General Conference Daily Bulletin, vol. 1
November 24, 1887
VOLUME 1. - OAKLAND, CAL., - NUMBER 10
Tenth Day’s Proceedings
A MEETING of the Health Reform Association was held at 9 A. M., November 23, the President, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in the chair. Prayer was offered by Elder J. O. Corliss. The meeting being an informal one, the minutes of the previous meeting were not read. The President stated that the object of the meeting was not to transact legal business, but to acquaint our people with the practical workings of the Association. He said that one object of the Association was the promulgation of health principles, and so it has long been the custom at the Sanitarium at Battle Creek for the physicians in charge of that institution to give lectures on health four times each week, for the benefit of the patients and helpers. In addition to the instruction thus given, a training school for nurses was started four years ago, in which practical and thorough instruction is given in everything which relates to the care of the sick, including healthful cookery. This latter part of the work has for some time been under the personal supervision of Mrs. J. H. Kellogg; and the instruction in this department is not confined to preparing food for the sick, but covers the whole range of healthful cookery. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.1
The whole course of instruction in this school covers two full years, and is very thorough and practical. Besides paying their tuition the first year by their services, the students in this school receive their board and washing and the uniforms and shoes which they are required to wear. The second year they are paid, in addition to what they receive the first year, from $10 to $16 per month for their services, according to efficiency. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.2
Those who enter this school are employed ten hours per day, and at first are expected to do anything. Later their work is wholly in the line in which they are being educated. In answer to a question, Dr. Kellogg stated that graduates of this school can easily command from $10 to $20 per week in any of our larger towns and cities. The Doctor also said that the purpose of the school was not to make doctors, but nurses; and he advised that in every case of serious illness an experienced physician be consulted. He said that much reproach had been brought upon the cause by persons who were hardly competent as nurses, trying to act as physicians. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.3
The Doctor also referred to the charity work of the institution, and said that when the hospital which is contemplated is completed, very much more can be done in that direction than is done now. He stated, also, that the hospital will be known as a denominational institution, - a Seventh-day Adventist hospital, - and thus special religious features can be introduced that cannot be in the Sanitarium, which is known as being undenominational. For instance, it is proposed to have a meeting every day for the purpose of praying for the sick. All will be invited to participate in this, and those who desire to do so may make special request for the prayers of their brethren in these meetings. The Doctor said that he believed in prayer, and stated that he had seen many cases of recovery at the Sanitarium which he regarded as due to the interposition of divine Providence rather than to any remedies employed. He also recognized the fact that the uniform success of the institution was due to the blessing of God upon the means used. Their success in treating diseases has been remarkable. Notwithstanding the large number of critical cases treated annually, the deaths in the institution have not averaged three per year, and out of 1,000 surgical cases there have been only four deaths. This is remarkable from the fact that a very large proportion of these cases were such as often terminate fatally. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.4
At the close of the President’s remarks the Committee on Resolutions submitted the following report:- GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.5
1. Resolved, That we see reason for devout gratitude to God that the efforts made in our various Conferences the past year to awaken a deeper interest in the cause of health and temperance, have met with such marked success, the tangible evidence of which is apparent in the greatly increased number of subscribers to Good Health, and the sale of so many thousands of health and temperance publications. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.6
2. Resolved, That we hail with delight the news which comes to us through our representatives from Scandinavia, that the Danish Norwegian and Swedish health journals are so rapidly increasing their lists of subscribers through the efforts of canvassers, and that by this means our workers are gaining access to so many homes and hearts in those countries. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 32.7
3. Resolved, That the recent establishment by Elder Haskell of a depository in Paternoster Row, London, the great center of the literary interests of the world, for the sale of health and temperance literature, should be the cause of praise and thanksgiving to God, in that it is an assuring evidence of the immediate and rapid spread of light on the great theme of health reform and kindred truths. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.1
4. Resolved, That an additional cause of gratitude to God is the fact communicated to us by Dr. J. H. Kellogg, that the Sanitarium, which has for some years struggled under financial difficulties, has now so far canceled its debts as to be free from these embarrassments. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.2
5. Resolved, That this Association approve the idea proposed by Doctor Kellogg, to erect a hospital building in connection with the Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan, where the sick poor among us may receive treatment at charity rates. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.3
