p. 639 | VERMONT CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 1, 1901

VERMONT CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

By J. W. Watt; F. M. Dana

The thirty-ninth annual session of the Vermont Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held, at Barre, Vt., in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 23 to Sept. 2, 1901.

The first meeting was held August 23 at 10:30 A. M., with the President, J. W. Watt, in the chair, and B. F. Colby, Secretary pro. tem. Owing to the absence of the records, the roll call of delegates was omitted, and the reading of the minutes of the last session was waived.

The President was empowered to appoint the usual committees, which were as follows: On nominations, J. G. White, A. D. Ladeau, W. E. Fortune; on resolutions, George Williams, F. S. Porter, A. E. Taylor; on auditing, A. W. Boardman, Calvin Pike, F. S. Porter, C. H. Drown, P. W. Saxby, B. F. Colby; on credentials and licenses, Elder Purdon, A. W. Payne, E. D. Clayton.

Elder Watt gave a brief outline of the work done in the Conference during the past year, emphasizing the fact that the work is the Lord’s, and is to be done by the aid of His Spirit. Remarks were made by Elders Bicknell and Purdon. Adjourned to call of Chair.

The second meeting of the session was held August 26. Eighteen delegates were present. After song and prayer the minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted. After brief remarks the request of the Vermont Tract and Missionary Society that it become a department of the Vermont Conference, was received and accepted. Adjourned to call of Chair.

The third meeting was held August 27, with twenty-four delegates present. Minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted. The request of the Sabbath-school Association to become a department of the Conference was read, and was accepted. The Committee on Resolutions gave a partial report, as follows:—

Whereas, In the providence of God our work is becoming unified, and whereas the different organizations are consolidated with the Conference, therefore—

1. Resolved, That two persons be appointed by the Chair, who, with the President, shall be a committee to revise the constitution so that it will be in harmony with the present system.

2. Resolved, That we welcome the return of the

old-time missionary spirit among us, and that we will encourage the rank and file of our people to engage heart and soul in the distribution and sale of our periodicals, tracts, pamphlets, and books; especially “Christ’s Object Lessons.”

3. Resolved, That the Conference become morally responsible for its proportion of “Object Lessons” in the interests of our educational institutions, and do invite the president to call up the matter at any convenient time at this session.

4. Resolved, That we pay the wages of a teacher in the academy of the Eastern Union Conference.

5. Resolved, That each church in the State as far as possible furnish one or more canvassers, and endeavor to keep them in the field, by substantial aid if they see it is needed.

Elders Cottrell, Bicknell, Watt, and others made remarks on the importance of these resolutions. The first and second were adopted, and after some discussion on the third, the meeting adjourned to call of the Chair.

The fourth meeting was held August 28, twenty-eight delegates being present. After song and prayer, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Resolution 3 was again read for consideration. After remarks by Elders Cottrell and Miles, Professor Griggs and others, considerable attention was given to the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” about four hundred copies being taken. Resolutions 4 and 5 were passed, and the meeting adjourned to call of the Chair.

The fifth meeting was held August 29, at 9 A. M., thirty delegates being present. The report of committee appointed to revise the constitution was called for, read, and after a few corrections, was adopted.

A partial report of the Nominating Committee was read, which was as follows: President, J. W. Watt; Treasurer, Geo. Williams. Conference Committee: J. W. Watt, Geo. Williams, A. P. Needham, A. W. Payne, W. E. Fortune. J. W. Watt was elected Conference president for the coming year. The election of Treasurer was waived. J. W. Watt was elected first member on the Conference Committee. The remainder of the report was waived. Resolution 4 was reconsidered, and a motion was made and seconded to amend so as to read, “That we pay one half of the wages of a teacher in the Eastern Union Conference Academy.” After some discussion, the meeting adjourned to call of the Chair.

The sixth meeting was held August 30, at 5 P. M., thirty delegates being present. The discussion of the amendment to Resolution 4 was continued, and the motion was finally lost. Further report of Committee on Resolutions was received and adopted. The report was as follows:—

Whereas, Our State paper is published that our people may keep in touch with the work in our own Conference;—

6. Resolved, That we support it with our subscriptions and increase its usefulness by contributing our reports.

Whereas, We have been told by the Spirit of Prophecy that the object of the Sabbath-school is the salvation of souls;—

7. Resolved, That we make a greater effort than ever before to gather in those not of our faith; and as the success of the school depends upon a faithful study of the lesson, resolved, that we urge the parents to give more time to home study with the children.

Whereas, We have been shown from the Spirit of Prophecy that our children should not attend the public schools, therefore,—

8. Resolved, That we do all that we can to establish and patronize church schools throughout the Conference, with the counsel of the Executive Committee. Adjourned to call of Chair.

The seventh meeting was held August 30, at 5 P. M. The previous report of the Nominating Committee was considered, and George Williams was elected Treasurer. The Conference Committee was elected as reported. Further report of the Nominating Committee was received, and the following persons elected: Secretary and Treasurer of Tract and Missionary department, and Conference Secretary, F. M. Dana; Field Secretary of S. S. Department, J. G. White; Corresponding Secretary of S. S. Department, C. H. Drown; State Canvassing Agent, A. E. Taylor; Auditor, F. S. Porter. Delegates to Eastern Union Conference: J. W. Watt, A. E. Taylor, G. H. Clark, J. G. White. Report of Committee on Credentials and Licenses was received, and after remarks by Elders Cottrell, Watt, Bicknell, and others, the following were given credentials: J. W. Watt and T. H. Purdon. Ministerial licenses were given to G. H. Clark and C. H. Drown; and missionary licenses to Mintha Luce, Clara Lecklider, Lillian M. Heath, F. M. Dana. Meeting adjourned sine die.

J. W. WATT, Pres. F. M. DANA, Sec.