At the final meeting of the conference proper, held last evening, August 11, about one thousand persons were present. From the opening day of the conference, July 31, the outside interest gradually increased. As the chief speaker could be heard by only about seven hundred persons in and around the large pavilion, it was necessary to hold an open-air “overflow” meeting, during which three hundred persons gave good attention to the words of life for fully three quarters of an hour.
Many pronounce this the most wonderful meeting we ever held in Great Britain. The workers were united. The special truths for these special times were proclaimed in an especially emphatic manner. Such topics as, “The Second Coming of Christ,” “The Nature of Man,” “Spiritualism,” “The Fate of the Wicked,” “The Judgment,” “The Law of God,” “Who Changed the Sabbath?” “Righteousness by Faith,” “The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation,” and the “Signs of the End,” still have power to stir men’s hearts when presented in the demonstration of the Spirit.
Mormonism, Dowieism, and many other “isms” are making rapid headway in this field. There is a desire for the supernatural, the miraculous, the marvelous. There is also a settling down into the formal, lifeless, outward ceremonialism, and a growing disbelief in the divine authorship and authenticity of the Scriptures. Many of the people trust in their ministers, and many of their ministers do not trust in the Word of God.
The work done at the North England Conference demonstrates that God yet has a people on earth, and that that people is hungering and thirsting for righteousness, and that when the true, primitive gospel is preached, men’s souls will be stirred by it, men’s hearts will be converted to God.
As we now leave this city and the laborers who are to remain, we feel deeply concerned that they may go forward in the fear of Jehovah, and reap a rich ingathering of such as are “being saved.” Acts 2:47, R. V.
The conference laborers did what they could for the success of the meetings, and valuable help was rendered by Elders L. R. Conradi, O. A. Olsen, J. O. Corliss, A. F. Ballenger, and W. A. Westworth, and Drs. David Paulson, A. B. Olsen, and Eulalia Sisley.
There were a few sessions of the British Union Committee, in which things pertaining to finance, and to gospel, educational, and health work were carefully considered. It was impressed upon all that strenuous efforts must be made to put our work on a self-supporting basis; that what the people need is the clean-cut message for this time; that we must educate our native-born young men and young women for the work in the home and the foreign field; and that the health principles which God has given us are to enlighten the world, and be a mighty factor in preparing a peculiar people to give the “loud cry.”
The work of the Health Association was more clearly defined than it had been heretofore. This society will act as a union society for the United Kingdom. Its office will be largely administrative. It will be the legal holder of the sanitarium and medical missionary property in Great Britain. It will act as a distributor of the funds which may be received on rents, etc., and thus see that each health institution shall receive its share of attention and financial help. This will prevent one institution from becoming too fully self-centered. Before heavy outlays for improvements can be made in one place, the association will investigate the needs of the sister institutions in the field. The sanitarium which may have far the better advantage as to equipment, payment of rent, or patronage, will thus be called upon to assist the less fortunate member of the institutional family. This is really the basis upon which things are operated on the Continent, and this basis is good for the institutions, and it is good for the people, as it inculcates correct gospel principles.
The business of the North England Conference passed off pleasantly. The best, and most brotherly feelings were manifested by the workers and by the lay members. When the conference was organized last year, no constitution was provided: this year that matter was taken up, and a constitution was heartily adopted.
Appropriate resolutions were passed, expressing thanks to God for his protecting care over the conference the past year; acknowledging the liberal spirit of our brethren in America who have so generously assisted the North England Conference; urging the individual members of the conference to do all in their power to help the officers in their efforts to make the conference self-sustaining; recommending the formation of a legal union organization that shall hold all the conference property, and the turning over of all the properties of the North England Conference to the called-for legal association; encouraging the young people of North England to attend Duncombe Hall Missionary College, and starting an educational fund for the assistance of worthy students (about one hundred dollars was raised at the time); pressing home upon the people the need of greater activity in the circulation of our gospel and health literature; establishing a conference poor fund to help pay the expense of keeping worthy poor members at the sanitarium, in cases where neither the relatives of the sick nor the church to which the sick belong can render the necessary financial aid; calling for greater liberality in missionary offerings; requesting the British Union Conference to provide uniform report blanks for the making of conference reports and the keeping of church and conference records, and enjoining upon church clerks, secretaries, and librarians, faithfulness in the matter of filling out such blanks and forwarding them promptly to the proper persons; and fostering the church-school work, where it is established and carried on under the supervision of the conference committee, and supported from local church funds.
