p. 14 | Texas Conference Proceedings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 11, 1906

Texas Conference Proceedings

By Clarence Santee; E. Harris

The twenty-ninth annual session of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the annual camp-meeting at Alvarado, Tex., Aug. 2-12, 1906.

At the opening meeting of the conference the president, Elder C. Santee, read his address to the delegates, rehearsing the progress of the message in the home field, and also touching upon events of general interest which show the rapid fulfilment of prophecy. The address was listened to with much interest.

According to the conference treasurer's report there had been received during the year, for all purposes, $18,316.49; the tithe amounted to $14,504.21, an increase over the previous year of $3,538. The annual offering came to $588.67, the offering for foreign missions to $603.73. Sabbath-school offerings to $639.62; and the total amount raised during the year for purposes outside the conference was $2,350.43. During the year the Lord has blessed us financially as well as otherwise. The labors of the workers have been accompanied with a measure of success; but we hope for much greater success during the coming year. Over two hundred have embraced the message during the past year.

The annual report and financial statement of the Texas Tract Society showed that during the year there had been a gross gain of $1,369.18; net gain, $415.52; present worth, $6,629.04. The sales of books, Bibles, stationery, and periodicals amounted to $15,000.

The field missionary rendered a report of the subscription book work for the first seven months of the present year, which is as follows: 11,241 hours; 5,759 orders; value, $15,142.50; number delivered, 828; value of books delivered, $2,007.50; helps, $1,061.70. The increase during the present year over the two previous years is as follows: orders, 1,570; value, $4,494.50. Special effort has been made to persuade the agents to put in more time in the work, and to get them to remain in the field from nine to ten months in the year.

The report of the secretary of the Sabbath-school Department was very encouraging. There was a healthy growth during the year. The present standing of the Sabbath-school work is as follows: Number of schools, 47; number added, 15; number dropped, 5; average membership, 1,168; membership last quarter, 1,266. The total contributions received by the schools during the year was $822.24; of this amount there

was sent to foreign missions, $639.62.

We were glad of the labors of Elders G. A. Irwin and J. N. Loughborough. Their daily studies were very valuable at this time, and were highly appreciated by the brethren and sisters. The attendance at these studies was good, and a great many heard Elder Loughborough for the first time. Elder Haffner and Brother O. R. Staines, of the Huntsville school, were also present and rendered valuable help.

The committee on plans submitted the following report:—

“1. We recommend, That this conference agree to raise two hundred dollars toward a fund of five hundred dollars to be placed in the hands of the Southwestern Union Conference, to be used in developing the work among the Spanish-speaking people among us.

“2. We recommend, That a fund of one thousand dollars be raised with which to purchase a new pavilion, needed family tents, and to pay for the tent seats already purchased.

“Whereas, It seems necessary for the best interests of the cause, and particularly for the welfare and advancement of our people in the message, that they be kept in close touch with its progress, both at home and in other fields, therefore,—

“3. We recommend, That our laborers make an earnest and determined effort to place the REVIEW AND HERALD, Watchman, and the Southwestern Union Record in the home of every Sabbath-keeping family in the State, and that our churches be urged to take clubs of the Watchman and Signs of the Times for use in aggressive missionary work.

“4. We recommend, That our brethren and sisters constantly endeavor to interest our young people to attend Keene Academy to prepare themselves for usefulness in the closing work for this generation.

“Whereas, We are told that ‘in evangelistic canvassing young men may become better prepared for ministerial labor than by spending many years in school,’ and ‘those who are fitting for the ministry can engage in no other occupation that will give them so large an experience as will the canvassing work,’ therefore,—

“5. We recommend, That young men aspiring to the ministry be encouraged to enter the canvassing work and obtain that schooling and experience that will better fit them for the ministry, rather than spend too much time in school.

“Whereas, The importance of circulating our literature as found in our books and periodicals is being continually urged upon us by the Lord, therefore,—

“6. Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to greater diligence in seeking out and encouraging suitable persons to engage in this work, and that we co-operate with the field agent to this end.

