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Chronology for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada

1901 November 27 to December 5, Eastern Union Conference session held at South Lancaster, Mass. in order to organize the Canadian Union Conference. (Daniels, 1901)

1902 January 1, Canadian Union Conference organized. (Thurston, April, 1903)

June, Maritime Conference organized. (Thurston, April, 1903)

Litch on Canadian Work

more to be added

Canadian Union Conference, President Thurston Reports to the 1903 GC

Thurston, W. H. (April 2, 1903). "Canadian Union Conference: Report by the President". General Conference Bulletin: Thirty-fifth Session. 5 (4). Oakland, California: The Seventh-day Adventist General Conference: 1, 2. Retrieved July 7, 2011.

Canadian Union Conference

REPORT BY THE PRESIDENT, W. H. THURSTON

The organization of the Canadian Union Conference was effected Jan. I, 1902. It embraces the provinces of On- tario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New- foundland, and has an area of 662,- 350 square miles, with a population of 5.000,000.

The first of last June the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island were organized under the name of the Maritime Confer- ence. We now have fhree organized conferences and one mission field,— Newfoundland,—in the Union Confer- ence, which embraces 38 churches, seven companies, 1,162 Sabbath-keepers, 49 Sabbath-schools, and five church-schools.

There are 19 church buildings, and six others under construction.

Our ministerial force is not very strong numerically, numbering only 13 ministers, seven licentiates, and seven holding missionary credentials. Adding to this 15 canvassers makes the total number of workers 43, only 25 of whom are on the pay-roll. Of these 25 work- ers, five are supported by outside con- ferences and one by the Mission Board.

The amount of book sales, at the wholesale price, including sales made to the Manitoba Tract Society, was $5,492.90, or about $11,000 retail value. In addition to this, there have been something over 1,000 copies of "Christ's Object Lessons" sold by the churches.

The Review and Herald Publishing Company and the Mission Board, shar- ing equally, made a generous donation to the Canadian Union Conference of $6,387-52 worth of stock, mostly books, thus transferring to the Union the To- ronto branch of the Review and Herald office. This gift was very much appre- ciated. We are endeavoring to make good use of it.

The appropriation to this field made by the Mission Board for the year 1902, for general evangelistic work, was- $3,38o; but $280 of this amount had been previously expended, and the ap- propriation was made to include this.

Not having statistics of previous years, I am not able to make compari- sons, but by what I have been able to learn, I find quite an increase in tithes, offerings, and book sales over the year 1901. This certainly is as it should be, and it is our intention, as well as desire, to see a greater increase this year in all lines of work than we have seen in the past.

We had ten tents in the field during the tent season, and while there were only about 65. who embraced the truth, many were interested, and are still in- vestigating. The work is being followed up, with a prospect of more fruit.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Tithe, year end. Dec. 31, 1902. .$7,891 34 Annual offer, to foreign mis... 655 64. Wkly offerings to foreign mis. 229 59 Misc. offer, to foreign mis..... 140 29 S. S. offerings to foreign mis.. 363 48 S. S. offerings, home work.... 343 28

Total receipts, including

tithes and offerings... $9,623 72 Amount of offerings sent to foreign missions .......... .$1,389 10

NEEDS OF THE FIELD

One great need realized by nearly all is a place or places in the Canadian field where Canadians can be trained for service. Our young people go to Battle Creek and other places for training; very few, however, ever come back. Experience has demonstrated the advis- ability of training workers in their own field, and, in response to the demand, we have taken steps to start two in- dustrial schools and one sanitarium. The industrial schools are being started in the Ontario and Maritime Confer- ences, and the sanitarium in the Quebec Conference. The properties have been purchased, and we hope to open the sanitarium the first of June and the schools the first of September.

Last June we opened a health insti- tute in St. Johns, Newfoundland, with Dr. A. E. Lemon and wife (she being also a physician) in charge. It has been self-supporting almost from the first. It is now being made a training-school for gospel workers.

Another recognized need in the Canadian field is workers who will come to stay. Some have entered that field, and, after laboring a few months, want to go "home," as they call it, while some are there to stay until called else- where. A few more "stand-by" work- ers are needed, and then, with the facil- ities which are being provided, we hope to be able to train workers to supply every demand.

ADVANTAGES OF THE UNION

The results of the organization of the Union Conference are apparent in dif- ferent ways:—

I. It unifies the work throughout the entire field, and strengthens every part, for "in union there is strength." . 2. The local conferences are brought into closer touch with each other, and manifest a deeper interest in each other's welfare.

3. The people feel much encouraged, and while they do not desire to com- plain of the past, they do feel that something definite is now being done for the Canadian field.

Our policy is to have all branches, departments, and . institutions under the direction and management of the con- ference, and we aim to provide workers for each department, making a specialty of evangelistic canvassing, providing provincial agents, as well as a general agent, to lead out in this work.

We are endeavoring to combine the gospel work, medical missionary work, canvassing work, and Bible work, blend- ing all in one, and enthusing all the people with the importance of giving the "Advent message to the world in this generation."

See above for reference.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE, 1901-1902

Daniells, A. G.; Ford, I. A. (December 17, 1901). "Organization of the Canadian Union Conference" (PDF). Review and Herald. 78 (51). Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association: 12, 13. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE.

DURING the session of the Eastern Union Conference held at South Lancaster, Mass., November 27 to December 5, a number, of meetings were held with members of the General Conference Committee, also representatives from Canada, for the purpose of organizing a Canadian Union Conference. The members of the General Conference Committee present were A. G. Daniells, W. C. White, W. W. Prescott, S. N. Haskell, H. W. Cottrell, I. H. Evans, and Frederick Griggs. The representatives from Canada were J. W. Collie, S. A. Farnsworth, G. E. Langdon, H. J. Farman, I. A. Ford, James Hannah, and W. R. Andrews.

Meeting was called to order by Elder A. G. Daniells. Prayer was offered by Elder I. H. Evans. I. A. Ford was elected Secretary of the meeting. By vote, all present were constituted a committee of the whole for the transaction of business. On motion of Professor Prescott, it was voted to proceed with the organization of a Canadian Union Conference, with the understanding that the proceedings of the committee be submitted to the churches of Canada, and to go into effect by Jan. I, 1902, providing the action of the committee shall have been approved by two thirds of the Canadian churches. The following Constitution was unanimously adopted: —

CONSTITUTION OF THE CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE.

ARTICLE I. — NAME. This organization shall be known as the Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

ARTICLE II. — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Conference shall be the economizing of our time, energy, and means for the speedy heralding of the Third Angel's Message to all within our borders, and the assisting as far as passible in the giving of the same to all the world.

ARTICLE III. — BOUNDS. This Conference shall include the Conferences of the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, the Maritime Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), and Newfoundland.

ARTICLE IV. — REPRESENTATION. Section I.— Each local Conference shall be entitled to-one delegate to any session of the Canadian Union. Conference, without reference to numbers or its ex-officio member, and one additional delegate for each fifty members of such local Conference. Sec. 2 —Each local Conference shall elect its delegates according to its approved methods, upon due notice of the appointed session of the Canadian Union Conference.

