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California State Conference

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 27, 1877

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 3, No. 37.

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California State Conference.

By John Norton Loughborough; Wm. Saunders

The sixth annual session of the California State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the Christian camp-ground, near Yountville, Napa county, Sept. 13–19, 1877.

FIRST SESSION, SEPTEMBER 13, 5 P. M.

The session was opened with prayer by Elder J. N. Loughborough, president of the Conference, who, after some appropriate introductory remarks, called for the credentials of delegates, when the following names were read by the secretary as having presented duly accredited credentials from the different churches composing the Conference:—
San Francisco—M. C. Israel, Chas. Chittenden, Olof Wilson.
Oakland—J. E. White, E. R. Gillett, W. N. Glenn.
Sacramento—W. M. Healey.
Woodland—Alfred Mason, G. C. Martin, H. C. Yerby.
Healdsburg—John Cook, Wm. Harmon, R. S. Rieckett.
Santa Rosa—John Morrison.
Fairview—M. J. Church, Wm. Hutching and C. C. Burnett.
Middletown—R. D. Hicks.
Napa—C. H. Clark.
St. Helena—A. B. Atwood, W. A. Pratt.
Petaluma—W. C. Gunning.
Dixon—J. W. Bond.
Green Valley—Richard Rickett.
Pacheco—J. D. Rice.
Lafayette—Henry Brown.
Christine—Abraham La Rue.
San Jose—J. M. Santa Ana.
Gilroy—J. N. Loughborough. Voted into Conference.
Bloomfield—Frank Lamb, acting as alternate for Brother Bartlett.
All members of churches within the Conference were invited by vote of the Conference to take part in all the deliberations, except in voting.
The minutes of the last Conference were then read by the secretary and were unanimously approved.
The president of the Conference was, on motion of Elder Healey, empowered by vote to appoint all necessary committees.

SECOND SESSION, SEPTEMBER 17, 8:30 A. M.

Conference opened with prayer by Elder Healey. After reading of minutes of previous session by the secretary, Elder J. N. Loughborough read an address to the Conference. The signs of the times were recounted, admonishing the people of God that we are living in the end of time, and reminding them of the importance of a deeper, more earnest consecration to the work of preparation for what is before us. About a dozen deaths have occurred during the year out of our membership, and here again we are reminded that death is upon our track, and some of us here present will no doubt be called away before another camp-meeting.
The president of the Conference announced committees as follows:—
Committee on Nominations—M. G. Kellogg, chairman; Alfred Mason, M. C. Israel.
Committee on Resolutions—Wm. M. Healey, chairman; W. N. Glenn, W. C. Granger.
Committee on Credentials and Licenses—A. B. Atwood, chairman; T. M. Chapman, John Cook.
Committee on Auditing—E. R. Gillett, chairman; R. Stickney, H. C. Yerby, M. J. Church, W. T. Ross, W. A. Pratt.
Moved, That the Conference address of the president be published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and that two thousand extra copies be printed for distribution by members. Carried, and sustained by a rising vote of the whole congregation.
The Auditing Committee reported having examined the accounts of ministers, etc., and made satisfactory adjustment of everything brought before them.
After a session of one hour the Conference adjourned to the call of the chair.

THIRD SESSION, SEPTEMBER 17, 6:30 P. M.

