General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE
ARTICLE 1. NAME
This organization shall be know as the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.1
ARTICLE 2. OBJECT
The object of this Conference shall be to unify and extend the work of the Gospel. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.2
ARTICLE 3. TERRITORY
The territory of this Conference shall include the States and Territories of Missouri, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Indian Territory, and any other territory that may come under its supervision by mutual arrangement with the General Conference. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.3
ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. This Conference shall be composed of such local Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists as are or may be properly organized in any part of the Territory under the direction of the Executive Committee, such Conferences having been accepted by vote of the Union Conference. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.4
Sec. 2. The voters of this Conference shall consist of the following duly accredited delegates:— GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.5
(a) In addition to its President, one representative from each local Conference for every two hundred and fifty church-members in the Conference, as may be determined by the vote of the Conference or appointment of the Conference Committee. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.6
(b) Such representative from the mission fields as may be determined by the Executive Committee of the Union Conference in counsel with the members in the mission field. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.7
(c) One representative from each recognized denominational institution located in the territory to be chosen by the managing board of said institution, in addition to the regular Conference delegation. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.8
(d) The officers of the Southwestern Union Conference, and such others as may be granted delegates’ credentials by vote of the Union Conference at any duly convened session. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.9
(e) Such members of the General Conference Committee as may be present at any duly convened regular or special session of the Conference. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.10
ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Conference shall be a President a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Auditor, and an Executive Committee consisting of the president of the Union Conference, the president of each local Conference in the Union, and a representative from each of the following lines of work; namely, educational, publishing, sanitarium, the canvassing work, and such other interests as are located in the territory of this Conference, as may be determined by the Union Conference at any of its regular sessions. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.11
ARTICLE 6. SESSIONS
Section 1. This Conference shall hold regular sessions at intervals of about two years at such date and place as the executive committee shall designate by a notice published in at least two denominational papers at least three weeks before the date of the meeting. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.12
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call extra sessions if occasion requires by a like notice, and the transactions of such sessions shall be equally valid with those of the regular sessions. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.13
ARTICLE 7. TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, AND AGENTS
The delegates of this Conference shall, at each regular session elect the boards of management of such institutions and enterprises as are and may be connected with, and operated by, this organization, according to the acts governing the same; and this Conference shall employ such committees, agents, ministers, missionaries, and persons as may be necessary, according to the by-laws in such cases made and provided. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.14
ARTICLE 8. BY-LAWS
The voters of this Conference may make by-laws, amend and repeal them at any session thereof. The scope of such by-laws may include all subjects not inconsistent with this constitution. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.15
ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths’ vote of the delegates present at any session, provided that if it be proposed to amend the constitution at a special session, notice of the proposed amendment shall be given in the call for such special session. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.16
By-Laws. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.17
SECTION 1. PRESIDENTS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.18
The duties of President and Vice-President shall be such as usually pertain to such offices. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.19
SECTION 2. SECRETARY. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.20
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of the proceedings of the sessions of the Conference and of the meetings of the Executive Committee and to conduct the general correspondence of the Conference. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.21
SECTION 3. TREASURER. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.22
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys belonging to the Conference, to keep an account of the same, and to disburse them by order of the Executive Committee, and to make a full report thereof at all sessions of the Conference and at such other times as may be required by the Executive Committee. The treasurer shall also collect from the Conferences in the territory such financial and statistical reports as are required by the Executive Committee, and forward copies of the same as may be directed. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.23
