THE twenty-eighth annual session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which met in Battle Creek, Mich., October 18, closed November 5, having held twenty meetings. A great deal of important business was transacted, a part of which was the adoption of a new constitution, which provides that hereafter "this Conference shall hold a regular session every alternate year, reckoning from 1889." It also provides that "the Executive Committee may call extra sessions." It follows that unless this be done next year, the next General Conference will be held in 1891.
The basis of representation has also been changed, the new constitution providing that each local Conference shall be entitled to one delegate in the General Conference, and one additional delegate for every four hundred church members in the Conference. The former basis was one delegate for every three hundred members.
The building of a missionary ship was authorized, and C. H. Jones, C. Eldridge, and J. I. Tay were appointed a committee to carry out the will of the Conference in this particular.
The Conference officers for the next two years are: President, O. A. Olsen; Recording Secretary, W. H. Edwards; Corresponding Secretary, D. T. Jones; Foreign Mission Secretary, W. C. White; Educational Secretary, W. W. Prescott; Treasurer, Harmon Lindsay; Executive Committee, O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, D. T. Jones, R. A. Underwood, R. M. Kilgore, E. W. Farnsworth, E. H. Gates, A. T. Robinson.
The following brethren constitute the Book Committee: O. A. Olsen, W. C. White, U. Smith, A. T. Jones, C. Eldridge, J. H. Kellogg, W. W. Prescott, E. W. Farnsworth, C. H. Jones, E. J. Waggoner, A. T. Robinson, F. E. Belden, L. C. Chadwick.
The officers of the International Tract Society are as follows: President, L. C. Chadwick; Vice-President, D. T. Jones; Recording Secretary, T. A. Kilgore; Foreign Corresponding Secretary, M. L. Huntley; Home Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. F. H. Sisley; Assistant Secretaries, Eliza T. Palmer, Mrs. D. T. Jones, Addie S. Bowen, Anna L. Ingels, H. P. Holser, W. A. Spicer, Mary Heilesen, Mrs. N. H. Druillard, Josie L. Baker, Mrs. M. H. Tuxford; Executive Board, L. C. Chadwick, D. T. Jones, O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, D. A. Robinson, W. C. Sisley, C. Eldridge, A. T. Robinson.
The officers of the Sabbath-school Association are the same as last year, with the exception that Roderick S. Owen was chosen Vice-President.
THE "SABBATH-SCHOOL WORKER."
By C. H. Jones
THOSE of our readers who are acquainted with this valuable Sabbath-school journal, will be glad to learn that during the next year, beginning with January, 1890, it is to be published monthly instead of quarterly. This is done in compliance with the wish expressed by so many at the late session of the International Association, and also in order to meet the demand for greater facilities for giving instruction and educating workers in this important branch.
The Sabbath-school Worker is the only journal published by Seventh-day Adventists wholly devoted to the interests of the Sabbath-school, and while it gives special attention to the wants of officers and teachers, yet it will be so conducted as to be interesting and profitable to all. In every church and community there are young people growing up and coming to the age of maturity, as well as many older persons who may soon be called upon to bear responsibilities in connection with the Sabbath-school. These should have the benefits to be derived from the study of just such a journal as this, and thus be preparing themselves to bear some of the burdens which now rest so heavily upon others.
The scope of the Worker for the coming year will be greatly enlarged. In addition to the quarterly reports, and the special instruction given under the headings, "Special Mention," "Talks with Correspondents," "Hints to Primary Teachers," etc., there will be general articles from prominent Sabbath-school workers in different parts of the country, treating upon the different phases of the work. Particular attention will also be given to missions and missionary enterprises, especially those to which Sabbath-school contributions have been donated. In fact, the publishers will spare no pains to make this a live Sabbath-school journal.
The Worker will contain sixteen pages. Price, 50 cents per year, post-paid. Address all orders to Sabbath-school Worker, Oakland, Cal.
C. H. JONES,
Pres. Int. S. S. Association.
