Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

S. D. ADVENTIST GENERAL CONFERENCE

twenty seventh annual session. first day’s proceedings

This meeting convened, as per appointment, in Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 17, 1888. at 9 a. m. MMM 400.7

The President, Eld. Geo. I. Butler, being absent on account of illness, the Secretary called the meeting to order. Eld. S. N. Haskell was chosen temporary Chairman, and the meeting was opened with prayer by U. Smith. MMM 400.8

The following delegates presented credentials:- MMM 400.9

California.-W. C. White, S. N. Haskell, A. T. Jones, C H. Jones, E. J. Waggoner. MMM 400.10

Colorado.-E. H. Gates, C. P. Haskell. MMM 400.11

Dakota-W. B. White, N. P. Nelson, Valentine Leer. MMM 400.12

Illinois-Geo. B Starr, A. O. Tait. MMM 400.13

Indiana.-Wm. Covert, Victor Thompson, B F. Purdham, R. B. Craig. MMM 400.14

Iowa.-J H Morrison, C. A. Washburn, H. Nicola, W. R Smith. H. R. Johnson. W. H. Wakeham. MMM 400.15

Kansas.-C. A. Hall, J. W. Bagby, L. J. Rousseau, C Mc Reynolds. N. P. Dixon, S S Shrock. MMM 400.16

Kentucky.-C. W. Flaiz. MMM 400.17

Maine.-J. B. Goodrich. MMM 400.18

Michigan-I. D. Van Horn, J. Forgo, G. G. Rupert, H W. Miller. Harmon Lindsay, M. B. Miller, J N. Brant, C Eldridge, H. S. Lay, Wm. Ostrander. F. D. Starr. MMM 400.19

Minnesota.-A. D. Olsen, L. Johnson, H. Grant, C. C. Lewis, Allen Moon, F. L. Mead. MMM 400.20

Missouri.-D. T. Jones, J. W. Watt, J. B. Becker. MMM 400.21

Nebraska.-J. P. Gardner, W. C. Boynton, W. N. Hyatt. MMM 400.22

New England-A. T. Robinson, E. E. Miles. MMM 400.23

New York.-M. H. Brown, M. C. Wilcox. MMM 400.24

North Pacific.-T. H. Starbuck. MMM 400.25

Norway- MMM 400.26

Sweden-J. G. Matteson. MMM 400.27

Denmark- MMM 400.28

Tennessee.-J. M. Rees. MMM 400.29

Texas.-T. T. Stevenson. MMM 400.30

Upper Columbia.-H. W. Decker. MMM 400.31

Vermont.-T. H. Purdon. MMM 400.32

Virginia-R D. Hottel. MMM 400.33

West Virginia-W. J. Stone. MMM 400.34

Wisconsin.-A. J. Breed, W. W. Sharp, W. S. Hyatt, B. M Skull, P. H. Cady. MMM 400.35

Central Europe-L. R. Conradi. MMM 400.36

Great Britain.-S. H. Haskell. MMM 400.37

Central America.-T. H. Gibbs. MMM 400.38

Louisiana.- MMM 400.39

South America.-G. G. Rupert. MMM 400.40

The following persons appeared as members by virtue of Conference employment: A. R. Henry, R. M Kilgore, J. F. Hanson, C. W. Olds, D. E. Lindsey, E. W. Farnsworth, D. T. Bourdeau, W. H. Edwards, F. E. Belden, S. H. Lane, O. C. Godsmark, U. Smith. MMM 400.41

The question having been raised as to the propriety of appointing additional delegates from persons present, by vote of the Conference, it was- MMM 400.42

Voted, That W. C White, A. T. Robinson, and D. T. Jones, act as a Committee on Credentials of Delegates. MMM 400.43

Application was received from the Arkansas Conference, organized last May, for admission to the General Conference. Elds. D. T. Jones and J. P. Henderson gave an account of the rise of the work in that State, and the organization of the Conference. By unanimous vote, the Arkansas Conference was received. MMM 400.44

Application was also received from the Conference in Australia for admission to the General Conference. The report of their organization was read, and the Conference was received. MMM 400.45