Ministerial credentials were given to E. E. Andross, M. A. Altman, S. G. Haughey, J. W. McCord, D. A. Parsons; ministerial license to A. S. Marchus; and missionary licenses to C. H. Castle, J. Brandt, E. Bartlett, C. Sanders, J. F. Bacon, E. Cousins, Mrs. C. H. Castle, Mrs. L. A. Parsons.
Two new churches were received into the conference. One of these is the Leeds church, with thirty-five members; the other is located at Hull, and has about thirty members. Eleven candidates were baptized at the meeting. There were fifty-three baptized during the year, and the conference membership is now three hundred and sixty. Its tithe for the year ending June 30, 1903, was about $5,200; S. S. donations, $215; annual offerings, $70; First-day offerings, $65. The finances of the North England Conference are in good condition.
Those who enjoyed the privilege of sojourning for a few days in the beautiful city of Leicester (the former home of William Carey), and attending the meetings held on the camp-ground on Foose Road, South, will long be thankful that God met with them so truly and so willingly, and blessed them so abundantly. May the peace of God be with our brethren in this field, and their work go forward in mighty power.
Mission Notes
BROTHER KETRING, reporting the work in Pua, Chile, says that their meetings among the English continue, and of the four families who attend regularly, two are obeying the truth. They have hopes for the other two. They are looking to the Lord for victory. Brother Ketring suggests that they need prayers, as well as men and means. Our brethren and sisters in these needy regions beyond should be continually held before the Lord in prayer. Their work is trying, and we may participate in their victory, if we will.
BROTHER I. G. KNIGHT writes of the interest springing up in his field. He mentions the meeting which he had held in a village where one of our brethren was working. The people were stirred by his godly life, and had bought a few books and tracts. Brother Knight says: “We found an intense interest—so that they begged us to continue meetings with them. A very intelligent Chinaman, who reads and speaks English well, with his wife and daughter, was much interested, and says that if we will build a church, he will give us one hundred dollars toward it, besides helping in the work of building it, as he is a carpenter. They have much to learn about the message yet, but they see the truth on the Sabbath. Another man in the company said, ‘I have been studying this doctrine for some time. I am now convinced that it is the truth, and I want to unite with your church, as you are the people who have the truth.’ One of our brethren who has known him for years says he is a good, honest man. So the truth is finding the souls who shall be saved; and our prayer is that the Lord will through his servants hasten the message.”
Porto Rico
By B. E. Connerly
B. E. CONNERLY
Porto Rico was discovered by Columbus in 1493, and the first settlement was made in San Juan in 1511, nearly four hundred years ago. The island is one third larger than the State of Delaware, but has a population more than five times as great, being one of the most densely populated countries of the world. The island is an agricultural country. Besides the spontaneous growth of fruit, it exports large quantities of tobacco, sugar, and coffee. Large numbers of a good grade of cattle are raised here, chiefly for export to neighboring islands; horses are small, and of an inferior quality. The horse is not so useful here as in other countries, as the farmer uses the hoe instead of the plow, and the machete (a sort of corn-knife) instead of the reaper. The service of the little pack-horse is only required to help market the surplus harvest. When modern methods of cultivation are adopted here, the fertile soil can be made to yield four times more than it does at present.
The Spanish word “Puerto Rico,” signifies rich port, but in the present run-down and uncertain condition of affairs it might far more properly be called “Puerto Pobre” (poor port). Of Porto Rico’s million inhabitants, less than one fourth can read and write; but her thousand teachers under the American system of education will soon make a change.
