General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
Departmental Meetings
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT
Eighth Meeting
Brother H. Boex, who has general charge of the territory supplied by the International Tract Society of Hamburg, gave a most enthusiastic description of methods and progress of the book work in his territory. Among the points emphasized were the following: For many years they confined their sales to pamphlets and small books, the colporteurs believing these were the only publications that could be successfully sold. Brother Boex and a few associates became convinced that larger books could be sold, and went into the field and demonstrated their belief to be a correct one. Their sales have greatly increased since, and now they have 128 men devoting their entire time to these larger publications. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.9
Another point made prominent was the advantage of handling but one large book and one or two helps, rather than a large variety. One of the most remarkable facts presented was the number of colporteurs who are constantly employed in the field. They have 513 who are putting in more than one hundred hours a month, and 452 who put in less than that time, and who are called home workers. This makes a total of 965 colporteurs, and he expects this number will reach a thousand by the time he returns. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.10
FOREIGN DEPARTMENT
Third Meeting
[The first two meetings have not been reported.] GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.11
The third meeting of the Foreign Department was called to order by G. F. Haffner. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.12
O. A. Olsen urged the necessity of doing more for the foreign population of the United States and Canada. We have millions of Italians, Poles, Slavs, and other nationalities in this country. The Lord is raising up believers among these people in many places. Earnest pleas for help are being received continually. This work will never prosper until leaders are selected to lead out, in training workers, and to assist those already in the field. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.13
D. P. Boersma gave a report of the Holland work in New Jersey. Of the Holland population in Northern New Jersey about 70 per cent are adherents of Calvinism, which was taught them by the clergy of the Dutch Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches. They have their own private schools, in which their children are instructed in the doctrines of John Calvin. About 18 per cent are infidels, and the remaining 12 per cent are Romanists. While the work among these people is attended with perplexing problems, progress is being made, and in this we rejoice, and take courage. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.14
SABBATH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Eighth Meeting
“How to Draw” was ably presented by Mrs. H. M. J. Richards, of Philadelphia. She spoke earnestly of the value of simple drawings in illustrating the Sabbath-school lesson, rather than elaborate, carefully drawn pictures. A short line sufficiently represents a person, a number of lines a group or an army. The imagination of the child supplies the details. Mrs. Richards showed how mountains, trees, rivers, cities, and even figures of persons may be quickly drawn by using the side of the crayon, thus making broad strokes. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.15
Topic: “The Training Course.” Mrs. Carrie R. Moon, of South Bend, Ind., said in part: “In every line of undertaking skilled workmen are needed. No one wishes to employ men or women who have not been trained for the line of work which they undertake to do. We have been told by the spirit of prophecy that every teacher should feel that he must be ‘better acquainted with the best methods of teaching.’ The Sabbath-School Teachers’ Training Course is planned to help us directly in this. The very best books that could be found on methods of teaching have been selected. Ought we not to appreciate such help? Some have objected to this course because books not written by our own people have been sometimes selected. This objection does not seem well founded. In ‘Testimonies on Sabbath School Work,’ page 9, we are told that ‘the modes of teaching which have been adopted with such success in the public schools could be employed with similar results in the Sabbath-schools.’ This shows that we are not to reject instruction because it has been written by those who have not a knowledge of all the truths which have been revealed to us. We can learn much concerning methods of teaching by what is written by teachers of experiences both in the public schools and in the Sunday-school rejecting that which is not in harmony with our work.” GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.16
Topic: “Camp-Meeting Sabbath-School Work.” Mrs. Flora V. Dorcas, of Iowa, set forth strongly the valuable opportunity which the camp-meeting affords the conference Sabbath-school secretary to advance the interests of the Sabbath-school work. The paper presented many details of the work to be done, and the desire to have copies of this paper immediately so as to use the suggestions in the coming camp-meeting season, was so great that it was decided to get out the paper in circular form at once, for the benefit of the secretaries. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.17
Miss Bessie Acton, of Mt. Vernon Ohio, urged the secretaries to improve the opportunity afforded by the camp-meeting to become personally acquainted with the Sabbath-school workers from all parts of the conference. For weeks plans and prayers have been centered upon the camp-meeting, and when the people arrive, they have laid aside the cares of life for a few days, and the hearts are ready to respond to plans for progress and spiritual advancement which the leaders have to offer. The camp-meeting affords a chance for the personal touch that will make all our work more effective. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.18
Question Box: “What do you consider the best time of the day to hold the camp-meeting Sabbath-school, forenoon or afternoon?” GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.19
Mrs. Plummer thought the forenoon was unquestionably the preferable time. The Sabbath-school forms a most appropriate introduction to the Sabbath services. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.20
Elder Thompson said that he had seen the camp-meeting Sabbath-school held in the afternoon, but every time he had thought it almost a failure. GCB May 27, 1913, page 160.21