General Conference Bulletin, vol. 2

TWENTIETH MEETING OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

L. T. NICOLA

THE twentieth meeting of the General Conference convened at 8 A. M., March 8, 1897, being the closing meeting of the Conference at College View, Neb. O. A. Olsen in the chair. Prayer was offered by H. Shultz. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.3

F. D. Starr stated that the matter of General Conference canvassing agents had not been considered by the Nominating Committee; and moved that the appointment of a general canvassing agent or agents be referred to the General Conference Committee. The motion was seconded by C. Mc Reynolds, and was unanimously adopted. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.4

On motion of E. M. Morrison, seconded by W. C. Sisley, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:— GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.5

That the matter of the incorporation of the Boulder Sanitarium be referred to the General Conference Association and the Medical Missionary Board, for further consideration, with power to act. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.6

Moved by A. J. Breed, and seconded by C. H. Jones, that Alberta L. Little, of Minnesota, be requested to go to Oakland, Cal., to act as Corresponding Secretary of the International Sabbath-school Association. The motion was unanimously adopted. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.7

The report of the Committee on Revision of Constitution and By-laws was next called for, and was presented by E. J. Hibbard. The Constitution and By-laws as adopted, will be given in the next number of the BULLETIN. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.8

R. A. Underwood called up the matter of the appointment of H. W. Cotrell as member of the Transportation Committee, and F. D. Starr as secretary of the Nominating Committee, stated that that Committee recommended the appointment of H. W. Cottrell as transportation agent in Boston. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.9

J. B. Goodrich moved the adoption of the report, which was carried. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.10

The following resolution referring to the railroads was then unanimously adopted:— GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.11

Resolved, That we hereby express our hearty thanks and sincere gratitude to the officials of the various railways running through Lincoln, for their uniform courtesy and liberal provision for the convenience of delegates and visitors. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.12

H. P. Holser inquired concerning the report which had been offered on missionary gardening, and had been referred to the Finance Committee. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.13

The Chair then called attention to what had been done in this line during the last year or two, and the following recommendation was presented by H. P. Holser, who moved its adoption:— GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.14

Resolved, That we recommend to our people the plan of missionary farming and gardening, and that the proceeds of such efforts be devoted to aid in sustaining the work of the Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.15

The motion was seconded by A. O. Burrill, and discussed by S. H. Lane, W. C. White, J. H. Morrison, G. O. States, and A. O. Burrill, and unanimously carried. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.16

C. Mc Reynolds asked if the one thousand dollars voted for the building of schoolhouses in the South was for District No. 2 alone, and set forth the needs of Texas as worthy of a portion of this amount. The Chair stated that that appropriation would be especially for the unorganized part of District No.2, and expressed the hope that more than one thousand dollars would be devoted to that line of work in the Southern field. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.17

W. A. Mc Cutchen asked that his plea to be released from the presidency of the Virginia Conference be not attributed to any straitened relations between himself and the conference, but that it was because of throat difficulty, making it difficult for him to labor in that State. The Chair expressed the satisfaction of the brethren in the Virginia Conference with the work done by Elder Mc Cutchen, and their regrets at losing him from the work in that State. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.18

W. W. Prescott then called up the amendment he had suggested at a previous meeting, and offered it as a motion: “That the location and incorporation of a Mission Board be left with the General Conference Committee and the Mission Board to decide.” Supported by J. H. Morrison, and lost. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.19

O. A. Olsen : I would express my sincere gratitude to God for the blessings that we have received during this meeting, for the blessings that I have personally received. In all my experiences in our General Conferences, I have never had an experience like this. The Lord has come exceedingly near, and I am so grateful for what he has wrought in our midst. I feel thankful for the spirit that has come into our work, and I trust that as we go from this place, we will go with a faith and courage, and an earnestness to go forward and courage, and an earnestness to go forward in the work, never before manifested. We are certainly amid the perils of the last days. We shall see the mighty power of Satan in many ways; but, brethren, our hope is in God and his salvation; and let us look up, and seek him as we have never sought him before. GCB January 1, 1897, page 67.20

I feel thankful for the unity that has existed in all our work, and I trust that this may increase more and more. I feel grateful for being relieved of some of these responsibilities; I feel thankful that God permits me to have a little place in his work, and I desire to be remembered by his servants and people, that I may be faithful to the trust he has given me. And, brethren, pray for those who are placed in responsible positions. They need your prayers daily. It has been a source of great gratitude to me here, that I have personally been the object of so many earnest prayers. And, brethren, God has heard you. My life is consecrated to his service as never before. May the Lord help us to be faithful in our work. GCB January 1, 1897, page 68.1

I would have been glad if other questions that have received but comparatively little attention, could have received more attention. I think especially of our educational work, and its relations. We have had important matter presented before us; and I trust that, as our schools move out in this line, our ministers, laborers, and people will take hold and co-operate heartily in following the light that God has given on this and other lines of work. If we do this, the work will prosper, and God’s name will be glorified. GCB January 1, 1897, page 68.2

On motion of R. A. Underwood, the Conference then adjourned to the time set for the meeting to be held at Battle Creek, Mich., Wednesday, March 10, 9 A. M. GCB January 1, 1897, page 68.3

A short meeting of the International Tract Society followed, after which the Conference closed with prayer by A. T. Jones, with benediction by H. P. Holser. GCB January 1, 1897, page 68.4