Sixth Annual Meeting of the Michigan State Conference.
PURSUANT to the call of the Committee through the Review, the Michigan State Conference held its sixth annual session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 17, 1866, at 9 o'clock A. M. Session opened with prayer by Bro. Uriah Smith. The credentials of delegates were then examined. The number of delegates present, duly authorized, was forty, representing twenty-eight churches. Fifteen churches were represented by letter. On motion, the following churches were admitted to the Conference: Vassar, Tuscola Co., Mich.,
Watrousville, " " "
Centerville, " " "
Ransom Center, Hillsdale Co., Mich. The church at Genoa, Livingston Co., by vote, was taken under the watchcare of the Conference. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. On motion, the Chair was authorized to appoint a Committee of three on Resolutions; whereupon the following brethren were named as said Committee, viz.: Uriah Smith, I. D. Van Horn, and D. M. Canright. Reports from ministers being called for, the following brethren responded, viz.: Joseph Bates, R. J. Lawrence, J. N. Loughborough, I. D. Van Horn, D. M. Canright, and J. Byington. On motion the Chair was authorized to appoint a Committee on nominations, and a Committee to settle with ministers; whereupon the following brethren were appointed to act as a Committee on nominations, viz., J. Byington, R. J. Lawrence, and E. H. Root; and the following brethren to act with the Conference Committee to settle with ministers, viz., James Harvey, J. M. Aldrich, Charles Jones, H. S. Gurney, F. Howe, and D. R. Palmer. The Conference voted to renew the credentials of the following-named ministers, viz.: Joseph Bates, James White, J. N. Loughborough, M. E. Cornell, R. J. Lawrence, John Byington, I. D. Van Horn, D. M. Canright, and J. H. Waggoner. Moved, That the renewing of the credentials of J. B. Frisbie be referred to the Conference Committee. Carried. The Treasurer's report of the Michigan Conference Fund was read and approved. Amount on hand at the time of last report, May 12, 1865, $1419,82
Whole am't rec'd during Conf. year, 3726,05
Total, $5145,87
Paid out as follows:
To Eld. J. B. Frisbie, $181,81
" " D. M. Canright, 341,66
" " I. D. Van Horn, 577,25
" " R. J. Lawrence, 323,92
" " Joseph Bates, 298,81
" " John Byington, 246,68
" Phillip Strong, 287,70
" E. G. White, 50,00
For expenses of J. N. Andrews and J. Byington, 5,00 For expenses of I. D. Van Horn and D. M. Canright, including tent expenses for the past year, 278,75
For books to Michigan Tent, 324,11
" Tracts on Organization, Wills, Legacies, &c., 40,00
Total, $2955,69
Balance in Treasury May 1, 1866, *$2190,18
GEO. W. AMADON, Treasurer. Adjourned till 3 o'clock P. M. Afternoon Session. Prayer by Bro. Canright. The Committee on nominations brought in the following report, which was read and accepted: For President, J. N. Loughborough; Secretary, I. D. Van Horn; Treasurer, G. W. Amadon; Conference Committee, J. N. Loughborough, Uriah Smith, and J. M. Aldrich. On motion it was voted that the election of these officers nominated be acted upon as a whole; whereupon they were thus unanimously elected. The Committee on resolutions being called upon, presented the following report, which was accepted: We recommend to the State Conference the adoption of the resolutions passed by the General Conference in relation to dress, Battle Creek meeting-house, and the representation of churches in the State Conference. On motion it was voted that the State Conference adopt the resolutions on dress, as passed by the General Conference. It was also voted that the following preamble and resolution be adopted by the Conference: Whereas, The church in Battle Creek, Mich., contemplate building a larger house of worship, and
Whereas, This seems to be the proper place for the general meetings of our people, therefore
Resolved, That we endorse the action of the General Conference in relation to a meeting-house in Battle Creek. And it was further voted that the resolution passed by the General Conference to allow unorganized churches to be represented by delegate, be adopted as Sec. 2 of Art. I, of the State Conference Constitution, viz.: Sec. 2. When Sabbath-keepers in any place have enrolled their names under the church covenant of S. D. Adventists, appointed a leader and organized Systematic Benevolence, they shall be entitled to delegates to the sessions of the State Conference to the same extent as though fully organized. The church at West Plains sent in a request to the Conference to be allowed to disband, and unite themselves with the Eureka and Fair Plains church. After due consideration, by a unanimous vote their request was granted. Systematic Benevolence was considered, and the amount reported from the different churches was $5755,44. The amount pledged to the Conference for the ensuing year was $4050,20. Adjourned till 7 o'clock P. M. Evening Session. It was voted that the following words be added to Sec. 2 of Art. II, of the Constitution of the Michigan State Conference: And it shall further be the duty of the Secretary to furnish the delegates to the General Conference, statistics specifying the number of ministers and licentiates belonging to the Conference, the number of churches and membership, the total amount of s. B. fund, &c. It was further voted that Art. VI of the Constitution be changed so as to read, "each day's occupation," instead of "their labors each week." Adjourned to the call of the Committee. Friday, P. M., the Committee called the State Conference in session. The report of the Committee on settlement with ministers was read and approved. On motion, it was voted that the following preamble and resolution be adopted by the State Conference: Whereas, The Publishing Association has had to contend with the pressure of the times, and transact its business under the weight of greatly increased prices, and
Whereas, The prices of the papers and books have not been raised, and the deficiency has been but partially met by donations, therefore
Resolved, That this Conference donate from the Michigan Conference Fund, $315,77 to the Publishing Association. On motion, the following preamble and resolution was adopted by the Conference by a unanimous vote. Whereas, Resolutions have been passed by the General Conference, and by this Conference, favoring the erection of a meeting-house in Battle Creek for the use of Seventh-day Adventists, and have recommended donations from State Conferences and individuals to this object, therefore
Resolved, That this Conference donate $300 of its funds for the purpose specified. On motion the following resolution was adopted by vote:
Resolved, That in the matter of expulsion of members from churches, we endorse and adopt the resolutions of the General Conference passed upon this subject. Adjourned to the call of the Committee. Sunday evening, the Conference convened at the call of the Committee. It was moved and adopted that this Conference endorse the action taken by the General Conference, to receive and carry out the testimonies of sister White relating to the health reform. Voted, That the Conference Committee be empowered to publish in pamphlet form the Constitution of the Michigan State Conference, with such amendments and resolutions as have been made since its organization, together with the proceedings of the present session. Voted, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the Review. Adjourned to the call of the Committee. J. N. Loughborough, President,
I. D. Van Horn, Secretary.