ARTICLE V. —OFFICERS. Section f.— The officers of the Canadian Union Conference shall consist of a President, a Vice- President, Secretary and Treasurer, Auditor, and also an Executive Committee, as provided for in Section 3. Sec. 2.— The above-named officers and the Executive Committee shall be elected at a regular session of the Conference, for a term of two years, or until the election of their successors. Sec. 3.— The Executive Committee shall consist of eleven members, of whom the President, Vice- President, and presidents of the several local Conferences embraced .in the Canadian Union Conference as ex-officio members, with an authorized representative from the medical, educational, and publishing work in the Conference, shall be members.

ARTICLE VI. — TRUSTEES AND AGENTS. Section i.— The members of the Conference shall at each regular session elect boards of management for such incorporated institutions and enterprises as are or may be connected with this organization, in accordance with the rules governing the same, and the laws of the province or colony wherein the same are situated. Sec. 2.— The Executive Committee shall appoint departmental Secretaries, a Business Agent, also a General Canvassing Agent, for the said Conference, who shall serve under their direction. Sec. 5.— The Conference shall employ such ministers, missionaries, committees, agents, or other persons as are necessary to carry on its work.

ARTICLE VII. — DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Section i.— President: The duties of the President shall be such as usually pertain to that office. Sec. 2.—Vice-President: In the absence of the President or the vacation of the chair for any reason, the Vice-President shall fill the vacancy. Further, he shall assist the President in his work as he may be requested to do by the Executive Committee. Sec. J.— Secretaries: The duties of the secretaries shall be such as usually pertain to the office, and they shall also do such other work as the Executive Committee shall assign them. Sec. 4.—Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to 'receive all moneys belonging to the Conference, to keep a faithful account thereof, to deposit and disburse the same according to the direction of the Executive Committee. He shall make a full report of receipts and disbursements at all regular sessions of the Conference, or at such time as may be required by said Committee. The Treasurer shall also collect from the Conferences embraced in the Canadian Union Conference such financial and statistical reports as are required, and forward copies of the same as the Committee may direct. Sec. 5.— Auditor: The Auditor shall faithfully audit the books of the Conference at such times as directed by the Executive Committee, and make a report of the same to the Conference. He may also audit the books of the several Provincial Conferences embraced in the Canadian Union Conference, upon their request. Sec. 6.— Executive Committee: During the interval between the sessions of the Conference, the Executive Committee shall have full administrative power, and shall exercise a general watchcare over all matters pertaining to the work of the Conference, and shall fill for the current term any vacancies that may occur in the Conference, unless the same has been provided for in other sections of the Constitution or By-laws. It shall direct the work of the employees of the Conference, and pay them for labor performed, at regular intervals, from the funds of the Canadian Union Conference. Sec. 7.— The Executive Committee may call for donations from local Conferences, churches, or individuals, when in their judgment it becomes necessary. They may also make contributions to the General Conference from the funds on hand when there is urgent need, and it seems advisable. Sec. S.— Trustees elected by the Conference for any corporate organization shall faithfully perform the duties incumbent upon them by the Constitution or By-laws of the Canadian Union Conference, and by the corporate laws of the province or colony in which the same may be located, and make such reports from time to time as the law requires or the Executive Committee may ask. Sec. o.— Agents: The Business and Canvassing Agents shall faithfully perform the duties belonging to their respective offices, under the direction of the Executive Committee, and in harmony with the laws governing the corporate bodies they may represent. They shall make such reports and at such times to the Executive Committee or Conference as may be required by the same.

ARTICLE VIII. — AUDITING COMMITTEE. The Auditing Committee shall be composed of the President of the Canadian Union Conference and the Presidents of the Provincial Conferences, with such assistance as in their judgment may be advisable, and shall audit the accounts of the Conference laborers at least once a year.

ARTICLE IX. — FUNDS. Section I.— The funds of the Canadian Union Conference shall consist of such tithe as it shall receive from the several local Conferences within its determined bounds, with such gifts, legacies, bequests, devises, and other donations as shall otherwise be made to it. Sec. 2.— The tithe shall be used for such purposes only as 'the word of the Lord directs. All other means to be used according to the best judgment of the Executive Committee and the specifications of the donors.

ARTICLE X.— SESSIONS. , The Canadian Union Conference shall hold regular sessions at intervals of about two years, at such time and place as its Executive Committee shall designate by a notice in the REVIEW AND HERALD, three weeks before the date of meeting. The Conference Committee may call special sessions of the Conference at any time necessary, by giving notice of the same as for regular meetings.

ARTICLE XI.— BY-LAWS. The Conference may make By-laws,, and amend them or repeal them, at any session. The scope of such By-laws may embrace all subjects not inconsistent with this Constitution.

ARTICLE XII. — AMENDMENTS. This Constitution may be amended by a threefourths vote of the members present at any regular session.

OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows: —

Voted, That Elder W. H. Thurston be elected President of the Canadian Union Conference, providing he is willing to accept the position; and if he is not, that we request the General Conference Committee to assist in securing a president with as little delay as possible. Voted,'That Elder J. W. Collie be elected Vice-President.

Voted, That Carroll H. Drown be elected Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor.

Voted, That Charles F. Parmele be elected Union Conference Canvassing Agent.

Voted, That the following-named persons be elected members of the Executive Committee: W. H. Thurston, J. W. Collie, S. A. Farnsworth, Geo. E. Langdon, H. J. Farman, I. A. Ford, Carroll H. Drown, T. H. Robinson, George Gushing, Alven Huguley, Charles F. Parmele.

DISTRIBUTION OF LABOR.

A careful study of the needs of the field led to the following recommendations: — That J. R. Israel and wife make Newfoundland their field of labor, to go there as soon as possible. That we request the Mission Board to donate four hundred dollars for the purpose of building a missionary boat to work the coasts of Newfoundland.

That an ordained minister and wife, of good experience, be sent to Prince Edward Island.

That a minister and wife be gent to Cape Breton. That we request that a minister and Bible worker be sent to Quebec.

That the selection of the headquarters of the Canadian Union Conference be left with the Executive Committee.

That if possible a general meeting for Canada be held in camp about the first of July, in the city selected for the headquarters of the Conference, the same to be followed with a strong tent effort during the summer.

That, if possible, the General Conference arrange for Elder E. E. Franke to attend the general meeting, and remain as long as consistent with other duties, to carry on the tent work.

PUBLISHING WORK.

The question of the publishing work was also considered. It was thought that it would be for the best interests of the work in the Canadian field if the publishing work could be controlled entirely by the brethren on the ground, and the following request was adopted: —

Whereas, It seems for the best interests for the advancement of the Third Angel's Message in the Canadian Union Conference, that said Conference have the control of the publishing work in said territory; therefore, we —

Recommend, That the General Conference Committee be requested to negotiate with the Review and Herald Publishing Company, and secure _the transfer of all its invested interests in said publishing work in the Canadian field to said Canadian Union Conference, or to such organization as said Conference may create to receive the same. Voted, That we request the General Conference Association to surrender the notes held against the Review and Herald Publishing Company for the purchase of 'the Toronto Branch Office, with ^the understanding that the Review and Herald Publishing Company donate all its interests in the Toronto office to the Canadian Union Conference.

Voted, That we request the Pacific Press Publishing Company to donate to Newfoundland the stock of books and tracts now on that island which belong to them.

Voted, That the Canadian Union Conference publish a monthly paper of from eight to sixteen pages, as the necessities of the work may demand.

