MINNESOTA CONFERENCE REPORT by Stephen Pierce; Henry F. Phelps

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1867

MINNESOTA CONFERENCE REPORT.

By Stephen Pierce; Henry F. Phelps

The seventh annual session of the Minnesota State Conference of S. D. Adventists, was held at Mantorville, Dodge Co., Minn., June 14, 1867. Ministers present, Elders Stephen Pierce and Wm. S. Ingraham. J. N. Loughborough of Mich., was also present. Meeting was opened by prayer by Bro. Loughborough.

Delegates being called for, four churches reported by six delegates. By vote the church at Bass Lake was admitted into the Conference. The Secretary being absent, H. F. Phelps was elected secretary pro tem. The amendment of the Constitution recommended by the Gen. Conference, concerning inviting all members in good standing to take a part in the deliberations, was adopted as Sec. 3, of Art. vii, whereupon a vote was passed inviting all the brethren present to participate. Minutes of last Conference read.

Reports of churches show a total amount of membership 170. Total amount of s. B. fund $787.60. Reports of ministers being called for, Elds. Stephen Pierce, Wm. S. Ingraham and W. M. Allen, responded. Credentials of Elds. Pierce and Ingraham were renewed. Treasurer’s report read and accepted. On motion, Brn. Harlow, Grant, Gibson, Merry, Morton, and F. W. Morse, were chosen a committee to audit the accounts of ministers. Sec. 11, of Art. 3, was amended by adding the words proposed by the Gen. Conference concerning the s. B. of members moving. The resolution of last Conference concerning the expulsion of members, was adopted as Sec. 3 and 4 of Art. iv, of our State Conference Constitution.

Resolved, That this Conference recommend the Executive Committee to look after those churches whose membership covers a considerable territory, and make such division and formation of new churches as to them the circumstances seem to demand.

Voted, To nominate the officers of this Conference by ballot. The result of the ballot was as follows: President, Stephen Pierce. Secretary, H. F. Phelps, Treasurer, W. I. Gibson, Executive Committee, Stephen Pierce, Wm. S. Ingraham, and H. Grant. By vote of the Conference this nomination was ratified.

Resolutions on the following points, passed by the Gen. Conference were unanimously adopted [see report of Gen. Conf.], viz., Fields of Labor, Letters of Commendation, Members Moving, Ordinances, Patent Rights, Unlicensed Teachers, Living out the Truth, Health Reform, Health Institute, Dress, Reform Dress, War, Humiliation, Spiritual Gifts, Appeal to Mothers.

The resolutions on Health Reform, Health Institute, Dress, Reform Dress, were endorsed by all the brethren and sisters present.

At a session held first-day A. M. June 16, the report of the auditing Committee was read and accepted. The Committee recommend that the churches pay the entire amount of their s. B. into the State Conference fund.

The following preamble and resolution was read and unanimously adopted:

Whereas, We greatly desire the prosperity of the cause in this State, and,

Whereas, The providence of God has permitted blight to come upon our crops, and we thereby find ourselves financially embarrassed, and,

Whereas, We greatly fear that we have as a Conference lacked in a spirit of sacrifice while in prosperity, therefore,

Resolved, That we appoint for the churches in Minnesota, July 4, 1867, as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer to God, that he may bless our seed sown, and help us in all our endeavors to advance the cause of truth; and may he give us such a sense of our wrongs, and true humility of heart, that he can smile upon us, and cause his truth to advance with power here.

Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the brethren in Mantorville for kindly entertaining this Conference.

Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the citizens of Mantorville, for the use of their court-house and school-house, and other acts of kindness.

Resolved, That the minutes of this meeting be published in the Review.

STEPHEN PIERCE, President,

HENRY F. PHELPS, Secretary.