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General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4 - Contents
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    Thirteenth Meeting

    Thursday, April 11, 3 P. M.

    Elder A. G. Daniells in the chair. Prayer by Elder M. C. Wilcox.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.15

    The Chair: This morning we finished the consideration of Recommendation No. 7. What is your pleasure?GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.16

    G. B. Thompson: There was a question asked on Recommendation 7 that I would like to hear answered, in reference to why there were five members appointed on evangelistic work. Why is that not a part of the work of all the twenty-five members? There may be some reason in the mind of the committee why this is put in; I would like to hear what it is.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.17

    W. C. White: For many years we have endeavored to choose men to be members of the General Conference Committee who should do apostolic work, the work represented by the elder; and then after choosing them for this work, we have placed upon them the business, and kept them doing the deacon’s work. I understand the principle involved in suggesting that these men give themselves especially to this work as the same principle that is recognized in the local church in selecting certain men to be elders, and others to be deacons. You may think the proportion is not sufficient. It is better for us, in our efforts at reform, to take a step, and then next year take another step, than to make a big jump this year, only to move backward. It seems to me that the reason for this move appears very evident. It appears to the promoters that it will greatly strengthen the cause by setting apart five of the older and more experienced teachers, who have gained an experience in all branches of the work, who will be valuable counselors on the committee, and who will help the younger men to do their work in an evangelistic spirit, and on evangelistic lines. It would be understood that these men would be relieved from the everyday grind of business, finances, planning, and other lines of business, which must, under our present system, come before the committee.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.18

    The Chair: Are there any further remarks?GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.19

    The question was called.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.20

    The Chair: The question is called. The Secretary will read Recommendation No. 8.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.21

    The Secretary (reading recommendation 8): “That, in choosing this General Conference Committee, the presidents of the Union Conferences be elected as members.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.22

    The question was called for.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.23

    The Chair: The question is called for. We will pass to No. 9.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.24

    The Secretary (Reading Recommendation 9): “That the Medical Missionary Board be authorized to fill any vacancy which may occur in the representation from the Medical Missionary Association.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.25

    The question was called.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.26

    The Chair: The question is called.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.27

    The Secretary (Reading Recommendation 10): “That the General Conference Committee be empowered to organize itself, and to appoint all necessary agents and committees for the conduct of its work.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.28

    C. P. Bollman: I would like to ask, Does that take the election of the president of the General Conference out of the hands of the Conference, and lodge it with the committee? and if so, why?GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.29

    W. C. White: It seems to be the mind of this Conference that responsibility shall not be centralized and fixed upon a few individuals for a long period. Times change; the necessities of the cause call for men to change the character of their work, and their place of operation. It seems to be for the advantage of the work to allow this committee, which will be a thoroughly representative one, to choose its chairman, its secretaries, its treasurers, its committees, and agents; then if the necessities of the cause demand that any of these officers shall change their work they are in a position to resign, when their comrades on the committee may fill their places. It is quite possible that a sentiment will be created, or a sentiment that already exists may manifest itself, that no one should be chairman of this committee for a period of more than twelve months at a time.GCB April 12, 1901, page 205.30

    C. N. Sanders: I would like to ask a question in regard to Resolutions 6 and 10. We were talking yesterday regarding the Foreign Mission Board. Recommendation 6 suggests that the General Conference Committee, as thus constituted, will take the place of all the present general boards and committees, except in the case of the essential legal corporations. In Section 10 it says that the General Conference Committee will be empowered to organize itself, and to appoint all necessary agents and committees for the conduct of its work. This being passed does it then rest with this committee of twenty-five to state whether or no the Foreign Mission Board is essential?GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.1

    The Chair: I think not.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.2

    W. C. White: It is understood that all existing agencies created by this Conference, which are not definitely removed by these resolutions, will continue to be regarded; as, the General Conference Association, the Foreign Mission Board, and the Medical Missionary Association; unless, for some good reason, presented by this assembly, and adopted by this assembly, changes are to be made. If there are changes to be made, they will be brought forward in a definite, clear form, for your consideration.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.3

