General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
THE thirteenth meeting of the General Conference was held February 28, at 10 A.M. The meeting opened by singing, and Elder A. E. Place offered prayer. The minutes were read by L. T. Nicola, and accepted. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.1
Reports of committees were then called for, and the Committee on Distribution of Labor submitted a partial report, as follows:— GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.2
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DISTRIBUTION OF LABOR
Your Committee on Distribution of Labor would respectfully present the following recommendations:— GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.3
1. That the Minnesota Conference be requested to relinquish North Dakota, and that the two Dakotas be known as the Dakota Conference, with the present conference committee over the whole. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.4
2. That the Nebraska Conference be requested to take as a part of her conference that part of South Dakota known as the Black Hills Country; namely, the counties of Shannon, Fall River, Custer, Washington, Pennington, Ziebach, Lawrence, Meeks, Scovey, Delano, and Butte. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.5
3. That in harmony with the requests of the California and Colorado Conferences, Arizona and New Mexico be taken under the jurisdiction of the General Conference, and that the territory be made a part of District No. 5. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.6
4. That Elder Matthew Larson, of Iowa, labor in the New Mexico and Arizona mission field. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.7
5. That Elder A. J. Read and wife, of Tahiti, and Dr. F. E. Braucht and wife, of Michigan, go to New Guinea to open up mission work. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.8
6. That J. M. Cole and wife, of Norfolk, go to the Fiji Islands to begin mission work, and that E. S. Butz and wife, of California, join Elder Cole in labor in that island. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.9
7. That Elder H. F. Graf and wife, of Nebraska, make Brazil their field of labor. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.10
8. That W. H. Anderson and wife, and Clifton Tarr and wife, join the company to go to Zambesia, Interior Africa. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.11
9. That Elder J. E. Graham take the captaincy of the “Pitcairn.” GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.12
10. That E. R. Palmer and wife go to Australasia to labor. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.13
11. That Elder E. W. Webster and wife, of South Carolina, make Trinidad their future field of labor. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.14
12. That E. P. Gade, of Wisconsin, labor in Iowa in the interests of the German work. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.15
13. That Elder E. G. Olson, of Iowa, labor in the interests of the Scandinavian work in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.16
14. That in view of the poor health of the president of the Texas Conference and his desire to be released, Elder H. W. Decker, of Illinois, take the presidency of the Texas Conference. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.17
15. That Elder S. H. Lane, of New York, take the presidency of Illinois Conference. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.18
16. That Elder A. E. Place take the presidency of the New York Conference. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.19
17. That Elder H. W. Cottrell take the presidency of the New England Conference, made vacant by placing Elder R. C. Porter on the General Conference Committee. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.20
18. That Elder J. W. Westphall, of Wisconsin, labor in the German work in District No. 5. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.21
19. That Elder H. Shultz labor in the German work in Districts Nos. 3 and 4. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.22
20. That Elder E. A. Curtis, of Minnesota, go to the Illinois Conference to labor. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.23
21. That Elder C. Santee, of Missouri, go to the Minnesota Conference to labor. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.24
22. That Elder C. W. Flaiz, of Minnesota, go to the Dakota Conference, and take the place on the conference committee made vacant by the removal of Elder H. R. Johnson. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.25
There being no further reports from committees, the next business in consecutive order was stated to be the report of the Committee on Education, on page 358 of the BULLETIN. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.26
