Evans, Irwin Henry (1862–1945)

Adventist pastor, missionary, administrator, and hymn writer. He served as treasurer of the General Conference (1903-1910), the first president of the North American Division (1914-1918), and manager of the Review and Herald, vice-president of the General Conference, and 17 years as a missionary in Asia.

Early Life and Ministry

Irwin was born April 10, 1862, in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan, to William (1840-1914) and Ruth Ann née Locke (1843-1926) Evans.

Irwin was converted and baptized at the age of 12. As a youth, “he held the ministry in view as his goal.”¹ He “used to go out and preach to the stumps on his father’s farm.”² He began ministry as a licentiate in 1882, teaching school in the winter. In 1884 he participated in evangelistic meetings in Michigan.³ He also received a ministerial license.⁴ The following year Evans was transferred to Kentucky.⁵ He was ordained that summer at the 1886 Kentucky Camp Meeting (October 7-12).⁶ By early 1887 Irwin was serving back in Michigan.⁷ He worked actively in evangelism, as president of the Michigan Sabbath School Association⁸ and secretary of the Michigan Health and Temperance Association.⁹ In 1887 he married Emma Ferry (1862-1903), who died in 1903. They had four children: Arthur Henry (888-1956), Edith Evans (1890-1893), Jessie Ruth Corbett (1892-1981), and Jerome Fargo (1894-1971).¹⁰

Early Administration

In 1891 Irwin was elected president of the Michigan Conference.¹¹ He traveled extensively across the conference, holding training institutes.¹² During the 1890s he became increasingly interested in publishing work. From March 15 to April 23, 1893 he organized a six-week canvassers’ institute—the largest gathering of its kind up to that point, with at least 200 in attendance.¹³ This strong sense of mission can be seen in an evangelistic initiative by Evans to plant a church by the Michigan Conference across the border in the Canadian province of Ontario. After holding evangelistic meetings, in 1893 they organized a church in Albuna, Ontario.¹⁴ In 1893 Irwin was elected as a member of the executive committee of the International Tract Society.¹⁵ Through the 1890s his administrative responsibilities began to expand. In 1895 Irwin was elected as a member of the General Conference Association Executive Board.¹⁶ That same year he was also elected as a member of the Board of Trustees for the S.D.A. Educational Society.¹⁷ He again organized another canvassers’ institute (April 9-25, 1896), which became a vital part of his leadership training.¹⁸

In 1897 Irwin was chosen as a “business agent” for the General Conference Association (the business arm of the General Conference) and relinquished his role as Michigan Conference president.¹⁹ He remained a member of the General Conference Committee until his death. He proposed a “self-denial week” for individuals to give additional funds for overseas church mission projects.²⁰ With mounting debts, he pled with church members to loan the General Conference money without interest to provide more working capital.²¹ In 1898, he became vice-president of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association as well as continuing as a member of the S. D. A. Educational Society and GC Executive Committee.²²

In 1899, Irwin continued as a member of both the General Conference Committee and International Tract Society, and then served as president of the Foreign Mission Board.²³ He appealed for church members to become more aware of 1.4 billion people on the planet.²⁴ The cosmopolitan nature of the United States made it unique for sending out missionaries to the world. With a membership of 57,000 and a tithe of $350,000, they employed 842 workers but only employed 250 workers for overseas missionary work. He believed that the amount invested in missions should exceed that being used in the home field. He proposed that every church member raise 10 cents a week for missions that would expand the number of overseas workers by 300 workers. This was a bold proposal to expand the missionary presence of the denomination.²⁵

In 1900 church leaders sent him to resolve the bankruptcy of Christiana Publishing House. He discovered that the Skodsborg Sanitarium was in even worse financial shape than what was then known. They came up with a plan to liquidate the property and repay creditors over three years.²⁶ The funds needed were a staggering $65,986 (approximately $2.4 million in 2023).²⁷ By early 1901 the lawyers on behalf of the creditors of Skodsborg demanded a mortgage on the property. Evans negotiated through one of the largest early financial crises in the denomination’s history up to that point.²⁸ In order not to lose the property, it required $22,000 paid semi-annually for three years. Evans believed they could meet these demands and other requests for mission projects with this 10 cents a week plan. He urged: “This can be done. Only let the whole denomination take hold and pull together.”²⁹

Review and Herald Manager

The 1901 General Conference session was a turning point in Irwin’s life as he took on many new responsibilities, not least of which was his growing responsibilities in the denomination’s publishing arm. At the 1901 General Conference session, in addition to previous committees mentioned, Irwin was added to the General Conference Finance Committee.³⁰ He was also placed in charge of the publishing work for the Lake Union Conference.³¹ Then on May 28, 1901, he was elected president and general manager of the Review and Herald.³² Later that year he participated in the organization of the Canadian Union Conference.³³ He facilitated giving the Toronto Branch of the Review as a gift to the Canadian field (with half the expenses shared by the Foreign Mission Board).

Under the Evans administration, he cast a new vision for the Review and Herald. Irwin shared how the new Review Board were “anxious” that the Review “should fulfill the mission upon which it started in the beginning.”³⁴ Change, he admitted, had been “slow” which he believed was hampered by being unable “to secure competent help.” Despite “mistakes and failures,” he believed “there are brighter days” ahead for the Review and Herald.³⁵ Irwin was at church headquarters when the Battle Creek Sanitarium tragically burned to the ground on February 18, 1902. Afterward Irwin appealed to Review employees to donate a portion of their wages to help the sanitarium rebuild and offered to create a special souvenir booklet on the history of the institution as a fundraiser to help their “sister institution in distress” toward their building fund.³⁶ He happily reported that thanks to the generosity of church members they were able to repay the debt on the Christiana Publishing House early. Although not legally obligated, he believed this was the right thing to do, even “unheard-of” to the creditors, giving increased confidence in the “integrity” of the denomination that it would back a small health institution in another country.³⁷ Tragically the Review and Herald building burned to the ground on December 30, 1902. Through this “disaster,” the offices of the Daily Moon allowed them to set their type and the Review continued to be printed at the office of The Pilgrim.³⁸

Treasurer of the General Conference (1903-1910)

On April 11, 1903, Irwin was elected treasurer of the General Conference.³⁹ The restructuring of the denomination allowed for more financial stability. At the same time Irwin reminded church members of the critical need to raise funds to facilitate the expansion of the denomination into new territories around the globe.⁴⁰ Tragically, hardly had he been elected as an officer of the General Conference when his wife, Emma, died on May 13, 1903, from endocarditis. A memorial service was held in the home of Henry Nicola, after which the body was taken back to the family cemetery in Ovid, Michigan, and another funeral held.⁴¹ The dual loss of the Review through fire and that of the death of his wife meant this was a time of incredible personal loss. Yet even in the midst of that, Irwin remained ever the missionary-minded administrator. Irwin planned for a special offering on July 4, 1903, to help expand the work of the church in Australia.⁴² He also worked to dispel rumors about the demise of the Review, noting that all financial obligations would be honored, and although it would take some time, he continued to serve as General Manager working on plans to relocate the Review to the east coast.⁴³ Evans was part of a delegation that visited two sites: New York City and Washington, D.C. The relocation committee met first in New York City on May 18.⁴⁴ The committee met again in Washington, D.C., in late July.⁴⁵ Ultimately the committee opted to move to Takoma Park, on the border of Maryland and Washington, D.C. Once the new location was decided, Irwin went to work requesting stockholders of the previous corporation assign their stock to the new corporation.⁴⁶

Irwin spent the winter of 1903 through 1904 working on closing up any remaining business at Battle Creek, Michigan. He tied the knot with Adelaide Bee Cooper (1870-1958) on April 13, 1904, in Battle Creek. On May 18, 1904, Irwin participated in the closing of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, which was replaced by a new corporation known as the Review and Herald Publishing Association.⁴⁷ On July 12, 1904, the courts official dissolved the old publishing house “declaring its existence as having ceased.”⁴⁸ All remaining assets in Battle Creek were auctioned off on January 10, 1905.⁴⁹ With the new re-organization Irwin stepped aside as general manager of the Review and focused solely on his role as the General Conference Treasurer.

