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GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 18, 1884

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 46

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GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

By Uriah Smith; George I. Butler

TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL SESSION.

(Continued.)
SEVENTH MEETING, Nov. 6, 2:30 P. M.—Eld. G. G. Rupert opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes of last meeting approved. The question before the meeting being on the adoption of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, and the point under discussion being the first resolution, namely, a resolution that ministers should pay tithes, the subject was but little further discussed; and the general opinion expressed being in favor of the resolution, it was unanimously adopted.
The second resolution—pertaining to secret societies—drew forth remarks as lengthy and earnest as greeted the first one. No diversity of opinion was found to exist on the resolution itself; the discussion was confined chiefly to the question as to what would be the most expedient attitude for us to maintain toward the question whenever circumstances called for a stand to be taken. It seemed to be the prevailing opinion that this matter could generally be left to the individual concerned and the occasion. The resolution was adopted with no dissenting voice.
Resolution 3 was adopted without discussion.
While the question was pending on the adoption of resolution 4, the Conference took an adjournment to such time as the chairman should convene them again.
EIGHTH MEETING, Nov. 7, 2:30 P. M.—The brethren were led in devotional exercises by Eld. R. M. Kilgore. Record of previous meeting approved. The question before the Conference being on the adoption of the fourth resolution, the motion unanimously prevailed. The following additional resolution was then introduced:—
“Whereas, The third angel’s message has been committed to us to give to the world, and we now have but three laborers in Great Britain where there are forty millions of English speaking people; therefore—
5. “Resolved, That, in consideration of the magnitude of the work to be done in Great Britain, it is our duty to send two more able ministers to engage in the work in that mission.”
Some earnest words were spoken in reference to the subject involved in this resolution, and our duty in regard to sounding the warning to the earth’s remotest bounds, and the motion to adopt was heartily sustained.
The Committee on Fields of Labor then presented a partial report as follows:—
Your committee appointed to consider the wants of destitute fields, would report as follows:—
“Recommendation 1. That Eld. S. H. Lane and wife go to England to take a leading part in the British mission, and the printing work of that mission.”
“Rec. 2. That Eld. R. F. Andrews be sent to the British mission, to labor in Scotland and Ireland, as the way may open.”
“Rec. 3. That W. C. White go to Europe when the proper time arrives, and assist in the publishing work.”
“Rec. 4. That Eld. R. M. Kilgore take the Presidency of the Illinois Conference, made vacant by the resignation of Eld. Andrews.”
“Rec. 5. That Eld. M. B. Miller go to Texas, and take the Presidency of that Conference.”
“Rec. 6. That Eld. J. D. Pegg go to Texas to labor in that Conference.”
“Rec. 7. That West Virginia be united to the Ohio Conference, and that Eld. C. H. Chaffee move to and labor in that field.”
“Rec. 8. That we accept the generous offer of the Indiana Conference to furnish a tent to West Virginia.”
“Rec. 9. That Arkansas be united to the Missouri Conference, and that Eld. J. G. Wood labor for a time in that field; that Eld. G. G. Rupert visit Alabama and spend as much of the winter there as possible; also that Bro. Blackmon of Missouri join him in labor in that field.”
“Rec. 10. That Eld. Butler spend the greater part of the winter in Battle Creek, laboring especially for the church, the College, and our other institutions located there.”
“Rec. 11. That Eld. E. R. Jones go to the Pacific Coast to labor in California or the northern Conferences, as the wants of the cause may demand.”
“Rec. 12. That Eld. Wm. Ostrander take the Presidency of the Colorado Conference when Eld. Jones goes to California.”
“Rec. 13. That Eld. H. W. Decker go to the Upper Columbia Conference in time to attend their next camp-meeting.”
“Rec. 14. That Eld. S. N. Haskell go to California in time to attend the fall camp-meeting, and as soon after this as possible go to Australia to superintend the establishing of a mission there; and that Eld. J. O. Corliss and other laborers who may be selected go at the same time to labor in the mission.”
W. C. WHITE, O. A. OLSEN, W. H. LITTLEJOHN, G. G. RUPERT, R. CONRADI, Com. on Destitute Fields.
Recommendations 1 and 2, after affecting remarks by the parties mentioned in them, and the delegates from Indiana and Illinois, were adopted. By request recommendation 14 was next taken up for consideration, when the following substitute was offered by Eld. Butler:—
“That Eld. S. N. Haskell, as soon as possible, go to Australia to superintend the establishment of a mission there; and that Eld. J. O. Corliss and other laborers who may be selected go at the same time to labor in the mission; and that Eld. Haskell return at least early enough to attend the California camp-meeting in 1886.”
While the question was pending on the substitution of the foregoing for the original recommendation of the committee, the Conference adjourned to call of the Chair.
