Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 1956

456 Pages·2013·8.74 MB·English

/956 ea,igoo4
OF THE
SEVENTH-DAY -ADVENTIST
DENOMINATION
A DIRECTORY OF
The General Conference, World Divisions, Union
and Local Conferences and Missions, Educational
Institutions, Hospitals and Sanitariums, Publishing
Houses, Periodicals, and Denominational Workers.
Edited and Compiled by
H. W. Klaser, Statistical Secretary,
General Conference
Published by
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON 12, D.C.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
(cid:9)
Contents
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists (cid:9) 4
Constitution and By-Laws (cid:9) 5
General Conference and Departments (cid:9) 10
Divisions:
North American (cid:9) 21
Australasian (cid:9) 67
Central European (cid:9) 82
China (cid:9) 88
Far Eastern (cid:9) 89
Inter-American (cid:9) 106
Middle East (cid:9) 122
Northern European (cid:9) 126
South American (cid:9) 139
Southern African (cid:9) 153
Southern Asia (cid:9) 170
Southern European (cid:9) 180
Union of Socialist Soviet Republics (cid:9) 195
Institutions:
Educational (cid:9) 196
Food Companies (cid:9) 247
Medical 251
Dispensaries and Treatment Rooms (cid:9) 268
Orphanages (cid:9) 270
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 271
Periodicals Issued (cid:9) 280
Statistical Tables (cid:9) 292
Countries Where S.D.A. Work is Established' (cid:9) 294
Languages in Which Publications Are Issued (cid:9) 297
Necrology (cid:9) 306
Index of Institutional Workers (cid:9) 307
Directory of Workers (cid:9) 335
Special Days and Offerings for 1956 (cid:9) 454
Ads (cid:9) 444
Preface
A directory of the conferences, mission state-wide basis in 1870, and state Sabbath
fields, and institutions connected with the school associations in 1877. The name, "Se-
Seventh-day Adventist denomination is given venth-day Adventists," was chosen in 1860,
in the following pages. Administrative and and in 1903 the denominational headquarters
workers' lists have been furnished by the were moved from Battle Creek, Mich., to
organizations concerned. In cases where cur- Washington, D.C.
rent reports were not received, previous Since 1900 to the close of 1954 there have
official and personnel rolls have been re- been sent out 7,504 missionaries for mission
tained or adjusted to the best information service in various lands comprising all of the
available. Below appears data summarized larger countries of the world and many of
largely from the 1954 Statistical Report, the the islands of the sea. Evangelistic and in-
one last issued at this date. stitutional workers numbering 42,250 were
The number of churches and the church using 726 languages and modes of speech
membership in each of the conferences in in their gospel service.
North America, as well as those outside of The membership of the 11,447 Seventh-day
North America, are the figures published in Adventist churches throughout the world in
the latest available Annual Statistical Re- 1954 was 972,071. There were 69 union con-
port. Populations of conferences in North ferences and missions, 144 local conferences,
America are based on the 1950 census or 204 regularly organized mission fields, and
latest figures available; and population fig- 641 institutions. Of the 42,250 laborers, 16,-
ures for other fields have been furnished 170 were in North America, and 26,080 in
largely from the different Division for Union other countries.
offices. The funds in tithes and offerings con-
Following the classification order of tributed in 1954 by Seventh-day Adventists
workers in the General Conference Working were the largest ever raised by the denomi-
Policy, those persons who carry missionary nation during any one year. The amount of
credentials are placed immediately following $62,607,994.37 was equivalent to a per capita
the ordained minister groups in the confer- contribution of $70.39 for every member in
ence and mission sections of the Yearbook. the world field. In North America alone the
The Directory of Workers lists the names per capita giving in tithes and offerings was
and addresses of ordained and licensed min- $183.54. In addition to the above, $5,172.87
isters and workers holding missionary cre- was given in North America in 1954 for
dentials and Bible instructors credentials. A mission rehabilitation and famine relief.
separate index of principal workers em- The Statistical Report showed that there
ployed in educational, publishing and med- were 43 Seventh-day Adventist publishing
ical institutions is also given. houses and branches, whose book and period-
The Seventh-day Adventist denomination ical retail sales in 1954 were $17,271,860.76.
was organized May 21, 1863, with a con- These publishing houses employed 1,681
stituency of 125 churches, and 3,500 mem- workers in producing this literature, and
bers. The work was largely confined to North 3,353 colporteurs were &waged in its dis-
America until the year 1874, when the first tribution. Seventh-day Adventist literature
missionary, Elder J. N. Andrews, was sent has been printed in 200 languages, and there
to Switzerland. Gradually other countries were 362 periodicals issued.
were entered. In 1886 a minister went to The enrollment in the 21,129 Sabbath
Russia, the first non-Protestant country in schools was 1,257,209, and the annual Sab-
which this work was started. The schooner bath school offerings were $5,862,458.49.
"Pitcairn" was launched in San Francisco Sanitariums, hospitals, and treatment rooms
Bay on July 28, 1890, and was soon pre- to the number of 235 were engaged in the
pared to carry groups of missionaries to var- care of the sick, with 10,574 physicians,
ious Pacific islands. In 1894 Seventh-day Ad- nurses and other attendants, caring for 230,-
ventist workers first entered a heathen land, • 320 patients in the institutions and furnish-
opening a mission in Matabeleland, South ing 2,332,473 additional treatments and medi-
Africa. South America was entered the same cal services during 1954.
year, and Japan in 1896. There were 4,678 elementary schools, and
Although publishing and the distribution 302 secondary and advanced schools, with
of literature had been a major factor in the 8,953 teachers employed, and an enrollment
development of the Advent cause from its of 249,847 pupils. At the close of the 1953-54
beginning, the first regular publishing house school year 1,041 students entered some
was incorporated in 1861 at Battle Creek, branch of denominational work.
