Michigan State Conference by H. S. Gurney; Wm. C. Gage

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 22, 1870

Michigan State Conference.

By H. S. Gurney; Wm. C. Gage

TENTH ANNUAL SESSION.

In accordance with notice published in the Review, the Michigan State Conference held its tenth annual session at Battle Creek, Wednesday, March 16, 1870. Meeting called to order by the chairman, and opened with prayer by Bro. Bates. Delegates were requested to present their credentials, which upon examination showed that the number of delegates present was fifty-four, representing thirty-four churches. Several churches were represented by letter, and quite a number were not reported.

On motion, brethren in good standing were invited to participate in the deliberations of this Conference. By vote, Bro. J. N. Andrews was invited to take part in all the deliberations of this body, whereupon he introduced Prof. J. Allen, the delegate from the Seventh-day Baptist Conference to the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference. Bro. Allen made some remarks, expressing his gratitude for the privilege of being present, and earnestly hoping that the blessing of Heaven might rest upon the deliberations of the Conference. In behalf of the Conference, Bro. Waggoner responded, welcoming Bro. Allen to our midst, as the representative of the people who have for long years been honoring God by honoring all his commandments.

The Secretary's report was read and accepted.

On motion, an Auditing Committee was appointed by the Chair, comprising the following brethren:

G. H. Bell, F. Howe, S. A. McPherson, Charles Jones, D. W. Milk, Wm. Carpenter.

On motion, a Nominating Committee was appointed, consisting of J. H. Waggoner, James Harvey, D. R. Palmer.

The reports of ministers and licentiates were called for, and passed in to the Auditing Committee. Several reports were made verbally.

It was voted to proceed to the renewal of credentials, whereupon the following brethren were accredited as ministers in this Conference for the following year: James White, Joseph Bates, John Byington, R. J. Lawrence, J. N. Loughborough, I. D. Van Horn, M. E. Cornell, Philip Strong, D. M. Canright, J. H. Waggoner, John Matteson.

At this point, the Nominating Committee announced themselves ready to report. On motion, their report was accepted and acted upon. The officers of the Conference for the following year are as follows: President, Uriah Smith; Secretary, Wm. C. Gage; Treasurer, G. H. Bell; Executive Committee, Uriah Smith, C. S. Glover, L. P. Bailey.

The Treasurer's report was then called for and read, showing the following result:

Amount on hand May 1, 1869, $3,846 96 Received up to March 11, 1870, 3,286 95 Total, 7,133 91 Amount paid out from May 1, 1869, to March 11, 1870, 3,615 15 Leaving a balance in treasury of $3,518 79

On motion, the report of the Treasurer was accepted.

The question of granting licenses was then taken up, and discussed at much length. Bro. White made some remarks upon the subject of labor, especially as to how inexperienced men should enter upon the work to show themselves approved of God in laboring in his cause.

The following brethren were then granted licenses to improve their gift in preaching as the way may open: Uriah Smith, Wm. C. Gage, R. B. Lane, W. H. Littlejohn, C. Stoddard, S. H. Lane, Alvin Marsh. Several other names were referred to the Conference Committee for final decision.

Adjourned to 2½ P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Met according to adjournment, and opened with prayer by Bro. Byington.

The subject of granting licenses was again taken up, and on motion, Bro. Andrews was invited to address the Conference on the subject, which he did, to the edification of all interested. Bro. Harvey also made some remarks on the same point.

On motion, the further discussion of the subject was postponed, and the whole matter of licenses was referred to a committee, consisting of J. H. Waggoner, John Byington, and Uriah Smith.

On motion of Bro. Waggoner, it was

Resolved, That we adopt the resolution passed by the General Conference in regard to “Battle Creek matters,” and hereby authorize our Executive Committee to assist the General Conference Committee in carrying out that resolution in moving persons or families either to or from the neighborhood of the Office of Publication.

It was voted that our Auditing Committee be instructed to settle with Bro. J. N. Andrews for his labor with the Battle Creek church during the past winter.

Extended remarks were made by Bro. White, Andrews, and others, relative to ministerial duties, &c., at the close of which the Conference adjourned to the call of the Committee.

THIRD SESSION.

The Secretary's report concerning the standing of the Conference was presented and accepted. Owing to the change in the time of holding the Conference, the standing could not be accurately determined.

The Committee on Licenses reported, recommending that the following-named persons receive licenses: J. G. Sterling, D. F. Randolph, Chas. Seaward, David H. Lamson, E. H. Root, Chas. Jones, Harmon Kenyon, and G. H. Bell.

By vote, each of the above-named persons was granted license by the Conference.

Voted, That this Conference recommend to the Battle Creek church the ordination of Bro. Bell as elder of that church.

Extended remarks were made by Bro. Waggoner on the work of the ministry, and especially the duties of licentiates, to prove their calling by active work in the cause of God. He was followed briefly on this point by Bro. Bates. The subject of calls for help was then taken up and discussed at some length, the wants of the cause within the bounds of the Conference being presented by those most familiar with the field.

The Auditing Committee presented their report, which was accepted, whereupon the Conference voted to donate to the General Conference the balance of its funds on hand, after settling with its ministers.

The church known as West Windsor was granted leave to change its name to the church at Potterville.

Adjourned sine die.

H. S. GURNEY, President.

WM. C. GAGE, Secretary.