The Chairman was empowered to appoint the standing committees, and the Conference adjourned to call of Chair. MMM 400.46

The committees were subsequently announced as follows:- MMM 400.47

On Nominations.-J. Fargo, D. T. Jones, J. B. Goodrich. MMM 400.48

On Resolutions.-R. A. Underwood, A. T. Robinson, R. Conradi, E. J. Waggoner, E H. Gates. MMM 400.49

On Licenses and Credentials.-R. M. Kilgore, I. D. Van Horn, H. Nicola. MMM 400.50

On Distribution of Labor.-To act with the General Conference Committee, E. W: Farnsworth, A. J. Breed, Lewis Johnson, G. G. Rupert, C. H. Jones. MMM 400.51

On Auditing.-To act with the General Conference Committee, A. R. Henry, C. Eldridge, J. W. Raymond, J. Fargo, H. W: Miller, A. T. Robinson. MMM 400.52

On Finances.-To act with the presidents of Conferences who are present, C. H. Jones, Harmon Lindsay, A. R. Henry, C. Eldridge, A. T. Jones. MMM 400.53

On Religious Exercises.-R. M. Kilgore, R. A. Underwood, J. B. Goodrich. MMM 400.54

second day’s proceedings

Thursday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a. m. Prayer by S. H. Lane. Minutes approved. The Committee on the Credentials of Delegates reported through its chairman, W. C. White, as follows:- MMM 400.55

Your committee find by examination of the General Conference Constitution, that “the Conference shall be composed of delegates from the State Conferences, of the officers of the Conference, and of such ministers as shall have been in the employ of the General Conference during any part of the year.” Also that ‘‘such delegates may be selected by the [State] Conference, or appointed by its executive committee.” And we find no provision in the Constitution for the reception of delegates not holding credentials. We would therefore report that it is the opinion of your committee that the Conference cannot legally receive delegates not appointed by the Constitution. MMM 400.56

And whereas persons properly chosen to represent Conferences and mission fields, sometimes come to the Conference without credentials in regular form, we would therefore recommend that a committee be appointed at the beginning of each Conference, to whom all such cases shall be referred. It shall be the duty of this committee to examine the claims of all such applicants, and recommend for seats in the Conference all such as in its judgment are entitled to the same. MMM 400.57

And we further recommend that this committee shall select from the delegates at large, persons to specially represent those fields that are not represented by delegates of their own election. MMM 400.58

On motion, this report was adopted. The Chairman was requested, by vote, to appoint the committee called for in the report. MMM 400.59

Some unfinished business from the last annual session was then called up. The record of the action of last year respecting a missionary ship, was read from pages 40 and 47 of the. Year Book for 1888. Pending a report to be made by the committee, the Chairman stated that a vessel had been secured, and was now in use by Eld. Cudney and Bro Tay, in a visit to Pitcairn Island, and that the Conference has the opportunity to purchase this vessel from the private parties who own it, if they wish. MMM 400.60

Under a call for missionary reports, Eld. S H. Lane gave an interesting view of his field in the South, embracing Georgia and Florida. The field, he said, is not the hardest in the world; and while it has its disadvantages, it also has its encouraging features. He considered it as good canvassing ground as could be found; and if no one was to occupy South Carolina, he wished that that State might be added to his field. MMM 400.61

Eld. J. M. Rees spoke of his work in North Carolina and Tennessee, indorsing all that Eld. Lane had said about the South as a field of labor. MMM 400.62

Adjourned to 10:30 to-morrow. MMM 400.63

third day’s proceedings

Oct. 19, 1888. Conference called at 10:30 a. m., as per adjournment. Prayer by R. A Underwood. Minutes of previous meeting approved. MMM 400.64

The committee to be appointed to take into consideration the admission of delegates who have not regular credentials, was named as follows: I. D. Van Horn, H. Grant, P. H. Cady. MMM 400.65

The Ship Committee reported, through its chairman, C. Eldridge, as follows:- MMM 400.66

