General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7

Conference Proceedings. SEVENTEENTH MEETING

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

May 25, 10 A. M.

A. G. DANIELLS in the chair. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.5

Prayer by R. D. Quinn. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.6

R. L. Pierce wes seated as a delegate. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.7

A. G. Daniells: We have some unfinished business which should first claim our attention, on page 123 of the BULLETIN. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.8

Discussion of Resolutions GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.9

The secretary read, from the first column of page 123, the fifth recommendation of the report from the committee on plans, relating to thanksgiving for the mercies and blessings attending this work during the recent past. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.10

That all present might be given an opportunity to express themselves, a rising vote was taken. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.11

Recommendation 6, with reference to supplying needy fields with trained leaders in colporteur work, was read. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.12

E. R. Palmer: This resolution is but an echo of the resolution passed four years ago, relating to a forward move in behalf of our foreign fields. That resolution was received with enthusiasm, and many of our foreign fields recorded their requests at that time, that leading men be selected and sent out to these great frontiers to organize into trained field workers believers who are accepting the truth. Important steps in this direction have been taken during the past four years, the work being chiefly in the hands of your present secretary, Brother Town. Brother John Brown has been sent to Spain, Brother Weaks to India, Brother Clark to South Africa, Brother Trummer to South America, and a number of workers to Mexico, Cuba, and Porto Rico, and one at least to the Philippines. So that work has been pushed during the past four years. It has brought success in the fields where these men have been sent. It has brought great satisfaction to the department office that results have been so satisfactory. This resolution is presented, as I understand it, to indicate the courage and the intentions of the department in this direction, and we trust that this movement has been satisfactory to the fields, and that all the home fields will cooperate, as in the past, in an effort to secure these most valuable men as leaders in the great mission fields. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.13

C. H. Jones: At the meeting of the Publishing Department last Wednesday Elder Evans called our attention to the need of more bookmen in the Asiatic field, three for China, one for Korea, one for Japan, and one for the Philippines,—six bookmen. The next day Elder Shaw called our attention to the need of six more bookmen in India. Just before the close of that meeting, we asked if there were any present who would be willing to go to these fields in case they were called, and nineteen persons arose. Our union conference agents expressed their willingness to assist in looking up these workers, and sending them on to the regions beyond. That is the feeling all over our field. We want to see these foreign fields entered and worked as rapidly as possible. We are willing to give of our best for this work. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.14

N. Z. Town: I would like to add a word. It will take something more than voting it here to have it carried out as we hope it will be. I believe that not only the United States, but such fields as England, Germany, Australia, and other fields, where the work has been established for many years, will also find a blessing in uniting in supplying such fields as China and India with the men they are calling for. These fields may not be surprised during the coming years if they get requests from the Publishing Department for men to go from their fields, as well as from North America, in response to these requests. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.15

G. W. Caviness: Mexico has one request to make. A few workers have been sent down to us, and when they began to have fairly good success, they were taken away. Brother Brown came to Mexico first, and then he was sent to Spain; others were called to Cuba. We wish you to send down more to take their places. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.16

F. H. Westphal: Ecuador is also calling for a bookman, a state agent. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.17

Recommendation 7, relating to home missionary work, was read, and question was called. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.18

Recommendation 8 (p. 131), was read, a resolution of sympathy with those who have lost members of their family while engaged in service in this cause during the past four years. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.19

Question was called on this, and on recommendation 9. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.20

Recommendation 10, relating to appointment of union religious liberty secretaries, was read. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.21

W. W. Prescott: I would be glad if those presidents of union conferences in which union religious liberty secretaries have been giving their whole time during the past year or more, would feel free to say a word concerning this matter. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.22

E. E. Andross: The Pacific Union Conference has kept a religious liberty secretary employed during the entire quadrennial period. We believe the expenditure has been abundantly justified. We have met a strong effort, especially in California, to secure religious legislation, but this has been warded off—deferred—through the earnest efforts of our secretary and his associates. The same good results have followed the efforts of our secretary in the new State of Arizona since its admission to the Union. It is the same in Utah; and so we feel that we are justified in this expenditure. We would not think of doing otherwise than what we are now doing. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.23

