present at this time:- GCB April 3, 1901, page 20.8