The December 1, 1904, Review reported that Evans had now made Takoma Park, D.C., his permanent home.⁵⁰ Irwin began a fundraising campaign for $100,000 so that the denomination could establish a new General Conference building, a sanitarium, and a school.⁵¹ There were sufficient assets from which to rebuild the new publishing house. Until the new headquarters building was constructed, the temporary General Conference headquarters would be located at 222 North Capital Street in Washington, D.C.⁵² Irwin was placed in charge of plans for erecting the new General Conference building.⁵³ A significant new development was the “purchase of the adding machine” to assist the accounting department. This was the first time such a machine was purchased by the denomination’s treasury to help secure greater accuracy in keeping the church books.⁵⁴

At the 1905 General Conference session Evans was re-elected for a second term as General Conference treasurer. He also established more clear financial policies in light of several financial crises (i.e., Skodsburg Sanitarium, Review fire, and move to Takoma Park), all of which made it imperative with church re-organization and as the denomination grew that made new financial systems necessary. One such principle was that the General Conference could no longer assume financial responsibility except when “specifically assumed by action of the General Conference or its executive committee.”⁵⁵ At this session the executive committee was expanded to include 31 individuals.⁵⁶ A major development was the official adoption of a tithe envelope in which churches were encouraged to have their members submit their tithes and offerings on a regular basis. This practice of using tithe envelopes would become ubiquitous in the twentieth century in Adventist congregations.⁵⁷ While there were earlier examples of offering boxes and even envelopes, it was at the 1905 GC session that church leaders realized the importance of distributing regular envelopes with “Tithe,” “Mission Offerings,” “Church Expenses,” “Home Literature,” “Donations for the Poor,” and other items to help encourage regular and systematic giving. Church leaders ordered one million such envelopes be distributed to churches across North America to encourage regular systematic giving by its members.⁵⁸ Evans participated in denominational discussions with Lewis Sheafe and his church in Washington, D.C.⁵⁹ When the 1906 earthquake hit San Francisco (April 18) Evans organized relief efforts including a special offering, again, to assist with rebuilding Adventist churches and damage done to the Pacific Press.⁶⁰

After these meetings Evans traveled to the West Indies (arriving in late June⁶¹), where he worked on organizing the West Indian Union Conference with three thousand believers.⁶² The year 1907 started off with some rather shaky beginnings. Not least of which was the final departure of Sheafe and his congregation from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Evans left with E. W. Farnsworth and Luther Warren in early January to participate in the new West Indian Union Conference to hold worker’s meetings (January 11-26).⁶³ On January 14 a devastating 6.2 earthquake shook Kingston and its surroundings.⁶⁴ Tragically the mission treasurer, Norman Johnston, lost his life.⁶⁵ On the day of the earthquake Evans was, he believed, providentially outside of Kingston.⁶⁶ In the midst of this tragedy, Evans was happy to report that for the first time the denomination would convene its first meeting of the General Conference Executive Committee for Spring Council.

Shift to Missionary Administrator

In 1909 Evans attended the second biennial council of Adventist workers across China. At this meeting the work in China was divided into ten great mission fields and they requested twenty more families to come over the next two years to support the aggressive missionary expansion. On this same trip, Evans participated in meetings in Korea that established Korea to be known as the Korean Mission field of Seventh-day Adventists. At this meeting the publishing and educational work was also organized and plans laid for raising funds to purchase a property.⁶⁷ Similar plans for starting a school were laid while he visited Japan.⁶⁸ He believed schools were especially important because he felt a special burden that these converts were the best and most effective way to do missionary work. Instead of “foreigners,” this was a much better strategic way to advance the Adventist message.⁶⁹ On February 10, 1909, Evans sailed to return home.⁷⁰

Ever the mindful administrator and as treasurer of the General Conference Evans was a frugal administrator who urged for the best possible stewardship of church resources. He urged delegates traveling to the 1909 Genearl Conference session to secure the most economical means of travel.⁷¹ During his treasurer’s report he noted that during the quadrennial period (1905-1908) the church had spent $1,655,137.53 and disbursed $1,641,199.55 leaving a balance in the treasury on December 31, 1908, of $13, 937.98. During this time he retired a debt of $47,965.50, and reversed a previous deficit to a surplus of $6,770.71. This was while continuing to grow the denomination with missionary growth while urging fiscal responsibility.⁷²

That summer, at the 1909 General Conference session, the importance of expanding the presence of Adventism across Asia was vividly impressed upon the delegates. Evans was re-elected as treasurer of the General Conference, but then with the creation of a new position, was also elected to lead this new division and serve as vice-president of the General Conference. With the significant leadership change, as he prepared to serve in Asia, through the end of 1909 he continued to serve as “acting treasurer” of the General Conference while they searched for a replacement.⁷³ In this role he both continued legally as treasurer of the denomination during a transition process. The creation of this new division of the world church followed the model of having a similar vice-president for Europe and North America. This new world division included the territories of China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Burma, and India.⁷⁴ Evans continued to function in his capacity as treasurer of the General Conference until January 16, 1910, when he officially and legally turned over the responsibility to W. T. Knox who had the previous summer accepted the position on a “provisional” acceptance.⁷⁵ This included a final audit and power of attorney for bank accounts.⁷⁶

During the first part of 1910 Evans attended a number of constituency sessions. Of special note was the Pacific Union Conference meeting held January 25-30, 1910, at which church members voted to give an additional $10,000 to the General Conference for missionary work and also voted, under the advisement of Ellen White, to start a medical school at Loma Linda. Evans went with E. E. Andross and H. W. Cottrell to interview Ellen White,⁷⁷ asking for clarity about whether they should have doctors who qualify for State board examinations and become “registered, qualified physicians,” Ellen White replied: “The medical school at Loma Linda is to be of the highest order.”⁷⁸ He chaired the last General Conference Committee meeting in his capacity as an officer of the General Conference on May 26, 1910.⁷⁹ Evans left ton June 7, 1910, from San Francisco headed to Japan and then to the new headquarters in Shanghai, China.⁸⁰ His family would follow nearly a year later.⁸¹ After seventeen days at sea, he finally reached the harbor of Yokohama, Japan, on June 24, 1910.⁸²

Missionary to Asia (1910-1913)

Now that Evans was in Asia he was a man of action. He immediately went to visit workers across Japan and Korea. From August 5-13, 1910, the “Korean General Meeting” voted to start a regular periodical to circulate among the believers in Korea with Mimi Scharffenberg as the first editor. Also at this meeting the Korean field was divided into four parts. Next Evans participated in a Council for the work in China (August 25 to September 4, 1910) at the mountain retreat in Mokanshan.⁸³ Evans next made his way down to Singapore and the Straits Settlements.⁸⁴ Then on an extensive trip to the north reaching Mukden, in Manchuria, traveling some 4,000 miles. As a result of these travels and assessment, Evans concluded that the church needed better facilities for the publishing work.⁸⁵ By early April 1911 Evans left next on a trip to the Philippines.⁸⁶ On the way he spent two weeks in Korea where he organized the very first Seventh-day Adventist congregation in Seoul with 31 members. With the teachers and 70 students at the fledgling school, they also circulated the first special edition of the Korean paper. Once Evans arrived in the Philippines, he witnessed the very first baptism of 12 souls and also organized the very first church of 22 members in March 1911.⁸⁷

As Evans traversed Asia, in 1911 he spent only three weeks at home in Shanghai. Now, as he traveled into the interior of China to Chang-sha, he described a revival that was taking place with over 70 Sabbath keepers who gathered for three weeks of training. On June 16, 1911, Evans planned to leave Korea for the Friedensau Annual Council meeting traveling overland through the Siberian route.⁸⁸ This first year of mission service was largely one of assessment and strategic planning. Evans invested heavily in education, publishing, and medical missionary work, allocating extremely limited funds and personnel, to attempt to expand an Adventist presence across Asia.

