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The Missionary

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 3, 1881

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 7, No. 41.

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The Missionary.

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

The tenth annual session of the California State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the Sacramento camp-ground, Oct. 13-25, 1881.

FIRST MEETING, OCT. 13, 5 P. M.

President in the chair. Opening prayer by Eld. W. M. Healey. Credentials presented by delegates as follows:—
Fairview—Sarah Church, Amanda Munn; Healdsburg—Geo. W. Mills, F. V. Harmon; Lafayette—Mrs. W. Downey; Lemoore—J. M. Bond, Peter Scazighini; Lone Oak—Geo. W. Sain; Napa—W. G. Myers; Nevada City—O. J. Brackett; Oakland—John I. Tay, W. C. White, E. A. Chapman, E. J. Waggoner, J. W. Cronkrite, J. W. Gardner, C. H. Jones, W. N. Glenn; Petaluma—T. M. Chapman; Red Bluff—D. S. Hemstreet; San Francisco—M. C. Israel, Joseph Feiger, Andrew Brorsen, E. A. Stockton, H. C. Palmer; Santa Rosa—John Morrison, Isaac Morrison, J. G. Hurley, J. H. Thorpe; San Pasqual—Eld. W. M. Healey; St. Helena—James Creamer, E. J. Church, G. R. Drew; Vacaville—Wm. Butcher, M. Swayze; Woodland—Wm. Saunders, A. B. Griggs, Alfred Mason: Eld. E. A. Briggs was received to represent the church at Gilroy.
Eight other companies were received into the Conference, five of which have been raised up during the past year. Delegates were accepted to represent them as follows:—
Arbuckle—F. H. Adams; Chico—Luella Hale; Los Angeles—Eld. W. M. Healey; Lakeport—W. P. Burke; Newcastle—Mrs. M. Rickey; Salinas—A. D. Benton; Orland and Riceville—Eld. E. A. Briggs; Placerville—Mrs. E. Williams.
By vote of the Conference, all members in good standing were invited to take part in all its deliberations.
Minutes of the last session of the Conference were read and approved. The following committees were appointed:—
On Nominations, Wm. Saunders, James Creamer, J. E. Yoakum; On Resolutions, W. M. Healey, E. J. Waggoner, Wm. Saunders; On Credentials and Licenses, Eld. J. H. Waggoner, W. C. White, M. C. Israel; On Auditing, James Creamer, W. C. White, J. E. Yoakum, Wm. Saunders, M. J. Church, Geo. W. Mills.
The president then called attention to the growth of the cause on this coast, the need of labor among the churches and companies raised up, and the scarcity of efficient men to take charge of the work in the various Conferences, also the need of our praying unto God that he will give us an outpouring of his spirit, and raise up laborers in his vineyard. It was suggested that the Nominating Committee take into consideration the advisability of having officers who can spend their entire time in the State.
Adjourned to call of the president.

SECOND MEETING, OCT. 14, 10:30 A. M.

Prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner. Minutes of last meeting were read and approved. Reports of labor were then given. Eld. Healey, Brn. Hurley and McClure, gave quite an interesting history of the work in Los Angeles, showing that a church of thirty members has been organized, and quite a number of others are keeping the Sabbath. A house of worship worth about $3,000 has been erected and all paid for except $1,200, and $700 of this has been provided for; the remaining $500 will not be due for two years.
Eld. E. A. Briggs gave a brief account of the work at Newcastle, Orland, and Riceville. Twenty-one have embraced the truth at these places.Brn. A. D. Benton and Frank Lamb gave an interesting account of the work at Salinas and neighborhood, where twenty-three have embraced present truth through missionary efforts. The work begun by visiting and caring for the sick, where access was gained to the hearts of the patient and family and others who came to visit them, who were kindly instructed in the principles of health reform, and induced to sign the Teetotal temperance pledge; and through conversation and furnishing reading matter as opportunity offered, with some public speaking, the above very satisfactory results have been obtained. Elders Israel and Waggoner spoke, commending the work done by these brethren, showing what can be done by the faithful colporter, and our need of others who will connect with God and give themselves likewise to the work.
Bro. Isaac Morrison gave a brief account of his labors for the past year, showing a number that have embraced the truth where he has labored.
The work performed at Lakeport and vicinity was presented before the Conference, showing a company of about fifteen Sabbath-keepers who will hold regular meetings.
Adjourned to call of the president.

