Florida Conference Proceedings by Mrs. R. G. Stringer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

Florida Conference Proceedings

By Mrs. R. G. Stringer

The thirteenth annual session of the Florida Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Lakeland, Fla., Nov. 1-11, 1906.

It was the largest gathering this conference has yet had, and although late in the season, the weather was mild and delightful throughout the entire meeting. A harmonious spirit prevailed.

Resolutions were passed, acknowledging the blessing of God in our work throughout the conference during the past year, in preserving the lives and health of our laborers, maintaining a good degree of courage in our members, and in bringing the light of truth to many, some of whom have accepted it, and returning to our Heavenly Father our heartfelt thanks for all the evidences of his love and care.

It was resolved that a collection be taken up throughout the conference on the first Sabbath in December, for the purpose of furnishing the magazine Liberty and Elder Colcord’s tracts to lawyers, doctors, justices, and prominent teachers in the State; and also for the purpose of otherwise promulgating the principles of liberty as the State interests may demand; that the various churches of the conference appoint religious liberty secretaries to look after local interests; that as far as possible copies of Liberty be placed in the hands of county and municipal officers, and other people of influence; that the delegates take up the work of seeing that every family in each church becomes a subscriber to Liberty, and that suitable persons be selected to sell the magazine and to secure subscriptions.

The practise of holding Sabbath-school conventions wherever and whenever practicable is to be continued, and in connection with these the young people’s work is also to be considered; and the churches are encouraged to set aside the entire Sabbath-school collections for foreign mission work, providing for Sabbath-school expenses by special collections as they may be necessary.

It was further resolved that we enter heartily into the organization of our young people into working societies under wise direction, and by correspondence and other means encourage isolated young people to join in the work; that we bend our energies as never before to provide a Christian training for all our children and youth, by the employment of home agencies, by the maintenance of church-schools, and by making most earnest efforts to seek out worthy young men and women and assist them to secure the training that is necessary for them to become successful teachers in our schools; that the conference committee be authorized and urged to take immediate steps for the organization of an intermediate school in our conference, to be located as advantageously as possible; that the committee already mentioned shall have authority to locate the school, secure means for its immediate equipment, provide for the payment of its principal from the tithe, appoint a board of five directors, who shall hold office until their successors are elected at the next annual meeting of the conference, and arrange for the opening of the school at the earliest date possible; also that we continue to aid and in every way possible foster the Southern Training-school, and to the extent of our ability assist in providing those facilities which the prosperity of the school and the comfort and health of its students demand.

The Florida Conference places itself upon record as indorsing our General Conference organization and affirming entire confidence in the gift of the spirit of prophecy.

It was also voted to do all in our power to spread a knowledge of right living by the sale of Sister White’s book entitled “Ministry of Healing.”

The following officers were unanimously elected: President, L. H. Crisler; Secretary of the Conference and the Sabbath-school Department, Mrs. R. G. Stringer; Treasurer, W. H. Hall; Secretary of Educational Department and of Young People’s Work, Leroy T. Crisler; Religious Liberty Secretary, C. P. Whitford; and State Canvassing Agent, R. A. Highsmith. Executive Committee: L. H. Crisler, C. B. Stephenson, J. H. Krum, Leroy T. Crisler, and W. F. Martin.

Ministerial credentials were granted to the following-named persons: G. I. Butler, L. H. Crisler, Irving Keck, R. G. Stringer, L. T. Crisler, C. B. Stephenson, and J. H. Krum; ministerial licenses to O. N. Whetsel, John Mitchell, J. B. Case, and John Mann; missionary credentials to C. P. Whitford, Mrs. C. B. Stephenson, Mrs. R. G. Stringer, Mrs. L. H. Crisler, Mrs. L. T. Crisler, Willie Vaughn, R. A. Highsmith, Mrs. L. Mobley, J. M. Tennell, Mrs. O. N. Whetsel, Mrs. M. M. Butler, Mrs. C. Williams, and Ella Sanks.

Mrs. R. G. STRINGER, Secretary.