General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
THE MESSAGE IN TURKEY
H. P. HOLSER
THE hour this evening is to be devoted to an account of our work in Turkey and Syria. In our plans to extend the work to all parts of the earth, many lands were taken into consideration, but Turkey seems to have been overlooked; but the Lord did not forget this country, and raised up laborers for it. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.5
Brother Anthony, a Greek, who was born in Asia Minor, on the shores of the Black Sea, a shoe-maker by trade, immigrated to this country, and in California attended one of our camp-meetings. He here embraced the truth, and although on account of his limited knowledge of the language he could get but a slight knowledge of the truth during this short acquaintance with it, his heart was so filled with love for it that upon the camp-ground he promised the Lord that if he would send him a purchaser for his shoe-shop, he would immediately return to his country to give the message to his people. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.6
On returning home, among the first that he met was a man who wanted to buy his business. Thus the Lord took him at his word. He sold, and was soon on his way. He went at his own expense, and on his way home, stopped a short time in Constantinople. Thinking that everybody would be as glad to hear the message as he was, he went at once to the Protestant churches, and there began to proclaim the truth, but they soon set him outside the door. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.7
He remained there and continued to proclaim the truth, and finally the Protestants reported him to the authorities as a disturber of the peace. That is all that is there necessary to secure a man’s arrest, and frequently very little pains are taken by the police to inquire into the justice of the complaint. They are glad to get a man, especially if he has money; and when once in their hands, they are not apt to let him go as long as he has any money. They kept Brother Anthony until he had no more money, and then released him. Now, being without means, he could not continue his journey, but had to look around for some means of support. He found work with a manufacturer of shoes, but because he kept the Sabbath, his employer paid him only about half wages. Wages are very low at best, hence with half wages it was quite difficult to subsist. But he found time Sundays and nights to spread the message. Several became interested, and among others was one who is here attending the Conference, — Brother Baharian, an Armenian. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.8
Soon after Brother Baharian’s acquaintance with the truth, he came to Basle to become better acquainted with the message and with us, and also that we might become better acquainted with him. After spending eighteen months in Basle, he returned and began work in Constantinople, and from the first the blessing of the Lord rested upon the labor there. I will give you a few illustrations to show how the Lord has worked in that field. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.1
Among the first to attend his meetings in Constantinople was a Greek, a zealous member of the Greek Catholic church. He said but little, which is a rare exception, for the Greeks are great disputers, as they were in Paul’s day. This young Greek was quiet all the time, and when he heard the subject of the sanctuary, he embraced the truth. Hereupon he asked the brethren if they had ever heard him dispute. They told him they had not. He then explained why: “The first time I came into your meeting, a voice said to me, ‘That young man [the speaker] has the truth. Listen to him; do not dispute.’ And I followed the instructions of that voice; that is the reason I have not disputed.” He believes, and we believe, that it was the Spirit of the Lord leading him. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.2
Another case of a Greek who was induced to come to meeting: he opposed all that he heard, and finally decided not to come any more. One Sabbath as he was crossing a street, a voice said, “Turn down this street.” He said, “No.” But the impression became so strong that he finally yielded, and turned down the street. As he arrived before the house in which our meeting was held, the voice spoke to him, “Enter here,” and he said again, “I will not go into that meeting to-day;” but the Spirit strove with him till he went in. At the close of the meeting, he disputed again all that he had heard. This experience was repeated many times, but the brethren saw no sign of interest. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.3
After a time he left, and started for the interior of Asia Minor, to Caesarea in the province of ancient Cappadocia. While on the way the Spirit of the Lord strove with him till he felt that he could go no farther without making a decision, and he there promised to obey the Lord. He has since been working there to spread the message in that distant country. I would here call attention to one important fact, which our missionaries would do well to note. The brethren had no outward sign in this young man’s case for hoping for him. They might have said: “He always opposes the truth. It is useless to work for him.” But all this time the Spirit of the Lord was striving with him mightily. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.4
