Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists

THE COUNCIL OF 1884

OWING to the extreme feebleness of the chairman of the Council, Eld. J. N. Andrews, the appointment which had been made for its second session to convene in October, 1883, was withdrawn. The subsequent death of Eld. Andrews seemed to make it advisable not to renew this appointment until the arrival of Eld. Butler, whose visit was recommended by the General Conference of that year. The holding of this second session was therefore deferred until the close of Eld. Butler’s visit to the various missions, and so was not held until May 28 to June 1, 1884. This meeting was also held in Basle, with a much larger and more general representation of the fields in which the work had been commenced. The English field was represented by Elds. M. C. Wilcox, A. A. John, and J. H. Durland, Bro. Geo. R. Drew, and Sister Jennie Thayer. The delegates from the Scandinavian Mission were Elds. J. G. Matteson, K. Brorsen, A. B. Oyen, and E. G. Olsen, and Bro. L. Hansen. The Roumanian field was represented by Bro. Thomas G. Asian, of Pitesti, Roumania; and Italy, by Brn. A. Biglia and V. Guerini, of Naples. Elds. A. C. Bourdeau, D. T. Bourdeau, J. Erzenberger, and B. L. Whitney, and Brn. Albert and Adémar Vuilleumier, Oscar Roth, and other brethren and sisters connected with the Central European Mission, were also present. After the temporary organization of the meeting by the election of Eld. G. I. Butler chairman pro. tem., and A. B. Oyen secretary pro. tem., the following order of exercises was adopted: A religious meeting at 5 A. M., and business meetings at 9 A. M. and 4 P. M., the remainder of the time to be devoted to committee work and consultation. This programme was followed throughout the meeting. HSFM 109.3

One of the first questions which occupied the attention of the meeting was that of perfecting the organization according to the recommendations of the General Conference, to which the matter had been referred. A committee appointed to consider this question presented the following report:- HSFM 110.1

We most heartily indorse the constitution drafted at the time of Bro. Haskell’s visit; but in harmony with the action of the General Conference held at Rome, N. Y., in December, 1882, and to meet the present existing wants of the mission fields, we recommend- HSFM 110.2

1. That Art. I. of the constitution be amended so as to read: “This Council shall be called the European Council of Seventh-day Adventist Missions.” HSFM 110.3

2. That Art. IV. be amended so as to read: “The officers of the Council shall consist of an Executive Committee of three, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Missionary Board of three in each mission, whose chairman shall be a member of the Executive Committee of the Council, these officers to be elected by the Council at its annual meetings. These Missionary Boards shall take supervision of the wants of the cause in their respective mission fields, and shall attend to the disbursement of funds under the counsel of the General Conference Committee, to whom they shall report from time to time the condition and wants of their fields.” HSFM 110.4

It will be seen that the action of the Council in the adoption of this report was in itself an important step toward more thorough system and organization in the work in all the missions. The appointment of a general executive committee of three, composed of brethren selected from the different missions, would serve to unite the work, and, so far as possible, give all the benefit of the experience which might be gained by the workers in each field. This would bring the best judgment of all our missionaries to bear upon the work to be done, while it would help all to feel responsible for the advancement of the common cause. HSFM 110.5

The practical questions considered at this Council were numerous, and related to various phases of the work. The subject of education received much attention. The importance of schools and Institutes for the instruction of the young, with a special view to qualifying them for usefulness in the work, was quite fully discussed. Every reason which can be urged in favor of denominational schools for our people in America applies to the work here. Not only are the public schools of Europe open to the same objection as are those of America,-their tendency to worldly influence, vice, and evil,-but in addition to this, fines and imprisonments are liable to be imposed upon those who refuse to send their children to school on the Sabbath. At the same time education is compulsory, so that, in many instances, the only means of avoiding a conflict with the authorities on the question of the Sabbath is to provide private instruction, and this often involves greater expense than our people in these countries are able to meet. The law makes provision for those who choose to educate their own children, allowing them this privilege providing that the standard established for the public schools is maintained. These facts furnish abundant reason for the establishment of denominational schools by our people. In such schools our children could be taught the regular branches required in the public schools, and could also receive special instruction in the Bible. Such were, in brief, the facts presented before the Council in its discussion of this important question. The special committee to which this subject, together with that of the holding of Institutes, was referred, offered the following report, which was adopted:- HSFM 110.6

