General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

Departmental Meetings

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen

THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT

WASe

Fourth Meeting, May 18, 8 A. M.

Again the religious liberty tent was crowded full, many being unable to find seats. Prayer was offered by Elder J. C. Stevens. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.1

The topic up for consideration during this meeting was the question of “Sunday Legislation and the Laboring Man.” Professor Griggs read a brief paper on the subject, supplementing this with somewhat extended remarks. A lively and very interesting discussion followed, in which the pros and cons of the question were considered. This was participated in by Brethren J. S. Washburn, A. Mitchell, J. O. Corliss, M. C. Wilcox, J. S. Wightman, E. T. Russell, C. F. McVagh, W. A. Colcord, A. O. Tait, F. C. Gilbert, D. A. Parsons, and C. N. Sanders. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.2

There was, of course, little or no question as to whether Sunday legislation of any description is and must necessarily be religious legislation; but whether a law requiring employers to grant to their employees the right to rest one day in seven, without specifying the day, is and must necessarily be, in its final analysis, religious, was not so apparent to all at first thought. But before the discussion was over, the opinion seemed quite generally to prevail that one-day-in-seven rest-day legislation would be but the entering wedge for definite-day sabbath legislation; that the gospel message, with the Sabbath kept and observed as God ordained and gave it to man, is the only real, permanent, and satisfactory solution to the question; and that religion can not be dissociated from the Sabbath, and its benefits and blessings, even from a physical standpoint, retained. Take the religion out, and you take the rest out. To agitate the question, or to urge legislation of this character, from a commercial basis, would therefore be unwise, and lead to a compromise, and finally to an abandonment, of our principles. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.3

The hour was too short for anything like a full or satisfactory consideration of the question. But the chairman stated that in the four-days convention to follow the General Conference, many of these questions of special interest, which we can only open up in a general way now, can be taken up for further consideration. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.4

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

WASe

Third Meeting, May 17, 5 P. M. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.5

The time of the meeting was devoted to discussion of resolutions relating to different phases of the educational work, for submission to the committee on plans. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.6

Cheering testimonies were borne by the school men as the blessings attending the work of the past year were discussed. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.7

Special consideration was given to the need of library and laboratory equipment in the schools. Professors Shepler, Salisbury, John, Cady, and others led out in the discussion. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.8

Science work taught from text-books without laboratory work is of little value. Some thought there was danger that school boards would consider their work done when the school buildings were erected; but it was the prevailing opinion that they are ready to do all they can to equip the schools when they understand the need of such equipment. It is the duty of teachers to use tact in securing and introducing simple apparatus until the value of such equipment is seen and appreciated by the students. Then the school boards are usually ready to supply these needs to the extent of their ability. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.9

MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT

WASe

Second Meeting, May 18, 8 A. M. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.10

The time was devoted to the consideration of the topic. “How to Meet the Spiritual Needs of Our Young People.” Miss S. Lela Hoover, of Western Washington, presented a paper on this subject, speaking of the first great need of the spiritual life as being a spiritual birth. The Saviour must be a close friend in our life’s experiences; the youth must learn to abide in him. As the child would languish and die unless fed daily, so the soul that is born again must feed daily on the bread of life. Another necessity of the spiritual life is learning to do for others. This insures a happy, healthful Christian growth. But a pre-requisite to Christian growth is the surrender of the will to God. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.11

In speaking of how to meet these needs, she said: “The labor and responsibility involved in reaching the youth individually, and meeting the spiritual needs of each, are great. In order to do this we must have organization and systematic effort; we must have methods and plans; we must have ammunition, or the necessary material with which to work. Far more important than all these, is the Spirit of the living God. The key to the Missionary Volunteer movement, as I understand it, is co-operation with the Holy Spirit. This we must understand and apply, or our work will never be a success.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.12

She also dwelt on the necessity of the young people’s workers showing in their lives the keeping power of the gospel: “If we can show our young people that our lives and characters are consistent with the principles we teach; if all we present to them can be backed by a godly life; if we can show them by example that the power of Christ in our lives gives us continual victory over sin, and makes us a blessing to all around us; if we can show to them by example as well as by precept that this blessed life, ‘hid with Christ in God,’ is a continual reality to us; and is far more to be desired than all the wealth and honor of the world, God will work with us to hasten the day when they will come forward a glorious company to give the advent message to all the world in this generation, for the love of God will then indeed constraint them.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.13

Elder R. D. Quinn, in his discussion of this topic, showed the impossibility of giving to others what we do not possess. “The difference between the teaching of Christ and that of the scribes and Pharisees was that Jesus taught only the things which he had experience.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.14

Mrs. E. A. Merrell referred to the danger of continuing to want, and yet never obtaining, because of failure to comply with the conditions. She said, “The only way to be a deliverer is to be first delivered.” Others voiced similar convictions. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.15

Each one was made to feel that the chief essential is to give heart and soul to God’s work. Two resolutions were presented, and the meeting appropriately closed by singing “Hover o’er Me, Holy Spirit.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.16

MEDICAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT

WASe

Fourth Meeting, May 18, 8 A. M.