About this time there was another Greek whose experience is quite as remarkable. He was a smoker, a gambler, and a drunkard, very low down in sin. When he came to the meetings, he heard about the coming of the Lord, and afterward gathered together his godless companions in the saloon and said, “I have heard that the end of the world is near, so let us eat and drink, and make the most of the time that remains.” That is the way he took it. But he continued to attend the meetings, and soon became so interested that he could hardly wait from one Sunday to another. The result was that he embraced the faith, was soundly converted, and is a new man; even in bodily appearance he has changed greatly. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.5
Thus we have illustrations of how the work is going, and what the Spirit of God can do for those that are deeply sunken in sin; and we are glad that the Lord’s work is started in such a way in Turkey. During the last year it was my privilege to visit the brethren there. Starting from Basle by rail and passing through Austria, the Balkan States, and ancient Thrace, I reached Constantinople in five days, traveling night and day. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.6
I remained some time in Constantinople, instructing the brethren in the message, and finally a church was organized, first composed of twenty members. There since have been additions to the number, and now there are in all about sixty who have embraced the message; there are Greeks and Armenians, some Jews, and I think one or two Syrians. The work has extended out from Constantinople in various directions. There is a strong tide of people from all parts of the Turkish empire to the capital; these are constantly coming and going, so that the work centered there is spreading abroad. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.7
The difficulties in this city are very great. We have no permission to preach there. Several times the brethren have been imprisoned for holding meetings. They changed their place of meeting, and continue as before; but as soon as the police find out where they are, they may be disturbed any day. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.8
By being thrown into prison, our brethren have been able to do something that they could not otherwise have done. On one occasion Brother Baharian was enabled to preach the message before the highest police official in the city. The Protestants and Catholics reject us as being neither Catholic nor Protestant; therefore we have no recognition on the part of the authorities. But on this occasion Brother Baharian could show that we were Christians, and that man concluded that we were honest in our work. Thus by imprisonment, the Lord enabled us to do what would have been very difficult if we had not been arrested. GCB February 21, 1895, page 272.9
Brother Anthony was recently imprisoned for preaching. The president of the police, a high officer, forbade him to preach any more. Brother Anthony replied that he could not comply with such orders, saying: “I cannot do so. I am not not my own. I gave myself to the Lord, and he commands me to preach, and I must preach. I cannot do otherwise; and if you imprison me, I will preach there; if you banish me, I will preach there. As long as there is breath in my body, I will preach. I can do nothing else than what the Lord commands me.” This was a fearless testimony and will have its effect. Brother Anthony cares nothing for danger. If he knew that he would die the next hour, he would not compromise his liberty in the Lord a particle. GCB February 21, 1895, page 273.1
Last summer he was cast into prison again because he distributed tracts, and they promised to release him if he would agree not to distribute any more tracts. At first he thought he would do that, and would work in some other line. The officer accompanied him home to receive a guarantee that he would distribute no more. But on the way home, thinking that perhaps the Lord might want him to work in that way, he told the officer that he would not give him any guarantee, and so he was taken back to jail. When he returned to the jail, the rest of the prisoners laughed at him, and told him that he could promise that he would not do it, and then after gaining his freedom, he could do it any way. But Brother Anthony showed them that that would not be honest, and “moreover,” said he, “I will get out of prison without resorting to any such means.” It was not long before he did get his liberty, and then he went back and told the prisoners, saying: “Now, you see, I am free. If you will serve God and keep his law, he will care for you also.” Thus he bore a testimony to the prisoners. GCB February 21, 1895, page 273.2
