p. 441 | Temperance

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 7, 1880

Temperance.

CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

THE first annual session of the California Health and Temperance Society was held on the Alameda camp-ground. The first meeting convened Sept. 20, at 9 A. M. After singing, prayer was offered by Eld. Wood, followed by remarks from the President relative to the growth and extent of the temperance work among us. He stated that while we have ever been a temperate people, yet it is scarcely more than a year since an organization was effected by us. The minutes of the meeting held at Healdsburg, Sept. 22, 1879, at which time the State society was organized, were read and approved. A report of the work accomplished during the year, and of the financial condition of the society was then given as follows:—

The total membership of the society is now 1,142. All but 147 of these have been obtained during the year. Of these 827 belong to organized clubs, of which there are 16; 621 are full members. 843 have signed the teetotal pledge; 170 the anti-rum and tobacco; and 129 the anti-whisky pledge. Tracts amounting to $40.00 have been distributed to the clubs during the year.

The treasurer's report for the year is as follows:— Amount received on Initiation Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $118.50 Amount received on Dues and Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.37 Amount received from General Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.40 — $189.27 Amount paid General Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $103.75 Amount paid on Incidental Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.64 Amount paid Signs Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.40 Cash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.48 — $189.27

FINANCIAL STANDING OF SOCIETY.

Due from SIGNS Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .45 Cash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.48 — $21.93 Due General Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.75 Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.18 — $21.93

After the reading of the report, Eld. Waggoner spoke of the amount of work yet to be accomplished, and thought that the membership should be increased to three thousand or more during the year. Seventy-two names were obtained by the solicitors during the meeting, which are included in the above report. The committee appointed on nominations consisted of Eld. Waggoner, W. J. Bostwick, and M. J. Church.

The second meeting was held Sept. 23, at 2 P. M. Eld. Healey submitted the following resolutions, which were adopted:—

Resolved, That we as a society consider it important that the principles of health and temperance be practically carried out, especially by our brethren, and, Whereas, The principles of the teetotal pledge are in harmony with what we believe to be Bible truth, therefore, Resolved, That we urge upon all the friends of the cause of Christ, with their families, to sign this pledge, and, Whereas, There are three grades of pledges, upon some one of which all temperance people can unite, Resolved, That we recommend a special effort be put forth to further this work among those who may need the moral strength of social influences; and to accomplish this we urge that clubs be organized in companies where they have not already done so. We also recommend that they endeavor to hold regular monthly meetings, and seek by every proper means to make them interesting and profitable.

Quite a number of those present then made remarks relative to the work in their respective localities, and many interesting incidents were related. One brother stated a case that had come to his knowledge, where a minister of the gospel boarded for a time in the family of a respected and intelligent gentleman, who, being somewhat worn with the cares of business, was persuaded by the servant of Christ (?) that it was necessary for him to indulge in stimulants in order to keep about his work. This man has become an inveterate drinker, and is for days under the debasing influence of liquor.

The members present then resolved by a rising vote, that they would each endeavor to bring at least one person into the society during the year. The Nominating Committee reported the following persons, who were duly elected as officers for the ensuing year: President, Eld. S. N. Haskell; Vice President, C. H. Jones; Secretary and Treasurer, Barbara C. Stickney.

On motion meeting adjourned.

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. BARBARA C. STICKNEY, Sec.