SCHOOL WORK.

Voted, That we request the Eastern and the Lake Union Conferences to surrender to the Canadian Union Conference their territory 'on the sale of '•'Christ's Object Lessons;" that the proceeds of the sales of this book from this time be used for a fund with which to organize a school in the Canadian Union Conference.

The meetings of the Committee were pleasant, harmonious, and instructive. The blessing of the Lord rested upon us as we planned for the enlargement of the work in the great Canadian field. There was a general feeling on the part of the Committee that we were following the line of duty as marked out by the providence of God; and it is believed tha.t this will mark the beginning of a new era in the history of this message in Canada, and that from this day forth the cause will move forward with greater rapidity. When the Committee had finished its work, the above decisions were read to the delegates and visitors attending the Eastern Union Conference, who expressed their approval of the same, and wished the Canadian Union Conference a hearty Godspeed. A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman. I. A. FORD, Secretary.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19011217-V78-51__B.pdf#view=fit

pages 12, 13

SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE AMENDMENT TO TERM 17 OF THE TERMS OF UNION OF NEWFOUNDLAND

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=1038239&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=36&Ses=1

SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE AMENDMENT TO TERM 17 OF THE TERMS OF UNION OF NEWFOUNDLAND

COMITÉ MIXTE SPÉCIAL CONCERNANT LA MODIFICATION À LA CLAUSE 17 DES CONDITIONS DE L'UNION DE TERRE-NEUVE

EVIDENCE

[Recorded by Electronic Apparatus]

Monday, November 24, 1997

• 1532

[English]

The Joint Chair (Mr. Gerry Byrne (Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, Lib.)): Members, seeing quorum, we will reconvene with meeting number seven of the Special Joint Committee on Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland.

We are joined this afternoon, from our first group of witnesses, by Mr. George Morgan. He is a member of the lay council of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Canada, and is joined by Mr. Barry Bussey, who is legal counsel for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Canada.

We have one hour slotted to hear a brief from these witnesses and to entertain questions and answers following the brief, for a total of one hour.

Welcome, gentlemen. Thank you very much for agreeing to appear before this special joint committee. I will now turn the floor over to you, Mr. Morgan. I understand you will be presenting the brief...

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=1038239&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=36&Ses=1

Adventists and the Tuscarora Reservation, 1906

Ethnology of Canada and Newfoundland (Google eBook)

David Boyle

L.K. Cameron, 1906 - 179 pages

http://books.google.ca/books?id=nkILAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA156&dq=newfoundland+adventist+history&hl=en&ei=1nobTp_UAfGv0AG5odnLBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=adventist&f=false

p. 156

Most of the present-day Iroquois reside on three reserves, viz.: in Tuscarora township, Brant county; at Deseronto, Tyendenaga township, Hastings county; at Caughnawaga, Laprairie county, opposite Montreal; and there is a large band of Oneidas at Delaware, near London, Ontario.*

Many of these people farm in a simple way, a few somewhat extensively, but some of them act as guides to tourists and travellers "doing" the lake country.

Schools on all the reservations afford means of education, and a considerable number of the people can read and write. Some 01 the more intelligent natives are themselves teachers, and others act in various official capacities either privately or in the civil service.

Of the three thousand or so on the Tuscarora reserve, about two thousand profess Christianity—Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist and Seventh-day Adventist (!). The rest are pagans. At Deseronto they are Methodists; at Caughnawaga all are Roman Catholics; and the Kent county Oneidas are Protestants.

Those who desire to learn particulars respecting the history of the Canadian Iroquois cannot do better than consult the recently issued and very excellent volume by the Rev. Dr. W. M. Beauchamn. and published as Bulletin 78, by the University of the State of New York.

As a matter of course the doctor's book relates especially to tbe New York Iroquois, but the history of our own Iroquois who, indeed, form the main body, is so indissolubly connected with that of the former, that the story of the one, until near the close of the eighteenth century, is the history of both.

NEAR BRANTFORD

"THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN": MILLERISM IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS, 1835-1845

http://www.andrews.edu/~fortind/AdventismWorldUpsideDownJETS.htm

"THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN": MILLERISM IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS, 1835-1845 [1] (Article published in the Journal of Eastern Townships Studies, Fall 1997)

Denis Fortin

Religious Liberty

2004 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents

VI. PROTECTING THE VICTIMS, v) SUPREME COURT OF CANADA CASES

In the third case, Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem et al, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Jewish condominium owners in a Montreal building had the right to set up their own personal succahs, temporary religious huts that are constructed in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Succot. The League was an appellant in the matter following the initial refusal of the condominium corporation to allow observant Jewish residents to construct individual succahs on their own balconies. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, and World Sikh Organization of Canada also intervened in the case, recognizing that it has important ramifications for the interpretation of the guarantee of freedom of religion as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

http://www.bnaibrith.ca/audit2004_Cap6.html

Statement on the Status of Marriage in Canada

18 June 2003

Introduction

Over the past year four Canadian courts have ruled that marriage, recognized under the common law as "the union of one man and one woman," is inconsistent with constitutional values in modern Canadian society and offends the equality rights of homosexuals under section 15 of the Charter. These courts have determined that the existing legal framework for marriage is too narrowly defined and does not offer equitable treatment for non-traditional unions.

Two of the courts acknowledged the unique role of Parliament in formulating a proper response to this question. They gave the federal and provincial legislatures until July 2004 to rectify this situation. On June 10, however, the Ontario Court of Appeal acted unilaterally. It pre-empted further discussion by Parliament by striking down the common law definition of marriage and reformulating it as "the voluntary union for life of two persons." The court ordered that this remedy take effect immediately.

In reaching its decision the Ontario Court of Appeal does three noteworthy things. First, it imposes a new and disputed ideology of "close relationships" upon marriage. On this view marriage (for legal purposes) is reduced to the public recognition of committed relationships between two adults. This theory bleaches out the significance of sexual difference and dismisses any "rational connection" between marriage, gender complementarity, procreation, and the rearing of children by their biological parents. It renders a very pale concept of marriage with a doubtful claim on the public interest.

Second, the Ontario Court adopts a strategy which effectively disallows any attempt to defend the traditional, more robust view of marriage from the charge that it is unacceptably discriminatory. It takes up the subjectivist notion of human dignity which has recently been advanced in Canadian courts - viz., that "dignity means that an individual or group feels self-respect and self-worth" - and insists that "the impugned law must at all times be viewed from the perspective of the claimant." According to this formula, the law of marriage must be reconfigured to the experience of same-sex couples. "The question to be asked is whether the law takes into account the actual needs, capacities and circumstances of same-sex couples, not whether the law takes into account the needs, capacities and circumstances of opposite-sex couples." This establishes a circular form of reasoning which no arguments in favour of the existing definition of marriage can hope to penetrate.

Third, and uniquely, it insists that "the courts have jurisdiction to alter the common law definition of marriage" without reference to Parliament. While allowing that the common law did not invent, but only recognized, marriage as the union of a man and a woman, it nonetheless claims the power to re-invent marriage as the union of two persons - contrary to the expressed will of the people of Canada through their parliamentary representatives as recently as 1999.

This decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal has been heralded by some as bringing the whole debate about marriage in Canada - a debate still in its infancy - to a fitting conclusion. By others it has been denounced as an especially egregious example of judicial activism. In our view it only serves to underscore the conclusion of earlier judgments, namely, that Parliament, not the courts, is the place to forge an appropriate legislative response to the complex and multi-layered issues surrounding the public definition of marriage and the legal recognition of same-sex unions. Given the very grave significance of this public debate for three vital institutions in our nation - the family, the judiciary, and Parliament - a great deal more serious deliberation and democratic input is required.

I. Proposals for Respecting Marriage

The institution of marriage has a long history of development and adaptation. So too, of course, does our society. We recognize that there is a need now, for a wide variety of reasons, to re-think our society's approach to marriage. We also recognize that there is a need to provide new legal frameworks for various forms of adult inter-dependent relationships. However, we maintain that marriage as the common law has long recognized it - as "the voluntary and lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others" - is something distinct from other forms of human relationships. We do not accept that this time-honoured institution, which continues to provide the vital core of family life in Canada, can justly be impugned as discriminatory. We therefore make the following proposals:

a) Parliament should assert its right, by whatever means necessary, to determine the ways in which marriage is to be recognized in Canadian public life, and to forge patiently a comprehensive legislative response to the complexities of the current situation.

b) Canadian law should continue to embody the conviction that marriage, as an opposite-sex union which is commonly aimed both at mutual support and at the procreation and rearing of children, is the principal social basis upon which our society seeks to ensure its vitality, stability, and perpetuation.

c) Legislative changes made in order to facilitate the recognition of other forms of adult relationships involving cohabitation and mutual support should be made under appropriate titles that do not negate the recognition of marriage as the union of two persons of opposite sex.

II. Why Preserve the Existing Definition of Marriage?

Marriage is a unique cultural institution that affirms and supports a distinct social ecology in human culture: the bridging of the gender gap; the generation of life through the fusion of the sexes; the birth-right of children to know, to be connected to, and to be in stable relationship with, their natural parents.

Marriage pre-exists European colonization and reaches back into Canada's aboriginal traditions. It is also a pillar of the Judeo-Christian traditions that have helped to shape Canadian life. In the recent parliamentary hearings aboriginal, Muslim and other cultural or religious groups in our diverse society have urged parliamentarians to resist proposals to abolish (by over-extension) the legal recognition of this distinctive human institution so vital to Canadian culture and history.

Without implying that there is one comprehensive understanding of marriage to which everyone ought to give full assent, nevertheless there are core elements, purposes, and aspirations of marriage that have won wide approval and deserve to be handed on from one generation to the next:

Marriage is based on the free consent of one man and one woman to join as husband and wife in a union of life together.

Marriage is truest to its nature when monogamous and faithful.

Marriage serves the vast and complex social-sexual ecology of male-female bonding (99.5% of all couples in Canada are heterosexual).

Marriage serves the procreativity of male/female bonding; conjugal union between a man and a woman is the only social union that can be a reproductive union.

Marriage, as an institution, has a child-centred dimension; it directs mothers and fathers to the care and support of their children.

Marriage establishes the norm that children have a prima facie right and a need to know, to be connected to, and to be raised by their own mother and father, unless exceptional adverse circumstances dictate otherwise.

Marriage is generational and genealogical; it binds together the past and the future.

Marriage pre-exists the state and religion; while it is appropriately recognized, regulated and affirmed by the state and religions, nevertheless, it is not created or determined by the state or religions.

While marriage has a unique and indispensable place in human existence, nevertheless it is neither necessary nor good that every human person should enter into this particular form of social union. All of the above can be affirmed without prejudice to the fact that there are other forms of personal relationships that have their own distinct dignity and purpose.

III. The Perils of the Current Remedy

By a narrow and disputed vote of the Commons justice committee, our federal government has been urged to capitulate to the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, and now appears to be in the process of doing so. While we applaud the government's decision to put the impending legislation to a free vote in the House, we urge it to recognize the danger in taking the country down the path marked out by the Court, in the face of so many unresolved questions and in the absence of anything like a consensus. We recognize that there is a need to address patterns of unjust discrimination, wherever they occur, against persons of homosexual orientation. But we ask our parliamentarians to consider closely the many good reasons for objecting to the Court's remedy, among which are the following:

This remedy is not in continuity with the history, tradition, and values of Canadian society. It attempts to re-design an institution which is older and more fundamental to Canadian society than Parliament itself.

This remedy wrongly impugns that institution, and its many supporters, as discriminatory.

This remedy, while meant to respect diversity, actually diminishes diversity by homogenizing very different forms of relationship. However well-intentioned, it is an inappropriate and inadequate response to concerns about the equality under law of persons of homosexual orientation.

This remedy pre-empts legitimate debate, inside and outside of the legal system, as to the meaning of Section 15 equality rights.

This remedy threatens to obstruct the ability of governments to develop public policies which promote the distinct characteristics of marriage, affirm the good of intact families, and support the relationship of children to their mothers and fathers.

This remedy threatens the freedom of individuals and communities working to support and promote the common human understanding of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, inasmuch as it may open such activity to charges of discriminatory speech or conduct. It threatens religious freedom, academic freedom, and the freedom of parents to educate their children according to their traditions, norms and beliefs.

This remedy, in the words of Mr. Justice Robert Blair of the Ontario Superior Court, is not merely an incremental change in the law, but a "profound change." Justice Blair points out that "the consequences and potential reverberations flowing from such a transformation in the concept of marriage are extremely complex. They will touch the core of many people's belief and value systems, and their resolution is laden with social, political, cultural, emotional and legal ramifications. They require a response to a myriad of consequential issues relating to such things as inheritance and property rights, filiation, alternative biogenetic and artificial birth technologies, adoption, and other marriage-status driven matters." Previous experience in Canada with far less radical changes to marriage legislation demonstrates that such concerns cannot reasonably be dismissed as "speculative."

Conclusion

The commitment of Canadians to fairness, equality, and tolerance may entail the extension of legal recognition to various kinds of relationships beside that of marriage; indeed it has already done so. But that commitment will not be served by expropriating and reconfiguring an historic institution designed to meet the unique challenges and complexities of opposite-sex conjugal relationships. It would be better served by maintaining the existing institution of marriage and simultaneously affirming the federal government's right and obligation to recognize in appropriate ways those other forms of relationship which merit legal status across Canada. Canadians, whatever their faith or ethnic backgrounds, whatever their sexual orientation, should resist any approach that would undermine, rather than meaningfully develop and enrich, an institution so essential to the well-being of Canadians past, present and future.

Principal authors: Dan Cere and Douglas Farrow Montreal, Quebec Signatories

Affiliations listed after the signatory's name are for identification purposes only.

Douglas Allen, Simon Fraser University

Iain T. Benson, Barrister and Soliciter

Spencer Boudreau, McGill University

Bishop Anthony Burton, Anglican Diocese of Saskatchewan

Barry Bussey, General Counsel, Seventh-day Adventist Church In Canada

Ernest Caparros, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Ottawa

Daniel Cere, Institute for the Study of Marriage Law and Culture

Bruce Clemenger, President Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

Veronica N. Dewar, Inuit Women's Association of Canada.