W. W. Prescott: The next resolution, No. 11, indicates that the duties of these secretaries will extend a little beyond what we have technically termed the religious liberty work, and will take up the Roman question also. This emphasizes the need of appointing proper leadership in these conferences. These campaigns are not merely campaigns with legislatures in order to prevent them from doing something—these campaigns ought to be positive campaigns for teaching the truths of the message; and the opportunities are very great. The agitation being carried forward by other organizations, opens the way in a very striking manner for a positive campaign—not a mere opposition to something that some one else is attempting. GCB May 26, 1913, page 139.24

Recommendation 11 was read, relating to lecture campaigns. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.1

W. W. Prescott: This proposition is not purely an academic one for discussion. In the North Pacific Union Conference a campaign after this order has been carried forward during the past winter very successfully. I think those who took part in that campaign—members of both the union and local conference committees—were greatly encouraged by the results. If this same experience could be had by others, so that every union conference could conduct a similar campaign during the winter of 1913-14, I feel very confident that much advanced work would be done—many doors opened, and many persons interested in the truth through this channel. Therefore, the importance of appointing the secretaries to be ready for this work, the importance of having that institute to specially train those who are to do this work, will, I hope, commend itself to the minds of the delegates. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.2

Recommendation 12, on institutes for religious liberty secretaries, was read. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.3

W. W. Prescott: May I make a brief statement, and that is this, that especially in entering upon an aggressive campaign concerning the Roman question, there is the very greatest need of exercising considerable care in the use of proper documents, authoritative quotations, and that we should be careful in statements made. An illustration of this comes to me just now. The Christian Herald, known to you as a leading undenominational paper published in New York City, with a circulation of about three hundred thousand copies a week, has recently been conducting a department under the general heading, “The Voice of the Nation Concerning Rome,” in which letters have appeared from men, more or less prominent throughout the United States. One or two editorials have also appeared from time to time. The Roman Catholics have now taken this paper to task for making untrue statements. They have written to the editor. They have called upon him for his authority for definite statements which they have quoted from his paper. He responded with a statement. They have published his response in a special pamphlet, and answered it, and they have given him considerable trouble to meet them. It illustrates this fact, that now, as perhaps never before in the history of our work, Roman Catholics are awake to watch every statement made by Protestants in print, to catch and make use of some mistake. A regular organization has been formed, covering the United States, for this express purpose. Now I shall be very glad if it is possible for us to keep out of that phase of their campaign. I shall be glad if we can be able not to give them any just occasion for calling us to account for our statements; but if they do, I shall hope that every one who makes the statements will have the proofs at hand, so that he can meet any such challenge. I have had my own experience with one of these large publications in New York City, calling me to task for something that appeared in the Protestant Magazine. I was very glad to be able to give such an answer that they dropped the matter after that. It will be greatly to our help if we can maintain the reputation of being fair, sober, sane, and authoritative in our whole dealing with this question. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.4

Recommendation 13, on use of the magazine Liberty in legislatures, was read. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.5

C. H. Edwards: I would like to ask a question in regard to the character of Liberty. For quite a number of quarters the magazine itself has been filled quite largely with articles upon the subject of Romanism. Now, this has come to us time and again, coming into the New England States, where nearly two thirds of our legislators are Roman Catholic. We have desired very much to have some organ to present to the members of the legislature, but we have been unable to use the magazines because they have been so filled with an attack upon Romanism. It is not because we do not want to use them. With two thirds of the legislature Catholic, it simply brings a prejudice to these men that we cannot meet. When we go to hearings, the first thing they say is, “Are you connected with Liberty?” “Yes, sir.” That is the end of it. We cannot do anything. Now, I believe that the Protestant Magazine should deal with the Catholic question, but that Liberty should deal wholly with the principles of religious liberty and religious legislation. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.6

