CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
THE ninth annual session of the California State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the Alameda camp-ground, Sept. 16-27, 1880. FIRST MEETING, SEPT. 17, 10:30 A. M.
Opening prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner. After some appropriate introductory remarks by the President, Eld. S. N. Haskell, the following delegates presented duly accredited credentials from their respective churches:- Arbuckle, P. Grinnell; Gilroy, E. A. Briggs; Healdsburg, N. A. Young, Geo. W. Mills; Lemoore,441J. E. Yoakum, G. W. Cody, Peter Scazighini; Napa, W. G. Myers; Nevada City, J. D. Rice; Oakland, G. A. Baker, A. H. Cochran, C. H. Jones, P. M. Morrison, W. N. Glenn, W. C. White, R. A. Pritchard; Placerville, Geo. Vickery; Rocklin, G. P. Davis; San Francisco, Frank Brown, S. M. Meeker, Rufus Parker, E. A. Stockton; St. Helena, W. A. Pratt, James Creamer, John Mavity; San Pasqual, J. H. Waggoner; Santa Rosa, Jay McCulloch, J. A. McCulloch, John Morrison; Vacaville, Sister M. Butcher; Woodland, J. C. Martin, Wm. Saunders, Alfred Mason. Delegates were elected to represent those churches which did not present credentials, as follows:- Bloomfield, Annie Hoskins; Christine, Ruel Stickney; Fair View, Lucius Church; Guenoc, Sister H. A. Poulson; Lafayette, Sister W. J. Ireland; Petaluma, T. M. Chapman; Red Bluff, D. S. Hemstreet; San Jose, Mary L. Irving; Freshwater, Chico, Auburn and Grass Valley, at their request, were taken under the watchcare of the Conference, and delegates appointed to represent them as follows: Freshwater, J. T. Roberson; Chico, Geo. De Forest, J. D. Rice; Auburn, J. S. Howard; Grass Valley, E. A. Briggs. On motion by T. M. Chapman, Nevada City and Lafayette churches were, in accordance with their request, received into the Conference. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Eld. Haskell made some remarks showing why the camp-meeting was not held at Healdsburg as recommended in the resolutions of the last Conference. It was not because satisfactory arrangements could not be made, but on account of the great advantages of holding a meeting where thousands would have easy access to it; and by obtaining favorable reports in the various journals, the public at large might become acquainted with us as a people, and the nature and magnitude of our work. All members in good standing were invited, by vote of the Conference, to take part in all the deliberations, except voting. On motion by W. G. Myers, the President was duly authorized to appoint all necessary committees. Remarks were then made by Elders Haskell, Waggoner, Wood, and Bro. Saunders, showing the prosperity of the cause in this State the past year; and also the advisability of our praying that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his vineyard even from our midst. The President then announced the committees as follows: Committee on Credentials and Licenses: J. H. Waggoner, Alfred Mason, John Mavity. On Resolutions: W. M. Healey, Wm. Saunders, J. D. Rice. On Auditing: Ruel Stickney, T. M. Chapman, W. C. White, W. A. Pratt, Wm. Saunders, J. E. Yoakum. Committee on Nominations, W. M. Healey, W. A. Pratt, Wm. Saunders. On motion the meeting adjourned to call of Chair. SECOND MEETING, SEPT. 21, 5:30 P. M.
Prayer by the President. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The Committee on Credentials and Licenses submitted the following:- "We recommend for credentials as follows: J. N. Loughborough, W. M. Healey, J. D. Rice, M. C. Israel, and J. L. Wood. For licenses: E. A. Briggs, J. S. Howard, W. C. Grainger, and J. G. Hurley. For licenses as colporters: W. J. Bostwick, P. M. Partridge, Frank Lamb, W. W. Smith, N. C. and F. L. McClure. "We have dropped the names of several under these heads, who have had credentials or licenses in the past. Bro. Judson requested that his credentials be not renewed, as he would probably not use them enough to make it worth while. We are opposed to licensing those who give no promise to use their license. It is of no use to them, and represents both them and the Conference in a wrong light before the world. The credentials and licenses issued ought to indicate exactly our working strength. We have not learned that colporter's licenses have been of any particular benefit, except in a very few cases. In most cases we have heard nothing whatever from those to whom they were issued; in other cases we think that persons can prove somewhat their efficiency without licenses as well as with, and thereby give some reasonable assurance that it will not be out of place to confer them." The names were then taken up in order, and acted upon separately. Credentials and licenses were granted to all who were recommended to receive them. The President then spoke of the duty of these laborers, and who had a right to receive, and who to give the Lord's money from the treasury. It was shown that the Lord's tithe is not under the control of any single individual, but being placed in a general treasury is disbursed only by the Executive Committee chosen for this purpose by the body of our people; that those laborers only should receive of the Lord's tithe who have shown their worth by the fruits of their labors. The minister must show himself faithful and true to the cause of God under every emergency, and should he forsake the work for the dearest of earthly considerations, when souls are trembling in the balance, he proves himself unworthy of the Christian ministry, and we cannot conscientiously pay him one cent of the Lord's money. But if he is actually in want we have recommended rather that he should be helped by private donations, as has been done. Eld. Waggoner followed, speaking of the sacredness of the tithes, and saying that the brethren calculate closely to faithfully pay the Lord's tithe, and unconsecrated hands should not handle it. Eld. W. M. Healey, chairman of the committee on resolutions, submitted the following reports:- Resolved, 1. That we thank God for the manifold blessings bestowed upon us; and for the general prosperity of the cause during the year past.- That we appropriate one-tenth of our Conference funds to the General Conference.
