PROMPTLY at 9:30 A. M., Nov. 18, the International Tract and Missionary Society was called to order by the Vice-President, Elder George I. Butler. Prayer was offered by Elder E. W. Farnsworth. On motion of Brother O. A. Olsen, the reading of the minutes of the last annual session of the society was omitted, the same having been published in the “Year Book.”GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.1

The Secretary, Sister M. L. Huntley, then read a very interesting report of the doings of the society for the past year, or rather for the nine months ending June 30, 1887. Following are a few of the many very interesting facts contained in the report:-GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.2

The membership of the society is 14,017, which is only 54 per cent of the membership of our churches. The increase of membership over last year is 1,500. The average number of missionary letters written per member in the various societies was greatest in Central Europe, being 14. The average number of Bible readings held in the same society was 9 per member. The whole number of Bible workers and canvassers employed by the society is 547, and thus far their city work in this country has been confined to 119 cities. Seventy-one cities, of over 20,000 inhabitants, still remain to be entered in the United States, over one-third of these are in New England. Our publications have been placed in 339 public libraries in this country, and our various periodicals are sent to 162 public reading-rooms. Some of these periodicals are read till they are worn out, and it is certain that in no other way can so many readers be reached at so small an expense.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.3

From statistics gathered by the society, it appears that there has been quite an increase in the amount of tithes paid per member in the several Conferences. There is, however, still room for improvement in this respect. The largest average tithe paid by any church is $34, paid by the members of the company at Belvidere, Ill. Two States alone report an increase of $22,000 in tithes.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.4

Of the 168 district directors in the several States, 71 have devoted some considerable time to the work of the society. During the past nine months the publications of the society have been sent to Africa, British and Dutch Guiana, Brazil, the West Indies, British Honduras, Russia, and many of the islands of the Pacific.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.5

The society has received on donations and membership fees the sum of $4,566.07; on Christmas donations, $5,141.81; and on book sales, $472.98, making a total of $10,180.86 for nine months.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.6

Following the reading of the report, the President made some remarks on the matter of reporting, speaking especially of the difficulty of securing full and accurate reports from the members of our societies. This difficulty, emphasized by the fact that the work reported to the society is that which is done by less than one-fourth of the members of our churches. Remarks and suggestions were also made on the same subject by Elders G. C. Tenney, R. M. Kilgore, H. P. Holser, J. D. Pegg, and others.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.7

On motion of Elder A. T. Robinson, a committee of five was appointed to prepare a pass-book for the use of the members of the various local societies; said book to be so arranged as to reduce to the minimum the labor and trouble of reporting missionary work. Brethren R. M. Kilgore, A. T. Robinson, I. W. Bagby, L. T. Nicola, and F. E. Belden were named as said committee.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.8

On motion of Elder O. A. Olsen, the Chair then appointed the usual standing committees, as follows:-GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.9

NOMINATIONS. - R. A. Underwood, E. W. Farnsworth, S. H. Lane.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.10

RESOLUTIONS. - L. C. Chadwick, H. P. Holser, N. C. McClure.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.11

The report of the committee appointed at the last annual session of the society, to devise and recommend a system of book-keeping, suited to the wants of all our local societies, was then called for. Owing to the absence of Elder Haskell, who was its Chairman, the committee was not prepared to report. Sister M. L. Huntley, a member of that committee, made some remarks, however, setting forth some of the difficulties to be met, and stating the original object of the organization of the society. She said that the purpose of the society was not alone to sell books, but to aid in every branch of the work, and by hypothetical cases showed that if the cash system were adopted and rigidly carried out, it would often work a hardship on worthy individuals, and would hinder the work. She said that while our societies must be prepared to assist those who are laboring for the spread of the truth, it is also necessary that they guard against any misappropriation or waste of means given for carrying forward this work, and that some plan should be devised whereby the financial interests of the society can be faithfully guarded, without in any way hindering the work.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 18.12

Sister Huntley’s remarks called out numerous questions and suggestions; and brief remarks were made by Brethren H. P. Holser, A. R. Henry, L. C. Chadwick, and others. Finally, on motion, the Chair appointed Brethren L. C. Chadwick, H. P. Holser, C. Eldridge, and Sisters M. L. Huntley and Lizzie Farnsworth as a committee to recommend a system by book-keeping for the use of all our local societies.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.1

Brother A. R. Henry then introduced the “Tourists’ Guide,” a book which has been gotten up at the suggestion of Elder Haskell. Elder Butler expressed his opinion through it; while one to have some such book to put into the hands of emigrants - something that would give a good idea of our people and at the same time give such instructions to them as will enable them to avoid the various swindlers that they are likely to encounter. On motion of Elder Kilgore a committee of three was appointed by the Chair to examine the book which has been prepared. W. C. Sisley, S. H. Lane, and J. F. Hanson were appointed on said committee. Meeting then adjourned to the call of the Chair.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.2