Evans attended the second Biennial Session of the General Conference Executive Committee beginning July 4, 1911, in Friedensau, Germany.⁸⁹ As the General Conference expanded rapidly and as it met every four years, instead of two, this larger gathering half way between General Conference sessions became more important. From here Evans returned with A. G. Daniells, G. B. Thompson, and H. R. Salisbury from England to New York.⁹⁰ He returned “to close up his personal affairs” and to bring his wife back with him. Evans also requested that A. G. Daniells spend the year 1912 traveling with him across Asia.⁹¹ Evans spent time raising funds for missions at various camp meetings until he attended the fall autumn council (starting Oct. 25).⁹² After this it was decided that both Elder and Mrs. Evans would return to China.⁹³ Evans went from the Annual Council to meet his wife and visit his family in Michigan, after which they would traveled to San Francisco to sail for Asia.⁹⁴ They sailed November 22⁹⁵ and arrived in Shanghai on December 16.⁹⁶

On his return to China, Evans discovered that in October 1911 a successful revolution occurred in southern China that overthrew the Qing Dynasty and replaced it with the Republic of China. At the time of his arrival, “all our foreign workers gathered from the central and northern provinces of China.” Evans decided to utilize the time by holding a “general meeting for the foreign workers in China” that would last from January 25 to February 10, 1912.⁹⁷ Ever the strategic planner, Evans utilized newly raised mission funds to build better and more healthful homes for missionaries. This included a new cottage in Korea, two homes in Weichow (for the families of J. P. Anderson and S. A. Nagel), and two more cottages in Chang-sha (although these efforts were hampered by war). Evans worked diligently to get a piece of property stamped so that they could proceed with building a new publishing house. Between war and delays in building, the publishing work construction came to a standstill.

From June 13-23, 1912, Evans attended the first Adventist camp meeting held in Korea. This would be the very first Seventh-day Adventist camp meeting held in Asia. The meeting was held about halfway between Chemulpho [Incheon, South Korea] and Pieng-yang [Pyongyang, North Korea], today located in North Korea, where on a small hill near several Korean villages, a large tent (28 by 42 feet) was pitched with nine smaller family tents. Approximately 150 people gathered for this special occasion and $350 pledged toward building new school buildings. Evans, along with Frederick Lee and F. H. DeVinney, led out in the preaching. Evans found this to be a deeply moving spiritual experience that led to a call for greater consecration. Over the previous over 100 people were baptized, several new companies begun, and one new church organized.⁹⁸

Evans was happy to learn that the progress on building a publishing house and new missionary homes in Shanghai was moving along rapidly. They expected to move in by November 1912.⁹⁹ Meanwhile, Evans went on to hold a “general meeting” for the work in Japan from July 11-21. Evans took a five week trip through the Malaysian field in which he checked on missionaries and organized the work. Java [Indonesia] was divided into three divisions, with Borneo and another mission for the Straits settlements in the Federated Malay States. These groups would now be organized into a union mission. Evans also stopped for two weeks in the Philippines, his second visit, in which his heart rejoiced to see the growth of the work in Manila. He now witnessed “native evangelists holding a tent effort in the city, at which they do most of the preaching,” which encouraged him that the message was taking hold. He also reported on the publication of “a small monthly missionary paper in the Tagalog language.” They needed a larger church building since most of the meetings were taking place in private homes, without sufficient funds to rent a hall. A school, he pleaded, was desperately needed to train workers. He also happily reported on the organization of the second church on the island of Luzon, in a place called Malolos, about two hours’ reside from Manila. While there they baptized 28 with the expectation that a native worker would come and follow-up the interest.¹⁰⁰

Evans left Asia in time to attend the General Conference session (May 15-June 8, 1913) held in Takoma Park, Maryland. In his report he brought greetings from the missionaries and converts in Asia who were working, as he put it, to reach the estimated 625 million people that were part of the newly formed division.¹⁰¹ Evans preached an “impressive sermon” from John 2:17 titled “Zeal for God in Finishing His Work.”¹⁰² He challenged every church member in the denomination to win one soul that next year to Christ.¹⁰³ In his report to the delegates he summarized and gave an assessment ultimately reminding delegates of “the vastness of the work before us.”¹⁰⁴ On May 30, 1913, Elder I. H. Evans was nominated to be president of the North American Division Conference. Now it was felt that Evans was needed in America to strengthening the work in the homeland. From the vantage point of church administrators, including Evans, it was seen as absolutely imperative to organize and make sure that the support from North America, including both funds and personnel, was as strong as possible in order to sustain and grow the mission of the church around the world.¹⁰⁵

NAD President (1913-1918)

Between 1901 and 1913 there was some fluidity in the development of the idea of vice-presidents of the General Conference who were responsible for large regions of the world church and the development of divisions. The term “division of the General Conference” began to also be used, but the terms were often overlapping. What is clear is that the 1913 General Conference session clarified these terms and roles so that now a “transformation” had taken place, but as church leaders were careful to also remind members, this was “not a revolution.”¹⁰⁶ It was this subtle tweaking of church organization that allowed the three major regions of the world church—notably Europe, Asia, and North America—to be clearly identified as each being “organized into a great division conference.” With clarification on his administrative role, Evans began to travel across North America attending meetings, initially in the central west.¹⁰⁷ By August Evans was attending camp meetings, notably in Iowa, Nebraska, and California.¹⁰⁸ At each camp meeting he appealed for funds for mission. An announcement in the Review celebrated their arrival back at church headquarters.¹⁰⁹ For his part, Evans was able to participate in the opening exercises of the Foreign Mission Seminary on September 17, 1913.¹¹⁰

Evans believed that the strength of the church was in its unity. Through collective efforts the denomination could do what individually they would never be able to accomplish. In the day of great capitalist business interests, the pooling of money allowed the possibility of “financing gigantic undertakings.”¹¹¹ With shipping, steel, and similar trusts, what could happen when the church pools its resources? No one person could finance the missionary “campaign” of the church, but together, as individuals are organized into churches, churches into conferences, conferences into unions, and unions into divisions, and divisions into the General Conference. “Each organization is stronger than the preceding. Each gathers together a larger number of single units combined in the organizations, so that when we reach the General Conference, we have the strongest organized body in our work. The General Conference, therefore, is the one to carry on aggressive work which neither the division, union, nor local conferences are able to carry on as efficiently and as well.”¹¹² Evans challenged members to take note of the new pledge of 20 cents per week per member challenge voted at the 1913 General Conference session.¹¹³ He also had the privilege, on October 26, 1913, of offering the dedicatory prayer for the new Takoma Park Church at church headquarters.¹¹⁴

Evans felt that it was vital to develop “a medium for communicating the plans, policies, and instruction of the North American Division Committee to the to the church officers” hence the reason why they began a new sixteen page “monthly journal” titled The Church Officers’ Gazette in early 1914.¹¹⁵ Edith M. Graham and Matilda Erickson would become the two founding editors of the periodical. The new periodical would not be a “competitor of any other periodical or magazine published by our people” because it was “not for general circulation.” Instead, the Gazette had “a field of its own” to “benefit” church officers across the division.¹¹⁶ As Evans took the helm of leadership he conducted a survey of the effectiveness of church workers across the division.

