THE CLOSE OF THE MEETINGS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 25, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 47

THE CLOSE OF THE MEETINGS.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, just three weeks from the day of its commencement, closed the twenty-third annual session of the General Conference. This is the longest time ever before spent in our meetings of this nature; but during almost every moment some important proceeding was in progress.

The brethren bestowed much prayerful consideration upon all the steps taken, and we confidently anticipate that the future will demonstrate the wisdom of the moves that have been made. One of our ministers well described the situation when he remarked that a wonderful amount of thought had been packed into that Tabernacle during the past three weeks.

Eight organizations have held their anniversary meetings during this time; namely, the General Conference, Publishing Association, Health Institute, Educational Society, Sanitarium Improvement Company, International Tract Society, General S. S. Association, and the Health and Temperance Society.

In each of these organizations there were from two to five standing committees, besides many special committees, making in all perhaps some thirty committees, who had their duties to attend to between the public meetings. From these facts the reader can gather something of an idea of the amount of work which has been done. But all have been cheerful and hopeful in their labors and harmony and brotherly love to an unwonted degree have prevailed. All have felt that they were engaged in a work which had the word of God for its basis, the testimony of passing events, backed up by all the history of the past, as the evidence of its truthfulness, and the salvation of souls in the soon-coming kingdom of God, as its object; and as the time for labor is short, all should make the utmost of their opportunities, their strength, and ability to be workers together in this great enterprise. The earnest efforts of Sr. White for the good of those present, fell behind in no degree her efforts on any other occasion. Her words of counsel, exhortation, and instruction have been esteemed of inestimable worth by those who have heard them. We trust they may yet be laid before the readers of the REVIEW.

At this writing the brethren have largely departed to their various fields of labor, from which we trust they will keep our readers apprised of their movements and success, by frequent reports. The General Conference Committee still remain, and Eld. Haskell gave an earnest discourse last Sabbath on how to best improve our talents, that our work may be approved of the Master at the last.

The discourses of leading brethren, of which we have not time to speak individually, have been able efforts, presenting truth in a very impressive manner.

The question of holding property as a Conference, which has for years been seen to be very desirable, seems now to be in a fair way of solution in a very practical and simple manner, as will be seen in the report concerning this matter in the business proceedings, in another column.

Brethren will be glad also to learn that the Year Book is to be continued in a form to be of more utility and practical convenience to the different Conferences than before. We trust the matter will be furnished for it in season that it may be issued without delay.

We are glad Eld. Butler has spoken more at length of this good Conference, in this paper; and to his remarks for other particulars we take pleasure in referring the reader.