W. W. Prescott: As the editor of Liberty is not present, perhaps I as an associate editor can say a word, inasmuch as I was editor during the time complained of. This question raised by Brother Edwards is not so simple a question as might first seem to appear, because it comes to this finally: Shall we criticize Protestants for attempting to do things contrary to religious liberty principles and then say nothing about Roman Catholics when they attempt to do these things? The suggestion is made that the division should be carefully drawn between Liberty and the Protestant Magazine. An effort was made to draw this distinction. It was agreed that in Liberty there should not be articles upon general anti-Roman subjects, but that where members of the Roman Catholic Church step across the line and attempt to interfere directly and plainly with religious liberty, and violate the principles in action, then Liberty should deal with it. But there were so many cases of this that the Catholic issue still kept in Liberty, and objections were still raised. Therefore, as stated in my report, which I think Brother Edwards did not hear, the editors had a meeting and decided that they would attempt to shut out from Liberty any considerable comment on even open violations of the principles by Roman Catholics, and try the other policy for awhile. We will do the best we can to meet the situation, and to meet the desires of those who are doing the field end of the work with the legislatures. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.7

J. O. Corliss: I have had considerable experience in the distribution of Liberty, and I may be allowed to say just a word upon the subject. Some years ago, before the condition complained of, we sent Liberty to every legislator in California. We received words of congratulation for Liberty. I well remember that before arguments on Sunday bills in the California legislature, I saw some of those men, and even Roman Catholics, take our literature and read from it in order to defeat the Sunday measures. But Liberty has not been circulated so much of late in our union as it was formerly. It strikes me that there is a policy to be followed that will not take strenuous lines upon either Protestants or Catholics. We may review history, without saying Catholics or Protestants, but dealing with the violation of principles. That applies either to Protestants or Catholics who have appeared at fault in the matter. I believe it can be carried on in this way, and then Liberty can be used with Catholics as well as Protestants. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.8

C. L. Butterfield: It may be of interest to know that it has been noted by a Catholic magazine printed in the Korean language that there is a tribe having headquarters at Washington who publish a magazine, whose chief object is to besmirch Catholics. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.9

Question was called on the whole, and the partial reports were adopted. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.10

It was voted that E. W. Farnsworth take the place on the nominating committee made vacant by the death of Elder G. A. Irwin, and that Charles Thompson be an additional member of the nominating committee. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.11

L. R. Conradi: In receiving the West and the East German Union Conferences in the Central European, we did not, at the time, say anything in regard to the German Union Conference. The German Union was organized in 1902, and now it has been divided into four unions, so I would move that we drop the German Union, as such from our records. Carried. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.12

A. G. Daniells: Are there any other items to bring before the conference by committees? If not, we may call for reports from the conferences. We will first call upon Allen Moon to submit his report for the Lake Union Conference. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.13

Allen Moon (reading):— GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.14

[This report will appear in a future number of the BULLETIN.] GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.15

At the close of Elder Moon’s report, W. T. Knox, acting as chairman, called upon Charles Thompson, president of the Northern Union Conference, to present his report. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.16

Charles Thompson (reading):— GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.17

THE NORTHERN UNION CONFERENCE QUADRENNIAL REPORT

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The Northern Union Conference is composed of the States of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, a territory of 287,835 square miles, with a population of 5,461,423. Each State has but one organized conference, hence the Northern Union has but four local conferences. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.18

Membership and Laborers

Our present membership (church and company) is 6,266. We have 236 organized churches, and 11 unorganized companies. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.19

As laborers we have 46 ordained ministers, 33 licentiates, and 46 missionary licentiates, besides a number of book and magazine agents. The largest number of these reported in the field at one time was 107. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.20

As a result of the evangelistic efforts put forth during the quadrennial period, approximately fourteen hundred souls have accepted the truth and been baptized. GCB May 26, 1913, page 140.21

Financial

There was paid in as tithe during the period as follows:— GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.1

	AMOUNTPER	CAPITA
1909	$105,661.81	$17.67
1910	99,967.80	16.84
1911	100,043.61	16.60
1912	108,090.04	17.71

Making a total tithe for the period of $413,969.92, an average per capita of $17.20. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.2

We passed on to other fields from this tithe:— GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.3

1909	$18,286.90
1910	18,690.20
1911	22,549.36
1912	13,689.81
Totals$73,216.27

The offerings to missions aside from the per cent of tithes was:— GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.4

1909	$35,675.63	10c per capita a week
1910	41,622.81	14c per capita a week
1911	34,740.35	11c per capita a week
1912	48,890.55	16c per capita a week

Making a total of $160,929.34, or an average per capita of twelve and three-fourths cents a week. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.5