As World War I broke out, Evans reminded members that this was a fulfillment of end-time events. The primary weapon of Adventist evangelism is to distribute truth-filled literature.¹¹⁷ As Evans tracked progress, he happily reported that attendance at camp meetings that summer was up and that the church was on track to reach its goal of 20 cents a member for mission that year. Further reports from various administrators also were encouraging that records for sales of Adventist literature were taking place. This may have be in no small part due to Adventists pointing to the war as a sign of the end.¹¹⁸ He continued to raise funds for the work for “Negro believers.” The shortage of funds caused “great perplexity” and “necessitated reducing the active force of workers to the minimum. Our colored laborers bravely share the self-denial, and in some conferences they have been satisfied with reduced wages for some time, or else have taken up self-supporting work.”¹¹⁹ As war in Europe unfolded, Evans recognized that this would provide financial instability preventing believers in Europe from contributing their part to support the worldwide mission program of the denomination. He called upon church members to sacrifice more and to raise extra funds for mission.

Evans returned in time for the opening of the Washington Missionary College on September 16, 1914. Up until then it was called the Foreign Mission Seminary. However, the 1913 Annual Council voted for the school to “carry a regular college curriculum, giving special emphasis to the preparation of men and women for the ministry and the Bible work, and also continue those courses having special reference to preparation for foreign mission service.” Hence the school was renamed and Evans gave the opening address.¹²⁰ Evans advocated for a no-debt policy. Where problems exist, he urged leaders to “call a council, and let plans be laid either to place the institution or association on a substantial working basis or to close the enterprise.”¹²¹ Such warnings were none too soon as the war progressed, those institutions still in debt or losing money would close. A significant number of smaller Adventist sanitariums closed during the war.

The war also caught A. G. Daniells in Australia and unable to return in time to attend the 1914 Annual Council. As a result, Evans would call the meeting to order and chair most of the sessions. The Annual Council meetings took place in the mornings, 9 am to noon; and the Division committee meetings in the afternoons, 2:30 to 5:30 pm, with the evenings devoted to committee work as needed.¹²² As 1914 drew to a close, he reflected on some important statistics. In 1913 church membership increased to 122,386 (a net increase of 7%) and the denomination had a banner year sending out 157 missionaries.¹²³

When Ellen White died in 1915, Evans left with other church leaders to attend the funeral service of Ellen White in Battle Creek, Michigan.¹²⁴ Evans served as one of the pallbearers in the procession from the church to the carriage that took her remains to the cemetery.¹²⁵ At the graveside service, Evans read some Scriptural passages.¹²⁶

The following General Conference and North American Division Executive Committees meeting for the Annual Council was held for the first time in Loma Linda, California, from November 5-27, 1915. Perhaps the most crucial decision at the 1915 Annual Council was to raise sufficient funds to build a hospital so medical students could “secure satisfactory clinical work.” A group of women were empowered to raise $61,000.¹²⁷ Evans made a clarion call, based on Ellen White’s admonition to have a school of the highest order, that when things seemed impossible to retain the College of Medical Evangelists’ accreditation that the denomination needed to step out in faith and raise the necessary funds to keep the fledgling medical institution going.¹²⁸ At this critical juncture Evans believed “that we must set ourselves more resolutely than ever before to carry out the instruction of God [through Ellen White], and courageously meet this first great test since the passing away of the servant of the Lord.”¹²⁹ In her memory the hospital would be named The Ellen G. White Memorial Hospital. This development, as they have sacrificed to reach each step, helped them to become “a real medical school.”¹³⁰

Evans joined other church leaders in urging participation in the Harvest Ingathering campaign. “The needs of the ever-widening mission fields demand it,” as Evans, along with other church leaders, challenged them to join the battle “in a great soul-winning campaign” that will contribute to the “speedy finishing” of the work.¹³¹ An important development was that Evans led the charge in establishing the first systematic requirements for ministers to be ordained. The North American Division executive committee voted that “all candidates for ordination to the gospel ministry shall be carefully examined in Bible doctrines, their ability correctly to expound the same, and their confidence in and loyalty to the denominational organization.” They required a minimum of 14 years of education, and then after sufficiently demonstrating practical experience, must be called before an ordination committee. Only after successfully being examined should the prospective candidate be recommended by their local conference for ordination. Only afterward can arrangements for the ordination ceremony be made at the hands of the General or Division Conference with the union and local conference presidents. Ordination credentials were revocable if the conference granting them deemed it unwise for the person to continue in the gospel ministry. When ministerial credentials were not renewed, the authority to administer church ordinances and perform marriage ceremonies would not be recognized.¹³² By late 1915, Evans rejoiced that his first major book, Ministry of Angels, was released and included in the Ministerial Reading Course.¹³³

The war continued to impact Adventism in America in many ways. The 1917 Annual Council of the General Conference and the North American Division met from October 10-14. Paramount was the impact of the war. The high costs of paper were causing the publishing houses to lose money, and new plans and higher prices were necessary.¹³⁴ Adventist colporteurs had to be supplied with adequate ammunition. Perhaps the most significant actions had to do with systematizing how the local church operated, especially regarding records and finances. This would result in a list of published guidelines that was to be printed and kept available by church members for quick reference as a de facto Church Manual. This included the selection of church officers, church board, nominating committee, ordination of local church officers, transfer between churches, remission of offerings, expenditures, and poor fund. Additionally, local churches, not conferences, should be the means of disciplining unfaithful and troublesome members.¹³⁵ As America became militarized, it became imperative that the church operate as efficiently as possible, too. Despite war rations and travel restrictions, Evans maintained a busy schedule attending church meetings and raising funds.

The Provost Marshal General made an exemption for ordained ministers under appointment as missionaries as an exemption to military service.¹³⁶ It was imperative that those claiming noncombatant status be proactive and appear before their local draft board; failure to do so meant automatic entry without consideration of status to the United States Army.¹³⁷ Evans requested anyone drafted and sent to the front lines to please notify him personally and to let him know what the conditions under which they were working and “any suggestions” about how to be of help.¹³⁸ Another exemption was for students enrolled in school. This contributed to a quick surge in enrollment in all Adventist colleges for the 1917-1918 school year.¹³⁹

Evans continued to advocate for African Americans who were faithful members who paid their share of tithe and support of foreign missions, but yet often needed access to the same resources. These people, he argued, had been forcefully taken here, and it was only fifty years since the emancipation proclamation, and now by the annual offering for Oakwood and the “colored people” this was an opportunity to do something. “We owe them a debt which we must try to pay,” he shared, “and the Division Committee feels anxious that our people rally to help provide them with church buildings, church schools, and with a suitable training school, equipped to train colored workers for efficient service.”¹⁴⁰

A significant turning point in the brief history of the North American Division occurred during the Autumn Council. Held from October 26 to November 6, 1917, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the meetings would be held jointly with the General Conference and the North American Division committees. The war effort meant that A. G. Daniells and I. H. Evans issued a joint statement that in light of the need for “the greatest simplicity, economy, dispatch, and efficiency,” and the administrative duplication, “in actual experience it has been found that the North American Division administration duplicated in many points the General Conference administration, therefore it was decided to recommend that it be discontinued, and that the organization of the General Conference be so strengthened that it can hereafter administer the work at its base.”¹⁴¹ The war would also be a point of continued concern, especially the draft, as Evans posted regular updates expressing appreciation to the United States government for giving them consideration and exemption for those who cannot “conscientiously perform [the bearing of arms] and not stultify their conscience.”¹⁴²