From Constantinople our work has been extended to the East, into the province of ancient Bithynia. It began on this wise: A man who was employed as cook by a Baptist minister was in Constantinople, and there heard something about the truth; and when he went home, he told his employer about it. The employer opposed it, but the man became more and more interested in the truth. He felt that he must keep the Sabbath. His employer would not give him permission, but discharged him at once, and drove him out of the village. It is not difficult there to stir up the people. They are very much as they were in ancient times. At Lystra the people were about to sacrifice to Paul, and the next moment they stoned him. Well, this Baptist minister drove him out of the village; but the Lord sent him out to preach the message, for the man traveled from village to village, working at his trade and proclaiming the truth. GCB February 21, 1895, page 273.3
Finally Brother Baharian was called there, and the work has spread until quite a number have accepted the truth. One of the first places visited was Ovajuk. Here they went into a saloon, where Brother Baharian preached. In the meeting a man arose and said: “The Bible says that in the last days false prophets shall come, and you are one of them,” and sat down. The speaker continued without noticing the interruption; and before the service ended, that man saw that the preacher had the truth, and confessed it, inviting Brother Baharian home with him. In no other place has a greater interest been manifested than there. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.1
The meetings were carried on after this in a private house. The man embraced the truth, but the wife bitterly opposed it; and when the people came to the meetings, she would stand without, and try to keep them away, saying, “This man teaches error; keep away.” Yet some came, and they became more and more interested, until some embraced the truth; but this woman continued her opposition, and went about the village saying, “This false teacher has stolen my husband and my daughter, and he will deceive your husband and your daughters.” So finally the people treated the house to a shower of stones. Brother Baharian left for the time being, but afterward returned, when there was a better interest than at the first. Yet the opposition continued to grow until another rabble was raised, and they stoned the house again Sabbath evening. The next morning, while the brethren were engaged in their worship, another crowd assembled, until about the whole village, something like 1000 people, were there. They were screaming, crying to have Brother Baharian given to them, throwing dust into the air, stoning the house, etc. A few brethren in the house barricaded the door, and then the mob began to dig a hole through the wall. The brethren within said to Brother Baharian, “Now is the time to go,” and they went out through the crowd; but no one laid a hand on him. They went quietly along through the crowd who were pulling and hauling one another to get at him, and they continued so to the mayor of the village; and all the way not a particle of harm resulted. The mayor told him that he must leave the village; that it was impossible to restore order until he did. So the mayor provided horses and soldiers, and sent him out of the village. But the work continues there, and one after another is added to the Lord. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.2
Brother Anthony, also in this vicinity, met with difficulties, and was thrown into prison. Each district is governed by a pasha. Brother Anthony, as prisoner, was kept in the palace of the pasha. The secretary of the pasha was very kind to Brother Anthony, and frequently called him to come to talk with him, and became very free with him. When people called, he would point to Brother Anthony, saying: “That is my priest.” Brother Anthony is a large, portly man, with heavy, full white beard, and looks quite like an old patriarch. One day he said to Brother Anthony: “You do not really believe what you have been telling me, do you?” Brother Anthony replied that he certainly did, and asked him in turn: “Do you not believe your religion?” He replied: “No; there is nothing in it.” “Then why do you pray five times a day?” The secretary is a Mohammedan, and the Mohammedan custom is to pray five times daily. Each time, they wash a considerable portion of their body, and then take their different positions, going through these movements repeatedly. The secretary did this; he would go to his room at the stated time, and go through with the prayers. To Brother Anthony’s question why he did this, if he did not believe in it, he replied: “It is because of the people. They would have no confidence in me if I did not pretend to be religious, and, moreover, it is healthful to wash, and it is good gymnastic exercise.” GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.3
While there, I visited brethren in the province of Nicomedia. We could see the spirit in favor of Sunday quite as prominent there as in this country. One Sunday while holding meeting in a private house, a crowd collected, and began to stone the house. The man that owns the house has had his property stoned repeatedly because he works on Sunday. They would cry out: “Sunday is our day; you must respect our Sunday.” There are very few whole windows left in the man’s house; for they have been repeatedly stoned. He is quite aged, and I noticed his countenance during the stoning to see how he was taking this treatment; but instead of seeing his countenance full of fear, he seemed to be rejoicing. I asked him if he did not feel afraid. “No,” he said; “I am not afraid, for my house is insured; when I gave myself to the Lord, I gave him my house also. It is all the Lord’s; if he allows it to be destroyed, all right,” I thought that man had a pretty good idea of what it is to be the Lord’s. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.4
