General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7

Conference Proceedings. SEVENTH MEETING

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson

May 19, 10 A. M.

I. H. Evans in the chair. GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.16

F. M. Wilcox offered prayer. GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.17

The following-named persons were seated as delegates by vote of the conference: C. L. Stone, L. D. Randall, C. M. Snow. GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.18

The Western Canadian Union Committee reported that P. P. Adams had been added to the regular delegation of that union, and the Central Union Committee reported the substitution of the name of L. C. Christofferson for that of Dr. J. D. Shively. GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.19

By error the name of S. E. Wight was omitted from the committee on finance in yesterday’s minutes. GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.20

The secretary read a memorial from Europe regarding the further organization of the European Division, addressed last autumn to the General Conference Committee, also the response of the General Conference Committee Council at Mountain View. The memorial and the response follow:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.21

Memorial From Europe

WASe

To the brethren Assembled in the Autumn Council of the General Conference Committee (1912): Greeting! GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.22

The European members of the General Conference Committee have had under consideration for some time a fuller organization of the European field and at the spring meeting held in Skodsborg, 1912, unanimously voted to ask the General Conference Committee at its autumn session to take the following proposition into consideration:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 50.23

Any one who studies the divine plan of organization will find that it is one of natural growth, and that it must keep pace with the steady development of the world-wide work. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.1

Seventh-day Adventists existed nearly twenty years ere the first conferences were organized. Then, as there came to be several conferences, the need was seen, as early as 1863, of the General Conference organization. Thirty-one years passed before it was felt necessary to introduce a new factor of organization, the union conference, between the General Conference and the local conferences. Today there are twenty-three union conferences. Beginning with January, 1913, there will be twenty-five union conferences and four union missions. Nearly thirty union organizations have been created in the short period of eleven years. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.2

Another want, however, has made itself felt, and different solutions have been tried to remedy it. In North America, where the General Conference has its headquarters, and where the General Conference can deal directly with the union and local conferences, this want is not felt so keenly as in Europe. Councils of European workers were held as early as 1884. As the fields were far apart, however, and the difference of languages raised natural obstructions, it was soon found that even the union system was not fully adequate to the needs of the field. The European General Conference was the first suggestion, but the term chosen caused just misapprehension. In 1902 the General Conference at Oakland created as a remedy the vice-presidents in Europe and North America, with the right to meet with their respective union presidents, and thus as a committee supervise the division. In 1909 the Asiatic Division was added, and thus ninety-five thousand members, in fields having about one thousand million of population, are already comprised in the divisional arrangement. But this new factor was only in name, as far as the constitutional basis for action by the people of a division is concerned. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.3

To give the European workers more generally the possibility of meeting in a council to consider the immediate and the peculiar needs of this great division, the General Conference Committee held its biennial session in 1907 at Gland, and in 1911 at Friedensau. But the last meeting especially only demonstrated that, while these meetings were a great factor in binding the workers together and in bringing spiritual blessing to thousands of our people who could not attend the General Conference session in the United States, yet one apparent lack was manifest—a proper organization of the division as such. All could see the need of such a divisional meeting, but the representative and constitutional basis for it was lacking. Feeling this, the European members, as above stated, in their last session, decided to kindly ask the General Conference Committee at its autumn session to take into consideration such a divisional organization, and, if favorably reported, to appoint a committee which could do the necessary preliminary work, and introduce a well-considered plan by the time of the next General Conference session. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.4

Europe’s needs today will be the needs of South America, Asia, and other parts of the world tomorrow. It can be only a matter of time until the world, as such, will have to be comprised fully in this divisional organization. As we have conferences and organized mission fields, union conferences and union mission fields, there would naturally be a difference between regular, fully organized, self-supporting divisions and missionary divisions. North America and Europe are today not only self-supporting divisions, but supporting factors for large mission fields, while the Asiatic Division depends upon help from without. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.5

If the world gradually were divided into five or six divisions, and then given, for example, their regular meeting every third year, the General Conference every fifth year, the president of the General Conference could, during his term of office, easily make the round of these great divisions, and become fully acquainted with the world’s great needs. While today every mission field has its director, and each conference or union conference, as well as the General Conference, it own president, the division has no real head, only a so-called vice-president. But if the divisions had their regular constituency sessions, elected their own officers, and considered their own peculiar wants, as all other minor organizations, then the workers and people could have the advantage of attending more generally such meetings, and the head of each division would not be the vice-president of a division, but be its president, and could be at the same time the vice-president of the General Conference, by virtue of his office as president of a division. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.6

As long as our membership was entirely or mostly in North America, the General Conference sessions were easy of access to most of our people, but where now forty per cent of our membership is outside of the United States, and is even growing faster than in the States, these divisional meetings become a real necessity. The General Conference representation would naturally be more and more restricted, while the divisional meetings would give the needed opportunity for more general local attendance. Again, the General Conference session would then be left to deal more with great general, worldwide plans, and the divisional session with the more local matters. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.7

If this divisional system were perfected throughout the world, the General Conference president would have freer hands to be fully the president of the world’s General Conference, and by his presence at these divisional meetings catch his inspiration for the worldwide message, see the world-wide needs, and lay plans accordingly. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.8

Our difficulty today in Europe will be perhaps best explained if we call attention to the fact that by the next General Conference we shall have in Europe eight union conferences, two union mission fields, forty organized conferences, and over forty organized mission fields. Altogether there are some ninety-five organizations, with nearly thirty thousand members. Our delegation would come up to one hundred ten delegates, and yet this number would take in only one fifth of our gospel workers without considering the vast body of lay members. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.9

Another matter which will necessitate these divisional meetings will be the fact that, as other tongues besides the English become spoken by vast majorities of our people, provisions will have to be made to supply this lack, and to carry on our deliberations and service accordingly. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.10

Another matter which ought to be considered is the fact that our mission work today is done under the name of the American Mission Board; but, as large fields outside the United States, such as the European Division, and others, are carrying on mission operations in different parts of the world, it would be no more than just that either our board should become an international board, and have its branches, or else there be an American and European board, or whatever board is needed to meet the emergency. The Moravians, for example, who have constituencies in Germany, Great Britain, and America, and have great mission operations carried on by the three sections, do their work as an international board, with branches in the three different countries. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.11

Hoping sincerely that the appeal of the European members of the General Conference Committee, will receive a due hearing at this fall council, we would humbly submit this memorial to the members present. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.12