By 1918 Evans wrote about the dangers of higher criticism within Christianity for the first time. He warned that “we must not drift” by “conformity to the world.” Instead “our pattern” must always be Christ. He opined that “Our Puritan forefathers would have been staggered at the things done in these days by church members.”¹⁴³ Instead of seeking deliverance from sin, plain pulpit preaching is no longer popular, and even the sermon has degenerated into a popular lecture with slang and vaudeville performances that amuse and gratify. Adventists were called to a higher standard of the Word of God that knows no compromise with sin. To help avoid this drift and encourage spiritual growth, he recommended the daily study of Ellen White’s writings.¹⁴⁴

As preparations continued for the 1918 General Conference session, in light of “the general war conditions,” it “seemed advisable” to shorten this important event. As the war progressed, Evans published a notice affirming that “Seventh-day Adventists are and always have been noncombatants.” All members “in good and [regular] standing [as of] May 18, 1917” are “entitled to a certificate exempting him from the bearing of arms.” Those enlisted should seek help from their conference president, or C. S. Longacre who was appointed secretary of the “War Commission.”¹⁴⁵ The joint session of the General Conference and North American Division Conferences was held in San Francisco from March 29 to April 14, 1918. In his report, Evans highlighted what he felt were the most significant accomplishments during the five years of the North American Division.¹⁴⁶ At the recommendation of the 1917 Autumn Council it was recommended “that the organization known as the North American Division Conference terminate” at the 1918 General Conference session and “its work and territory be absorbed the General Conference.”

Under his administration notable developments included the creation of the Home Missionary department in the autumn of 1914, which facilitated the Harvest Ingathering work raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for missions. During the previous quinquennium the denomination aggregated $4.8 million, but during the past five years of the NAD, the tithe aggregated $7.6 million, making a gain of $2.7 million (56.54 percent). The contributions for missions amounted to $3.6, which included $2.7 million for foreign missions, a debt relief of $854,733 and a reduction of liabilities of $499,386 so that with creased assets should a net improvement of $1.6 million. Church membership had increased by 23,357 just shy of Evans’ goal of 100,000 members in North America. He pointed out that it had taken the previous eighteen years to win these many souls in the same territory. If anything Evans had been too successful as church leaders looked to harness these resources.

Return to Asia

On April 4, 1918 General Conference session Evans was elected for a second term as vice-president of the General Conference (effectively division president) for the Eastern Asia Division. The one change was that India and Australasia were separated into a separate division, and the Southern American Division at the same time was also created.¹⁴⁷ Their daughter, Jessie (1892-1981), would return with them to Asia.¹⁴⁸ Then on April 8, 1918, Evans made two motions discontinuing the North American Division, and the General Conference assuming all of its assets and liabilities.¹⁴⁹ They set sail from San Francisco on September 24, 1918.¹⁵⁰

The Evans trio arrived on the S. S. “Korea Maru” in Japan on October 12 just in time to attend the East Asian Union Conference.¹⁵¹ They would make some extended stops along the way to attend union conference sessions in Tokyo, Manila, Canton, and Singapore. They wouldn’t reach Shanghai until February 10, 1919.¹⁵² Members of the General Conference Committee gathered for a special session (“committee council”) for two weeks for a “Spring Council” in Shanghai beginning on March 2, 1919, and held for two weeks.¹⁵³ From here Evans went with F. A. Detamore and Ezra Longway to Bangkok to strategize how to begin a new mission “in a language area hitherto unentered by our mission board” (which turned out to be Siam [Malaysia]).¹⁵⁴ Then they traveled to Hankow to attend the Central China Union Mission meeting (April 4-13).¹⁵⁵ Next he participated at the biennial meeting of the Manchurian Union Mission in Muken (April 25-May 3).¹⁵⁶ Evans then attended the first meeting of the North China Union Mission in Tsinanfu (September 18-29).¹⁵⁷ Evans, despite his heavy travel schedule, also served as the chairman of the newly established Shanghai Missionary College that had its opening exercises on October 1, 1919.¹⁵⁸ On October 24, 1919, Pastor and Mrs. Evans left Shanghai for the South China Union as part of an extended tour that would extend into 1920 through the Philippines and Malaysia.¹⁵⁹ At that point he became a vice-president of the General Conference for the Far Eastern Division. He continued in this role until 1930, when he permanently returned to the United States as a general vice-president of the General Conference, which he continued until 1936, and then became a field secretary of the General Conference until 1941, when he retired from active service.

Legacy

Irwin was a “strong administrator” and “a forceful preacher and writer.” He loved hymns and hymnody, writing some of his own hymns. He was a significant force in developing the 1941 Seventh-day Adventist Church Hymnal. Such efforts in his later years contributed to “undue strain” on his health. He was also a major player in the development of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and a member of the board of trustees until his health forced him to step aside. He had a lifelong passion for the education and development of pastors. Evans was also known for his extensive writings. One obituary noted, “Throughout his lifetime he wrote a great deal for Adventist publications.”¹⁶⁰

Irwin died November 24, 1945, at Takoma Park, D.C., at the age of 83. He was remembered as a “man of iron will but gracious spirit” who did much to mentor young ministers and build up and establish “the pillars of the cause in finance, administration, and literature.”¹⁶¹

Books and Articles by I. H. Evans

Evans, I. H. “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” The Missionary Magazine, November 1899, 475-477.

Evans, I. H. The Angels: Their Origin, Work, and Destiny. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, ca. 1930s.

Evans, I. H. “Are We Drifting?” ARH, January 31, 1918, 4-5.

Evans, I. H. Biblical Preaching. General Conference Advanced Bible School Lessons, 1936.

Evans, I. H. “The Blessedness of Giving,” ARH, November 23, 1916, 13-14.

Evans, I. H. “The Call to Service,” ARH, August 20, 1914, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “Called of God,” The Missionary Magazine, May 1899, 187-188.

Evans, I. H. “The Character of the Message,” ARH, July 29, 1915, 4-5.

Evans, I. H. “China,” ARH, September 9, 1909, 6-7.

Evans, I. H. “Christ’s Second Coming,” The Caribbean Watchman, September 1906, 4-5; October 1906, 5-6; November 1906, 3-4.

Evans, I. H. “The Church as an Evangelizing Agency,” ARH, November 11, 1915, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “Collection for the Red Cross Society,” ARH, June 28, 1917, 24.

Evans, I. H. “’Come Unto Me,’” ARH, December 21, 1905, 6-7.

Evans, I. H. “Correctly Interpreting Prophecy,” ARH, September 10, 1914, 11-12.

Evans, I. H. “A Day of Prayer,” ARH, September 17, 1914, 8.

Evans, I. H. “A Day in Honolulu,” ARH, July 28, 1910, 15.

Evans, I. H. “The Day of His Power,” ARH, February 5, 1914, 13.

Evans, I. H. “Donation for Our Work for the Colored People,” ARH, October 26, 1916, 5-6.

Evans, I. H. “The Draft,” ARH, June 7, 1917, 24, 21.

Evans, I. H. “The Educational and Missionary Volunteer Council,” ARH, July 1, 1911, 11.

Evans, I. H. “An Encouraging Prospective,” ARH, October 15, 1914, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “Exemptions in the Selective Draft Law,” ARH, June 14, 1917, 2, 5.