We have 323 Sabbath-schools, with a present membership of 7,251. Their total donations for the quadrennial period was $52,496.36. Of this amount, $52,074.51 went to foreign missions. During the last half of the period not one cent of donations was used for supplying home demands. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.6

Publishing Work

We are endeavoring to keep pace with the ever-increasing and rapidly developing work of our publishing department. Since last General Conference we have sold in our field $111,676.56 worth of subscription books, $16,034.84 worth of trade and educational books, $6,428.36 worth of tracts, $252.38 worth of Bibles, and $48,822.20 worth of magazines, making a grand total of $182,614.34. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.7

Educational Work

Our educational work is making encouraging progress. While our church-schools have fluctuated to some extent, during the past four years we have averaged 34 schools each year, with an attendance of 422. We have four well-equipped academies, employing 25 teachers besides the student teachers; the attendance in each is about one hundred. The spiritual interest is one of encouragement. In some instances the entire student body has been led to accept of Christ as their personal Saviour. Each of these schools is doing creditably twelve grades of work. There is a strong affiliation and sympathy between these schools and our foreign seminaries and Union College. All are working for the salvation and training of the noble band of young people in our denomination. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.8

In addition to these academies, we have located in our territory the Danish-Norwegian Seminary. This institution has had its conception, birth, and growth since the last General Conference. It was at the fall council of the General Conference Committee held in College View, October, 1909, that the first steps were taken toward its establishment. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.9

A school property formerly built and owned by the Danish Lutheran Society, at Hutchinson, Minn., was found to be on the market. This, with one hundred fifty acres of land adjoining, was purchased, and the school opened Sept. 28, 1910. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.10

They had in attendance the first year 82 students; last year, 94, and about the same number this year. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.11

We are most happy to report that within the short space of four years this school has been established and is doing most excellent work, without a single dollar of note indebtedness. They, of course, have many internal needs, to repair, alter, and equip the building so they can better carry on their work and care for their increasing patronage, but they still have several thousand dollars of unpaid pledges. If these were all paid, as we expect they will be, they could make their needed improvements and be entirely free from debt. Elders Olsen and Christian will doubtless have something to say concerning this school, so I will not give further details. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.12

Young People’s Work

The missionary efforts of our young people, through the work of the Missionary Volunteer Societies, is worthy of notice. We have 37 regularly organized societies, with a membership of 885. As a result of their efforts, they report 356 conversions among the young people, and have raised $2,076.98 for foreign missions and $352 for home work, in addition to providing food and clothing for many of those in need. We as a people ought to appreciate more and more the faithful work accomplished by our Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.13

Medical Work

We have located at Nevada, Iowa, a new and well equipped sanitarium. This institution is owned and operated by the Iowa Conference. We have three private institutions in other parts of the union, doing what they can to represent the gospel of health in the world. We have four doctors and forty-seven graduate nurses doing private practise in our field. Sixty-one young people have been graduated from these institutions the past four years, and thirty-seven are now in training. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.14

The enemy of civil and religious freedom has neither slumbered nor slept since last we met in General Conference session. In every State composing our union, during the last winter some form of legislation has been evoked recognizing the papal institution of Sunday-keeping. So far as I know, no drastic measures have been incorporated into law. Our representatives at the various legislative assemblies have been courteously treated and heard with interest. But we surely need to wake up and bestir ourselves. Rome’s announced policy is to make America Catholic, and in her efforts to accomplish this, the true voice of Protestantism should ring forth from the promulgators of the third angel’s message. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.15

In closing my report I desire to express our gratitude to God for his protecting care over his work and workers in our union during the past year. While floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and fire have devastated many places, lives have been lost, homes wrecked, want and penury have taken the place of comfort, plenty, and prosperity, with the exception of slight damages from the Omaha tornado, our field has escaped. No epidemics have visited us. Aside from the natural results of mortality, our work and workers have gone forward unhindered. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.16

We hope all will read aright the fulfilment of prophecy in the events taking place in this and other lands, and be reminded that the day of God draws on apace, and soon “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” May God give us the spirit of consecration and sacrifice to finish the work committed to our hands, is my prayer. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.17

CHAS. THOMPSON, President.