Response to the Memorial

WASe

In response to the memorial from Europe regarding further organization of the European Division, the Mountain View council of the General Conference Committee, held in January, 1913, took action, making recommendation to this General Conference in session as follows:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.13

“We recommend,— GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.14

“1. That at the next session of the General Conference the constitution be so changed as to provide for the creation of a conference to be known as the European Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.15

“2. That the territory be Europe, Asiatic Russia, Asiatic Turkey, Persia, Arabia, Africa, and the adjacent islands. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.16

“3. This conference shall connect the General Conference and the denominational organizations and departments of work in the designated territory. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.17

“4. That it shall have full administrative power for the carrying forward of its work, it being understood that this conference shall furnish the means for the support of the work throughout its field. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.18

“5. That the president of this division conference shall be one of the vice-presidents of the General Conference. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.19

“6. That in its conference sessions the membership shall have delegated representation through local and union conferences and union missions and the division conference. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.20

“7. That the division conference shall be represented in the General conference by a suitable delegation. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.21

“8. That for the present no attempt be made to modify the organization now existing in North America.” GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.22

W. J. Fitzgerald: It seems to me that this question in all its details and bearing is a question that should be considered by a very representative committee. I therefore would move that this report be referred to a committee, to be composed of the General Conference Committee and the standing committees of the Conference, and that this representative committee to instruct the committee on plans as to what to submit to the Conference. GCB May 20, 1913, page 51.23

The motion was seconded, and carried. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.1

The chairman called for the report of an action by the General Conference Committee (in Mountain View, Cal., January, 1913) relating to mission and institutional finance, which was read, as follows:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.2

TWENTY-CENT-A-WEEK FUND

WASe

Recommendations to the General Conference in Session GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.3

Whereas, It is more clearly revealed, with each passing year, that schools, sanitariums, and publishing houses are most helpful and necessary facilities for the rapid and efficient carrying forward of the work of God throughout the world; and— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.4

Whereas, These institutions can accomplish their purpose only to the extent that they are understood, appreciated, and supported by our people; and— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.5

Realizing, That in the establishment and maintenance of the institutions we now have, there has not been given the GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.6

careful study, the efficient management, and the proper financial support they should have had; therefore, be it— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.7

Resolved, That we take these institutions, with their workers and their great interests and needs, more fully upon our hearts and into our plans and fostering care than heretofore; and, further,— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.8

That we commend to the study, the interest, and the support of our people everywhere, the schools, sanitariums, and publishing houses among us. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.9

Resolved, That we adopt the following arrangement for removing the present liabilities of these institutions, and for maintaining them without creating further indebtedness:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.10

The standard of offerings to missions to be raised from fifteen to twenty cents a week per member in the United States and Canada, and that twenty-five per cent of the total amount thus raised be devoted to the liquidation of the liabilities of all training-schools, and those academies, intermediate schools, and sanitariums whose liabilities equal or exceed twenty-five per cent of their assets. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.11

We further— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.12

Recommend, That the carrying out of this plan be governed by the following provisions:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.13

1. That the entire amount received on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund be kept intact, and remitted to the General Conference treasury. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.14

2. That the twenty-five per cent to be devoted to the liquidation of the liabilities of the schools and sanitariums be divided annually, by the General Conference Committee, among the institutions, on the pro rata basis of their indebtedness. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.15

3. That in the apportionment, due consideration be given to the conditions prevailing in each institution as to its financial situation, earnings, available assets that can be realized upon without detriment to the work, annuity contracts, etc., a complete report and financial statement being rendered each year to the General Conference by the institutions. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.16

4. In case the total amount raised falls short of the twenty cents per member, so as to interfere with the operations of our foreign-mission enterprises, the shortage shall be deducted from the relief fund rather than the foreign funds. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.17

5. That each institution receiving appropriations from this fund shall apply the full amount it shall receive to the liquidation of its liabilities. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.18

6. That an institution sharing the benefits of this fund shall not by any means add to its present indebtedness either by buildings, equipment, or in its operations. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.19

7. That for the enlargement, repairs, equipment, or loss in operating, the needed funds shall be raised by direct gifts from the people. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.20

8. Where it is demonstrated that an institution cannot maintain itself without increasing its liabilities or encroaching upon the proposed relief fund, such institution shall, upon the advice of the General Conference Committee, and the union conference in which it is located, be closed, and its assets be disposed of to the best advantage, or diverted to other denominational use. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.21

9. That failure on the part of any institution to comply with these provisions shall debar it from receiving the benefits of this plan. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.22

10. That there be appointed a finance commission of three members, men having experience that will enable them to give counsel regarding training-schools, sanitariums, and publishing house enterprises, to counsel with the management of each institution regarding its affairs, and to make recommendations as to plans of operation, this commission to report to the General Conference Committee, and to take the place of the recently appointed committee on institutional finance, its members to devote their whole time to the work, and their salary and expense to be met with the twenty-five per cent institutional fund before its distribution. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.23

11. That this plan go into effect July 1, 1913. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.24

Voted to refer to committee on finance. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.25

REPORT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FOREIGN DEPARTMENT

WASe

The chairman then called for reports from the North American Foreign Department. The secretary of the department, O. A. Olsen, presented the general survey, as follows:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.26

This department was first launched at the General Conference in 1905. The work among the foreigners in this country, especially among the Germans and Scandinavians, had taken on such large proportions that in order to further prosecute the work successfully, and to provide for its continued growth and development, a Foreign Department organization seemed necessary. The General Conference could thus be in closer touch with the work, not only among the Germans and Scandinavians, but also all the other foreign nationalities, and render it such assistance and supervision as the needs of the work might indicate. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.27

Elder G. A. Irwin was appointed its first secretary, and, in connection with his many other duties, did much to get the department organized and the work started. Four divisions were formed, with a superintendent in charge of each; namely, The German West division, comprising the country west of the Mississippi River, with Elder G. F. Haffner as superintendent; the German East division, comprising the territory east of the Mississippi River, with Elder O. E. Reinke as superintendent; the Swedish division, with Elder S. Mortenson as superintendent; the Danish-Norwegian division, with Elder L. H. Christian as superintendent. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.28

This arrangement has proved very satisfactory, and a great blessing to the work, systematizing and unifying the interests, and advancing the message among these various nationalities. Thus a good foundation was laid for further growth and development. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.29

At the General Conference of 1909 a further advance step was taken in the appointment of a department secretary who could give his entire time and attention to the extension and development of the message among these many foreign nationalities in our land. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.30

