THE AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCE

L. T. NICOLA

Held Oct. 21 to Nov. 11, 1895, on the Armadale Camp-ground, Melbourne, Victoria.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.8

THE second biennial session of the Australasian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was held on the Armadale camp-ground, in connection with the annual meeting of the Australian Conference. The President, W. C. White, occupied the chair. The Secretary, L. J. Rousseau, being fully occupied with other work, Herbert C. Lacey was chosen Secretary pro tem.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.9

Professor W. W. Prescott, Educational Secretary of the denomination, was present to represent the General Conference.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.10

The following were received as delegates:—GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.11

New Zealand. — G. T. Wilson and W. M. Crothers.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.12

Queensland. — G. A. Zeibig.

New South Wales. — L. J. Rousseau, J. O. Corliss, A. M. Jennett, and J. E. Collins.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.13

Central Australia. — A. G. Daniells, H. Muckersy, W. A. Colcord, C. P. Michaels, M. C. Israel, James Smith, M. G. Kellogg, A. Stewart, E. R. Palmer, N. D. Faulkhead, R. A. Anderson, and W. D. Salisbury.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.14

The Chairman gave a brief outline of the objects and aims of the Conference, and reviewed the work of the two years since its organization. It was shown that there had been steady advancement throughout the entire district; that the number of church-members had increased fifty per cent., and that the total number of Sabbath-keepers in Australasia was upward of sixteen hundred. Churches have increased in number from seventeen to twenty-eight. The number of preachers, from sixteen to twenty-five.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.15

The Chair extended a hearty welcome to Brother Alfred Nobbs, of Norfolk Island, and an invitation was extended to all our brethren in attendance at the meeting, to take part in the deliberations of the Conference.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.16

The committees for the session were appointed as follows:—GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.17

Delegation - N. D. Faulkhead, M. G. Kellogg, and M. C. Israel.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.18

Nominations - G. T. Wilson, J. E. Collins, and W. D. Salisbury.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.19

Resolutions - W. M. Crothers, W. A. Colcord, and James Smith.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.20

Education - W. W. Prescott J. O. Corliss, and L. J. Rousseau.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.21

Distribution of Labor - A. G. Daniells, W. M. Crothers, P. B. Rudge, A. M. Jennett, and A. Wantzlich.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.22

In response to a call for reports from standing committees, and heads of departments of the Union Conference, several very interesting reports were presented. W. A. Colcord, Field Secretary, presented a report of the religious liberty work. It showed that strenuous efforts are constantly being made to secure religious legislation, and that popular sentiment is being molded in favor of such legislation. Also, constant pressure is brought to bear upon the public schools for the introduction of religious instruction. The principal effort made by the department to check these threatened evils, has been through the circulation of the Southern Sentinel. All the newspaper editors in Australasia have been supplied with this journal, and a large number of the members of the several parliaments. The journal has been kindly received, and its principles are approved and advocated by many. Experiences were related, showing that efforts to circulate the Sentinel will meet with success, and that in some cases, the introduction of the Sentinel had led families to embrace the third angel’s message. The work of the corresponding secretaries had also been successful, and the hope was expressed that they would give more time to the furnishing of articles on this question to the newspapers.GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.23

A brief but comprehensive report of the work of the Australasian Book Committee was presented by its secretary, W. D. Salisbury. It is the duty of this committee to labor constantly for the improvement of Seventh-day Adventist literature. To this end, they examine the new works brought out by our publishing houses in other lands, to see what can be published here to advantage. They also suggest to authors the plans of work that are needed, and carefully examine manuscripts presented for publication. Several new works have been brought out in the last few months, among which are the tracts, “Christ and the Sabbath,” “The Law in Christ,” and the illustrated work, “His Glorious Appearing.”GCB January 1, 1896, page 654.24

The report of the Managing Committee of the Bible Echo showed that its circulation is steadily increasing. It also showed that the circulation of the Bible Echo in the hands of faithful colporteurs, is a powerful agency for the advancement of the message, and the building up of our Conference. The thought was expressed that the success of our brethren and sisters with the Echo during the past year, is an answer to the oft-repeated question, “How shall we follow up the work so well begun by our faithful canvassers?” The Bible truths as presented in the Echo, were likened unto leaven, “which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” It was pointed out that what was most needed now, was the co-operation of all our people, that the circulation and influence of the journal may be greatly increased.GCB January 1, 1896, page 655.1