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Organization of the New-England Conference

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

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 10.

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Organization of the New-England Conference.

By J. H. Waggoner; A. C. Bourdeau

PURSUANT to the call by the Gen. Conf. Committee in the REVIEW, a meeting to organize a New-England Conference, was held under a large tent on the campground near South Lancaster, Mass., Sunday, Aug. 14, at 6 o’clock, A. M. Bro. J. H. Waggoner called the meeting to order, and stated the object of the meeting. After prayer, Bro. Waggoner was appointed Chairman of the meeting, and A. C. Bourdeau, Secretary. The Maine State Conference was represented by G. W. Barker, as a delegate, and the Vermont State Conference by A. C. Bourdeau and Lewis Bean, according to resolutions passed at their respective annual sessions of October, 1869. Sixteen brethren present of the other States in New England were appointed as delegates, representing fourteen churches, eleven of which were also represented by letters.
Voted, That all the brethren present in good standing be invited to take part in the deliberations of this meeting.
On motion of Bro. White, it was voted that a committee of three be appointed to arrange business for the sessions of this meeting; whereupon Brn. Andrews, White, and Waggoner, were chosen as said committee.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.
SECOND SESSION.—At 8 o’clock, A. M., the meeting was called in session by the Chair. Prayer by Bro. J. N. Andrews.
On motion, the form of Constitution for State Conferences recommended by the General Conference held at Battle Creek, Mich., May, 1868, was read, after which it was unanimously adopted.
Moved, that this Conference be known by the name of the New-England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
On motion, the Chair was empowered to appoint a committee of three on nominations. Brn. P. C. Rodman, L. W. Hastings, and J. N. Andrews, were thereupon nominated as said committee.
Moved, By Bro. White, that the chair be authorized to appoint a committee of three on resolutions; whereupon Brn. S. N. Haskell, J. N. Andrews, and A. C. Bourdeau, were appointed as said committee.
The Committee on Nominations presented their report, showing the following results: President, S. N. Haskell; Secretary, W. H. Ball; Treasurer, C. K. Farnsworth; Executive Committee, S. N. Haskell, H. B. Stratton, and A. W. Smith. By vote this nomination was ratified.
Here appropriate remarks were made by Bro. White on the duty of ministers, and on the importance of their being faithful and earnest in their labors, that the brethren may be encouraged, and that the plan of Systematic Benevolence may prove a success.
Brn. L. W. Hastings, C. K. Farnsworth, J. B. Witherell, C. Sweet, S. T. Belden, and E. Harris, were then appointed as an Auditing Committee.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THIRD SESSION.—Met at 4 P. M. Prayer by Bro. D. T. Bourdeau. On motion, it was voted that all the funds received on S. B. by the churches in this Conference be appropriated to the New-England Conference.
The subject of having the Maine and Vermont Conferences merge into this Conference was considered, and close and interesting remarks were made by Bro. White and Andrews, on the condition of the cause in Maine, the faithful labors that have been bestowed in that State, etc.; and it was decided that the Maine Conference retain its present organization.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.
FOURTH SESSION.—The Conference convened on Monday, at 2 P. M. Singing, and prayer by S. N. Haskell. The Committee on Resolutions reported, and the following were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we acknowledge our great responsibility to God for the light which he has given us concerning his law, his Sabbath, and the speedy advent of his Son in the clouds of heaven, and that we pledge ourselves to earnest efforts to bring these great truths to the knowledge of our fellow men.
Resolved, That as the prophetic word has connected the commandments of God with the spirit of prophecy in the final work of God’s people, so has his providence connected this inestimable gift with the commandments of God in the present work of the third angel’s message.
Resolved, That we express our thanks to Bro. and Sr. White for their faithful admonitions, instructions, and reproofs, addressed to us during this meeting, and that we request them still to labor thus faithfully with us.
Resolved, That we learn with pleasure that the extension of the Publishing Association demands the erection of another building like that already in use by us, and that we pledge ourselves to do our part in furnishing the necessary means.
Resolved, That we invite the earnest co-operation, not only of all our churches, but also of all our scattered brethren within the limits of this Conference, in the great work of advancing the truth of the third angel’s message.
On motion, it was voted that the following resolutions be adopted by this Conference:
Resolved, That a second section be added to Art. I of the Constitution of the New-England Conference, as follows:
Sec. 2. When Sabbath-keepers in any place have enrolled their names under the church covenant of S. D. Adventists, appointed a leader, and organized Systematic Benevolence, they shall be entitled to delegates to the sessions of the New-England Conference to the same extent as though fully organized.
Resolved, That the following words be added to Sec. 2 of Art. II of the Constitution: And it shall further be the duty of the Secretary to furnish the delegates to the General Conference, statistics specifying the number of ministers and licentiates belonging to the Conference, the number of churches and membership, the total amount of S. B. fund, &c.
Resolved, That Art. VI of the Constitution be changed so as to read, “each day’s occupation” instead of “their labors each week.”
Resolved, That a third section be added to Art. VII of the constitution, as follows: “This Conference may, at its discretion, invite all persons present who are members of churches in good standing, to take part in the discussions of business; but not to participate in voting.”
The matter of having the Vermont Conference merge into the New-England Conference was considered in the sessions of this meeting, and it was finally decided that the State Conference of Vermont retain its present organization.
Moved by Bro. White, that credentials be granted to Elders S. N. Haskell, and P. C. Rodman. Carried.
An examination of the standing of the Conference shows the following results: 2 ministers; 1 licentiate; 14 churches, comprising 282 members. The amount of S. B. pledges for the year, $2082.80.
Adjourned sine die. J. H. WAGGONER, Chairman.
A. C. BOURDEAU, Secretary.