NINTH MEETING, Nov. 9, 2:30 P. M.—Prayer by Eld. R. F. Andrews. Before resuming the regular business, on a tacit suspension of the rules, a little time was taken to consider the question of the continuation of this Conference. It was finally decided by vote that the delegates make no arrangements for the future which will interfere with their remaining at this meeting two weeks longer.
The regular business being resumed, and the question pending, being on the adoption of the substitute for the 14th recommendation of the Committee on Fields of Labor, offered by Eld. Butler, after some discussion, the substitute was withdrawn. The question being now on the adoption of the original recommendation, it was seriously objected to by some and urged by others. After remarks by Elds. Haskell, Butler, White, and Waggoner, it was referred back, without instructions, to the committee.
Recommendation 3 was then read, and the following substitute was offered by Eld. Butler:—
“That Eld. W. C. White go to Europe to assist in the purchase of machinery for our houses in Bale, Switzerland, and Christiana, Norway, and in the placing of the publishing work there on the proper basis, and in counseling and assisting in all branches of the work in Europe.”
This substitute was by vote accepted, and the recommendation was then adopted.
Recommendation 4 was then adopted.
Recommendations 5 and 6 were referred back to the committee.
Recommendations 7, 8, 9, and 10 were adopted without much discussion, and the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TENTH MEETING, Nov. 10, at 2:30 P. M.—Eld. J. H. Waggoner opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The regular business being further action on the report of the Committee on Fields of Labor, the remaining recommendations, Nos. 11, 12, and 13 were adopted without discussion.
The following resolution was then presented and after brief discussion adopted:—
Whereas, We realize that there is no neutrality in the cause of God, and that they who gather not with Christ scatter abroad, and that they who do not work weaken and discourage those who do work; and we know that there are many, especially in Battle Creek, whose lives are unprofitable in their present position; therefore—
6. Resolved, That we request and urgently call upon those who are doing no work in the cause here, to move to destitute fields where they may be of service to the Master; and further—
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to canvass the Sabbath-keepers and report to the Conference or to the church, the names of those who it may appear have a duty to the cause in this respect.
On motion of Eld. Rupert, Eld. Waggoner was requested to preach a sermon to the Battle Creek church on the subject of this resolution at some time during this session of the Conference.
The Committee on Licenses presented their report, recommending that credentials and licenses be granted, as follows: For credentials, Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, J. Fargo, W. C. White, O. A. Olsen, J. G. Matteson, B. L. Whitney, Mrs. E. G. White, A. A. John, A. B. Oyen, M. C. Wilcox, J. H. Durland, Wm. F. Killen, L. P. Hodges, S. H. Kime; for licenses, A. A. Meredith, W. R. Foggin, E. Hoff, Wm. M. Baird, J. R. Wait, N. B. England; for ship missionary, Geo. R. Drew.
The report was amended by adding for credentials the names of R. F. Andrews, E. G. Olsen, and S. H. Lane, and then adopted.
The desire having been expressed by certain ones to present to the Conference some theological views which were to them of great interest, it was—
Moved, That the Chair appoint a Committee of eight to act with himself, to consider any theological questions which may be brought before it.
This motion prevailing, the Chair appointed as said committee, S. N. Haskell, J. H. Waggoner, U. Smith, W. C. White, R. F. Cottrell, D. M. Canright, I. D. Van Horn and E. W. Farnsworth.
It was further—
Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of four to act with the General Conference Committee to consider a plan of more perfect co-operation between the publishing houses in Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal.—Carried.
The Chair appointed as said committee, S. H. Lane, E. W. Whitney, R. A. Underwood, and Dan T. Jones.
A communication from Norway concerning the publishing interest in Christiana and the plan of the European Council in reference to the further prosecution of the work there, was read and referred to the General Conference Committee.
An interesting communication from Eld. D. T. Bourdeau respecting the progress of the work in France, and the encouraging prospect before the cause there, was read, after which the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ELEVENTH MEETING, Nov. 11, 2:30 P. M.—Prayer by Eld. H. Nicola. Minutes read, and with one correction approved.
The Nominating Committee reported, recommending that the following persons be chosen to the offices named: For President, Eld. Geo. I. Butler; Secretary, U. Smith; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. J. Chapman; Treasurer, A. R. Henry; Executive Committee, Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, O. A. Olsen, W. C. White, and J. Fargo.
The report of the committee was adopted, as the voice of the Conference.
The subject of the preparation of a new hymn book for the general use of our people, being introduced, it was—
Moved, That a committee of five be appointed to draw up a plan of action on which this work should proceed. This motion prevailed.
The Committee on Fields of Labor further reported as follows:—
“Recommendation 15. That the recommendation for Eld. M. B. Miller to go to Texas be withdrawn.”
“Rec. 16. That Eld. J. D. Pegg go to Texas to labor under the direction of Eld. Kilgore until the next Texas camp-meeting.”