J. E. Jayne moved that the report be considered and adopted. The motion being seconded, the Chair placed the question of the adoption of the report before the house. As the report related to the work in Mexico, the chairman of the Committee called on Dan T. Jones, who stated that it was difficult for us in this country to understand the circumstances under which educational work must be prosecuted in Mexico. Their school now in operation was started last May. One hundred and fifty days in the year are church feast-days; allowing these days, but few children attend school, and the priests continually work to excite prejudice in the minds of the people against Protestants, and to work against their schools. It therefore becomes very essential to bring the children more immediately under the influence and control of the managers of the school. This can only be done by establishing a boarding school. The speaker referred to the experiences of other denominations, showing that the success of their schools was largely dependent upon their having the pupils directly under their own control. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.27
W. W. Prescott, being called upon, stated that he thought the matter had been sufficiently set before the Conference so that they could act intelligently. The question was called for, and the resolution was carried without objection. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.28
The attention of the Conference was next directed to the report of the Educational Committee found on page 371 of the BULLETIN. O. A. Johnson moved and A. F. Harrison seconded that the resolutions and preambles be adopted. W. W. Prescott, in explanation of the general principles of the resolution, stated that these schools were the outgrowth of Biblical institutes which have been held in the years past. The results which have already been reached are very favorable, and the Committee considered that other sections of the country should be favored with their benefits, especially since large schools were not necessary to the success of such an undertaking. It was also thought that a more permanent character should be given to the work by lengthening out the courses of study. They had therefore recommended a three years’ course; but as each year embraced at most but twenty-four weeks, the three years would scarcely equal two years of ordinary schooling. It was confidently expected that such schools would aid in the development of laborers, and would benefit a large class to whom the advantages of a more regular course would not be available. GCB March 1, 1895, page 425.29
O. A. Johnson raised the query as to whether the courses of instruction would include Bible-work and public speaking. The chairman of the Committee stated that the Committee had not considered the details of the work, although to his own mind it seemed very proper that these branches should be included. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.1
J. H. Durland suggested that General Conference District No. 2 be included among the proposed localities for these schools. He had found that the laborers who came to the Bible school from the South greatly appreciated the benefits they had received. He believed that such schools would be highly profitable for that section of the country. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.2
W. W. Prescott replied that the Committee would have no objection to extending the facilities to any part of the field where the demand for such a school might indicate. It was not their intention to limit the extension of the schools to the localities mentioned. The Committee was willing to make the addition suggested by Brother Durland, and if there were no objections, would do so. There being no objection, the addition of General Conference District No. 2 was made in the recommendation. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.3
J. H. Haughey inquired in reference to the grading of the school, whether in the same year’s study there would be three grades of classes. It was answered that it would hardly be necessary in Biblical studies, though in the study of languages and sciences, it might be necessary to grade more carefully. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.4
H. S. Shaw spoke in behalf of extending the school privileges to the colored people of the South. The chairman of the Committee on Education explained that preparations were already being made to supply the wants of this people. Some discussion upon this point ensued, in which H. S. Shaw, A. T. Jones, A. O. Tait, D. H. Lamson, G. W. Caviness, W. W. Prescott, and A. J. Breed participated, and the resolution was adopted. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.5
The Chair then called up the report of the Committee on the brigantine “Pitcairn,” page 371. Allen Moon moved the adoption of the report. Captain J. E. Graham explained the necessity of better accommodations for passengers, and larger carrying capacity both for passengers and for freight. He referred to the circumstances in which the present vessel was used, and the inconveniences which were often imposed upon passengers by the limited room on the vessel. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.6
R. C. Porter questioned the propriety of stating the definite price upon the “Pitcairn,” and publishing it to the world; thought it better be left to the discretion of the General Conference Association. C. H. Jones concurred in the opinion of the last speaker, and moved an amendment accordingly which received a second. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.7