There are a great many obstacles in the way in this field, yet I am led to believe that that is a blessing; for if every door is shut, the people can do nothing else than look to the Lord, and that is their strength; so it is really a blessing. And that is the lesson that every one will yet have to learn. The Lord is working there, and if the brethren continue as they have started, he will do great things for them. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.5
Missionary work began in Turkey about the time that William Miller began to preach the First Angel’s Message; in their work, one of the greatest difficulties was to lead the people to trust the Bible rather than the traditions of the priests and Fathers. The missionaries finally succeeded in teaching the people to rely upon the word of God and reject everything that was not found there. Now when we preach the truth, that fact plays an important part. When the missionaries have to resort to the Fathers in order to withstand the truth, the people rise up against that at once. They have learned their lesson well; and so when the missionaries try to prove Sunday by history and the Fathers, they know how to meet the objections without help from us. To oppose the truth, the missionaries have to tear down their own foundation. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.6
Just one illustration in conclusion, to show how readily the truth takes root: when Brother Baharian was working in Bithynia, now called Nicomedia, he remained in one village but eleven days; because of difficulties, he could not return. But the people laid aside their work on the Sabbath, and continued to come together to search the Scriptures. There were from twenty-two to twenty-five thus engaged, and several have embraced the faith. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.7
I would further add in conclusion that there are now several Sabbath-keepers in Cilicia, a short distance beyond Tarsus. The truth has also been proclaimed in Alleppo, Syria, and there are here several Sabbath-keepers. In all this vicinity the truth has been more or less proclaimed. It has also extended to the interior of ancient Cappadocia. Perhaps if some occasion is offered, Brother Baharian will tell us about a visit that he made to this point. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.8
The Lord is working, and among those who are receiving the truth there are some good subjects for training and fitting for work in the cause. Some four or more are teachers. These know English more or less, and are thus able to make use of our publications. These people have gotten hold of the message at its present stage of development, and I thank God that the truth is thus starting in this country. In conclusion, I will read what is said in Psalm 98:1:— GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.9
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory. GCB February 21, 1895, page 274.10
The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.1
STATE AGENTS’ CONVENTION
THE twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth meetings of the State Agents’ Convention were held during the afternoon of February 17. The time was occupied by Brother E. W. Snyder, who represents the needs of the South American field. He favored us with many interesting as well as instructive items concerning the extent of the territory, the population, manners and customs, climate, and the success that has attended the past efforts in Argentina, which has been his special field for several years. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.2
This talk was followed by the report of the committee on supplying laborers for needy fields. The report was as follows:— GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.3
Recognizing the fact that the Saviour’s commission is to carry the gospel to all parts of the world, and that the Spirit of God has indicated that we are years behind in our work in other lands, therefore we, as State agents, pledge our hearty support to the general canvassing agent in his efforts to supply destitute missionary fields, by recommending suitable persons to the disposition of the general agent, in order that the pressing demands of these fields may be met at once. And further, we will encourage our canvassers, as a whole, to make destitute missionary fields and their needs a study; and, using our best judgment with the concurrence of the Conference Committee, we will recommend the most suitable persons to study the languages and customs of certain fields, with a view to entering them at some future time. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.4
A. F. HARRISON,
E. W. SNYDER,
Z. SHERRIG,
Committee.
