Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

W. C. White to O. A. Olsen, Nov. 27, 1888

W. C. White
Battle Creek, Mich.,
O. A. Olsen,
Christiannia, Norway.
Dear Brother,—

It is now nearly three weeks since the Conference closed, and you are no doubt surprised that I have not written to you sooner. MMM 128.1

There was no time during the Conference for our auditing work, and that occupied a week of our time after the meeting closed. Then followed meetings of the Book Committee, the Int. Tract Soc. Board, the Conference Committee, with scores of other smatters which have fully occupied our time. Eld. Butler’s resignation as a member of the Committee, and the necessity of rearranging many of our plans has made the work go slow; so that we have but just begun our correspondence. MMM 128.2

The Conference was a large one. The Minnesota brethren had made ample preparation so that all who attended were royally entertained. We think you have a very fine meeting house; and if the light and ventilation was a little better you school rooms would be excellent. MMM 128.3

In many respects this Conference was a peculiar one. I suppose that many of your friends have written to you about it. There were some features of it that I could not understand, and some other features which I thought I could understand, that are not very pleasant to write about. Certain influences had been working for some time which culminated at this meeting in the manifestation of of a spirit of phariseeism. So Mother named it. MMM 128.4

The delegates at the close of the meeting carried away very different impressions. Many felt that it was one of the most profitable meetings that they ever attended; others, that it was the most unfortunate conference ever held. Some who left the meeting before it closed carried high colored reports to Battle Creek and other places, of quite a discouraging character. Mother has met this spirit, and rebuked it at every turn, and there is quite a change in the aspect in this state. MMM 129.1

Mother in now getting out Testimony No. 33, which I trust will let in considerable light. Yesterday was her 61st birthday, and although quite feeble when she left California she is now quite strong and is doing lots of work. MMM 129.2

Of course we were sorry that Eld. Butler could not continue his work as Pres. of the Conf., but when the matter was settled the he could not, it took but a short time to decide who should be his successor. We knew, of course, that you would be deeply pained by our placing such heavy responsibilities on you, and also at the necessity of leaving your present field of labor. The peculiar situation of matters there was not overlooked. We studied the batter carefully and prayerfully and decided that the interests of the general cause demanded that we call you away from that field. And we then set ourselves to work to do all in our power to send the best man at our command to the Scandinavian field. Hanson for Denmark, Lewis Johnson for Norway, and to take a general interest in all; Schull for the office, and perhaps Peterson for the office also. I will write will more about office work when I have time to think and plan. MMM 129.3

I will ask Bro. D. T. Jones, who is secretary of the conference, to send you a full report of the decisions arrived at by the committee during its meetings since the conference. I will copy two or three of them, however, which you will be especially interested in:— MMM 130.1

“Voted, That the recommendation that R. A. Hart return to Christiania, Norway, be withdrawn, and the secretary inform him of the action. MMM 130.2

“Voted, That we recommend Bro. O. A. Olsen to so arrange his work that he can come to this country in April, unless by staying another month he can attend the Scandinavian conferences; in which case, we advice him to come in May.—carried. MMM 130.3

“Voted, That we request Bro, O. A. Olsen to suggest a plan for the co-operation of the Scandinavian conferences for counsel, and auditing. and C. Eldridge MMM 130.4

“Voted, That we ask Bro. Geo. I. Butler and C. Eldridge to act with the Pres. and Sec’ty., and such other members of the committee as may be present, as counselors in all matters relating to the foreign mission work. MMM 130.5

“Voted, That Eld. R. M. Kilgore be a special counsel for the Southern field. MMM 130.6

“Voted, That R. A. Underwood be a special counsel for the Eastern field. MMM 130.7

“Voted, That Eld. W. C. White be a special counsel for the work in the Pacific Coast states, including Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, and all the territories of the west. MMM 130.8

“Voted, That E. W. Farnsworth be special counsel for the work in the Western and Northwestern fields MMM 131.1

“Voted, That, we to encourage Bro. Olsen in his proposed school in Christinnia, and that we permit him to dray from the mission fund for school purpose a sun not to exceed $500.00 MMM 131.2

Voted, That we advise the Scandinavian publishing board to use their discretion in regard to publishing a child’s paper, MMM 131.3

” Voted. That Eld. W.C. White take the place of Eld. Olsen until he returns from Europe, and also that he act as Chairman of the Committee during the present session, and that he be instructed to locate at Battle Creek and take Charge of the business and Correspondence. MMM 131.4

As Brn. Butler and Haskell were neither of them able to be with us on the auditing committee, the work rather slowly. It took about a week. Eld. Smith was chairman of the committee and of course had to neglect, almost entirely his editorial work. MMM 131.5

Then when the work of the general conference committee began he belted. In giving in his resignation as a member of the committee he declared, he was not qualified for the work either by nature or grace; and although I protested against any more changes, his resignation was accepted and Bro. Dan. T. Jones was chosen to fill the vacancy. So the Com. Now stands, Olsen, Haskell, Kilgore, Farnsworth, Underwood, White, and Jones. MMM 131.6

One morning, Mother detained me for half an hour to counsel with her about the publication of Testimony No. 33, and during my absence the committee voted the last resolution above copied. I Made an earnest effort to be released form this, but could not get them to resend the motion. I cold them, however, that I should ask that most of the business and correspondence be put in the hands of the Sec’ty. I would endeavor to carry on the foreign correspondence, and ask him to take charge of the correspondence in this country. I also proposed that there should be a division of responsibility among the members of the committee, which suggestion resulted in the appointment of various members of the committee for different sections of the country as counselors. MMM 131.7

Mother has told me that it has been shown her that it would be more pleasing to God and for the advancement of the cause, if men should be chosen to take charge of the work in various division of the country, each one acting freely in his field, not referring all questions to one man, because the field is too large for one man to carry all the burdens. Then she says these men should meet, together frequently for consultations and the formation of plans. All meet as equals, each expressing freely his views and listening with respect to the views of others. And it really seems that we must adopt some such for our work is certainly too broad for any one or two men to understand and manage, in all its detail. MMM 132.1

Of course I do not want to move rashly and make a distribution of labor that would not meet your judgment, or your plans, so it is tacitly understood that the arrangements made during, your absence are subject to change when you com. I shall put as much of the work and correspondence on Dan. T. Jones as is possible, because I may return to California before you come here, and if he MMM 132.2

[Selection ends here.] MMM 132.3