THIRD MEETING, OCT. 18, 5 P. M.

Prayer by Eld. M. C. Israel. Remarks were made by the president to the point of colporter work preceding, and in connection with, tent-meetings. Some instances were related that were very marked for good in bringing souls into the truth. The wants of the cause in different parts of the Conference were presented; Bro. Myers spoke for the Napa church, pressing the need of a series of meetings there. Bro. Saunders for Woodland. Some interest there especially of late. Thinks ministers have not stayed long enough when they came. Bro. Hurley spoke for Santa Rosa. Church needs reviving spiritually. Bro. Chapman for Petaluma. The church needs help and thought it would be appreciated. Bro. Bond for Lemoore. Thinks a course of lectures would be beneficial. Church is in a very good condition. Bro. Hemstreet spoke for Red Bluff. Several school districts are open, and favorable for meetings. Bro. Harmon for Healdsburg. Eld. Waggoner for Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, and Stockton. All need labor, but where are the laborers? Each church must besiege the throne of Grace for help, and then help will come. Eld. Waggoner read a letter from Bro. Wm. Harmon, asking help for Nevada. Bro. Shannon of Reno, added his testimony for help.
Chairman of Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:— 1. WHEREAS, God in his mercy has spared us to meet again in our annual camp-meeting, and has greatly blessed our labors in the year past, Resolved, That we offer to him our gratitude and praise, and promise by his grace assisting us to live nearer to him in the future than we have in the past. 2. WHEREAS, the providence of God has again brought Sr. White into our midst, and, WHEREAS, since she last met with us, she has passed through deep affliction, in the death of her husband, therefore, Resolved, That we tender to her our heartfelt sympathy, and hereby express our gratitude to God for the timely instruction and warning which she has given us. 3 WHEREAS, there is a natural inclination to conform to the customs of the fashionable world, in matters of dress, and as such customs are in opposition to the simplicity of the gospel, therefore, Resolved, That we recommend to our people to dress as becomes Christians, conforming to the directions in 1 Tim. 2:9, 10, and 1 Pet. 3:3, 4. Resolved, That we invite Eld. I. D. Van Horn to remain in our Conference and labor in the ministry for the coming year.
Remarks on No. 3 were made by Elds. Haskell, Waggoner, and others. All were passed by a unanimous vote. Resolutions 2 and 3 were also favored by a rising vote of the congregation.

FOURTH MEETING, OCT. 20, 5 P. M.