S. H. Lane thought that the building of the new vessel should not depend upon the sale of the present one; for there are many vessels on the market, and it might be a long time before this one could be disposed of. He was in favor of going forward and building what was required, and selling the “Pitcairn” as soon as possible. J. R. Palmer suggested the idea of keeping the “Pitcairn” for local work among the islands, and building a larger vessel for long voyages. J. E. Graham being asked for his opinion upon this suggestion, replied that the “Pitcairn” was a staunchly built vessel, but that it was rather too large a vessel for local work. He spoke also of the necessity of a vessel to be used among the islands, sailing under the French flag. Otherwise her operations would be considerably restricted, for she would not be permitted to visit all the islands. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.8
D. A. Robinson suggested an amendment to the amendment, to the effect that the “Pitcairn” be placed on the market and sold, and that a larger and more commodious vessel be built for the island work as soon as consistent. This amendment was accepted by the movers of the original amendment. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.9
The question was raised, Why do we have a missionary vessel? to which Elder E. H. Gates replied that it would be impossible to reach certain of the islands without a vessel of our own; and the second reason was that the moral effect of our having a missionary vessel was to stimulate the contributions to the missions. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.10
It was then suggested to have small vessels to be used in the island work, and to depend upon regular lines of steamers for sending workers and supplies into the island field. This point received some attention by different speakers. A. J. Read spoke, giving it as his opinion that this would be a difficult plan, since the vessels for transportation among the islands were often uncertain, unsuitable, and even unsafe. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.11
W. W. Prescott, in view of the extended discussion which the subject had called out, and the matter now being placed sufficiently before the Conference, moved that the resolution be referred to the General Conference Association, with power to act. This motion received a second, and was carried unanimously. GCB March 1, 1895, page 426.12
The General Conference resolution without number, on page 371, was then taken up. The chairman of the Committee stated that in view of the fact that two years ago a similar recommendation had been passed by the General Conference, the Committee asked the privilege of withdrawing the present resolution. The request was granted. GCB March 1, 1895, page 427.1
The Conference now proceeded to the consideration of the report of the Finance Committee, on pages 401 and 402. J. N. Loughborough moved and A. J. Breed seconded that the report be adopted. Resolutions 1 and 2 were passed without discussion. Resolution 3 was spoken to at some length by Elder D. T. Jones, from Mexico, who spoke of the openings for medical missionary work, the good that such work could accomplish, and the influence which would be exerted through it over the people at large. He cited numerous instances showing how readily people are attracted to the truth and to our work by this beneficent means. The discussion was discontinued at this point. GCB March 1, 1895, page 427.2
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses, through its secretary, N. W. Allee, presented a partial report, including only the names for ministers’ credentials, as follows:— GCB March 1, 1895, page 427.3
Your Committee on Credentials and Licenses respectfully submits the following report:— GCB March 1, 1895, page 427.4
Credentials - O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, J. N. Loughborough, W. W. Prescott, W. C. White, A. J. Breed, R. C. Porter, G. A. Irwin, J. H. Durland, J. H. Morrison, H. P. Holser, Geo. I. Butler, A. F. Ballenger, M. H. Brown, D. T. Bourdeau, Z. G. Baharian, J. T. B”ttcher, A. C. Bourdeau, L. R. Conradi, B. J. Cady, J. M. Cole, J. W. Collie, G. W. Colcord, J. M. Errickson, E. W. Farnsworth, O. O. Farnsworth, E. Frauchiger, W. H. Falconer, C. M. Gardner, J. E. Graham, Francis Hope, Frank J. Hutchins, A. J. Haysmer, A. T. Jones, D. T. Jones, C. M. Kinney, J. Klein, C. H. Keslake, G. W. Kneeland, I. E. Kimball, R. M. Kilgore, C. Laubhan, H. J. L”bsack, J. G. Matteson, W. A. McCutchen, C. N. Martin, L. McCoy, Allen Moon, L. T. Nicola, H. Nicola, Rodney Owen, J. G. Oblander, M. M. Olsen, S. Osborn, J. R. Palmer, D. A. Robinson, A. J. Read, F. I. Richardson, Uriah Smith, D. T. Shireman, H. S. Shaw, W. A. Spicer, F. D. Starr, Smith Sharp, H. Shultz, W. J. Stone, A. O. Tait, G. C. Tenney, I. D. Van Horn, E. J. Waggoner, Mrs. E. G. White, F. H. Westphal, J. S. Washburn, R. S. Webber, E. W. Webster, F. M. Wilcox, W. H. Wakeham, J. M. Willoughby, M. C. Wilcox, George Wagner. GCB March 1, 1895, page 427.5
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
R. M. KILGORE,
R. S. DONNELL,
C. McREYNOLDS, Committee.
N. W. ALLEE,
E. G. OLSEN,
G. B. TRIPP.
Adjourned to call of Chair. GCB March 1, 1895, page 427.6