SECTION 4. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.24
The Executive Committee shall have full administrative power during the intervals of the sessions of the Conference, and shall exercise a general watchcare over all matters pertaining to the work of the Conference and shall fill for the current term any vacancies that may occur in its elected membership, or in the boards or committees which are appointed or elected by the Conference. It shall direct the movements of the employees of the Conference, and settle their accounts for labor at the regular intervals from the funds of the Southwestern Union Conference. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.25
THE RESIDENT CANVASSER AND HIS WORK. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.26
Address by Spencer N. Curtiss, in Canvassers’ Convention. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.27
The term “resident canvasser” I understand to refer to the canvasser who works in the city, village, or vicinity where he resides, in contradistinction to the one who works away from home, and goes over a given territory but once or twice. The importance of this work is set before us in the testimony which says: “In every city of our world the warning must be proclaimed. We must do our utmost to reach men where they are.” This the resident canvasser, the canvassing evangelist, has an opportunity to do as no other person can. GCB April 24, 1901, page 449.28
The resident canvasser, then, having had the truth brought to him by the printed page, by minister or Bible worker, feels his own heart burn with the desire to carry the same “glad tidings of salvation” to some one else. When one is going to engage in the “highest kind of missionary work,”—the circulation of the publications on present truth,-let it be because he has read them, because he has felt his own heart blessed and helped by them, and then if the Spirit of the Lord impresses him that he ought to go out and sow the seed, if he feels a real burden to go and carry this blessed light and truth to some one else, because it has done his own soul so much good, then the State Agent, the minister, and his brethren and sisters may confidently bid him Godspeed. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.1
The Testimonies speak of the care that should be used in the selection of canvassers, and I believe in the necessity of this with all my heart, but this kind of “selection” is not of man but of God, and the one who takes up the work under such conditions is not going to become discouraged so quickly when trials come. He will not decide in a few days, if he does not meet with the success that he expected, that he was “not cut out for a canvasser,” nor will he blame the State agent or some one else for having given him bad advice in the selection of a book. But such a one, having been truly converted to God, recognizes the call “go work to-day in my vineyard,” as the Master’s call to him. Then, having decided, after prayerful consideration, that this call is to the canvassing work, he goes out with a burden for lost souls, with faith, and hope, and trust in God. This is the ideal selection,-the ideal beginning, and to my mind, the faithful work of such a resident canvasser is ideal missionary work. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.2
Such a resident canvasser will start the work with a publication which will arouse as little prejudice as possible, will lay broad plans, and will work with the thought continually in mind that he is doing work for eternity, that this place passed, by or that individual slighted, may result in the loss of a soul. Thus ever living as if he could see the heavenly universe watching him, his influence will be for good and a power will accompany what he says and does. Such individuals will be instructed by holy angels, who will “go before them to the dwellings of the people, preparing the way for them.” And in their work they will be “surrounded with an atmosphere charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love for souls. And whether a book is sold or not, and though no impression seems to have been made, seed has been sown which will be watched over and watered by heaven, and “God will give the increase.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.3
True Christian courtesy and love are so little seen in this world that when manifested in the life of a canvasser, they will exert a powerful influence and he will find before him “open doors” everywhere. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.4
A brother has been working with the signs in a large Eastern city, and has been abundantly successful, even beyond his own expectations. He works so carefully, and leaves behind such a good impression, that even though people may decide that they do not want the paper, and order it stopped after trial, still their homes are open to him, they greet him cordially when they see him on the street, and would have confidence in anything which he might bring to them for their consideration. This is the work of a resident canvasser for the Signs, and as visible results of his efforts, there are already twelve persons rejoicing in the truth, and many others interested, insomuch that his evenings are fully occupied in giving Bible readings and visiting. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.5
The canvasser for books who works in the same way, will find the same openings for personal work, and the same results, in a greater or less degree, will follow. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.6
The resident canvasser will not find his pathway all smooth, but obstacles will appear, and he will have need for a sanctified judgment, and heavenly wisdom to impart aright the truth which, as a living spring in his own soul, is ever ready to flow forth to those who seek to know the better way. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.7