AFTERNOON

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At 3 o’clock the song, “Homeward Bound,” was sung to open the seventh meeting of the Conference, and Elder J. H. Cook offered prayer. After the reading of the minutes, the report of the Committee on Distribution of Labor was called for, and the following recommendations were presented:-GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.3

1. That Elder S. H. Lane take charge of the work in Georgia and Florida.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.4

2. That Elder O. C. Godsmark accompany Elder Lane to his field in the South, to assist in the work.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.5

3. That at as early a date as is consistent, a Conference be organized, comprising the States of Georgia and Florida.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.6

4. That Elder J. M. Rees continue to have charge of the work in North Carolina, devoting as much time to that field as his duties in Tennessee will allow.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.7

5. That Elder J. P. Henderson, of Indiana, go to Arkansas to labor.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.8

6. That Elder Victor Thompson make Indiana his field of labor.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.9

7. That Elder G. G. Rupert, who has been laboring this season in South America, go to Michigan, and make that his field of labor, under the direction of the Michigan Conference Committee.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.10

8. That Elder G. C. Tenney, of Minnesota, spend a few months at the office of the Signs of the Times, in connection with the editorial and subscription book departments, and then go to Australia, to labor in the office of the Bible Echo, and in the field as circumstances may require.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.11

9. That Elder A. D. Olsen, of Dakota, take the presidency of the Minnesota Conference, made vacant by Elder Tenney’s departure for Australia.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.12

10. That Elder W. B. White, of Minnesota, take the place of Elder Olsen in the Dakota Conference.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.13

11. That Elder J. W. Raymond fill the office of President of the Pennsylvania Conference and Tract Society, and that L. C. Chadwick take the position now occupied by Elder Raymond on the Conference Committee.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.14

12. That Elder D. E. Lindsay, of Ohio, labor in Delaware and Maryland.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.15

13. That, in view of the state of Elder E. H. Gates’s health, he go to Colorado to labor as President of that Conference.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.16

14. That Elder C. P. Haskell, of Colorado, go to Ohio, to take the place made vacant by Elder Gates.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.17

15. That Elder R. A. Underwood act as President of the Ohio Tract and Missionary Society.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.18

16. That Elder Samuel Fulton labor in the North Pacific Conference.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.19

17. That Elder E. W. Farnsworth be released from the recommendation made at the last session of this Conference that he go to England to labor.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.20

18. That J. M. Erickson remove to Sweden.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.21

19. That C. Norlin labor in Wisconsin the coming year.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.22

20. That H. R. Johnson take the oversight of the Scandinavian work in Iowa and South Dakota.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.23

Some of these recommendations called forth remarks from the parties most directly concerned. On the second recommendation, Sister White remarked that she thought there should be consultation before laborers are removed to distant fields, especially when they have aged parents. She said that Brethren Lane and Godsmark are the only sons of an aged mother, and she thought that in such cases the wishes of parents should be consulted. Elder Wm. Covert urged that Brother Godsmark be allowed to remain in Indiana. Elder Underwood stated that it was not his judgment for Brother Godsmark to leave Indiana, but that he had yielded to the urgent request of Elder Lane, that his brother be allowed to accompany him. Elder Lane stated that since they both must necessarily be away from home in their labor, his mother had expressed a desire that they should be together.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 19.24

Recommendation number eight was spoken to by Elder W. C. White, J. O. Corliss, and G. C. Tenney. Elder Tenney stated that it was not his judgment that he was the one to go to the Australian field, but that he threw the responsibility upon the Conference. If they decided that he should go, however, he would labor with all the ability he possessed.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 20.1

Elder D. E. Lindsay wished for a little time to consult with the committee before action was taken in regard to his case. Elder Farnsworth wished to explain to the Conference that it was not through any unwillingness on his part that he had not gone to England, as he fully expected to do so when the recommendation was made last year; but Elder Haskell had desired him to stay till he went, and when Elder Haskell went, in June, he was, at the request of the General Conference Committee, engaged in attending the camp-meetings.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 20.2

All the recommendations, with the exception of that concerning Elder D. E. Lindsay, who requested time for consultation, were adopted by unanimous vote of the Conference. It being then near the Sabbath, the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 20.3

At half past five Dr. J. H. Kellogg delivered a lecture to the men, and Elder J. D. Pegg preached at 7 o’clock.GCDB November 20, 1887, page 20.4

VOLUME 1. - OAKLAND, CAL., - NUMBER 5

VOLUME 1. - OAKLAND, CAL., - NUMBER 7