General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3

A MISSIONARY CONFERENCE

L. A. HOOPES

The last General Conference was a missionary conference. By far the largest proportion of the recommendations were pertaining to missionary work either in foreign or home fields. The first action, found on page 2 of the BULLETIN, provides for a study of foreign mission fields and their needs, one Sabbath in each month. The plan contemplates all phases of missionary effort. One Sabbath each quarter is set apart to the consideration of medical missionary work in foreign countries. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.1

Recommendation 2 constitutes each State corresponding secretary a mission secretary. The duties of these officers are obvious. The conference is to be brought into close touch with all that pertains to foreign mission work. The needs of the field, the development of laborers, the the raising of funds, are to be placed before the brethren throughout the country. The home field is not to be neglected. The elders of churches, and the librarians of local societies, are to give more time to developing the missionary spirit in our churches. The intent of this is that these officers will do more to bring to the notice of church members all that pertains to missionary work. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.2

It will be noticed that recommendation 4 provides that the envelope-plan for collecting First-day offerings is one that is approved by the General Conference. This is a plan by which a regular stream of funds is pouring into the treasury of the Foreign Mission Board. By the use of the envelopes there is a continual reminder of the opportunity to put something, though small it may be, into the treasury for mission work in the regions beyond. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.3

Much more is to be done by the way of circulating our literature. The attention of ministers and workers is especially called to this point. A few years ago there was more done in proportion to the number of workers than there is now. The recommendations call the entire membership to greater activity in this direction. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.4

Recommendation 20 is an appeal to the home conferences to support one or more laborers in foreign fields. No resolution seemed to meet with more hearty approval than did this one. Since the conference adjourned we have heard of several conferences that have acted on the resolution, and the Lord is blessing them in doing so. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.5

Under the resolutions relative to the International Tract Society there are several items of deepest interest to all our brethren. We are glad to announce that the General Conference Committee and the International Tract Society Board have acted on the first recommendation, and have secured headquarters for the society in New York City, due announcement of which appears in another column. Recommendations 2 to 6 call for an earnest cooperation on the part of all our brethren to come to help of the society with your means and with your prayers. It will be seen that the work of the society is missionary, and appeals to our missionary spirit and our missionary purse. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.6

It will also be observed that much of the work under contemplation is in foreign fields, and fields where there are few Sabbath-keepers. We should not forget the International Tract Society. GCB January 1, 1899, page 1.7

The work of the Sabbath-school and Religious Liberty Associations are to be prosecuted with greater vigilance than ever. In one sense, the Sabbath-school is the true church school. The standard must be lowered. Great care is to be exercised in the selection of officers and teachers. There must be cultivated the closest union between the Sabbath-school and the church. GCB January 1, 1899, page 2.1

In the Religious Liberty Association there is to be greater activity on the part of all interested in this subject, to see that the enemy is not stealing a march upon us. Few realize how the enemies of religious freedom are laying their schemes, deep and secure, that will spring the net of bondage over the unwary. It is our duty to arouse and give the trumpet a certain sound, as faithful sentinels on the walls of Zion. GCB January 1, 1899, page 2.2