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BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 23.

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BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

By John Nevins Andrews; Uriah Smith

Of the Sixth Annual Session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Met according to appointment in Review, May 12, 1868, at 9 o'clock, A. M. Prayer by Bro. White. Delegates being called for, credentials were presented by the following brethren:
Geo. I. Butler, J. T. Mitchell, of Iowa. R. F. Andrews, T. M. Steward, of Wis. and Ill. Jas. White, Jas. Harvey, A. Gleason, R. J. Lawrence, of Mich. A. C. Bourdeau, of Vt. J. N. Andrews, of N. Y. J. H. Waggoner, of Ohio. L. L. Howard, of Maine. J. H. Rogers of Missouri.
On motion, all the ministers present were invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
On motion, Bro. M. G. Kellogg was invited to sit in the Conference as delegate from California.
On motion, Bro. A. W. Smith was invited to represent the N. E. mission-field.
Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
Reports from State Conferences presented and read, showing the following results:
Names. Ministers. Licentiates. Churches. Members. S. B. Fund Pledged. Used by Ch. Pledged to Conferences. Pledged to Gen. Conf. Funds on hand.
Mich. Conf. 9 6 46 1354 $7963,26 3079,67 4883,59 1000,00 880,35
N. Y. & Pa. “ 5 6 25 585 2886,43 228,79 2579,79 207,85 60,00
Wis. & Ill. “ 5 1 18 600 3177,91 635,58 2542,32
Iowa “ 1 1 13 362 2379,29 553,49 1825,80 125,00
Ohio “ 1 1 12 187 1250,94 68,08 1096,00 87,86
Vermont “ 4 2 11 220 1417,70 136,64 1281,06 125,00
Minnesota “ 2 1 7 180 787,00 787,00
Maine, “ 4 3 11 208 1235,74
N. E. Mich'n, 1 1 17 779 2888,30
Total, 32 19 159 4475 23366,57 4702,25 14994,56 1420,71 1065,35
The following committees were then appointed:
Auditing Committee, A. W. Smith, of N. H., and J. T. Mitchell, of Iowa.
On Resolutions. Jas. White, J. N. Andrews, J. H. Waggoner.
On Preaching. J. N. Loughborough, G. W. Amadon, and U. Smith.
The Hymn Book Committee reported through Bro. Waggoner, showing the progress that had been made in the work, and the general plan which the Committee would recommend. Remarks by Bro. White.
Bro. Andrews reported in reference to the instructions given him to write upon the subject of war. He found the subject one requiring much research and study, and reported the matter unfinished. On motion, the matter was still left in his hands.
Reports from missionaries called for, and presented by Brn. J. N. Loughborough, I. D. Van Horn, D. T. Bourdeau, L. L. Howard, J. N. Andrews, and James White.
The Treasurer presented his report, showing the following results: Funds on hand May 1, 1867,                $652.92 “  Received during the year,              3444.51                                          $4097.43 Paid out as per Treasurer’s book,        $3217.08 Funds on hand to balance,                 880.35                                          $4097.43
I. D. VAN HORN, Treasurer.
Report accepted. On motion, the following brethren were appointed by the chair, as a nominating committee: Geo. I. Butler, A. C. Bourdeau, Jas. Harvey.
Adjourned to 2 P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Met according to adjournment. Prayer by Bro. A. C. Bourdeau.
Committee on nomination reported for President, J. N. Andrews, Secretary, U. Smith, Treasurer, J. N. Loughborough; Executive Committee, J. N. Andrews, James White, D. T. Bourdeau. Report accepted.
On motion, these persons were declared unanimously elected to the offices for which they were respectively named.
The subject of the distribution of labor was at this point taken up. Bro. M. G. Kellogg entered a strong plea for California. Bro. Rogers spoke for Missouri, setting forth the need of judicious labor in that State, and the prospects for good, if such labor could be bestowed The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The cause of Health Reform among our people demands that labor and attention which our preachers cannot bestow in connection with their other arduous labors, therefore,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Conference that Bro. M. G. Kellogg, M. D., should labor in that department of the great work of preparation for the coming of the Son of man, by the counsel of the General Conference Committee.
Whereas, A wrong use has been made of the resolution passed by the General Conference of last year relative to our brethren moving from place to place,
Resolved, That we hereby rescind the above-named resolution of last year.
Resolved, That we also rescind the resolution relative to private publishing interests.
Resolved, That we heartily indorse the efforts lately made to circulate Spiritual Gifts, and recommend to the brethren at large to continue their efforts by contributing to the book fund, and placing our works in the hands of honest inquirers.
Resolved, That the Committee on Resolutions be authorized and requested to prepare an address to set forth our views on certain existing evils, which we cannot consistently embrace in other forms.
Adjourned to call of Committee.

THIRD SESSION. Wednesday evening, May 13, 1868.

Prayer by Bro. Bates. The house being well filled, on motion, all present were invited to participate in the deliberations of the General Conference this evening. The subject before the meeting was what we may do for the Lord in the persons of his worthy poor, and in this, not so much to learn what our duty is, as to devise means whereby it may be discharged in a manner acceptable to God. Remarks were made by Brn. White, Gleason, D. T. Bourdeau, A. C. Bourdeau, J. N. Andrews, Barker, Rogers, Waggoner, and others.
On motion, a committee was appointed to bring this matter in a definite shape before the Conference, to consist of nine persons, and to be appointed by the chair.
Moved, That the Gen. Conf. Committee be empowered to employ some person to assist Bro. and Sr. White as amanuensis. Carried.
The committee to whom was committed the subject of our duty to the poor, was named by the chair as follows: Jas. White, U. Smith, J. H. Waggoner, J. M. Aldrich, J. N. Loughborough, S. H. King, A. W. Smith, Jas. Harvey, & M. E. Cornell. Brn. J. N. Andrews and G. I. Butler were afterward added to that committee.
On motion, the subject of the manner of holding General Conference in future was referred to the above-named committee. Adjourned to call of committee.

