“Does Sunday Legislation Involve the Compulsory Observance of the Day?” was the subject of a paper by W. A. Colcord. The passage by the last Congress of a post-office appropriation bill to which was attached a Sunday-closing amendment, had suggested this topic.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.4

He said: “If the closing of a part of the post-offices on Sunday by national law is not demanding Sunday observance, would the closing of all the post-offices on Sunday by national law constitute such a demand? And if the closing of the whole post-office department on Sunday by law would not constitute a demand for Sunday observance, would the closing of all the departments of government on Sunday by law have in it anything of the nature of a demand for Sunday observance?GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.5

“Because the majority in any government department or in any trade or calling might approve of the legislation, and welcome the rest secured to them by means of any national, State, or municipal Sunday law, that does not in anywise affect the character and real purpose of the legislation. It is still compulsory religious Sunday legislation, designed to make Sunday the sabbath by law, and to enforce Sunday observance by law. We ought not to allow ourselves to be blinded here.”GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.6

Again: “I lay down this general proposition, therefore, which I think will appeal to every one who has given careful thought to the subject, as correct, that, in so far as Sunday laws require anything, they require Sunday observance; and that, in so far as they prohibit the doing of anything on Sunday, such as the pursuit of any ordinary labor, trade, business, calling, amusement, or pastime, they enforce Sunday observance.”GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.7

Those taking part in the interesting discussion which followed were: W. A. Westworth, L. T. Nicola, C. Simmons, J. G. Lamson, W. A. McCutchen, Allen Moon, J. E. Jayne, W. F. Martin, A. J. S. Bourdeau, H. A. Weaver, J. F. Blunt, and A. W. Anderson.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.8

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

WASe

Tenth Meeting

For several days the medical department has been holding two meetings each day. At the morning meeting much interest was shown in the reading of two papers, one by Dr. Thomason, “The Relation of Surgery to Our Sanitariums,” and one by Dr. Holden, “A Surgical Craze.”GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.9

Dr. Thomason said the field of sanitarium surgery should be enlarged. Every provision should be made for the highest degree of proficiency, and we should not be satisfied with anything less. There is a crying need for capable diagnosticians, and care should be exercised that operations are not advised unless necessary. A great deal of surgery is done that is needless, and young men just from college should not be urged to rush into surgery. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” is very applicable.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.10

Dr. Holden’s paper dealt with the conditions in the medical world that are responsible for the large amount of needless surgery. Surgery should be done only as a last resort in the interests of health.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.11

Drs. Comstock and Olsen did not think it necessary for all our sanitariums to do surgery. They should give attention to strictly medical lines of work first. Surgery is not the first work of sanitariums. The principles of hydrotherapy and rational medicine called our sanitariums into existence, and these principles should ever occupy the first place in our medical work.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.12

The papers read at the afternoon meeting by Drs. A. B. Olsen and G. K. Abbott, dealt with the question of greater efficiency in the medical profession, and the importance of a training in our own schools rather than the schools of the world. Dr. Olsen spoke of the strict requirements of English law governing the medical schools in that country, and urged that Seventh-day Adventists should not come behind in this thing. The problems connected with the question of health are so great that those only with the best of training are able to grapple with them.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.13

Dr. Abbott’s paper emphasized the value of the education received in our own schools. Schools of the world are not fitted to train workers in the gospel message. Nowhere can there be obtained a knowledge of the pure, true principles of physiological therapeutics and rational medicine except in our schools.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.14

Drs. Ruble, Comstock, Miller, Ingersoll, and Elders Burden, Starr, and others spoke in favor of the highest standard possible for our medical profession, and of the importance of attending the school established in the providence of God qualifying men and women to give the last message of mercy to the world. We cannot be clear in this matter if we treat it as of little concern. It is of the highest concern. We make a high profession, and should come short in nothing. The stamp of approval cannot be placed on anything cheap in connection with the work of God.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.15

Eleventh Meeting

At the morning meeting excellent papers were read by Geo. E. Cornforth and Miss Corner, on the subjects, “A Practical Menu for the Dining-Room,” and, “A Cook’s Bureau.” A spirited discussion followed in which a number joined. It was urged that a simple yet liberal diet, free from all unwholesome, objectionable articles, should be supplied by our sanitariums, and our homes as well. Special attention should be given to proper combinations and appetizing tastes, and loyalty to health-reform principles should be maintained. Neither violation nor compromise of these principles is fruitful of good results.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.16

