Tenth Annual Session of the Vt. Conference by Lewis Bean; D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1872

Tenth Annual Session of the Vt. Conference.

By Lewis Bean; D. T. Bourdeau

THE CONFERENCE convened on the camp-ground near Richmond, Vt., Aug. 15, at 9 o’clock A. M. Prayer by Eld. D. T. Bourdeau. Credentials being called for, nineteen delegates responded, representing thirteen churches. One church was represented by letter.

Voted, That elders W. H. Littlejohn and Geo. I. Butler, and all brethren in good standing in their respective churches, be invited to take part in the deliberations of the Conference.

On motion, the church of West Bolton and Jericho was received into the Conference.

On motion, the Chair appointed the following committees: Auditing Committee, R. Loveland, S. H. Peck, W. J. Cross, T. H. Purden, Hubbell Smith, A. A. Cross; Committee on Nominations, Eld. A. S. Hutchins, M. N. Cross, F. Gould; Committee on Resolutions, D. T. Bourdeau, A. C. Bourdeau, and N. Orcutt.

Here a short time was devoted to reading reports from the churches.

Reports from ministers were called for, and Elds. A. S. Hutchins, N. Orcutt, A. Stone, A. C. Bourdeau, and D. T. Bourdeau, presented written reports of their labors. Brief reports were also presented by Brn. L. Bean, D. T. Evans, and others.

Adjourned to call of the Chair.

SECOND SESSION.

Aug. 15, 4 o’clock P. M. Prayer by Eld. A. C. Bourdeau. Remarks were made by ministers and licentiates on their fields of labor and their leadings of mind for the future.

The Secretary presented the following report on the standing of the Conference, which was accepted: Number of ministers, 5; number of licentiates, 4; number of churches, 14; making an addition of two churches during the past year, one being a branch church. Membership 323. An increase of 40 members. This does not include several who have embraced the truth in new fields. Amount of S. B., $1780.22, being $172.02 more than last year.

The Treasurer reported as follows:

Received, $1394.71. Paid out, 1394.71.

Adjourned to call of the Chair.

THIRD SESSION.

Aug. 20, 4 o’clock P. M. Prayer by Eld. W. H. Littlejohn.

The Committee on Nominations presented the following report, which was ratified by vote: For President, L. Bean; Secretary, N. Orcutt; Treasurer, M. N. Cross; remaining members of Executive Committee, H. N. Austin and H. K. Pike.

The Auditing Committee presented their report, which was accepted.

Voted, That credentials be granted to Elds. A. S. Hutchins, N. Orcutt, A. Stone, A. C. Bourdeau, and D. T. Bourdeau. The licenses of Brn. L. Bean, D. T. Evans, E. Kellogg, and S. D. Yaw, were also renewed. Brn. Maillard and F. Gould made application for licenses, and their cases were referred to the Executive Committee. Here Eld. Geo. I. Butler made appropriate remarks, showing what was expected of licentiates, etc.

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That we express our gratification and thankfulness to God for the success which has attended the construction of the new Office building during the past year, and for the prosperous condition of our institutions at Battle Creek; and we will ever pray that the same efficient management, accompanied by the special blessings of God may still be continued in all our institutions there.

Whereas, we, in view of the constantly increasing calls for labor, at home and abroad, have felt the need of true laborers to enter into the wide harvest-field; and,

Whereas, we firmly believe that God designs that his people should act their part in encouraging and qualifying those who should enter the ministry,

Resolved, That we, as a Conference, do hereby heartily indorse the establishment of a Denominational School at Battle Creek, Mich., under proper influences, and that we pledge ourselves to do all that in us lies to make it a success.

Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude to God for another testimony from his Spirit, which we have recently received, and that we hereby acknowledge the justice of the reproofs given, and pledge ourselves to heed its admonitions; and in a special manner do we thank Him for this renewed evidence which we have that he has connected the “spirit of prophecy” with the final message to mankind.

Resolved, That the successful effort recently made in forming a State Tract and Missionary Society for this Conference, and in organizing our churches in working order relative to this society, meets our hearty approval, and that we gratefully receive the creation of Tract Societies as the very means, under the blessing of God, for a wide circulation of our publications, and we do hereby pledge ourselves to faithfulness in spreading the knowledge of present truth, and in living in obedience thereto.

Voted, That we appreciate the labors of Elds. Geo. I. Butler and W. H. Littlejohn during this meeting, and that we hereby invite them to labor with us as the providence of God shall open the way before them.

Voted, That we express our thanks to Mr. Orrisson Goodrich for the use of the camp-meeting grounds the present year.

The Conference appropriated $75 of its funds to the General Conference fund.

Voted, That the Executive Committee be authorized to appoint a Camp-meeting Committee for the ensuing year.

Voted, That the minutes of this Conference be published in the REVIEW.

Adjourned sine die.

Lewis Bean, Pres. D. T. Bourdeau, Sec.