- That the tithing system of the Bible is the proper one for Seventh-day Adventists to carry out for the support of the cause of God and the ministry; and that this Conference firmly believes it to be the duty of every church member composing it to hold as sacred that which already belongs to God, and to return the same promptly to the treasury, that the cause may be sustained, God be honored, and we be justified by the performance of that solemn and sacred duty.
- That as Eld. Waggoner is unable to labor regularly on account of bodily infirmities, and needs a season of rest, it is the sense of the Conference that he should have the required rest. And we feel rejoiced to learn that he has consented to continue his connection with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, hoping and trusting that he will soon be restored to health.
- That we have confidence in the "Testimonies" and recommend them and the "Spirit of Prophecy" for general circulation and careful perusal.
- That we return thanks to Mr. Carpentier for the use of our camp-ground.
- That we are obliged to the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company for favors received.
The resolutions were adopted. Resolutions three and five were also passed by a rising vote of the congregation. On motion the meeting adjourned to call of the Chair. THIRD MEETING, SEPT. 24, 5 P. M.
Prayer by Elder M. C. Israel. The Secretary then read a report showing that in the past year about one hundred and thirty have embraced "present truth" in this Conference. Four new and permanent companies have been raised up. Two churches have been fully organized, and a large number added to those churches already raised up. Most of our brethren have pledged to pay the tithe, and already we see a wonderful increase of the flow of means into the Lord's treasury, and are enabled to see that we have been robbing God in tithes. The missionary, temperance, and Sabbath-school work has made corresponding advancement the past year. There has also been very noticeable improvement by our various officers in reporting. Our brethren have made a good beginning, and we have great reasons to be encouraged. We trust that corresponding advancement may be made the coming year, and with God's blessing there will be. The Treasurer presented a statement of the general workings of the Conference for the past year, as follows:- "From the reports of the churches to the State Secretary, it is shown that there has been tithes collected to the amount of eight thousand seven hundred and forty dollars and thirty-four cents. A portion of this has been allowed, by the Conference Committee, to be retained on the indebtedness of churches. There has been sent from this, to the General Conference this year $822.25. Of this $214.00 has been paid directly through the church officers, and will not appear in the report of the financial condition of the Conference." Balance in SIGNS Office Oct. 9, 1879... $ 6.87
Received from churches from Oct. 9, 1879, to Oct. 1, 1880... 5,163.83
Received on Donations, etc., from Oct. 9, 1880... 765.21
Total... $5,935.91
Paid Ministers from Oct. 9, 1879, to Oct. 1, 1880... $3,982.53
Paid for expressage, printing, etc... 193.92
Tithe to General Conference... 608.25
Total... $4,784.70
Balance on hand Oct. 1, 1880... $1,151.21
W. C. WHITE, Treasurer. The Nominating Committee submitted their report as follows: for President, Elder S. N. Haskell; Secretary, J. D. Rice; Treasurer, W. C. White; Executive Committee, John Morrison and M. C. Israel; Camp-meeting Committee, G. D. Hager, E. J. Church, and Geo. W. Mills. Elder J. H. Waggoner then gave good advice and instruction to those going out as public laborers, with particular reference to their personal habits and their private deportment both in their public labors and in private houses. "Avoid all appearance of evil," and labor to minister rather than to be ministered unto. The brethren and sisters were exhorted to always sympathize with the right, and never flatter their ministers. Satan will see to that. On motion the meeting adjourned.
J. D. RICE, Sec.
S. N. HASKELL, Pres.