General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
L. A. HOOPES
The following recommendations were adopted at the session of the General Conference Committee held October 3-31, 1899:— GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.6
ASSIGNMENT OF LABORERS
1. In harmony with the action taken at the last General Conference, that Elder J. N. Loughborough should be left free from the general business of the Conference so he could devote more of his time to relating the early experiences of this people, the Committee voted to accept his resignation as a member of the General Conference Committee, and also to relieve him of the work as Superintendent of District No. 6. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.7
2. The Committee then recommended that Elder W. T. Knox, of California, act as a member of the General Conference Committee, and Superintendent of General Conference District No. 6. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.8
3. That Elder W. H. Saxby be called to work in the Battle Creek church. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.9
4. That Elder C. P. Bollman take up editorial work in connection with the International Religious Liberty Association. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.10
5. That Elder R. D. Hottel labor in the Virginia Conference. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.11
6. That Elder E. L. Sanford labor in District No. 2, with the understanding that he be permitted to remain in Virginia long enough to develop the interest already raised. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.12
7. That Charles Buhalts, of Iowa, labor in the Manitoba mission field. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.13
8. That Elder W. J. Stone take the presidency of the Tennessee River Conference, to fill the vacancy made by Elder Bollman taking up editorial work. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.14
9. That Elder C. McReynolds, at his request, be relieved of the presidency of the Arkansas Conference, and that Elder A. E. Field be asked to take the presidency of that Conference. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.1
10. That Elder A. F. Ballenger connect with the Chesapeake Conference. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.2
11. That Elder Andrew Nelson, of the Dakota Conference, act as director of the Manitoba mission field. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.3
12. That the committee for the Southern field be enlarged to five members, and consist of the following-named persons: N. W. Allee, S. H. Lane, S. M. Jacobs, J. E. White, Smith Sharp. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.4
13. That Elder M. G. Huffman labor in District No. 2, under the direction of the Superintendent. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.5
14. That Elder J. A. Brunson continue to labor in the Southern field. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.6
15. That B. E. Nicola take the place on the Southern Educational Committee and the board of managers of the Oakwood School, made vacant by the removal of Elder H. S. Shaw. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.7
16. That Elder Allen Moon act as transportation agent in Chicago. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.8
17. That W. H. Edwards act as transportation agent in New York City. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.9
18. That Elder I. D. Van Horn be asked to do pastoral work in the Battle Creek church. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.10
19. That Elder Smith Sharp take charge of the work at Louisville, Ky., and act as director of the Cumberland mission field. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.11
20. That Mrs. Laura Whitgrove labor as a Bible worker in Winnipeg, Manitoba. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.12
21. That Elder J. O. Johnston be asked to return from Trinidad, and take the directorship of the work in the Carolinas. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.13
22. That C. F. Dart labor in Louisiana as may be arranged by the Superintendent of that field. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.14
23. That Miss Lillian S. Pierce return to Georgetown, Ky., to engage in Bible work. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.15
24. That R. T. Nash labor in the vicinity of Yazoo City, Miss., among the colored people. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.16
25. That the resignation of W. L. Killen as canvassing agent of North Carolina, be accepted, and that C. D. Wolf be appointed in his place. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.17
26. That Miss Rebecca Sowler do Bible work in Manitoba. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.18
27. That Mrs. J. F. Gravelle labor in the Bible work along with her husband. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.19
28. That F. W. Halladay receive ordination. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.20
SUPPORT OF FOREIGN MISSION BOARD BY WEEKLY DONATIONS
Whereas, There are urgent demands for means to carry on the foreign mission work; and,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.21
Whereas, The Board at its last meeting in July, passed an action recommending that each Seventh-day Adventist be urged to donate ten cents per week for foreign mission work; therefore,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.22
We recommend: 1. That we heartily endorse the recommendation passed at the July meeting of the Foreign Mission Board, which is as follows:— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.23
“That plans be immediately set on foot to arouse the denomination to united action in raising for foreign missions an amount averaging not less than ten cents a week for each church-member.” GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.24
2. That the donation be made weekly, and taken by the librarian each Sabbath. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.25
3. That once a month the librarian forward the same to the State society treasurer, who shall remit to the Foreign Mission Board promptly. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.26