Our Foreign Population

From government statistics we learn that the foreign-born, together with their immediate descendants, number at the present time from thirty-five to forty million in the United States alone. This foreign element is estimated at forty-six per cent of our country’s population. The number of languages and dialects spoken here is about sixty or more. When the foreign population of Canada, which is several millions more, is added, it will readily be seen what a large and important field this is. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.31

To get a more correct view of this immigration problem, you must understand that it is not only foreigners who have come in past years, but those who still continue to come in enormous numbers year after year. In 1905 for the first time more than a million immigrants landed on our shores. In 1907 the tide rose to 1,285,349,—a larger number than the entire population of Nebraska at its last census, and more than the single population of over twenty of the States in the Union. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.32

The immigration fluctuates, of course, but during the past ten years the number of foreigners coming to this country has averaged nearly a million a year. It is impossible for the casual observer to form any correct idea of the vastness, and, consequently, the importance of this foreign population in our midst. This foreign element has already become so large and general that one writer says: “New England is foreign today. The Middle States are foreign today. Not only the great cities, but the smaller towns as well; not only the small towns, but the hillsides; not only the hillsides, but the valley farms, are peopled with men and women who have strange faces and strange ways.” He might also have included the broad prairies of the West, for the foreigners are everywhere. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.33

A Glance at Our Cities

One writer has described our large cities as follows: “New York is a city in America, but it is hardly an American city. Boston is an Irish city; Chicago is a German-Scandinavian-Polish city; St. Louis is a German city; and New York is a Hebrew-German-Irish-Italian-Bohemian-Hungarian city, a cosmopolitan race conglomeration. Eighteen languages are spoken in a single block. In public school No. 29 no less than twenty-six nationalities are represented. GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.34

“Nor is this true of New York alone. In thirty-three of our largest cities the foreign population is larger than the native. In Milwaukee and Fall River the foreign percentage rises as high as eighty-five per cent. In all these cities the foreign colonies are as distinct and practically as isolated socially as though they were in Russia or Poland, Italy or Hungaria. Foreign in language, customs, habits, and institutions, these colonies are separated from one another as well as from the American population by race, customs, and religion.”—“Aliens or Americans.” GCB May 20, 1913, page 52.35

Such is the situation and peculiar condition of our country—here we find every nation and tongue on earth. It presents a condition different from anything we have in any other part of the world. While the field is difficult and complicated, it is, nevertheless, a field of great possibilities from the missionary standpoint. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.1

GRAPHIC - DIAGRAM SHOWING IMMIGRATION INTO THE UNITED STATES, 1820 TO 1908, PREPARED BY A BOETTCHER(not available)

A Great Mission Field

One writer says: “‘Save America and you save the world.’ Through immigration the United States is in a unique sense the most foreign country and the greatest mission field on the globe. All people that on the earth do dwell have their representatives there, gathered by a divine ordering within easy reach of the gospel. Through them the world may be reached in turn. Every foreigner converted in America becomes directly or indirectly a missionary agent abroad, spreading the knowledge of the truth among his kindred and tribe. The greatness of the opportunity is the measure of obligation.” Yes, a marvelous mission field indeed! GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.2

The Present Status of the Work

As the several superintendents will each present a full report of their respective divisions, I shall confine myself merely to a brief summary as follows:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.3

The work among the Germans and Scandinavians is making good progress. The French work is being revived. At the last General Conference there was not a single active worker among the millions of French in either the United States or Canada. Now we have three ministers and one Bible worker, and several prospective laborers in preparation. This presents an encouraging advance in the French division. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.4

During the past four years a splendid work has been begun among the Russians of North Dakota. At the present time we have seven organized churches there, with a membership of over two hundred. Very urgent calls for Russian laborers are being received from North Dakota and other parts of the country. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.5

Another encouraging feature is the increasing interest among the Jews. The earnest work of Elder F. C. Gilbert, and the literature that has been circulated garians, with a membership of forty-among them, are beginning to bear fruit, and the outlook is very promising. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.6

Since the last General Conference two divisions, each with a superintendent, have been added to the Foreign Department; namely, the Jewish, with Elder Gilbert as superintendent, and the French, with Elder G. G. Roth superintendent. This now makes six divisions in the North American Foreign Department. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.7

From summarized reports from the Germans and Scandinavians we have gathered the following statistics: Ordained ministers, 73; licentiates, 24; Bible workers, 38; number organized churches, 226, with a membership of 7,405; baptized during the quadrennial period, 2,453; added to the church, 2,429; number new churches organized, 42. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.8

We are glad to report that in New York City we have a church for Hunone; another for Italians, with twenty-eight members; and one for Bohemians, with eight members. In Newark, N. J., we have a Slovak-Bohemian-Polish church, with a present membership of thirty-three. During 1912 they built a nice chapel, costing five thousand dollars, which will prove a great blessing to the work. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.9

It might be interesting to mention here that recently we have had the joy of ordaining to the ministry Brother John Sivak, who is the first Hungarian Seventh-day Adventist minister in this country. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.10

At Rouleau, Saskatchewan, Canada, we have a very active church, with thirty-nine members, composed of Roumanians, Bohemians, and Servians. A small beginning has been made among the Finns in Brooklyn, N. Y.; among the Roumanians in Cleveland, Ohio; and the Italians in Chicago. Thus the truth is reaching out and gathering in precious jewels from among these foreign nationalities. In every place where earnest work is done the results are encouraging. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.11

We have a few isolated believers among the many hundreds of thousands of other nationalities, but not a single worker. They present a very large and important but unworked mission field. Chicago is the third largest Bohemian center in the world, yet we have not a single laborer there. Chicago is also a great Polish center, but no effort is made to carry them the message. The same may be said of scores of other foreign nationalities in our midst. GCB May 20, 1913, page 53.12

Educational

The beginning of the educational work among foreigners dates back to the winter of 1885-86, when the first Scandinavian Bible school was held in Chicago, Ill., by Elder J. F. Hansen. During attended 1886 a similar school was conducted by Elder Conradi among the Germans in Milwaukee, Wis. In 1889, we had Scandinavian and German departments in connection with Battle Creek College. These beginnings were more fully crystallized and developed when the regular German, Swedish, and Danish-Norwegian departments took on a permanent form with the opening of Union College, in 1891. The opening of these foreign departments at that time was a very important step, and has proved a great blessing to the work. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.1

The next important advance move was taken when the General Conference Committee in council at College View, Nebr., in October, 1909, decided to close out the foreign departments at Union College and establish in their place three separate schools—one for the Germans, another for the Swedes, and a third for the Danish-Norwegians. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.2

