Report of the Organization of the Missouri and Kansas Conference of S. D. Adventists by James White; GEO. I. BUTLER

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 8, 1870

Report of the Organization of the Missouri and Kansas Conference of S. D. Adventists.

By James White; GEO. I. BUTLER

At the camp-meeting held at Pleasanton, Kansas, on Sunday, Oct. 16, 1870, many of the friends of the cause in Missouri and Kansas being present, Bro. White called them together to take into consideration the expediency of forming a Conference embracing the States above mentioned. Bro. White was chosen Chairman of the meeting, and Geo. I. Butler, Secretary. After remarks by Bro. White, Blanchard, Lawrence, Cook, and others, it was moved and seconded that such a Conference should be formed, and unanimously carried.

As the friends of the cause had come from their several churches without previous notification of the design of forming a Conference, and had therefore not elected delegates, it was moved and seconded that the Chairman select from the members present, delegates to act in the election of officers, and in the transaction of other business. Carried. Adjourned till 4 P. M.

Assembled again according to adjournment. Prayer by Eld. Butler. A selection of delegates to act in accordance with the resolution above mentioned was made.

After remarks by Bro. White, the Constitution recommended by the General Conference of S. D. Adventists was read by the Secretary, and unanimously adopted.

It was moved and seconded that this Conference be called the Missouri and Kansas Conference of S. D. Adventists. Carried.

Moved and seconded that the Chairman appoint a Committee of three on Nominations. Carried. The chair selected Geo. I. Butler, W. Evans and James Hackett, as this Committee. A Committee on Resolutions was also appointed, consisting of H. C. Blanchard, Geo. I. Butler and R. J. Lawrence. Adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Met at the call of the Chairman at 5½ A. M., Monday Oct. 17. Meeting opened by prayer by Bro. White. Report of Committee on Nominations called for. The Committee reported as follows: For President, R. J. Lawrence; Secretary, H. C. Blanchard; Treasurer, J. H. Rogers. Other members of Conference Committee, Eli Wick and J. H. Cook. The report was accepted, after which each one of these nominations was taken up separately and unanimously elected. The churches of Civil Bend, Hamilton and Avilla, in Missouri, and Mount City and Centerville in Kansas, were then separately voted into the Conference.

The Chairman then called up the subject of ministers' credentials, and made remarks upon the subject of the ministry. Bro. Blanchard, formerly of the Wisconsin and Illinois Conference, was then accepted as a minister of this Conference.

The subject of licenses was then brought before the Conference, and Bro. White made some excellent and pointed remarks upon the subject, and without further action the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Assembled again at 5½ P. M. Prayer by Bro. White. The subject of licenses being resumed, and appropriate remarks by different brethren having been made, T. E. Morey, J. H. Cook, and J. H. Rogers, received licenses to improve their gifts as the way may open in the providence of God.

The Committee on Resolutions was then called upon to report. They reported the following:

Resolved, That we consider it the duty of scattered Sabbath-keepers within the bounds of this Conference, who have a membership in other Conferences, to unite with churches in Kansas and Missouri as far as practicable, and to report to them quarterly.

Resolved, That we consider it the duty of all S. D. Adventists, scattered or otherwise, who live within the bounds of this Conference, in view of the wants of the cause here and the importance of collecting all our resources, to contribute of their means, and pay their s. m. into the treasury of this Conference.

Resolved, That we esteem it a pleasure to here express our gratitude to our brethren in other States who have contributed of their means to aid the cause here, and to defray a portion of the expenses of this camp-meeting.

Resolved, That we return our thanks to the Gen. Conf. Committee for their manifestation of interest in the cause in this far-distant field, and that from henceforth we will try to show a corresponding interest in its prosperity.

Resolved, That we express our warmest gratitude for the timely visit of Bro. and Sr. White.

Resolved, That we send a report of our proceedings to the REVIEW for publication.

These resolutions were adopted as a whole unanimously. It was moved and seconded that the Executive Committee constitute the Camp-meeting Committee.

Adjourned, sine die.

JAMES WHITE, Chairman, GEO. I. BUTLER, Secretary.