South Dakota Conference and Camp-Meeting
By N. M. Jorgensen
The twenty-fifth annual session of the South Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Canton, S. D., June 9-19, 1904. First meeting was called June 9, at 3 P. M., with Elder Burman in the chair. Hymn No. 140, “O for that flame of living fire,” was sung. Scripture reading by Elder Hayes, after which Elder Underwood led the congregation in a solemn prayer that God might lead this entire conference to his glory. The newly organized church at Aberdeen was admitted into the conference. A committee of nineteen was elected from the floor to appoint the standing committees. In reporting the work for the past year, Elder Burman stated that in every place where meetings had been held, some had been won for the truth. He also mentioned the excellent health of all our workers. The following are some of the resolutions that were adopted:— “Inasmuch as we have been urged to assist in every way the progress of missionary effort in the South,— “1. We recommend, That a systematic effort be made in behalf of the book, ‘Story of Joseph,’ and invite every member of our Sabbath-schools to sell one or more copies of that work. “2. We recommend the use of the Family Bible Teacher in tent-meetings, Bible readings, and home missionary efforts. “3. We recommend, That we urge our brethren throughout the State to do more missionary work than we have hitherto done, and that a special time, a month or more prior to the holidays, be set apart for a missionary campaign. “4. We recommend, That one or more persons be selected in each church or company, to act as local agent for certain books set aside for their special use at a discount of forty per cent; and that this local canvassing work be under the general direction of the field secretary, but that each librarian arrange for the work in his own church. “5. We recommend, That during the coming year a canvassers’ school be conducted for the benefit of all who desire to engage in this work, time and place to be arranged by the conference committee. “In order that our industrial school may be finished and relieved from embarrassing financial conditions,— “6. We recommend, That a sum of eight hundred dollars [afterward voted to be sixteen hundred dollars], be raised in cash and pledges. “7. We recommend, That conference workers report monthly, and that our president be authorized to draw their salary warrants, on the basis of the former audit. “Recognizing the fact that the church-school teachers are sacrificing much for the cause of God,— “8. We recommend, That they be assisted to attend the summer institute, each to the extent of twelve dollars, and fare to the institute, and from there to the respective schools to be taught. “In harmony with the instruction given us by the spirit of prophecy,— “9. We recommend, That our people be urged to make diligent study of our health principles, and that our workers do all in their power to agitate the subject. “10. Resolved, That we take steps immediately to raise a fund for establishing a health institution. “11. Resolved, That we continue the effort to place the conference business on a cash basis. “Realizing the need of some effort being made in behalf of the religious liberty work in our conference,— “12. We recommend, That the constitution be so amended as to provide for a religious liberty secretary.” A health and temperance secretary was chosen, also a German corresponding secretary. With the exception of a few changes on the conference committee, the officers were re-elected for the coming year. Credentials were granted to the following-named persons: C. A. Burman, E. G. Hayes, N. M. Jorgensen, C. Reiswig, F. L. Perry, Daniel Isaac, and R. E. Harter. The last named was also ordained. Ministerial licenses were given to J. W. Beach, J. W. Christian, N. B. Baldwin, C. M. Clark, C. F. Betts, W. A. Baker, Bertha E. Jorgensen; and missionary credentials to L. D. Randall, Milla M. Johnson, Mattie E. Randall, Geo. W. Miller, Leona Burman, and Dolphy Hayes. The Sabbath-school secretary reported thirty-three Sabbath-schools and nineteen home-schools; total membership, 880. The tithe for the last year was $9,915.33, or nearly eleven dollars per member. Tract society sales amounted to $3,509.45, and contributions at the camp-meeting to $1,469.18. Elder Farnsworth gave us the closing admonition: “Move out into new fields; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Preach the third angel’s message in every place. Pay an honest tithe. Be faithful in all things, and success will follow.” We left the camp full of courage in God to press the battle to the finish. N. M. JORGENSEN, Secretary.