p. 22 | Review and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 21. (5/26/1903)

A Statement Regarding the Disposition of the Battle Creek College Property

By Arthur G. Daniells; John Harvey Kellogg; I. H. Evans; S. H. Lane; Alonzo T. Jones; Percy T. Magan

At the late session of the General Conference held in Oakland, Cal., the following recommendation was adopted:—

“That the International Medical Missionary Training School Association be requested to deed the old Battle Creek College property to the General Conference Association, to be held by them for the denomination.”

During the council meeting of the General Conference Committee held in Battle Creek immediately following the late General Conference, a joint meeting of the Conference Committee, the trustees of the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, and the Trustees of the International Medical Missionary Training School Association arrived at an agreement concerning the College property, which, although not in the form of the action called for by the resolution adopted by the conference, is practically in harmony with the spirit and purpose of the recommendation. It is therefore proper that there be made to the denomination a statement of the reasons for the agreement arrived at in the joint meeting already mentioned; and in doing this, we will make a brief statement of the transactions from the beginning.

For some time previously to the General Conference of 1901, the Testimonies had directed that the Battle Creek College should be removed from the city to a country place, and the College Board had been planning for such a change, and for the sale of the Battle Creek College property. After much counseling together it was agreed that the property should be bought by the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association for the use of the American Medical Missionary College for the sum of one hundred and six thousand dollars, which sum was to be raised through the Missionary Acre Fund that had been originated by the Medical Missionary Association. This sum would pay all the debts, amounting to eighty thousand dollars, and yield to the College Association about twenty-six thousand dollars. This twenty-six thousand dollars would enable the College to remove from Battle Creek and establish a substantial plant in whatever place might be chosen.

This price of one hundred and six thousand dollars was the estimate of the value of the property that was made by a committee of brethren who were asked to make an appraisement. And though this appraisement was not at the time official, yet when afterward an appraising board was legally appointed, the report which they made as to the amount that should be paid was exactly in accordance with the estimate which had been made by this unofficial committee of appraisers.

Negotiations had proceeded thus far when the General Conference met in Battle Creek in 1901. In that General Conference the question was brought up and considered in open session before the crowded assembly in the Tabernacle. At that time—April 12—among other things on this subject Sister White said:—

“The light that has been given me is that Battle Creek has not the best influence over the students in our school. There is altogether too congested a state

of things. The school, although it will mean a fewer number of students, ought to be moved out of Battle Creek. Get an extensive tract of land, and there begin the work which I entreated should be commenced before our school was established here,—to get out of the city to the place where the students would not see things to remark upon and criticise; where they would not see the wayward course of this one and that one, but would settle down to diligent study. . . . God wants the school to be taken out of Battle Creek. . . .

“Some may be stirred about the transfer of the school from Battle Creek, but they need not be. This move is in accord with God’s design for the school before the institution was established; but man could not see how this could be done. There were many who said that the school must be in Battle Creek. Now we say that it must be somewhere else. The best thing that can be done is to dispose of the school buildings here as soon as possible. Begin at once to look for a place where the school can be conducted on right lines.”

Immediately at the close of that talk by Sister White, a few minutes recess was taken till 11 A. M. At eleven o’clock the Conference was called to order, with Elder G. A. Irwin, then president of the General Conference, in the chair. After prayer, the chairman said: “As it was stated before the intermission, we will continue the line of thought of the forenoon. The subjects under consideration are very important,—not only the sale of the book ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ in the interests of the schools; but also the change of location for the Battle Creek College, getting it into the country where pupils will be away from the many temptations and allurements met with in a place like this. As this is the only time, perhaps, that these points will come up for consideration, it is thought best to continue the consideration of them in this meeting.”

After this opening, Elder S. N. Haskell was the first speaker. And after a few words about the sale of the book “Christ’s Object Lessons,” he said: “But there is another thing I will speak of, and that is the location of the school. I remember the time when the present site was selected for the location of the College here in Battle Creek. I remember also what Sister White then said to her husband, ‘Why do you not go up here and buy the fair ground?’ The fair ground at that time, if I remember aright, contained fifty acres. Brother White said, ‘We have not the money.’”