Lorna Dueck, Broadcaster

Salam Elmenyawi, Muslim Council of Quebec

Douglas Farrow, McGill University

Edouard Cardinal Gagnon, President Emeritus, Pontifical Council on the Family

M. D. Khalid, Director, Islamic Society of North America

Janine Langan, University of Toronto

Thomas Langan, University of Toronto

Francois Lehmann, University of Montreal

Preston Manning, Massey College

Lois Mitchell, Canadian Baptist Ministries

Rabbi David Novak, University of Toronto

Archbishop Terrence Pendergast, S.J., Catholic Office for Life and the Family

Mark Petersen, R. L. Petersen Family Foundation

Darrel Reid, President of Focus on the Family Canada

Ruth Ross, Christian Legal Fellowship

Claude Ryan, retired politician and journalist, Montreal

Cathy Towtoongie, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Limited

John Vissers, President, Presbyterian College, Montreal

David Williams, McGill University

John Zucchi, McGill University

Christopher Gray, Concordia University

http://www.bcptl.org/marriage.htm

"Statement on the Status of Marriage in Canada" first appeared in The Globe and Mail website, June 18, 2003. It is available on the website of The Institute for the Study of Marriage, Law, and Culture: www.marriageinstitute.ca

http://www.marriageinstitute.ca/pages/stmt.htm

1893, G. W. Morse reports on the Toronto Branch of the Tract Society

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/GCB/GCB1893-16/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=2

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/GCB/GCB1893-16/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=3

REPORT OF TORONTO BRANCH OFFICE.

The publishing work in Canada, as connected with this office, has been quite satisfactory the past year. Evidences of the prospering hand of the Lord have been numerous, and there is abundant occasion for praise to him for what has been accomplished.

" Bible Readings " and " Patriarchs and Prophets " are the only books that we have had manufactured at Toronto, as yet. We continue to employ the firm of Warwick and Sons to do our printing and binding, and find them satisfactory parties to deal with.

The two books mentioned, are the ones that have been handled chiefly by the canvassers, " Bible Readings " continuing to take the lead. Something has been done with "Great Controversy," and " Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,'- and the sale of our denominational trade books, tracts, and pamphlets has been gradually increasing. The Office keeps in stock a supply sufficient to meet probable demands, of all our denominational pub- lications, including the Bible Students and Sentinel .Libraries, also the publications of the Good Health Publishing Co.

The canvassing work in the Maritime Provinces has continued under the direct supervision of the Office. My brother, F. W. Morse, continued his

labors there as General Agent until about September I, when, in response to the call of the General Canvassing Agent, he dropped the work to prepare for another field. Since then no General Agent has

•been appointed for that field.

The Quebec Tract Society has continued to carry forward the work in their province.

In the autumn of 1891 an arrangement was made

•with the Michigan Tract Society, whereby the can- .vassing work in Ontario is carried forward jointly by that Society and the Office. The Society supplies the field agentJbr the Province, selects and arranges with the canvassers as to territory and work, while the Office attends to all financial transactions with the canvassers. A percentage of all sales of sub- scription books in the territory thus • managed, is placed to the credit of the Tract Society.

The office has continued to have charge of the

•work in Manitoba and the Northwe'st Territories. Last spring, in harmony with the counsel of the General Canvassing Agent and the President of the Publishing Board, Brother James Hackett, of Min- nesota, was appointed as General Agent for that field.

British Columbia continues- under the charge of the North Pacific Tract Society.

The number of canvassers who worked for varying periods of time during'the year 1892 was as follows :

.Maritime Provinces, 20; Quebec, 13; Ontario, 70;

'Manitoba, 4; British Columbia, 3 ; total, 109. Total number of days work done by. those canvassers, 5575, or an average of 51 days each. The actual sales of ihe Office for the year consisted of 13,679 copies of subscription books, the retail value of which was

•$32,027. The value of trade books, tracts, and pam- phlets sold during the year was $1037.50, at retail prices, making the total retail value of publications sold during the year, $33,064.50.

Four years have elapsed since the establishment of this office. Through the favoring hand of Providence, the financial situation has continued favorable al- most from the beginning. The trial balance and statement made last May (that being when the books were last closed) showed the net gain up to that

• lime to be $5002.36.

-An examination of the monthly trial balance for Feb. 1, 1893, with careful and safe computations made as to the situation at that time gives the follow- ing results: The entire indebtedness to the parent house "was paid, and the balance is now in favor of the branch office. ' All bills for paper and the manu- facture of books are paid. The'cash on hand and in bank is more than sufficient to cover personal de- posits with the office. Accounts receivable (upon

•which there is occasion to make but slight discount for

•bad debts ) are nearly four times as much as accounts

payable. The, value of subscription books in stock, at wholesale prices, is $3,883.61; value of paper in stock, $1,050.00; value of all other publications in stock and miscellaneous items subject to invoice, such as electro plates, office fixtures, etc., $1,600.00, wholesale prices. This last item is partly estimated, but the estimate is known to be safe. Making a very ample allowance for bad debts and discount for usage on plates and office fixtures, the net profits of the office for the four years are shown to be not less than $7,500.00.

In considering the financial situation of the Office, it should be remembered that in addition to the usual and customary items of expense incident to carrying forward the work, the matter of duties on imports has required a -considerable expenditure. The sum paid for this one item during the four years amounts to $3,053.18. No advance has been made on the selling price of publications because of this expense. In the payment of railway fares of canvassers, and expenses of institutes, the sum of $2,500 has been expended.

The prospects for the future of the canvassing work in the Canadian field are encouraging. It is purposed to enter New Foundland the coming sea- son, also to send a canvasser to the1 Magdalene Islands. A canvassers' institute is being planned for the Maritime Provinces, to be held in April or May, and it is greatly desired that the conditions neces- sary to success in that field may be fully secured for the future.

The Quebec Tract Society is laying broader plans for the extension of the work in that Province.

Present indications show -that a larger force than ever will enter Ontario the coming season. The office will join 'with the Michigan Tract Society in holding an institute at Battle Creek in March and April for the training of canvassers for both Michi- gan and Ontario.

It is also confidently expected that the canvassing force for Manitoba and the Northwest Territories will be increased the coming season. 'Through the kindness of the Minnesota Tract Society, the can- vassers for that field will have the privilege of at- tending their institute the coming spring. Our agent, Brother Hackett, will aid in the work of that institute. In harmony with her usual liberal policy, Minnesota has thus far furnished all the canvassers for our western Provinces — which kindness is heartily appreciated.

With some changes, which it is hoped will be se-, cured it appears evident that the canvassing work in British Columbia can be made to reach much larger and more satisfactory proportions than hereto- fore.

We feel especially grateful to the Publishing

Board, and to Captain Eldridge in particular, for many kindnesses shown in connection with the work of the Toronto branch. To them is due large credit for the success of the same.

In this connection I should he remiss not to make special mention of the invaluable aid that Mrs. Morse has rendered in connection 'with carrying for- ward the work that has been given us to do. Her first and best thoughts, cares and labors have al- ways been given to the interests of the work, and her counsels have been wise and helpful to a marked de-

The report was accepted on motion of J. M. Lough- borough.

Minutes of the First Biennial Session of the Canadian Union Conference, Sept. 10-15, 1902, Waterloo, Quebec

Minutes of the Canadian Union Conference

(most section titles have been added)

Time and Place

THE first biennial session of the Canadian Union Conference was held in connection with the Quebec camp meeting, at Waterloo, Quebec, Sept. 10- 15, 1902, the first meeting being called at 10:30 A. M., of the l0th, with Elder W. H. Thurston in the chair. Elder Collie led in the devotional exercises, earnestly asking the blessing of the Lord upon the deliberations of the conference.

