General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3

THE RECENT GENERAL COUNCIL

L. A. HOOPES

The fall council composed of the General Conference Committee and the leading brethren connected with the institutions located at Battle Creek, has recently closed. In many respects it was an interesting and important meeting. We have every reason to take courage at the outlook before us. Much time was devoted to the study of special Testimonies relative to the right principles that should be manifested in the third angel’s message, also relating to the wrong principles which have been interwoven into our work. GCB July 1, 1899, page 41.1

For a number of years the Lord has been admonishing us concerning the danger of adopting a worldly policy. In a large measure we have failed to recognize and take heed to these admonitions. Many of the perplexities which confront us to-day are due to this fact. A spirit of worldly policy has leavened the entire field to a great extent. What do we find as a result?—First, our institutions are struggling with a heavy indebtedness; second, a scarcity of funds with which to prosecute the work in its various departments; third, an inclination on the part of both General and State Conferences to employ just as few laborers as possible, because “the Conference has all on its pay-roll that it can carry;” fourth, a disposition to build up and centralize around home interests, while the regions beyond are languishing because of a lack of laborers and means. GCB July 1, 1899, page 41.2

We blame no one. We only say that we have adopted a worldly policy. Just think of it. God’s plan is to “owe no man anything.” Instead of being close pressed for funds, we should not only have an abundant supply from our own resources, as a people, but the wealth of the Gentiles should, according to scripture, be pouring into the treasury. Instead of a limited number of laborers being engaged in the cause, every one should act some part. “Now is the time to work. Many more workers ought to be in the field. There should be one hundred where now there is only one. Many who have not been ordained or licensed may work in their own neighborhoods and in the regions about them.”—“Appeal for Missions,” p. 17. Instead of building up and centralizing around home fields, our men and means should be distributed to fields where the sound of the third angel’s message has never been heard. GCB July 1, 1899, page 41.3

It was the design of the council to enlist a greater number of persons in the various lines of missionary work than ever before. The Missionary Reading Circle was instituted with this in view. A review of the great truths of the message for this time should inspire every one with a new zeal to get these truths before the multitudes who are as yet unacquainted with them. The Reading Circle must develop a large corps of missionaries for both home and foreign fields, else it will fall short of the aim of its promoters. GCB July 1, 1899, page 41.4

The foreign mission field is dependent on the home field for support. The Foreign Mission Board is powerless to do anything except as the brethren put into their hands the means to carry on the work. In other words, the brethren on the Mission Board are our servants to see that our contributions find the destination to which they were designed. By our acts and words we say to the Board, Send out workers, and lay broader plans for the prosecution of the work in the dark corners of the earth. When we do this, we should never lose sight of the fact that a mission once started, calls for a continual outlay of means, until the message has completed its work. GCB July 1, 1899, page 41.5

It would be a cruel thing to say to the Foreign Mission Board to send more workers into the field, and then leave them without a support, in a strange land, under adverse circumstances. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.1

Among the recommendations of the committee, in another column will be found plans which, if carried out, will furnish a regular and constant supply of funds for the foreign work, and bring about a cooperation that will be systematic and helpful. Every soul in the denomination can be enlisted, and what person is there who does not want to have something invested in every enterprise of the message in the world? Who knows but that every dollar donated may not represent a soul saved in the kingdom of of God? GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.2

Observe how simple the plan is—only ten cents a week for each member. For an average per member this is small. Some may not be able to contribute this amount, but others can do many times more than this, and feel no sacrifice whatever. “Every dollar and every dime that we can spare is needed now, to aid in carrying the message of truth to other lands. At the holiday season much is spent by our own people upon gifts and various gratifications which are not only useless but often hurtful. Appetite is indulged, pride and self-love are fostered, and Christ is forgotten. If the money usually devoted to these objects were all brought into the mission treasury, our foreign missions would be lifted above embarrassment. Shall we not this year consecrate to God not merely a part but all our holiday gifts for the relief of his cause, which is in so great need? How can we more appropriately celebrate the coming Christmas, how better express our gratitude to God for the gift of his dear Son, than by offerings to send to all the world the tidings of his soon coming?”—The Review and Herald, December 6, 1887. Our crown of rejoicing at the appearing of Christ will be to see the souls whom we have been instrumental in saving, reflecting the image of Jesus. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.3

The Testimonies above alluded to in this article are most searching in their character, and are designed for the people. The question may be asked, Why not publish them, and send them out broadcast to the people? Our answer is, that the one who gave the Testimonies gave explicit instruction how they should be communicated to the people. This responsibility has been laid on the President of the General Conference. The plan is to hold district meetings, where the Testimonies may be read to the leading brethren in all our conferences and institutions, so these in turn may communicate the same to their brethren in their respective fields of labor. It is the wrong principles that have been interwoven into our work that the Lord is seeking to correct. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.4

It is hoped that the week of prayer which has been appointed for December 23-30, may be more than an ordinary occasion. There must be obtained a keenness of perception, a depth of Christian experience, a love for souls, or we shall find ourselves at a loss. The week of prayer will make us better, or it will leave us a great deal worse than when the season began. Which shall it be? That remains for each individual to settle for himself. GCB July 1, 1899, page 42.5