Cumberland Conference Proceedings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 28, 1907

Cumberland Conference Proceedings

THE sixth annual session of the Cumberland Conference was held at Graysville, Tenn., Jan. 8-14, 1907. Over fifty delegates were present and participated in the work of the conference.

The following were among the resolutions and recommendations passed:—

“Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his mercies and blessings during the past year; for sparing the lives of our workers and granting them a measure of success in their work; and for the manifestation of his presence in this conference.

“Resolved, That the conference committee be empowered to form a legal association to hold property in this conference whenever they deem it advisable.

“Whereas, The almost universal demand for Sunday laws and the agitation for national reform in this country along lines which are unwise and un-American are certain signs that we have reached the times of persecution spoken of by the prophetic word as well as by the Testimonies, and,—

“Whereas, We are counseled to make known to all the world the principles of civil and religious liberty in order to give warning and information, therefore,—

“Resolved, That our churches and laborers in general be counseled to take up a diligent and careful study of the principles of civil and religious liberty, and that in the prosecution of the study, the secretary of the department of religious liberty, in connection with the Southern Union Conference religious liberty department be asked to assist by preparing programs and studies, as well as to plan for one or more religious liberty conventions within the conference during this year.

“Resolved, That throughout the conference we manifest our interest in, and our loyalty to, the cause of present truth by liberally and continually contributing to the $150,000 fund until the required sum is raised.

“Whereas, In the providence of God, a book filled with light concerning the principles of health reform, beautifully presented, entitled, “Ministry of Healing,” has been offered to us as a people to aid us in teaching the world the principles of truth, the profits on the sale of which are to be devoted to the use of our medical institutions, therefore,—

“Resolved, That we encourage our people everywhere to use and aid in the circulation of this most valuable book.

“Whereas, The executive committee of the Southern Union Conference has authorized the holding of an educational convention at some convenient point in the vicinity of Chattanooga, early in the coming summer, therefore—

“We recommend, That the conference committee assist in every way possible in the carrying on of this meeting, and suggest that as many of the tents of the conference as are not at that time in use be loaned to the convention, and a capable man be provided to care for such tents, and also,—

“We recommend, That the teachers of the conference, who are engaged in the work, be invited to attend the convention, their railroad expenses to be paid pro rata; and further,—

“We recommend, That for the carrying out of the above recommendation an educational fund be raised.

“Resolved, That we urge upon our churches the advisability of subscribing for Liberty as far as possible, in order that all may be constantly informed of the rapidly developing features affecting civil and religious liberty.”

The reports of the secretaries of the different departments and of the various conference laborers showed an encouraging degree of success and growth. The tithe per capita in the different churches ranged from $1.31 to $56.65, averaging $12.18 per member throughout the conference. All seemed to feel that in the average growth of Sabbath-keepers and of the tithe the conference had been much blessed, there now being over six hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers in this conference, although not all have been organized into churches. The excess of this year’s tithe over that of last year is about fifteen hundred dollars; and there has been an addition of 113 Sabbath-keepers who have remained firm in the same time. The secretary reported that all the churches seemed eager to take hold and do all in their power to advance this message. There have been in the field during the past year five regular ministers and three Bible workers, besides those who have helped in the tent-meetings.

The following officers were unanimously elected: President, J. F. Pogue; Vice-president, W. W. Williams; Secretary, E. B. Melendy; Associate Secretary, Mrs. E. B. Melendy; Treasurer, S. M. Jacobs. Executive Committee, J. F. Pogue, W. W. Williams, W. L. Bird, Cyrus Simmons, A. F. Harrison, and H. U. Jacobs. Conference Agent, E. B. Melendy; Sabbath-school Secretary, Mrs. A. F. Harrison; Religious Liberty Secretary, W. L. Bird; Medical Secretary, Dr. M. M. Martinson; Educational Secretary, L. A. Jacobs.

Ministerial credentials were granted to J. F. Pogue, W. W. Williams, W. L. Bird, Smith Sharp, J. E. Caldwell, R. M. Kilgore, J. E. Tenney, W. W. Woodford, T. M. Stewart, G. H. Baber, and H. W. Pierce. C. G. Howell and J. F. Brice were ordained and granted credentials. Ministerial licenses were granted to M. B. Van Kirk, Milo E. Emmerson, H. S. Miller, Cyrus Simmons, Dr. M. M. Martinson, A. F. Harrison, and W. E. Haskell. Missionary licenses were given to Misses Clara Jacobs, Maude Dortch, Minnie Hildebrand, Verna Crandall, and Janie David, and to L. A. Jacobs, Mrs. A. F. Harrison, Mrs. Anna Agee Hall, Mrs. L. Whitman, E. B. Melendy, Arthur Caldwell, Geo. N. Powell, Albert Minnie, J. W. Franklin, C. L. Kilgore, and Mrs. W. W. WILLIAMS.