4. That each District Superintendent unite with the Conference presidents in inaugurating this plan throughout the Districts. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.27
COOPERATION OF CONFERENCES WITH FOREIGN MISSION BOARD
Whereas, The Foreign Mission Board was instituted to have the oversight of the missionary operations in foreign fields; and,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.28
Whereas, The General Conference at its last biennial session took action recommending “that each one of our Conferences be asked to furnish and support from the tithes one or more laborers in foreign lands, if it appears to have laborers whom God has fitted and burdened for foreign work; or if it has no such laborers, to support some other laborer, whom the Foreign Mission Board shall suggest;” therefore,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.29
We recommend, That the State Conferences adhere closely to these recommendations. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.30
THE MISSIONARY READING CIRCLE
Whereas, The Signs of the Times, being found to serve as a general missionary paper among all classes, appearing weekly, at nominal cost, of tasty appearance, calculated to produce a favorable impression wherever it may go, and may so conveniently, appropriately, and effectively herald the third angel’s message among English-speaking people everywhere; therefore,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.31
1. Resolved, That we earnestly recommend that the friends of the cause throughout the field redouble their interest and efforts in behalf of this paper, that it may be given the prominence in progressive, practical missionary work that it deserves. GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.32
Whereas, The Berean Library was started for the purpose of affording a convenient and economical medium for extensively circulating the important books and pamphlets of our denominational literature; and,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 43.33
Whereas, The Library can be used very advantageously in the study of the third angel’s message in connection with the Missionary Reading Circle; therefore,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.1
2. Resolved, That we heartily endorse the Library, and recommend our people everywhere to subscribe for it, to be used in connection with the Reading Circle work, and doing general missionary work among their neighbors and friends. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.2
3. Resolved, That we recommend the appointment of a committee of five, to select books and pamphlets to compose the volumes of the Berean Library, and also to recommend the tracts and leaflets that may advantageously be used in supplementary reading in connection with the missionary work of the Reading Circle. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.3
4. That the following-named persons be the committee to decide upon the books and pamphlets to be published in the Berean Library: L. A. Hoopes, S. N. Haskell, A. T. Jones, W. C. Sisley, S. H. Lane. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.4
5. That the work of the Circle in the field, as relates to reading and study, be undertaken by individuals and families. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.5
6. That each individual or family following the course endeavor to enlist the interest of their neighbors and friends in the work of the Circle. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.6
7. That meetings of Seventh-day Adventist churches or companies be held for reviews and the general interest of the Circle work, as frequently as the work may demand, the church officers providing for the leadership of the meetings. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.7
8. That lessons for use of the Circle readers be prepared on present truth, or the message, and on the field and its needs; and that the outline lessons on both subjects be published in the Review and Herald and the Missionary Magazine; that supplementary Reading Circle work appropriate for young people, be published in the Youth’s Instructor. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.8
9. That there be the closest cooperation between those preparing the lessons for the departments above mentioned. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.9
10. That the International Tract Society provide the lessons on the message, and the Foreign Mission Board the lessons on the field and its needs. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.10
11. That sufficient assistance be provided the International Tract Society to enable it to properly engage in the Missionary Circle work. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.11
12. That Mrs. L. Flora Plummer be appointed Corresponding Secretary of the International Tract Society, to devote her attention, under the auspices of the General Conference, to the interests of the Circle, and that she be asked to take charge of the missionary departments, and supply the outline lessons, for the Review and Herald and the Youth’s Instructor. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.12
BRANCH PRINTING OFFICES IN MISSION FIELDS
Whereas, Our publishing houses were established for the purpose of publishing and circulating our denominational literature; and,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.13
Whereas, It seems that our publishing houses are better prepared to handle the small printing plants which need to be established in foreign fields, than the Foreign Mission Board; therefore,— GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.14
We recommend, 1. That our publishing houses, in consultation with, and by advice of, the Foreign Mission Board, establish small printing plants in such foreign fields as may be deemed wise. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.15
2. That these plants take charge of the circulation of our literature. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.16
3. That they publish tracts and pamphlets, and, when necessary, a suitable paper for the field. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.17