THE SIBERIAN UNION MISSION

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W. T. Knox: We will now call upon Brother Dail to furnish us a report from the Siberian Union Mission. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.18

Guy Dail (reading):— GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.19

Heartiest of greetings to you from the nearly eleven hundred brethren and sisters of the Siberian Union Mission, which began its separate existence Jan. 1, 1911, when the Russian committee turned it over to the special care of the European Division, after it had had a two years’ development as an individual field under their administration. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.20

The field appeals to us in several ways: First of all, it is bewilderingly large. It contains the Volga, the Ural, the Turkestan, the West and East Russion Missions. It extends from the country of the Don Cossacks in Russia on the west, to Bering Strait, in the Far East, covering 145 degrees of longitude; from the extreme northern boundary of the field which is formed by the frigid shores of the Arctic Ocean, to the extreme southern boundary of Russian Turkestan, or forty-three degrees of latitude. This union is nearly twice the size of the United States and all her territorial possessions, and would make thirty-three countries the size of Germany, or fifty-six the size of Great Britain. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.21

Again, Siberia appeals to us because of its climate. Latitude for latitude, it is the coldest country on earth. The pole of maximum cold is located at Verkhoyansk, within the Arctic Circle, where the thermometer sinks 89 degrees below zero in the long winter months, and rises 177 degrees above its lowest winter mark, during the short summer season. In many places there is insufficient rainfall, with its attendant failure of crops, and its famine and suffering. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.22

Siberia appeals to us because of its great river systems thirty thousand miles of which are navigable during the short summer; and by the mighty Trans-Siberian Railway, which was constructed at a cost of over five hundred million dollars, proving a grand factor in the country’s colonization on the part of Russia. The great railway into Turkestan has answered a similar purpose in that region. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.23

This union is also unique in that it extends the Russian Imperial Post routes to the most distant parts. One may go from one end of the country to the other along these horse-express lines, and he will always find horses, reindeer, or dogs ready to carry him anywhere night or day, but it must be admitted that the conveyances are often anything but comfortable; they are clumsy, without springs, driven at a breakneck speed up-hill and down-hill, frequently over abominable roads. In summer the traveler is surrounded by clouds of choking dust; during the thawing season, he is bespattered by an abundance of flying mud; and in the winter he is tortured by the dreadful cold. One of our workers recently wrote of his experience: “We had to cover about 1,450 miles with the sleigh. At one place we got lost. We spent five hours of intense suffering in the snow-storm. We almost despaired of being saved alive. The brother with me tried to assist the driver in finding the way, but he himself soon got confused, and it was only after repeatedly calling that we found him, wet through, and greatly exhausted. I was on the sleigh all alone during what seemed like a small eternity to me. I thought of our great work, and of the harvest to be garnered in, and of my loved ones at home. Hours passed, evening drew on, and after an almost endless amount of trouble, we found our way back to a village—for which we most heartily thanked God.. GCB May 26, 1913, page 141.24

The conquest and settlement of Siberia also appeal to the imagination. It was during the latter part of the sixteenth century that the Novgorodians began the conquest of Siberia for Russia, and her advance has continued to this day, until now nearly nine tenths of the population are either of Russian or of other Slavonic nationalities. A very large number were transported to Siberia as convicts under the famous Siberian exile system. The aborigines, who are said to be dying out, are of Finnic, Mongolian, or Tartar extraction. The Russian Greek Church is operating missions among them with a degree of success, and does not look with favor upon mission work among these people on the part of other denominations. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.1

Russian Turkestan is also a land of romance, where years of war, strife, and massacre paved the way for the downfall of the Mohammedan civilization, and the advent of Russian dominion. Here we meet with the famous cities of Tashkend, many of whose earth-covered roofs are laid out in flower beds; and Samarkand, full of old architectural ruins, and containing the tomb of the renowned oriental conqueror, Timur Bey, of fourteenth-century fame. In the former city there are twenty-seven members in our church, and two are representing the message in the latter city. The Turkomans, Khirgiz, Uzbegs, and Sarts are at home in this field, as well as the Aryan Tajiks, who are the most intelligent of the natives, and are chiefly land owners, merchants, and priests. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.2

