General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1893, AND JUNE 30, 1894 [TABULATION]

STATISTICS OF HOME AND FOREIGN CONFERENCES AND MISSIONS FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1894

(W. H. Edwards, Recording Secretary.)

Reports of the standing of Associations in other lands were presented as follows:— GCB February 22, 1895, page 295.1

FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE IMPRIMERIE POLYGLOTTE, BASLE

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RESOURCES

Accounts receivable	$23,713 95
Library	733 04
Fuel	35 19
Stereo. and electro. department	1,427 06
Wood engravings and electrotypes	1,787 55
“Herold”	245 89
Lot	5,769 23
Real estate	27,787 59
Printing department	6,701 83
Machine and shafting	1,506 00
Stock of books, tracts, etc.	18,968 48
Office and household furniture	872 35
Postage stamps	68 37
Editing department	152 19
Bindery	2,481 36
“Les Signes des Temps”	835 96
Cash on hand	279 58
Total	$93,365 62

LIABILITIES

Accounts payable	$12,018 83
Mortgages	9,615 39
Notes	4,815 21
Present worth	66,916 19
Total	$93,365 62

LOSS

“Herold der Wahrheit”	$ 60 98
“Les Signes des Temps”	131 21
Net gain	1,095 66
Total	$1,287 85

GAIN

Sales	$1,263 60
Exchange	24 25
Total	$1,287 85

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCANDINAVIAN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

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RESOURCES

Real estate	$26,881 72
Notes	1,326 84
Miscellaneous stock	198 44
Books (trade and subscription)	11,617 12
Type and printing material	2,287 75
Machinery and office furniture	15,750 20
Paper, stock and binding material	3,224 98
Wood engraving and electroplates	5,754 35
Accounts receivable	7,080 42
Bank deposit	5,151 94
Cash on hand	728 75
Total	$80,002 51

LIABILITIES

Notes payable	$ 6,356 84
Mortgage	13,978 49
Legacy fund	15,510 49
Accounts payable	12,246 36
Present worth	31,910 33
Total	$80,002 51

LOSS

Gas, wood, and coal	$ 1,023 48
Repairs	482 37
Type department	362 98
Stereotype department	206 95
“Tidende, Harolden”, and child’s papers	907 79
Wear and tear in manufacturing department	1,142 22
Expense	818 43
Discount and rent	723 34
Doubtful accounts	341 43
Balance — net gain	3,256 10
Total	$ 9,265 09

GAIN

Real Estate, Nos. 1 and 74	$ 524 00
Sales of books	5,849 41
Manufacturing department	2,344 83
Danish Health Journal	25 22
Material	521 63
Total	$ 9,265 09

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON

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RESOURCES

Accounts receivable	$ 19,633 74
Bank deposit account	19,480 00
Bills receivable	194 80
Book department	22,972 32
British Mission	41,523 66
City office	1,465 31
Editorial library	342 16
Fuel	15 10
Furniture and fixtures	980 34
General expense	171 76
Health book department	8026.21
Improvements	974 00
Insurance	89 48
Lease	796 81
Machinery	2,634 74
Machinery expense	51 36
Manufacturing department	942 52
Postage	2 26
“Present Truth”	143 22
Type and material	1,188 78
Cash balance	174 24
Total	$121,802 81

LIABILITIES

Accounts payable	$ 7,383 29
Bank current account	2,869 20
Bills payable	9,697 98
Present worth	101,852 34
Total	$121,802 81

LOSS

Advertising	$ 54 93
City office	1,044 50
Editorial library	38 03
Fuel	39 57
Furniture and fixtures	34 35
Gas	74 33
General expense	2,335 67
Improvements	118 38
Insurance	153 65
Law costs	29 22
Lease	88 53
Machinery	164 68
Machinery expense	99 95
Postage	155 85
“Present Truth”	3,639 82
Rent rates and taxes	608 02
Bad debts	543 48
Traveling expenses	270 12
Type and material	411 84
Profit and loss (Purchase of “Goodwill”)	8,920 44
Total	$ 18,825 46

GAIN

Book department	$ 7,233 25
Health book department	2,877 25
Interest and discount	1,123 32
Manufacturing department	61 69
Balance, — net Loss for 15 months	7,529 95
Total	$ 18,825 46

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE ECHO PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED

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RESOURCES

Cash	$ 34 11
Deposit in Melbourne bank	995 47
Real estate	15,783 57
Office furniture	1,217 93
Printing department	14,619 01
“Echo” library	271 79
Adelaide depository	515 63
Australian Conference	2,261 38
Australian Bible School	729 75
Australian Tract Society	875 63
New Zealand Tract Society	643 66
Australian Union Conference	479 23
Subscription books	7,136 62
Trade books, etc.	4,741 56
Calendar account No. 5	518 32
Sundry accounts	8,567 40
Total	$ 59,391 06

