General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

REPORT OF CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

V. J. FARNSWORTH

IN this report we will glance over what has been done during the past two years, and the present condition of the work as far as we can judge from correspondence. In addition to the usual duties, the Corresponding Secretary has been called to do some work properly belonging to a field secretary. In the summer of 1893 the International Executive Committee learned that the second World’s Sunday-school Convention was to be held in St. Louis, Mo., early in September, and it was thought that a representative of the International Association should be present. The Corresponding Secretary was chosen as such representative. GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.10

Large delegations were in attendance from each State in the Union, and quite a number from foreign countries. Ninety came from England alone, and there were delegates from Scotland, Sweden, France, India, Japan, and other countries. After the convention closed, I attended the camp meetings in Kansas and Missouri, and assisted in the Sabbath-school work in those States. During the summer of 1894, I attended the camp-meetings in Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. At all these meetings instruction was given in different lines of Sabbath-school work, and meetings were held each day with the children. GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.11

We cannot do better than to note some of the tokens of progress made in different parts of the world. The officers of our associations have been doing faithful work, which has resulted in more labor being put forth for the youth and children, in a greater interest in Bible study, and in improved plans for future work. Florida is our youngest association, and the secretary says in a recent letter: “The work is progressing well, and there is continual spiritual growth.” The Oklahoma association was formed in October preceding the last General Conference, with sixty members. It now has 566, and the secretary reports the membership increasing all the time, and the outlook as very encouraging for the work there. GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.12

The Atlantic Association has been organized but five years, but there has been continual growth, the membership having increased from 540 to 881. Though nearly all the officers are new Sabbath-keepers, they manifest commendable earnestness and zeal in their work. GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.13

In Vermont an increasing interest is reported. Many of the schools are small, quite a number being family schools, with but two or three members. The State school has nearly three times as many members as it had two years ago. These often express their appreciation, when writing to the Secretary, on account of this bond which unites them to the cause of God, and say their interest is much greater in the Sabbath-school lessons than before they became members. Missouri reports special work done for the children, and an encouraging increase in the contributions to missions. In Illinois the association has suffered great loss in the death of its president, which has materially interfered with their plans of work. Last year seven institutes were held in the State, which seemed to do much toward raising the standard of Sabbath school work. The secretary of the Michigan Association reports sixteen new schools organized during the last two years, and an addition of 1668 members, and that there has never been a time when the schools were of better courage and more anxious to make their work successful. GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.14

From California the secretary of that Association writes: “We now have 133 schools. As nearly as I can tell, we have about forty-five family schools, and in these schools the blessing of the Lord has been specially apparent.” GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.15

In Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin the associations have had the benefits of continued personal labor in the schools. This has resulted in a very encouraging growth in the interest and efficiency of the work in these States. In Iowa and Minnesota the officers of the associations, feeling that thorough Bible study was the great work to be accomplished, have furnished the schools with programs for daily study of the Sabbath-school lesson in the family. This has resulted in a much greater interest in family study than ever before. GCB February 26, 1895, page 361.16

These programs are furnished free to the families that will use them, and many are now bearing testimony to their value. One minister, after visiting sixteen schools, reports that he considers the program as a heaven-sent blessing. It is doing tenfold more for our Sabbath-schools than was hoped for in the beginning by those in charge of the work. No doubt other plans have been devised, and will be in future, which will greatly add to the efficiency of our work. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.1

We receive cheering reports from distant lands. From Scandinavia we learn that though the work moves rather slowly, they can see continual improvement. In England the schools are conducted on the same plan as in this country, and while many of them are quite small, a commendable interest is manifested. The secretary of that association has spent some time in visiting schools. From Central Europe we learn that some progress has been made, especially in the matter of donations. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.2

During the past year more attention has been given to children of the Sabbath-schools in general. The lessons used by the senior division have been adapted for the children, and translated into the French. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.3

In Mexico a Sabbath-school has been organized in connection with the mission there, and in Central America Sister Hutchins informs us there are two schools, with a total membership of nearly one hundred. There is another school in Ruatan which has not yet been organized, but where the lessons are taught each week. From Georgetown, South America, comes a letter telling us of three schools in British Guiana and one in Dutch Guiana. They meet with some difficulties peculiar to the country and people, and have but few of the conveniences to which we are accustomed. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.4

From Australia Elder G. B. Starr wrote last summer of the first Sabbath-school organized in Queensland, with sixty-four members. He says this school presents very much the appearance of our American schools, with classes in two languages, — English and German. Two years ago the Australian Association had a membership of 719. It now has 1020, which shows a gratifying growth. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.5

In Mashonaland, South Africa, the natives attend our Sabbath-school, and, it is said, “take great interest in the lessons taught concerning the true God who created all things.” GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.6

More attention has been given to holding children’s meetings than before, both at camp-meetings and in our home churches. Many children have by this means been truly converted, and many others have received helpful instruction. Our missionaries in distant lands have not confined their labors to those of mature years, but have labored for the children also. Elder F. H. Westphal writes from Argentina, S.A., that he “held meetings with the children, and some earnest prayers were offered by them. Most of them enjoyed the meetings, and some expressed a desire to be baptized.” Perhaps the most remarkable experience was that of Elder Washburn, in England. Special services were held for the children in connection with his other meetings. At one of these services it was estimated that 2000 young people came, and though the hall was packed to its utmost capacity, hundreds were turned away unable to gain admittance. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.7

I believe this line of work has hardly begun to be seen in its importance, and I would suggest that those who have talent in this direction be urged to improve their gift. Our missionaries are soon to begin work in heathen lands. Missionaries who have gone before us to India report there is the deepest interest awakened among the children, and a child’s paper is in many cases carefully preserved for years, being read to father, mother, and all the visiting relatives of the family. It may be that one of the surest ways of reaching the parents will be through their children. Dr. Phillips said at the World’s Sunday-school Convention that, when talking to an intelligent native of India about Christianity, he replied: “It is no use for you to work for us. We shall die as we are, but you will have our children.” GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.8

The outlook for the Sabbath-school work in the future is most cheering. There is still much to be done, but I have been greatly encouraged since coming to this Conference by seeing those whose hands and hearts are filled to overflowing with other lines of work taking the time to attend our council meetings, and manifesting the deepest interest in this branch of the one work. I have received the hearty co-operation of Conference officers and ministers in all I have attempted to do for the Sabbath-school associations and for the children. There should be constant efforts put forth for the children, to prepare them for the things they must meet. Though there may be difficulties before us, we see only success and final victory, if we follow on to know the mind of the Lord at every step, and continue faithful in his work. GCB February 26, 1895, page 362.9

MRS. V. J. FARNSWORTH.