A GROUP OF PEOPLE, SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO
In matters of religion the people are in a very unsettled condition. Many are really tired of tradition and exacting forms and ceremonies, but being strangers to the gospel of peace, they do not know what to do. How we long to speak the whole gospel to the people in their own tongue! Many who are now turning to the Protestant faith seem to consider the move something like a venture, and if they discover that they have made a mistake, they hope for pardon from the priest, that they may not after all fail of obtaining an entrance by some means into heaven. Our hearts yearn for them as we see them in this unsettled condition, and we long to have the sweet assurances of the Word of God find a place in their hearts; but doubt and fear concerning the Scriptures make it hard for them to receive the blessings of faith. Other denominations are doing a good work in the island, and a religious sentiment is being built up.
It would seem that nature has done all that could be done for her people here. The climate is most delightful, and on fruitful hill and plain may be seen the most abundant evidences of an all-wise and beneficent Father; but Satan is making a desperate effort to keep the truth from entering the island. The first messenger was forced to leave on account of failing health, the second fell a victim to the snares of the enemy, and forsook the truth; the third was laid to rest while in the forefront of the battle, and his mantle has fallen upon us.
Since our last report, we have received many evidences that our paper is already accomplishing a good work, as the letters and inquiries concerning the coming of the Lord indicate that the public mind is being somewhat awakened on this subject. Sister Fischer spent some time in the field, and her experience was most encouraging. There are calls for a school, and for medical missionary work. We feel very much the need of medical missionary help here, as that branch has scarcely been touched in this island, and the need of it is apparent on every side.
East Michigan Conference Proceedings
By J. D. Gowell; E. K. Slade
The first annual session of the East Michigan Conference was held at Flint, Mich., Aug. 26–28, 1903. For one week preceding the conference a meeting was held, and was well attended by the churches from all parts of the conference. During this time some not of our faith manifested considerable interest in the study of the main features of the message for this time. It was a season of refreshing and renewing of courage for our own people. We were much pleased to have with us Elder R. A. Underwood, of Pennsylvania, and Elder I. H. Evans, of the Review and Herald. The labors of these brethren were appreciated by all. At the calling of the conference roll, delegates were seated from nearly all the sixty-three churches.
This report covers a period of only nine months, ending with the conference year, June 30, 1903:—
Churches and companies ........ 63
No. of reports ................ 104
No. of members ............... 1,938
No. of letters written ........ 104
No. of Bible readings held .... 392
No. of letters received ........ 26
No. of subscriptions for periodicals taken ........ 136
No. of periodicals distributed ........ 10,640
No. of pages books and tracts distributed ........ 139,217
Financial Report of the Missionary Department
RESOURCES
July 1, 1903
Cash in bank .................... $1,250.84
Inventory ....................... 1,903.42
Property ........................ 144.50
Church accounts ................. 234.78
Individual accounts ............. 304.91
Labor ........................... 255.00
$4,093.45
LIABILITIES
July 1, 1903
“Christ’s Object Lessons” ...... $ 984.67
East Michigan Conference ....... 326.37
Church accounts ................ 64.08
Individuals .................... 6.79
Present worth, stock ........... 2,711.54
$4,093.45
July 1, 1903
Present worth .................. $2,711.54
Oct. 1, 1902
Present worth .................. 1,568.33
Net gain ............ $1,143.21
Conference Treasurer’s Report
RECEIPTS
Tithe for nine months .......... $11,082.34
Camp-meeting fund .............. 91.27
$11,173.61
DISBURSEMENTS
Labor .......................... $10,028.64
Detroit Mission ................ 140.58
General expense ................ 692.70
Cash on hand, July 1, 1903 ..... 311.69
$11,173.61
Report of Auditor
East Michigan Conference Executive Committee,—
This is to certify that I have examined the books of your treasurer for the year ending June 30, 1903, and find them correctly kept, and the ledger in balance. The deposits in the City National and Review and Herald banks agree with the amounts demanded by the books of record.
W. H. EDWARDS, Auditor,Lake Union Conference.Lansing, Mich., July 17, 1903.
At the first session of the conference it was voted that the Chair be empowered to appoint the usual committees. All the laborers were called together, and in co-operation with them the Chair appointed the following committees:—
On Nominations: Daniel Wood, C. N. Sanders, E. N. Hatt, M. Shepard, B. F. Stureman.
On Resolutions: E. K. Slade, O. F. Butcher, B. F. Stureman.