Delegates

The following delegates were seated at the first meeting:

from the field at large, W. H. Thurston and S. D. Hartwell;

from Ontario, J. W. Collie;

from Quebec, S. A. Farnsworth, H. E. Rickard, J. M. Ellis, and J. C. Nichols;

from Maritime, George E. Langdon, M.. S. Babcock, and F. A. Tracy;

from Newfoundland, H. J. Farman.

At a subsequent meeting William Ostrander was seated as a delegate from Quebec.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held at South Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 3, 1901, at which time the conference was or- ganized, were read and approved.

President's Address

" The organization of the Canadian Union Conference went into effect Jan. I, 1902. It embraces the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, the maritime prov- inces, and Newfoundland.

Laborers

In looking the field over, it was evident that more laborers were needed, and we began at once to supply this demand.

" Up to date there have been sixteen laborers brought in from the States, and yet there are rich fields waiting for the faithful worker.

Maritime Conference Organized

" The maritime provinces were organ- ized into a conference last May, and each province in the conference was supplied with two or more laborers.

Meetings

Two local camp meetings and several general meetings have been held in the union conference during the summer, and ten tent efforts have been in prog- ress. As a result of these efforts a large ingathering of souls should be realized.

Health Institute in Newfoundland, Drs Lemon

" In St. John's, Newfoundland, a health institute has been established, with the Drs. Lemon in charge, and a good work is being done. The institution has been running only three months, and it is now self-supporting. It is true that a building had to be fitted up for giving treatments, and some further outlay of means will be necessary for the enlarge- ment of the institution to meet the in- creasing demand, but we believe that the money is forthcoming.

" At a legal meeting held at St. John's, Newfoundland, Sept. 2, 1902, the follow- ing resolution was adopted: —

Unity of Effort

"Resolved, That the medical mission- ary workers sustain the same relation to the mission field and to the Canadian Union Conference as other workers in the island; and that no line of separa- tion be recognized between the medical missionary work and other departments of work in this field.'

Drs Lemon on Church Payroll

" Dr. A. E. Lemon has been granted ministerial license, and Dr. Carrie J. Lemon, missionary credentials, and they are both on the pay roll of the Canadian Union Conference as conference labor- ers, the same as the ministers, and are in full harmony with this arrangement.

The Overall Work

" Looking at the situation as a whole, the outlook is good, the churches are much encouraged, and the missionary spirit is being revived.

Schools in Each Local Conference

" In regard to the educational work it has been thought best, instead of plan- ning for one large industrial school for the entire conference, as first suggested, to establish a school in each local con- ference as soon as practicable.

"NEEDS OF MISSIONARY WORK IN NEW DISTRICTS

"While safeguarding the essential in- terests of our established work through the conference, what we would seem at the present time to need in extended missionary districts and in our large cities, are the best practical ways

(1) of securing a sufficient number of suitable Christian workers;

(2) of properly distributing these laborers with due regard to economy and efficiency;

(3) of obtaining the resources to sustain these laborers and their indispensable institutions;

(4) of inspiring and helping them to secure and maintain a uniform policy of advance, uniting under proper regulations all our resources for vigilant and energetic progress.

The Publishing Work

The publishing work, and our future policy and details of operation, should receive careful con- sideration at this meeting,

Permanent Location for the Office Headquarters

and a permanent location should be decided upon for our headquarters.

Conclusion with Thanks

"I thank you all for your hearty co- operation thus far in the Canadian Union Conference work, and trust that the Lord will direct in all future plans and efforts in this important field."

Conference Reports

Elder Collie gave an interesting report of the work in Ontario.
Elder Farnsworth spoke for the work in Quebec, giving a brief report of the work of the past year, which he said was encouraging to the brethren of the conference. A number of laborers have been taken into the field during the year, some of whom are being supported by other conferences.
Elder Farman reported advancement in the work in Newfoundland, the future prospects being bright. He strongly urged the importance of more laborers' being sent there.
Elder Langdon reported the work in the Maritime Conference, and spoke encouragingly of the outlook.

Appointment of Committees

The Chair being empowered, by vote of the conference, to appoint the usual committees, reported the following:

Nominations, George E. Langdon, H. J. Farman, J. ty[. Ellis;
Credentials and Licenses, J. W. Collie, S. A. Farnsworth, M. S. Babcock.
The delegates were appointed as a committee of the whole on Plans of Work.

Spicer Takes Part

Elder W. A. Spicer was invited to take part in the deliberations of the conference.

Publishing Work

The time of the second meeting of the conference was taken up in discussing the question of the publishing work, and conference headquarters. It was the con- sensus of opinion that the interests of the conference would be best served by continuing the publishing work in Canada,

Location of Headquarters in Montreal

and a motion was carried au- thorizing the Chair to appoint a commit- tee of two with himself to consider the matter of location. The east and the west were represented on this committee, Which consisted of Elders Langdon, of New Brunswick, and Collie, of Ontario. This committee subsequently reported, recommending Montreal as the headquar- ters, and suggesting that the time of making the change in location be left to the discretion of the conference president and the secretary. Report adopted

Legal Incorporation

Elders Rickard, Collie, and Babcock were appointed as a committee to con- sider the matter of legal incorporation, and after taking time for investigation, verbally reported, recommending the in- corporation of the Canadian Union Con- ference Association, with a board of seven trustees, to be elected at the regu- lar sessions of the conference, for the purpose of holding property in the Do- minion of Canada, not otherwise pro- vided for.

The Constitution

The constitution was, by vote, amended by striking out the word " eleven " and inserting the word " nine " in Section 3, Article V, thus reducing the number on the executive committee; also eliminat- ing the word "educational" from the same article, and providing that super- intendents of organized mission fields should be members of the executive board.

Election of Officers

Upon the recommendation of the Com- mittee on Nominations, the following persons were elected as officers for the ensuing two years:

President, W. H. Thurston;
Vice-President, J. W. Collie;
Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor, S. D. Hartwell;
Executive Committee, W. H. Thurston, J. W. Collie, T. H. Robinson, S. D. Hartwell, A. E. Lemon, M. D., and E. P. Auger, together with the presidents of Quebec and Maritime Conferences and the superintendent of the Newfoundland mission field;
Trustees of the legal incorporation, W. H. Thurston, J. W. Collie, S. A. Farnsworth, George E. Langdon, T. H. Robinson, S. D. Hartwell, and M. S. Babcock;
Publishing Committee, W. H. Thurston, J. W. Collie, S. D. Hartwell, E. P. Auger, George E. Langdon;
Mission Board for Newfoundland, Elders H. J. Farman and W. H. Thurston, Dr. A. E. Lemon, and Brother

Johnston, and one to be supplied. Ministerial credentials were granted to

W. H. Thurston and
H. J. Farman, and

ministerial license to

Dr. A. E. Lemon and
S. D. Hartwell.

Missionary credentials were given to

Mrs. Carrie Lemon and
Miss Clara Farman.