Evans, I. H. “The Finishing of the Work,” ARH, November 20, 1913, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “Fully Following the Lord,” ARH, March 17, 1904, 9-10; March 24, 1904, 9-10; March 31, 1904, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “Heart Religion,” ARH, January 20, 1916, 8-10.

Evans, I. H. “How to Increase Our Tithes and Offerings,” ARH, October 26, 1910, 9-10; November 2, 1905, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “Important Resolutions for the Churches,” ARH, December 28, 1916, 6-7.

Evans, I. H. “The Joy of Service,” ARH, September 3, 1914, 9.

Evans, I. H. “Justification by Faith,” ARH, December 3, 1914, 3-6.

Evans, I. H. “The Korean Meeting,” ARH, October 3, 1912, 13-14.

Evans, I. H. “Loyalty and Responsibility,” ARH, April 6, 1905, 6-7.

Evans, I. H. “The Malaysian Mission Field,” ARH, July 24, 1913, 13.

Evans, I. H. “Meetings in South China,” ARH, June 13, 1912, 11.

Evans, I. H. Ministry of Angels. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1915.

Evans, I. H. Ministry of Angels. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1933.

Evans, I. H. “Mission Homes in the East,” ARH, March 21, 1912, 12.

Evans, I. H. “The Missionary Volunteer Work a Preparation for Service,” ARH, April 20, 1916, 17-18.

Evans, I. H. “My Visit to the Philippines,” ARH, July 31, 1913, 12.

Evans, I. H. “Needs of Our Negro Department,” ARH, October 5, 1917, 5-6.

Evans, I. H. “North American Division President’s Address,” ARH, April 4, 1918, 9-14.

[Evans, I. H.] “The Object of Seventh-day Adventists in Conducting Sanitariums,” ARH, May 20, 1915, 17-18.

Evans, I. H. “Our Goal for 1915,” ARH, May 27, 1915, 10-11.

Evans, I. H. “Our Responsibility,” ARH, February 15, 1917, 6-8.

Evans, I. H. “Our Strength Lies in Unity,” ARH, October 6, 1913, 9-10.

Evans, I H. “Our Work in Korea,” ARH, January 14, 1909, 16-17.

Evans, I. H. “Our Work World-Wide,” The Missionary Magazine, August 1899, 331-332.

Evans, I. H. “Our Young People’s Work,” ARH, April 23, 1914, 19.

Evans, I. H. “The Outlook Encouraging,” ARH, May 28, 1914, 9.

Evans, I. H. “Pacific Union Conference Meeting,” ARH, March 17, 1910, 18-19.

Evans, I. H. “Personal Sacrifice Necessary to the Kingdom of God,” ARH, November 16, 1916, 6-8.

Evans, I. H. “A Prayer for Christlikeness,” [poem] ARH, January 2, 1919, 14.

Evans, I. H. “Progress in Korea,” ARH, April 20, 1911, 9-10.

[Evans, I. H.], “Remarks of Elder I. H. Evans,” ARH, February 18, 1902, 106-107.

Evans, I. H. “Repentance and Forgiveness,” ARH, November 8, 1917, 3-6.

Evans, I. H. “A Season of Fasting and Prayer,” ARH, August 9, 1917, 24.

Evans, I. H. “Shall It Be Thirty Thousand Dollars,” ARH, July 17, 1913, 9-10.

Evans, I. H. “A Sobering Effect,” ARH, September 17, 1914, 9.

Evans, I. H. This is the Way: Meditations Concerning Justification by Faith and Growth in Graces. Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1939.

Evans, I. H. “The Times and the Demands Upon God’s People,” ARH, August 13, 1914, 8-9.

Evans, I. H. “Two Great Questions,” The Missionary Magazine, September 1899, 415-417.

Evans, I. H. The Way of Love Divine. Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association, 1940.

Evans, I. H. Evans, “The Week of Prayer: What It May Mean to Us,” ARH, November 2, 1916, 7-9.

Evans, I. H. “Who is Responsible?” ARH, January 19, 1905, 6-7.

Evans, I. H. “Word from the Far East,” ARH, February 8, 1912, 11.

Evans, I. H. “The Word of God,” [poem] ARH, January 29, 1920, 1.

Evans, I. H. “Zeal for God in Finishing His Work: Sabbath, May 17, 11 A.M.,” ARH, May 29, 1913, 12-14.

Other Sources

Council Proceedings of the Joint Council of the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments of the North American Division Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Held at Pacific Union College, St. Helena, California, June 4 to 14, 1915. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1916.

“Elder Irwin Evans, Leader in SDA, Dies,” Battle Creek Enquirer, November 26, 1945.

Erickson, Matilda. “Begin Today,” ARH, February 7, 1918.

“Funeral Rites Held for Elder I. H. Evans,” Evening Star, November 26, 1945.

Magan, Percy T. “’My Counsel Shall Stand, and I Will Do All My Pleasure,’” ARH, March 2, 1916.

Obituary. ARH, May 26, 1903.

Obituary. ARH, December 20, 1945.

Spalding, A. W. Captains of the Host: First Volume of a History of Seventh-day Adventists Covering the Years 1845-1900. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1949.

Notes

1. A. W. Spalding, Captains of the Host: First Volume of a History of Seventh-day Adventists Covering the Years 1845-1900 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1949), 373, 374.↩

2. Ibid.↩

3. I. H. Evans & H. P. Holser, “Michigan,” ARH, June 24, 1884, 411; idem., “Gaines, Aug. 6,” ARH, August 19, 1884, 541; idem., “Michigan,” ARH, September 9, 1884, 588.↩

4. See report on the Committee on Credentials and Licenses, ARH, October 21, 1884, 668.↩

5. I. H. Evans, “Kentucky,” ARH, February 23, 1886, 124.↩

6. R. A. Underwood, “Kentucky Camp-Meeting,” ARH, October 26, 1886, 669; “Kentucky Conference Proceedings,” ARH, November 9, 1886, 700.↩

7. “Recommendations for Tent Labor in Michigan,” ARH, May 17, 1887, 313, 314.↩

8. See under “Appointments,” ARH, November 4, 1890, 687.↩

9. “Michigan H. and T. Society Proceedings,” ARH, November 11, 1890, 701.↩

10. Their children later made great sacrifices in serving their church and country. Arthur was held as a prisoner by the Japanese in a Philippine internment camp. Their grandson, Lieut. Irwin Evans, was killed on Christmas Day, 1944. Jerome worked in government service in Panama, and Jessie married Lieut. Col. L. P. Corbett (“Elder Irwin Evans, Leader in SDA, Dies,” Battle Creek Enquirer, November 26, 1945, 2).↩

11. O. A. Olsen, “A Good Camp-Meeting,” ARH, September 29, 1891, 601; “Michigan Conference Proceedings,” ARH, September 29, 1891, 604-605.↩

12. I. H. Evans, “To Michigan Workers,” ARH, November 3, 1891, 686.↩

13. I. H. Evans, “Canvassers’ Institute for Michigan,” ARH, March 7, 1893, 160; F. L. Mead, “Notes from the Canvassing Field,” ARH, March 21, 1893, 188; see note ARH, April 25, 1893, 272.↩