LIABILITIES

General Conference Association	$ 20,214 13
International Tract Society	1,811 19
Deposits	22,710 65
Bills payable	389 60
Current accounts	4,803 78
Balance	9,461 71
Total	$ 59,391 06
Net worth June 30, 1893	$ 11,333 63
Net worth June 30, 1894	9,461 71
Loss for year	$ 1,871 92

LOSS

Doubtful accounts	$ 134 68
Interest	817 20
General expense	1,634 83
Book department expenses	927 92
Allowance — J. H. Stockton	155 84
City agency	146 59
“Good Health”	54 79
“Echo”	1,043 66
Total	$ 4,915 51

GAIN

Federal Hall	$ 79 13
Printing department	2,180 17
Stamp account	25 31
Calendar account No. 4	578 79
Loss transferred to capital account	2,017 31
Balance	34 80
Total	$ 4,915 51

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE AFRICAN CONFERENCE. Year ending June 30, 1894

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RESOURCES

Property (land and buildings)	$ 58,937 83
Merchandise	7,242 34
Bills receivable	14,522 59
Notes	97 40
Bank	26,007 30
Cash	590 40
Total	$117,040 46

LIABILITIES

Bills payable	$ 6,566 30
Due sundry funds	48,809 39
Present worth	61,664 77
Total	$117,040 46

GAIN

Property, books, etc.

$ 11,785 40

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF HAMBURG DEPOSITORY

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RESOURCES

Grindelberg property	$ 16,407 92
Bills receivable	6,786 84
Inventory department	3,514 12
Furniture	841 35
Cash on hand	9,951 95
Total	$ 37,502 18

LIABILITIES

Mortgages	$ 10,817 30
Deposits	3,186 87
General Conference Association	10,496 60
Bills payable	1,216 75
Present worth	11,784 66
Total	$ 37,502 18

At this point the report of the Superintendent of the Australasian District No. 7, Elder W. C. White, was submitted. The Secretary read the report before the Conference as follows:— GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.1

DISTRICT. NO. 7. — W. C. WHITE, SUPERINTENDENT. For the Year Ending June 30, 1894

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	Australia	N. Zealand	Totals.
Ministers	10	2	12
Licentiates	1	1	2
Bible workers	3	1	4
Directors	5	3	8
Canvassers	41	9	50
Tithes	$ 6,275 56	$ 3,034 54	$ 9,310 10
First-day offerings	117 31	49 92	167 23
Donations	298 58	221 91	520 49
Book sales	23,392 57	5,416 34	28,808 91
Conversions	118	46	154
Churches organized	2	2	4
Companies formed	1	2	3
Sabbath-schools organized	4	2	6
Tract societies organized	2	2	4

At the close of the Treasurer’s and Recording Secretary’s reports, the Chair announced that the business now in order was the consideration of the partial report of the Committee on Education. But as Sunday afternoon would be a more favorable time for the attendance of many who are interested in that work, it would be postponed till that time. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.2

The Conference took up the consideration of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, found on pages 249 and 250 of the BULLETIN. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.3

S. H. Lane moved, C. L. Boyd second, that these resolutions be considered separately and adopted. Resolution No. 1 being read, D. A. Robinson remarked that in consideration of the peculiar experiences through which the work has passed, no one should fail to appreciate the sentiment in this resolution. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.4

The Chair concurred in the spirit and sentiment of the resolution, and thought it was one into the spirit of which all should heartily enter. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.5

H. S. Shaw read a paragraph from a letter just received from South Africa concerning a special outpouring of the Spirit of God in that country, and the remarkable meetings they have lately had, and thought that this was another reason for special gratitude to God. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.6

The resolution was adopted. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.7

Resolution 2 was taken up, and F. M. Wilcox spoke of the sickness and death of Elder Flowers on the island of Trinidad, and the experiences which attended that sad event. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.8

J. N. Loughborough spoke of Elder Hutchins’ long experience in the truth. He embraced the message forty years ago, and had always stood a firm friend to the truths we hold. Referring to the death of Elder Brorsen, the speaker remarked that he had baptized him, with his brother and sister, in California in 1874, in the early days of the work in that State. He had since met him from time to time, and knew that in his death the cause had met great loss. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.9

C. L. Boyd, L. D. Santee, D. H. Lamson, M. C. Wilcox, William Covert, and I. D. Van Horn each paid a tribute to the memory of Elder Hutchins. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.10

The resolution was adopted.D. A. Robinson explained the object of the third resolution. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.11

Question. — Are we to understand that the International Tract Society is to publish all tracts and pamphlets in its own name and right? or that the General Conference is to be the publishers, under the name of the Tract and Missionary Society? GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.12

