Document: “Proceedings of the Australasian Union Conference ...,” The Bible Echo 9, no. 8 (February 26, 1894): 62, 63. HTML, PDF.
Contents: Report of the meetings, chaired by General Conference President O. A. Olsen, at which the first union conference was organized.
Proceedings of the Australasian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Held at Middle Brighton, Victoria, January 15-25, 1894.
The first meeting was called January 15, by Elder W. C. White, Superintendent of the Australasian field. There were present about two hundred and fifty persons. Elder J. O. Corliss offered prayer, invoking the special guidance of the Spirit of God.
Besides the chairman, there were present, as representatives of the General Conference, Elder O. A. Olsen, its President, and Mrs. E. G. White.
The following persons were received as delegates:—
From New Zealand: M. C. Israel, A. Simpson, M. H. Tuxford, Jos. Hare, jr., S. McCullagh, and W. M. Crothers.
From Australia: A. G. Daniells, David Steed, Geo. B. Starr, Robert Hare, W. L. H. Baker, H. Muckersy, Jas. Smith, A. Reekie, C. P. Michaels, T. Whittle, J. L. Baker, J. O. Corliss, W. A. Colcord, and L. J. Rousseau.
Elder S. McCullagh was elected Secretary pro tem.
The chairman said he felt sure that all would join him in requesting Elder O. A. Olsen, President of the General Conference, to take the chair during the organisation of the Union Conference, and throughout the first session. By a unanimous vote, Elder Olsen was requested to take the chair. After a brief but comprehensive statement from Elder Olsen as to the objects and aims of the Union Conference, and the relation which it will sustain to the General and the local Conferences, the committees for the session were appointed, as follows:—
Committee on Organisation and Delegation, A. G. Daniells, S. McCullagh, Jas. Smith, Jos. Hare, and J. O. Corliss.
On Nomination, Jos. Hare, T. Whittle, and W. L. H. Baker.
On Resolutions, W. C. White. A. G. Daniells, and Jas. Smith.
Nine meetings were held during the session, in which the following business was transacted.
The Committee on School Location reported that diligent inquiry had been made for suitable sites near Melbourne and Sydney; that several places had been found which they thought were worthy of consideration: and they recommended that the Executive Committee of the Conference be authorised to take immediate steps to raise funds, and to purchase land which in their judgment is most suitable, and that their decision be made as early as is consistent.
The Committee on Organisation presented a Constitution for the temporary government of the Conference, and suggested that, as special Acts of Parliament may be required to enable the Conference to hold church and school property, it would be advisable to give power to the Executive Committee to secure the necessary Acts, and to revise the Constitution so that it may be in harmony with the same. The Constitution and the resolution giving the Executive Committee the authority of revision, will be found in another issue.
The Nominating Committee presented their report, and officers were elected as follows:—
President, W. C. White; Vice-President, A. G. Daniells; Secretary, L. J. Rousseau; Treasurer, Echo Publishing Company.
Executive Committee, W. C. White, A. G. Daniells, L. J. Rousseau, G. T. Wilson, S. McCullagh, Jos. Hare, H. Muckersy, A. Reekie, and Jas. Smith.
Book Committee, W. C. White, A. G. Daniells, Jas. Smith, W. A. Colcord, and J. O. Corliss.
School Board (for the management of the school during 1894), A. G. Daniells, W. C. White, L. J. Rousseau, H. Muckersy, Jas. Smith, W. A. Colcord, and S. McCullagh.
The Committee on Resolutions made report from time to time, presenting twenty-seven resolutions, which were discussed, amended, and adopted, as follows:—
1. Resolved, That we hereby express to almighty God our heartfelt gratitude for the blessings He has bestowed upon the efforts made to spread the third angel’s message in the Australasian colonies, which calls for the organisation of this Union Conference.
Whereas, Our Lord and Saviour said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” and the rapid fulfilment of the prophecies pointing out present truth and duty, and the increasing interest of the people to hear the warning messages which constitute the closing work of the gospel, impel us to greater activity in carrying the gospel everywhere, and
Whereas, There are many evidences that the time has come to open up new fields and to push the work with increased vigour in all parts of Australasia, and that many labourers should be educated and trained for the work, and
Whereas, We recognise the approval of God in the prosperity which has attended the school enterprise during the past two years, and in the encouraging prospects for the future, therefore,
2. Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference that the time has come when we should select a permanent site for our school, and construct suitable buildings for the carrying forward of the educational work, and further,
3. Resolved, That we recommend that this Conference immediately proceed to raise a building fund of £4000 for this purpose.