When they talked the matter over with Sister White, she always said, ‘Get the school on some land outside of the thickly settled city, where the students can work on the land.’ I wanted to say that, in view of what Sister White said here; as I was present at the time.”

Then after several short speeches about the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” the minutes of the Conference proceed as follows:—

“At this point A. T. Jones spoke as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Educational Society, as follows:—

“You heard the word directly—and it needs no explanation and no sanction—that we should get the College out of Battle Creek, and that we should sell the buildings and grounds in Battle Creek just as soon as possible.”

He further said: “This is enough. Why should we hesitate or delay any longer? The International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association is ready to enter into arrangements to take the property at one hundred and six thousand dollars. This will pay all the debts, and leave the College with about twenty-six thousand dollars with which to plant itself in another place. Now I ask, first, all you who are members of the Board of Trustees of the Battle Creek College who are present and are in favor of taking advantage of this arrangement, and accepting this offer, and thus moving Battle Creek College out of this city according to the instruction given, to please rise to your feet.” The vote was unanimous.

Then Elder Jones said to the stockholders: “Will all you who are stockholders of Battle Creek College, who are present, who are in favor of this movement, and who indorse this action of the Board, which has already been taken, please rise to your feet?” This vote was also unanimous. Then as the whole General Conference delegation was present, Elder Jones said to them: “All the General Conference delegation who approve of this transaction will please arise to their feet.” And “the vote to carry out the instruction was unanimous.”

Then in addition to all this, since there were present a large number of people of the denomination from almost all sections of the country, the question was extended to all these, so that the voice of the whole denomination, as nearly as it could ever be possible to obtain it, could be had upon the question. Elder Jones, therefore, addressed the whole assembly, and asked all those who agreed to the arrangements in view, and who indorsed the movement, also to rise to their feet. This was also unanimous; so that neither by the Board, nor by the stockholders, nor by the General Conference delegation, nor by the whole congregation, which was largely representative of the whole denomination, was there a single opposing vote, nor dissenting voice. See General Conference Bulletin, 1901, pages 213-219.

This course was taken by the president of the Board of Trustees expressly in order that the whole subject might be put forever at rest, by sealing the previous negotiations in such a public way that it would be with the approval of everybody that could be in any way concerned, even to the extent of the whole denomination. The matter was so understood on the part of the highest authority; for in a Testimony dated July 10, 1902, in speaking on this very subject, the following words were said:—

“In the most trying times they took their stand, firmly determined to breast every difficulty, and to free Battle Creek College from debt; also, if it were possible, to move the school from Battle Creek. During the General Conference, the way opened for the school to be moved from Battle Creek, with the full approval of our people. . . . It has been a tremendous struggle for them to advance in the face of great financial embarrassment. They have planned, contrived, and devised in every way, with self-denial and self-sacrifice, to bring the school through, and to free it from its burden of debt. Now they begin to see that the way pointed out was the way of the Lord’s leading. This is the lesson that the Lord desires many more to learn.”

Soon after the Conference closed, steps were taken to sell the property and transfer the school to the country, according to the recommendations already quoted. But in doing so, the proposition was modified, and the transaction became somewhat complicated, as will be seen from the following:—

1. In order to effect this sale and transfer, a corporation was formed, known as the International Medical Missionary Training School Association. The constituency of this association is the executive boards of the Michigan Sanitarium and Benevolent Association, the General Conference, the Review and Herald, the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, the Central Educational Association, and the Lake Union Conference. The trustees of the association number six. These trustees are empowered to elect their officers, hold the property of the association, and transact the usual business pertaining to such corporations.

2. The object of this association was to hold the College property in trust, and be responsible to all its creditors for its debts. Its sources of income were the proceeds from the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the Battle Creek College district, and the Missionary Acre Fund from all parts of the United States.

3. The original plan was that the debts of Battle Creek College should be paid by the proceeds from the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and that the money required to purchase Battle Creek College for the American Medical Missionary College should be secured by means of the Missionary Acre Fund; but in order that the building of a school at Berrien Springs might not be delayed, a large portion of the money received on “Christ’s Object Lessons” was advanced to the Berrien Springs school, with the agreement that all such moneys should be returned from the Acre Fund, and applied on the College debt.