Mich., under the name of the Seventh-day The property value of all organizations
Adventist Publishing Association. The Ad- and institutions connected with the Seventh-
vent Review and Sabbath Herald was first day Adventist denomination, including
published in 1850 at Paris, Maine; the churches, at the beginning of 1953 was $250,-
Youth's Instructor at Rochester, N. Y., in 546,707.70.
1852; and the Signs of the Times at Oakland, The total amount of funds in tithes and
Calif., in 1874. In 1866 the Health Reform offerings contributed since the organization
Institute, later the Battle Creek Sanitarium, of the General Conference of Seventh-day
was established. The first denominational Adventists in 1863 to the close of 1954 was
school was opened in 1872. Tract and mis- $854,789,471.14. Literature sales for the same
sionary society work was organized on a period were registered at $284,355,966.16.
3
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTISTS
Seventh-day Adventists hold certain fun- Holy Spirit, who convinces of sin and leads
damental beliefs, the principal features of to the Sin-Bearer, inducting the believer into
which, together with a portion of the scrip- the new covenant relationship, where the law
tural references upon which they are based, of God is written on his heart, and through
may be summarized as follows: the enabling power of the indwelling Christ,
1. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and his life is brought into conformity to the
New testaments were given by inspiration divine precepts. The honor and merit of this
of God, contain an all-sufficient revelation of wonderful transformation belong wholly to
His will to men, and are the only unerring Christ. 1 John 2:1, 2; 3:4; Rom. 3:20; 5:8-10;
rule of faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:15-17. 7:7; Eph. 2:8-10; 3:17; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 8:8-12.
2. That the Godhead, or Trinity, consists 9. That God "only hath immortality." 1
of the Eternal Father, a personal, spiritual Tim. 6:15. Mortal man possesses a nature in-
Being, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, herently sinful and dying. Eternal life is the
infinite in wisdom and love; the Lord Jesus gift of God through faith in Christ. Rom.
Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, 6:23. "He that hath the Son hath life."
through whom all things were created and 1 John 5:12. Immortality is bestowed upon
through whom the salvation of the redeemed the righteous at the second coming of Christ,
hosts will be accomplished; the Holy Spirit, when the righteous dead are raised from the
the third person of the Godhead, the great grave and the living righteous translated to
regenerating power in the work of redemp- meet the Lord. Then it is that those ac-
tion. Matt. 28:19. counted faithful "put on immortality." 1 Cor.
3. That Jesus Christ is very God, being of 15:51-55.
the same nature and essence as the Eternal 10. That the condition of man in death is
Father. While retaining His divine nature one of unconsciousness. That all men, good
He took upon Himself the nature of the hu- and evil alike, remain in the grave from
man family, lived on the earth as a man, death to the resurrection. Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps.
exemplified in His life as our Example the 146:3, 4; John 5:28, 29.
principles of righteousness, attested His re- 11. That there shall be a resurrection both
lationship to God by many mighty miracles, of the just and of the unjust. The resurrec-
died for our sins on the cross, was raised tion of the just will take place at the second
from the dead, and ascended to the Father, coming of Christ; the resurrection of the un-
where He ever lives to make intercession just will take place a thousand years later,
for us. John 1:1, 14; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2; at the close of the millennium. John 5:28, 29;
4:14-16: 7:25. 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:5-10.
4. That every person in order to obtain 12. That the finally impenitent, including
salvation must experience the new birth; that Satan, the author of sin, will, by the fires of
this comprises an entire transformation of the last day be reduced to a state of non-
life and character by the recreative power of existence, becoming as though they had not
God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. been, thus purging God's universe of sin
John 3:16;. Matt. 18:3; Acts 2:37-39. and sinners. Rom. 6:23; Mal. 4:1-3; Rev. 20:9,
5. That baptism is an ordinance of 10; Obadiah 16.
the Christian church and should follow re- 13. That no prophetic period is given in
pentance and forgiveness of sins. By its the Bible to reach the second advent, but
observance faith is shown in the death, that the longest one, the 2300 days of Dan.
burial, and resurrection of Christ. That the 8:14, terminated in 1844, and brought us to
proper form of baptism is by immersion. an event called the cleansing of the sanc-
Rom, 6:1-6; Acts 16:30-33. tuary.
6. That the will of God as it relates to 14. That the true sanctuary, of which the
moral conduct is comprehended in His law tabernacle on earth was a type, is the temple
of ten commandments; that these are great of God in Heaven, of which Paul speaks in
moral, unchangeable precepts, binding upon Hebrews 8 and onward, and of which the
all men, in every age. Ex. 20:1-17. Lord Jesus, as our great high priest, is min-
7. That the fourth commandment of this ister; and that the priestly work of our Lord
unchangeable law requires the observance of ' is the antitype of the work of the Jewish
the seventh-day Sabbath. This holy institu- priests of the former dispensation; that this
tion is at the same time a memorial of crea- heavenly sanctuary is the one to be cleansed
tion and a sign of sanctification, a sign of at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8,14;
the believer's rest from his own works of its cleansing being, as in the type, a work
sin, and his entrance into the rest of soul of judgment, beginning with the entrance of
which Jesus promises to those who come to Christ as the high priest upon the judgment
Him. Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; 31:12-17; Heb. phase of His ministry in the heavenly sanc-
4:1-10. tuary foreshadowed in the earthly service of
8. That the law of ten commandments cleansing the sancturay on the day of atone-
points out sin, the penalty of which is death. ment. This work of judgment in the heavenly
The law cannot save the transgressor from sanctuary began in 1844. Its completion will
his sin, nor impart power to keep him from close human probation.