The Story of Eden
By Editor
The worldly wisdom of the present, as also the trend of many religionists, is well shown in the following question and answer from the Christian Union:—
“A friend, writing in dissent from the explanation in a religious journal of the story of Eve in Eden as history, closes thus with an inquiry: I have much use for the story of Eden as an allegory, but if I must regard it as actual history or be cast out as an unbeliever, I shall ‘take to the woods.’ What say you?”
“We do not think that you will be disturbed. Even conservative scholars now hold the view that the early part of Genesis contains some ‘spiritualized legends.’”
No, the friend will not be disturbed, in all probability, by the religious teachers of to-day. It is worth something to us to know that every reference in the New Testament is to the effect that the story of the creation and fall are historical facts. It is just as true in these days as in Paul's time that men by wisdom know not God.
The Teaching of Modern Spiritualism
A WRITER in the Golden Gate of the 9th instant, in speaking of "our nearest neighbors in spirit life," says of those who people the first sphere:—
"The first sphere knows not the first word of harmony, and is the prison of spirits in whose hearts reign only the vilest passions. This sphere must of necessity remain what it is at the present, until the earth from which it is born, becomes the home of people who have become a law unto themselves, and have removed from their midst the dismal den of felons, when it will take the appearance of a waiting-room."
What a hope is this! When men "become a law unto themselves," then we shall see evil eliminated! But that is just what brings evil. Just as long as man has no higher standard than himself the tendency is downward. His aspirations will be no higher than his own imaginations; his gods will but reflect his own image. Nothing in all this world produces discord, vileness, wickedness, and every other evil, equal to such a law as this. A law unto one's self means as a result the works of the flesh. Gal. 5:19-21. This is the teaching of modern Spiritualism.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSONS.
By C. H. Jones
THE lessons for the senior division of our Sabbath-schools for the first quarter of 1890 will be a continuation of the study of the letter to the Hebrews. These lessons will be published in pamphlet form as one number of the "Bible Students' Library." Price, 5 cents, post-paid.
At the last meeting of the International Sabbath-school Association the following resolution was adopted:—
"WHEREAS, The publication in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and the Review and Herald of the questions on the Sabbath-school lessons, together with the Scripture texts, printed in full, opens the way for the superficial perusal of the lessons, without going to the Bible itself, thus lowering the grade of scholarship in our schools; therefore,
"Resolved, That we request the above-named papers to substitute for the publication of the lessons in full in their columns, extended notes on the same."
It is expected that these papers will comply with this request, and thus it will be necessary for all members of the senior division to supply themselves with lesson pamphlets.
The advantages to be gained by studying the lesson directly from the Bible, simply using the lesson pamphlet for questions and notes, are too apparent to require further comment.
We have been unavoidably delayed in getting this series of lessons examined and made ready for the printer, but if all will act promptly the entire membership may be supplied with lesson pamphlets before the beginning of the quarter. We trust that the officers of every school will give this matter their early attention, and that orders will be forwarded promptly.
Address all orders to Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal., or to your State T. and M. Society.
C. H. JONES,
Pres. Int. S. S. Association.
Seventh-day Adventist Year Book, 1889–90
By Editor
THE "Seventh-day Adventist Year Book of the California Conference for 1889-90" is now ready and should be in the hands of every member of the denomination on this coast, as it contains much valuable information not to be found in any other publication. It contains the proceedings of the eighteenth annual session of the California Conference, the minutes of the nineteenth annual meeting of the Tract Society, including the new constitution, the proceedings of the State Sabbath-school Association, and the minutes of the Health and Temperance Society, besides a report of the churches for the year, and a general directory of all the ministers and other laborers in the Conference. Price, 10 cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
A Request to California Conference Laborers
By John Norton Loughborough
NOTICE.—I would be pleased to hear from all the California Conference laborers immediately. Direct to East Portland, Oregon, Box B 2. This will be my address up to December 5. After that, as usual, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
THE HONOR DUE TO GOD.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
BY ELD. E. J. WAGGONER.
THIS is a candid examination of the question as to what the Lord expects from his children as an acceptable manifestation of gratitude for his gifts and care. It treats the important subject of tithes and offerings in a new and interesting way. Its arguments are clear and concise. It is a plain and faithful presentation of the truth of God's word on this subject. It ought to be in every house, and carefully studied by all who love the Lord and his appearing.