p. 140 | BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1879

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 53, No. 18.

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BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

By Dudley Marvin Canright; Uriah Smith

OF THE FOURTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS, (Concluded.)

EIGHTH MEETING, 4:30 P. M., April 22.

Prayer by Geo. I. Butler.

The following resolution on temperance was read:—

Whereas, We as a people profess to regard the principles of true health and temperance reform in their broadest sense as an important part of the system of truths which we hold and advocate, and whereas we believe that the interests of the general cause will be greatly forwarded by giving greater prominence to the subjects of health and temperance than has been done heretofore, therefore

Resolved, That we commend the effort now being made among us to effect a general organization having for its object the promulgation of reformatory ideas on the subject of health and temperance, and encourage our people everywhere to take a hearty interest in the work, giving it their support and co-operation.

This was discussed by Brn. Decker, Bourdeau, W. C. White, Haskell, Hutchins, Dr. Kellogg, Farnsworth, McCoy, Butler, R. F. Andrews, and S. H. Lane, and referred to a committee of three to be appointed by the Chair.

Eld. J. N. Andrews, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and Eld. E. W. Farnsworth were appointed as said committee.

Eld. Butler, as chairman of the committee on the subject of camp-meetings, reported that they had not completed their schedule for the order of camp-meetings.

The subject of unhappy marriages was introduced, and discussed by Brn. S. H. King and B. L. Whitney, with reference to the question as to what can be done to prevent or remedy the evil. This subject was referred to a committee of three, to be appointed by the chair.

Elds. W. H. Littlejohn, S. N. Haskell, and G. I. Butler were appointed as such committee.

The subject of tobacco-selling was presented to the Conference, with the question whether the practice of selling tobacco should debar a person from church fellowship, the same as tobacco-using.

This question was referred to the committee on marriages.

Moved, That this Conference recommend that Bro. J. Moore, of Minnesota, go to the assistance of Bro. J. Fulton, in Ontario.—Carried.

Moved, That we recommend that immediate steps be taken for the publication of a German paper, either at Bâle, or at Battle Creek, as the General Conference Committee may decide.—Carried.

NINTH MEETING. 9 A. M., Apr. 23.

Prayer by J. N. Andrews. Minutes of preceding meeting read and approved.

The Chair, having appointed a committee on the circulation of the writings of Sister White, according to a motion made in the sixth meeting, said committee reported as follows:—

Your committee appointed to consider the subject of the republication of the testimonies and the circulation of the writings of Sister White, would recommend that the testimonies be kept always in print. And in consideration of the fact that the best and easiest way to remove prejudice against the writings and special work of Sr. White is the free circulation of her books, we further recommend that our brethren everywhere, and the ministers especially, supply themselves with one or more copies of the Life of Christ Library to loan to those who would be benefited by the perusal of those works. Respectfully submitted, J. N. ANDREWS, U. SMITH, B. L. WHITNEY, } Committee.

The committee on the Temperance organization reported that they had no other plan than that proposed in the previous resolution, but would recommend that the initiation fee now charged for admission into the society should be so modified as not to stand in the way of those joining who would not be prepared at first to contribute to the funds of the society. The question being on the adoption of the previous resolution, after a little further discussion it was adopted.

By Dr. Kellogg:—

Whereas, The Sanitarium is recognized by us as a denomination as an important institution, and one which may be the means of much good, and a valuable auxiliary to the carrying forward of our general work, and

Whereas, This institution is by recent improvements furnished with facilities for largely increased usefulness, which have been supplied through the incurring of a large debt, therefore

Resolved, That we urge our people everywhere, and especially those engaged in tract and missionary work, to do all in their power, consistent with other duties, to extend the influence of the institution and to increase its patronage.—Adopted.

Remarks were made by Dr. Hough on the openings for the truth in the Saginaw valley. Bro. Swedberg spoke for the Swedish cause. W. C. White spoke of the injustice which is done to the Office by those who take advantage of missionary club rates to supply themselves with papers, and who retail books at a discount from Office prices. Eld. Andrews spoke of his anxiety that some steps should be taken, if possible, to help Bro. A. Vuilleumier, so that without embarrassment to his business he might take the field as a public laborer in the cause. No action was taken upon any of the foregoing points except the latter, upon which it was

Moved, That H. W. Kellogg, D. M. Canright, and W. C. White be a committee to take into consideration the request of Bro. Andrews in reference to Bro. Vuilleumier, and if possible devise ways and means by which it may be granted.

The Conference then adjourned sine die.

D. M. CANRIGHT, President pro tem.

U. SMITH, Sec.