sinning. In infinite love and mercy, God 15. That God, in the time of the judgment
provides a way whereby this may be done. and in accordance with His uniform dealing
He furnishes a substitute, even Christ the 'with the human family in warning them of
Righteous One, to die in man's stead, mak- coming events vitally affecting their destiny
ing "Him to be sin for us, who knew no (Amos 3:6, 7), sends forth a proclamation of
sin; that we might be made the righteous- the approach of the second advent of Christ;
' ness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21. That one that this work is symbolized by the three
is justified, not by obedience to the law, but angels of Revelation 14; and that their three-
by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. By fold message brings to view a work of reform
accepting Christ, man is reconciled to God, to prepare a people to meet Him at His com-
justified by His blood for the sins of the ing.
past, and saved from the power of sin by 16. That the time of the cleansing of the
His indwelling life. Thus the gospel becomes sanctuary, synchronizing with the period of
"the power of God unto salvation to every- the proclamation of the message of Revela-
one that believeth." Rom. 1:16. This experi- tion 14, is a time of investigative judgment,
ence is wrought by the divine agency of the first with reference to the dead, and secondly,
4
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS(cid:9) 5
with reference to the living. This investiga- reward of the righteous, the establishment
tive judgment determines who of the my- of His everlasting kingdom. The almost
riads sleeping in the dust of the earth are complete fulfillment of various lines of
worthy of a part in the first resurrection, prophecy, particularly those found in the
and who of its living multitudes are worthy books of Daniel and the Revelation, with
of translation. 1 Peter 4:17, 18; Dan. 7:9, 10; existing conditions in the physical, social, in-
Rev. 14:6, 7; Luke 20:35. dustrial, political, and religious worlds, in-
dicates that Christ's coming "is near, even
17. That the followers of Christ should be at the doors." Matt. 24:33. The exact time
a godly people, not adopting the unholy of that event has not been foretold. Be-
wmaaxyism osf n tohre c wonofrolrdm, innogt tloo tvhien ugn irtisg hstienofuusl lievers are exhorted to be ready, for "in
pleasures nor countenancing its follies. That such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man" (Matt. 24:44) will be revealed. Luke
bttheemeliyep vslehe roosu fsl dthh oceul oHldtoh reley ct hoSgaptni rbiziote,d atyhn eidni r t nhbeaoatd tti,h emse roaesdf eothsrtee, 1R7e:v2._6 -13:107;; 2H1e:2b5. -92:72; 8J;o Jhanm 1e4s:1 5-3:1; -A8c; tJso 1e:l9 3-1:91-;
dignified apparel. Further, that in eating 16; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Dan. 7:27; Matt. 24:36,
accnoondmd deurtchitn tfkhoienllygo swahneodrus li dno fst hhtahepeire m ethneeteiirkre la icvnoedus rlaossew b oleyf- 4c4o2.v 1e. rTs thhaet ptherei omdi blleetnwneieanl rtheieg fnir ostf aCndh rtihset
second resurrections, during which time the
Master. Thus the followers of Christ will be saints of all ages will live with their blessed
lteodb atocc aob, satnaidn oftrhoemr naallr cinottoicxsi,c aatnidn gt od raivnokisd, Redeemer in Heaven. At the end of the
every body and soul defiling habit and prac- millennium, the Holy City with all the
saints will descend to the earth. The
tice. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 9:25; 10:31; 1 Tim. 2:9, wicked, raised in the second resurrection,
10; 1 John 2:6. will go up on the breadth of, the earth
18. That the divine principle of tithes and with Satan at their head to compass the
offerings for the support of the gospel is an camp of the saints, when fire will come
acknowledgment of God's ownership in our down from God out of Heaven and devour
lives, and that we are stewards who must them. In the conflagration which destroys
render account to Him of all that He has Satan and his host, the earth itself will be
committed to our possession. Lev. 27:30; Mal. regenerated and cleansed from the effects
3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2 Cor. 9:6- of the curse. Thus the universe of God
15. will be purified from the foul blot of sin.
19. That God has placed in His church Rev. 20; Zech. 14:1-4; 2 Peter 3:7-10.
the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as enumerated 22. That God will make all things new.
in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. That The earth, restored to its pristine beauty,
these gifts operate in harmony with the will become forever the abode of the saints
divine principles of the Bible, and are of .the Lord. The promise to Abraham, that
given for the perfecting of the saints, the through Christ he and his seed should pos-
work of the ministry, the edifying of the sess the earth throughout the endless ages
body of Christ. Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 1 Cor. of eternity, will be fulfilled. "The kingdom
1:5-7. That the gift of the Spirit of proph- and dominion, and the greatness of the king-
ecy is one of the identifying marks of the dom under the whole heaven will be given
remnant church. 1 Cor. 1:5, 7; 12:1, 28; Rev. to the people of the saints of the Most High,
12:17; 19:10; Amos 3:7; Hosea 12:10, 13. They whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
recognize that this gift was manifested in and all dominions shall serve and obey Him."
the life and ministry of Ellen G. White. Dan. 7:27. Christ, the Lord, will reign sup-
20. That the second coming of Christ is reme, and every creature which is in heaven
,the great hope of the church, the grand and on the earth and under the earth, and
climax of the gospel and plan of salvation. such as are in the sea will ascribe "blessing,
His coming will be literal, personal, and and honor, and glory, and power," unto
visible. Many important events will be asso- "Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto
ciated with His return, such as the resur- the Lamb forever and ever." Gen 13:14-17;
rection of the dead, the destruction of the Rom. 4:13; Heb. 11:8-16; Matt. 5:5; Isa. 35;
wicked, the purification of the earth, the Rev. 21:1-7; 5:13; Dan. 7:27.
THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
(As Revised at the Forty-Seventh Session vote of the General Conference in session.
Held in San Francisco, California, May 24- (b) Such local conferences and properly
June 5, 1954) organized local missions not included in any
division, union conference or union mission
Article I—Name or such local conferences or local missions
directly attached to divisions as have been
This organization shall be known as Gen- or shall be properly organized and accepted
eral Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. by vote of the General Conference in session.
Sec. 2. The voters of this Conference shall
Article II—Object be designated as follows:
The object of this Conference is to teach (a) Delegates at large
all nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord (b) Regular delegates
and Saviour Jesus Christ and the command- Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be:
ments of God. (a) All members of the General Conference
Executive Committee.
Article III—Membership(cid:9) , (b) Such representatives of missions of
the General Conference and of general in-
Sec. 1. The membership of this Conference stitutions and departments of work, and
shall consist of: such general laborers and field secretaries
(a) Such union conferences and union mis- as shall receive delegate's credentials from
sions either in organized division sections or the Executive Committee of the General Con-
without divisional affiliation as have been or ference, such credentials to r be ratified by
shall be properly organized and accepted by the General Conference in session. The num-
6(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1956
ber of these delegates thus seated shall not and Division Ministerial Association Secre-
exceed 25 per cent of the total number of taries.
delegates in attendance otherwise provided (b) Other persons, not to exceed 25 in
for. number, to serve as members of the Execu-
Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be ap- tive Committee.
pointed and accredited by division com-
mittees except in the case of North America, Article VI—Executive Committee
where they shall be appointed and accred-
ited by union conferences. In the case of Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall
unions without divisional affiliation the del- consist of:
egates shall be appointed by the General (a) Those elected as provided by Article V.
Conference Committee upon recommendation (b) Presidents of Union conferences, pres-
of the unions involved. idents of union missions, ex-presidents of
Sec. 5. Each union conference and each the General Conference holding credentials
union mission shall be entitled to one del- from this conference, the president of the
egate in addition to its president without College of Medical Evangelists, the presi-
regard to number, an additional delegate for dent of the Seventh-day Adventist Theolo-
each local conference in its territory with- gical Seminary, the editor of the Advent
out regard to number, an additional delegate Review and Sabbath Herald, the general
for each one thousand five hundred or manager of the Review and Herald Publish-
major fraction thereof of the membership ing Association, the general manager of the
of the union conference or mission, calcula- Pacific Press Publishing Association, the
tions to be based upon the membership as general manager of the Southern Publishing
of December 31 next preceding the session. Association, the president of the Home Study
Institute, the manager of Esda Sales and
Service, in Washington, D.C., and the man-
Article IV—Officers and Their Duties ager of the General Conference Insurance
Sec. 1. The officers of this Conference shall Service.
be a president, vice-presidents, a secretary,
associate secretaries, a treasurer, an under- Article .VII—Term of Office
treasurer, and assistant treasurers who shall All officers of the Conference and those
be elected by the Conference. members of the Executive Committee pro-
Sec. 2. President: The President shall pre- vided for by Article VI, Sec. 1 (a), shall
side at the sessions of the Conference, act hold office from the time of election until
as chairman of the Executive Committee, the next ensuing regular session or until
and labor in the general interests of the their successors are elected and appear to
Conference, as the Executive Committee may enter upon their duties.
advise.
Sec. 3. Vice-Presidents: Each Vice-Presi- Article VIII—Incorporations and Agents
dent shall at the time of his election be
assigned to serve as a general administra- Sec. 1. Such incorporations may be au-
tive assistant to the President or to preside thorized by the General Conference in ses-
over a division field. sion, or by the General Conference Execu-
Sec. 4. Secretary and Associate Secretaries: tive Committe, as the development of the
It shall be the duty of the Secretary and the work may require.
Associate Secretaries to keep the minutes of Sec. 2. At each regular session of this
the proceedings of the General Conference Conference, the delegates shall elect such
sessions and of the General Conference Com- trustees of corporate bodies connected with
mittee meetings, to maintain correspondence this organization as may be provided in the
with the fields, and to perform such other statutory laws governing each.
duties as usually pertain to such office. Sec. 3. The Conference shall employ such
Sec. 5. Treasurer, Undertreasurer, and As- committees, secretaries, treasurers, auditors,
sistant Treasurers: It shall be the duty of agents, ministers, missionaries and other
tGheen Terraela Csuornefre rteon rceec, eainvde dailslb fuurnsed sth oefm t hine lpaebrosroenrss,, aasn dm maya bkee nsueccehs sdairsytr iebffuetciotinv eolfy ittos
harmony with the actions of the Executive execute its work.
Committee of the General Conference, and Sec. 4. The Conference shall grant cre-
to render such financial statements at reg- dentials or licenses to ministers and mis-
ular intervals as may be desired by the Con- sionaries except in division fields, in union
ference or by the Executive Committee. The and local conferences, and in organized
Undertreasurer and Assistant Treasurers union missions.
shall assist the Treasurer in his work.