The first canvass of any territory will undoubtedly not show as good results as later ones. The first time around, he will only begin to get acquainted, and in many places, he will not even be able to do this, as some will be away, others will find it inconvenient to see him when he calls, and various objections will prevent his gaining access to many homes. But this should not discourage him, nor should it prevent his calling again later. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.8
In all this work there should never be left behind the impression of “the bore” but in a kindly way all should be made to feel that you have something that they really ought to have, and that they will be doing themselves a favor in inviting you in. And when once access has been gained to a home, by no unwise word or action on the part of the canvasser should such access be lost. Even though they may not be interested in the book which you are then selling, as you meet them again and become better acquainted, you will find some subject in the wide range of our literature which will secure their attention, and which they will desire to investigate. An opening thus made should be followed up with the greatest care. Keep full notes of all these cases, and study how they can be reached, what shall be said to them, and pray for wisdom that you may be able to “rightly divide the word of truth.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.9
When you deliver your books, some interested person who could not purchase when you were taking orders may be glad to see a complete copy of the book, and may be willing then to give an order for future delivery. Or, inquiry may be made in regard to books on other subjects, books for the children, or something of this kind, and so the delivery be fruitful in additional orders. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.10
One brother in New England, who has been handling with good success, “Desire of Ages.” says that he seldom fails to get enough orders in a week’s delivery to realize a good week’s wages. He says, further, in favor of the resident canvasser, that “by continuing a long time in the same territory, people get confidence in the canvasser and his work. This enables him to put books in homes that a transient worker could not gain access to.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.11
Again: the resident canvasser is not obliged to hurry over his territory either in taking or delivering orders, as is the transient canvasser. As a result he secures more orders in the first place, and delivers more too, because if circumstances in any case are such that the subscriber can not take the book at the first delivery, he can postpone this order till the next month, or later. The transient canvasser would be obliged in most cases to lose such orders entirely, as he could not well go back to deliver a few postponed orders. GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.12
If the canvasser is working for financial returns, then he is out of place in selling our literature: for his object is entirely a wrong one. Not that it is improper that the canvasser should be paid for his labor, “for the laborer is worthy of his hire;” but the money-making part should not be the principal object in his mind. Says the Testimony: “Those selected as canvassers should be men and women who feel the burden of service, whose object is not to get gain, but to do the very work that needs to be done to enlighten the world. All our service is to be done to the glory of God, to give the light of truth to those who are in darkness. Selfish principles, love of gain, dignity, or position should not be once named among us.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 450.13
What a wonderful seed-sowing a resident canvasser may do! As he goes about his work, selling a book here, leaving a paper there, praying with a discouraged one, giving helpful suggestions to the sick, holding Bible readings with the interested ones, what opportunities are open before him, and what blessings come to his own soul as he becomes the channel through which heaven pours its blessing on suffering, sinsick humanity. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.1
We who have known the truth for years, and yet have done practically nothing to warn our fellow townsmen and our neighbors, what must be our record in the books of heaven? Through the instrumentality of the press, God has multiplied the means of circulating the truth, has given us a wonderful wealth of literature on the various points of Bible truth, and in so many languages that each may read in his own tongue. And what have we been doing? Have we been keeping pace with the message? Have we been making use of these messengers of truth? Or have we hidden our light under a bushel, excused ourselves from doing this kind of missionary work, because it did not suit our fancy, and thus become cold and indifferent. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.2
Are there not many among us who have lived in the same community for years, and yet who have never put forth any systematic, prayerful effort for the circulation of our publications? Or, are there not those who have had experience in the canvassing work who have settled down, do not feel at liberty to go away from their homes, who can now take up this evangelistic canvassing in their own vicinity. With all these means of reaching the people which God has given us in these last days, can we be excused if we do not utilize them? Can we go on in this way from year to year, having no actual part in soul-saving, and still hear the “Well done” at last? GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.3