Answer. — The International Tract Society is but the child of the General Conference, and, according to this resolution, will be the agent of the General Conference in the work of publishing tracts and pamphlets. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.13

Q. — Will this resolution prohibit our publishing houses from printing tracts and pamphlets? GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.14

A. — It is not so designed. The design of the resolution is to place in the hands of the Tract Society its legitimate work. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.15

Q. — Could this work be done in the name of the various “libraries,” as at present? GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.16

A. — The fourth resolution answers that question. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.17

Allen Moon favored retaining the name of the Religious Liberty Association. It gives us favor with men. As representatives of the Religious Liberty Association, we do not stand as representatives of any particular church, but of a grand principle. The Religious Liberty Association should have a literature of its own, bearing its own name. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.18

W. B. White moved, and C. McReynolds seconded, that resolutions 3,4, and 5 be referred back to the committee. Carried. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.19

Resolution 6 was read and adopted without discussion. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.20

Resolutions 7,8, and 9 were read and considered together. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.21

Elder D. T. Jones considered the publishing of a cheaper missionary paper a step in the right direction. We have all been pleased with the appearance of the Signs of the Times, and if it can be furnished to the tract societies at a cheap rate, there is no doubt but that it will be used in large quantities, and accomplish a large amount of good. GCB February 22, 1895, page 297.22

L. D. Santee spoke in favor of the project of cheapening the price of the paper. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.1

W. W. Prescott raised the inquiry by whom, and to whom, this recommendation is made. If we as a Conference recommend that we as a Conference do a certain thing, why not resolve to do it? GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.2

The Chairman of the Committee explained that that was the force of the resolution. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.3

Prof. W. W. Prescott moved, and A. R. Henry seconded, that the last words of Resolution 9, “and that the papers be illustrated,” be stricken out. The mover explained that it was not his intention to prohibit the use of illustrations, but to leave the matter discretional with the managers of the papers, rather than making it compulsory upon them. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.4

W. S. Hyatt thought that the illustrations would be a great help to the papers, and it would be a great help in working up a large circulation if we were able to tell the people that the papers would be illustrated. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.5

O. A. Johnson agreed with the preceding speaker, and inquired as to the price at which the paper could be furnished in clubs. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.6

S. H. Lane, G. B. Wheeler, J. H. Durland, and W. W. Prescott spoke on the question of the amendment, and the Chair remarked that we should not pass resolutions which would bind us to any course of action without discretion. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.7

The question of the amendment being put, it was carried, and the words were stricken out. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.8

D. B. Oberholtzer inquired as to the meaning of the words “limited amount of advertisement.” The Chairman, D. A. Robinson, replied that no definite amount of advertisements was in the mind of the committee. He, himself, thought that two or three pages would be a suitable amount. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.9

W. D. Curtis said he regretted that the question of advertisements had to come up. He, with others, had often referred with a degree of satisfaction to the fact that our papers contained no paying advertisements. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.10

C. H. Jones held that the use of carefully selected advertisements would not be an injury to the paper. If it were desired to procure a cheap missionary paper, there were two means by which it could be secured. First, the enlargement of the subscription list; second, the use of advertisements. Advertisements could be made to contribute quite largely to the revenue of the paper, and would go a great way toward making up any deficiency which might otherwise be incurred. To the ordinary man the absence of advertisements indicates the lack of thrift on the part of the publishers or the unpopularity of the paper, so that the advertisers would not patronize it; hence he regarded the appearance of the paper without advertisements to be against the paper, and thought that good, reliable advertisements would help the paper rather than injure it. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.11

H. E. Robinson favored the production of a cheaper paper. One objection, however, to the reduction to be placed on the subscription price of the paper, is that those who sell the paper cannot well afford to do so for less than five cents a copy; but if the subscription price be placed below what it is now, it would be difficult to obtain five cents a copy. We would therefore recommend that the subscription price be kept as at present, and that the paper be furnished in quantities to the tract societies as cheaply as possible. If the paper could be furnished cheaper with advertisements, he was in favor of inserting them. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.12

D. B. Oberholtzer felt in sympathy with the sentiment of the delegate from Illinois, and spoke as a representative of those who labor in the field, rather than of those who labor in the office. Our people are liable to be imposed upon by advertisements, and dissatisfaction may therefore arise toward the paper containing them. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.13

F. J. Hartman was opposed to the insertion of advertisements. Elder A. O. Tait thought the matter should be considered from the standpoint of the impression which it would make, and papers without advertisements did not make as favorable an impression as those containing them. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.14

W. W. Prescott suggested that we refrain from legislating in anything up or down, but after stating the principles, it would be well to leave to the discretion of those managing the enterprise the small items and details. He therefore moved that the resolutions be referred back to the committee. A. J. Breed supported the motion. GCB February 22, 1895, page 298.15

After remarks by S. H. Lane, the motion to adjourn prevailed.