Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-18
sEvENrN pAy ApveNrIsu

OAu
Meeting OF che General Conference at
Rattle Creek. Michigan..sono Static.
tics Pertaining 10 The Organization.
Reported for the Press and Dakotatan.
Battle Creek, Michigan, Nov. Is, 1870
The general conference Of Seventh Day Ad.
v~entists convened Friday, Nov. 9Th, At the
tabernacle, and is now in session. As the
delegation is from ill parts of the United
States, east and west. and the plans Of this
body are go widely laid aud extensively
carried out, . brief allusion to some facts
concerning this peculiar people, their plans
of operation and their institutions, which
are mostly located here, will doubtless be of
interest to your readers.
The tabernacle in which the meetings are
held 10 the largest house of worship in the
state Of Michigan, with seating capacity for
thirty-two hundred. It is unique and
graceful in design, combining simplicity
and elegance in all is proportions. This
is the fourth house of worship that has
been erected in this city BY this denomina-
ton, the first of which was built in 1865.
The new tabernacle was completed last
year. The manner in which it was built,
by contributions from all parts Of the
country, we'll illustrates the unity of action
and common sympathy among this
people.
The general conference comprises dele.
cato. f.on, Afo;oo Vo.~out M.o.ooh,ao<t
Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan. Wiscon-
sin, Minnesota, Dakota, Kansas, Missouri,
Iowa, Nebraska. Colorado, Texas, Califor-
MIA and Canada, to the number Of forty.
Seventy ministers Of the denomination are
present, among whom are Elder Jones
White, president Of the general conference,
Mrs. E. G. White, one of their most effec.
tive speakers Elder U. Smith, editor Of the
Review and Herald, and professor Of
biblical literature in Battle Creek college I;
Elder s. N. Haskell, president of the gener.
al tract society /; Elder D. NJ. Canright, and
others.
Anniversary meetings Of the various in
stitutions connected with the work are held
in connection with the conference and its
plans are being laid for further opera
lions.
As their name denotes. this people are
looking for the return Of the Lord at no
distant day, and feeling that they must
crowd the work Of many years into a few,
their plans are broad and comprehensive,
and are carried forward with persistent
energy.
Although their existence as q denomina-
ton is so recent, with q history of but little
more than a quarter of a century, it would
be safe to assert, that there is no country
where the English language is spoken, that
has not, to some extent, been reached by
their operations, and many of the European
and other countries.
: The rapid growth of the work is shown by
, its annual reports of the various %associa-
lions, which have in charge the institutions
. here, some of which have sprung up with
, surprising rapidly, and others by clover
growth, but all of which appear to be estab.
lished on a permanent baeis.
From the earliest history of the work Of
; this people, Elder and Mrs. White have
occupied a prominent place in it, taking the
lead in many of the various enterprises that
have been set on foot. In 1850 he com.
menced the publication of the Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, the organ o.
the denomination. At an address before 8
meeting of the publishing association, tn.
elder displayed the first issue of the paper
= tiny sheet, yellow with time, tracing tht
work through the various vicissitude'
which have attended it, to the present
This small beginning, attempted in poverty
and under discouragements which would
have daunted most men, was the nucleu'
. round which greater results clustered.
d During all its early history it was unde
the management of Elder White, ant
,e through the entire period he has been NOR
or less intimately connected with it.
IS The present proportions of th
g work may be estimated from
- the reports given ct the meeting Of the as
ISOLATION, and by actual observation. Th,
main building in which the work is carried
on is q handsome four story brick. in which
are located the bindery, electrotyping ant
. stereotypiug foundry. printing, folding AMI
other departments Of the publishing work
n Seven power presses are in constant opera.
ton.
,e Tho publications issued arc in the EnR
b lish, French, German, Danish and Sweed
!. ish languages. the numbers of pages issue
!, the past year reaching 1921, $50. Week
IT lies, monthlies, semi-moHthlies and quarter
lies are issued in English, German, DaaisI
and Swedish. a%Rgrega.ing in monthly cir
culatien, 63.033 copies.
The treasurer's report showed the tots
receipts Of the association for the year to b
$233, 799. SO. and its assets above all liabili