The following recommendations were passed, after interesting discussion: —

" Whereas, We recognize that the medical and evangelical work are one and should be placed upon the same basis, and,

" Whereas, The Newfoundland Health Institute has taken the initiative in re- solving and placing the medical work on the same basis as the evangelical work, therefore,—

"Resolved, That the workers in each department report to, and their accounts be settled by, the executive committee in the field in which they labor.

" Whereas, The Ontario Tract So- ciety, in order to obtain possession of the territory of'the Province of Ontario from the Review and Herald, assumed the responsibility of certain accounts, which have proved to be worthless, and,—

" Whereas, This assumed indebtedness is a part of the accounts turned over to the Canadian Union Conference by the Review and Herald, therefore,—

"Resolved, That that assumed indebt- edness be forgiven the Ontario Confer- ence, except those parts of the account for which they have received value; for these they will be expected to pay."

The matter of the forgiveness of the debts which were turned over to the conference was quite fully discussed by Brethren Thurston,. Spicer, Collie, and others, all concurring in the opinion that we should expect settlements to be made of all accounts where it was evident that value had been received by the creditors, as the proceeds of these accounts had been intended for the benefit of the union conference.

Four meetings were held, and all the business of the conference was per- formed with a unanimity of purpose and feeling, which was encouraging, and all felt that the conference had been a profit- able one, and the different conferences of the union were more closely bound together. Adjourned sine die.

W. H. THURSTON, President;

S. D. HARTWELL, Secretary.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19021007-V79-40__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=17

Thurston, W. H.; Hartwell, S. D. (October 7, 1902). "Minutes of the Canadian Union Conference" (PDF). Review and Herald. 79 (40). Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association: 17, 18. Retrieved July 19, 2011.

Chronology of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, British Columbia

1893

CLEAN copies of the REVIEW, Signs, Sentinel, and Instructor will be used in the missionary work, if sent post-paid to J. L. Wilson, 33 Pandora St., Victoria, B. C.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18930214-V70-07__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=15

1900

At Mission, B. C., a church of twelve members was recently organized by Brethren J. L. Wilson and George Squire. A half dozen others are keeping the Sabbaih of the Lord who have not yet united with the church. The laborers here mentioned are now working in the suburbs of Vancouver.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ST/ST19000829-V26-35__C/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=11

BROTHER J. L. WILSON reports two baptisms and two new accessions to the faith recently at Vancouver, B. C., with an excellent attendance at the Sunday meetings.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ST/ST19001219-V26-51__C/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=13

1901

J. L. Wilson pitched his evangelistic tent in the small, isolated coal mining community of Cumberland, B.C., 150 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, population, 1000. A boat brought the mail to the town every two weeks. He began meetings there July 4. Attendance was small but interested, no more than 35 people. The people of the town were mainly Scotch Presbyterians. There were also Catholics, Episcopalians, and Methodists, all seemed active in their faith. Although Wilson found the people to be very kind and hospitable, the work moved slowly. There was one family of Sabbath-keepers there. He hoped to see several people take a stand for "the truth". In contrast to the biweekly mail service, Wilson noted that "communications from heaven reach us daily, and they are not delayed, but fresh from the heavenly sanctuary every morning." J. L. Wilson, July 21, 1901. NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE: CUMBERLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA The Pacific Union Recorder, August 15, 1901, p. 5.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19010815-V01-02__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=5

J. L. Wilson elected to the North Pacific Conference's executive committee.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19010702-V78-27__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=11

J. L. Wilson the only North Pacific Conference minister living in British Columbia; Mission City. This document also lists British Columbia as part of the North Pacific Conference.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/GCB/GCB1901-03/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=24

1902

British Columbia Conference organized 1902. J.L. Wilson, president.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/GCB/GCB1902-02,03/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=22

At the 26th sesson of the North Pacific Conference, held in connection with the Portland Camp-meeting, voted unanimously that the conference furnish, from the conference treasury, an amount sufficient to support Elder Wilson in the British Columbia Conference for the coming year, or $800.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19020619-V01-23__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=6

1903

J. L. Wilson, British Columbia Items, Pacific Union Recorder, January 29, 1903, Volume 2, Issue 13, p. 8

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19030129-V02-13__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=8

British Columbia area = about 367,000 square miles, with population = 200,000. Vancouver, the largest city = 30,000; Victoria is next = 25,000, New Westminster = 8,000; Nanaimo = 7,000.

large number of small towns population from 100 to 5,000.

We have less than 100 Sabbath-keepers in the whole of this conference.

Treatment Rooms

Our treatment-rooms have been self-supporting from the first. We have another opening in one of the other cities, which promises just as good success as we have met in Vancouver, but as yet the money for opening is not in sight. We are praying for it, and believe if the Lord wants us to fill this open- ing, He will send us the money.

A man from up the country came to the treatment-rooms and had treatment, after which he said to me, "If you will start a sanitarium (in a certain city), I will give you lumber to build, and will furnish you electric light and water free."

The last month I had two large lots and quite a nice sum of money offered to build a sanitarium here in Vancouver; so you see this branch of our work is in a very prosperous condition. I pray that it will continue so.

I have just organized a church at Salmon Arm. There are several families here who have moved in from Montana. Some others have taken hold of the truth since coming to this place. This company expects to erect a meeting-house.

We have just received a letter from R. Dunsmuir, Esq., ex-premier, who says, "I will give you a piece of land in Cumberland on which to build a church." The Cumberland company will also erect a place of worship in the near future.

A nice tract of land, of over 300 acres, has been given to us for the purpose of starting an industrial school. Over 200 acres of this are prairie land. It is situated twenty- two miles east of Vancouver, on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. This we intend to make use of in the near future.

God has and is blessing our efforts. The openings for work are many, but we are still heralding the cry, "The laborers are few."

Brethren, pray with us that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers. J. L. Wilson.

Vancouver. B. C, Jan. 13, 1903.

Second Annual Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: The British Columbia Conference is now one year of age, and has just had its second annual session, which was held in the tent at Queen's Park, Westminster. ... All who attended camped on the ground, which was kindly allowed us by the City Council.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19031022-V03-06__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=4

1904 BC, Wilson President. School at Pitt Meadows http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1904__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=52

BRITISH COLUMBIA MEDICAL MISSIONARY AND BENEVO- LENT ASSOCIATION.

Office: 338 Columbia St., Van- couver, B. C.

Board of Trustees: J. L. Wilson, Win. Manson, S. A. Wilband, J. J. Dougan, J. F. Wilson.

Officers: Pres., J. L. Wilson; Sec and Treaa., J. J. Dougan.

VANCOUVER TREATMENT ROOMS. 338 Columbia St., Vancouver, B. C.

VICTORIA TREATMENT ROOMS. Victoria, B. C. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1904__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=98

1931

British Columbia Conference submitted a petition regarding the Calendar reform movement.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/TASNED/TASNED19310801-V03-08__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=1

Mr. Jim Wilson and family visited his father, Elder J. L. Wilson, over the week-end. They plan to remain in Illinois for a month at least. We understand Elder Wilson's son is from Canada. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/LUH/LUH19291016-V21-41__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=3

J. L. Wilson, President, Maritime Conference Writes of the Halifax Disaster

Special Deliverances in the Halifax Disaster

FROM a personal letter written by Pastor J. L. Wilson, president of the Maritime Conference, to Pastor W. W. Eastman of the General Conference, the following interesting items were given regarding the deliverance of our brethren and sisters in the great disaster which wrought such ruin in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. While our church building was destroyed, and some of our brethren and sisters lost their homes, it is gratifying to learn that there was no loss of life among our church mem- bership :

" I went to Halifax the day of the explosion. The condition is indescribable. The papers picture it no worse than it is. About two thousand have lost their lives, about twice as many are wounded, and more than twenty thousand are homeless. Many are living in tents, with the ther mometer registering twenty below zero. There is scarcely a window left in any building for more than four miles from the place of the explosion.

