North Carolina Conference Proceedings
By Jessie V. Bosworth
The fourth annual session of the Carolina Conference convened on the camp-ground at Statesville, N. C., July 29 to Aug. 7, 1904. The following resolutions will give some idea of the deliberations of the conference:— “Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the manifest tokens of his tender care for his workers, and that we consecrate our lives anew to the one great purpose of carrying the message to all the world in this generation. “Resolved, That we express our appreciation of the financial assistance rendered by Brother B. A. Rogers in saving the Hildebran school property for the cause of God, and,— “Whereas, This property has been offered upon generous terms to the North Carolina Conference, therefore,— “Resolved, That we indorse the action of the conference committee whereby arrangements have been made to purchase this property, with the object in view of making it a conference intermediate school. “Resolved, That we express our heartfelt thanks to the Southern Union Conference for the substantial and active interest manifested in the recent loss sustained in the burning of the Piedmont Sanitarium, located at Hildebran, N. C., and also for the encouraging words from Brother W. C. White, under date of July 26, as follows: ‘It seems to me that you are beginning right in first appealing to the people of North Carolina to do what they can to rebuild. Next I think your appeal for help should go to the people of the South; and later on, when the Washington matters are not so urgent, it could go to the North;’ and,— “Resolved, That we proceed at once to formulate plans to carry out the recommendations of the Southern Union Conference, which are in substance that an effort be made immediately to raise five thousand dollars for the rebuilding of the Piedmont Sanitarium; and that Dr. Albert17Carey be a committee to prepare plans for the new sanitarium. These recommendations are made subject to any advice that may be received from Sister White. “Resolved, That we indorse the action of the conference committee in the publication of a State paper, which has been published in mimeograph form since March, 1904; and that we recommend that it be issued in printed form, and the subscription price be raised to twenty-five cents a year, and that our people be urged to assist in increasing the subscription list. “Resolved, That we urge upon our ministers and church elders and leaders the necessity of thorough instruction upon the duty and privilege of faithfulness in returning to the Lord a full tithe. “Resolved, That it be the sense of this conference that where circumstances are such that our brethren can not to advantage convert the tithe of their small produce into cash, they be recommended, where practicable, to give it directly to the minister. “Whereas, The canvassing work is one of the most important departments of the message,— “We recommend, (1) That our people everywhere be encouraged to engage in this work as resident canvassers; (2) that our ministers and workers carefully instruct our people in this work, and watch for suitable persons who can be encouraged to take it up. “Resolved, That we urge our people throughout the conference to engage in the circulation of our periodicals, and especially that an earnest effort be made to increase the subscription list of the Southern Watchman by taking clubs and soliciting single subscriptions. “Resolved, That we encourage our workers and lay members to make use of The Family Bible Teacher in their missionary efforts. “Whereas, Our medical work in this conference is in its infancy, and,— “Whereas, It is necessary that our sanitarium and medical work have a constituency before we can expect a liberal patronage, therefore,— “Resolved, That we urge our workers and people everywhere to make earnest efforts to circulate the new health magazine, Life and Health; and that they make themselves familiar with the excellent instruction which comes through its columns.” Other resolutions of a more local nature were presented. It was felt that the establishment of our sanitarium and intermediate school was a matter of the greatest importance at present; and considerable time was spent in considering the situation and in planning for the future. The Spirit of the Lord was manifestly present in all the meetings, to bring in unity and brotherly love. The following officers were elected to serve the coming year: President, T. H. Jeys; Vice-President, D. T. Shireman; Secretary and Treasurer, Jessie V. Bosworth; financial agent, J. O. Johnston; State canvassing agent, Ed. C. Rogers; Executive Committee, T. H. Jeys, D. T. Shireman, W. H. Armstrong, M. H. Johnston, M. G. Creasey, B. A. Rogers, Ed. C. Rogers; secretary Missionary Department, Jessie V. Bosworth; secretary Sabbath-school and Educational Department, Mrs. Emma B. Rogers; secretary Medical Department, M. H. Johnston. Since the camp-meeting, Brother Ed. C. Rogers, having been asked to connect with the office at Nashville, has offered his resignation, and Elder J. O. Johnston was chosen as a member of the executive committee. JESSIE V. BOSWORTH,
Secretary.