North Michigan Conference Proceedings
By Edith McClellan
The third annual session of the North Michigan Conference convened at East Jordan, Mich., in connection with the camp-meeting, August 31 to September 9. Reports were given by the secretary and treasurer of the tract society and by the educational superintendent. Among the resolutions and recommendations adopted were the following:— “Whereas, There is a lamentable lack of system in reporting and keeping accounts among many of our church treasurers, librarians, and Sabbath-school secretaries, thus causing confusion in the business of the conference, therefore,— “1. We recommend, That greater care be used in the selection of persons for these important offices, that an earnest effort be put forth by this class of workers in the cause of present truth to improve in business methods, and that the one going out of office shall not consider his duty done until he has thoroughly instructed the one newly elected. “Inasmuch as the report of the tract society secretary shows a large number of local tract society and personal accounts,— “2. We recommend, That all such accounts be settled every month on receipt of a statement of such account from the secretary, and that once in three months the canvassers’ accounts be balanced either by the full amount of money for their accounts or by their books being invoiced. “3. We recommend, That a vigorous campaign be carried on by holding local educational, Sabbath-school, and young people’s conventions, and by such other means as seem advisable. “Whereas, The conducting of our church-schools is a work requiring careful planning and good counsel, has therefore,— “4. We recommend, That no school be established or discontinued without advice or counsel from the educational superintendent; and further, we urge upon our local boards the necessity of refraining from employing teachers without counseling with the head of this department. “Whereas, There is need of about forty new tents in our conference, and some of those which we have are in need of repair, therefore,— “5. Resolved, That we raise a fund sufficient to cover this expense as soon as possible. “Inasmuch as our subscription books are an efficient means of spreading the truth, and since this work is largely self-supporting, therefore,— “6. We recommend, That an aggressive attitude be maintained toward this work, and every effort possible be made to secure suitable persons to take up this work, and that a canvassers’ institute be held next spring, at such time as may be arranged by the conference committee, and that the members of each church select at least one suitable person from their midst, and pay his expenses to the canvassers’ institute. “7. Resolved, That in view of the shortness of time to close up this message, and the urgent need that every one should have a part in it, we heartily indorse the plans outlined at the last General Conference for a mighty missionary campaign. “8. We recommend, That this conference adopt the plan recommended by the General Conference for collecting tithe and offerings by using the printed envelope furnished by the General Conference.” Ministerial credentials were granted to S. E. Wight, W. R. Matthews, M. W. Lewis, Geo. G. Johnson, and M. C. Guild; ministerial licenses to O. Montgomery, E. A. Bristol, and R. J. Bellows; missionary licenses to Isabella Campbell, Mrs. M. M. Faulkner, E. Tenny Lane, Nellie Clough, Ethel Peters, Edith McClellan, Myrta M. Kellogg, and Sophie Wahlberg; canvasser’s licenses to A. M. Byers, J. O. Stedman, K. V. Bjork, H. W. Johnson, Donald Ross, Fred Hoxie, E. C. Collard, and Effie Walker. Officers for the coming year were elected as follows: President, S. E. Wight; Secretary, Edith McClellan; Treasurer, North Michigan Tract Society; Secretary and Treasurer of North Michigan Tract Society, E. A. Bristol; Field Secretary, to be filled by the conference committee; Educational Superintendent, Myrta M. Kellogg; Executive Committee, S. E. Wight, W. R. Matthews, M. C. Guild, Geo. G. Johnson, and Morton Stephens; Trustees of North Michigan Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, S. E. Wight, M. C. Guild, W. R. Matthews, E. A. Bristol, and Geo. G. Johnson; Delegates to Lake Union Conference, S. E. Wight, M. C. Guild, W. R. Matthews, M. W. Lewis, and Andrew Maples. EDITH MCCLELLAN, Secretary.