Dr. J. R. Leadsworth was asked to lead the meeting, and announced the continuance of yesterday’s topic, “The Preparation for Medical Missionary Work.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.17

Elder J. A. Burden said, in brief: When the gospel is received in its fulness, it is a remedy for all the ills that sin has brought. We have been instructed that every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. Then the preparation for medical missionary work must be as varied as the ability of the worker to labor would indicate, from the simple treatments and instruction that can be given by the laity to the more full instruction given by the nurse and competent physician. As the work to be done is “gospel medical missionary evangelistic work,” the character of the preparation is indicated. The world needs to-day what it needed nineteen hundred years ago, a revelation of God as revealed in the life of Christ. The work done in our sanitariums is but a small part compared with that which should be done in the homes of the people. Light has come that qualified medical missionary evangelists should go through our cities and villages laboring as Christ labored for the restoration of the people physically and spiritually, and that those who do this work will reap a rich harvest of souls both from the higher and lower classes. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.18

Elder Burden’s talk was followed by a paper on “Medical Missionary Work for the Colored People,” prepared by Dr. Lottie Isbell-Blake, of Huntsville, Ala., and read by D. E. Blake. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.19

Among other things this paper spoke of some of the difficulties encountered in the early establishment of the work, principal of which were poor equipment and prejudice. The first effort, though unsuccessful in some ways, had a good educational influence, and won friends. Activities now under way for the strengthening of the work are:— GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.20

1. To install in a building which is already on the premises at the Oakwood School, Huntsville, treatment-rooms for charity patients. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.21

2. In connection with these treatment-rooms a corps of visiting nurses, who shall seek out and minister to those in need of help, and instruct the people. A trained nurse should be accompanied on her visiting tours by one or more pupil nurses, equipped with material for giving treatment in homes. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.22

3. A closed conveyance, which may be used by the nurses for visiting, as well as to carry supplies of clothing and literature for distribution. When occasion demands, it may serve as an ambulance. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.23

4. It is greatly desired to maintain beds for surgical cases, the same to be supported by donations from individuals who may be interested in such work. The advantages of these endowed beds would, of course, extend also to the poor of our own denomination. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.24

Elder W. C. White, who had visited the sanitariums for colored people while on his way to this Conference, led in the discussion of the paper on “Medical Missionary Work for Colored People.” He told of the great needs of this work, and of what is already being done in each of the sanitariums recently established in Nashville, Tenn; at Huntsville, Ala.; and in Atlanta, Ga. GCB May 19, 1909, page 60.25

Dr. Lottie Isbell-Blake, now of the Rock City Sanitarium, Nashville, has by invitation been teaching hydrotherapy and therapeutics in the Meharry Medical College for colored people, and students from this school go to the sanitarium to see these methods demonstrated. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.1

At Huntsville, the sanitarium and school are working side by side to fit young people to go out and treat a great variety of cases, and to act as leaders in teaching their people to do a similar work for their fellows. It is a great mistake to expect such workers to be self-supporting. He compared the establishment of medical missionary work for the colored people to a great wagon, loaded with blessings and toiling up a long, steep grade. It needs the help of our young people’s societies, churches, and conference officers, that it may quickly reach the top, where the blessings can be distributed. He appealed that this work be presented once a quarter to our churches for assistance until these institutions are properly equipped. These three sanitariums have been started this year. Through their influence, the ambition of thousands of colored people can be raised to a higher scale of usefulness in their communities. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.2

Dr. A. B. Olsen: We all expect to manifest our interest in this line of work in our home fields, and we can urge the matter of financial assistance with better grace if we have ourselves first given to this work; therefore I move that we pass the hat now for the benefit of these sanitariums. This motion was seconded by J. A. Burden, and nearly $80 was received. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.3

Elder J. A. Burden gave a brief account of the visiting work now being done in surrounding villages by students in the Loma Linda Sanitarium. Some of the workers went into the Spanish-speaking villages, and found people unable to speak English, and fearful of water treatment; but prejudice was soon overcome, and now they call regularly for nurses, and in some cases pay something for treatment, and are anxious to have their children go to our schools. The work begun in the English towns has developed to the extent that we now have openings for our work in the public schools. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.4

THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

WASe

Fourth Meeting, May 18, 8 A. M.

The headquarters room was well filled with enthusiastic representatives of our publishing houses and general field work. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.5

The following topics were discussed:— GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.6

1. How has the subscription book work been benefited by advance steps in manning the field with strong, experienced men? How can this force of leaders be strengthened? GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.7

(a) The selection of strong, experienced men as leaders. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.8

(b) Opportunities to attend important council meetings and conventions. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.9

(d) Wages in proportion to experience, ability, responsibility, and expenses. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.11

2. Has the holding of bookmen’s conventions contributed materially to the success of the subscription book work? GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.12

(a) Should we continue to hold such conventions? GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.13

(b) How frequently should such conventions be held? GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.14

(d) Which is the best policy to pursue as to place of holding these conventions,—very large union conventions, separate conventions for each publishing-house territory, or one for each union conference territory? GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.16

In this discussion special emphasis was given to the demands for experienced men to be trained in well-organized fields where there are no leaders. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.17

Brother N. Z. Town, from South America, spoke earnestly concerning the needs of such great countries as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, where great opportunities are opening up before our publishing work, and where there are few facilities and few leaders. He expressed satisfaction that two or three men have already been selected to go to South America to lead out in this work, and expressed the confident hope that other would volunteer and be sent to the front by the mission board. GCB May 19, 1909, page 61.18