The reading of their report was followed by a general rally in favor of the resolution, those from abroad urging the importance of carrying out the resolution as soon as possible, while those who represent the home work, seemed to vie with each other in suggesting men for the call. The pleasant developments of the meeting were indeed gratifying, and we trust that the good results will be lasting. The resolution was unanimously carried. As the meeting adjourned, we could not but say, May God richly bless the decisions of the hour. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.5
TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING
The twenty-sixth meeting was called by the Chair at 7:45 A.M., February 18. Brother Hill offered prayer. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.6
The time of this meeting was occupied in considering the sale of “Two Republics.” The subject was introduced by the reading of two papers by Brethren S. D. Hartwell and James Hackett. Brother Hartwell’s paper presented the plan of working with the higher classes, while Brother Hackett gave several reasons why “Two Republics” may be successfully sold among the common people. In both papers interesting experiences were cited in support of the positions taken. In the discussion that followed, a statement was made which is specially worthy of our careful thought. It was that “Two Republics” could doubtless be sold with success if we would study it carefully, appreciate its value, and push it with enthusiasm. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.7
Brother Glass stated that in California several agents have made an excellent record during the past year with this book. One boy only seventeen years of age not only made his work self-supporting, but earned wages sufficient to pay his expenses in school for one year. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.8
THE HEALTH REFORM INSTITUTE
THE Twenty-first meeting of the Health Reform Institute convened in the Tabernacle, February 19, at 3 P.M. The President, J. H. Kellogg, M. D., called the meeting to order, and J. N. Loughborough led in prayer. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.9
The minutes of the last meeting having been published, that reading was waived. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.10
It was stated by the Chair that a meeting was called Dec. 4, 1894, but as a quorum was not present, adjournment was taken to the present date. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.11
According to the statement of the Secretary, the entire number of shares is 1524, of these 1003 were represented by stockholders or proxies present. Only 763 shares are required to be represented for a business quorum. GCB February 21, 1895, page 275.12
G. H. Murphy, the Treasurer, presented the following report:—
Statement of Loss and Gain from Oct. 1, 1892 to Oct. 1, 1894
GAINS
| 1893. | 1894. | Total 2 yrs. | |
| Receipts from board and treatment, surgical operations, etc | $247,434 25 | $219,694 58 | $467,128 83 |
| Receipts from hospital beds and sick poor fund | 3,234 01 | 4,213 24 | 7,447 25 |
| Receipts from miscellaneous | 10,616 54 | 18,091 46 | 28,708 00 |
| Totals | $261,284 80 | $241 999 28 | $503,284 08 |
LOSSES
| Running expenses | $184,773 55 | $195,407 50 | $380,181 05 |
| Support of hosp. beds and discounts | 32,410 86 | 46,323 18 | 78,734 04 |
| Net gain | 44,100 39 | 268 60 | 44,368 99 |
| Totals | $261,284 80 | $241,999 28 | $503,284 08 |
Statement of Resources and Liabilities from Oct. 1, 1892 to Oct. 1, 1894
RESOURCES
| 1893. | 1894. | |
| Cash on hand | $ 24,067 24 | $ 3,670 32 |
| Real estate | 309,552 92 | 342,718 10 |
| Stock of San. Improvement Co | 30,675 00 | 32,825 00 |
| Furnishings | 66,282 27 | 69,687 21 |
| Instruments and apparatus | 28,869 31 | 30,893 41 |
| Other inventories | 35,723 86 | 38,323 00 |
| Accts receivable | 36,823 96 | 36,619 01 |
| Bills ” | 10,588 43 | 5,935 18 |
| Totals | $542,582 98 | $560,671 23 |
LIABILITIES
| 1893. | 1894. | |||
| Notes payable | $128,142 18 | $133,381 00 | ||
| Accts ” | 21,125 01 | 33,705 84 | ||
| Net worth. Oct.1, 1892 | $349,215 40 | |||