Taken as a whole, the union employs 23 workers. Ten of these are ministers—2 in each local field—1 is a licentiate, and 12 are licensed missionaries. There are 9 canvassers, who sold $912 worth of literature last year, a gain of $117 over 1911. The tithe of the union averaged $3.96, and the offerings $.90 for 1912. One hundred eighty new members were received, as against 160 for 1911, the net gain being 70. Our present union membership is 1,088. The population numbers 44,094,000. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.3

The Volga Field

Let us now look at the individual missions: The Volga field, located in southeastern Russia, is four times as large as Mississippi, and has 8,600,000 people. During the last two years 50 have been received, and the present membership is 289. Last year their average tithe was $2.50; missionary offerings, $.67. Owing to the failure of crops in many parts, we found it imperative to assist our brethren on the Volga, and at the time of the Siberian Union committee meeting held in Saratof last June, there was passed a special vote of thanks for the succor the German and the American brethren rendered our people in the distressing times they had been experiencing. Brother G. Perk, whom many of you may know, is the local superintendent, and is also in charge of the union. Five Bible workers and one ordained minister assist the superintendent here. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.4

Ural District

Next is the Ural field. It is nine times as large as Ohio, and has three times her population, 15,676,000. Brother Ginter, of Samara, who is with us, is local superintendent, and is assisted by an ordained minister and three licensed missionaries. The membership is 247. Seventy-five of these were won th past two years. The tithe averages $3.40; the offerings, $.76. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.5

Turkestan

Turkestan, the Central Asian field, is as large as Alaska, Maryland, and Delaware, and five times their population, 7,621,000. The last two years there were 41 new members added, giving us 111 members now. The average tithe is $4.08; offerings, $1.45. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.6

West Siberian Mission

Coming now to Siberia, we will mention the West Siberian field first. It would contain 11 States as large as California, and has about four times California’s population, 9,197,300. During the past two years 131 members were added. The membership is now 365. The tithe averaged $3.94; the gifts 69 cents, in 1912. Brother H. K. Loebsack is assisted by one ordained minister, one licentiate, and two licensed missionaries. We have believers in Omsk, Samarkand, Semipalatinsk, and Tomsk. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.7

East Siberian Mission

By far the largest of the local fields is the East Siberian, which contains more square miles than the United States and her colonies. But there is a small population, only three million. The last two years, forty-three members were received, giving us a present membership of seventy-six. At the last General Conference Elder Boettcher read to us a letter from the church in Harbin, which then numbered five; but now it numbers twenty-five. The field averages $17.79 in tithe, and $3.86 in missionary gifts. Elder Gnadin is superintendent. He is a native Russian, and is located at Irkutsk. He writes of some sixty now waiting for baptism in his field. Elder Goebel, who went out there last summer, is located a little north of Vladivostok. There are many more calls than our force in that field can answer. There is only one laborer, a licensed missionary, to aid the two ordained ministers in all that region. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.8

Our greatest need is for more of the right kind of men to assist our brethren already on the ground. They must be brave men, not afraid of anything. They must be patient, God-fearing men, willing to endure hardness as good soldiers of the army whose captain is Prince Emmanuel. Remember this great union in your prayers, that God may send forth more laborers into his harvest. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.9

W. T. Knox: We will now call upon Brother Carscallen, of British East Africa. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.10

[This report is held over for the present because of lack of space in this issue for illustrations.] GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.11

At the close of Elder Carscallen’s interesting report, Conference adjourned. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.12

A. G. DANIELLS, Chairmen.
W. T. KNOX,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

EVENING SERVICES

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May 23, 7:30 P. M.

Despite the heavy downpour, a large congregation assembled in the pavilion to hear the sermon by E. W. Farnsworth, who spoke on “Repentance,” beginning with the message of John the Baptist, preeminently a preacher of repentance. When the twelve apostles were sent out, they also preached that men should repent. This same message was preached by Jesus, as is seen in the warning he gave to his followers when he said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” These words, let it be remembered, were spoken to professed church-members. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.13

The same call to repentance was made by Peter on the day of Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you.” Again, on another occasion, he said, “Repent ye therefore.” A similar command to repent is recorded in the messages of the angels to the seven churches, culminating in the warning given to the church of Laodicea. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.14

The speaker referred to Revelation, chapters 7, 10, and 14, showing that the Laodicean, or last church, did repent, and with mighty power carried forward God’s truth in the final hour of human history. This he compared with Revelation 18:1-3. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.15

