GENERAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday, Oct 25, 1888.MMM 380.1

The eighth meeting of the General Conference was called at the usual hour, 10:30 a. m.MMM 380.2

Prayer by Eld. A. T. Robinson.MMM 380.3

The following additional delegates took their seats in the conference: W. H. Hall and Prof. W. W. Prescott, from Michigan; C. H. Parsons, from Kansas; F. H. Westphal, from Wisconsin, and J. E. Graham, from North Pacific Conference.MMM 380.4

Minutes of last meeting read and approved.MMM 380.5

The second and third recommendations of last meeting, which were referred back to the committee, were reported as follows and adopted:MMM 380.6

Whereas, We recognize that the harvest is great and consecrated laborers are few, and the cause is languishing for lack of devoted persons to fill responsible positions in all branches of the work; therefore, we recommend,MMM 380.7

2. That Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 19 and 20, be set apart as days of humiliation, fasting and prayer, that God may raise up faithful aborers, and sustain those already in the field.MMM 380.8

3. That Sabbath, Dec. 22, be observed as a day of thanksgiving and praise to God for blessings and mercies received during the past year, and that praise services be held in all our churches.MMM 380.9

The seventh recommendation was adopted without discussion.MMM 380.10

To the eighth recommendation W. C. White spoke and suggested that a sermon be given on the subject instead of discussing it this morning. Carried.MMM 380.11

R. A. Underwood said upon the ninth recommendation that it was very important that our people study these things, and there was no more important means for this than the Sabbath school. God would give us more laborers when we are prepared to sustain them. M. B. Miller thought that the lessons ought to commence at the beginning of the year. C. H. Jones said that they would prepare a series for the latter part of the year if they could. The recommendation was carried.MMM 380.12

The tenth recommendation being read, E. W. Farnsworth said that nothing aroused so great an interest as the relation of facts concerning our foreign missions. And our ministers from greater to least ought to take upon themselves the burden of the foreign work. L. R. Conradi, of Germany, said that he hoped that our people would have more interest in it. People would give themselves to the work in this country and the old world as never before, if they would become acquainted with the work.MMM 380.13

C. H. Jones spoke to the eleventh recommendation and referred to the great need of our brethern becoming familiar with our Sabbath-school work so as to help our schools in their visits to our churches, which often were not visited for months. S. H. Lane spoke for the missionary work. There was needed a revival of the old-fashioned missionary spirit among our people. In fact, our ministers should be thoroughly posted in all things necessary to the upbuilding of the church. C. H. Jones said that the recommendation was designed to cover the whole field. Carried.MMM 380.14

Moved by W. C. White that M. C. Wilcox have charge of the editing of the Bulletin. Carried.MMM 380.15

Prof. W. W. Prescott, of Battle Creek College, the Educational Secretary, reported that he supposed that the design of the Conference last year in electing a secretary was for the purpose of unifying the educational work in our denomination. An institute, the first of its kind among our people, was held in Battle Creek. The principal topics there discussed were those which were peculiar to us, the object of our schools, and the religious influences and instruction connected with them. He had visited several Conferences, and had endeavored to assist in the educational work. The Minnesota Conference School had been established, he had furnished the teachers as Educational Secretary, and Prof. C. C. Lewis, an experienced teacher of Battle Creek College, was made principal of the school. This is the first Conference School established this side of the Rocky Mountains. In a visit at South. [original illegible] since the new management in the academy there, [original illegible] was very much pleased with the school, the spirit [original illegible] and the work being done. If such a training could [original illegible] carried on so that our young people could be advanced spiritually as well as mentally, when they arrived at a proper age, their training and experience would fit them to [original illegible] important positions. He believed that true education was a development of true manhood and womanhood of the head, the hand, the heart. He was grateful that this had been manifested in many of those under training at Battle Creek College.MMM 380.16

W. C. White moved that the report be accepted, and said that this work of the secretary in unifying and [original illegible] the system had been a help in giving our people confidence. A general plan was one in which our people could unite. Carried.MMM 381.1

Adjourned to call of chair.MMM 381.2