Untitled article by L. L. HOWARD; H. C. WINSLOW

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 12, 1867

MAINE CONFERENCE.

By L. L. HOWARD; H. C. WINSLOW

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL SESSION OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CONFERENCE OF THE STATE OF MAINE.

The meeting was convened with the church at Norridgewock, Maine, November 1, 1867, in their commodious house of worship. The meeting was opened by prayer by Eld. James White. Eld. L. L. Howard was called to the chair, and H. C. Winslow was appointed secretary.

Credentials of the delegates were then called for, and the following churches were found to be represented; Portland, Falmouth, Hartland, Canaan, China, Cornville, Norridgewock, Topsham, Edington, Woodstock and Athens. After some remarks by Bro. White, all the brethren present who were members of churches in Maine were invited to take part in the deliberations of the meeting. Also Elds. Andrews, White and Canright, were requested by the meeting to unite in Conference with the brethren.

A form of constitution, such as is adopted by the different State Conferences, was then presented by Bro. Andrews, and after some discussion and explanations, was unanimously adopted one article at a time. The meeting then adjourned till 2 P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

This session of the meeting was opened by prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. The following resolution was offered by Bro. White and unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That there be added a fifth section to article second, as follows. There shall be six lay members from different churches chosen annually by this Conference to act with the Executive Committee in auditing accounts and settling with ministers.

The chair then appointed the following brethren, Charles Davis of Woodstock, W. A. Towle of Cornville, H. C. Winslow of Topsham, H. A. Weston of Portland, and Wm. J. Haynes of Norridgewock,—to act with the Executive Committee in settling with ministers.

OFFICERS OF THE CONFERENCE.

The following brethren were unanimously chosen as officers of the Conference. Eld. L. L. Howard, president, Elders J. B. Goodrich and C. Stratton to act with the president of the Conference as Executive Committee. Bro. H. C. Winslow, secretary, and Bro. W. A. Towle, treasurer.

The meeting then adjourned to first-day, 8 A. M.

THIRD SESSION.

This session opened by prayer by Eld. D. M. Canright.

Reports of ministers relative to their labors, receipts and expenditures were then called for and read, and referred to the auditing committee. Also reports from the several churches, relative to membership, Systematic Benevolence, and Spiritual condition, were called for and heard with a good degree of interest. Conference adjourned to second-day, 8 A. M.

FOURTH SESSION.

This session was opened by prayer by Eld. D. M. Canright; and after many practical, pointed and instructive remarks relative to the duties, dangers and responsibilities of ministers, by Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Andrews, Elders L. L. Howard, J. B. Goodrich and Charles Stratton were received as ministers of the Conference, and Bro. A. Barnes was received as a licensed preacher. The following resolutions were then adopted.

SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Conference that the entire sum of Systematic Benevolence should be strictly and religiously expended in meeting the actual expenses of ministers while engaged in the work of the third message, excepting, however, necessary expenses of the Conference for printing minutes, blanks, &c., and the very few instances of assisting the Lord's suffering poor, who cannot properly receive this assistance in any other way.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

Resolved, That we express our faith in the perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts during the gospel dispensation, and our gratitude to God that he has intimately connected the spirit of prophecy with the proclamation of the third angel's message.

APPEAL TO MOTHERS.

Resolved, That we deem it important to call the attention of parents and guardians to the work of Sr. White, entitled, Appeal to Mothers; and that we earnestly invite them to place this work in the hands of such young persons as are under their care.

HEALTH REFORM.

Resolved, That we acknowledge the Health Reform as a proper exemplification of the subject of Christian temperance, and an important part of the great work of preparation for the Judgment.

REFORMED DRESS.

Resolved, That we recommend to our sisters the reformed dress as set forth in Testimony No. 12, and now in use to some extent among us.

Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God, and our thanks to Bro. and sister White for their timely visit to Maine, and their faithful labors during this Conference, and that we invite them to remain with us and labor as long as it seems good to them to stay, and we pledge ourselves to heed their faithful admonitions.

Resolved, That we will use our best endeavors to furnish them with a suitable horse and carriage for their use to travel from place to place while they remain in the State. Brethren G. W. Barker of Norridgewock, and S. B. Gowell of Portland were appointed a committee to see to this matter.

Resolved, That we tender our thanks to Eld. D. M. Canright for his past labors in this State, and earnestly desire him to remain, and continue his labors among us.

Resolved, That we express our thanks to the church and friends of the cause at Norridgewock, for cheerfully and liberally entertaining the many brethren and sisters who have attended this Conference.

Resolved, That the doings of this Conference be published in the Review, and also in pamphlet form in connection with the constitution of the Conference.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Sister White was invited to speak to the brethren, and was listened to with deep interest as she pointed out the dangers to which the cause was exposed in Maine as shown her more than two years since. She pointed out and faithfully exposed the wrongs of some present, both of preachers and people. She had warning for the erring and inexperienced, and words of comfort for the humble who manifested a desire to learn the ways of the Lord more perfectly. Brethren White, Andrews and Canright also said many things to the point. A deep and still deeper interest was manifested for the cause in Maine, and the Conference closed with feelings of freedom and encouragement. This was particularly true in the case of Bro. and sister White who had borne a heavy burden during the meeting in consequence of errors and wrongs among the brethren of their native state.

The Conference then adjourned to the call of the executive committee. All then joined while Bro. White gave thanks to God for His presence in all the sessions and religious services of the meeting.

L. L. HOWARD, Pres.

H. C. WINSLOW. Secretary.