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General Conference Bulletin, vol. 5

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    GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. Twentieth Meeting

    H. W. Cottrell

    THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1903, 7 P. M.

    Elder H. W. Cottrell in the chair. Prayer was offered by Elder N. P. Nelson.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.1

    The Chair: We adjourned last meeting with the report of the Committee on Constitution pending adoption, and had had quite a general discussion of the question on general principles. I think now, unless some member of the house shall object, we will have it read, and call section or article as it may come, for consideration.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.2

    The secretary read the first article, and question was called for.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.3

    The secretary read Article 2: “The object of this Conference is to teach all nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.4

    A. T. Jones: Mr. Chairman, why is that changed from the old one?GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.5

    The Chair: I think I will have to be censured for that, if any censure is attached. The only reason why that was done was simply because I have rather a personal dislike to the word “unify.” They are always unifying, and never coming to a unit; and I thought the time had really come for us to go ahead and preach this everlasting gospel, and I thought I would say so; so I take the blame for that.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.6

    A. T. Jones: That is one of the differences between the right one and the wrong one. One object of the organization under the constitution that we had was that the work should be unified, and that the Conference Committee should be the unifying agency, instead of the controlling agency; it would be an advisory and unifying agency of the different departments of the work of the cause. Now I confess that it has not been done; that is plain enough. There has been lack of unity among the departments. And I did not think it would be a good thing to leave it out, and quit because it had not been done. I think that still. The work of the committee of this organization is the same as it was before.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.7

    The Chair: I will say to the delegation that I do not think anybody at any time had any objection at all to the other article, except me, and I only had that one thought in it, and I have not any speech to make on it. I would as soon have the other one as this one. It does not make a particle of difference to me, if it is agreeable to the house.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.8

    G. A. Irwin: I move the adoption of the other one.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.9

    M. C. Wilcox: I second the motion.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.10

    The Chair: It is open for remarks; are you ready for the question? I would like you to note that all the difference in the world is in that one word “unifying.” This takes the gospel everywhere according to the commission of Jesus, and the other takes the gospel everywhere, and that is the commission of Jesus.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.11

    A. T. Jones: I submit that there is a good deal more than that in it. “The object of this Conference shall be to unify and to extend to all parts of the world the work of promulgating the everlasting gospel.” “Promulgating the gospel” is there the same as in the new one; but this other thing is there also; that is vital and worth something. There are two things in the right one, and only one in the wrong one.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.12

    The Chair: I would like to ask the member if the receiving of the gospel does not unify.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.13

    R. A. Underwood: I wish to say that I like the reading of the proposed one better than the old one, and it is smoother, it seems to me. I would like to see the word “unify,” if it will meet the minds of the brethren, incorporated into the proposed constitution.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.14

    J. E. Jayne: The second article, as proposed, contains simply our commission, “Teach all nations.” The other has the additional thought that the work performed in this is unifying. Now, I believe it is evident to us all that unity in this work will come alone through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and he who is not a real Christian, united with Christ and his brethren, can not teach the gospel. For my part. I decidedly prefer the new article, because it is plain and simple, and leaves out the idea that Christians must have some kind of organization to unify them.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.15

    The question was called on the substitution, and the motion to substitute was lost.GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.16

    The secretary read Article 3:—GCB April 12, 1903, page 165.17

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