On Licenses and Credentials: A. R. Sandborn, E. K. Slade, L. T. Dysert, H. L. Cohoon, G. P. Bailey.
Seating Delegates: E. I. Beebe, E. R. Lauda, H. A. Boylan.
Considerable time was given to the consideration of the educational work. The report of the Educational Department by Elder E. K. Slade showed that the work is onward, and that about one third of the churches will have schools the coming year. A general increase in interest in the educational work was reported to exist throughout the conference.
Miss Tillie E. Barr, secretary and treasurer of the Educational Department, reported a successful year’s work in the Sabbath-schools, showing an increase in general interest in the work, as well as an increase in membership and offerings.
The following recommendations were unanimously adopted by the conference:
“Whereas, Christian education is designed of God to prepare our children and youth for the work of God and the coming kingdom, and,—
“Whereas, We have no well-defined financial plan for the support of Christian schools, therefore,—
“1. We Recommend, That an educational fund to the amount of two thousand dollars be raised by the churches of this conference for teachers’ wages in church schools; said fund to be disbursed proportionately to the teachers employed in the conference.
“Whereas, The holding of the conference in connection with the camp-meeting interferes with important needs of both the conference and the camp-meeting, and,—
“Whereas, The Testimonies have repeated the message to separate the camp-meeting from the conference, therefore,—
“2. Resolved, That we divorce the two, and ask the conference committee to arrange, if practicable, to hold the conference in the winter or early spring.
“Whereas, God has been calling the attention of our people to the importance of this message going to the people in the larger cities, and has also shown us that this work has been much neglected, therefore,—
“3. Resolved, That we ask the conference committee for the coming year to give this matter careful thought, and plan for the training of workers to do efficient work.
“Whereas, The canvassing work is a most efficient means for placing the truth in the homes of the people, therefore,—
“4. We Recommend, That a decided effort be made to induce suitable persons to devote their time to the canvassing work, and that a special effort be made to revive the canvassing work throughout the conference.
“5. We Recommend, That the executive committee of this conference place directors in the five districts of the conference to work in the churches in the interest of all branches of the work.
“6. We Recommend, That the constitution be so amended as to change the name of the State canvassing agent to field secretary.
“7. We Recommend, That our executive committee be asked to consider the advisability of holding a ten days’ institute the coming winter for the training of laborers for the canvassing work.
“8. We Recommend, That those who labor in the conference, if not already residing here, make arrangements to move into this conference as soon as convenient.”
Ministerial credentials were given to J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, B. F. Stureman, C. N. Sanders, A. R. Sandborn, J. L. Edgar, R. W. Munson, L. G. Moore, William Ostrander; and ordination and credentials to M. Shepard.
Ministerial licenses were given to E. I. Beebe, O. F. Butcher, F. G. Lane, Delmer Wood, A. J. Harris, Hiram A. Boylan, E. R. Lauda.
Missionary licenses were given to Mina Pierce, Clara E. Kiep, Lucy F. Tyte, Marie P. Harriman, Anna L. Boehm, Tillie E. Barr, Gertrude M. Butcher, Rose V. Gooden, Maude E. R. Lauda, Rose E. Peters, Daniel Wood, H. S. Merchant, H. B. McConnell, L. F. Westfall, Frank Hiner.
The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, J. D. Gowell; Secretary, E. K. Slade; Treasurer, E. I. Beebe; Executive Committee, J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, A. R. Sandborn, B. F. Stureman, Daniel Wood; Superintendent of Educational Department, E. K. Slade; Secretary and Treasurer of Educational Department, Tillie E. Barr; Secretary and Treasurer of Tract Society, Frank Hiner; Field Secretary, H. L. Cohoon; Trustees for the East Michigan Conference, J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, B. F. Stureman, E. N. Hatt, Daniel Wood.