6. Resolved, That we consider the cause of health reform as one the world over, and that we extend the hand of sympathy and good cheer to the Rural Health Retreat, at St. Helena, California, in which is inculcated the same principles as in the Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Michigan, and that we are greatly pleased to learn of the progress which the former institution has made since its opening in the spring of 1885. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.4
7. WHEREAS, the Health Retreat, though desirous to do all it can in giving charity treatment to the sick and worthy poor among us, cannot, while in its comparative infancy, do as is proposed by the parent Sanitarium, erect a charity hospital; therefore, GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.5
Resolved, that in the sense of this body, it should be aided in its humanitarian work by raising a charity fund to be used for the benefit of the afflicted poor who shall be properly recommended to the care of the institution, such fund to be called for in contributions from those inclined to give for so worthy an object. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.6
8. WHEREAS, the two journals, Good Health and Pacific Health Journal, have each their mission to fill, and their appropriate sphere in which to work, the former being like an advanced reader and the latter a primer of simplified lessons; therefore, GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.7
Resolved, That we deem it expedient that the circulation of both these journals be encouraged as a means of arousing investigation of, and stimulating perseverance in, the cause of health reform. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.8
Under a motion to adopt the report of the committee by considering each resolution separately, resolutions one, two, three, and four were passed after being spoken to by Dr. Kellogg, Elders Goodrich, Loughborough, and others. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.9
Resolution five was discussed by E. W. Farnsworth, G. I. Butler, J. N. Loughborough, and the Chair. Elder Farnsworth said that he did not see how the Association could pass the resolution intelligently upon the meager information which they had upon the subject. Elder Loughborough thought that the resolution did not commit the Association to anything except the idea of having a hospital, leaving all other questions to be settled afterwards, and the Chair took the same view of the matter, and suggested that the point alluded to might be guarded by an amendment of the resolution. Elder Butler thought, however, that such an amendment would not be advisable, and favored postponing further action on the resolution till such time as the whole matter could be laid before the stockholders. It was finally voted that the resolution be referred to a committee of seven, to be appointed by the President. The Chair, however, declined to make the appointment, stating his reasons, which were of a personal nature, at some length. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.10
Pending the final disposition of the question, and the consideration of the remaining resolutions, the meeting adjourned to call of the Chair. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.11
AFTERNOON
At 3 P. M. the third meeting of the present session of the International Tract and Missionary Society was called to order by Elder O. A. Olsen, who occupied the chair by invitation of the Vice-President. “Resting By and By” was sung to open the meeting. Prayer was offered by Elder J. O. Corliss. The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and approved, after which the discussion of the recommendation to carry out more fully resolutions twenty-three and twenty-four, of last year, was then resumed. Two substitutes for the first resolution were then offered, one by the committee, and one by C. H. Jones. After some discussion, the one offered by Brother Jones, which reads as follows, was adopted:- GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.12
WHEREAS, The Signs of the Times is our pioneer missionary journal, and finds favor with the people, while it conveys to them the principles of the Third Angel’s Message; therefore, GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.13
Resolved, That we recommend to State T. and M. Societies to take as large clubs as they can use to advantage, and that we urge all ministers, colporters, and the members of local missionary societies, to make constant and strenuous effort to place the paper in the hands of the people. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.14
During the discussion of this resolution C. H. Jones read the amended price lists of the Signs and Sentinel for the year 1888, also stating terms to State and local Tract Societies, agents and individuals. The discussion was also participated in by A. T. Robinson, D. T. Jones, G. C. Tenney, and others. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.15
The resolution in reference to the Sentinel was spoken to by A. T. Jones. He said that the publishers hoped to see the circulation increased to 500,000 copies during the year 1888. For the year 1887 there have been printed a total of 255,000 copies, which is nearly double the number printed during the previous year. He related how one man, a total stranger to us and to our work, got hold of one copy of the Sentinel and wrote to the office ordering nineteen copies of the November number to be sent to as many different addresses. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.16
The price of the Sentinel was then discussed by W. C. White, R. A. Underwood, and others. The matter of State clubs of Signs and Sentinel was also discussed. L. C. Chadwick said that the Pennsylvania Society had been taking a club of 1,000 Signs, which they remailed to local societies and individuals, and that they had found the plan to work well; in fact, the State society had made a small profit on the paper. William Covert said that the Indiana society had used quite a club of Sentinels to good advantage. He thought that the plan of remailing had worked well in that State, and that the work had been a blessing to the society. W. C. White favored the plan where it was found to work well and where they had good facilities and proper persons to do the work, but he was opposed to requiring the State societies to take large clubs if they prefer some other plan. C. H. Jones then said that the Pacific Press would furnish the Sentinel to the State societies at the same rates in clubs of twenty-five or over at the same price per copy that they would charge for larger clubs, provided as many copies were taken in the aggregate as there were Sabbath-keepers in the State. Henry Hayen told how they managed the work in Texas. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 33.17