PHOTO-SLAVIC-BOHEMIAN STREET MEETING, NEW YORK CITY

The first to locate were the Danish-Norwegians, who found a very providential opening at Hutchinson, Minn.,—a vacant college building in good repair which had been erected by the Lutherans. This, together with a farm of one hundred sixty acres, was purchased at the nominal price of $22,250. The present value of the entire property, including all the improvements that have since been made, is estimated at $48,885. The whole is free from debt. We rejoice in the financial condition of this school. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.3

The second to locate were the Swedes, who selected a farm of seventy-eight acres, with good buildings, at Broadview, Ill., thirteen miles west of Chicago. For this they paid $20,000. The improvements made have increased this to $37,670, of which about half has been paid, and good pledges are on hand with which to meet the whole cost. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.4

The German division found a providential opening at Clinton, Mo., where a large college building, in good repair, with 112 acres of land, was secured for $27,600. The improvements that have been made have raised the value of the property to $95,887. There is still some debt on the property, but this is covered by good pledges, which, when paid, will place the school free from debt. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.5

These three seminaries opened school on Sept. 27, 1910—less than one year after the action was taken by the General Conference to establish them. The undertaking was large, and still more important, and means much to the success of the work among these nationalities. There were many difficulties to be mastered, but the blessing of the Lord has attended our efforts in a most marked manner. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.6

The first school year was a decided success; the attendance at each seminary was larger than was looked for. The second year was better, and the third, now just closed, has been still better in every way. During the last year more than three hundred students have been enrolled in these three foreign seminaries. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.7

Mention must also be made of our Russian department at the Sheyenne River Academy, North Dakota, and the French department at the South Lancaster Academy. These two are small beginnings, but, nevertheless, of much importance to the work, for the great need among these foreign nationalities is workers to bear the message to their own people. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.8

Literature

During the quadrennial period our department has put forth earnest efforts in the matter of circulating our literature in foreign tongues. In January, 1910, the International Publishing Association at College View, Nebr., began to issue three thirty-two-page quarterly magazines, one each in the German, Swedish, and Danish-Norwegian. This was something of an experiment, but we are glad to say that it has proved a real success. We have also had two issues of a thirty-two-page French magazine printed, and the prospect is that this may soon become a permanent quarterly like the others. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.9

In addition to the German, Scandinavian, and French, we are also distributing literature printed in the Hungarian, Roumanian, Italian, Polish, Lithuanian, and Finnish languages, as well as the Chinese Signs of the Times, from China. These papers are taken in clubs, and we are glad to furnish these and others as we can get people to circulate them. We have also distributed smaller literature in many foreign tongues in this country, but not nearly as much as we ought to have done. We need a decided awakening in the matter of the circulation of our literature in foreign tongues. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.10

There is a call for more small tracts and leaflets on various subjects for general distribution, as well as for books costing from twenty-five to seventy-five cents. Much can be done to bring the message to all these foreigners in our midst by the liberal use of literature. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.11

A Mission Field of Great Possibilities

This foreign population of North America presents a mission field of great possibilities, the importance of which has not been appreciated. As a people we have shown great interest in foreign missions and have exerted ourselves to the utmost to bring the message to the nations and peoples of far-away lands. All that is good, and no one will say that we have done too much. But it is a fact that while we have done this we have greatly neglected the same class of people that a divine providence has brought to our own shores, yes, to our very doors. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.12

We may think that because they are in America no special effort need to be made to bring them the gospel. That is a great mistake. Are not the Hungarians, Italians, Poles, Bohemians, Slavs, Roumanians, and a score of others that have come to this country, as needy of the gospel as are these same people in their homeland?—Most certainly. As a people we shall be sorely negligent of duty if this home mission field is left unworked. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.13

The foreigner is by no means barren soil, as wherever earnest work has been put forth among any class of these foreigners, the results have been just as satisfactory as anywhere else. The beginning may be small and somewhat slow, but the final outcome compares well with the best. Look at the results from the efforts among the many nations and peoples of Europe—they are all so gratifying; study the results of the efforts among the same nationalities here in the States,—the Germans, Scandinavians, French, Hungarians, Slovaks, Roumanians, Italians, Spanish, Dutch, and others,—and they are equally encouraging. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.14

But this home foreign field, with the exception of Germans and Scandinavians, has been greatly neglected. That it presents difficulties we admit, but they are not insurmountable, by any means. All that is needed in this home foreign field is to adopt these same plans which have proved successful among the foreign tongues of other lands. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.15

What Shall We Do About It?

The foreign field abroad is directly under the supervision of the General Conference. The best of laborers who have spent much time and money in preparation, are selected from the home field and sent abroad, and funds are provided for their support. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.16

The foreigners at home come under the supervision of the State or local conference. The course that the General Conference has pursued toward the fields abroad is what GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.17

the local conference should have taken toward the foreign field at home. Wherever this has been done, the results have been as favorable here as there. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.18

Workers of proper experience and adaptability, persons with a passion for souls, whether American or European, must be set apart to lead out among the Italians, Hungarians, Roumanians, Portuguese, Slovaks, Poles, Bohemians, Servians, and many others, not in a desultory manner, but in real earnest just as they would were they in a foreign land. Then, as individuals from these various nations and tongues accept the truth, this home foreign missionary should assist and instruct them to labor for their own people. Under such leadership, they would be successful; but left to themselves, they would utterly fail. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.19

While this foreign home field properly belongs under the supervision of the local conferences, we find that some of them, though appreciating their responsibility to the foreigner, after contributing their part in men and funds to the general work, are unable to meet the calls from the foreign field at home because of a lack of laborers and means. Especially is this the case with the conferences within whose borders are found our largest and most populous cities. This situation calls for special consideration. GCB May 20, 1913, page 54.20

During the past two years we have been favored with a small appropriation from the General Conference, which we appreciate very much. With the aid of this we have been able to help out the needs in many places and set a few people to work, which could not have been done otherwise. But what has been done must be increased from time to time. Not only funds but workers must be selected to lead out among these various nationalities, especially in our largest cities. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.1

Cooperation

The North American Foreign Department has no independent organization or executive power, but does its work under the direction of the General Conference, as advisory, through the regular organized union and local conferences. We greatly appreciate the hearty cooperation that we have met during the past quadrennial period in our efforts to promote and advance the message among the various foreign nationalities. Our department will continue to follow this plan in its work to the fullest extent, and we hope that we may continue to have the confidence and recognition so necessary to the accomplishment of the greatest possible good. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.2

