http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/FEDO/FEDO19301001-V19-10__B.pdf#view=fit
The New Divisions
I. H. EVANS
ALREADY it is an old story — the dividing of the Far Eastern Division territory into two parts, one to be called the China Division, including China with her dependencies and Hongkong; the other retaining the name Far Eastern Division, and including Korea, Japan and her island dependencies, the Philippines, British Borneo, Indo-China, Siam, the Malay and Federated Malay States, and the Straits Settlements, with headquarters at Manila.
This arrangement provides for the China Division a nearly solid Chinese population, leaving the Far Eastern Division a polyglot field. It is the plan to man the China field with leaders who have some knowledge of the Chinese language, while the polyglot Division will necessarily be officered by men who may speak the language of only one section of the field.
As has already been announced, Dr. H. W. Miller was chosen at the General Conference to act as head of the China Division, with Pastor C. C. Crisler as secretary and Pastor G. C. Morris as treasurer. Pastor Frederick Griggs was elected president of the new Far Eastern Division, with Brother Eugene Woesner as secretary-treasurer. A list of the departmental secretaries for each Division will be printed in the OUTLOOK, so all may know to whom to write.
Some may wonder why this change has been made, and perhaps question it; for to some, changes are painful, however beneficial. To others, changes are agreeable. They move from one house to another without regret; they change the furniture from cellar to attic; to them change itself brings a degree of satisfaction. In the -very nature of things it can not be expected that changes will be equally pleasing to all.
Under our denominational plan of organization, the General Conference may change the territorial lines of any world division. Since our present plan of organization went into effect, the territory of several Divisions has been changed. Sections have been cut off from one Division and assigned to another. In 1928 the large European Division was divided into four Divisions, and now in the Far East we are to have two Divisions in place of one. These changes are necessitated by developing and growing work.
In the Lord's work only such changes should be made as will bring to it additional efficiency. It is our business, and should be our earnest desire, to obtain larger results in the souls of men truly converted. Where now we gather in but a few, we should see many accepting Christ. Closer supervision by consecrated leaders, and more frequent contacts of the officers with all parts of the field, are primary in order to secure the best results.
Naturally there will be many questions as to the handling of funds, etc., in effecting these changes in administration. So far as possible there will be an equitable division of all funds in hand between the new organizations. All buildings and real estate will fall to the Division in which they are situated. Most of the real estate is held in the name of the General Conference, so there will be no transfer of title nor additional expense because of the readjustment of territorial lines. The General Conference has recommended that wherever possible the workers shall continue in the areas where they now are.
December 28-31, 1930, has been appointed as the time when the officers shall divide the funds and adjust all matters pertaining to the new Divisions, so that by January 1, 1931, all will be in order for the new officers to begin their work.
All expenses will be paid from January 1,1931, by the new Divisions, and all reports from that date should be sent to the new offices. Accounts between institutions should be adjusted and as far as possible settled by December 31, 1930. Individuals having accounts to be settled which have been contracted under the present Far Eastern Division organization should see that these are sent in promptly to the treasurer for adjustment.
It is earnestly hoped by the General Conference brethren that this division of territory will work hardship to none, and that soon such advances will be made — not in institutional work nor new buildings but in soul winning — as will prove that the Lord has led in effecting these changes. We ask the prayers of all our workers that the Holy Spirit may be with us to guide and help.
The New Divisions
I. H. EVANS
ALREADY it is an old story — the dividing of the Far Eastern Division territory into two parts, one to be called the China Division, including China with her dependencies and Hongkong; the other retaining the name Far Eastern Division, and including Korea, Japan and her island dependencies, the Philippines, British Borneo, Indo-China, Siam, the Malay and Federated Malay States, and the Straits Settlements, with headquarters at Manila.
This arrangement provides for the China Division a nearly solid Chinese population, leaving the Far Eastern Division a polyglot field. It is the plan to man the China field with leaders who have some knowledge of the Chinese language, while the polyglot Division will necessarily be officered by men who may speak the language of only one section of the field.
As has already been announced, Dr. H. W. Miller was chosen at the General Conference to act as head of the China Division, with Pastor C. C. Crisler as secretary and Pastor G. C. Morris as treasurer. Pastor Frederick Griggs was elected president of the new Far Eastern Division, with Brother Eugene Woesner as secretary-treasurer. A list of the departmental secretaries for each Division will be printed in the OUTLOOK, so all may know to whom to write.
Some may wonder why this change has been made, and perhaps question it; for to some, changes are painful, however beneficial. To others, changes are agreeable. They move from one house to another without regret; they change the furniture from cellar to attic; to them change itself brings a degree of satisfaction. In the -very nature of things it can not be expected that changes will be equally pleasing to all.
Under our denominational plan of organization, the General Conference may change the territorial lines of any world division. Since our present plan of organization went into effect, the territory of several Divisions has been changed. Sections have been cut off from one Division and assigned to another. In 1928 the large European Division was divided into four Divisions, and now in the Far East we are to have two Divisions in place of one. These changes are necessitated by developing and growing work.
In the Lord's work only such changes should be made as will bring to it additional efficiency. It is our business, and should be our earnest desire, to obtain larger results in the souls of men truly converted. Where now we gather in but a few, we should see many accepting Christ. Closer supervision by consecrated leaders, and more frequent contacts of the officers with all parts of the field, are primary in order to secure the best results.
Naturally there will be many questions as to the handling of funds, etc., in effecting these changes in administration. So far as possible there will be an equitable division of all funds in hand between the new organizations. All buildings and real estate will fall to the Division in which they are situated. Most of the real estate is held in the name of the General Conference, so there will be no transfer of title nor additional expense because of the readjustment of territorial lines. The General Conference has recommended that wherever possible the workers shall continue in the areas where they now are.
December 28-31, 1930, has been appointed as the time when the officers shall divide the funds and adjust all matters pertaining to the new Divisions, so that by January 1, 1931, all will be in order for the new officers to begin their work.
All expenses will be paid from January 1,1931, by the new Divisions, and all reports from that date should be sent to the new offices. Accounts between institutions should be adjusted and as far as possible settled by December 31, 1930. Individuals having accounts to be settled which have been contracted under the present Far Eastern Division organization should see that these are sent in promptly to the treasurer for adjustment.
It is earnestly hoped by the General Conference brethren that this division of territory will work hardship to none, and that soon such advances will be made — not in institutional work nor new buildings but in soul winning — as will prove that the Lord has led in effecting these changes. We ask the prayers of all our workers that the Holy Spirit may be with us to guide and help.
August 16, 1930.
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