Document: “General Conference Proceedings: Nineteenth Meeting,” Daily Bulletin of the General Conference 5, no. 24 (March 6, 1893): 486. HTML, PDF.
Contents: The two resolutions from the seventeenth meeting that led to the creation of district conferences (now called union conferences) are passed.
The relevant part of the proceedings is highlighted.
[p. 486]
General Conference Proceedings.
Nineteenth Meeting.
The nineteenth meeting of the General Conference was called at 3:45 o’clock P. M., Sunday, March 5, 1893.
Elder N. W. Allee opened the meeting with prayer.
Minutes of morning meeting approved.
Business opened on 3rd resolution on page 475 of the Bulletin.
After explanations by Elder J. N. Loughborough and H. Lindsay the resolution was adopted.
C. H. Jones moved the adoption of the report of the Committee on Distribution of Labor (Bulletin, page 476) by voting on each item separately.
The 33rd, 35th, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 44th, and 45th carried without debate.
The 34th was referred to the Foreign Mission Board on motion of M. C. Wilcox.
The 38th was changed by making the words “the College” read “one of our colleges.”
The Chair and C. Eldridge discussed No. 39.
No. 42 was discussed by W. W. Prescott and A. R. Henry.
W. B. White moved to refer this resolution to the General Conference Committee. Supported by A. R. Henry.
Discussed by delegates Bollman, Eldridge, Boyd, Lane, A. T. Jones and Kinny. The motion was lost, and the recommendation was adopted.
In the 43rd the words “German and” were stricken out.
The whole report was thus adopted item by item, except the 34th resolution, which was referred back.
By request, P. J. D. Wessels stated in connection with resolution 36 that though 6000 acres of land were offered to any denomination who would inaugurate a mission, and that we expected to accept land for our mission, it was not from the Government that we looked for the gratuity, but from a company.
J. H. Durland moved the adoption of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, page 478 of the Bulletin, by acting on each item separately.
The whole report was adopted after this manner.
C. Eldridge moved to strike out the word “American” in the 59th, but the motion was lost.
Moved by C. Eldridge to re-consider No. 62.
Supported by W. A. Colcord and discussed by delegates Colcord and Prescott.
Carried.
Upon motion of C. Eldridge the resolution was refered back to the Committee.
The following report from the Special Committee appointed at the morning meeting was given by Prof. Prescott:—
Whereas, This Conference has clearly stated its position on the taxation of Church and other ecclesiastical property, and
Whereas, There are certain institutions incorporated under the laws of the State which occupy confessedly disputed grounds, therefore,
Resolved, That matters in which the taxation of such institutions as do occupy this disputed territory is involved—orphanages, houses for aged persons, hospitals, etc.—we leave to the action of the Legislature, without any protest against their taxation, or any request for exemption.
Prof. Prescott also presented a further report from the Committee on Resolutions as follows:—
65. Resolved, That we sympathize with Brother E. H. Gates in his feeble state of health, and express our willingness for him to return to America, if he deems it best.
Whereas, In the growth of our cause, institutions are located at different points, which have a tendency to make such localities centers of influence, gathering in strength from all parts of the field; and
Whereas, The tithe paid by those who are thus drawn together should go, in part at least, to the support of the general cause; therefore
66. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Conference that the General Conference Committee should enter into negotiations with the Conferences where these centers of the work are or may be formed, for the payment of a suitable proportion of the tithes aforesaid, into the General Conference treasury.
W. S. Hyatt presented the following further report from the Committee on Distribution of Labor:—
46. That Luther Warren, of New York, go to South Dakota to labor.
47. That J. S. Shrock, of Pennsylvania, go to Minnesota to labor among the Germans.
48. That N. W. Allee take the presidency of the Minnesota Conference and Tract Society, in view of Elder A. J. Breed having been called to the General Conference Committee.
49. That R. A. Underwood go to Wisconsin and take the presidency of the Conference and Tract Society made vacant by M. H. Brown connecting with the Sabbath-school work.
50. That A. J. Haysmer and wife of Michigan, go to Jamaica to labor.
51. That we favor May Taylor, of England, returning to this country for a vacation.
52. That the selection of teachers for our various schools be left to the General Conference Committee and Educational Secretary.
53. That C. W. Flaiz, of Minnesota, go to Manitoba to labor; also that the General Conference Committee select a man to go with him.
The meeting then adjourned to make way for the International Sabbath-school Association.