J. D. GOWELL, President,
E. K. SLADE, Secretary.
New York City
By R. H. Martin
CHURCH No. 2.—Some of the brethren of this church have gone out in accordance with the command of the Master in Matt. 28:19, 20, and the Lord has been faithful to his promise. Brother E. M. Kirby, a native of Walker Valley, Ulster Co., N. Y., being very anxious that his friends and relatives there should hear the last message to the world, purchased and fitted out at his own expense a thirty-by-sixty-foot tent, which was taken18charge of by Brother Henry Tonjes as tentmaster; and Brother J. J. Kennedy, one of the elders of our church, while taking his summer vacation went there to do the preaching for two weeks, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord blessed the effort to his own honor and glory by convincing about thirteen souls of the truth of this message, five of whom were baptized. A small company was formed of those who are keeping the true Sabbath of the Lord.
These three brethren—Kirby, Tonjes, and Kennedy—are well satisfied with their effort, as they consider those five souls worth much more than the money, time, and energy expended. Brother Kirby had the joy of seeing his wife baptized, which more than repays him for his part in the work. Brother Tonjes sold many of our publications, among which were a number of our large books, and several copies of “His Glorious Appearing.” One man, a wealthy cigar manufacturer who was spending his summer vacation there, attended the meetings nearly every night, and was so interested that he purchased a whole set of our leading books, and with many others gave his name and address to the brethren, asking them to notify him when meetings were held in the city.
The brethren are also pleased to be able to report that during the rain and wind storm about the middle of September, when most of the tents in this conference were blown down, and much damage was done to property in their immediate vicinity, the wind blowing at about sixty miles an hour, the angel of the Lord faithfully watched over their tent, and not one stake was shaken, although to the finite eye it had no protection or shelter on any side. Praise the Lord for all his goodness to the children of men.
So the good work is going on, and all are satisfied that every humble effort put forth in the name of the Lord will bear fruit to his honor and glory, and we ask the prayers of the Lord’s people everywhere, that we in this great, wicked city may each prove faithful to his trust, and let his light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
R. H. MARTIN.
General Conference Committee Council
The following actions were taken by the General Conference Committee in council, following the proceedings printed in our last issue:—
EDUCATIONAL
1. That an educational department in the REVIEW AND HERALD be established, to be conducted by the Educational Department of the General Conference.
2. That as soon as possible, provision be made in Washington for the training of workers associated with the publishing, sanitarium, and other enterprises called for in this district.
3. That the mission secretary shall visit our training schools in this country this winter, presenting to the students the claims that the great mission fields have upon them, and becoming personally acquainted with young people who are qualifying for missionary service.
4. That we urge all our schools—training, intermediate, and church schools—to do all they reasonably can in concert with the regularly organized conference campaign to revive and carry forward the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.”
5. That we counsel our training schools, in accordance with the instruction of the spirit of prophecy, so to plan their studies that they may give to all passing through the school a substantial and simple training for genuine medical missionary work, and a preparatory course for those contemplating advanced work in medical lines; but we caution against return to the long courses from which all our schools have endeavored to free themselves, the question of granting or not granting degrees not entering into this matter, inasmuch as, with very few exceptions, degrees are not necessary for entrance to medical courses in the many medical schools of this country.
6. That in view of the fact that there are a goodly number of our people who are teaching in the public schools, who have sufficient literary qualifications for our church school work, but who need to study the principles underlying our denominational educational system, we urge upon each of our union conferences the holding of summer schools in connection with their training schools, for the benefit of teachers engaged within the union conference territory.
ON WASHINGTON SANITARIUM ENTERPRISE
1. That a corporation be created under the laws of the State of Maryland to hold, control, and manage the institution.
2. That the corporation be organized as a charitable institution and a non-dividend paying and a non-stock company.
3. That a constituency shall be created consisting of,—
(a) The General Conference Committee.
(b) The Atlantic Union Conference Committee.
(c) The Executive Committees of the Eastern and Western Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Chesapeake, and Virginia Conferences, and the Board of Management of the evangelical work in the District of Columbia and Takoma Park.
(d) Five members to be elected by the Seventh-day Adventist church membership residing in the District of Columbia.
4. That this constituency shall have charge of the affairs of the institution, approve and amend its charter and by-laws, annually elect a board of seven individuals who shall manage the institution in harmony with the by-laws and charter of said corporation, shall name the officers of said board, and shall quarterly receive from said board a statement of receipts and expenditures, and annually a statement of its operations.