4. The Missionary Acre Fund was turned over by the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association to the Training School Association, with the understanding that the Training School Association would deed the property to the Medical Missionary Association as soon as the amount, one hundred and six thousand dollars, agreed upon for its purchase, had been raised.

5. The Training School Association immediately leased the College property to the Battle Creek Sanitarium for the use of that institution and the Medical College.

The details of these transactions not being very fully published, more or less criticism was made by our people regarding the transfer of the property. These criticisms have arisen from a degree of apprehension that has existed regarding the safety of our legally organized institutions and associations. Fears have been entertained that they are not all incorporated upon such a basis as fully to insure them for denominational work under the direction of the body that created them. These fears, and the conditions upon which they are based, as well as the counsel given by the spirit of prophecy, led the General Conference at its last session to appoint a committee of seven, whose duty it is thoroughly to investigate the standing of all our institutions, and make such recommendations regarding any changes that should be effected to make them more secure, as they should deem best. It was because of these considerations that the General

Conference at its last session passed this recommendation:—

These considerations were taken into account in the joint meeting of the General Conference Committee and the trustees of the Medical Missionary Association and the Training School Association held in Battle Creek, May 1, 1903, and the following agreement was adopted:—

“1. That the title to the property remain in the International Medical Missionary Training School Association until all the obligations now standing against the association shall have been liquidated.

“2. That the creditors of the International Medical Missionary Training School Association who have not as yet received promissory notes covering the amounts due them, shall receive the same immediately; that the Review and Herald Publishing Co. shall receive an interest-bearing note for the amount due said company, payable Jan. 1, 1904, and that the Seventh-day Adventist Central Educational Association shall receive a note or notes for the amount of equity due said company, said note or notes, however, to be non-interest bearing.

“3. That the International Medical Missionary Training School Association shall proceed immediately to give to the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association a written instrument of contract and lease for the Battle Creek College property, the lease to be for the term of twenty-eight years, or, if so desired, until the property has been paid for as herein stipulated.

“4. That the Benevolent Association shall raise a sum sufficient to pay the purchase price of the property by means of the Missionary Acre and other plans, devised, or to be devised in the future.

“5. The Benevolent Association is to pay all taxes, assessments, and expense of repairs to keep the buildings in a reasonably good condition.

“6. That the Benevolent Association is to pay to the Training School Company an amount equal to the interest which the Training School has to pay, as stipulated in the contract.

“7. That the Benevolent Association insure the property for forty thousand dollars, said insurance to be made payable to Training School as its interest may appear.

“8. When Benevolent Association has paid for property, it shall receive a deed in fee simple for the property, to be used for the American Medical Missionary College, and the training of medical missionary workers, and its other purposes.

“9. In case of fire loss, such a reduction shall be made in the purchase price as shall relieve the Benevolent Association from loss after taking the insurance into account, the said reduction to be borne by the unpaid equity.”

In all its vital points this arrangement is in harmony with the propositions made at the Conference of 1901; namely:—

1. The International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association practically becomes the purchaser of the Battle Creek College.

2. The International Medical Missionary Training School Association is created as an intermediary to effect the transfer, to secure the funds to pay the creditors, and transact all the business pertaining to the transfer. Its trustees will give its notes to all creditors covering the entire liabilities, and also to the trustees of the Berrien Springs school for the twenty-six thousand dollars of equity.

3. The International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association will place the Missionary Acre Fund in the hands of the Training School Association as its principal resource for meeting its obligations.

4. When the notes mentioned above have been paid, the property will be deeded to the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association for the use of the American Medical Missionary College.

