It would have been a distinct spiritual joy and stimulus to all workers in the advent movement to have been present at the Omaha Autumn Council, and especially in the four-day presidents' meeting preceding. It was here that the deliberate discussion of such key questions as the one indicated in the heading, took place, followed by formal ratification and official adoption in the Council proper. This general privilege of attendance was of course not possible. But as the issues discussed and decided upon were so fundamental, and as they so vitally affect each of us as laborers in this movement, and bear so definitely upon the progress and completion of the cause we love, we will endeavor to place the picture faithfully before you, that through this number of the Ministry you may enter into the spirit of that significant first Sabbath afternoon meeting when this theme was before us.
Ofttimes the background, the setting, and the spirit of an action have as much to do with its force and value as the very action itself. To present these deeper aspects is the reason for publicity of the excerpts here presented. As announced last month, to save space and to avoid duplication, the official actions of the Council growing out of these preliminary discussions are not duplicated in the Ministry, but the groundwork and processes of development which could scarcely be presented to our people generally, yet which mean so much to us as workers, are given here. The reader is therefore referred to the Review of November 27 for the full text of the "Call to Evangelism" from the officers, which forms the basis of this symposium. It is also available in leaflet form. The response of the field leaders to this presentation will appear later.
The officers of the General Conference had been in council for a week before the arrival of the other members of the General Conference Committee, and the invited presidents of the local conferences of North America, as they assembled on Thursday, the 23d, for the Presidents' Council. Thursday was a wonderful day, and will long be remembered. The council opened with the emphasis precisely where it 'should and must be placed in an hour like this, if we are to meet the mind of God. A liberal portion of the February Ministry will be devoted to the essential discussions of that day, as they are so vital to the interests of every worker of this movement.
Growing out of the discussions of the first two days, subcommittees were appointed and were earnestly at work. Sabbath had come, and after the usual Sabbath school exercises and a searching message by Elder C. B. Haynes on "A Converted Ministry," the delegates to the council gathered expectantly at 2:30. The secretary and his stenographers were at their appointed table, so we can have access to the verbatim presentations of the officers who spoke, as well as to the significant reactions from the floor which followed.
An air of expectancy pervaded the place. J. L. McElhany, vice-president for North America, led out, introducing the theme. W. H. Branson, one of our general vice-presidents, C. H. Watson, our president, and C. K. Meyers, the secretary of our General Conference, each contributed, building up various aspects of the one great theme,—a revival of evangelism. The entire question was lifted out of the confines of any department or specialized. group of workers onto that broad platform of a universal call to soul winning as the primary burden and responsibility of the whole church under the specific leadership of the entire ministry. In the evening session this earnest study continued. A concluding report will appear later, with contributions from Elders Montgomery, Daniells, and a number of union and local presidents. These presentations grow out of the reading of "A Solemn Call" from the officers as a group,—the product of their united study and conviction during their week of council,—and its earnest acceptance by the entire body of presidents, with recommendation for official adoption by the Autumn Council in session.
From the stenographic reports we are able to give the essential portions of the presentations of these men, simply deleting the digressions and repetitions of extemporaneous speech. We pray that the same blessed Spirit present when these matters were presented and accepted by the North American leadership, may be with each evangelical worker the world around as he reads and enters into their intent. Elder McElhany is speaking. Let us listen first to him.
L. E. F.