5. That the officers of the General Conference Committee appoint such a committee as required by the laws of Maryland, for the incorporation of the sanitarium.
ON FINANCE
1. That the apportionment already made to the union conferences be paid as soon as possible to the General Conference Association, and that the unprovided part of the obligations of the General Conference Association and the General Conference be met by an appropriation of ten per cent from the general funds each year until said obligations are canceled.
2. That the General Conference arrange to furnish General Conference representatives to visit local conferences, laboring in connection with their officers in general meetings and from church to church as their time may permit, believing that they will thus become more familiar with the work of each, and so be of mutual benefit.
3. That the appropriation of the Canadian Union Conference be raised from $3,600 to $4,100.
4. That the conference committees make careful study of the recommendation adopted at the last General Conference respecting the subject of finance, and that suitable information and instruction be furnished the churches.
5. That our people generally be encouraged to respond to the calls that come through the recognized channels for funds with which to carry forward the gospel in both home and foreign fields, but that they be guarded in giving to irresponsible parties, or for enterprises not approved by the denomination.
6. That the General Conference Committee in making appropriations for the coming year give favorable consideration to the request from the Canadian Union Conference for special appropriations to the Ontario Industrial School and the Canadian Sanitarium.
7. That the Treasury Department be organized to carry on an aggressive financial policy, and that the treasurer, as soon as he can be relieved from other duties, devote his entire time to the finances of the General Conference.
8. That the department endeavor to place with every family literature that will keep them continually informed concerning the progress of the message in the fields operated by the General Conference, and that occasional statements be published showing the condition of the funds. That our agency to be used by the department in this be our General and Union Conference papers.
9. In order fully to meet the appropriations made for the work in the foreign fields—
(a) That a special effort be made by all of our laborers from now until the close of the year to encourage large contributions from our Sabbath-schools, and to stimulate a faithful carrying out of the ten-cent-a-week plan.
(b) That we request the officers of all union conferences, who can do so, to donate surplus funds for this purpose.
(c) That the amount which shall accrue to the Mission Board through the sale of the extra Signs be used for the same purpose.
INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, OF COLLEGE VIEW, NEB.
(a) That we indorse the creation of the International Publishing Association according to the plan adopted, and herewith submitted, as follows:—
“1. That a publishing association be incorporated which shall be organized as a trustee association, which shall be a non-stock and non-dividend paying association, to carry on this work (among the Germans, Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians in America).
“2. That the name of this association be the International Publishing Association.
“3. That the work of this association be the printing, publishing, purchasing, and sale of religious, health, and educational literature throughout the United States in the German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and other foreign languages, and also to print in the English19for Union College and the Central Union Conference, and to provide facilities for class-room work in general printing instruction in connection with Union College, and that, after the present cylinder press owned by the college, is paid for, it and all other equipment owned in the printing department of the college be turned over to the International Publishing Association.
“4. That the business of the association be governed by a board of seven trustees.
“5. That there be a committee of seventeen counselors, not less than three to be selected from each of the different nationalities; namely, German, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and English; and these to meet once or twice a year with the trustees for the discussion of general plans.
“6. That hereafter the trustees and counselors be elected annually by the following body of electors: the Executive Committees of the General Conference, the Central, Northern, and Southwestern Union Conferences. And inasmuch as the main purpose of this association is to purchase, print, and publish literature in foreign tongues, the majority of the trustees should be elected from the foreign nationalities represented in the same.
“7. That the officers of the three union conferences in the Mississippi Valley, the German and Scandinavian laborers throughout the United States, and the influential brethren everywhere, be encouraged to raise funds for the erection of a modest, but roomy factory, for the purchase of a good book-printing press, and other necessary facilities, and also for the purchase from the Review and Herald of a portion of its stock of German and Scandinavian books.
“8. That the General Conference shall consider the advisability of establishing in New York City a general book store and importing and shipping agency, which shall carry a full line of German and Scandinavian and other translated books for distribution in the Eastern States, and which shall act as our Eastern agents for the importation of books printed in Europe, and for the distribution of books printed in College View.