14. I. H. Evans, “The Dedication at Albuna, Ontario,” ARH, June 13, 1893, 380-381.↩

15. See ST, March 20, 1893, 318.↩

16. G. C. T[enney], “The General Conference,” March 12, 1895, 171.↩

17. “S. D. A. Educational Society,” ARH, March 10, 1896, 158.↩

18. I. H. Evans, “Michigan Canvassers’ Institute,” ARH, March 24, 1896, 191.↩

19. See description in ARH, April 13, 1897, 240. The term “business agent” is used by church president Geo. A. Irwin in description his role. See G. A. Irwin, “The Special Season of Fasting and Prayer,” ARH, May 11, 1897, 297. The explanation of the role of the General Conference Association as the “business arm of the General Conference” appears in ST, December 16, 1897, 11.↩

20. General Conference Committee Minutes, June 17, 1897, 5.↩

21. I. H. Evans, “Read This,” ARH, February 22, 1898, 132.↩

22. See minutes, “The Seventh Annual Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association,” ARH, April 5, 1898, 222-223; “Twenty-First Annual Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Educational Society,” ARH, April 5, 1898, 223.↩

23. See “Officers of S. D. A. Societies and Boards,” ST, March 22, 1899, 10.↩

24. I. H. Evans, “Our Work World-Wide,” The Missionary Magazine, August 1899, 331.↩

25. Ibid.↩

26. See plan dated September 26, 1900, in General Conference Committee Minutes, October 14, 1900, 160-162.↩

27. Ibid., 163.↩

28. General Conference Committee Minutes, April 30, 1901, 29.↩

29. I. H. Evans, “Systematic Giving,” ARH, March 26, 1901, 203.↩

30. He remained a member of the General Conference Committee, Mission Board, Publication Committee, General Conference Association, and as a Trustee of the Foreign Mission Board. See “Directory of General Conference and Union Conference Organizations,” ARH, May 14, 1901, 318.↩

31. “Directory of Union Conference Organizations,” Supplement ARH, May 21, 1901, 338.↩

32. “Organization of R. & H. Board,” ARH, June 11, 1901, 386.↩

33. “Organization of the Canadian Union Conference,” ARH, December 17, 1901, 820.↩

34. Ibid.↩

35. Ibid.↩

36. See description in ARH, February 25, 1902, 128.↩

37. I. H. Evans, “Why Not?” ARH, May 20, 1902, 24.↩

38. “Sympathy and Help,” ARH, January 6, 1903, 16.↩

39. “The General Conference: Summary of Daily Proceedings, April 6 to 11,” ARH, April 14, 1903, 24; “Report on Nominations,” ARH, May 5, 1903, 14. The General Conference Archives lists the date of his appointment as March 27, 1903, but this date does not correspond with primary sources. To compare see: https://www.adventistarchives.org/gc-treasurers [accessed 8/16/23].↩

40. I. H. Evans, “Important Resolutions,” ARH, May 12, 1903, 6-7.↩

41. See announcement of her death, ARH, May 19, 1903, 24.↩

42. I. H. Evans, “The Offering for July 4,” ARH, June 9, 1903, 24.↩

43. I. H. Evans, “The Review and Herald Publishing Company,” ARH, June 23, 1903, 24.↩

44. A. G. Daniells, “The Removal to Washington,” ARH, August 11, 1903, 5-6. Other members of the committee included H. W. Cottrell, S. N. Haskell, J. E. Jayne, S. N. Curtiss, C. D. Rhodes, D. W. Reavis, and A. G. Daniells.↩

45. A. G. Daniells, “The Removal to Washington (Concluded),” ARH, August 20, 1903, 4-5.↩

46. “Assignment of Stock,” ARH, November 19, 1903, 24; A. G. Daniells, “To the Stockholders of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association,” ARH, December 10, 1903, 21; “Another Call,” ARH, February 4, 1904, 24; “An Important Matter,” ARH, April 21, 1904, 24.↩

47. “Review and Herald Publishing Association of Washington, D.C.,” ARH, June 9, 1914, 19.↩

48. I. H. Evans and W. W. Prescott, “The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association,” ARH, July 21, 1904, 19-20.↩

49. See announcement, ARH, December 22, 1904, 24.↩

50. See ARH, December 1, 1904, 24.↩

51. See announcement ST, March 23, 1904, 13.↩

52. Ibid.↩

53. General Conference Committee Minutes, June 8, 1905, 31.↩

54. General Conference Committee Minutes, June 14, 1905, 34.↩

55. See discussion on “The General Conference: Thirty-Sixth Session, May 11-30, Twenty-Eighth Meeting,” ARH, June 8, 1905, 5.↩

56. “Officers of the General Conference,” ARH, June 8, 1905, 32.↩

57. I. H. Evans, “Annual Offering Envelopes,” ARH, November 23, 1905, 24.↩

58. Evans, I. H. “How to Increase Our Tithes and Offerings,” ARH, October 26, 1910, 10.↩

59. K. C. Russell, “The Work Among the Colored People,” ARH, April 12, 1906, 18-19.↩

60. I. H. Evans, “An Appeal,” ARH, May 17, 1906, 6.↩

61. See “East Caribbean Conference,” The Caribbean Watchman, July 1, 1905, 12.↩

62. A. G. Daniells, “A Sign of a Short Work,” ARH, December 13, 1906, 7-8.↩

63. See note in ARH, January 10, 1907, 32.↩

64. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1907_Kingston_earthquake [accessed 8/22/23]↩

65. “The Report From Jamaica,” ARH, January 31, 1907, 24.↩

66. I. H. Evans, “The West Indian Union Conference,” ARH, February 7, 1907, 12-13.↩

67. I H. Evans, “Our Work in Korea,” ARH, January 14, 1909, 16-17.↩

68. W. D. Burden, “Another Forward Step for Japan,” ARH, January 21, 1909, 16. [Note title page has typo stating 1908]↩

69. See description of Evans work and talk in John J. Westrup, “Honan, China,” ARH, February 11, 1909, 14.↩

70. See note in ARH, February 18, 1909, 24.↩

71. I. H. Evans, “Rates to the General Conference,” ARH, March 25, 1909, 22.↩

72. General Conference Proceedings: Fourth Meeting, Friday Morning, 10:30,” ARH, May 20, 1909, 17.↩

73. See note ARH, December 30, 1909, 24.↩

74. “In the Asiatic Division,” ARH, June 16, 1910, 18.↩

75. A. G. Daniells describes the story of this “provisional” acceptance at the following General Conference session. See “North American Division Conference,” ARH, June 12, 1913, 17.↩

76. See “Auditor’s Statement to January 16,” General Conference Committee Minutes, April 6, 1910, 103. The voted action turning over power of attorney can be seen in the General Conference Committee Minutes, January 10, 1910, 163.↩

77. The background and identity of the three persons doing the interview are mentioned by George I. Irwin, “An Important Council,” ARH, June 9, 1910, 15-16. This story is recounted at the 1913 GC Session. See “Twenty-Third Meeting: May 29, 10 A.M.,” ARH, June 12, 1913, 7-8.↩

78. I. H. Evans, “Pacific Union Conference Meeting,” ARH, March 17, 1910, 18-19.↩

79. General Conference Committee Minutes, May 26, 1910, 242-243.↩

80. See note in ARH, June 16, 1910, 64.↩

81. See note ARH, June 2, 1910, 24.↩

82. I. H. Evans, “Our Work in Tokyo,” ARH, September 8, 1910, 10.↩

83. I. H. Evans, “The Council at Mokanshan, China,” ARH, December 1, 1910, 10-11.↩

84. See note in ARH, February 9, 1911, 24.↩

85. See announcement in ARH, March 16, 1911, 24.↩

86. See announcement, ARH, April 6, 1911, 24.↩

87. See announcement ARH, May 18, 1911, 24.↩

88. See note in ARH, July 6, 1911, 24.↩

89. W. A. Spicer, “The Biennial Council in Europe: First Report,” ARH, July 27, 1911, 9-10.↩

90. See announcement ARH, August 3, 1911, 24.↩

91. W. A. Spicer, “The Biennial Council in Friedensau, Germany: Fourth Report,” ARH, August 17, 1911, 9.↩

92. Note his attendance at the East Kansas Camp Meeting, August 10-21, 1911; North Missouri Camp Meeting; Rocky Mountain Camp Meeting;↩

