Your ShelfYour Projects

Missionary and Tract Society

5%

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 11.

Read the full edition

Missionary and Tract Society

By Uriah Smith; J. E. White

OF THE MICH. STATE CONFERENCE.

A GOOD representation of brethren from different parts of Michigan having assembled at Battle Creek, in accordance with the call in the Review of Feb. 13, they met Feb. 24, 1872, at 6½ P. M. for the purpose of forming a Missionary and Tract Society for the Mich. and Ind. Conference.
The object of the meeting was stated by Bro. White. The constitution recommended in Review of Jan. 16, 1872, by the committee appointed by General Conference to suggest a plan upon which to form such societies, was read.
On motion it was voted to form a Missionary and Tract Society for this Conference.
The constitution recommended was then taken up article by article, and unanimously adopted, with the following amendments:
Art. ii was amended so as to read: “The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, and a board of fourteen Directors, of whom the President shall be one, and they shall be elected annually.”
Art. iii was adopted as Art. ii. The fourth clause of Art. ii, was omitted. The words “Executive Committee” wherever occurring in the constitution were changed to “Board of Directors;” and the word “direction” in Art. v, was changed to “supervision.”
It was suggested that the Conference be divided into thirteen districts, and a director be appointed in each district. Whereupon a districting Committee, consisting of all the visiting brethren present, with the President and Secretary of the Conference, was appointed.
Adjourned to Sunday morning at 10 A. M.
SECOND SESSION. The districting committee reported, recommending that the Conference be divided into the following districts:
  1. Southern Indiana, centering in Owen Co.
  2. Northern Indiana, centering in North Liberty.
  3. Salem Center, Ind., Ransom Center and Hillsdale, Mich.
  4. Parkville, Colon, Burlington, Battle Creek, Newton, and Convis.
  5. Potterville, Charlotte, Oneida, and Jackson.
  6. Otsego, Allegan, Monterey, and Saugatuck.
  7. Wright, Leighton, Gaines, Allendale, Casnovia, Oceana, and Cedar Springs.
  8. Vergennes, Orange, Orleans, Greenville, Bushnell, and the Danish brethren in Montcalm County.
  9. North Plains, Greenbush, Ithaca, Alma, and Isabella County.
  10. Jay, Edendville, Williams, St. Charles, Chesaning, and Owosso.
  11. Tuscola, Vassar, and Watrousville.
  12. Holly, Lapeer, Memphis, and Oakland.
  13. Genoa, Bunkerhill, Alaiedon, and Locke.
The following officers were then elected: President, E. H. Root, of Wright; Vice-president, Geo. T. Lay, of Monterey; Secretary, J. E. White, of Battle Creek; Treasurer, Addie Merriam, of Battle Creek. Directors: None elected for the 1st. district. For the 2d, James Harvey; 3d, S. D. Salisbury; 4th, H. S. Woolsey; 5th, J. F. Carman; 6th, Dr. H. S. Lay; 7th, Chas. Buck; 8th, S. H. King; 9th, Wm. Nelson; 10th, J. McGregor; 11th, John Walton; 12th, Wm. Potter; 13th, Alex. Carpenter.
Adjourned to call of the chair.
U. SMITH, Chairman. JANE R. TREMBLEY, Secretary.
The Directors present called a meeting at 4 P. M. In the absence of the President, Bro. Smith was chosen to act as Chairman, pro tem. The object and workings of the society were discussed at length by several. It was at last decided to leave these matters with the directors present.
On motion, it was voted to proceed to take members for the society, but on some questions arising in the minds of several in regard to what is required of members, most of the remaining time was employed in explanations.
SECOND SESSION. On motion of the Directors, Bro. White was requested to make some remarks giving further instructions in regard to the workings of the society. In response, he thought the work of the society to include the obtaining of shares for the Health Institute, the Publishing Association, and to look to the interests of Systematic Benevolence, the Hygienic Book Fund, and in fact, that one object of the society should be to see that all these institutions be properly cared for and sustained. The remark was also made that the work should not merely be a head work, but more devotion should be blended with it.
On motion Bro. Wm. R. Carpenter was elected as Director for district No. 1, of Southern Indiana.
Suggestions made by Bro. White in regard to starting a paper setting forth the doings of the society abroad.
On motion Bro. White was requested to publish a pamphlet setting forth the work to be accomplished by the Society.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
U. SMITH, Chairman, J. E. WHITE, Sec’y.