General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
The Sermon
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
A CALL TO CONSECRATION
May 16, 7:30 P. M.
After a brief, impressive Sabbath opening service which was followed by an appropriate song service in which the congregation heartily joined, Elder G. B. Thompson spoke on the subject of consecration, basing his discourse on 1 Chronicles 29:5. He first set forth the great truth that since God’s purpose is essentially spiritual and carried forward by the power of the Spirit, it follows as a matter of course that we shall be qualified to carry on the great work to which God has called us by the power of the Holy Spirit; and that means whole-hearted consecration to God’s service. All other means and agencies good as they may be, are of no avail without the mighty consecration that the Holy Spirit gives. GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.14
Failure on this point of consecration made ancient Israel slaves of the surrounding nations, and so it brings leanness to our souls. As the presence of the ark could not save Israel from the Philistines, no more can all our external forms and activities apart from true consecration tot he service of God deliver us. Again, as in the case of Israel it means the putting away of all false gods. GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.15
In closing Elder Thompson appealed to the congregation to receive the Holy Spirit and experience a full consecration so that we may finish the work and save our own souls. GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.16
ILLUSTRATED MISSIONARY TALK
May 17, 7:45 P. M.
Elder Boettcher occupied the hour this evening giving a very interesting recital of the progress of the work in Russia. In spite of the persistent and bitter persecution heaped upon all believers the true light of God shines invincibly, and all the power of darkness seems only to help the truth. GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.17
There are 89 workers in that field, 19 of whom are ordained ministers. Last year 779 converts were won to the truth, and today the believers number more than 5,000. In this connection the speaker brought out the interesting fact that the Russian Union is the only union that has no institutions. There are some 30 young people from Russia in the school in Germany preparing for the work in Russia. Two young men are in prison serving 7 year sentences for refusal to serve in the army. GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.18
The fierce opposition made by the Russian government to our work is explained by the fact that all alien teaching is regarded as a challenge of the orthodoxy of the Greek Church. Work among other nationalities not of the Greek faith is allowed to go on freely; but the truth is not bound as is seen by the fact that a specially bound copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” has been received as a present by the Czarina from one of our sisters. GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.19
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” GCB May 18, 1913, page 31.20
THE FIRST SABBATH OF THE CONFERENCE
Sabbath was a rainy day, yet those who filled the great pavilion were not seriously inconvenienced. At times when the rain fell the hardest, the congregation united in singing some of the beautiful songs of Zion. The day was one of spiritual uplift. As one sister remarked, the rain was a blessing. The congregation were shut in with God. They were there for a purpose, and were not disappointed. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.1
THE SABBATH-SCHOOL
May 17, 9 A. M.
Promptly at nine, despite the storm without, two thousand or more gathered in the main pavilion for the first Sabbath-school of the Conference session. Elder G. B. Thompson, secretary of the Sabbath-school Department, was in charge. The children, under leaders of experience, met elsewhere. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.2
The review of the senior division lesson, by Elder F. M. Wilcox, was of special interest. The historical setting of the prophecies of the twenty-three hundred days and the seventy weeks, with the relationship that these sustain to one another and to the advent movement of 1843-44, were set forth in a symposium led by Elders F. M. Burg, G. B. Starr, J. S. Washburn, J. O. Corliss, and J. N. Loughborough. Prof. W. W. Prescott outlined some remarkable parallels between the deliverance of ancient Israel from Babylon and the deliverance of modern Israel from spiritual captivity. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.3
The lesson study was led by Elder R. C. Porter. He emphasized the truth that as in the days of Israel the dedication of the temple was accompanied by a revelation of the divine Presence, so today the dedication of the individual heart to God brings into the life the subduing influence of God’s presence and power. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.4
Prior to the offering, Elder J. S. James, of the Tinnevelly District, South India, related touching instances of personal denial on the part of the members of Sabbath-schools in his field. “Their faces beam with joy,” he declared, “as they hear of a people across the seas who have given themselves to a program of self-denial in order to support the workers in other lands.” Out of their penury they give liberally. Their noble example of self-sacrifice should be an inspiration to their brethren and sisters in more favored lands. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.5
An official report of the exercises of the various divisions of the Sabbath-school, with statistics, will be published in a later issue. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.6
THE MORNING SERMON
Elder I. H. Evans preached a solemn and stirring discourse in the large tent Sabbath morning, from the text, “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up.” A deep impression was made upon hearts. We hope to be able to give the sermon in full in a later issue of the BULLETIN. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.7
THE AFTERNOON SERVICE