Prayer by W. M. Healey. Minutes of last two meetings were read and approved. The following resolution was presented:—
Resolved, That we recognize the hand of God in establishing the English Mission; that we feel a deep interest in that work, and deeply sympathize with Elder Loughborough and his associates, in their labor, and remember with gratitude his labors in this State; and if God in his providence shall ever relieve him from that field, we invite him to return to this Conference.
Remarks were made by Elder Waggoner heartily indorsing the resolution, and speaking of the difficulties attending the establishment of a new mission; and expressing his heartfelt interest and sympathy also for our beloved brother J. N. Andrews, in his mission, also mentioning letters from Elder Loughborough expressing his firm conviction and assurance of the hand of the Lord being in the establishment of that mission, and its bright prospects ahead.
Elder Waggoner presented the following resolutions, which, with the above were unanimously adopted. Resolved, That this Conference heartily indorse the action of the brethren in reference to establishing a school in California; that we promise to do all in our power to aid in this enterprise. Resolved, That as believers in the Third Angel's Message, we bow in affliction to the providence which has taken from us Elder James White; that we cherish his memory as one to whom the Lord gave a large part in this sacred work; and that we hereby extend to the bereaved family our earnest Christian sympathy.
Appropriate remarks were made upon this resolution by Elders Waggoner and Haskell, referring to the position he held in this work from the first, his manifest devotion to the cause, and the great loss sustained by his death. As a tribute to his memory it was stated that those who were best acquainted with him, are those who have felt his death most keenly.
Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows: For Credentials, Elders J. N. Loughborough, W. M. Healey, J. D. Rice, M. C. Israel, E. A. Briggs, J. H. Waggoner; for licenses, Isaac Morrison, W. C. Grainger, W. C. White, E. J. Waggoner, J. G. Hurley, N. C. McClure, Andrew Brorsen, Frank Lamb, A. D. Benton, C. H. Jones; for Colporter's license, L. A. Scott, H. C. Palmer, W. W. Smith, Mark Mitchel, Sr. F. L. McClure. Credentials and licenses were granted as recommended. In regard to licenses Elder Haskell said that they who received them were not necessarily entitled to draw means from the Conference; they should set their mark high and press to it. It is not our natural talents that fit us for God's work, but it is by the Spirit of God, coupled with meekness and consecration on our part. Elder Healey added his testimony to the advisability of some of our sisters engaging in this work.

FIFTH MEETING, OCT. 24, 4 P. M.

Prayer by Elder I. D. Van Horn. Minutes of the last meeting read and approved. Elder Haskell spoke of the duty of bringing all the tithes into the treasury, that the ministry be not crippled, nor the providence of God hindered in sending forth laborers into his vineyard.
Committee on Resolutions presented the following:— WHEREAS, the tithing system is the Bible plan for the support of the ministry; and, as we desire and expect an increase of ministerial help, we shall require additional means; therefore, Resolved, That we will do what we can toward procuring a full tithe from all, and have the same paid promptly to the Treasurer of the church, that it may be deposited with the State Treasurer, to be used only for the advancement of the cause. Resolved, That we appreciate the favors of the different lines of public travel which have shown us favors, among which we specially mention the Sacramento City Street R. R. Company and the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad. Resolved, That we return thanks to the East Park Association of Sacramento for their kindness in giving us the use of their picnic grounds for our camp-meeting. Unanimously adopted. Elder Waggoner moved that we offer thanks to the daily papers of Sacramento, the Bee and the Record-Union, for their courtesy in giving such full and respectful reports of our meetings. Carried.
The Nominating Committee reported as follows:— For President, Eld. S. N. Haskell; for Secretary, Barbara C. Stickney; for Treasurer, E. A. Chapman. Members of the Conference Committee in addition to the president, John Morrison, Eld. M. C. Israel; for Camp-meeting Committee, G. D. Hager, Fred Harmon, and N. C. McClure; for School Committee, W. C. White, J. H. Waggoner, M. J. Church, Wm. Butcher, T. M. Chapman, Wm. Saunders, and John Morrison.
The Treasurer's report was then read, showing the amount of tithe paid into the Conference by the different churches for the past year. A full statement of its financial workings for this time is as follows: Receipts from tithes, donations, etc., $9494.17. Expenses including payment of ministers, $7909.80. After paying the tithe to the General Conference, and other outstanding bills, for tents etc., there will still be sufficient left to begin immediate operations in the field without embarrassment. And if our brethren will all return the tithes promptly and faithfully into the treasury, our Conference need not be embarrassed in supporting our increased force of workers. God will bless us according to our faith and faithfulness.
Eld. S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, and Wm. Saunders, were elected delegates to the General Conference to be held in Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 1, 1881. The Conference having completed its labors adjourned sine die. S. N. HASKELL, Pres. J. D. RICE, Sec.