Report of the Illinois Conference by R. F. Andrews; B. F. Merritt

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1872

Report of the Illinois Conference.

By R. F. Andrews; B. F. Merritt

The second annual session of this Conference was held near Aledo, Ill., May 31—June 3, 1872, in connection with the Illinois Camp-meetings, as appointed in REVIEW.

Conference convened in the new Illinois tent, May 31, at 5 P. M., Eld. R. F. Andrews in the chair. Prayer by Bro. W. H. Littlejohn.

Present, Elds. R. F. Andrews and T. M. Steward, of this Conference. Credentials of delegates were called for, presented, and examined. A delegation of ten, representing eight churches, came forward. In a subsequent session, two other churches were represented. Throughout the meeting, two were not represented.

The church situated in Clark Center, Ill., petitioned to be admitted into this Conference. Their request was granted, and delegate accepted.

Voted, That Elds. White and Littlejohn, of the Michigan Conference, with all the brethren present, in good standing with their respective churches, be invited to participate with us in the discussion of business.

Minutes of last session were called for, read, and accepted.

Voted, That the Chair appoint an Auditing Committee of six, to settle with the ministers.

President appointed Brn. T. Brown, W. Penniman, B. Berry, J. H. Bates, T. Greer, and B. Sweat.

Voted, That the Conference elect three brethren to act as a Nominating Committee. B. F. Merritt, Thos. Brown, and Benj. Berry, were duly elected.

Voted, That the Conference elect three brethren to act as a Committee on Resolutions. W. H. Littlejohn, T. M. Steward, and B. F. Merritt, were chosen as said committee.

Voted, To renew the credentials of Elds. R. F. Andrews and T. M. Steward.

Voted, To renew the licenses of Brn. G. W. Colcord, C. H. Bliss, and B. F. Merritt, and to refer the case of Bro. John Ballenger to the State Conference Committee.

Voted, To change the name of the Northville church, to that of Serena.

Adjourned to the call of the chair.

SECOND SESSION.

June 2, 8 A. M. Prayer by Bro. W. H. Littlejohn.

The Treasurer's report was called for, read, and received.

Voted, To grant licenses to Brn. J. W. Marsh, J. R. Whitham, J. Hiestand, and R. T. Gregory, to improve their gift in publicly teaching the people the present truth. Adjourned to the call of the President.

THIRD SESSION.

June 3, 8 A. M. Prayer by Bro. B. F. Merritt. The report of Nominating Committee called for, read, and accepted. Vote resulted in the election of nominees as follows:

For President, R. F. Andrews, New Genesee, Whiteside Co., Ill.; Secretary, B. F. Merritt, Princeville, Peoria Co., Ill.; Treasurer, I. Colcord, Coletta, Whiteside Co., Ill.; Executive Committee, Eld. R. F. Andrews, J. R. Whitham, Aledo, Mercer Co., Ill., Seth Newton, Freeport, Stephenson Co., Ill.

Voted, That the President appoint two brethren, to act in conjunction with the Conference Committee as a Camp-meeting Committee.

Voted, That Bro. G. W. Colcord receive ordination.

Adjourned to the call of the Chair.

FOURTH SESSION.

June 3, 6 P. M. Prayer by Bro. T. M. Steward.

Church reports showed a membership of 285, fellowshipped in 13 churches. Whole amount of S. B., $1653.86.

In view of the want of funds in the Conference Treasury, it was

Voted, That we recommend to the churches to donate the whole of their Systematic Benevolence to the Conference.

Committee on Resolutions reported, presenting the following, which were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, We have been calling upon God to raise up laborers to go forth into the harvest field; and,

Whereas, The Conference has found it impossible to fully settle with its ministers for the services they have rendered the past year, because of a lack of funds in the treasury, therefore, Resolved, That we earnestly exhort our brethren and sisters in this State to examine carefully and prayerfully into the course they have

hitherto pursued in regard to Systematic Benevolence, in order that they may decide whether their S. B. figures, as heretofore given, should not be raised, and whether they have been as prompt in the payment of their pledges as they should have been.

Whereas, The Lord has in his providence been calling the attention of this people to the advantages of systematic effort in the distribution of tracts; and,

Whereas, The societies which have been organized for this purpose in different parts of the country have proved themselves to be in the highest degree useful; therefore, Resolved, That we invite all our brethren and sisters to co-operate heartily with us in the formation of such societies in the various districts of the Conference, as designated in the report of this meeting.

Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to God for the efficient aid furnished us by the General Conference in sending Bro. and sister White and Bro. Littlejohn to labor for us in our camp-meeting.

Resolved, That we hereby express our thanks to the brethren of Aledo for the help they have rendered us in preparing the ground for our camp-meeting, and the kind hospitality they have shown in caring for the wants of the friends.

Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to Mr. Reed for the use of the grounds, and his help in other ways during our meeting.

Resolved, That the doings of this Conference be published in the REVIEW.

Adjourned to the call of the Executive Committee. R. F. ANDREWS, Pres.

B. F. MERRITT, Sec'y.