The exercises of the afternoon were of a most encouraging nature. Elder E. W. Farnsworth, in the opening prayer besought the God of Jacob to come near, and reveal himself to his waiting people with converting power. “Anoint our eyes,” he prayed, “that we may see what God would have us do. May we rise above the shadowy region of doubt and unbelief, and dwell in the sunlight of thy presence. Encourage and uplift, we pray.” GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.8
The choir rendered a selection, in which the truth was emphasized that God always sends the sunshine after the rain. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.9
A message of greeting and good cheer from Mrs. Ellen G. White, of St. Helena, Cal., to her brethren and sisters assembled in General Conference, was read by her son, Elder W. C. White. This communication will appear in a later issue. The reading of this letter brought forth many hearty “amens” from the brethren on the rostrum and throughout the congregation. Tears flowed freely as Sister White’s expressions of confidence in her brethren and in God’s leadership of his people, were read. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.10
The afternoon discourse was delivered by Elder E. E. Andross, of the Pacific Union. He chose as the basis of his remarks the exhortation of the apostle Paul in Romans 13:12-14: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.11
The speaker called particular attention to the words of the twelfth verse. We have been passing through a long night; there is a day of light and gladness before us; the night is far spent, and the day is at hand; we are exhorted to prepare for the breaking of that glad day. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.12
Ever since man sinned in the garden of God, we have been living in a long night of gloom; but, through the mercy of God, a bright Star of hope appeared, a harbinger of the coming of the dawn. This Star has never set. It still shines through the darkness. It has been the hope of the ages, and it is our hope today. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.13
Many evidences of the reign of sin in this world of darkness were cited by the speaker,—sickness, decay, death; the sorrow of those bereft of their loved ones; the havoc wrought by the elements; the spirit of strife; the unrest and the anarchy so prevalent. But these should not be permitted to dishearten the believer in the second advent; every one in whose heart has risen the Day-star should rise above the dark shades of sin and sorrow and death, and view the dawning of the morning. Every child of God may expect with confidence the ushering in of that glorious day when all the faithful will be delivered from the power of sin and death. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” “There shall be no night there; ... for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 21:4; 22:5. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.14
The gleams of the golden morning are breaking through the night of gloom; the day is dawning; soon the darkness will disappear; and in view of the approaching day, let us, in the language of the text, “cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.15
In this time of waiting, how applicable are the words of the prophet Habakkuk: “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” We are not following cunningly devised fables; we have a sure word of prophecy, whereunto we shall do well to take heed, “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day-star arise” in our hearts. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.16
Prophecies are fulfilling; the consummation of all things earthly is rapidly approaching; and in view of the dawning day, it is high time that every one who claims to be waiting for his Lord’s return, should be casting off the works of darkness, and be putting on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. The speaker emphasized the urgency of the work that must be done to prepare for the coming of the Lord. We are living in solemn times. God today is calling upon his ministers and upon all his people to humble their hearts before him, and to seek him as they have never sought him before. Let us unite in a work of heart-searching. God is waiting to transform us into the likeness of the Divine. He will help us put away everything that is unlike him, and will clothe us with the beautiful garments of salvation. Then we shall be numbered among the wise virgins, who, with lights trimmed and burning, wait confidently for their Lord. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.17
Elder Andross pleaded most earnestly for unreserved surrender on the part of all. He appealed to those who are not enjoying freedom in God, those who have never fully yielded, or who are aware of something in the life that robs them of spiritual joy and blessing, to give themselves wholly to the Lord now, while he is calling. Several arose in response; and then, as the speaker appealed to all who from this day on determine to “cast off the works of darkness,” and “put on the armor of light,” to rise, nearly every one arose. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.18
Both in the morning and the afternoon services, the words spoken were accompanied by convicting power. The Holy Spirit touched many a longing heart, and brought comfort and healing and a determination to place all upon the altar. The laymen were exhorted to share in the responsibilities of soul-saving service; and in the testimony meeting that followed, the voices of ministers and laymen were mingled in praise and thanksgiving. Many who had labored long in heathen lands, once more greeted their fellow workers in the home land with words of courage and joy in the Lord. Here were faithful men and women who have sacrificed willingly in the home land, uniting with missionaries from the fields afar,—from China, from India, from South Africa, in rededicating their lives to the finishing of God’s work in this generation. GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.19
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” GCB May 18, 1913, page 32.20