p. 78 | Ninth Annual Report of the N. Y. and Pa. Conference

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 23, 1870

Ninth Annual Report of the N. Y. and Pa. Conference.

By John Nevins Andrews; R. F. Cottrell

This Conference convened according to appointment at Oneida, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1870. The meeting was called to order by the chairman, J. N. Andrews, and opened with prayer. It was found that twenty-three churches were represented by twenty-eight delegates. Brn. White, Waggoner, Littlejohn, Ertzenberger, Lambert, Bowe, and all brethren in good standing in the several churches, were invited to take part in the deliberations. A partially organized church at Parish, Oswego Co., was received by vote, and Bro. C. O. Taylor accepted as its delegate. Reports from the churches and ministers were handed in.

At the second session a report of the standing of the churches was read. By vote the chairman was directed to appoint the several committees. The following were appointed: Auditing Committee, Henry Hilliard, Ira Abbey, Deloss Green, J. M. Lindsay, P. Z. Kinne, and S. B. Craig. On Resolutions, R. F. Cottrell and W. H. Littlejohn. On Nominations, J. M. Lindsay, I. Abbey, and H. Hilliard.

Brief verbal reports from ministers and licentiates called for, and responded to by Brn. Whitney, Taylor, Reynolds, Wheeler, Cottrell, Andrews and Sr. Lindsay. A communication from Bro. E. B. Saunders was also read.

This was followed by interesting remarks from Bro. Waggoner and Lambert, on the subject of labor and sacrifice in the cause.

At the third session the Committee on Nominations recommended the re-election of the officers of the past year throughout, and, on motion, they were declared elected by one vote.

The minutes of the last yearly meeting were then read by the Secretary, and the Treasurer reported his receipts and disbursements.

By the action of the Conference the credentials of C. O. Taylor, S. B. Whitney, J. N. Andrews, and R. F. Cottrell, were renewed; and credentials given to Hiram Hudson and Frederick Wheeler.

The subject of licenses was then taken up, and pointed and appropriate remarks were made by Brn. Waggoner and White. The Conference here adjourned to the call of the chair.

At the fourth session the committee on resolutions reported. The following resolutions were adopted during the sessions of the Conference:

1. That we recommend to those churches wishing for receipts from the Conference Treasurer for moneys remitted to him, to enclose, with their remittance, a written receipt in a stamped envelop to the s. b. Treasurer, for him to sign and return.

2. That members living at too great a distance from the church to which they belong, to attend the regular meetings of the church, shall be required to report, in person or by letter, as often as once in every three months; and that a continued neglect on their part to do this, should be regarded as furnishing good ground of labor in their case.

3. That we express our gratitude for the presence and labors, at this Conference and camp-meeting, of Bro. and Sr. White and others acting under the direction of the General Conference Committee, and that we strive so to improve this privilege as to receive the full benefit which God designs we should.

4. That we renew our expression of confidence in the gift of prophecy as manifested among us as a people, and that experience has shown that permanent prosperity, for the church and for individuals, can only be had in heeding its instructions.

5. That the proposition to erect an additional building for the Office of Publication is, in our view, justified by the demands of the cause, and that it receives our hearty approval.

6. That we tender our thanks to the officers of the N. Y. and Oswego Midland, and of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroads, for their liberality in allowing persons coming to this camp-meeting and State Conference to pass over their respective roads at half-fare rates.

A camp-meeting committee for the ensuing year was chosen, consisting of J. M. Lindsay, I. Abbey, H. Hilliard, S. Walsworth, P. Z. Kinne, J. Parmalee, and Buell Whitney.

The report of the Auditing Committee was received and approved by vote. It was also voted,

1. That ninety per cent of the s. b. fund of the several churches be paid to the Conference.

2. That the church at Catlin be permitted to retain their entire fund for the coming year to aid them in building a meeting-house, provided they build.

3. That the Executive Committee be paid their traveling expenses, and for their time spent in visiting churches.

The subject of licenses being resumed, it was voted that the license of Bro. C. B. Reynolds be renewed. It was then voted that the remaining cases be left with the Executive Committee.

Votes of thanks were passed, to the Camp-meeting Committee, to the gentleman on whose grounds we were encamped, and to the authorities of Oneida, for their care to see that we were not disturbed during our meeting, and to the citizens of the place for their courtesy and kind offices to us. For they freely invited us to their houses on the occurrence of a terrible tempest which seemed somewhat calamitous.

Voted, That $700.00 of the surplus funds of this Conference be loaned to the S. D. A. Publishing Association without interest.

Voted, That the doings of this session of Conference be published in the ADVENT REVIEW. Adjourned.

J. N. ANDREWS, President.

R. F. COTTRELL, Sec'y.