p. 17 | Southern New England Conference Proceedings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1907

Southern New England Conference Proceedings

By W. A. Westworth; Irene J. Cady

The fourth annual session of the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the camp-meeting at New London, Conn., June 6-16, 1907.

The first meeting was called to order by the president, Elder W. A. Westworth. As the voices united in singing, “Firm as the rock the soul shall rest that trusts the Almighty hand,” the hearts of all present responded.

The president gave a brief report of the past year’s work. It has been a successful year, generally speaking. Our membership shows an increase of only about thirty, but this is due to the fact that in many of the churches the records have been examined, and those who have not reported for years have been dropped. Mention was made of the tent and hall efforts. Our laboring force had been increased from four to fourteen, yet notwithstanding this, our tithe balance shows an increase over that of last year, of several hundred dollars. There has been a hearty response to the call for means to purchase suitable equipment for the carrying forward of the Lord’s work.

Elder W. R. Andrews rendered a report of the work done by the Religious Liberty Department. There has been considerable agitation over Sunday legislation, and opportunity has been presented to hold public rallies in five of the large cities.

The following resolutions were presented and discussed with much interest:—

“1. Resolved, That the conference committee be authorized to divide the conference into districts, and to appoint a director in each who shall superintend the missionary work of the district.

“2. We recommend, That all our people do their utmost to enlighten the citizens of their localities on the principles of religious liberty, and we suggest as an excellent means for doing this a wide circulation of the magazine Liberty, and the tracts published by the Religious Liberty Bureau.

“3. We recommend, That when advisable, a local religious liberty secretary be appointed, who shall keep in touch with the conference religious liberty secretary.

“Whereas, Our sanitarium at Melrose has, through the mercy of God, been saved to the denomination and the people that brought it into existence, therefore,—

“4. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for his great mercy in this matter, and further,—

“5. Resolved, That we show our appreciation of this great mercy, by our prayers, our money, and by our hearty co-operation in influencing as many persons as possible to go to the sanitarium when in need of its care.

“Whereas, The sanitarium now belongs to the denomination, is owned and controlled by the denomination, and,—

“Whereas, The sanitarium is in great need of funds, and the book, ‘Ministry of Healing,’ has been devoted to the upbuilding of such institutions, therefore,—

“6. Resolved, That we encourage one another, and our people everywhere, to sell as many copies of this book as possible, and devote the proceeds to the benefit of the sanitarium.

“7. Resolved, That we indorse the action of the conference committee in offering scholarships of one year to the South Lancaster Academy to any one who will sell two hundred and fifty dollars’ worth of our subscription books; and we recommend that our brethren throughout the conference be urged to interest and encourage our young people to accept this offer.

“Whereas, God in his love has given us a good degree of success during the past year, not only in winning souls, but also in the increase of tithes, therefore,—

“8. Resolved, That we as a conference show our gratitude to our Heavenly Father by making, from our small surplus tithes, a thank-offering to him, through the regular channels, of two hundred and fifty dollars, to be used in carrying the truth to regions beyond.

Cash and pledges were received to the amount needed for the liquidation of our portion of the $150,000 fund.

The officers for the ensuing year are as follows: President, W. A. Westworth; Secretary and Treasurer, O. M. Russell; Sabbath-school Secretary, O. M. Russell; Religious Liberty Secretary, W. R. Andrews; State Canvassing Agent, A. James Clark.

Delegates to Union Conference: W. A. Westworth, J. G. Stevens, W. R. Andrews. Sanitarium Constituency: W. A. Westworth, D. A. Bidwell, W. R. Andrews, James A. Tefft.

Ministerial credentials were given to W. A. Westworth, J. C. Stevens, W. R. Andrews, Elof Johnson. Ordination and credentials were granted to A. J. Clark. Ministerial license was given to H. L. Shoup and Leon W. Cobb, and missionary license to Mrs. Eva B. Daggett, Matilda Thaler, Ona M. Russell.

As a fitting close to our conference session, we all gathered on the shores of Long Island Sound to witness the burial of fifteen souls by baptism.

WM. A. WESTWORTH, President, IRENE J. CADY, Secretary.