Our greatest difficulty is the supplying and adjustment of workers. The home foreign field is large, its needs great, and the calls many, but the laborers are so few when compared with the demands. We study the field and its needs, not only in one or two conferences, but in all of them, and in our efforts to meet the demands satisfactorily in the various places, we especially need the cooperation of our local conference officers. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.3

Our Needs

The Foreign Department of our General Conference is now fairly under way. Four years ago we had only the most limited ideas of the largeness of this foreign population and its needs. Since then we have made a careful study of this immigration problem. However, so far we have hardly more than laid a foundation for the work among them. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.4

Now we stand at a point where aggressive efforts must rapidly be put forth to raise the structure. The conditions will never be more favorable. But we need a new and fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, giving power and efficiency to the work. We need the continued and hearty cooperation of our local and union conferences in whose territory these foreigners live. We need workers filled with the love of God and a passion for souls to go into highways and hedges to labor for these people of many tongues. We need proper literature for liberal distribution. We need funds with which to meet expenses. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.5

Our courage is good; the outlook is promising; and the harvest is certain, for God will give the increase. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.6

O. A. OLSEN, Secretary.

THE GERMAN WORK IN THE WESTERN DIVISION OF NORTH AMERICA

WASe

At the conclusion of Brother Olsen’s report, the chairman called upon G. F. Haffner, superintendent of the German work in the western division of the United States, for his report. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.7

G. F. Haffner (reading):— GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.8

It must be remembered that the whole German field was under one superintendent the first two years of the quadrennial period. Thus it is difficult to give a full report of the four years, especially of the first two. The field was large, and it was impossible to do it justice. We put forth earnest effort to advance the work in the East, where the majority of the German people live. We sent some of our best men to the East, and they have labored with success, so that the work there has come up. This is especially the case since Elder Schilling has taken hold of this work and is giving it his careful attention. On the arrival of Elder Schilling two years ago, I was relieved of the Eastern Division, and since then gave my whole attention to the Western Division, which is the territory west of the Mississippi River, including Western Canada. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.9

The large cities are mostly in the Eastern Division. St. Louis is the largest city we have in the West; it has a German population of between two and three hundred thousand, mostly Catholics. Considerable work has been done there in the past, but the success has not been very great. However, we have a church there of twenty members, and at present we have a minister and a Bible worker engaged in the work in that city. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.10

We have a small company of German believers in the city of St. Joseph, who hold their membership in the English church. Elder Kunkel is working in that city. We have also a good church at Portland, Oregon; one in Spokane, Wash.; and another in Los Angeles, Cal. This is about all the city work we have done. Our work in the West is more in the country among the farmers. Here is where the German work has taken its strongest hold. Of the ninety-two churches only about ten are in cities and towns. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.11

Progress

The work has made some progress in the Western Division. As near as we could learn from the workers’ reports, 408 have been baptized, and 490 added to the churches during the last year; 7 new churches have been organized. So far as we know, about a thousand were added during the four years. At the close of 1912 we had 92 churches, 3,300 members, about three hundred scattered Sabbath-keepers, 95 Sabbath-schools, and 3,846 Sabbath-school members. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.12

The amount of tithe paid by our German churches in the West amounts to fifty thousand dollars or more; Sabbath-school donations, to $7,025; for missionary work, $11,890.80; or a total for the foreign-mission work of $18,915.80. These figures are only for the year 1912. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.13

It is impossible to get a complete report of the work all over the Western Division, as that would require full reports from every church, which we have not been able to obtain, and because many are scattered and connected with English-speaking churches. But we are glad to say that the work is encouragingly onward, and every year we see good improvement. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.14

Workers

Our force of workers is composed of twenty-seven ordained ministers, five licensed ministers, two Bible workers, and thirty-two other workers. The total expense of the conference workers is about twenty-two thousand dollars. This includes their salaries and traveling expenses. Taking this from the fifty thousand dollars which is paid in by the German churches in the Western Division, twenty-eight thousand dollars is left to be used among other nationalities. The tithe paid per capita, as far as is reported, amounts to $14.67; the offerings to missions, per capita, $5.93. This amounts to eleven cents per week. We should also remember that our churches have paid to the German Seminary about twenty thousand dollars during the last year or so. Adding this to the weekly offering, would make more than twenty cents per week per member. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.15

Educational Work

Educational work among the German people has made considerable progress during the past quadrennial period. With the opening of Union College at College View, Nebr., in 1901, the German department was established, and did good service. A goodly number of workers were trained and entered the field. But the time came when the General Conference saw fit to take further steps, so plans were laid for the establishment of three separate foreign seminaries, and the foreign departments at College View were dissolved. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.16

Locating committees were appointed, and immediately went to work looking for sites. After much careful consideration, and visiting numerous places where offers were made, the German Seminary locating committee decided on Clinton, Mo., as the most favorable place. Here they found a large brick college building which was offered at a very nominal price, and this, together with 112 acres of land, was purchased for $27,600. The first term of school was opened on Sept. 27, 1910. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.17

After the property was taken over by the Central Union Conference and the seminary board, many improvements were made; some buildings, such as power house and barn, were added; and these, together with personal property that has been acquired, and the donations of the citizens of Clinton, have considerably increased the value of the property, so that at a conservative estimate it is now worth about seventy-five thousand dollars. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.18

Our German people have taken a real interest in the establishment of the school, which is shown by their liberal donations. Up to the present time more than half of the value of our property has been paid for. About thirty thousand still remains to be raised. But we are glad to say that we have good, reliable pledges that will cover the whole amount; and if the Lord favors us with a good crop this season, we expect to have our school free from debt within a year. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.19

The failure of the crops in North Dakota and other places for two years was a great set-back in our calculations, for the liberal pledges that had been made were based on the success of the crops, and our brethren were not able to pay those pledges. This caused a perplexing financial difficulty. But in our trouble we sought the Lord earnestly, and relief came in the good crops of last year. Now everything is moving very prosperously, and the outlook is most encouraging. GCB May 20, 1913, page 55.20

During the past fall and winter, Professor Grauer and I visited a large number of our churches, held meetings, and visited the members in their homes. We had good revival services, and numbers were converted and added to the church. All through the results were excellent, and our people most encouraged. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.1

During these visits we also presented the needs of our seminary, and our brethren responded very liberally. In North Dakota they not only made good their former pledges, which were about twelve thousand dollars, but added eight thousand dollars more, making it twenty thousand dollars in all. Of this amount twelve thousand dollars was paid in cash. The same spirit of liberality was also experienced in other places. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.2