Article IX—Sessions
Article V—Election Sec. 1. This Conference shall hold
quadrennial sessions at such time and place
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at as the Executive Committee shall designate
each regular session of the Conference: and announce by a notice published in the
(a) A President, Vice-Presidents, a Sec- Advent Review and Sabbath Herald in three
retary, Associate Secretaries, Division Sec- consecutive issues at least four months be-
retaries, a Treasurer, an Undertreasurer, As- fore the date for the opening of the session.
sistant Treasurers, Divison Treasurers, a In case special world conditions seem to
Statistical Secretary, General Field Secre- make it imperative to postpone the calling
taries, Division Field Secretaries, a Secretary of the session, the Executive Committee in
and Associate Secretaries of the Ministerial regular or special Council shall have author-
Association, an Auditor and Associate Aud- ity to make such postponement not to ex-
itors, a Secretary and Associate Secretaries ceed two years, giving notice to all constit-
of the International Temperance Association, uent organizations.
a Secretary and Associate Secretaries of the
Seventh-day Adventist National Service Or- Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call
ganization, a Secretary and Associate Sec- special sessions of the General Conference
retaries of the Bureau of Public Relations, a at such time and place as it deems proper,
Secretary and Associate Secretaries of each by a like notice as of regular sessions, and
duly organized General Conference Depart- the transactions of such special sessions
ment; namely, Publishing, Medical, Educa- shall have the same force as those of the
tional, Sabbath School, Religious Liberty, regular sessions.
Young People's Missionary Volunteer, Home Sec. 3. The election of officers, and the
Missionary, North American Colored, Radio, voting on all matters of business shall be
and Television, Division Departmental Sec- by viva-voce vote or as designated by the
retaries, including the Australasian Inter- chairman unless otherwise demanded by a
Union Health Food Department Secretary, majority of the delegates present.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS(cid:9) 7
Article X—By-Laws have charge of the work in those fields under
the direction of the division committees and
The voters of this Conference may enact shall be designated within their respective
By-Laws and amend or repeal them at any division territories as presidents of the di-
session thereof, and such By-Laws may em- visions over which they preside.
brace any provision not inconsistent with
the Constitution. Article IV—Associate and General
Field Secretaries
Article XI—Amendments •
Sec. 1. The term "associate secretary" shall
This Constitution or its By-Laws may be be used to designate the secretaries elected
amended by a two-thirds vote of the voters to be associated with the Secretary of the
present and voting at any session: provided General Conference, or such secretary or
that, if it is proposed to amend the Con- secretaries as may be elected to associate
stitution at a special session, notice of such with the Secretary of any Department, Bu-
purpose shall be given in the call for such reau, or Association, in carrying the respon-
special session. sibilities of his office.
BY-LAWS Sec. 2. Associate Secretaries shall be
- elected to share the work of the General
Article I—Division Sections Conference Secretary. Associate Secretaries
shall also be elected as may be deemed neces-
Sec. 1. The General Conference shall con- sary to assist the Secretaries of Depart-
duct its world-wide work in division sec- ments, Bureaus, or Associations in the con-
tions, each section to operate within a duct of their work.
specified territory in harmony with the
policy of the General Conference. Sec. 3. The term "general field secretary"
Sec. 2. Union conference and union mis- shall be used to designate general field
sion field organizations, together with all workers elected, in addition to the officers,
other organizations and institutions within to serve in carrying the field responsibilities
the territory, shall be responsible to the re- of the General Conference.
spective division committees, or in the case Sec. 4. The General Field Secretaries shall
of fields without divisional affiliation to the work under the direction of the General
General Conference Committee. Conference Committee and be assigned
Sec. 3. The division sections shall be either to field service or to special projects
known as: Australasian Inter-Union Con- or responsibilities as may be determined by
ference (See Article XI, Sec. 5), Central the General Conference Committee.
European Division, China Division, Far Sec. 5. Such Division Field Secretaries
Eastern Division, Inter-American Division, shall be elected as may be deemed necessary
Middle East Division, North American Divi- to labor in the divisions under the direction
sion, Northern European Division, South of the division committees.
American Division, Southern African Divi-
sion, Southern Asia Division, Southern Eu- Article V—Division Secretaries
ropean Division, Federation of Seventh-day
Adventists in the Union of Socialist Soviet Sec. 1. A Secretary shall be elected -for
Republics. The boundaries of these division each division outside of North America to
sections shall be subjects to adjustment only be designated "division secretary."
at the General Conference sessions, or at Au- Sec. 2. The Division Secretaries shall work
tumn Council sessions, provided no divi- under the direction of the division com-
sional territorial lines shall be changed when mittees. It shall be their duty to keep the
such division is not represented at the minutes of the division committee meetings,
Council by one of its executive officers, or to collect information and make such re-
when such division has not given consent, ports as may be required, and to do such
except under an emergency such as war; in other work as usually pertains to such office.
such case the General Conference Committee
shall make such provision as it is necessary Article VI—Assistant and Division
for the conduct of the work in the territory Departmental Secretaries
concerned.
Sec. 1. The term "assistant departmental
Article H—Standing Committees secretary" shall be used to designate such
persons as are appointed to assist the De-
Sec. 1. At each regular session of this partmental Secretaries and their Associate
Conference, such standing committees as Secretaries in the Departmental work of the
may be found necessary, including the fol- General office.
lowing, shall be elected to consider such Sec. 2. Division Departmental Secretaries
items of business as may be referred to them shall be elected for the respective division
and to bring in their reports and recom- fields and shall labor under the direction of
mendations to the session: the division committee.
((ab)) CCorendsteintutitiaolsn aanndd LBiyc-eLnaswess Sec. 3. Division committees shall appoint
(c) Finance such other secretaries as may be needed to
((ed)) NPloamnsin ations tsheer vdei rienc tsiponec oiaf lt hcea pdaivciistiioens, ctoom lambiottre ue.n der
Article VII—Statistical Secretary
Article III—Vice-Presidents
At each regular session the conference
Sec. 1. Vice-Presidents shall be elected as shall elect a Statistical Secretary, whose
follows: four Vice-Presidents for general ad- duties shall be to compile statistics of the
ministrative work, and one additional Vice- world work, reporting the same under the
President for each division of the General direction of the Executive Committee.
