General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
THE INTERNATIONAL SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15.
THE International Sabbath-school Association held its first meeting Friday afternoon in the Tabernacle at 3 P.M., with the President, C. H. Jones, in the chair, and Elder M. H. Brown, Recording Secretary. Prayer was offered by Elder J. H. Durland. GCB February 17, 1895, page 203.11
Moved by Elder F. M. Wilcox to waive the reading of the minutes of the last meeting. The motion was carried. GCB February 17, 1895, page 203.12
The President then said, “We have met here this afternoon in the first meeting of the 15th annual session of the International Sabbath-school Association, and the remarks made by the President of the General Conference this morning I think will apply with equal force to our gathering here this afternoon. We have met here, brethren and sisters, to do the Lord’s work and not our work, and we want the Lord to preside at all our gatherings. We trust that his Spirit will be present to guide us in the meetings of this Association.” GCB February 17, 1895, page 203.13
The President then read the opening address which appears elsewhere. GCB February 17, 1895, page 203.14
The Recording Secretary’s report was then read, which showed a very encouraging increase in both the number of schools and the number of members, and the Sabbath-school work generally. The following statistics were placed before the meeting:— GCB February 17, 1895, page 203.15
THE GROWTH OF OUR SABBATH-SCHOOLS
The following table will show the numerical growth of our Sabbath-schools during the past eleven years:— GCB February 17, 1895, page 203.16
| No. Schools. | Membership. | |
| 1884 | 640 | 16,200 |
| 1885 | 662 | 18,400 |
| 1886 | 656 | 21,125 |
| 1887 | 863 | 23,700 |
| 1888 | 977 | 25,375 |
| 1889 | 1,125 | 28,900 |
| No. Schools. | Membership. | |
| 1890 | 1,345 | 32,000 |
| 1891 | 1,468 | 33,400 |
| 1892 | 1,552 | 35,300 |
| 1893 | 1,804 | 40,100 |
| 1894 | 2,116 | 47,849 |
The above figures give the average for each year as reported. It will be noticed that the number of schools has increased from 640 in 1884, to 2116 in 1894, and the membership has increased from 16,200 in 1884 to 47,849 in 1894. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.1
DONATIONS TO MISSIONARY ENTERPRISES
The following figures show the amount donated by our Sabbath-schools for the objects specified. These figures cover the time from Jan. 1, 1887, when the plan was adopted, to Oct. 1, 1894:— GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.2
| South African Mission, 4 quarters | $ 10,615.72 |
| London City Mission, 4 ” | 10,755.34 |
| Missionary Ship, “Pitcairn,” 3 “ | 12,035.22 |
| Running Expenses, ” 2 “ | 7,338.33 |
| Russian Mission, 1 quarter | 2,783.48 |
| Hamburg Mission, 2 quarters | 6,055.42 |
| South America, 2 ” | 8,278.67 |
| European Mission 2 ” | 9,412.61 |
| Orphans’ Home, 1 quarter | 7,079.94 |
| Polynesia and West Indies, 1 quarter | 5,364.04 |
| Mexico and Central America, 2 quarters | 11,185.45 |
| India, 2 quarters | 11,999.66 |
| Hamburg, 2 ” | 12,162.84 |
| Africa, 2 ” | 10,736.94 |
| Japan, 2 ” | 5,734.92 |
| Total | $131,538.58 |
This is an average of over $16,500 a year. The total contributions for this period were $221,549.18, fifty-nine per cent of which went to missionary work. The average donation per capita of our membership, given in cents, has been, in 1887, 45 cents; 1888, 42 cents; 1889, 40 cents; 1890, 55 cents; 1891, 50 cents; 1892, 66 cents; 1893, 60 cents; 1894, (three quarters) 46 cents. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.3
The following table shows the growth of our Sabbath-schools during the last two years:— GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.4
| Sept.30, 1892. | Sept.30, 1893. | Sept.30, 1894. | Increase. | Incr. %6C | |
| No. schools. | 1,545 | 1,778 | 2,116 | 571 | 37 |
| Membership. | 35,017 | 39,541 | 47,849 | 12,832 | 36 |
| Aver. Att.. | 26,075 | 28,381 | 34,069 | 7,994 | 30 |
| Scholars ch. members. | 15,581 | 17,231 | 20,351 | 4,770 | 30 |
| No. classes. | 5,136 | 5,338 | 6,495 | 1,259 | 27 |
| Total Contributions | $36,491.93 | $36,716.87 | $40,076.79 | $3,584.86 | 10 |
| Donations to missions | $22,622.81 | $23,624.19 | $22,172.98 | #$ 449.83 | 02 |
| # Decrease. |
The Treasurer’s report was then read, showing the Association to be in good condition financially, having at the present time something over one thousand dollars in the treasury. This report will also be given in the BULLETIN. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.5
C. P. Bollman moved that the Chair appoint the different committees, which was carried, and the committees were announced as follows:— GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.6
On Nominations — G. A. Irwin, R. C. Porter, D. A. Robinson, W. S. Hyatt, N. C. McClure. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.7
On Plans for Work — M. H. Brown, A. E. Place, H. P. Holser, L. H. Crisler, Mrs. V. J. Farnsworth, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, Miss Ida M. Walters. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.8
On Auditing — C. D. Rhodes, T. A. Kilgore, J. V. Wilson. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.9
The President then stated that it would be impossible for the Association to hold more than two or three public meetings, but would hold daily meetings in the Review Office chapel, when different subjects pertaining to the work of the Sabbath-school would be discussed, and urged the importance of every one connected with the work being present. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.10
The Chair announced the following list of subjects that would be brought up for consideration, and the names of those who would present them:— GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.11
Sabbath-school lessons — Subjects, Scope, and Preparation. PROF. W. W. PRESCOTT. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.12
Qualifications of Officers and Teachers. Is it best to have uniform lessons for all divisions? ELDER M. H. BROWN. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.13
Camp-meeting Sabbath-schools — How to Organize and Conduct. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.14
Our duty to the children and youth at our camp-meetings. How can we secure the best results? MRS. VESTA J. FARNSWORTH. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.15
Sabbath-school Contributions — How they should be used. ELDER F. M. WILCOX. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.16
How can we secure a larger and more regular attendance at the Sabbath-school? Sabbath-school Conventions — Their importance — How to conduct. MRS. FLORA PLUMMER. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.17
Review Exercises — How to be conducted in order to secure the most good. Is it best to hold them before or after class recitations? GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.18
ELDER I. H. EVANS. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.19
Election of Officers — How often, and how to conduct. ELDER C. P. BOLLMAN. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.20
Teachers’ Meetings — Their Importance — How to conduct. ELDER L. T. NICOLA. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.21
How to interest those not of our faith. Our duty to the children and young people. The Sabbath-school as a means of developing workers. ELDER A. E. PLACE. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.22
The relation the Sabbath-school sustains to the Church. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.23
The necessity of union of sentiment and effort among officers of the church and Sabbath-school. ELDER J. H. DURLAND. GCB February 17, 1895, page 204.24
The Importance of Bible Study, especially at this time. Duty of parents to their children. ELDER M. C. WILCOX. GCB February 17, 1895, page 205.1
What can be done to help those schools where the English language is not spoken? ELDER J. W. WESTPHAL. GCB February 17, 1895, page 205.2
A letter from Dr. J. E. Caldwell, missionary to Raratonga, was read, showing the interest in the work there, and how the truth was spreading to the islands of the sea. GCB February 17, 1895, page 205.3
The meeting then adjourned to call of Chair. GCB February 17, 1895, page 205.4