“Whereas, We recognize in the Canvassing Fund a valuable aid to the canvassing work, therefore,—

“7. Resolved, That we encourage our people to contribute to this fund.

“In view of the fact that a large proportion of the population of the State is in its cities and larger towns, and further, that we have been repeatedly admonished to get out of the cities,—

“8. We recommend, That a special effort be made the coming year to give the message in such cities as Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Waco, Houston, Austin, and many others.

“Whereas, We believe there is not always sufficient caution observed by church officers in receiving members into their fellowship, especially where the candidate has at some previous time been a member of one of our churches, and has been dropped for some cause; and, believing this to be a frequent source of trouble, therefore,—

“9. We recommend, That more care be exercised in this respect, and that where the applicant is known to have formerly been a member of one of our churches, he be required to bring from that church a statement that harmony now exists between him and that church, and that they know of no reason why he should not now be received into fellowship.

“Believing the Sabbath School Worker to be a very valuable help to all engaged in the Sabbath-school work,—

“10. We recommend, That the officers and teachers of all our schools be urged to supply themselves with this excellent journal.

“Realizing the perils and temptations which surround and threaten our youth in this last time, from which we should do all in our power to shield them,—

“11. We recommend, That parents co-operate with their church officers in organizing Young People's Societies in every church where possible, and by their counsel and suggestions assist in making them both interesting and profitable, and the means of holding the young people firm in their allegiance to the truth.

“Since the Lord has spoken so plainly in regard to the importance of our medical missionary work, calling it the right arm of the message, and has stated that treatment rooms and cafés should be established in the cities, therefore,—

“12. Resolved, That at this critical stage in its progress, we give to this important branch of the work of God our full and united support, when conducted in harmony with the principles set forth by the spirit of prophecy.”

The preceding resolutions were passed unanimously; and the following funds were raised in cash and pledges: for the Tent Fund, $780.15; for the Spanish work, $82.35; for the work for the blind, $148.25; Sabbath-school offerings, $38.08; First-day offerings, $49.76. Toward operating a tent factory $150 was pledged.

The officers elected for the coming year are as follows: Conference President, Clarence Santee; Conference Secretary and Treasurer, E. Harris; Field Missionary, W. W. Eastman; Secretary of Sabbath-school Department, Mrs. Grace Corwin; Field Secretary of Young People's Societies, E. S. Taylor; Transportation Agent, C. N. Woodward; Superintendent of Church-schools, Lottie Farrell; Tract Society Secretary and Treasurer, appointment to be made by conference committee; Executive Committee, Clarence Santee, D. U. Hale, W. M. Cubley, C. W. Miller, E. B. Hopkins, W. W. Eastman, T. W. Field.

Credentials were issued to Clarence Santee, C. W. Miller, E. B. Hopkins, T. W. Field, H. B. French, W. W. Eastman, D. U. Hale, W. A. McCutchen, W. M. Cubley, N. V. Willess, A. W. Jenson, N. J. Etheridge; ministerial license to E. L. Neff, W. L. Brandon, J. I. Taylor, E. S. Taylor, Henry Schmidt, G. A. Lagrone, W. F. Field, W. R. French; missionary license to E. Harris, Lottie White, Jessie Hunter, Mrs. E. L. Neff, Mrs. Ella E. Hughes, Mrs. J. I. Taylor, Isora Watts, Berta Taylor, Mrs. W. M. Cubley, Ava Hopkins, Mrs. N. V. Willess.

This was the largest camp-meeting that we have had in Texas. We sincerely hope that it will prove a lasting blessing to all the believers in Texas, and that between now and the time of the next camp-meeting there will be seen greater diligence on the part of all to make known to the inhabitants of the “Lone Star” State the great things of God; for they have made void his law. The majority of the campers stayed until the close. We are hoping for greater things than we have yet seen in the work here.

CLARENCE SANTEE, President, E. HARRIS, Secretary.