Conference.
Sec. 2. The General Vice-Presidents shall Article VIII—Undertreasurer and
in the absence of the President serve as Assistant Treasurers
chairmen of the Executive Committee and An undertreasurer and Assistant Treas-
shall assist the President in his administra- urers shall be elected to sharewith the
tive work. The Vice-President for North Treasurer the work of his office. They shall
America shall work under the direction of perform such duties connected with the
the General Conference Committee. Treasury Department as may be assigned to
Sec. 3. The Vice-Presidents elected for the them by the Treasurer or by the Executive
divisions outside of North America shall act Committee. They may be authorized by the
as chairmen of the division committees oper- Executive Committee to sign checks under
ating in their respective fields and shall the instruction of the Treasurer.
8(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1956
Article IX—Division Treasurers meetings shall not be final until the minutes
of such meetings have been approved in a
Sec. 1. A Treasurer shall be elected for regular session of the Executive Committee.
each division outside of North America, to
be designated "division treasurer." Article XI—Division Committees
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Division
Treasurers to receive and disburse the funds Sec. 1. In each division outside of North
of the General Conference made available America, a division committee shall be con-
for their territory, under the direction of the stituted as hereinafter provided, for the
division committee, and to perform such transaction of business pertaining to the
other duties as usually pertain to such division.
office. Sec. 2. The members of a division com-
Sec. 3. The Division Committee may ap- mittee shall be the President, the Secretary,
point such assistant treasurers and assist- and the Treasurer of the Division, the Pres-
ant auditors as may be required to carry on idents of union conferences, the Presidents
the work. of union missions, the Division Field Sec-
retaries, the Division Departmental Secre-
Article X—Executive Committee taries, the Secretary of the Ministerial As-
sociation, and any other members of the
Sec. 1. (a) During the intervals between General Conference Committeepresent.
the sessions of the General Conference, the Other members may also be appointed by
Executive Committee shall have full ad- the division committee.
ministrative power, with authority to grant Sec. 3. The actions taken by division com-
credentials and licenses, and to fill for the mittees pertaining. to the administration, of
current term any vacancies that may occur affairs in the division fields, shall be con-
in its offices, boards, committees, or agents, sidered final, provided they are in harmony
by death, resignation, or otherwise. The with the plans and policy of the General
Executive Committee shall also have power Conference as set forth in the Constitution
to withdraw credentials or licenses by a two- and By-Laws, and in its Executive Com-
thirds vote of the members present and vot- mittee actions at regular Autumn Councils.
ing at any regular committee meeting. Sec. 4. Five members of a division com-
(b) The Executive Committee shall have mittee, including the chairman, shall con-
power to effect the retirement before the stitute a quorum for the transaction of
expiration of the term for which they have business. When the chairman is to be absent
been elected, of persons elected under Ar- from headquarters, he or the committee may
tmicalye Vde,v Seeloctpi oan h leaa, lothf tchoen Cdiotinosnti wtuhtiiocnh wprheo- dmeeseitginngast eo fa fne wacetri nthga nc hfiavier mmaenm. bMerisn oofr tihtye
vents them from properly discharging their
duties. tdriavnissaioctnio cno omf mneitcteeses amrya yro bueti hnee lbdu fsoinr etshse,
(c) The Executive Committee shall have
authority to remove from office by a two- but actions taken at such meetings shall
thirds vote of the members present and vot- not be final until the minutes of such meet-
ing at any regular committee meeting, any ings have been approved in a meeting with
person elected under Article V, Section la, a quorum present.
of the Constitution who because of apostasy Sec. 5. The Australasian field is organized
of misconduct disqualifies himself from oc- as an Inter-Union Conference but functions
cupying the office. subject to the provisions of its constitution,
Sec. 2. A meeting of the Executive Com- as a division of the General Conference.
mittee, known as the Autumn Council shall Article XII—Corporation Boards
be held annually for the purpose of con-
sidering, budgets from the fields and making At each regular session of the General
appropriations, and for the transaction of Conference the requisite boards of trustees,
other business and the adoption of such according to their respective Constitutions
policies as may be necessary in the operation and By-Laws, shall be elected for each legal
of the world-wide work. corporation serving and holding properties
Sec. 3. A majority of the full membership and receiving gifts and legacies for the Gen-
of the Executive Committee, including the eral Conference unincorporated. The trustees
President or a Vice-President, is empowered of the General Conference Corporation shall
to transact denominational business of any also constitute the Board of Trustees of the
nature at any time and place. General Conference Association.
Sec. 4. Any seven members of the execu- Article XIII—Departments
tive Committee, including an officer of the
General Conference, shall, after due notice Sec. 1. The Departmental Secretaries and
to available members, constitute a quorum Associate Departmental Secretaries elected
of the Executive Committee and shall be by the General Conference shall work under
empowered to transact such executive busi- the direction of the Executive Committee of
ness as is in harmony with the general plans the General Conference, or in the case of
outlined by the committee at the designated departmental secretaries in divisions, under
place of meeting of the Executive Com- the direction of the division committee, and
mittee as hereinafter provided. shall occupy an advisory relation to the field.
Sec. 5. All meetings of the Executive Com- Sec. 2. The Executive Committee shall ap-
mittee, except majority meetings, shall be point a representative departmental com-
held at the general headquarters, or at such mittee of counsel for each department. Such
other place as may be definitely arranged committee shall in each case be composed
by a majority meeting of the Executive of the secretaries of the department, the
Committee, or by the quorum of at least secretaries of departmental work in the di-
seven members meeting in regular session visions, and such other persons as the Ex-
at general headquarters. ecutive Committee may deem necessary.