“9. That the preliminary step for the incorporation of this association be committed to the following persons, whom we have selected to act as the first board of trustees; namely, E. T. Russell, A. Swedberg, T. Valentiner, C. A. Thorp, F. H. Westphal, T. G. Johnson, and J. Sutherland.
“The Advisory Committee of seventeen counselors are N. P. Nelson, L. Johnson, H. Shultz, S. F. Svensson, Fred Johnson, J. J. Graf, C. J. Herrmann, S. Martensen, H. R. Johnson, H. H. Hall, L. A. Hoopes, G. F. Haffner, E. G. Olsen, C. A. Burman, J. G. Walker, and J. Wallenkampf.”
(b) That a general donation of $6,000 for this work be called for the first Sabbath in February, and providing this collection amounts to more than the sum called for, the surplus be donated to the work in Washington, and that each of the papers concerned solicit donations from its own people.
(c) That the committee of seventeen and the board of trustees be recognized as a continuation of the committee on foreign publications in America.
(d) That the matter of the establishment of an importing and shipping house for foreign publications be referred to the General Conference Committee.
DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE
1. That each conference appoint a competent State agent.
2. That he receive the same liberal support morally and financially, as other workers in the conference.
3. That conference committees give attention to the organization and planning for this branch of the work.
4. That each worker laboring among the churches make a special effort in every church to secure suitable persons to enter the canvassing work, promptly reporting any such persons to the State agents.
5. That strong, able men who have succeeded in life, be urged to take up the canvassing work.
6. That we aim to develop a class of trained, competent workers, who shall make the canvassing work their life work.
7. That all our ministers individually, do all they can in selling our literature.
8. That all our churches be encouraged to sell our small publications in their own vicinity.
9. That one or more canvassers’ institutes be held in each conference some time before June 1, 1904.
10. That the conferences adopt a liberal policy in assisting canvassers to and from these institutes.
11. That each conference arrange for special seasons of study and consideration of the canvassing work in the churches, and that suitable readings be prepared by the State agent, president of the conference, and others, and furnished to the various churches.
“CHRIST’S OBJECT LESSONS”
That the union and State conferences take up and push to a finish the coming winter, beginning November 21 and 22, the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” accompanied by the book “Education.”
UNION CONFERENCE MEETINGS
That the following program be recommended for holding the coming union conference meetings:—
Atlantic .................. Nov. 4-
Southern ................. Dec. 31-
Southwestern ........ Feb. 24 to March 2
Central .................... March 4-13
Pacific ..................... March 18-27
Northern .................. April 5-10
Lake ........................ April 12-18
Canadian .................. August
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
That Allen Moon be chairman of the Religious Liberty Department.
That Chicago be the headquarters of the Religious Liberty Department.
That an offering for Religious Liberty work be taken as early in the year 1904 as may be reasonably arranged.
THE ST. LOUIS WORLD’S FAIR
That the following plan be recommended for dealing with the opportunity for effort at the St. Louis World’s Fair:—
1. That the Missouri Conference execute the plans in counsel with the Central Union Conference Committee.
2. That funds be provided by a special collection this winter in the churches of the Central Union, and that a percentage of ten per cent be apportioned from the Religious Liberty offering to be taken early in 1904, the amount to be increased by further appropriation if necessary.
3. That the plan of operation be,—
(a) Literature exhibit, providing for the sale of books and the free distribution of small literature.
(b) Bible work and public effort as the local management may deem advisable.
MISCELLANEOUS
That the Relief of the Schools Committee be constituted as follows: W. C. White (chairman), P. T. Magan (secretary), W. T. Bland, F. Griggs, L. A. Hoopes, C. C. Lewis.
That we request the editors of the REVIEW AND HERALD to publish in that paper a series of articles on church discipline, and the relationship of the church to the members, and the members to the church.
That the issue of the General Conference Bulletin be discontinued, and that the workers’ directory be published in pamphlet form.
That A. P. Needham, of Vermont, be invited to come to Washington to engage in business management in connection with Washington enterprises.
That J. R. Scott, of New York, be invited to engage in evangelical work in Washington, later to connect with Washington enterprises in a business way as occasion demands.