" Our church building is a total wreck. The pews in it were broken to kindling wood, and I fear we shall have to ask our brethren in different places to help us get re-established.

" I found Brother and Sister Chapman and family safe, but every window had been knocked out of their house. I enquired for the rest of the Sabbath-keepers, and found that they were all safe, although three of them had wounds on their heads and faces, but nothing serious.

" You will remember Sister Hayward. Her house was smashed to kindling wood. A boy was blown out of another house right into her husband's arms, and she says they walked from the debris just as though they were on a smooth floor, with nothing in their way. All the houses around there,—east, west, north, south,— right up to their house, were burned up, and hundreds of people were burned up with them, but not so much as a splinter of their house was burned. Others of our people were delivered in a similar way, although some lost all their earthly possessions.

" Sister Locke you will remember also. When the calamity came, she and another sister and the childreu were on their knees having worship. The whole side of her house went out about three inches, and then stopped. Not a window in her house was broken, but in every place adjoining hers the windows were all knocked out. She has been able to take care of a good number.

" Sister Case was standing at the tele- phone when the explosion came. Her house, likewise, was smashed to pieces, and she was protected in that one place just as if a little room had been built around her. They had to dig her out, and found that she had not received even a scratch.

" Relief is coming from all over the continent. The only thing we shall need help in will be the rebuilding of the church. The work all over the conference is in a prosperous condition.

" The ninety-first psalm was verily ful filled in behalf of the Seventh-day Advent ists in Halifax ; although many of them lived right in the centre of the destroyed area, they miraculously escaped. I do not think we shall live to see anything like it unless it be the seven last plagues. Those who passed through it can truly say, with one of old, ' 0 that Thou wouldst hide me ... until Thy wrath be past' "

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/AAR/AAR19180211-V22-03__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=8

Further Chronological Citations for J. L. Wilson

1873 suggested time of birth. This provides an anchor for the consideration of the various J. L. Wilson's mentioned in Adventist Archives. 1938 becomes a possible retirement date for this J. L. Wilson. Q: Did this wilson name his son J. L., Q2: What relation is J.L. to Jim Wilson, President of the Canadian Union Conference in the 1980's?

1893 Missionary License, North Pacific Conference http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1893__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=35

CLEAN copies of the REVIEW, Signs, Sentinel, and Instructor will be used in the missionary work, if sent post-paid to J. L. Wilson, 33 Pandora St., Victoria, B. C. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18930214-V70-07__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=15

1894 Tract Society Officer for the North Pacific Conference's District #4 http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/YB/YB1894__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=38

1897 J. L. Wilson of Tacoma, Washington. Quoted giving an example of a healer who intentionally avoided studying the law so he could maintain his power to heal. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18970406-V74-14__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=4

J. L. Wilson ordained to the Gospel Ministry, May 20-31, 1897 as part of the North Pacific Conference. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18970713-V74-28__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=12

J. L. Wilson and R. D. Benham work in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18970810-V74-32__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=12

1898 Wilson and Benham conduct an evangelistic series in Vancouver, B.C. "The people here are very much prejudiced against anything "American," and are led by their ministers, and seem firmly wedded to their own churches." http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18980308-V75-10__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=12

1943

Wilson — Sarah Elizabeth Green was born ir Pittsburgh. Pennsyl- vania, 1866. When but a child she moved with her parents to Kansas, where in 1885 she was united in marriage with Joseph L. Wilson. In the late eighties the young couple rro*r<?d westward to take up a home- stead in the state of Washington where Sister Wilson listened to the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventists and gave her heart to the

Lord. " Immediately she began to work and pray for the conversion of her husband. A few weeks later her husband responded to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit and they were baptized at a camp met I- ing held at Portland, Oregon, in tne year 1899.

Her long and useful life came to a close at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harold Smith, at Hammond, Sunday noon, May 23, 1943, with her husband and two members of The family at her bedside. For more than fifty-eight years she stood by the side of her companion and to- gether they reared five sons and three daughters. Surviving are her husband, six children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grand- child, and two sisters. We tenderly laid Sister Wilson to rest in the little cemetery in Hammond to await the voice of the Life Giver, who said, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints," and who will come to awaken those whom He loves.

Our sympathy and prayers go out to Elder Wilson in this hour of be- reavement and to the members of the family.

W. A. Clemenson

Note: There is a discrepancy in the facts given by W. A. Clemenson regarding when J. L. Wilson became an Adventist. The chronology dates puts him active in Adventism six years earlier in 1893 when he is listed as having a missionary license.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19430714-V12-01__C/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=7

1944

WILSON— Elder James Low- ther Wilson was born in England on May 25th, 1862. In 1881 he came to America. On March 8th, 1885 he was united in marriage to Sarah Elizabeth Green. He leaves to mourn his passing three sons, three daught- ers, fourteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, three sisters and one brother.

Elder Wilson gave his heart, to the Lord in early youth and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1889. He began his min- istry in the colporteur work in the state of Washington and in British Columbia, which at that time was a mission field. During his first year of work he raised up a church. In 1897 he was ordained to the gospel ministry and located in the province of British Columbia. He was elected president of the British Columbia Conference upon its organization in 1901. From 1914 to 1917 he labored in evangelism in the province of Alberta. Then he was called to the Maritime Conference to act as pres- ident of that field from 1917 to 1922. Following this he spent four years as Home Missionary Secretary and Union Evangelist of the Eastern Can- adian Union Conference. He re- sponded to a call from the Illinois Conference where he labored from 1927 to 1931, returning to Canada where he remained until death called him to rest from his labor on March 19th, 1944.

We tenderly laid this soldier of the cross to rest in the Haney Cem- etery waiting for that final word from His Lord and Master, "Awake ye that sleep."

The funeral services were con- ducted by the writer and workers from the British Columbia Con- ference acted as pall-bearers. We extend to the sorrowing our sympathy.

W. A. Clemenson

Note: W.A. Clemenson corrects the date for Wilson's joining the church but creates a new discrepancy by referring to Wilson as James rather than Joseph.

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19440712-V13-01__C/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=7

Compare and Wonder

WILSON — James Lowther Wilson passed away suddenly, Tuesday August 22. 1950 at 3 a.m. at his home in Oshawa. He was born in Wilkenson, Washington, May 19 1894.

On June 21, 1918, he was united in marrriage with Ida Hannah, at Oxford Nova Scotia.

Brother Wilson resided for some years in British Columbia. He was baptized into the S. D. A. faith at the early age of sixteen years. At the time of his death he was em- ployed by the Signs of the Times Publishing Association.

He leaves to mourn his wife, one son, James, three sisters, and two brothers. He will rest at Union Cemetery until the Great Resurrec- tion Morn.

A. W. Kaytor

http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/CUM/CUM19501122-V19-11__B/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=7

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