| ” gain. ” 1, 1893 | 44,100 39 | |||
| ” worth, ” 1, 1893 | 393,315 79 | |||
| ” ” ” 1, 1893 | $393,315 79 | |||
| ” gain. ” 1, 1894 | 268 60 | |||
| ” worth, ” 1, 1894 | 393,584 39 | |||
| Totals | $542,582 98 | $560,671 23 | ||
| Net worth, Oct.1,1894, as per above | $393,584 39 | |||
| Valuation of real estate, as per above | $342,718 10 | |||
| Estimated value | 250,000 00 | |||
| Shrinkage in valuation of real estate | $ 92,718 10 | |||
| Valuation of furnish ings as per above | $ 69,687 21 | |||
| Estimated value | 40,000 00 | |||
| Shrinkage in valuation of furnishings | $ 29,687 21 | |||
| Valuation of instruments and apparatus as per above | $ 30,893 41 | |||
| Estimated value | 10,000 00 | |||
| Shrinkage in valuation of instruments and apparatus | $ 20,893 41 | |||
| Total shrinkage | $143,298 72 | |||
| Net worth, as per revised inventories | $250,285 67 |
Report of charity cases treated in the Sanitarium Hospital during the year of 1894. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.1
Total number of cases received, 282; in Endowed Beds, 125, distributed as follows:— GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.2
STATE BEDS, ETC
| General Conference, 6 months | 2 |
| S. D. A. M. M. & B. Association | 10 |
| Illinois | 8 |
| Indiana | 9 |
| Iowa | 10 |
| Kansas, 7 months | 3 |
| Minnesota, 6 months | 4 |
| Michigan | 12 |
| Nebraska, 11 months | 6 |
| New England | 4 |
| Ohio | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 |
| Wisconsin | 9 |
| Battle Creek, 1 month 1 |
INDIVIDUAL BEDS
| Gotzian, Mrs | 8 |
| Kellogg, Mrs. E. E., 9 months | 7 |
| Lindsay & Hall | 9 |
| Tyszkiewicz, Mr. & Mrs. | 8 |
| White, Mrs. E. G. | 5 |
Explanation was made by the President that the shrinkage reported is due to the general shrinkage that has occurred in values throughout the country. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.3
The amount of charity work done by the Sanitarium since the last report has been over $30,000. This should be taken into consideration in noting the net gain of the institution. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.4
J. H. Kellogg, President of the Health Institute, addressed the stockholders and others present, upon the work of the Sanitarium. We hope to give the address later. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.5
The Health Reform Institute was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature under a “miners’ and manufacturers’” statute, and its charter, besides being very unsatisfactory, is entirely inappropriate. It was suggested that a change of incorporation be made at this session. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.6
On motion of A. O. Tait, seconded by S. H. Lane, the Chair was empowered to appoint Committees on Nominations and Resolutions. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.7
Committee on Nominations: J. N. Loughborough, R. M. Kilgore, H. Lindsay. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.8
Committee on Resolutions: L. McCoy, D. T. Jones, J. H. Morrison.
Moved by A. O. Tait, and supported by J. N. Loughborough, to adjourn to Thursday, February 21, at 5: P.M. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.9
MEETING OF S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
THE annual meeting of this Association continued in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 20, at 10 A.M. The President, O. A. Olsen, in the chair. After the singing of hymn 47, the Secretary of the Association, W. H. Edwards, read from the statutes governing the Association the clause relating to quorums indicating that the stockholders present at any regularly called meeting constitute a quorum for the transaction of business without restriction as to the numbers or proportion. A list of names representing proxies was read; and Elder H. E. Robinson offered prayer. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.10
The Treasurer’s report was presented by A. R. Henry, manager and treasurer. GCB February 21, 1895, page 276.11
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE S. D. A. PUB. ASS’N. (For year ending Dec. 31, 1894.)