Your committee appointed to take into consideration the matter of securing a ship to be used for missionary purposes, after thorough investigation on the Atlantic coast, find that a vessel of 100 tons, Government measurement, built of white oak, with a cabin to accommodate sixteen passengers, thoroughly equipped, and ready for sea, will cost between $8,000 and $9,000. Second hand vessels of from 40 to 100 tons, and from three to five years old, could be purchased at from $.2,000 to $6,000. We find that on the Pacific coast, a vessel of 75 tons, Government measurement, built of Oregon pine, fully equipped and ready for service, will cost about $8,000. With steam auxiliary, the vessel will cost about $15,000. The cabin of this ship would accommodate fifteen persons. MMM 400.67

Further than this, your committee learn that Eld. A. J. Cudney, who was instructed by the General Conference Committee to proceed with Bro. J. I. Tay to Pitcairn Island, as soon as possible, after seeking in vain to secure passage direct from San Francisco, sailed to Honolulu, from whence, after laboring a short time with the church in that place, he expected to sail to Tahiti, there to meet Bro. Tay, who was to sail direct from San Francisco, at the first opportunity, from whence they hoped to find passage to Pitcairn Island. On reaching Honolulu, and finding no means of transport, Bro. Cudney accepted the offer of Bro. N. F. Burgess, who proposed to purchase a schooner, then offered at forced sale, if Bro. Cudney would fit it up, man it, and use it in the missionary work, among the islands of the Pacific. This schooner is 45 tons’ burden, capable of accommodating ten persons besides the crew, and costs only $1,100. Bro. Burgess makes no charge for the use of the vessel on this trip, and if desired, will sell it to the Conference for what it cost him. The cost of fitting up this schooner was about $900, which is to be returned to the Conference, if the vessel is sold to other parties. MMM 400.68

Eld. Cudney secured a crew, consisting of a captain, a mate, two sailors, and a steward, and July 31 started for Pitcairn, calling at Tahiti, to take on board Bro. Tay, who sailed from San Francisco, July 5. About the middle of September, we learned incidentally that they had reached Tahiti, and we hope soon to hear of their safe arrival at Pitcairn Island. MMM 400.69

In view of these facts, your committee recommend that, if this vessel, after thorough examination, is found to be sound, and well adapted to our needs, it be purchased, according to the liberal offer of Bro. Burgess, and used till the work demands a larger one. MMM 400.70

After explanatory remarks by C. Eldridge and W. C. White, the report was adopted. MMM 400.71

The Conference now resuming the reception of missionary reports, Eld. C. W. Olds spoke of his work in Alabama, his remarks being in harmony with those who had previously spoken in regard to the nature of the Southern field. But to speak from the canvasser’s stand-point, his field was a little different from the others; for in the mining and manufacturing districts of Northern Alabama, with Birmingham as a center, there are from 40,000 to 60,000 laborers, and canvassing is as good at one season of the year as another, and canvassers can do as well as in a Northern field. Orders can be taken in large numbers, but the difficulty is in delivering. MMM 401.1

Eld. G. G. Rupert being called upon, spoke of his labors in British Guiana, South America, and the islands that he touched at in the West Indies, enroute. The people in British Guiana are mostly connected with the Church of England. They are ready to take religious reading-matter. At Georgetown one quarter of the people are whites, of all nationalities. At the meetings he held in the city, nine tenths were colored. He baptized thirty there, organized them into a church, and celebrated the ordinances. Bro. King, who accompanied him, sold $800 worth of books in four months. It is a good place for real missionary work. The West Indies he thought would compare favorably with Australia as a canvassing field. Bro. Jeffrey was not sent as a delegate from that people, and came without credentials. He answered many questions with reference to tenting, climate, best season to labor, etc., etc. MMM 401.2

Eld. S. H. Lane spoke further of canvassing in the South, as did Elds. Rees and Henderson. Eld. T. H. Gibbs being called on, gave an interesting account of the work in Louisiana. The three brethren last named did not want Eld. Lane to monopolize all the canvassers; they wanted some for their fields. MMM 401.3

The hour of noon having arrived, the Conference adjourned to call of Chair. MMM 401.4

S. N. Haskell, Pres.
U. Smith, Sec.
(To be continued.)