Whereas, We feel it to be our duty, in view of the perilous times in which we live, to use every means in our power to guard our children from the evils which surround us; and- HSFM 111.1

Whereas, The moral condition of society is such that in the public schools they are surrounded by influences which draw them away from the truth; and- HSFM 111.2

Whereas, The laws of many countries in Europe are such that all children connected with the State or public schools are required to attend school on the Sabbath; and- HSFM 111.3

Whereas, By the establishment of proper schools, not only the studies required by law may be taught, but other instruction may be given calculated to guard our children from the evil influences of the world and to cultivate in them a love for the truth; therefore- HSFM 111.4

Resolved, That as soon as suitable teachers can be procured, and arrangements made, schools be established in such fields and localities as the necessities of the case may demand. HSFM 111.5

Their recommendation concerning the matter of Institutes was as follows:- HSFM 111.6

That where there is a sufficient number of persons in any Conference or mission who wish to enter into the work to warrant the holding of an Institute for the purpose of giving instruction in the missionary and colporter work, Bible readings, etc., the holding of such an Institute and the procuring of instructors for the same, be left to the judgment and decision of the Executive Committee of the said Conference or mission. HSFM 111.7

The prospect of increased labor in Italy and Roumania led to the appointment of a committee to consider the particular wants of the cause there. These fields had not been directly connected with the general work in America, as no one from that country had been sent especially to labor in them; but in view of the peculiar difficulties encountered in the work in these countries, it was, in the judgment of the Council, highly important that so far as possible it might be moulded after the plans which had proved most efficient in older fields. For this reason it was desirable that they should have the experience of those who had labored in other parts of the work. The deliberations of the committee were embodied in the following recommendations:- HSFM 111.8

1. That such fields as those in Roumania and Italy, where there is no experienced laborer from America, but where there are native Sabbath-keepers who wish to work in the cause, be placed under the supervision of the Missionary Board of the Central European Mission, and that those who can labor for the advancement of the cause should do so at such places and in such a manner as shall be in harmony with the counsels of said Board. HSFM 111.9

2. That at least one experienced laborer be sent to each of these fields to labor with these brethren, helping them by instruction to gain an experience in the methods of labor which have been found by past experience to be best calculated to build up the cause of present truth. HSFM 112.1

3. That Eld. A. C. Bourdeau go to Roumania as soon as other duties will permit, to labor with Bro. Thos. G. Asian to build up the work there, remaining as long as he may think advisable. HSFM 112.2

4. That the journals published in the Roumanian and Italian languages be continued as quarterlies for the present. HSFM 112.3

5. That Eld. D. T. Bourdeau visit Italy as soon as Bro. A. Biglia can arrange his affairs to labor in harmony with the plan of working which our American brethren have found to be best calculated to build up the cause of present truth, and that he labor with Bro. Bourdeau as the wants of the cause demand. HSFM 112.4

Resolutions were also adopted recommending the encouragement of such local laborers as gave promise of being useful, the importance of faithfulness and promptness on the part of all in the payment of tithes and donations for the support of the work, and the duty of our ministers to faithfully present the teaching of the Bible on the subject of Christian liberality. The importance of maintaining Bible simplicity and plainness in dress, and of avoiding the marked tendency throughout Europe to attach undue importance to needless forms and ceremonies in the manner of worship, was plainly set forth in resolutions, all of which were thoroughly and intelligently discussed before their adoption. The free discussion of these practical questions with especial reference to how they should be presented in the work in these countries, elicited much valuable instruction as to the most practicable methods of labor in the European field. HSFM 112.5