4. Resolved, That the officers of this Conference are authorised to receive contributions to the building fund, and pledges payable in three, six, nine, and twelve months, as those pledging may specify.
Whereas, It is desirable that the Australasian Bible School be located away from the large cities, and in a place favourable to simplicity and economy, and where agricultural and manufacturing industries may be developed for the benefit of students, and of families having students in the school, and
Whereas, A village settlement close to the school would be a desirable place of residence for ministers and canvassers, who must be separated from their families much of the time, and for many persons of various pursuits who wish to fit themselves or their children to be labourers for Christ, therefore,
5. Resolved, That we recommend the purchase of a site suitable for the purposes aforementioned.
Whereas, The purchase of a tract of land suitable for the Australasian Bible School and village settlement will require a large investment, therefore,
6. Resolved, That we proceed at once to ascertain the number of persons who wish to purchase land, and the probable amounts of their investments, provided an acceptable place is secured, and suitable prices and terms are offered.
Whereas, The laying out of a village settlement, the sale of land, and the encouragement of various industries connected with the school call for wise and skilful management; and
Whereas, The economical erection of suitable school buildings would be facilitated by the supervision of an experienced architect and builder familiar with the planning and construction of school buildings, therefore,
7. Resolved, That we ask the General Conference to send us one or two men of ability and broad experience, to take the oversight of these two lines of work.
Whereas, The summer term of the Bible School, continuing about eight weeks from Jan. 30, is well adapted to serve the wants of those who desire in a short time to get some instruction that will help them in their varied duties and responsibilities in the home missionary work, and
Whereas, We have the special advantages, during this term, of a line of instruction in Health and Temperance principles by Dr. M. G. Kellogg; in the study of the Bible, and how to prepare and give Bible-readings, by Elder G. B. Starr; and in missionary correspondence and tract distribution, by Sister Anna L. Ingels, therefore,
8. Resolved, That we urge a large attendance at this term, on the part of church, Sabbath-school, and Tract Society officers, and others who desire to become efficient labourers in the cause of the Master, wherever their lot may be cast.
Whereas, There is urgent need that two ministers be sent to labour in New Zealand, therefore,
9. Resolved, (a.) That we recommend that Elder David Steed go to New Zealand to make that his field of labour; (b.) that we ask the General Conference to send to New Zealand a minister who can labour in the larger cities of that colony.
10. Resolved, That we unite with the School Board in asking the General Conference to send two teachers to assist in the work of our Bible School.
11 Resolved, That we accede to the request of the Australian Conference, that we take over and carry forward the Australasian Bible School.
12. Resolved, That this Conference elect seven persons to act as a Board of Managers to govern the workings of the Bible School during 1894, and, that we authorise the Executive Committee to provide for its management thereafter, until the next session of this Conference.
13. Resolved, That we heartily endorse the work of the International Religious Liberty Association, and that steps be taken for the carrying on of work in this department, in this Conference, (a.) by the appointment of a General Field Secretary for Australasia, to labour, under the direction of the Executive Committee of this Conference, for the dissemination of correct views upon this subject; and (b.) by the appointment of one or more Corresponding Secretaries in each of the Australasian colonies, whose duty it shall be to keep watch of any movements in their several localities for the enactment or enforcement of religious measures, and, through the General Secretary, to inform the Executive Committee of the same, and to write and secure the insertion of articles bearing upon this subject in the public papers.
14. Resolved, That when labourers are transferred from one Conference to another by mutual agreement of the local Conferences, or by advice of the Union or the General Conference, that the necessary expense of transportation shall be paid by the Conference to which the labourer is transferred, unless other arrangements are previously agreed upon.
15. Resolved, That we recommend to the consideration of the Book Committee the advisability of securing, as soon as possible, the publication of a supply of tracts on the following subjects: The Second Coming of Christ, The True Israel of God, Spiritualism, Theosophy, and Religious Liberty, also a book of recipes, containing instruction in the selection, combination, and preparation of healthful and economical meals, from such materials as are easily obtainable in these colonies.
16. Resolved, That we esteem it a privilege and a duty to push the circulation of the Bible Echo in all proper fields.
17. Resolved, That we recommend that the Tract Society officers and individual missionary workers give the circulation of the Bible Echo personal and prompt consideration.