Besides the Clinton German Seminary we have five German departments carried on in various English schools. The largest of these is at Walla Walla College, with two teachers and from twenty to thirty students. The other four departments are connected with the following schools: Harvey, N. Dak.; Redfield, S. Dak.; Lacombe, Alberta; and Lodi, Cal.; with a total of one hundred twenty-five students. We also have 14 church-schools, with 16 teachers and 400 pupils. These, together with the 160 who attend the seminary, make nearly seven hundred of our young people and children attending our own schools. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.3

Prospects

The prospects for the future are good all over the field. The Canadian field is a fruitful one; the doors are open everywhere. Our workers have their hands more than full, and many calls for help are coming in. Now is the time for us to push the work as never before. In North Dakota the Lord has blessed the work greatly in the past year, and many doors are open where people are interested and call for a minister. The same is true in other parts of the field. So in all we can say that the outlook for the future is good. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.4

Publishing Work

The Christlicher Hausfreund, a semimonthly, 16-page paper, has at present a subscription list of 4,870. Der Deutsches Arbeiter, our church paper, also a semimonthly, eight and sixteen pages—when it contains the missionary reading it has sixteen—has a list of 1,809 paid subscribers. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.5

Der Zeichen der Zeit (Signs of the Times), our quarterly magazine, has a subscription list of 3,522; but each time we print from nine thousand to fourteen thousand copies, and they are usually all sold. The paper is doing a good work. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.6

Der Jugendbote has a subscription list of only 804, and is not yet self-supporting. The other papers all show some profit. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.7

We have also improved some of the German tracts, and have issued a number of new ones. We are striving to push the work in every line, and the Lord has blessed us in doing so. Our workers are all of good courage, and aim to press on. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.8

Our Needs

We need to push the German work in those conferences where little or no work has been done. We need more church-schools. The greatest reason why we do not have more church-schools at present is the scarcity of teachers, but we soon expect to fill these calls with able teachers from our seminary. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.9

A greater missionary spirit is needed among our churches. Most of our people are satisfied with supporting the cause with their means, but neglect the missionary work with our papers and tracts, and house-to-house work. Years ago our church-members came together from time to time to send out papers and tracts, with earnest prayers accompanying this literature. This missionary spirit needs to be revived. Most of all, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to finish the work that the Lord has entrusted to us. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.10

G. F. HAFFNER, Superintendent.

THE GERMAN WORK IN THE EASTERN DIVISION OF NORTH AMERICA

WASe

The report of J. H. Schilling, having charge of the German work in the eastern section of the United States, being called for, he rendered his report, as follows:— GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.11

J. H. Schilling (reading):— GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.12

To the Delegates of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: Greeting! GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.13

We are glad to bring you a report of the progress and the prospect of the work of God among the German people of the East. First of all, we will give you a little history. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.14

Beginnings

Our German work in the East is comparatively very young yet. Our oldest church was organized in Brooklyn, February, 1899, with a membership of sixteen. Nine of these were from Brooklyn, and seven from Jersey City. The next one was organized January, 1902, in Jersey City, with six of the members who had been taken into the Brooklyn church three years before. The next was organized in Milwaukee in 1906, with seventy-two members, who were taken from the Milwaukee English-German church, organized 1887. Then came the church in Philadelphia with eighteen, and Manhattan, N. Y., with twelve members, in 1907; then the Cleveland church, with eight members, in 1908. The youngest of our churches is the South Chicago church, organized last December with ten members. Since their organization these churches have grown steadily, so that two of them have now reached a membership of nearly a hundred. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.15

There were, however, two German churches organized by Elder Conradi in 1888 in eastern Pennsylvania, which constituted the real beginning of the German work in the East. One of these was since united with another church, and thus ceased to exist, while the second became more and more Anglicized, so we do not now carry it on our list as a German church. It is for this reason that we call the Brooklyn church our oldest. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.16

In 1887, just before coming to Pennsylvania, Elder Conradi held the first German school for workers, in Milwaukee, where quite a number of our pioneers in the German work in the States received their first training. Some of these are still hard at work, while others are gradually retiring on account of old age. The next school of this kind was held in New York by Elder Reinke and others, where a number of workers, now so earnestly engaged in the work, and who have helped to raise up good churches in the East, received their training. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.17

The pioneer German worker in the East is therefore Elder Conradi. After him came Elders Joseph and Samuel Shrock. After these, Elder Reinke came to New York City, and, with others associated with him, continued and developed the work partially begun by Brother F. F. Stoll, who worked partly as a local elder and partly as a licentiate. Brother Stoll also started the work in Jersey City, which has been continued and developed by Elder J. G. Hanhardt. Elder Meyer, now in South America, started the work in Philadelphia; Elder H. Pannkoke started it in Boston; Elder G. P. Gaede in Baltimore, and, if I am not mistaken, Elder H. F. Graf in Cleveland. Since Elder Reinke left Greater New York, Elder B. E. Miller, formerly from Texas, has taken up the work in Brooklyn, with more than ordinary success, while Elder D. N. Wall, from South Dakota, has taken it up in the Bronx and Manhattan, and with good success too. In Chicago the work has also gone steadily forward. Through the untiring efforts of Elder C. W. Weber, the brethren succeeded in securing a nice church building, which tends toward solidifying the cause very firmly in that large city. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.18

Workers

Our present corps of workers is twenty-four in number, twelve ordained ministers, one licentiate, and four men and seven lady Bible workers. These are located in Greater New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Jersey City, Paterson, Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Milwaukee, and the State of Wisconsin. The result of the evangelistic and missionary activity of our workers during the year 1912 is: Sermons delivered, 2,270; Bible readings given, 6,454; other meetings conducted, 3,654; missionary visits made, 16,353; number of new Sabbath-keepers gained, 232; number baptized, 148; number added to the church, 222; number churches organized, 4; and 3 tract societies organized. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.19

We are glad to report this most excellent effort and success on the part of our German workers. Concerning the 222 members added to the church, we might say that they are hardly enough, compared with the effort put forth, nor are we by any means satisfied with this number. By God’s grace we expect to do better this year, and so from year to year. We might mention, however, that our workers have to work harder for what they reap than those who speak the language of the country. The latter can conduct services most anywhere, and have a clear and uncircumscribed sweep of language and territory, while the former are greatly hindered in every way. They have to go from house to house and from door to door to hunt out the people who speak German, which is indeed very trying and difficult. GCB May 20, 1913, page 56.20

