Evening star., 1950-07-09
Adventist Membership
Up 2496 in -Four Years,
World Conferees Hear
By Clint Mosher


Special Correspondent of The Si1r
SAN FRANCISCO, July "a
"A per cent increase in member
ship of the Seyenth-Day Advent
list Church in the last four years
was announced here tonight on
the eve of the church's 46th quad
renniaf world conference.
E. D. Dick of Takoma Park. Md.
general secretary of the church,
made public his report showing
the acquisition of 100000 new
members throughout the world
since 1946.
These conversions bring the
church's total membership in 228
countries to 1854.
To Stipulate Autonomy.
Mr.. Dick said in line with this
large growth in the church, al
major activity at the present con-
ference will be the streamlining
OF the church manual and bylaws
to define more clearly the individ-
ual autonomy of the 10 divisions
which comprise the church organ
ization outside the United States
and Canada.
There has always been auton-
omy but in view of our member
ship growth, the time now seems
appropriate for clarifying this
principle of autonomy and for
making 1t easier for the various
divisions to adjust their opera
ations to changing world condi-
tions."
Fifteen thousand persons, a ma.
]ority Of them family groups, were |
arriving in San Francisco today
for the official opening of the con-
ference Monday. 1t will continue
through July %.
McElhany to Speak.
Elder j. L. McElhany, of Ia
koma Park. president Of the
world general conference of the
AdventiStS. will make the princi-
pal address at the opening ses-
sion of the convention Monday
night.
AS q preliminary, devotional
services have been in progress for
two days in section of the Civic
Auditorium where the joint ses-
SionS will be held.
At convention headquarters in
the auditorium. the $50 official
delegates from the 68 countries to
be represented at the conference
have been registering and sub
mitting their reports of mission
ary field work.
Foreign Delegates to Speak.
The first of the foreign speak
ers will address the delegates
Tuesday night. He Is Walter r.
Beach Of Berne, Switzerland.
Nathaniel c. Wilson Of New
South Wales, will speak Wednes-
day night. with c. w. Bozarth
of Capetown, Africa. On Thurs
day, Richard r. Figuhr Of Buenos
Aires, will bring a message to the
asSemblage.
Other speakers from foreign
countries will be on the programs
Of the second week of the con-
vention.
A feature of the conference will
be the retirement of Elder McEl-
hany, who has been the head of
the church since 1886.
Missionaries to Be Honored.
Three pioneer missionaries will
be honored by the delegates during
the meeting here.
They are:
William H. Anderson, who 54
years ago established the first
Seventh-Day Adventist mission
station in Africa.
r. A. Stahl, who first brought the
message of the church to the In
dians of the Lake Titicaca region
Of Peru.
Doctors Daniel H. and Lauretta
Kress, who have more than sol
years denominational medical work
to their credit. Their 66th we'd
ding anniversary occurs during the
convention period.
Special daily editions of the Re-
view and Herald will be published
IN Takoma Park during the con-
ference. Reports will be phoned
IN for publication each day. About
500 Takoma Park residents will at