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General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

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    THE GENERAL CONFERENCE NOT A COMPETITOR

    L. T. NICOLA

    “A year ago I said that the General Conference could never come in as a competitor with any of the institutions of the denomination. I still hold to that idea; and it is correct. You can readily see what such competition would lead to. The General Conference takes the oversight of all the institutions connected with our work. Indeed, the various church and Conference organizations, with all the institutions connected with the whole work, constitute the General Conference. Therefore for the General Conference to place itself in a position where it would come into competition with any of our institutions, would be to change from its general position to the basis of a local institution, and thus lose its influence as a director of the whole.GCB July 1, 1896, page 707.2

    “But I felt that if it were right for the General Conference to engage in the publishing work (and what was considered its right in this regard was not an imagination of my own, but was a question that had been deliberated on by the whole denomination, through their representatives, and I always have respect for measures thus considered), there would be some way of conducting it so that the Conference would not be brought into competition with our denominational publishing houses. But, from the instruction that has come to us, and from a study of the underlying principles of this question, I am satisfied, that the General Conference cannot be a publisher in this country without being a competitor; and if that be the case, it is not right that it should continue in the publishing work. It must withdraw. And not only is this so in this work, but in every other line of work in which it would act as a competitor.GCB July 1, 1896, page 707.3

    “Now the Lord has spoken very decidedly on the question. Where we have erred is in not having spiritual discernment years ago, to see what these things would lead to, and not go on year after year as we have done. I have failed greatly, and I am sorry for it; but, brethren, I am so thankful - more thankful than I can express in words - that in this matter we have another evidence of the same care of God for this work that we have seen in all the past years of its existence; namely, that when we come to the point of real danger the Lord gives definite instruction. Before that he lays out underlying principles, and wants us to study and understand them; but when we are so blinded that we cannot see and understand, he points the matter out definitely. This has been done now, and you have seen the instruction in the matter that has been sent you.GCB July 1, 1896, page 707.4

    “It may be thought by some that these things ought to be held until the next session of the General Conference. But I think not; neither do I believe that we can change all these things around here at this meeting. Such a course might not be for the best interests of the work. Yet I think a decided move should be made in that direction at this time; and when the General Conference meets, we will be prepared to carry the matter to completion, and accomplish that which the Lord would have done. But if we do nothing now, we would then find ourselves unprepared to take measures that would be for the best interests of the cause of God. We can now begin to lay plans to work in that direction, and the members of the Association can be educating our brethren throughout the Conference so they can act consistently. Our work will then be much more stable in its results. This is the object of bringing these questions before this meeting at this time.GCB July 1, 1896, page 707.5

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