Expense

We are glad to report that our work in 1912 did not cost all the conferences much more than the tithe paid in by our people. The entire cost of the work among the Germans in all the Eastern conferences where work was done among the Germans, amounts to $15,149.02, with a tithe of $13,615.93, leaving a deficit of $1,533.09. With God’s help we will try to work up the tithe among our people, so another year we may cover all the cost except new work. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.1

Churches

We have now 17 well-organized churches, with a membership of 601, together with 107 scattered members, making our total membership, at the end of 1912, 708. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.2

Tithes and Offerings

These 17 churches, including the 107 scattered members, have paid in 1912 in tithe $13,615.93; in offerings to foreign missions, $3,313.57; in Sabbath-school offerings, $2,241.57, making a total in tithes and offerings of $19,170.09. The per capita in tithes and offerings amounts to $27.08. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.3

The Fifteen-Cent-a-Week Fund

Our seventeen churches, not including the scattered members, whose offerings we estimated very low, have paid on the Fifteen-cent-a-week Fund nearly eighteen cents. Eight of the churches have paid over twenty cents; three, over twenty-five cents; two, over forty cents; and one paid over forty-two and one-half cents. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.4

Missionary Activity

We are glad to report that over half of our church-members are active in the local church missionary work. They made 6,784 visits, gave 2,054 Bible readings, wrote 467 letters, and received 185 letters. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.5

Comparison

The only comparison that I can make to show an approximate growth is between the last quarter of 1911 and the last quarter of 1912. It is interesting to note that the tithe has increased from $2,942.05 the last quarter of 1911 to $3,600.38 the last quarter of 1912; the offerings to foreign missions, from $1,425.36 to $1,971.62; and the Sabbath-school offerings, from $295.45 to $685.27. This growth is not very large, but still encouraging. It is at least a step forward. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.6

Prospect

The prospect for the German work in the future is good. The German population is large enough to warrant an excellent growth. Counting the first generation to the foreign born, we can reckon on at least twenty million Germans in this country. In some States there are counties after counties solid German, without a single worker in them. We hope that the dear General Conference will take cognizance of this large German population, and appropriate of their means to the work among these people accordingly. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.7

Hearty Cooperation

I am pleased to make mention of the hearty cooperation of the part of the various conference presidents, and the interest they take in the advancement of our work in their fields, and we have reason to believe that this pleasant feeling and confidence will continue undisturbed. At least we, as a German Department, will do our utmost to nurture it, and to create confidence wherever we can. By God’s grace we will do what we can. What the Lord has done for us in the past, he will do for us in the future. The many victories gained are an index to those we have still to gain, and will gain in the name of Jehovah. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.8

J. H. SCHILLING, Superintendent.

THE SWEDISH WORK IN NORTH AMERICA

WASe

The chairman next called upon S. Mortensen, in charge of the Swedish work in the home field, for his report, which follows— GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.9

S. Mortenson (reading) :— GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.10

God, who has made of one blood all nations of men, has in past ages directed great movements among the nations. In some of these the ancestors of the Swedes took a lively part. And in our days, when the Lord is giving the message of salvation to all nations, we are indeed glad to have a part in this great movement. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.11

General Information About the Swedish Field GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.12

In the seventeenth century the Swedes planted their first colony in this country in the State of Delaware. Since that time the immigration from Sweden has kept on, and while many of the immigrants and their descendants have been so thoroughly Americanized that they prefer to be called Americans, there are still, according to the census of 1910, 1,364,215 persons in the United States who profess to be of Swedish nationality. As far as we have been able to obtain information, there are about one hundred fifty thousand of the same nationality in Canada. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.13

The Swedes in North America are mostly settled in the Northern States and in Canada. They belong to different denominations, like the Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Mission Covenant, Salvation Army. Some do not care for any religion. It is very hard to find a Swedish Catholic among them. While there is a good deal of opposition among them toward the special message for our time, there are also many honest persons among them awake to the situation and searching for the truth. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.14

The Workers

In the year 1890, when the writer took his stand for the truth, we had only two ordained ministers and one licentiate in this country. One of the ordained ministers died the following year, to the great sorrow of the brethren. But God heard their prayers, and as the years have rolled by has raised up more laborers, so that at the present time we have 18 ordained ministers, two of them acting as teachers at the seminary, 4 licentiates, 11 Bible workers, and 7 others, 1 acting as editor, 1 as secretary, 4 as teachers, and 1 as visiting nurse, making a total of 40 Swedish workers in this country, whom God has called to carry the precious message of salvation to the Swedish population. Besides these, some of the Swedish workers have gone to other fields; we find them represented in Sweden, China, Japan, and Cuba. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.15

The Churches

In the United States we have 37 Swedish churches where the members are nearly all Swedes, and 9 churches where the members are Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes. Such are the churches at St. Paul, Minneapolis, Artichoke, and Duluth, Minn.; College View and Omaha, Nebr.; Ruthven, Iowa; Tacoma and Ferndale, Wash.; and Portland, Oregon. There are also some Swedish members scattered among the Danish-Norwegian and American churches, and a good many isolated brethren. So far as we have been able to obtain information, there are 884 of the Swedish brethren belonging to Scandinavian churches, 356 belonging to American churches, and 367 isolated brethren, making a total of 1,607 Swedish brethren in North America. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.16

Four years ago we reported fifteen hundred Swedish brethren in North America, but that report was based on the subscription list of our paper, and was quite unreliable. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.17

During the last four years our laborers have reported 613 who have taken their stand for the truth; 384 have been added to our churches, and 10 new churches have been organized. Some of the new brethren were Danes, some Norwegians, and some Americans. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.18

The Financial Standing

The last two years our reporting system has been in pretty good order. In the year 1911 we received reports from 649 Swedish brethren, who had paid $12,475.33 in tithes, making $19.22 per capita; $1,009.19 in Sabbath-school donations; $1,252.09 to foreign missions, and $1,018.05 to home missions, making $5.05 per capita for all offerings. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.19

The year 1912 we received reports from 793 Swedish brethren, who had paid $19,314.47 in tithes, making $24.35 per capita; to foreign missions, $3,113.52; to home missions, $4,065.08; in Sabbath-school donations, $2,345.75, making $12.01 per capita for all free-will offerings. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.20