Accordingly this committee of brethren—S. H. Lane, P. T. Magan, and A. T. Jones—have entered with good heart into the work of presenting to the attention of our people in all the United States, and even in all the world, this splendid enterprise of the Missionary Acre to purchase the old Battle Creek College property, and so to establish on a good and sure foundation the American Medical Missionary College. Nearly twenty thousand dollars of this debt is due to the Review and Herald Publishing Association, and the payment of this money as soon as possible will be a great help to that institution, especially since its terrible disaster by fire. We therefore ask all our people everywhere to set apart an acre, consecrated to God, the product of which shall be sacredly devoted to this, in every way, noble enterprise. Whenever circumstances make it impossible to set apart an acre, then let such a portion of an acre be set apart as circumstances will allow, and where circumstances are such that it is impossible thus to devote pieces of ground, then we ask that the same purpose shall in spirit be accomplished by devoting a portion of time and labor—three days in a year—the product of which shall, as in the cases of the others, be devoted to this good work.

Come then, brethren, our people all and everywhere, let us, in the name of the Lord and by his good Spirit, arise and devotedly build, each “over against his own house,” and all unitedly, in this noble enterprise.

A. G. DANIELLS, J. H. KELLOGG, I. H. EVANS, S. H. LANE, A. T. JONES, P. T. MAGAN.

Current Mention

—Cyclonic storms in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma, May 23, caused the death of seven persons and injured many others, besides doing immense damage to crops and buildings.

—Press reports state that Europe is waiting on the next Russian move in the Balkans, and that the crisis in Bulgaria is growing more acute. The situation in Macedonia is no better.

—The Presbyterian creed has been revised by the adoption of eleven amendments to its articles, at the General Assembly at Los Angeles, Cal., May 22. All the changes made were by a nearly unanimous vote. The customary resolutions against Sunday desecration were passed by the Assembly.

—The city of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, was visited by a disastrous conflagration, May 20, which destroyed several industries and two hundred houses, leaving a large portion of the population homeless. The loss amounts to $400,000.

—A report from The Hague says it is stated that the Hotel Vieux Doelen will be purchased as a part of the site for the peace palace which is the gift of Andrew Carnegie. The site is the best at The Hague. The price is $300,000.

—A report from the Philippines states that a large district in the city of Manila was swept by fire, May 20, two thousand houses being destroyed, at a loss of $1,000,000. Eight thousand natives, men, women, and children, are homeless, and are being fed and sheltered by the municipal government.

—Opponents of Socialism report that it is growing with alarming rapidity in Germany, the Socialist vote in 1898 having reached the high total of 2,300,000, while at the present time the leaders of the Conservative, National-Liberal, Anti-semitic, and Agrarian parties have deemed it necessary to combine their forces to stay Socialism's further advance.

—While the inhabitants of New York City and Philadelphia were suffering from heat, which in the former city caused eight deaths and numerous prostrations, May 20, a furious blizzard was raging in Montana, accompanied by a temperature of several degrees below zero. Sheep were abandoned to their fate, and it is estimated that 900,000 perished, causing a monetary loss of several million dollars.

—A Salt Lake City dispatch states that a special grand jury, the second to be called together since statehood was granted Utah in January, 1896, was sworn to-day. The present grand jury is composed of four non-Mormons and three Mormons. It is probable that the polygamy question, revived since the election of Reed Smoot to the United States Senate, will come before the grand jury for investigation. The Utah law provides that an indictment requires the votes of at least five members of a grand jury.

—Recently the Rev. T. J. Moody, a Presbyterian pastor of Newburg, Ind., was elected town clerk, and one of his first cares as a city official was to issue an order for a rigid enforcement of the Sunday law. All places of business were closed, and drug stores were permitted to sell only on the order of a physician. A report states that “the merchants of the town, who have been accustomed to keep open on Sunday, are greatly offended at the action of the minister and clerk. In a sermon Sunday the Rev. Mr. Moody said he knew the Lord was with him in his move, and stated that if closing the town up tight on Sunday killed the town, it would be the best thing for society and the community at large.”

—Clergymen of Elizabeth, N. J., are determined to put a stop to Sunday baseball in that city, and to this end have secured the co-operation of Justice Van Sickel, who recently charged the grand jury to indict the heads of the police department if the latter neglected to enforce the Sunday observance

statutes. Accordingly the police assembled at the ball grounds the following Sunday, where a crowd of 8,000 persons had assembled to witness the game, and arrested the players as soon as the first move in the game had been made. The statute under which the arrests were made relates to the suppression of vice and immorality, and defines Sunday as the Sabbath. We have not learned the outcome of the prosecution.