H. P. Holser then moved - GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.1
That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to prepare copy for the books for the use of church agents, and also for the new form of Librarian’s book, and for a small manual of instruction to State Secretaries and others in regard to the best system of double entry book-keeping for Tract Societies, said copy to be furnished to the Review and Herald at the earliest possible moment, that the preparation of these books may not be delayed. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.2
On motion of A. T. Robinson the motion as offered was so amended as to include the pass-book for the use of the members of the local societies. The motion was then carried. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.3
The Committee on Resolutions then submitted the following additional report:- GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.4
WHEREAS, The rapid growth of the National Reform Association, and its widespread evil influences, show how dangerously near it is to assured success; and, GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.5
WHEREAS, We know the destructive consequences that will surely attend the success of that movement, and, GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.6
WHEREAS, The American Sentinel is devoted to the work of exposing the evil that lurks in that movement; therefore, GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.7
Resolved, That we deem it to be the duty of our State and local societies, ministers, missionary workers and our people generally, to bring the Sentinel to the attention of all classes of people, but particularly to lawyers, legislators, and other men of public affairs. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.8
Resolved, That we recommend the recognition of each State canvassing agent as a member of the Board of Directors in his respective State society. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.9
Resolved, That we heartily appreciate the good resulting from the plan of furnishing readings for the fourth Sabbath in each month, and recommend that the Chair appoint a committee of five to prepare or secure matter for readings for the year 1888. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.10
Resolved, That whenever a member of any local tract society may desire to transfer his membership to some other society in the same State, he shall make his request known to the Librarian of the society of which he is a member, and receive a written statement of the fact that he is a member of said society and that he desires to unite with some other stated society. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.11
Resolved, That we acknowledge the wisdom of the plans that were adopted at our last annual session, pertaining to the canvassing work, and that we will try to carry this important branch of our work forward, in harmony with these plans, with even more determination in the future than we have in the past. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.12
Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty, not only of ministers and officers of Tract Societies, but of all the members, to read carefully all the tracts and reading matter which, as missionary workers, they circulate to the world. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.13
Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of our State societies and missionary workers everywhere to make a more diligent work in placing the Signs, Sentinel, and Good Health on the tables of the Y. M. C. A. reading-rooms, and such other reading-rooms as they can secure access to with these papers. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.14
Resolved, That we recommend to our State Secretaries to have a more extended correspondence with each other on points of interest pertaining to their work and the difficulties that arise from time to time in securing best results of their work. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.15
The resolution on the transfer of membership from one society to another in the same State was fully discussed by J. O. Corliss, G. C. Tenney, A. J. Breed, and others. D. T. Jones moved that the resolution in reference to State agents be so amended as to recommend that the State societies so amend their constitutions as to constitute the State agent a member of the Board of Directors ex officio. The motion prevailed. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.16
The discussion of the transfer of membership was then resumed, and it was decided that certificates for transfer should when given contain a statement that the member is financially clear on the books of the society granting the transfer. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.17
On motion of F. E. Belden, the resolution in reference to plans for canvassing work was laid upon the table, so that more time might be given to its consideration. Motion prevailed. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.18
The resolution that our T. and M. workers read the publications which they send out was spoken to by H. P. Holser, and that in reference to placing the Signs, Sentinel, and Good Health in various reading-rooms was quite fully discussed by W. C. White, R. A. Underwood, J. O. Corliss, S. H. Lane, J. F. Hanson, and D. H. Lamson. A motion to amend it so as to include our foreign papers was lost. A motion to amend by substituting the words “all reading-rooms within our reach,” for “reading-rooms of the Y. M. C. A.,” etc., etc., prevailed. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.19
Pending the final adoption of the resolutions, meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair. GCDB November 24, 1887, page 34.20