FOURTH SESSION. Thursday evening.

The report of committee on the subject of the relief of the poor among us, was read and accepted, after which the subject was continued as the object before the Conference. After remarks by various ones it was,
Moved, That the resolutions presented by the committee be acted upon by this Conference. Carried. The doings of the committee were thereupon adopted as follows:
Resolved, That we have such an association as is under consideration, to be called The Seventh-day Adventist Benevolent Association.
Resolved, That there be a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee, of three of this Association.
Resolved, That membership be obtained by paying into the treasury the sum of $10.
Resolved, That this Association be composed of all our people who are willing to enter into it.
Resolved, That the elders and deacons of each church be requested to act as agents to carry out the objects of this Association.
The subject of election of officers for this Association being taken up, the chair being empowered by vote so to do, named Bro. Loughborough, Waggoner, and King, as a committee on nominations.
While the committee were deliberating, the subject of holding our yearly meetings on camp-meeting plan was taken up. After some discussion, it was
Resolved, That this Conference recommend to our people to hold a general camp-meeting annually at the time of the sessions of our business associations.
Resolved, That the Gen. Conf. Committee be authorized, at their discretion, to carry this plan into execution.
Whereas, In the struggle through which our country lately passed for its national existence, our sympathies were with our rulers and our government in their efforts to maintain law and order; and in view of the unsettled state of our national affairs, and of troubles lying before us in the future, we shall continue to pray for those in authority, that they may have wisdom to govern with discretion and in the fear of God; and while we cheerfully pay tribute and honor to those to whom they are due, desiring to live peaceable and quiet lives, as law-abiding people,
Resolved, That we feel called upon to renew our request to our brethren to abstain from worldly strife of every nature, believing that war was never justifiable, except under the immediate direction of God, who of right holds the lives of all creatures in his hand; and that no such circumstance now appearing, we cannot believe it to be right for the servants of Christ to take up arms to destroy the lives of their fellow-men.
Dr. Trall having been invited to visit Battle Creek and give a course of lectures on health, a committee was appointed to meet him and arrange for lectures from him.
Bro. White and Andrews, and Drs. Lay and Kellogg, were appointed as that committee. Adjourned to call of committee.

FIFTH SESSION. Friday at 4:45 P. M.

Committee on nomination of officers for Benevolent Association called upon to report, whereupon they presented the following names. For President, Jas. White; Secretary, M. S. Burnham; Treasurer, U. Smith; Executive Committee, Jas. White, J. N. Andrews, and S. H. King. These individuals were then unanimously elected. Adjourned to call of committee.

SIXTH SESSION. Evening after Sabbath.

Prayer by Bro. Loughborough. After hearing report from the auditing committee, it was
Voted, That a printed form for business be prepared for the use of the Conferences.
The Executive Committee were designated as the ones by whom they should be prepared.
Moved, That the matter of hymn book be referred to Executive Committee to take such action as they see fit. Carried.
They were instructed to attend to this thing at their earliest convenience.
Brethren and sisters united in considering the subject of dress. Sr. Dr. Lamson was chosen chairman, Sr. Van Horn, secretary, and Srs. White, Chamberlain, and Burnham, as committee of a convention of sisters, to take into consideration the matter of deciding upon a proper style and manufacture of hats for their use. Adjourned to call of committee.

SEVENTH SESSION. Monday, 8 A. M.

Prayer by Bro. D. T. Bourdeau. Bro. Andrews stated the calls from missionary fields. Bro. A. C. Bourdeau made remarks about Vermont. Bro. Butler spoke of Iowa. Bro. J. H. Waggoner in regard to Ohio. Their means would not permit running the tent—the only labor expected is among the churches. Bro. Howard spoke for New England. A. W. Smith for New Hampshire. Bro. Kellogg mentioned California. Bro. White spoke in behalf of missionary labor. Churches must not have so many visits from ministers. A mission in California might be sustained. Not decided that the time had come. Bro. J. N. Loughborough spoke of strong impressions and dreams in regard to California. Bro. White speaks of the work in Iowa. The opposite of war is the best means of overturning rebellion. Refers to the recent work in Monterey as an illustration. Bro. Lawrence speaks of his circumstances at home. Bro. Andrews speaks of himself, and for Bro. Canright. Bro. Bates refers to his past experience, and his willingness to do all he can in the work. Bro. Steward speaks to the Conference about Bro. Ingraham. Remarks by different ones in reference to Bro. Pierce. Bro. White is in favor of Bro. Ingraham returning to the Ill. and Wis. Conf. Bro. R. F. Andrews is of the same mind, and speaks of Bro. Sanborn, who designs to remain in that field.
On motion by Bro. White, Bro. Ingraham was invited to return to the Ill. and Wis. Conference. On motion, it was
Resolved, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the Review.
Adjourned sine die.
J. N. ANDREWS, President,
U. SMITH, Secretary.