A Precious Experience

By E. Russell Potter

SOMETIMES one good experience in the canvassing work outweighs by far all the trying experiences we meet.

A few days ago a canvasser was reading to a family some of the precious thoughts from “Christ’s Object Lessons,” when the man (not knowing who published it) inquired what the canvasser thought of the Seventh-day Adventists.

The canvasser replied that he was one himself. The man said, “I can not help it if you are; the Adventists are doing wrong in working when everybody else is worshiping.”

“Of course it is a fact,” said the canvasser, “that the keeping of the seventh day will not save anybody, but obedience does save; and I love the Lord, and really want to do the Lord’s will in everything.”

“Will you not come back for dinner and talk this over?” asked the man. The canvasser accepted the invitation, and immediately after dinner he was asked to prove from the Bible that Saturday is the Sabbath at the present time. He replied, “I do not wish to argue over this matter, but if you will get your Bible, I shall be glad to study it with you.”

After two hours’ study together in a good spirit, the man told his wife that he would like two of those books; so they ordered “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Best Stories.”

Before leaving, the canvasser read a portion of Scripture, and offered prayer. He arose from his knees feeling that God was indeed near, and went on his way rejoicing.

Space will not permit to tell of the many precious experiences that have come to my knowledge of late. But they show the importance of the message which says, “As you visit the people, tell them that you are a gospel worker, and that you love the Lord.”

“While you should not force doctrinal points upon the people, you should be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

“The Bible abounds in practical lessons, which the canvasser may safely present. If he can by this means impart a knowledge of practical religion, he will be feeding the people, who need just such precious food.”

E. RUSSELL POTTER, General Agent of Manitoba.

The Canvasser’s Capital

By J. M. Johanson

MANY of our canvassers, when beginning their field work, are possessors of but little more than their canvassing outfit and a firm conviction that the mission before them is worthy of the best efforts and the greatest sacrifice that man can make in order that perishing souls may hear God’s message of mercy and love.

To all who thus go forth, God says, “I know thy poverty, but thou art rich;” and to every man, however poor he may appear, God has committed a treasure, which, if rightly used, will prove an almost inexhaustible source from which may be drawn, in abundance, means, knowledge, and true happiness; but which, if allowed to lie idle, or if used carelessly, will be certain to bring disappointment, weariness, and discontent, utterly unfitting the holder for the place of usefulness God would have him fill. The name of this treasure is TIME.

Our monthly reports show continually how important it is that we, as workers for God, recognize that our time belongs to him, and that the right or wrong use of our stewardship affects the cause in which we labor, and possibly the salvation of souls, as well as our own best interests.

The reports show that many of our workers are putting in excellent time, and making the most of every opportunity, and their reports are always filled with precious experiences that speak of courage and hope. But they also show that “much more efficient work can be done in the canvassing field than has yet been done,” and that if every worker would make up his mind to put in five full days every week, our present output of books would be almost doubled. Such a sowing of the good seed would speedily strengthen the cause, and bring prosperity to our agents and tract societies.

“Success is not the result of chance or destiny; it is the outworking of God’s own providence, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and persevering effort;” and while it is true that there are difficulties and obstacles all along the way, it is equally true that to the one who, with faith in God, makes the most of time and opportunity, every difficulty, instead of being a stumbling-block and a cause of discouragement, becomes a source of strength and a means of a richer and deeper experience in God’s power to give us the victory and success in our work.

J. M. JOHANSON, General Agent of Australasia.

Silent Messengers

By Editor

Our Books, Tracts, and Periodicals

E. R. PALMER : : : : Editor

Good Prospects in the Southwest

THE following items are taken from an interesting letter just received from Brother Nordyke, manager of the Pacific Press Branch at Kansas City:—

For the week ending May 8 a company of three canvassers in Texas took orders for “The Desire of Ages,” the value of which was $560. That is certainly a good week’s work. As soon as the Keene camp-meeting closes, there will be about twenty canvassers at work in Texas. A small canvassers’ institute has just closed at Afton, I. T., in which four new canvassers have been trained to work with “Great Controversy.” There are about thirty canvassers now at work in the Oklahoma Conference, and about forty in the State of Kansas.