RESOURCES
| Real estate | $ 69,425 00 |
| Personal property | 78,392 14 |
| Cuts and engravings | 9,629 00 |
| Type | 11,171 75 |
| Material | 23,890 22 |
| Work in progress | 21,235 98 |
| Stock in sales room | 74,071 71 |
| Fuel | 441 20 |
| Accounts receivable | 230,121 66 |
| Notes receivable | 20,798 36 |
| Cash on hand | 12,065 84 |
| Cash in banks | 16,178 17 |
| Total. | $567,421 18 |
LIABILITIES
| Notes payable | $160,803 08 | |
| Demand notes | 27,362 32 | |
| Accounts payable | 143,869 49 | |
| Capital stock | 144,700 00 | |
| Stock not issued | 66,559 77 | |
| Donations and legacies | 2,200 30 | |
| Surplus | $ 19,657 15 | |
| Net gain | 2,269 07 | 21,926 22 |
| Total, | $567,421 18 | |
| Capital stock | $144,700 00 | |
| Stock not issued | 66,559 77 | $211,259 77 |
| Surplus | 19,657 15 | |
| Net gain | 2,269 07 | 21,926 22 |
| Present worth | $233,185 99 |
Upon motion of H. Lindsay, seconded by D. A. Robinson, the report of the treasurer was accepted. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.1
The President of the Association, Elder O. A. Olsen, presented his address, as follows:— GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.2
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
THE Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association is the oldest institution of the denomination, being the first organization legally effected by our people; and the importance of its position and the stability and credit it has given to the work, cannot easily be overestimated. Probably the founders of the institution little realized the magnitude of the enterprise they were setting on foot, and the work it was destined to accomplish. But human minds comprehend but little of the future. Time has passed; our work has rapidly enlarged, and from a small beginning it has grown to be a first-class printing and publishing house in every respect. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.3
At the expiration of the first charter, arrangements were made by which the association was re-incorporated, and it has been a matter of great interest to notice how smoothly and harmoniously all this has been effected. The confidence that our people repose in the association has found expression in the general turning over of stock into the new corporation. To the on-looker, who does not understand the nature of this work and the principles that underlie it, the ease and success of this transition is marvelous. There are still a few technicalities to be attended to in order to finish and wind up all the business connected with the old corporation, and some of these will receive attention at this meeting; but the good feeling and unanimity that have attended the work of re-organization thus far, give us confidence to believe that what remains will be accomplished with but little difficulty. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.4
The stockholders are well acquainted with the general depression which has prevailed in business circles during the past year. A number of strong firms, considered thoroughly reliable in every way, have failed, and many enterprises have come to naught. In view of these things we are glad that we can present a favorable report of the work of the Association showing a net gain of $2269.07. During the year 1893, books were sold to the amount of $152,205.18. The sales for 1894 were $128,166.57. Considering all the circumstances, this is a very favorable showing. The good resulting from this large circulation of literature treating on the important questions of the day, cannot be estimated in money values. Eternity alone will show the result in precious souls saved in the kingdom of God. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.5
On account of the falling off in our book sales, we have been able to work but eight hours a day, the Board thinking it better to shorten the working hours than to dismiss a number of the hands, and this has been a great blessing to many of them. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.6
The report of our branch house at Atlanta, Georgia, is encouraging. While not making a large profit, it has held its own, with a little surplus, and has done an excellent work. The report from the Toronto branch is not so favorable. It appears that the work has suffered more from the hard times in that field. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.7
It has been the aim and purpose of the managers to give careful attention to the spiritual welfare of the office workers; and while we shall be rejoiced to see even greater advancement in this line, we feel that some headway has been made, and that the interest is increasing. There are many earnest, devoted workers who have a deep interest in the cause, and are laboring faithfully to keep up the spiritual growth of the work. May the time soon come when every individual connected with the publishing house shall have a living, growing experience in the things of God. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.8
The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association has the best of credit, and enjoys the firm confidence of all its patrons. We are glad for the interest manifested by the General Conference in the circulation of our literature. May the Association continue to prosper, and serve the purpose of God in getting out the printed page to go to millions of people, bringing them God’s message of light and truth, which he would have them know at this time. GCB February 21, 1895, page 277.9
We thank our brethren for their confidence and support in the past, and pray that the Lord may guide in all the deliberations of this meeting. GCB February 21, 1895, page 278.1
The manager of the Atlanta branch, C. M. Woodard, presented his report as follows:— GCB February 21, 1895, page 278.2