Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis
INTERNATIONAL SABBATH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Third Meeting, Oct. 29, 2:30 p. m
Prayer by F. E. Belden. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. The chair stated that the changes made in the constitution at the last meeting made other changes necessary, and on motion of E. J. Waggoner the following was adopted. MMM 388.27
That article 5, section 1, be amended by striking out all that matter relating to the duties of treasurer. MMM 388.28
That a new section be added to this article, to be numbered 3, and to read as follows: 3. The duties of the treasurer of this association shall be to receive and hold all moneys belonging to the association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the association or the executive board may direct, through the written order of the president. MMM 388.29
The committee on resolutions submitted the following report: MMM 388.30
Your committee on resolutions would respectfully submit the following: MMM 388.31
1. Resolved, That we recognize the blessing of God in the prosperity that has attended the Sabbath School work during the past year, both in the line of the organization of new schools and associations, and in the increased interest on the part of those previously engaged in the work; and further, MMM 388.32
2. Resolved, That this blessing shall be received by us only as an incentive and an encouragement to greater consecration to the work. MMM 389.1
Whereas, The sole object of the Sabbath School should be to lead souls to Christ, and no one can lead another in a way which he himself does not know, therefore, MMM 389.2
3. Resolved, That we again recognize and emphasize the necessity of having converted and consecrated teachers in the Sabbath School. MMM 389.3
Whereas, The formation of new schools rests largely in the hands of the ministers, and the instruction given at the time when the school is organized has much to do in shaping its future course; therefore, MMM 389.4
4. Resolved, That we urge all who labor in the field to become thoroughly and practically familiar with all branches of Sabbath school work, and further, MMM 389.5
5. Resolved, That we request the officers of the various conferences, to insist that such knowledge shall be a necessary qualification of those whom they send out to labor in the ministry. MMM 389.6
Whereas, The experience of the past has shown that our Sabbath Schools have made the most progress when a systematic correspondence has been kept up with them by the officers of the association; therefore. MMM 389.7
6. Resolved, That while we would most earnestly encourage personal work by the officers to as great an extent as possible, we express it as our belief that nothing can take the place of regular correspondence, and that we urge the state secretaries to keep in constant communication with all the schools in their respective associations, so that they may know the exact standing of each, and be enabled to give the instruction that is needed; and further, MMM 389.8
7. Resolved. That it is the sense of this association, that where a state association has secured a competent secretary, she should be encouraged to devote her entire time to this work. MMM 389.9
8. Resolved, That the International Association send a representative to each state camp-meeting to direct and aid in giving Instruction to officers and teachers, and to counsel with the state officers concerning the best means to advance the Sabbath School work in the state. MMM 389.10
Whereas, The officers of the association need a medium of communication whereby they may give instruction to the officers and teachers of the Sabbath Schools throughout the world, and MMM 389.11
Whereas, This medium needs to be in a form convenient for reference, and separate from matter that is designed for general circulation; therefore, MMM 389.12
9. Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to revive the Sabbath School Worker, as a Quarterly, in such form as they may think best. MMM 389.13
10. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to issue the Senior Lesson Pamphlet in such form that it; may be conveniently carried in the pocket. MMM 389.14
11. Resolved That we request the Executive Committee to furnish and the Review and Herald office to publish in the Instructor, a series of children’s lessons in place of the lessons for the senior division. MMM 389.15
12. Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to have a series of lessons prepared upon the subject of tithes and offerings, to begin in July, 1889. MMM 389.16
13. Resolved, That we request the preparation of lessons upon health and temperance, to be used as soon as practicable. MMM 389.17
Whereas, The General Conference has voted to buy and use for missionary purposes, If found to be suitable, the ship in which [original illegible] Cudney and Tay sailed for Pitcaim Island, and MMM 389.18
Whereas, The work which has been begun in Russia, and which has prospered in the face of the greatest difficulties, is much crippled for lack of means, therefore, MMM 389.19
14. Resolved, That we recommend that all our Sabbath School throughout the world, devote their missionary contributions for the first quarter of 1889, to the purchase of the above-mentioned ship; that the contributions for the second quarter be given to the Russian Mission, and that the contributions for the remaining half of the year be devoted to the establishment of a city mission in Hamburg, Germany; and further, MMM 389.20
15. Resolved, That we request the Executive Committee to prepare as soon as possible, a statement containing as much information as can be secured concerning the missionary ship, and also interesting items relating to the situation and work in Russia sod Hamburg, which shall be sent to all the schools in order to make more real to the pupils the objects for which they contribute. MMM 389.21
After motion to adopt the report by acting on each resolution separately some time was devoted to their discussion. MMM 389.22
Resolutions Nos. 1, 2, and 3 were adopted without much discussion, while Nos. 4 and 5 were spoken to by several, all of whom were heartily in favor of the principles embodied in them. Resolutions 6 and 7 called many good thoughts in regard to the benefit to be derived from the work done by a good thorough secretary. Resolutions 1 to 10 were adopted, and pending discussion of No. 11 the meeting adjourned to call of chair. MMM 389.23
Thursday Evening, Oct 25. MMM 389.24
Prof. W. W. Prescott gave an interesting address on the subject of education, which would have been “a feast of good things” to many of our youth who are struggling to obtain a true education. Education was the formation of right habits. It embraced the physical and moral as well as the mental. Its object was to gain power, knowledge, and skill to fit a man for usefulness here and life hereafter. He gave three tests of education. 1. One should be able to support himself. 2. He should be able to discern between the false and true, the counterfeit and the genuine. 3. To get the best things of life without paying too much for them. The inducements were great. Education itself was worth striving for, and eternity opened up before us countless possibilities, and ever increasing knowledge for the redeemed. But the most precious things must be learned at the feet of Christ. The above is but a skeleton of the lecture, and a distorted one at at that. But there are some good thoughts that can be gained from a contemplation of a skeleton. Fill it out by getting the education, by forming right habits. MMM 389.25
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
GENERAL CONFERENCE
DAILY BULLETIN
VOL. 2. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., OCT. 31, 1888. NO. 10.