The Literature

Tidens Tecken, the pioneer paper in the Swedish field, was established in 1874, and has now about twenty-five hundred subscribers; it is an excellent medium by which to communicate the truth to the Swedes. We have also a little church paper with about eight hundred subscribers. Both papers are by special care self-supporting. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.21

We have also thirty-nine different kinds of books, eighteen pamphlets, and fifty-three tracts in the Swedish language containing the last warning message. These are scattered by the thousands every year. The last four years the International Publishing Association has sold this kind of literature to the value of $11,023.38. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.22

The Seminary

The Broadview Swedish Seminary has been in operation for three years, and is doing good work. It is located on a seventy-eight-acre farm, about five miles west of the city limits of Chicago, Ill. The purchase price of the farm was twenty thousand dollars, and after we altered some buildings, built some new ones, and equipped the school, the value has increased, so that on Jan. 1, 1913, the resources amounted to $36,386.28, with $17,649.75 in liabilities, leaving a present worth of $18,736.53. We have tried hard to wipe out all the liabilities, but have been delayed in our effort. We are, however, glad to state that we have good pledges by which to pay off the debt as soon as the cash comes in. Our brethren are much interested in the seminary, and are liberal toward it. So we expect soon to have a strong institution free from debt. GCB May 20, 1913, page 57.23

We feel very grateful to God for this school, because we know that he has planted and protected it; he will care for it in the future, and we trust that from it many true missionaries will go out with the message of salvation to the Swedes as well as to foreign nations. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.1

We have only good tidings to bring from the Swedish field. While there are some difficulties to meet, as in other mission fields, we are not in the work to be discouraged or to be conquered by the enemy. No, never! Christ, our mighty Captain, has never lost a battle; and, closely united with him, we are more than conquerors, and expect to win many souls for his kingdom. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.2

S. MORTENSON, Superintendent.

THE DANISH-NORWEGIAN WORK IN NORTH AMERICA

WASe

Lewis Christian was next called upon to report for the Danish-Norwegian Department of the foreign work in the home land. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.3

L. H. Christian (reading):— GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.4

The Field

The Danish-Norwegian population in America is larger to-day than four years ago. Prejudice against the truth is decreasing; the people are more willing to attend our meetings, and to read our literature. Quite an unexpected movement has been begun the last few years to conserve the Danish-Norwegian language and culture in this country. With this end in view, several strong brotherhoods and societies have been organized. The Danish-Norwegian language has been introduced in scores of high schools and colleges. The Minnesota University, a large per cent of whose teachers and students are Scandinavians, has been recognized as the center of Scandinavian art and literature in America. Wealthy Scandinavians are giving large gifts to endow schools and societies that will endeavor to cherish and keep the language and traditions of their home land. One man alone gave six hundred thousand dollars. The youth, though American born, are taught to take special pride in their Scandinavian ancestry. Many even of the fourth generation born in this country speak their mother tongue in their daily life. While there is no antipathy to things American, there is a very strong love nourished for things Scandinavian. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.5

The influence of this trend of thought upon our work is not difficult to discern If we would bring the one million eight hundred thousand Danes and Norwegians in America the third angel’s message, we must cling to the Danish-Norwegian language. We must never allow ourselves nor our work to become Americanized. This is even more apparent when we consider the many thousand immigrants that come to our shores from Europe every year. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.6

Our Work and Workers

We have 64 Danish-Norwegian churches and over 2,400 members in America. We have 12 ordained ministers, 14 licentiates, and 12 Bible workers. This number of laborers does not include those who are sick, or for any other reason unable to do active work, nor are the ministers that labor mostly in the English included. There are indeed at the present time more ordained Danish-Norwegian ministers that labor in the American work than there are preaching in the Danish-Norwegian language. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.7

Results of the Work

It is impossible to give an absolutely accurate report of the number that have come to the truth in these four years. Our work is so intermingled with the American work that our Danish-Norwegian converts are often baptized by an American minister, and of them we seldom get any report. We know, in fact, that we have a larger membership and more new converts than this paper shows. During the past four years we have organized 11 new churches, won 690 new Sabbath-keepers, baptized many, and added 667 to our churches. This does not include a few, 15 or 30, that have come to us from Europe. One of our churches in Chicago has been united with another one, so that we really have ten more churches than four years ago. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.8

Publishing Work

Three years ago we began a quarterly health and temperance journal, called Light Over the Land. This has met with a very encouraging reception among the Scandinavians in America. We have printed from six to eight thousand of each issue. These have all been sold, and the paper has given the publishing house a small gain. Our other papers have prospered. Several new tracts and pamphlets have been printed, and two larger books, one of these a good hymn-book. Our literature is very kindly received, and it brings many to the truth. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.9

Educational Work

In the fall of 1909 the General Conference decided that three foreign schools should be established in America. By the good providence of God, we secured a building and a farm near Hutchinson, Minn., at a very low price, for the Danish-Norwegian Seminary. Our American brethren in the Northern Union gave eight thousand dollars cash to the school. This was a help and encouragement to us all. Thus far the Danish-Norwegian brethren have paid in $39,500 on their pledges to the school. We greatly need to have the remaining pledges paid during the coming summer and fall. The seminary is fairly well equipped and the teachers are doing faithful work. We have a good class of students, the attendance this third year being 104. The first year there was a deficit of $550 in the running expenses of the school; last year there was a gain of $370; this year there is a gain. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.10

Other Enterprises

Two years ago it was planned to erect a Danish-Norwegian mission building in Brooklyn. Our brethren in the West agreed to raise six thousand dollars toward that enterprise. This has all been secured in cash and pledges. The General Conference Committee has assigned Manchuria to us as a Danish-Norwegian mission field. Four young people are now at the Seminary in Washington, preparing for work in that country, and will leave for Manchuria in July. One Danish sister gave us $960 the other day to this mission. A Norwegian brother has pledged fifteen hundred dollars, and many small gifts have been made. Our Danish-Norwegian brethren have showed a deep interest in this new mission. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.11

Our needs in this department of the work are many and pressing. There are hundreds of Scandinavian towns and counties that have never even seen an Adventist minister. In several States with a large population of Danes and Norwegians we have not a single laborer. We need the help of the American brethren in getting ministers into these conferences. We also need their help in scattering our literature among their Scandinavian friends. Above everything else, we greatly need more of the blessing of Heaven in our lives and labors. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.12

L. H. CHRISTIAN, Superintendent. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.13

At the conclusion of Brother Christian’s report, meeting adjourned. GCB May 20, 1913, page 58.14

I. H. EVANS, Chairman, W. A. SPICER, Secretary.