4. That each plant be managed by a local committee of three to five members, of which the director of the field and the manager of the office shall be two, the workers in the field appointing the other members. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.18
The object of the printing plants shall be:— GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.19
5. To publish and circulate religious, health and temperance, and educational literature. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.20
6. Commercial work shall only be incidental, and accepted only when it does not interfere with, or cripple our denominational work. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.21
7. These plants shall keep all accounts and make all collections, and shall deal on a cash basis as far as possible. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.22
8. They shall direct the canvassing work, appoint agents, and do all in their power to circulate our denominational literature. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.23
9. They shall cooperate in every possible way to advance the message in all its parts. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.24
10. Our workers in these fields shall cooperate with the plants to push the work forward, helping to secure agents for canvassing, and to advance the work in all lines. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.25
11. That all our publishing houses be requested to deal direct with each other; also all foreign depositories deal direct with the publishing houses, instead of the Foreign Mission Board as heretofore; and that they all be requested to deal on the cash basis as nearly as possible. GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.26
FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS
In order to secure better organization and more unity of action in the work of securing the transaction, publication, and circulation of literature in foreign languages, the General Conference Committee, in conjunction with the members of the Foreign Mission Board and the International Tract Society, present, recommended the following: That the Foreign GCB July 1, 1899, page 44.27
Mission Board take a record of all foreign publications, and keep a complete list, and that the Board be encouraged to make translations of foreign publications from time to time. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.1
WEEK OF PRAYER
It was recommended that the customary week of prayer be appointed to begin December 23, and close the 30th, and it was suggested that December 27 be observed as a day of fasting. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.2
MISCELLANEOUS
That the State Conferences and others who pay tithes to the General Conference, be requested to remit the same once a month. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.3
That the Auditing Committee of the General Conference be called to meet in Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, March 20, 1900. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.4
That Wyoming be taken under the watchcare of the Nebraska Conference, and become a part of General Conference District No. 4, if agreeable to the Nebraska Conference. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.5
That a fifty-foot tent be sent to Newfoundland for use in the field, with the understanding that the director raise as much as possible in that field to pay the cost of the tent. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.6
That we continue to receive subscriptions for the unexpired term of the GENERAL CONFERENCE BULLETIN for fifteen cents. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.7
WORK FOR THE BLIND
For a number of years we have had it in mind to do something for the blind. A stereotype machine for making plates to make the raised point-print, was purchased two years ago by the International Tract Society. Quite a number of tracts on various topics have been printed and circulated among the blind people. We are now planning to start a paper called the Christian Record, a monthly journal of about ten pages, the size to be increased according to the demand. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.8
We ask the readers of the BULLETIN, What can you do to help along this enterprise? It certainly is a worthy one, and should receive a hearty support from every one who is desirous of seeing the truth go to everybody. As a rule, blind people are not blessed with a large stock of this world’s goods; yet they are all the purchase of Christ, and are entitled to the gospel, as well as those who have their eyesight. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.9
The paper will be a missionary enterprise, and will have to be largely supported by contributions from friends of the cause. A fund will be established to maintain this line of work. All contributions for this purpose can be addressed to L. A. Hoopes, 267 West Main St., Battle Creek, Mich. Be sure to state that it is for the work for the blind, or the Christian Record. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.10
There are about two hundred thousand blind persons in the United States, and yet there is not a paper in this country of the character which we propose to publish. This certainly calls for a response on our part. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.11
It may be that there are blind people in your vicinity who would be glad to read the paper, or some of the tracts that have been printed in the point-letter system. If so, could you not secure their subscription for the paper; and if they are too poor to pay for it, would you not esteem it a privilege to let them have $1.50 to pay for the journal one year? Would you not esteem it a pleasure to contribute to this fund, so that sample copies of the paper, and some tracts, may be sent free to those who are altogether unacquainted with the message for this time? GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.12
Brother A. O. Wilson will spend a large portion of his time in preparing the paper and different publications for the blind. If any desire to correspond with him in point- or ink-print letters, they can address him at 267 West Main St., Battle Creek, Mich., in care of the General Conference. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.13