Whereas, The Bible Echo is denominational in character, and must be built up by the denomination, therefore,
18. Resolved, That it is the sense of this body that the Bible Echo should be controlled by the General Conference.
Whereas, The Echo Publishing Company has invited this Conference to assume the responsibility of the publication of the Bible Echo, and promises to bear a proportion of any loss which may be sustained thereby, therefore
19. Resolved, That we accede to this request for the year 1894, and authorise the Executive Committee to appoint an Editorial Committee of three, and a Committee of Management of the same number.
Whereas, The General Conference has already decided that our denominational papers should be controlled by that body, therefore,
20. Resolved, That we request the General Conference to consider the propriety of taking entire control of the Bible Echo, commencing with January, 1895, and to [p. 63] consider the advisability of defraying the expense of editing the Echo during 1894.
Whereas, Medical missionaries and missionary nurses are in demand everywhere, and the ability to care for the sick greatly increases the influence and usefulness of the evangelist, and
Whereas, The Sanitarium Training School at Battle Creek, U. S. A., offers exceptional advantages for education and training in these lines, therefore,
21. Resolved, That we authorise the Executive Committee to select worthy young people to go, as Providence may open the way, to be educated as medical missionaries and missionary nurses.
Whereas, The harvest is great and the labourers are few, and there are hundreds of places where laymen having a Christian experience and ability to labour for others may be a light and a blessing, and
Whereas, Earnest appeals have been made by Sister E. G. White and others to our brethren in Battle Creek and other places, who have had special opportunities to gain an experience in the work of the third angel’s message, and many have responded to these appeals, and have expressed their willingness to go wherever needed, therefore,
22. Resolved, That we express our gratitude that many are giving heed to these appeals, and that for the welfare of our dear brethren who think of coming to these colonies, and for the prosperity of the work which they desire to advance, we invite them to give due consideration to the following suggestions:—
(a.) Those only should come who have been helpful workers in their own church and neighbourhood; sound in the faith, industrious, frugal, able to bear hardships, and to support themselves, so that they may be a help to the cause wherever they may locate.
(b.) Everywhere there is need for those who can care for persons in sickness, poverty, and distress; hence, a training in nursing, “Christian Help Work,” and Bible work, will be of inestimable value.
(c.) Those who think of coming to these colonies would avoid many heavy and unnecessary expenses, and would effect a saving of time, by consulting, or corresponding with, the Foreign Mission Board regarding their qualifications, place of location, and time of departure, and should bring letters of commendation from the Board, intimating the lines of work and the kind of place for which they are best adapted.
23. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Executive Committee of this Conference to lodge with the Foreign Mission Board, from time to time, information regarding the openings and calls from various parts of Australasia.
24. Resolved, That it shall also be the duty of the Executive Committee to collect, and place before their brethren in these colonies, such information as may be helpful to those who wish to change location for the purpose of being self-supporting missionaries.
25. Resolved, That this Conference appoint a committee of five to deal with the Steamship and Railway Companies in all matters of transportation for the Conference.
26. Resolved, That the Executive Committee of this Conference is hereby authorised to transact all business in connection with the Conference between its sessions
27. Resolved, That copies of the proceedings of this Conference be forwarded to the Bible Echo and to the Review and Herald for publication.
In harmony with the above resolutions, appointments were made as follows:—
For Management of Bible Echo, A. G. Daniells, H. Muckersy, and Jas. Smith.
Editorial Committee, A. G. Daniells, W. A. Colcord, and J. O. Corliss.
For department of Religious Liberty, General Field Secretary, W. A. Colcord; Corresponding Secretaries: For New Zealand, G. T. Wilson; New South Wales, S. McCullagh; Victoria and Tasmania, W. A. Colcord; South and Western Australia, A. G. Daniells; Queensland, W. L. H. Baker.
Committee on Transportation, A. G. Daniells, Chairman; A. Reekie, Sydney; W. D. Salisbury, Melbourne; G. T. Wilson, Wellington; and Edward Hare, Auckland.
The proceedings of the Conference were characterised by a spirit of love and harmony. The blessing of our Heavenly Father was present throughout the meeting in a marked measure. In closing the session, Elder Olsen remarked that it had afforded him great pleasure to be present and participate in the deliberations of the meeting. He believed that all could see that the Australasian Union Conference had a most important work to do in this part of the world. A number of the delegates and others briefly expressed their appreciation of the privilege which they had enjoyed in attending the meetings of the Conference, and their confidence that its Organisation would be a blessing and a strength to our work in the Australasian colonies.
Preaching services were conducted in the large tent every evening during the session. There was a large attendance, and a deep interest.
The Conference adjourned with the expectation that its next regular session will convene in the latter part of 1895.
O. A. Olsen, Chairman.
S. McCullagh, Secretary pro tem.