The canvassing work, both as to number of workers and book sales, is in an increasing and satisfactory condition in Colorado.

During the past few weeks the canvassers in Kansas have been taking so many orders for subscription books that the president of that conference, Elder McReynolds, beginning to feel uneasy as to whether the books could be supplied promptly from the Kansas City office, called at our office to investigate, and was thoroughly satisfied on this point.

The outlook for the canvassing work both in the West and in the Southwest is quite encouraging this spring, and we look for a largely increased sale of subscription books this year.

A canvasser in Colorado, working for “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” in one week recently took orders to the value of eighty-four; and he is a beginner. Another canvasser for “Home Hand Book” in the same State took six orders as the result of seven calls.

Summary of the Canvassing Work Reported for April

AGENTS ORDERS VALUE

Atlantic Union Conference

New York .......... 6 308 $616 35 New England ....... 2 31 120 50 Pennsylvania ...... 11 297 952 25 Vermont ........... 2 55 49 05 West Virginia ..... 2 322 95

Southern Union Conference

Georgia ........... 2 99 176 90 Tennessee River ... 7 449 489 75 Alabama ........... 3 94 178 10 Florida ........... 2 33 40 85 Cumberland ........ 4 139 207 00 Carolinas ......... 4 103 149 20 Louisiana ......... 2 30 34 60

Lake Union Conference

Ohio .............. 12 141 742 50 Indiana ........... 7 74 365 00 Wisconsin .......... 3 58 149 85 Northern Illinois .. 2 87 127 65 Southern Illinois .. 9 375 655 65 West Michigan ...... 4 30 65 25 Superior ........... 3 58 313 50

Northern Union Conference

North Dakota ...... 1 53 146 50 South Dakota ...... 4 15 52 00 Minnesota .......... 9 220 278 10

Central Union Conference

Colorado .......... 12 235 497 25 Kansas ............ 29 1,133 1,678 90 Missouri .......... 13 309 865 35

Southwestern Union Conference

Texas .............. 7 386 847 45 Arkansas ........... 2 30 59 50

Pacific Union Conference

California ........ 5 155 254 75 Utah .............. 1 46 217 75 Western Washington 7 84 368 95 Western Oregon ..... 1 10 27 55

European General Conference

Great Britain ..... 70 1,667 2,433 41 Germany ............... 1,764 4,402 46 Denmark ........... 13 287 23

Africa

South Africa ...... 12 398 2,107 76

Australasia

Australia ......... 62 1,003 4,819 82

South America

Brazil ............. 7 150 35

Summary

A. U. C. .......... 23 691 2,061 10 S. U. C. .......... 22 947 1,276 40 L. U. C. .......... 40 823 2,419 40 N. U. C. .......... 14 288 476 60 C. U. C. .......... 54 1,677 3,041 50 S. W. U. C. ....... 9 416 906 95 P. U. C. .......... 14 295 869 00 E. G. C. .......... 83 3,431 7,123 10 Africa ............ 12 398 2,107 76 Australasian U. C. 62 1,003 4,819 82 South America ...... 7 150 35