Says “Christ’s Object Lessons,” “Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry.... By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men.” And further: “In the great judgment day those who have not worked for Christ, those who have drifted along, carrying no responsibility, thinking of themselves, pleasing themselves, will be placed by the Judge of all the earth with those who did evil. They receive the same condemnation. Many who excuse themselves from Christian effort plead their inability for this work. But did God make them so incapable?—No, never. This inability has been produced by their own inactivity, and perpetuated by their deliberate choice.” This is a fearful thought. If we are “incapable” to-day, it is because we have been inactive from deliberate choice. Shall we choose such a course any longer? GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.4
Thank God we have time yet to make use of our talent, depreciated and weakened though they be, and we may be sure that if we do this, the Lord will bless our efforts and will add to the talents which we already have. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.5
The resident canvasser, if he be one who has drunk deeply of the spirit of the books which he sells, has before him the possibilities of a wonderful harvest for God. The influence of his own Christian life will melt down prejudice, and open the way for labor. Let him continually remember that he is doing work for eternity, and that there is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.6
AFTERNOON MEETING, APRIL 20, 3 P.M., SANITARIUM CHAPEL. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.7
(Concluded.) GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.8
DR. PAULSON: If there is any question proper for us as Christians to look squarely in the face, it is this one. Hezekiah’s prayer illustrates God’s attitude toward every man,—the attitude God has toward you and me when we are sick, and well too, as far as that goes. “The Lord was ready to save me.” That was the attitude the Lord had toward Hezekiah. What was in the way?—Two things. A change had to take place in Hezekiah’s mind. He had to say, first, “I will go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul,” and Isaiah had to put on the figs. God is doing the best he can all the time, and he can do nothing more for a man unless the man changes. The Lord does not have to be reminded of the fact that he is ready to save man. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.9
The Chairman: There is only one disease in the world, there is only one Physician in all the world, there is only one remedy in all the world. Now there may be an infinite variety, or as it were manifestations; but when you get down to it, the one disease that is the root of all the disease in this world is sin. That will manifest itself in the outward physical sense, in many many ways, but you get to the root of it, and it is sin. There is only one Physician in all the world, and that is the Lord. There is only one remedy in all the world, and that is his own life. Whether we call ourselves ministers or physicians, it seems to me according to the word of the Lord, that is solid ground to stand on. That opens an infinite field in the application, but it seems to me that it is simple in principle. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.10
A. T. Jones: I think all will agree that the brother who works in the physician’s work, that part of the healing work, has not fully done his work unless he goes into the field of the heart of the man and gets him to find forgiveness of sins. I repeat: I think all will agree that when one of these brethren who are doctors, does not get to the root of the disease until he reaches the man’s soul and works for the man thus to have him obtain forgiveness of sins. As Brother Prescott has said, there is only one disease in the world, and that is sin. Don’t you remember that word in Isaiah, that promise concerning the world to come, “The inhabitant shall not say ‘I am sick.’” Why? “For the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Then what is the root of sickness? Iniquity. That is all. And when the day comes that no inhabitant shall say “I am sick.” It is because there is no iniquity. Then it is plain that the physician has not reached the root of the disease until he gets down to iniquity, and helps the man to find pardon of his sins. Then he has reached the root of all health. So much for that. GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.11
Now on the other hands: Here are we ministers who are not doctors. Have we reached the ultimate place in our work unless we go over also on that side and teach the people how to keep well? When you and I are called to pray for a person who is sick—they will do it mistakenly many times—have we done our part when we only pray? No. It is just as much our part as ministers to find out what is the matter with those people, and teach them what to do before or while we pray, as it is for the doctors to go into the field of getting a man’s sins forgiven while he is helping his body. Now I am sure that if each one of us crosses the line just like that, we will all be together all the time. [Amen.] Isn’t it plain enough? [Voices: “Yes.”] GCB April 24, 1901, page 451.12
It will not require of you and me as ministers a professional course in the medical college, of four years or five, to be able to do that. All that this requires of you and me as ministers is that we study thoroughly the Bible. That will qualify you and me in every case to know how to teach the people the principles of health and the remaining well after they are healed. It is proper for us to study the simple remedies; but the root of all is the Bible—the study of the Bible. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.1