Among the important local questions which occupied much of the attention of the Council, was that of the establishment of a house of publication in the Central European Mission. A committee of eleven was appointed to thoroughly canvass the expediency of renting a building for a term of years, of purchasing one already built, or of erecting a new one. After having carefully examined the matter, the committee reported against either renting or purchasing the house already occupied by the Mission, and not finding any other building adapted to the publishing work, they decided on the purchase of a new building. The site which they secured on the corner of Weiherweg and Rudolfstrasse, was one most admirably adapted for this purpose. Plans were also prepared for the proposed building, which were submitted to the General Conference Committee with the recommendation of the Council that its erection be immediately commenced. HSFM 112.6

The proposition for the formation of a Publishing Association for Central Europe, after having been submitted to proper legal counsel, was discarded as being impracticable. It was found that, according to the laws of Switzerland, it would be a much more simple and easy arrangement to leave the property in the hands of an association in America, to be managed by one or more persons whom it should appoint as its representatives here. The Council therefore proposed that, should it be decided to go forward with the erection of the new office, the General Conference accept the latter plan for the management of the publishing work in this Mission. HSFM 112.7

The officers of the Council elected for the ensuing year were as follows: Executive Committee, B. L. Whitney (chairman), J. G. Matteson, M. C. Wilcox; secretary, A. B. Oyen; treasurer, Addie S. Bowen. Missionary Boards: Central European Mission, B. L. Whitney, D. T. Bourdeau, A. C. Bourdeau; Scandinavian Mission, J. G. Matteson, A. B. Oyen, E. G. Olsen; English Mission, M. C. Wilcox, A. A. John, J. H. Durland. HSFM 112.8

The following resolutions, inviting the visit of Mrs. E. G. White and Eld. W. C. White, expressing the gratitude of the Council for the visits of Elds. S. N. Haskell and Geo. I. Butler, and its sense of loss in the death of its respected president, were unanimously adopted by the Council. HSFM 113.1

Whereas, Experience has taught us that the personal labors of our dear Sister White are invaluable to the cause in accomplishing what her writings alone cannot accomplish; and— HSFM 113.2

Whereas, Our European brethren feel the greater need of these for having never been favored with them, and have a strong desire to see and hear Sister White; therefore— HSFM 113.3

Resolved, That we extend to Sister White a hearty and urgent invitation to visit the different fields in Europe as soon as practicable. HSFM 113.4

Whereas, The publishing work in Europe has in its growth reached a point where it calls for the labors of those of special experience in the work of printing; therefore- HSFM 113.5

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that Bro. W. C. White should soon come to Europe to render that assistance in the publishing work that his experience qualifies him to bestow. HSFM 113.6

Whereas, The visit of Eld. S. N. Haskell to Europe two years ago was a great blessing to the cause in this country, bringing about more earnestness and zeal in the work, and greater liberality among the brethren; and— HSFM 113.7

Whereas, The present visit of Eld. Geo. I. Butler has been a source of encouragement to the brethren, and has served to more closely unite the hearts and sympathies of the workers in the different fields of labor; therefore— HSFM 113.8

Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the General Conference for sending these laborers, and that we extend to these brethren a cordial invitation to visit us as often as they may have opportunity so to do. HSFM 113.9

Whereas, The Lord in his providence has permitted disease to remove from this life our dear brother and president, Eld. J. N. Andrews, who has borne a prominent part in this last message; therefore- HSFM 113.10

Resolved, That while we deeply mourn our loss, we submissively bow to this affliction, and try to show our appreciation of his valuable services by faithfully and zealously carrying on the work in which he so earnestly labored. HSFM 113.11

The spirit which prevailed during this entire session was most excellent. Union, love, and harmony prevailed in all the deliberations, and the important decisions which were reached were the result of much careful consultation and of earnest prayer for divine guidance. For those who enjoyed this privilege of taking sweet counsel together, the occasion was in a special sense one of spiritual refreshing, and some of the results of the deliberation of this important meeting will be seen in the work as long as it shall continue. HSFM 113.12