Who will have a part in this worthy enterprise? Surely there will be some of this vast number of blind people who will respond to the efforts put forth in their behalf, and will finally shine forth as gems in the crown of their Redeemer. In this you will be a thousand times repaid for all that you have ever invested in the enterprise. “One soul is of more value to heaven than a whole world of property, houses, lands, money.” “One soul won to Christ will flash heaven’s light all around him, penetrating the moral darkness, and saving other souls.” GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.14
Live by the day for Christ. Seek to be a victor for this one day; for you do not know that you have another day to live. Confess your sins to-day. You have the promise of pardon. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.15
In union there is strength; in disunion there is only weakness. We should work most diligently to answer the prayer of Christ that his disciples might be one, as he is one with the Father. If we are united to Christ, the formation of a church will be a benefit to all its members; for by entering into this church union, we pledge ourselves to help one another—in sympathy, in love—to be more like Jesus. GCB July 1, 1899, page 45.16
THE SPIRIT OF TRUE MISSIONARY WORK
The spirit that led Christ to leave the courts of glory, where he was surrounded by all the angelic hosts, to come to this world of sin, and even clothe himself with sinful flesh, that he might bring souls from the lowest depths of sin and degradation, and place them at his own right hand, is the spirit which should actuate every one who goes out to proclaim the message of salvation. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5. Self has been hid in Christ. The one great desire of the heart is, How can I represent my divine Pattern? What saving grace can be brought into my life that will cause the lost soul to see “Jesus only”? Wealth, education, genius, high birth, or caste count for nothing in the work of winning souls, unless to the service of the Master. Indeed these count nothing to the possessor; for, says the apostle, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, ... that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.1
The Spirit of God is waiting ready to imbue every one with that love for souls which Christ manifested on earth. It remains for each individual to say whether Christ shall come into the heart or not. GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.2
The love that the Spirit of Christ brings into the soul is the mainspring of every action. “For the love of Christ constraineth us.” This is the ministry of reconciliation which is given us of God. If we are the possessors of this constraining power of the love of Christ, there will be no question in the minds of true seekers after God, that we have the divine credentials. All the authority of the great commission—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”—is back of it. We must be sure that we have this love shed abroad in our hearts, and it will surely manifest itself in every possible way in uplifting humanity. More visits will be made to the poor and the needy, to the sick and afflicted, and to those who are in prison. More literature containing the precious words of life will be circulated. More missionary letters will be written. In fact the third angel’s message will be given in its entirety. There will be a gathering up of every precious ray of light, which will be reflected out to the people. GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.3
It would be well for us to prayerfully consider ourselves, and see if we are in possession of such a spirit. And if we are not, how shall we secure it? We ask, why is it there is no deeper interest manifested in religious work, and no more earnest love for one another, than we see in the church? When we first embraced the faith, nothing seemed too difficult to undertake for the salvation of a soul. No weather was too stormy to keep us away from our appointments without giving us sorrow of heart. Why is it that the theme of the soon coming of Christ forms little or no part of our conversation, while in its stead is an idle, frivolous chit-chat indulged in, even by those who profess to be looking for the appearing of their Lord? The only answer we can give is that the missionary spirit has leaked out. We should therefore face about. GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.4
We herewith append a few lines found in The True Missionary, January, 1874, bearing on this point:— GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.5
“Who, we ask, will follow the example of his Lord in self-sacrifice and disinterested benevolence to save his fellow men? There are young men and women and those of middle age who have had experience in the truth, but do not advance in the divine life and increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and they do not know the cause. One cause of their lack of spiritual strength, and of their not being full-grown men and women in Christ is, they are not workers with Christ. If they would work for Jesus, their sympathies would be brought in close union with Christ, and they would grow in him their living head, and have a better understanding of the nature of his work and his sacrifice for man; and would place that estimate on souls proportionate to the value of the price Christ has paid for man. There are a large number who, if they would come near enough to God by entire consecration, would hear his voice saying, Go labor in my vineyard, and ye shall receive your wages by and by.” GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.6
The Christian life is a battle and a march. GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.7
We shall never reach a period when there is no increased light for us. GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.8
Daily prayer is as essential to growth in grace, and even spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to physical well-being. GCB July 1, 1899, page 46.9
DIRECTORY OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DENOMINATION. GCB July 1, 1899, page 47.1