Good cooks are of the greatest importance; they are indispensable in our sanitariums, and have a large place in establishing and maintaining the reputation and well-being of our institutions. Unanimous action was taken recommending the establishment of a central bureau for the training and placing of cooks.GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.17

PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

WASe

Eleventh Meeting

The leading feature of the eleventh meeting of the Publishing Department was a paper on the subject of “Spiritual Power in Colporteur Work,” by C. G. Bellah. “Spiritual power,” said he, “is the key that unlocks every problem connected with the distribution of our literature. As there is need of power in all the affairs of men to keep in motion the wheels of commerce, there is an infinitely greater demand for mighty spiritual power in the business for the King. When there is great spiritual power in the colporteur work, it makes all other phases easy; it solves every difficult problem, and unravels every trying perplexity. With spiritual power, we have men who have touched the hem of the seamless garment, and are clean; men who fear the Lord, hate sin, and live four-square to God and the world; men who never allow sin to stop their prayers, but whose frequent prayers have successfully stopped sin, and who have permitted divine grace to fully undo all that disgrace has done. Then, as they go forth with a hold upon God, a light in the eyes, and tears in the heart, a mighty work is quickly done. Spiritual power will work every hard field, warn every dark land. It knows no panics, floods, or droughts. It makes molehills of mountains of difficulties, and giants of the weakest of men. It leads men to the frozen regions of the North land, to the parched sands of the tropics, or to the deadly Gold Coast of Africa..GCB May 30, 1913, page 203.18

These are some of the excellent thoughts brought out in this paper by Brother Bellah, connected with which he gave a number of touching experiences, showing how, through the spiritual canvasser, the people who need the truth are being warned.GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.1

In closing, Brother Bellah said: “Give us more and yet more spiritual power! Let this be the key-note of every message.”GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.2

SABBATH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

WASe

Eleventh Meeting

One of the most interesting papers yet presented was that of C. C. Lewis, entitled, “Teaching the Lesson to the Senior Class.” He said: “Teaching is like fishing, and fishing is a twofold process. It is the fisher’s part to place the baited hook within reach of the fish, and by every enticement endeavor to have the fish seize the bait. Seizing the bait is the part of the fish. The first without the second is mere dabbling in the water; the second without the first, only luck, and is in no respect due to the skill of the angler.GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.3

“Teaching is a twofold process. It is the part of the teacher to bring the truth within reach of the learner, and to make the condition favorable for its reception. It is the part of the learner to reach forth and grasp the truth. Where these acts are intelligently united, there is teaching.”GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.4

Professor Lewis urged more thorough preparation of the lesson by the teacher as the remedy for the failure on the part of some properly, and the same remedy for the teacher who is so full of his subject that he cannot get through in the allotted period. The teacher should select the main truth of the lesson, and group about that the subordinate truths. One should be thoroughly full of the lesson, but have their fullness under control. He may then stand before the class without excuse or apologies. He does not need to read the questions, but stands face to face, eye to eye, heart to heart with his pupils.GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.5

Topic: “Normal Classes—Training Pupils to Be Teachers.” Mrs. E. M. Wilber, of South Lancaster, Mass., had unavoidably returned to her home, and her paper was read by Mrs. Plummer. The following are important extracts: “It is often said that teachers are born not made; but experience shows that any Christian of ordinary ability and education may become a successful teacher by having his ability wisely directed. A training-class should be formed in every school. The members should study some approved teacher-training course. This may be carried on in one of three ways: 1 In a class on the night of the prayer-meeting, the class assembling earlier for this purpose. 2 By private study. 3 In connection with the teachers’ meeting. If there be a heart consecrated to God’s service, and a willingness to improve the gifts God has given, there is no reason why one may not become a useful teacher.GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.6

Mrs. Mabel Behrens, of Fresno, Cal., discussed the topic, first reading some very excellent extracts from the writings of J. Mace Andress, a well-known Sunday-school worker. Mrs. Behrens urged that our ideal should not be lower than that of the Sunday-school, and gave many practical suggestions as to how to form training-classes for the various grades of pupils.GCB May 30, 1913, page 204.7

Conference Proceedings. TWENTY-THIRD MEETING

Departmental Papers