Sec. 6. Meetings of the Executive Com-
mittee may be called at any time by the Article XIV—Auditors and Audits
ranking officer of the Conference who may Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall
be present at headquarters, and such officer, have the accounts of the General Conference
or any member of the committee appointed and of its legal corporations audited at least
binyg .h im, shall act as Chairman of the meet- once each calendar year, and the Auditor or
one of the associate auditors shall report
Sec. 7. Minority meetings of less than upon the same to the Executive Committee
seven members of the Executive Committee annually. The Auditor or an associate au-
may be held at the General administrative ditor, as may be arranged, shall report also,
office for the transaction of necessary rou- for the quadrennial period, to the General
tine business, but actions taken at such Conference at its regular sessions. The Gen-
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS(cid:9) 9
eral Conference Auditor and the associate au- propriations to be based on budgets from the
ditors shall also be made available for audit- fields requiring financial help.
ing the accounts of union conferences and Sec. 2. Appropriations shall be made sub-
general institutions as well as division ac- ject to the receipt of the full amount of
counts. The auditors shall be under the gen- funds estimated in the General Conference
eral direction of the Executive Committee. budget. In case of a shortage the destribu-
Sec. 2. The division committees shall have tion shall be on a pro-rata basis to all the
authority to appoint an auditor or auditors interests represented in the budget.
to audit the books of such organizations or Sec. 3. Appropriations for major perman-
institutions within their territories as the ent investments shall be held in trust for
division committee shall direct. the purpose for which the appropriation was
designated. In case the project is aban-
Article XV—Wages and Expenses doned, the funds shall revert to the General
Conference. Other funds appropriated to di-
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall ap- vision fields shall be administered by the
point annually eight persons not in its em- division committee.
ploy who, with the officers of the General Sec. 4. All funds raised in division fields,
Conference and not less than seven presi- except the regular funds belonging to the
dents of union conferences, shall consti- General Conference, as indicated under Ar-
tute a committee to audit the expense ac- ticle XVI, may be used for the advancement
counts of employees and to fix their wages of the work in the fields in which they were
for the succeeding year. . raised.
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee shall Sec. 5. General Conference funds in all^the
have power to make such adjustment from world shall be made available to meet the
time to time in the wage of clerks, steno- annual appropriations of the General Confer-
graphers, and other routine workers as may ence.
be necessary.
Article XVIII—Finance
,
Article XVI—Funds Sec. ,1. To tide over a possible financial
The funds of the General Conference shall depression, the treasurer of the General
be as follows: Conference shall carry in cash and in read-
(a) A tithe of the tithe receipts of the ily convertible securities, the" 'following
union conferences and union missions and funds:
of the local conferences and missions not (a) A Reserve Fund equal to' 20 per cent
included in union conferences and union . of the regular appropriations voted at the
missions. latest Autumn Council, including revertible
(b) Regular mission offerings. funds.
(c) Special donations. (b) A Working Fund equal to, the Reserve
fund.
(d) Such percentage of the tithe of local Sec. 2. The basis for computing the amount
conferences as may be determined by a com- of the Reserve and Working Funds on hand
mittee composed of the conference presi- shall be the latest available financial state-
doer,n itsn atnhde tchaes ed iovfi sNioonr tehx eAcmuteivreic cao, mthme icttoene-, ment. The Reserve and Working Funds
shall not fall below the amounts here speci-
ference presidents and the General Confer- fied except on authorization of an. Autumn
ence Executive Committee. Council of the Executive Committee.
(e) Surplus tithes which may be appro- Sec. 3. The Executive Committee, acting
priated by local and union conferences for through its legal agency, the General Con-
the mission field. ference Corporation, shall have power to
(f) Appropriations from our publishing make such annuity contracts as may seem
houses, sanitariums, and other institutions desirable; but all moneys obtained in this
that are under the control of the General way shall be invested in securities and not
Conference which, because of the character be made available for appropriations until
of their work, have more than local in- the annuity contracts have matured.
fluence and responsibility as may be ar- Sec. 4. The tithes and missions offerings
ranged by joint counsel of the Executive received by the General Conference shall be
Committee .of the General Conference with held as a trust for appropriation to the work
the board of management of each institution. of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.
(g) Such percentage of the funds of union It shall not be within the prerogative,
and local conferences and missions, institu- therefore, of the General Conference Com-
tions, and Book and Bible Houses in North mittee, the Treasury Department, nor of any
America as may be arranged by the General agent or agency of the denomination, to loan
Conference Committee in council with Con- these funds to private individuals, to en-
ference presidents, the same to be known as dorse notes, sign bonds or other securities,
the Sustentation Fund for the support of or in any other way to divert the funds of
aged and infirm workers and for the de- the 'General Conference from their intended
pendent widows and orphans of workers. purpose. Advances specifically authorized
(h) Divisions outside North America shall under regular policy, and made in order to
adopt a Sustentation Policy which shall be enable workers to become located and equip-
in harmony with the principles set forth in ped for service, are not a violation of this
the General Conference Sustentation plan. provision.
Sec. 5. The basis for computing per capita
Article XVII—Appropriations funds shall be the average of the member-
ship of the four consecutive quarters ending
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall on September 30 of the preceding year as
make its appropriations for home and for- published by the Statistical Secretary in his
eign work at the Autumn Councils said ap- quarterly reports.