The speaker next showed the meaning of repentance—its results in the lives of those who truly repent. He referred to the preaching of Jonah in Nineveh. The people of that city turned from all their evil ways, and called on God mightily. In this connection the speaker made very clear the fact that God’s mercy and love for repentant sinners is in striking contrast with man’s inhumanity toward his brother. Jonah expressed great disappointment when the city repented and was saved. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.16

God’s wonderful mercy in forgiving sin is the theme taught in the parables given in Luke, chapter 15. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.17

In closing, a strong appeal was made to the congregation to repent of all sins—of lukewarmness, and disinclination to pray or to read the Bible—that God may bring to us his great salvation. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.18

May 24, 7:30 P. M. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.19

An interesting stereopticon talk on the missionary work carried on by the European General Conference Division in Africa was given by L. R. Conradi. He gave a graphic account of the work, and of the present results, in Abyssinia, British East Africa, and German East Africa. It has involved much sacrifice in lives, money, and labors, but splendid results have appeared in compensation. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.20

In those 3 fields there are now forty-five missionaries, located at 23 main stations. Already there are 250 converts, 75 of whom are acting as teachers in the schools. In these schools, 4,700 pupils are learning the way of salvation. GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.21

“All this,” said the speaker, “is but the first-fruits of a great harvest in the near future.” GCB May 26, 1913, page 142.22

GENERAL CONFERENCE SABBATH-SCHOOL

WASe

May 24, 1913

Before the appointed time, the large pavilion was well filled for the second Sabbath-school session of the General Conference. The school met in nine divisions; namely, senior, youth, primary, kindergarten, German, Scandinavian, Spanish, French, and Hungarian. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.1

In the pavilion the opening song, “O day of rest and gladness, O day of joy and light,” expressed the sentiment of many hearts in welcoming the Sabbath day, with its special services. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.2

The one hundred forty-fifth psalm was read responsively. Prayer was offered by M. C. Wilcox, the large congregation uniting with him in repeating the Lord’s prayer. A special song was then rendered by F. W. Paap and Brother St. John, entitled, “He Will Hold Me Fast.” GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.3

C. C. Lewis conducted a very interesting review of last week’s lesson. Five leading topics were written on the blackboard, as follows:—
1. God manifested in the earthly sanctuary.
2. God manifest in the flesh.
3. The ministry of Christ by the Holy Spirit.
4. The early and the latter rain.
5. The two mysteries. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.4

Questions on the lessons were grouped under these headings, and leading proof texts cited. The responses were prompt, and the ten-minute review brought to mind in an impressive way the preceding lesson. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.5

The lesson study was conducted by J. O. Corliss. The leading thought centers around the name of the Lord. The temple was built as an abiding-place for God’s name, and God’s name is in the heart of the believer. Through the sanctuary services God was made known to the children of Israel as their righteousness, their deliverer. If God’s name was not recognized by them, the sanctuary would profit them nothing. Satan’s continued effort has been to cast God’s name out of the sanctuary, and out of the hearts of his people. He led the Jews to think more of the temple than of the Lamb of God, and he has caused the exaltation of the man of sin above the name of the true God. When the sanctuary in heaven is cleansed, God’s name will be written in the foreheads of his people. Revelation 14:1. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.6

Mission Talk

I. H. Evans spoke of the millions in China who have never heard the name of God, never saw a Bible, never heard a prayer. When the Chinese are converted, they love the truth, and respond readily to calls for means. They endure hunger and privation, that they may have an offering to give from their scanty wage of three to five cents for a long day’s work. They give much because they love much. Here in the home land we should remember that it will take all that we have, to finish this work in this generation. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.7

The collection was again taken and carried to the platform in large waste-paper baskets. J. N. Loughborough invoked Heaven’s blessing upon the gifts. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.8

The superintendent called attention to the Sabbath-school thermometer, with its rising columns, and expressed the hope that the “mercury of money” might reach the top. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.9

Statistics

	MEMBERSHIP	OFFERINGS
Pavilion	1,675	$338.31
Youth and children	283	15.29
Foreign department	163	58.60
Totals	2,121	$412.20

This is an average per member for the entire school of about nineteen and four-tenths cents. GCB May 26, 1913, page 144.10