93. See announcement: ARH, August 24, 1911, 32.↩

94. See note in ARH, November 9, 1911, 24. It also notes that their children would be attending school in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and Lincoln, Nebraska.↩

95. ARH, November 23, 1911, 24.↩

96. I. H. Evans, “Word from the Far East,” ARH, February 8, 1912, 11.↩

97. I. H. Evans, “Word from the Far East,” ARH, February 8, 1912, 11.↩

98. I. H. Evans, “The Korean Meeting,” ARH, October 3, 1912, 13-14.↩

99. See announcement, ARH, October 10, 1912, 24.↩

100. I. H. Evans, “My Visit to the Philippines,” ARH, July 31, 1913, 12.↩

101. “First Meeting, May 15, 10 A.M.,” ARH, May 22, 1913, 5.↩

102. I. H. Evans, “Zeal for God in Finishing His Work: Sabbath, May 17, 11 A.M.,” ARH, May 29, 1913, 12-14.↩

103. This was one of the memorable aspects of the meeting as recalled at later ministerial institutes. Cf. H. A. Weaver, “’Win One Soul,’” ARH, March 5, 1914, 16.↩

104. His full report can be found: I. H. Evans, “The Asiatic Division of the General Conference,” ARH, May 29, 1913, 8-10.↩

105. Ibid.↩

106. “A Transformation—Not a Revolution,” ARH, June 19, 1913, 3.↩

107. See note in ARH, July 3, 1913, 24.↩

108. See note ARH, August 21, 1913, 24. See also O. A. Olsen, “The Iowa Camp-Meeting,” ARH, October 2, 1913, 13.↩

109. See note ARH, September 25, 1913, 24.↩

110. Ibid.↩

111. I. H. Evans, “Our Strength Lies in Unity,” ARH, October 6, 1913, 9-10.↩

112. Ibid.↩

113. Ibid.↩

114. I. A. Ford, “The Takoma Park Church,” ARH, December 25, 1913, 17.↩

115. “’The Church Officers’ Gazette’” ARH, January 15, 1914, 24.↩

116. Ibid.↩

117. Ibid.↩

118. I. H. Evans, “Encouraging Omens,” ARH, August 27, 1914, 7,↩

119. I. H. Evans, “A Donation for the Work Among the Colored People,” ARH, October 1, 1914, 24.↩

120. Frederick Griggs, “The Opening of the Washington Missionary College,” ARH, October 1, 1914, 20.↩

121. I. H. Evans, “An Encouraging Prospective,” ARH, October 15, 1914, 9-10.↩

122. “Autumn Council of the General Conference Committee,” ARH, November 5, 1914, 10.↩

123. I. H. Evans, “A Retrospect,” ARH, December 10, 1914, 8.↩

124. See note ARH, July 29, 1915, 24.↩

125. See description in ARH, August 5, 1915, 10.↩

126. Ibid., 11.↩

127. I. H. Evans, “The College of Medical Evangelists,” ARH, January 13, 1916, 6-7.↩

128. Percy T. Magan, “’My Counsel Shall Stand, and I Will Do All My Pleasure,’” ARH, March 2, 1916, 16-17.↩

129. Percy T. Magan, “Strengthening the Hands of the Builders: A Notable Meeting in Connection with the Founding of the Los Angeles Hospital and Dispensary,” ARH, March 16, 1916, 17-18.↩

130. I. H. Evans, “The Offering for Our Medical Hospital,” ARH, September 7, 1916, 24.↩

131. “An Earnest Appeal,” ARH, December 2, 1915, 24.↩

132. See section “The Gospel Ministry,” in “Autumn Council of the Executive Committee of the North American Division Conference,” ARH, December 16, 1915, 8.↩

133. See “Ministerial Reading Course,” ARH, December 2, 1915, 6.↩

134. G. B. Thompson, “Fall Council of the North American Division Executive Committee,” ARH, October 26, 1916, 5.↩

135. I. H. Evans, “Important Resolutions for the Churches,” ARH, December 28, 1916, 6-7.↩

136. I. H. Evans, “Recent Rulings by the Provost Marshal General,” ARH, August 16, 1917, 6.↩

137. I. H. Evans, “Official Rulings Concerning the Draft,” ARH, September 6, 1917, 2.↩

138. I. H. Evans, “Notice to Our Brethren Who Have Been Drafted,” ARH, September 20, 1917, 24.↩

139. I. H. Evans, “Further Draft Regulations,” ARH, September 27, 1917, 2; idem., “Compiled Rulings Issued by Provost Marshal General on Questions Concerning the Selective-Service Law,” ARH, October 11, 1917, 2, 5.↩

140. I. H. Evans, “Needs of Our Negro Department,” ARH, October 5, 1917, 5-6.↩

141. A. G. Daniells and I. H. Evans, “The Minneapolis Council,” ARH, November 29, 1917, 3.↩

142. I. H. Evans, “Important Changes in Draft Rules,” ARH, November 29, 1917, 2; idem., “The New Rulings of the War Department on the Draft,” ARH, December 13, 1917, 24.↩

143. I. H. Evans, “Are We Drifting?” ARH, January 31, 1918, 4-5.↩

144. Quoted by Matilda Erickson, “Begin Today,” ARH, February 7, 1918, 19-20.↩

145. I. H. Evans, “Notice to Drafted Men of Our Faith,” ARH, March 28, 1918, 24.↩

146. I. H. Evans, “North American Division President’s Address,” ARH, April 4, 1918, 9-14.↩

147. See “Report of Nominating Committee,” as part of the report titled “Eighth Meeting: April 4, 10:30 A.M.,” ARH, April 25, 1918, 14.↩

148. See “Telegraphic News from the Conference,” under “Night Letter of April 14,” ARH, April 25, 1918, 24.↩

149. “Seventh Meeting, April 9, 3 P.M.,” ARH, May 2, 1918, 22.↩

150. See note ARH, October 10, 1918, 16.↩

151. I. H. Evans, “East Asian Union Conference Meeting,” ARH, January 9, 1919, 17.↩

152. See announcement of their arrival in The Asiatic Division Outlook, February 15, 1919, 8.↩

153. C. C. Crisler, “Notes from the Spring Council,” Supplemental News Sheet—Asiatic Division Outlook, March 1, 1919, 5.↩

154. See note ARH, January 30, 1919, 27.↩

155. I. H. Evans, “The Central China Union Mission Meeting,” Asiatic Division Outlook, May 15, 1919, 1.↩

156. I. H. Evans, “The Manchurian Union Mission,” Asiatic Division Outlook, June 1, 1919, 1.↩

157. I. H. Evans, “The North China Union Meeting,” Asiatic Division Outlook, October 15, 1919, 2.↩

158. See cover announcement with photograph in Asiatic Division Outlook, November 1, 1919, 1.↩

159. See announcement Asiatic Division Outlook, November 1, 1919, 8.↩

160. “Elder Irwin Evans, Leader in SDA, Dies,” Battle Creek Enquirer, November 26, 1945, 2.↩

161. A. W. Spalding, Captains of the Host: First Volume of a History of Seventh-day Adventists Covering the Years 1845-1900 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1949), 374.↩