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SPECIAL SESSION at Battle Creek, Michigan, March 1, 1878
BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD SPECIAL SESSION
OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

The Conference met according to appointment, in Battle Creek, March 1, 1878.

The president, Elder James White, being absent, the meeting was called to order by the secretary, and Elder S. N. Haskell was chosen president pro tem.

Prayer by Elder D. M. Canright.

The object of the meeting, and a general view of the business to come before it, was presented by the chairman.

Delegates were present as follows: R. F. Andrews and G. W. Colcord, from Illinois; H. A. St. John from Ohio; W. H. Hall, from Minnesota; A. W. Maynard, M. J. Cornell, J. Fargo, A. B. Oyen, W. K. Loughborough, J. S. Day, J. O. Corliss, and E. R. Jones, from Michigan; S. H. Lane and J. D. Shilling, from Indiana; D. M. Canright, from New England; H. W. Decker and George C. Tenney, from Wisconsin; O. A. Olsen, from the Scandinavians of Wisconsin; B. L. Whitney from New York; A. S. Hutchins, from Vermont; S. H. King, from Texas, and W. C. White, from California.

FOURTH SESSION

This session was devoted wholly to a consideration of the Sabbath-school interest, and the result of the session is embodied chiefly in the following resolutions:--

RESOLVED,

1. That an increase of interest and action in Sabbath-school work is greatly needed among us.

2. That a systematic and uniform method is necessary to greater efficiency in Sabbath-school instruction.

3. That a General Sabbath-school Association should be organized by our people, with State Conference auxiliary associations.

4. That a committee on Sabbath-school interests be appointed by this Conference, with instruction to report at its earliest convenience.

A committee, in accordance with the above, was thereupon appointed, consisting of Brethren W. C. White, G. H. Bell and A. C. Spicer, who reported a form for constitution, which upon consideration was referred back to the committee; and Elders Waggoner and Canright were added to their number.

A committee to nominate officers for the contemplated Sabbath-school organization was thereupon appointed as follows: Brethren Canright, Decker, and Brownsberger.

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SIXTH SESSION

THE SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK

The following action of the General Conference in relation to our Sabbath-school cause, we give in this manner by itself, for more prominence and convenient reference.

Monday evening, March 4, 6 p.m.

Prayer by E. W. Farnsworth.

The committee appointed to draft a constitution for the proposed Sabbath-school organization reported a form, which, after some amendments, was adopted. It is as follows:--

CONSTITUTION

For the purpose of awakening a deeper interest in Sabbath-school work, and of securing uniformity of method in our schools, a Sabbath-school Association is hereby organized by Seventh-day Adventists in General Conference assembled, this 4th day of March, A.D. 1878, this Association to be governed by the following Constitution:--

ARTICLE I

This society shall be known as the Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath-school Association; and shall be composed of all the members of the several Sabbath-schools of the Seventh-day Adventists, who shall be represented in business sessions by delegates from the several State Conference Sabbath-school (123--GCS 63-88) Associations, chosen upon the same basis and plan as are the delegates to the General Conference.

ARTICLE II

The officers of this Association shall be a President, as many Vice-Presidents as there may be auxiliary Conference Associations, the President of each of which Associations shall be a Vice-President of this. These officers shall be elected annually.

ARTICLE III

The duties of the President shall be to preside at all the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, and to call special meetings thereof.

ARTICLE IV

The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be:--

1. To record all the proceedings of the Association, and to present a yearly summary of the same at the annual meeting.

2. To present such other summary reports as may from time to time be ordered.

3. To attend the meetings of the Executive Board, and keep a record of its proceedings.

ARTICLE V

It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary:--

1. To execute all the correspondence ordered by the Association and by the Executive Board.
2. To make to the Recording Secretary an annual report of such correspondence, at least two weeks previous to the annual meeting of this Association.

3. To make reports at such other times as may be ordered.

4. He shall also act as treasurer of the Association, and shall receive and hold all moneys belonging to the Association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the Association or the Executive Board may direct, through the written order of the Recording Secretary.

ARTICLE VI

The functions of the Executive Board shall be:--

1. To represent this Association when not in session assembled, and to execute all its recommendations and orders.

2. To assist, either personally or by authorized agents, in organizing and conducting Sabbath-schools, Sabbath-school Institutes, and Sabbath-school Associations.

3. To induce those possessing the requisite ability, and having a heart in the work, to write in the interest of Bible study and proper Sabbath-school instruction, and to secure the publication and distribution of needed Sabbath-school literature.

4. To make all necessary provisions for rendering the sessions of the (124--GCS 63-88) Association interesting and profitable; and in general, to labor to make our Sabbath-schools efficient in preparing their members to be fruitful workers in the grand mission of the Third Angel's Message.

ARTICLE VII

The funds for defraying the expenses of this Association shall be obtained by contributions and donations.

ARTICLE VIII

This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present at any regular meeting.

The Committee on Nominations reported the following names:

president, D. M. Canright;
recording secretary, G. H. Bell;
corresponding secretary, Miss Eva Perkins;
Executive Committee, D. M. Canright, S. N. Haskell, and W. C. White.
All of these were elected by unanimous vote.

Remarks were made by Brethren Canright, White, Bell, Colcord, Olsen, Jones, and others, expressing their convictions of the necessity and importance of this move.

It was suggested that a song book, and smaller question books be prepared for the children, and that annual meetings for the children be held in connection with the camp-meetings. It was thought necessary to organize state associations.

MOVED, That the chairman appoint a committee of three to draft a constitution for state organizations. Carried.

D. M. Canright, G. H. Bell, and W. C. White were appointed to draw up the constitution for said organizations.

O. A. Olsen remarked that the Danish brethren could not use the question books unless a translation be made. It was thereupon voted that this matter be referred to the committee.

The time having arrived for the Tract and Missionary meeting, the Conference adjourned sine die.

S. N. Haskell, Pres. pro tem.
J. T. Richards, Sec. pro tem.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/GCB/GCB1863-88.pdf