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MINNESOTA STATE CONFERENCE

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 5.

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MINNESOTA STATE CONFERENCE.

By Stephen Pierce; H. F. Phelps

The eighth annual session of this Conference was held at Mantorville, Minnesota, June 26–28, 1868.
Conference convened on sixth-day, at 10½ A. M. Eld. Pierce, president, in the chair.
Meeting opened by prayer, by Eld. J. N. Andrews. Ministers present, Elds. Stephen Pierce and Wm. S. Ingraham, also Eld. J. N. Andrews, of New York.
Delegates called, and four churches were represented by eight delegates. Mantorville, Blue Earth City, and Clark’s Grove churches were represented by delegates, and requested to join the Conference, and were admitted. Two churches not represented at all.
Voted, That Eld. J. N. Andrews be invited to participate with us in the business of the Conference.
Voted, That all brethren present, in good standing in their respective churches, be invited to participate in the discussion of business.
Secretary’s report being called for, was read and accepted.
Reports of churches show a membership of some over two hundred; s. b., about $900.
Ministers’ reports being called for, Elds. Pierce and Ingraham responded.
Voted, That the President be empowered to appoint a Committee of six to settle with ministers. Whereupon the following brethren were named: S. W. Hickok, A. C. Morton, F. W. Morse, H. Grant, W. J. Gibson, and C. Kelsey. By request, Eld. J. N. Andrews was afterwards added.
Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. Credentials of ministers next called up. Voted to renew the credentials of Elds. Pierce and Ingraham.
Licenses called up. Postponed till some other session.
The Conference then balloted for their officers, resulting in the nomination of the same officers that served last year; viz., for President, Stephen Pierce, Secretary, H. F. Phelps, Treasurer, W. I. Gibson, Committee, Wm. S. Ingraham and H. Grant.
On motion, these brethren were declared duly elected by a unanimous vote.
Voted, That a Committee of three on resolutions be appointed by the chair.
Adjourned for one and three-fourths hours.

SECOND SESSION.

Prayer by Bro. Ingraham.
By their request,
Voted, That the church of Oronoco be changed to that of Pine Island.
The following resolutions were then presented and unanimously adopted.
Resolved, 1st, That we express our deep interest in the success of the mission to California; and that we pledge to our brethren who have entered upon it, the support of our free-will offerings and our earnest prayers.
2d, That we heartily approve of the proposed change in the manner of conducting the business of the Health Institute; and that we invite our brethren in this Conference to aid with their means in its establishment as a benevolent institution.
3d, That we are deeply interested in the formation of the Benevolent Association for the relief of the widows and orphans, and of such others as may have a claim upon its means, and we invite all our people to aid in this noble work by becoming members of the Association, and by donating to its fund according to their ability.
About $120 were pledged for this purpose.
4th, That we recommend to our brethren to pay their s. b., quarterly in advance, instead of at the end of each quarter.
5th, That we earnestly request the labors of Bro. and Sr. White with us at their earliest convenience, as very important to the prosperity of the cause of truth in this Conference.
Ratified by a rising vote of all present.
6th, That we approve the sentiment of the General Conference address.
7th, That in the judgment of this Conference, no persons should enter the field as ministers, to proclaim the third angel’s message, against the decision of the Executive Committee and mind of the church.
8th, That we approve the effort to raise a book and tract fund for the general distribution of our works, and, especially, for the purpose of circulating the volumes of Spiritual Gifts.
Adjourned till first-day, 8 A. M.

THIRD SESSION.

Prayer by Bro. Andrews.
Some remarks from Eld. Andrews and others, in regard to the state and wants of the cause in Minnesota. Also some remarks in regard to the advice of the General Conference, for Eld. Ingraham to leave the State, when a brother presented the following resolution, which was passed unanimously:
Whereas, We read with grief the invitation from the General Conference for Bro. Ingraham to leave the State, and feeling, as we do, the need of his labors here, Therefore,
Resolved, That, if he is permitted to remain among us, in view of our present financial prospects, we do pledge him a liberal support.
An appeal was then made by Eld. Andrews in behalf of Eld. Ingraham, for the brethren in Minnesota to come up and shoulder his burdens, and try to release this servant of Christ, so that his time can be devoted more fully to this good work. The brethren responded quite liberally by paying and pledging; and still there is room.
An appeal was also made in behalf of a young brother who had been in a helpless condition with a broken back for over five years. $26 were raised with which a committee, chosen for the purpose, bought needed clothing.
Adjourned till 4 P. M.

FOURTH SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. Ingraham.
Spent some time in talking over the financial condition of the Conference. On account of the churches’ failing to make their reports, the Secretary was not able to make a very definite report. Still, enough was found to show that the churches were very much behind on their s. b. pledges.
The Secretary was instructed, that in case the churches or ministers should fail to report for the coming year, he should stir them up by writing to them or by reporting them through the REVIEW.
Some remarks were made in regard to Eld. Pierce. It was found that all were very loth to part with him from this Conference, feeling that we needed his skill, experience, and judgment in guiding the ship. Yet if it were duty, if Bro. Pierce could do more for the cause of truth in a warmer climate, they were willing he should go. All felt like doing their best to sustain him while he should remain. At this point, it was voted that the past indebtedness of the churches be given to Bro. Pierce.
Adjourned to Monday, 9 A. M.

FIFTH SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. Andrews.
Report of Auditing Committee. Accepted. The report showed that the Conference came out even-handed; that it is not in debt.
Voted, That we re-consider the last vote of last session.
Voted, That the past indebtedness of the churches on s. b. pledges be divided between Elds. Pierce and Ingraham, as fast as collected.
It is recommended that the s. b. treasurers in their respective churches be requested to stir up those who are behind on their s. b., and report to the Secretary the amount of indebtedness, and send the amount, as fast as paid, to the Treasurer, W. I. Gibson, Rochester, Minnesota, unless paid to the above-named preachers. Remember, the past indebtedness is not to be reported with your s. b. the coming year, but kept separate.
The subject of licenses next came up.
Voted, That F. W. Morse receive license.
W. Morse’s application for credentials referred to the Committee. The case of a Danish brother who applied for license, was referred to Eld. John Matteson.
Some remarks in regard to having a Convocation Meeting in this State this season.
Voted, That the matter be placed in the hands of the Committee, to decide the time and place.
Agreed to by a rising vote of all present.
Voted, That we express our gratitude to the Gen. Conf. and also to Eld. Andrews, for his labors with us during this Conference.
Resolved, That we acknowledge, with sincere gratitude, the unwearied care and pains on the part of friends in Mantorville and vicinity in entertaining this Conference.
Resolved, That the minutes of this meeting be sent to the REVIEW for publication.
Closing prayer by Eld. Andrews.
Adjourned sine die.
STEPHEN PIERCE, President,
H. F. PHELPS, Secretary.