    The Chair: I may be permitted to make a remark on this. It seems to me that before passing upon it, every mind ought to be satisfied and clear about it. There seems to be a good deal of apprehension as to what is going to be done. As far as the Committee on Organization is concerned, as I have stated before, the matter has only been referred to, just briefly mentioned. The committee expects to give the question thorough consideration. The president of the Foreign Mission Board is a member of the Committee on Reorganization, and he will undoubtedly be asked to make a statement, and full information will be called for by the committee; and giving the question thorough consideration and study, the committee will report to the delegates their decision; that is, provided they think best to have the Foreign Mission Board merged into the General Conference Committee. All the facts that they have will be laid before the delegates here, and it will be for you to say whether the Foreign Mission Board shall cease to exist as a separate board, and whether this general board shall be the Foreign Mission Board.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.4

    J. W. Westphal: Elder White says that the committee would appoint secretary, treasurer, etc. It is not usually the case for a committee like that to have a treasurer. I want to know what is meant by the statement that the committee appoint a treasurer. Does it mean that the committee appoint the General Conference Treasurer?GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.5

    W. C. White: The question was whether the treasurer referred to was to be the Treasurer of the General Conference. I will illustrate this rather than explain it. We have several associations connected with our work. Those associations have officers, and those officers are, in most cases, selected by the board. The membership chooses a board of management, and the board organizes itself. That method has been found to work well with reference to these associations. There is no perplexity over the question of responsibility of the treasurer elected by the board of trustees of an association. He is the treasurer of the association, although chosen by the board of directors. This treasurer would stand in a similar position.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.6

    E. E. Miles: This is a recommendation of the General Conference Committee to itself. How far are such recommendations binding?GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.7

    W. C. White: This recommendation comes from your Committee on Organization. It is a recommendation from the committee to the Conference. If the Conference adopts it, it stands like any other recommendation adopted. It will be our guide until the next session. If the Conference adopts these recommendations regarding organization, and proceeds at once to forward other lines of business, so that we may have an early election, before we close, we shall be able to formulate, from this plan, and from our experience, the matter into a constitution, or rules of government for you to act upon before the Conference closes.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.8

    E. E. Miles: I would like to see some qualifying expression inserted, in which we may read that “In choosing this General Conference Committee, the presidents of Union Conferences, so far as consistent, be elected as members.” That would give some discretion in the matter; but as it stands now, we would either have to set aside the recommendation, or they would go in anyhow, by virtue of their offices.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.9

    C. W. Flaiz: I note that there is no recommendation for filling vacancies occurring on the General Conference Committee aside from Section 9, and I would like to insert this: “That the General Conference Committee be empowered to fill all vacancies occurring on the committee.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.10

    O. A. Olsen: That provision is already on the constitution, and has been acted upon.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.11

    C. W. Flaiz: It appears to me that if we are abandoning the constitution we have been working under, we shall be obliged to have something else to take its place.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.12

    G. A. Irwin: I do not understand this is abandoning the constitution. If this is adopted, the Committee on Organization will bring in a recommendation to change the constitution in harmony with what we adopt; and as the brother stated, the constitution itself, at the present time, provides for filling vacancies that may occur on the committee; so it would not be necessary to change that part of the constitution to conform to this.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.13

    W. W. Prescott: There is evidently something in the matter that was raised by Brother Miles with reference to this matter of ex-officio members, and it is a principles to which I feel opposed. I do not see that it would do any harm, and if there is any feeling in the mind of the delegation that it would rather be left free without that being adopted as a sort of iron-clad rule, I would say, Drop it out. It is not essential.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.14

    R. A. Underwood: I can vote for this as a temporary means to rectify some evil; but I would like to see it tried a while before we make it constitutional.GCB April 12, 1901, page 206.15