Grand Totals........340 6,969 $25,251 98

NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS

By Editor

Camp-Meetings for 1903

ATLANTIC UNION CONFERENCE

Maine................................Sept. 3-13

New England.........................Aug. 27 to Sept. 7

New York............................Aug. 27 to Sept. 6

Pennsylvania, Kingston..............June 4-14

Vermont.............................Aug. 20-30

CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE

Ontario, Berlin......................June 18-28

Maritime, Fredericton, N. B..........May 29 to June 8

Quebec...............................August

Newfoundland........................September

LAKE UNION CONFERENCE

Wisconsin, Oshkosh...................Aug. 12-24

NORTHERN UNION CONFERENCE

Manitoba.............................July 1-8

Minnesota, Stillwater................May 29 to June 7

North Dakota, Carrington.............June 23-28

South Dakota, Madison................June 10-21

CENTRAL UNION CONFERENCE

Iowa, Colfax.........................May 28 to June 7

SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE

Arkansas.............................July 17-27

Texas................................July 29 to Aug. 9

Oklahoma.............................Aug. 13-23

PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE

Upper Columbia, Pendleton............May 14-24

Western Washington, Centralia........May 21-31

Western Oregon, Salem................May 28 to June 7

EUROPEAN UNION CONFERENCE

South England, Portsmouth.............May 29 to June 7

Denmark..............................June 9-14

Norway...............................June 16-21

Sweden...............................June 23-28

German Union, Friedensau.............July 2-12

German Switzerland...................July 15-19

French Switzerland...................July 21-26

North England........................July 31 to Aug. 9

The presidents of the various conferences are requested to send us information regarding any meetings not mentioned in the preceding table, so that we may be able to give a complete list. Please inform us at once of any corrections or additions that should be made to this report.

The Camp-Meetings in Iowa and the Two Dakotas

By George I. Butler

As these meetings are rapidly approaching, and as I have written two articles already concerning them, it will not be necessary that I should write a long article. It has been a great disappointment to me that appointments have been made for Iowa and Minnesota so that it will hardly be possible for me to attend the latter. This is personally a matter of deep regret to me, as I had hoped to meet many old friends in that State where I had so often met with them in the past. But it is very difficult for a man to be in two different places at the same time. For many years, in fact as far back as camp-meetings have been appointed, Iowa always had her meeting in the first week in June, sometimes beginning in the very last days of May, and the Minnesota meeting has come a week or two later. As Iowa is my old home State, my friends urged me to come, and I agreed to do so. I must be at that meeting. I have heard nothing from the Minnesota Conference. So, much to my regret, I shall not be able to go to Minnesota. But I shall go to South Dakota, from which urgent invitations have been sent; then to North Dakota. Wisconsin has her meeting in August, so I shall not be able to attend. Doubtless other favored laborers will attend these meetings. I request all who attend the meetings where I shall be present to bring the good old large book of “Hymns and Tunes.” That collection is a great favorite with me. No other can supersede it in my affections. The music is a very important feature of our work. The good old Advent hymns have the right ring in them for my edification.

And now, brethren and sisters, let us all come up to the great convocation. Let us get a little of the spirit of consecration seen in olden times. Think of all Israel coming up from ten to one hundred miles on foot, and returning the same way, and doing this three times a year. I have not forgotten the man in Kansas who came four hundred miles with a team in order to attend the camp-meeting, and he went away about the happiest of any man on the ground. And another couple, a man and his wife, with a lad beside them, tramped over the mountains of North Carolina on foot, a hundred miles each way, and were more than paid for it. Indeed, they seemed about the happiest people on the ground.

The great trouble with our people oftentimes is their indifference to such occasions. Because they interfere with money making, their ease and physical comfort, they do not attend. This is a great, yea, in many cases a fatal, mistake, which some are making. Let us have this year an old-fashioned camp-meeting. I want to see all my old friends of the cause, and become acquainted with a host of others. Will the Lord Jesus “come up to the feast,” do you suppose? Will he not meet with us? He says, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” He never tells us any falsehoods. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” He ever lives to bless and help his people. He loves them “as the apple of his eye.” He longs to meet with us to bless, and to save us to all eternity. The only reason why many of us are lukewarm, indifferent, worldly, carnal minded, and hanging on the brink of ruin is that we do not feel the importance of making the proper use of the means of grace God offers us, the means of grace at our command. His power is already placed within our reach, only we will not reach out for it. Seek it as for hid treasures; hunger and thirst for it. The whole fault is our own. “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life,” he tells us. We are right on the brink of the eternal world. O, how few realize it! But the very ones who specially need the camp-meetings, who are spiritually perishing for the blessings that camp-meetings will give them, are the ones who will most likely stay away. But I must not say more here. But come to the meetings, and you will be likely to hear much more. God lives and reigns. He is the same God that opened and congealed the Red Sea for his people to pass through dry shod; that piled up the waters of Jordan, backing them up miles away for his people to pass over. He longs to help us, and give us the victory. Come to the camp-meetings, and see if he will not mightily help us in this time of great spiritual dearth. Geo. I. Butler.

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