Directory of the
Seventh-day Adventist Denomination
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Organized May 21, 1863
Territory: The following-named sectional waiter, Glenn Calkins, W. P. Elliott, L. E.
areas of the General Conference world Froom, E. J. Lorntz, J. L. McElhany, W. E.
field: North America, Australasia, Central Read, D. E. Rebok.
Europe, China, Far East, Inter-America, Auditors: (cid:9) ; Associates, H. W. Barrow,
Middle East, Northern Europe, South H. P. Bloum, F. Brennwald.
America, Southern Africa, Southern Asia,
Southern Europe, Union of Socialist So- Statistical Secretary: H. W. Klaser.
viet Republics. Secretaries of Departments:
Cable Address: "Adventist," Washington. Educational, E. E. Cossentine; Associates,
Where the above cable address cannot be R. L. Hammill, G. M. Mathews, L. R.
used, please address as follows, "General Rasmussen.
Conference, Washington, D.C.," or "Ad-
ventist Headquarters, Washington, D.C." Home Missionary, T. L. Oswald; Associates,
J. E. Edwards, A. A. Esteb, C. E. Guen-
Telegraphic Address: "WUX, General Con- ther.
ference," Washington, D.C. (Not Takoma
Park.) International Temperance Association, W.
A. Scharffenberg; Associates, W. H. Bea.-
Office Address: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW., Ta- ven, F. A. Soper.
koma Park, Washington 12, D.C. (Tele-
phone, RAndolph 3-0800.) Medical, T. R. Flaiz; Associates, D. Lois
Burnett, J. W. McFarland, Carl Sundin.
Postal Address: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW. Ta- Ministerial Association, Chairman, R. R.
koma Park, Washington 12, D.C., U.S.A. Figuhr; Secretary, R. A. Anderson; As-
Express and Freight Address: General Con- sociates, E. E. Cleveland, Louise C.
ference, Takoma Park, D.C. (Not Wash- Kleuser, Walter Schubert, G. E. Van-
ington.) Consign freight via Baltimore & deman.
Ohio Railway. National Service Organization, Seventh-
day Adventist, G. W. Chambers; Associ-
Executive Officers: ates, W. H. Bergherm, E. N. Dick.
President R. R. Figuhr. North American Regional, F. L. Peterson;
Vice-Presidents, G. J. Appel, M. V. Camp- Associate, C. E. Moseley, Jr.
bell, F. G. Clifford, L. K. Dickson, A. L.
Ham, 0. 0. Mattison, F. A. Mote, Wil- PuAblsisco Rciealtaet,i oHnosw, Barudr eWaue eokf,s .D onn Thomas;
helm Mueller, W. E. Murray, W. B. Ochs,
A. V. Olson, A. H. Roth, H. L. Rudy, Publishing, G. A. Huse; Associates, W. A.
A. F. Tarr, R. S. Watts. Higgins, D. A. McAdams, B. E. Wagner.
Secretary, W. R. Beach. Radio and Television, E. R. Walde; As-
Associate Secretaries, W. P. Bradley, E. sociate, J. E. Chase.
W. Dunbar, N. W. Dunn, H. T. Elliott,
F. L. Peterson, J. I. Robison. E. E. Religious Liberty, A. W. Johnson; As-
Roenfelt. sociates, A. H. Rulkoetter, J. C. Thomp-
Treasurer, C. L. Torrey. son, F. H. Yost.
Undertreasurer, 0. A. Blake. Sabbath School, L. L. Moffitt; Associates,
Assistant Treasurers, R. H. Adair, C. W. E. B. Hare, W. J. Harris, H. W. Lowe.
Bozarth, W. E. Phillips, F. B. Knight. Young People's Missionary Volunteer, T. E.
General Field Secretaries: V. T. Armstrong, Lucas; Associates, E. L. Minchin, L. A.
W. H. Branson, N. F. Brewer, J. A. Buck- Skinner.
General Conference Executive Committee Members
Executive Officers: Statistical Secretary: H. W. Klaser.
President, R. R. Figuhr. Secretaries of Departments:
General 'Vice-Presidents, L. K. Dickson, Educational, E. E. Cossentine; Associates,
A. L. Ham, A. V. Olson, H. L. Rudy.
R. L. Hammill, G. M. Matthews, L. R.
Secretary, W. R. Beach.
Associate Secretaries, W. P. Bradley, E. W. Rasmussen.
Dunbar, N. W. Dunn, H. T. Elliott, F. L. Home Missionary, T. L. Oswald; Associ-
Peterson, J. I. Robison, E. E. Roenfelt. ates, J. E. Edwards, A. A. Esteb, C. E.
Treasurer, C. L. Torrey. Guenther.
Undertreasurer, 0. A. Blake. International Temperance Association, W.
Assistant Treasurers, R. H. Adair, C. W. A. Scharffenberg; Associates, W. H. Bea-
Bozarth, F. B. Knight, W. E. Phillips. ven, F. A. Soper.
Medical, T. R. Flaiz; Associates, D. Lois
Ex-Presidents of General Conference: W. H. Burnett, J. W. McFarland, Carl Sundin.
Branson, J. L. McElhany; C. H. Watson.
Ministerial Association, R. A. Anderson;
General Field Secretaries: V. T. Armstrong, Associates, E. E. Cleveland, Louise C.
N. F. Brewer, J. A. Buckwalter, Glenn Kleuser, Walter Schubert, G. E. Van-
Calkins, W. P. Elliott, L. E. Froom, E. J. deman.
Lorntz, W. E. Read, D. E. Rebok. National Service Organization, Seventh-
Auditor: (cid:9) ; Associates, H. W. Barrows, day Adventist, G. W. Chambers; Associ-
H. P. Bloum, F. Brennwald. ates, W. H. Bergherm, E. N. Dick.
10