    S H. Lane: The point of electing presidents of Union Conferences, on the General Conference Committee, because of their offices, was under consideration in the committee. I think it is not right to elect a man to one office because he holds another. I believe that when a man is elected to an office, it should be because he has some merit which will help the office. I am very much in favor of the amendment, i e., placing after the words “Union Conference,” “as far as consistent.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.1

    W. C. White: The committee does not object.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.2

    The Chair: Please state the exact wording suggested.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.3

    E. E. Miles: That after the words “Union Conferences,” there be inserted the words, “as far as consistent.” Perhaps a better wording might be suggested.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.4

    M. C. Wilcox: Will not these presidents of Union Conferences be chosen with direct reference to this?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.5

    The Chair: It seems to me that the recommendation is now in such a shape as to please everybody. The Secretary will please read the recommendation.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.6

    The Secretary (reading recommendation 8): “That in choosing this General Conference Committee, the presidents of the Union Conferences, as far as consistent, be elected as members.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.7

    R. A. Underwood: In case of a Union Conference president dropping out before some general election of General Conference officers, who would act on his case?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.8

    W. C. White: No one would act on his case. The delegates have voted that the person who stands as president of the Union Conference is a member of the General committee.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.9

    The Chair: The question is called. All in favor of this recommendation raise the right hand. It is carried.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.10

    G. A. Irwin: I would like to call up Recommendation 5, with reference to the Committee on Finance (page 170 of the BULLETIN), which was referred at the request of one member for further consideration.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.11

    The Secretary (reading): “We recommend that all who especially labor in word and doctrine in our colleges and academies in training workers for the field be supported from the tithe.”GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.12

    W. W. Prescott: Would it not be a matter of interest to know how far this is already being done? I think the plan has already been carried out, at least to some extent.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.13

    J. W. Watt: Would they be supported by the district tithe, or the donation of tithe from the various States, as is now done?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.14

    The Chair: We will ask Professor Magan to explain with reference to the recommendation.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.15

    P. T. Magan: The intent of the recommendation was this: In some of our Conferences and in some of our schools, this plan has been carried out. In other places it has not been carried out. There are some States in different districts that take no part in this movement or work whatsoever, and the whole burden is left on the other States. Besides that, there are a number of our schools which are doing quite an amount of general work. For instance, in some of our schools, people have spent the most of their time looking after the church-school work in their districts. Yet the salaries of these workers, and even their traveling expenses, have been paid out of the regular school funds. As I understand it, in most places there has been a willingness to pay a Bible teacher in the school; that is, to pay the one who actually taught in Bible schools.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.16

    C. McReynolds: I would like to have an explanation of the words. “those who labor in word and doctrine.” Are we to understand that this includes all who engage in Bible teaching in our schools?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.17

    P. T. Magan: There was no disposition upon the part of the committee to legislate in an arbitrary manner upon this matter, or to bring in through this resolution the idea that every teacher in a school should be supported from the tithe, even though every teacher might be doing some Bible work in connection with other work.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.18

    G. A. Irwin: Would not the word “especially” in this recommendation answer Brother McReynold’s question? It reads: “Those who especially labor in word and doctrine.” Would not this word indicate the ones who were to be paid?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.19

    W. C. White: If we consider the spirit of this recommendation, we shall find that it is consistent, and the spirit of it goes beyond our schools. It enters our sanitariums and printing houses. The Review and Herald established here calls workers from all parts of the field, and brings in a large tithe into this church. The fact is recognized, and a large part of the tithes of this church goes directly to the General Conference.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.20

    W. J. Stone: Do we understand that these teachers are to be paid from the Union Conference treasuries? or that the different State Conferences are to contribute to this tithe?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.21

    The Chair: Are you prepared to vote on this recommendation?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.22

    The question was called, and the recommendation was carried.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.23

    The Chair: What is the next business? Is the Committee on Education ready to report?GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.24

    The Committee on Education submitted a partial report, which was considered for a short time, but action was deferred until it might be placed before the delegates in printed form.GCB April 12, 1901, page 207.25

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