I will put it again—when you and I are called to pray—many people will do it mistakenly—what they think they need is prayer—in nine tenths of the cases we are to teach them that there is something needed more than prayer; and in the other tenth case that with the prayer something is also needed. If that something is not more needed than the prayer, it belongs with it. It may be a bath or a fomentation that is needed instead of a prayer. And we are to tell them so, and insist that they shall take it too: possibly before we pray. We can pray while the bath or fomentation is being given; but that is the thing most needed. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.2
These things we must look out for. We must instruct the people. For that one thing of the short cut to being well, is the great open-door for Satan’s marvelous deceptions in these days. [Voices: “That’s true.”] People will do anything under the sun to save themselves from taking a bath if they are sick, and if a bath is what they need. They will rather take deadly poison in a medicine than to take a bath; because it is so much quicker: and they are “taking medicine;” they are being doctored; and people do love to be doctored. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.3
Also we are to teach them the simplicity of this whole thing. It is not a complicated affair. Doctor Kellogg has made it plain that the healing of disease is not a complicated thing at all. We know it is so simple that the common people everywhere can grasp the principles, if only we give to them the principles. And we are to know the principles and teach them. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.4
Not long ago, three or four months ago perhaps, a person came to my house, nearly a mile from here, in a hurry—“A woman up here wants you to come and pray for her, and wants you to hurry, for she is in terrible distress.” She was only a couple of blocks away from here about. I said, “What is the matter with her?” “I don’t know.” I said, You know something of what she is doing, and what is going on. “Well, she has a terrible pain in her face.” I said, “Well then, I do not need to go at all. Prayer is not what is wanted. I don’t need to be there. Go and get a nurse or a doctor to tell you exactly what the trouble is; find the cause of it and put away the cause, and she will be all right. I am not needed. You go and tell her that. If need be, I will pray while you are going and till you get these things in operation, but I am not going up there.” A few days afterward I saw him and asked him how she was. He said, “Oh, all right.” Of course she was. He did what I told him, and that was the end of it, thank the Lord. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.5
People do so long to find a short cut to being well that they will mistakenly ask you to go and pray for them. We are to teach them something better. And they need to be taught something better. Just as certainly as you and I do not teach our people that there is something better than these vicious short cuts without doing anything, and that they can go on with the same process and expect God to heal them while they continue the things that have caused the disease, these evil spirits that are multiplying will sweep them away. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.6
The same principle works everywhere. A principle is universal. There is no exception at all over principle. Principles are life. We have heard of a book written, entitled, “Natural Law in the Spiritual World.” That is well enough. But there’s something a good deal better: that is, our recognition of spiritual law in this natural world. [“Amen.”] You and I are to recognize the spiritual law—simply God,—in the natural world round about us, every day, where we go. We are to teach the people these things; that God is the same everywhere. We ministers do teach the people everywhere forgiveness of sins: but we don’t teach the people that in the forgiveness of sins they can go on sinning. We don’t do that. As certainly as anybody teaches the people they can go on sinning, while seeking the forgiveness of sins, this teaching is a false gospel. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.7
We are to teach all people that God can keep a man from sinning in this world. (Amen.) God can keep a man from sinning as easily as he can forgive sins. By the way, how easy was it for God to forgive the sins? What did it cost God, or did it cost God anything to forgive sins? Plainly enough: It cost the life of his beloved Son. Then has it not cost enough to enable him to keep us from sinning? [Voices: “Yes.”] Very good. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.8
Then the principle is that we teach the people that they can’t go on sinning, and yet have the forgiveness of sins. That is settled truth. And we must as certainly teach the people that they can’t have health nor healing, even by prayer, while they go on doing the things that bring disease. (Amen.) It is all the same story. It is all the same teaching too. You and I standing in the pulpit, and teaching the gospel, must count that thing a part of the gospel. Then as we stand in the pulpit teaching the people the gospel of forgiveness of sins, we must teach them that they must stop sowing disease if they want to stop reaping disease. We must teach them that if they want health, they must stop doing those things which produce disease. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.9
We see that the doctors must teach to the people forgiveness of sins, must preach the gospel of forgiveness of sins. They are all doing that. Very good. Let us ministers cross to the other side and teach the people how to preserve their health and the true principle and philosophy of divine healing. There is no other healing than divine healing. That is the truth. Let us see that we teach them the gospel, the whole gospel, and nothing but the gospel. GCB April 24, 1901, page 452.10