Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

GENERAL CONFERENCE

Tuesday, Oct 23, 1888. MMM 372.5

The conference continued according to adjourned time at 9:30 a. m. Prayer by Eld. J. B. Goodrich. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. MMM 372.6

The chairman stated that the conference was open for advance business. The committee on resolutions presented a partial report through its secretary, E. J. Waggoner, as follows: MMM 372.7

1. Whereas, The Lord in his mercy has gone before us during the past year. directing and aiding in the establishment of new missions in distant parts of the world, and also blessing and advancing the work in those already. established; therefore. MMM 372.8

Resolved, That we herewith express anew our gratitude for God’s goodness, and our confidence and faith in the Third Angel’s Message, and that we pledge ourselves to support and further its dissemination in whatever way the Lord directs, whether it be in the starting of new missions, or the advancing of the work in those missions already established. MMM 372.9

2. Whereas. There has been a lack of instruction to church officers and a consequent failure in our churches on the point of proper discipline, and a lowering of the standard of membership; therefore, MMM 372.10

Resolved, That we urge the officers of the various State Conferences to provide at camp meetings and all general meeting, instruction on what the Bible teaches us to church discipline, and on the duties of church officers and members; that all young ministers be fully instructed on these subjects before being sent out to teach; and that it be considered the duty of ministers to give to companies about to be organized, thorough instruction on the duties which, according to the Scriptures, the members owe to one another. MMM 372.11

3. Whereas, Many souls are lost to the cause of God for lack of proper encouragement exhortation on report from those whose duty it is to look after the flock, therefore, MMM 372.12

Resolved, That we strenuously urge the officers of every church. and of the Sabbath School and the missionary society connected therewith, to meet together for prayer and council as often as once a month, and that proper steps be taken by the officers to ascertain the standing both spiritual and temporal of every member, so that assistance may be rendered when necessary. MMM 372.13

Whereas. We recognize temperance as one of the Christian graces; therefore, MMM 372.14

Resolved. That we heartily endorse the principles of the American Health and Temperance Association, in protesting against the manufacture and sale of all spiritous and malt liquors, and in discarding the use of tea. coffee, opium, and tobacco, and that we urge upon all people the importance of these principles. MMM 372.15

Resolved, That while we pledge ourselves to labor earnestly and zealously for the prohibition of the liquor traffic, we hereby utter an earnest protest against connecting with the temperance movement any legislation which discriminates in favor of any religious class or institution, or which tends to the infringement of anybody’s religious liberty. and that we cannot sustain or encourage any temperance party or any other organization which endorses or favors such legislation. MMM 372.16

5. Whereas, Kind nursing, and the alleviation of pain by the wise use of simple remedies, is one of the surest ways of reaching the hearts of people; therefore, MMM 372.17

Resolved, That we recognize the fact that a wide and promising missionary field is open before trained nurses who have a knowledge of Bible truth, together with tact and consecration; and further, MMM 372.18

Resolved, That recognizing the good work which the Medical and Surgical Sanitarium is doing in its training school for nurses, we reccomend that the officers of the various conferences seek out suitable young persons, and encourage them to attend the Sanitarium Training School in order to fit themselves for this branch of missionary work. MMM 372.19

A motion by C. H. Jones to adopt by considering each resolution separately, was seconded, and the resolutions opened to discussion. MMM 373.1

The first was pressed on without discussion. A motion by G. B. Starr to refer the second back to the committee was last. The resolution was spoken to by R. M. Kilgore. E. J. Waggoner, and G. G. Rupert, as to the necessity of instruction in this line. MMM 373.2

The third resolution drew out considerable discussion. I. D. Van Horn thought that it would be a great help to our churches. E. J. Waggoner said that the weak,’ and faltering could be restored. W. C. White said that no more important move could be made to help our churches than this resolution implies if carried out. It was not counsel alone which would do this. Counsel is good but seeking God is more. Where it had been carried out, when councils had been held, it had been attended with the blessing of God. Again it would’ be better if practicable to have more than one elder in a church. We read in the New Testament of elders of the church, but not elder. (A minister now ought to visit a church without counseling with its officers.) J. F. Hanson corroborated the remarks of W, C. White. In San Francisco where this plan had been adopted it had resulted in bringing up the spirituality of the church. He suggested drawing up articles of faith, and asked if it would be proper to have in anything of this kind. MMM 373.3

E. W. Farnsworth said that this matter often came up in our camp meetings this summer. Some thought as did Bro. Hanson, but he thought that if our brethren would carry out Matthew 18 it would be about all that was needed. He indorsed the remarks of W. C. White who said that here was a wide field in instructing our church officers. MMM 373.4

D. T. Bordeau though thtat there must be more faithful work in church discipline. MMM 373.5

On the fourth resolution A. T. Robinson asked whether it: is proper to support the temperance party where exemption is made in our favor? Should we in states where nothing is said on the Sunday question? MMM 373.6

G. B. Sterr said we ought not to favor any religious institution even though exemptions are made, and cited Illinois legislation in its favor. MMM 373.7

A. T. Jones said that prohibition straight we could support, but the “third party” is not prohibition, it is national reform. MMM 373.8

R. A. Underwood, E. J. Waggoner. D. E. Lindsey, S. H. Lane, W. N. Hyatt, M. C. Wilcox, Wm. Covert, E. W: Farnsworth, J. M. Ress, C. P. Rees, G. G. Rupert, and Capt. Eldridges spoke to the question. All were agreed that religious legislation should be opposed wherein and wherever we found it. MMM 373.9

The resolution was again read, and a motion to adjourn was carried while the report was pending. MMM 373.10