“Rec. 17. That Eld. J. F. Hanson labor in Chicago as much as his other duties will permit.”
“Rec. 18. That Eld. J. C. Mickelson go to Kansas, and labor among the Scandinavians there.”
“Rec. 19. That Eld. G. G. Rupert spend several months in North Carolina, as the way may open, and that he labor in other southern fields as the General Conference Committee may advise.”
“Rec. 20. That Ontario be a mission field, and that Eld. T. M. Stewart go there to labor.”
“Rec. 21. That Delaware and Maryland be a mission field, and that Eld. O. F. Guilford go to this field to develop and establish the work.”
“Rec. 22. That Eld. J. S. Shrock go to Pennsylvania to labor among the Germans, and that Eld. Conradi go with him for a time to assist and counsel in the work.”
On a motion to adopt, recommendations 15 and 16 were sustained. An amendment to No. 17 was offered by adding that the Scandinavian church in Chicago be transferred from the Wisconsin Conference to the Illinois Conference. This was ruled out of order as not coming within the province of the committee’s action. A motion to lay the recommendation on the table was lost, and the recommendation was adopted. The remaining recommendations of the report passed without extended discussion.
At this point another resolution was offered as follows:—
7. Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude that the way is opening to extend our work into Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and other destitute fields in this country, as well as in the Province of Ontario, in Scotland, Ireland, etc.; and we suggest that the attention of those friends who are acquainted with these fields, and who may be able to give counsel in regard to them, be specially called to this part of the work.
The adoption of this resolution was moved, when the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TWELFTH MEETING, Nov. 12, 2:30 P. M.—Prayer by U. Smith. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The pending question being on the adoption of resolution 7, it was spoken to by Eld. S. N. Haskell, and adopted.
The committee called for in resolution 6, was appointed as follows: S. H. Lane, R. A. Underwood, C. L. Boyd.
The committee on hymn book was appointed as follows: I. D. Van Horn, H. W. Decker, M. H. Brown, R. F. Andrews, and Wm. Ostrander.
The Committee on Fields of Labor completed their report as follows:—
“Recommendation 23. That Eld. F. D. Starr go to the North Pacific Conference.”
“Rec. 24. After more mature consideration, we recommend that Eld. H. W. Decker go to California so as to labor several months in that State before attending the Upper Columbia camp-meeting.”
“Rec. 25. That, in view of the great importance of spreading the truth to earth’s remotest bounds, and of opening a mission in Australia as soon as possible, Eld. S. N. Haskell go to Australia next May, taking with him a competent corps of laborers to establish a mission, and that he return in time to attend the next General Conference.”
“Rec. 26. That, in view of Eld. Haskell’s going to Australia, Eld. E. W. Farnsworth go to New England to labor.”
“Rec. 27. Also, that Eld. D. M. Canright go to labor in New England, after attending some general meetings in various Conferences with Eld. Butler.”
“Rec. 28. That Eld. J. O. Corliss and Bro. Wm. Arnold prepare to go with Eld. Haskell to Australia.”
“Rec. 29. That Northern Dakota from the 46th parallel be united to the Minnesota Conference.”
“Rec. 30. That Eld. G. C. Tenney labor in this field, and with Eld. O. A. Olsen, as he may be needed, in general meetings.”
“Rec. 31. That Kentucky and Tennessee interchange laborers as the presidents of these Conferences may agree.”
After the adoption of recommendation 23, No. 24 was amended by recommending that P. H. Cady be added to the Wisconsin Conference Committee, and that Eld. Breed be chairman of the committee on Eld. Decker’s departure. As amended, it was carried. All the remaining recommendations were adopted without dissent.
Moved by Eld. S. H. Lane, That Michigan be invited to furnish North Carolina a brand new 50-foot tent by the first of May next.—Carried.
Eld. J. H. Waggoner moved the adoption of the following resolution:—
Whereas, We have received light from the Testimony of the Spirit that the health reform is a part of the present truth, and it having suffered neglect, both from our ministers and people; therefore—
8. Resolved, That we urge upon all our people, both ministers and churches, the duty and necessity of renewing their interest in this important subject; and we further request that articles on this subject be again published in our church paper.
This being heartily adopted, the matter of an improved form of diary for ministers was introduced by Eld. E. P. Daniels, when it was—
Moved, That a committee of five be appointed to take the matter into consideration, and report at this session of the Conference.—Carried.
The following brethren were appointed as said committee:—
E. P. Daniels, G. K. Owen, J. H. Waggoner, S. H. Lane, and R. M. Kilgore.
Moved, That the General Conference Committee take into consideration the circumstances of the Chicago mission, and make such recommendation concerning it as they may deem necessary.
Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of three to present a plan for the preparation of a book containing a full list of the shareholders in our various incorporated institutions.—Carried.
W. C. White, U. Smith, and J. H. Waggoner were appointed as this committee.
Moved, That the matter of the Year Book for 1885 be referred to the foregoing committee.
Adjourned to the call of Chair.
U. SMITH, Sec.  GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres.
(To be continued.)