Texas Conference Proceedings
By Ida A. Nelson
The twenty-seventh annual session of the Texas Conference convened on the camp-ground at Keene, July 28 to Aug. 7, 1904. One new church was admitted into the conference, while additions had been made, during the year, to nearly every company and church in the conference. The president’s address and the reports of the different secretaries and treasurers showed an encouraging advance in all departments of the work in the conference. The conference treasurer’s report showed that whereas last year there was not sufficient money in the treasury to settle with the laborers for their year’s work, this year, June 30, there was a balance on hand of $1,996.83. During the past two years the tract society paid off more than fifteen hundred dollars of its indebtedness. The sales for the past twelve months amounted to $9,920. Nearly 3,000 copies of the special Capital and Labor number of the Signs, about 1,000 copies of the Pacific Health Journal, and 2,000 of the special number of the Southern Watchman have been sent through the office. The pages of tracts sent through the office during the year amounted to a quarter of a million. The canvassing work, although not so prosperous as could be wished, is making steady advancement. The church-school superintendent reported eleven church-schools and three family schools, with an enrolment of three hundred and sixty-one pupils, and a growing interest in the principles of true education. The secretary of the Sabbath-school Department reported thirty-seven Sabbath-schools, with a membership of 1,086. The following are some of the resolutions that were passed:— “Recognizing the many blessings of our Heavenly Father and his care over us during the past year, we agree to put forth, by the help of God, more diligent effort for the advancement of the third angel’s message in our own State and in foreign lands. “Knowing that our publications are to be scattered as the leaves of autumn, and that canvassing and colporteur work are the best means by which this can be accomplished,— “We recommend, That this conference select and encourage at least two persons to engage in this work on a self-supporting basis, provided, however, that if their sales do not average a clear profit of six dollars a week, the conference make up the deficit to this amount; and we further recommend that those chosen for this work confine themselves to the thinly settled districts of western Texas. “In order that the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ be closed out immediately,— “We recommend, That the conference committee employ a man to take charge of the sale of the ‘Object Lessons’ that are yet unsold throughout our conference. “We recommend, That the Texas Conference pay half of the wages of the Bible teacher of the Keene Academy. Since our Sabbath-schools are designed to educate our people in the truths for this time, that they may be prepared to give the light to others, therefore,— “Resolved, That we use every possible means to encourage thorough, systematic study of the same. “Since there are those so situated that they can not attend the Sabbath-school, and yet are greatly in need of a knowledge of the truths found in the lessons, therefore,— “Resolved, That each Sabbath-school take active measures to have all in its vicinity become members of its home department, supplying them with lesson pamphlets and report blanks, and by kindly Christian sympathy encouraging them to become workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. “Resolved, That we continue to acquaint our Sabbath-schools with the situation in other lands, and that we keep before them the need of liberal contributions, that as Sabbath-schools we may do our part in carrying the message to all the world. “We recommend, That Sabbath-school conventions be held throughout our conference where arrangements for such can be made, and that the State Sabbath-school secretary visit them in person when practicable. “The series of readings called The Family Bible Teacher presents a means by which any one can do thorough missionary work; therefore,— “We recommend, That our people make a liberal use of them in presenting the truth to their friends and neighbors, and that this be followed by an effort to sell pamphlets and small books. “Since success has attended the Young People’s Societies that have been organized and conducted in harmony with the testimonies, therefore,— “Resolved, That we encourage the organization of such societies in all our churches where there is a sufficient number to do so, and that we encourage our young people to engage only in those amusements and recreations which tend toward mental, physical, and spiritual development. “Resolved, That the conference assume the control and management of the Keene Sanitarium; that a board to manage its affairs, consisting of five members, be selected by this conference, three to serve for one year, and two for two years; and that the conference, until otherwise arranged at its annual sessions, elect members to fill the vacancies caused by the expiration of the terms of these members. “We recommend, That the leading physician become a regular conference employee. “We recommend, That the sanitarium board elected by this conference use the money received on pledges for the purpose of improvements, as rapidly as the money comes in, and that the proceeds of the sanitarium be used for the running expenses; that the conference in no wise be responsible for deficit. “Whereas, It seems desirable, and for18the best interests of the work, that the whole Southern field be united in the circulation of our literature, and,— “Whereas, The General Conference Committee at its recent session held at Berrien Springs, Mich., recommended that the Southwestern Union Conference be united with the Southern Union Conference as part of the book territory of the Southern Publishing Association, and,— “Whereas, The Pacific Press Publishing Company has signified its willingness for such a change, therefore,— “Resolved, That we request the Southern Publishing Association to establish a branch house in the Southwestern Union Conference, and be prepared to supply the publications for this field, beginning with Jan. 1, 1905.” Credentials were granted to N. P. Nelson, W. A. McCutchen, T. W. Field, H. B. French, A. W. Jensen, C. W. Miller, W. W. Eastman, Andrew Nelson, E. B. Hopkins, N. J. Etheredge, J. P. Lorenz, D. U. Hale, C. P. Haskell; ordination and credentials to L. W. Felter; licenses to N. V. Willess, E. L. Neff, W. M. Cubley, W. L. Brandon; missionary licenses to Lottie White, Jessie Hunter, Ida A. Nelson, Robert French, Mrs. W. M. Cubley, Mrs. E. L. Neff, O. Glass, J. I. Taylor, and P. F. Haskell. The following-named officers were elected for the coming year: President, N. P. Nelson; Secretary, Ida A. Nelson; Treasurer, E. Harris; State agent, W. W. Eastman; secretary and treasurer of the tract society, E. Harris; superintendent of church-schools, Mrs. Ella E. Hughes; secretary and treasurer of the Sabbath-school Department, Ida A. Nelson; transportation agent, C. N. Woodward; Executive Committee, N. P. Nelson, T. W. Field, W. W. Eastman, C. W. Miller, L. W. Felter, D. U. Hale, and N. J. Etheredge; Directors of Districts, (Eastern), D. U. Hale, (Southern), L. W. Felter, (Central), T. W. Field, (Western), N. J. Etheredge; Trustees of the Texas Seventh-day Adventist Association, T. T. Stevenson, W. A. McCutchen, J. W. Kirkpatrick, C. N. Woodward, and J. D. Matthews. IDA A. NELSON, Secretary.