After an opening prayer by the president, the secretary read the minutes of the previous session. The Committee on Nominations handed in their report as follows:—
For president of the Conference, Elder J. N. Loughborough, Oakland; secretary, Elder Wm. Saunders, Woodland; treasurer, Geo. S. Manuel, Oakland; for the two remaining members of Conference Committee, John Morrison, of Santa Rosa, and Wm. N. Glenn, of Oakland.
M. G. Kellogg, Alfred Mason, Committee. M. C. Israel,
The report was accepted and the Conference acted upon the recommendations of the committee for officers separately, adopting the entire report with the exception of Wm. Saunders for secretary, who declined to act longer in that capacity and gave satisfactory reasons for that determination, suggesting the name of Brother J. E. White, of Oakland, as his successor. Brother White, having been nominated, was duly elected secretary of the Conference.
The hour for preaching having arrived, an adjournment was had till after that service, when the Conference business was resumed.
The president called for reports of other committees, when Elder W. M. Healey, chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, presented the following for consideration, which were unanimously adopted:—
Whereas, In the providence of God the cause of present truth has greatly prospered in the past year, and we have ever increasing evidence that the cause we advocate is the cause of God, and that his spirit accompanies the work, abundantly blessing those who heartily engage in it; therefore,
Resolved, That our thanksgiving and praise are due to Him for his great blessings upon us as a people; for the additional numbers that have been added to our ranks; for the pecuniary means that has helped us to increased facilities for spreading the truth, and for the number of young men who have volunteered to take the field in the work of the ministry.
Resolved, That we appreciate the valuable services and sacrifices of Elder James White and Sister White in this State during a portion of the year past, and the deep interest they still manifest in our publishing house and the cause in general.
Resolved, That we acknowledge our obligation to the General Conference Committee for their liberal action, and to Elders White and Smith for their faithful labors, in conducting a Biblical Institute in Oakland last spring, whereby several of our young men were well started in preparing for the ministry and other important duties, at no expense for instruction.
Resolved, That we tender our thanks to Elder J. N. Loughborough, whose services, under God's providence, has been given to this coast for the past nine years, and especially for his untiring zeal and wise counsel in so successfully conducting the affairs pertaining to this yearly camp-meeting.
Resolved, That we express our gratitude to Brother Wm. Saunders, who has for four consecutive years served us faithfully as secretary, and we regret that a pressure of other duties prevents him from longer occupying the position.
Resolved, That we are ever grateful to our brethren in the various Eastern Conferences for their liberal support of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, thereby enabling us to maintain a publishing house in California; that we will use our utmost endeavor to make the publishing interest upon the Pacific coast self-sustaining, so that those who have so liberally helped us may be enabled to forward such other enterprises as the interest of the cause may demand.
Resolved, That our thanks are due to Brethren G. D. Hager, Wm. Harmon and Joseph Dimmick, Camp-meeting Committee, and all those who have assisted them, for their commendable exertions in preparing the camp-ground for occupancy, and kind attention to the wants of those in attendance.
Resolved, That we hold in grateful remembrance the kind action of Mr. George Linn, who, although not a professed believer in our views, has given us the privilege of occupying this beautiful spot for a camp-meeting, besides showing us many favors indispensable to our comfort and convenience. We deem his noble example as worthy of imitation by those who profess to have consecrated their all to the service of the Lord.
Resolved, That we receive with gratitude the favors bestowed by Mr. L. A. Moore, station and express agent at Yountville, in the matter of supplying lumber for our camp improvement, upon the most liberal terms.
Resolved, That we tender sincere thanks to Mr. A. M. Goodnough of Vallejo, music dealer, for the free use of one of his excellent Smith organs, which has added much to the melody and fervency of our songs of praise.
Resolved, That we tender thanks to the people of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and the intervening community, for their attendance and good behavior during our meetings, and we believe that much good has been done in their midst through the agency of this convocation.
Resolved, That we clearly recognize the hand of God in the establishment and prosperity of the cause of present truth in Europe; that we hail its advancement with unfeigned delight; and that we pledge ourselves to sustain our faithful missionaries by our earnest prayers, and their work by our means.
Resolved, That we approve the recommendation of the General Conference Committee in relation to regular quarterly meetings in all the churches on the first Sabbath and Sunday of January, April, July and October, of each year, as presented in the Review of June 7; and that we recommend the adoption of the plan by all of our churches; that we believe that if the tithing system could be universally adopted by the churches, our treasuries would be constantly supplied with ample means to carry forward the work of the Lord in all its branches.
Resolved, That we heartily concur in the plan suggested by the General Conference Committee, to pledge to the support of the Tract and Missionary Society an amount equal to one-third of our S. B. pledge, and earnestly recommend the adoption of this plan by all our brethren.
Resolved, That we regard the T. and M. work as one of the most efficient means by which we may reach the masses of the people. Thankful for what has been done in the past year by those who have taken hold in earnest, we solemnly appeal to all our brethren to continue the good work with new and united efforts.
Resolved, That, realizing the importance of greater uniformity in the Sabbath-school system in California, as set forth in the Sabbath-school address, we request the next State quarterly meeting to perfect a State organization in accordance with the system to be adopted by the National Sabbath-school Convention, to be held in connection with the General Conference at Lansing, Michigan, September 18–21. We also recommend that the churches, as far as they are able, procure the Progressive Bible Lessons, by Professor G. H. Bell, for sale at the SIGNS OF THE TIMES Office, and use them in the Sabbath-schools.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and copies forwarded to each of the persons named herein.
W. M. Healey, W. N. Glenn, Committee. W. C. Granger,
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows:—
We recommend that the credentials of Brethren J. N. Loughborough, W. M. Healey, J. L. Wood, John Judson, and M. G. Kellogg be renewed. We also recommend that licenses be granted Brethren R. A. Morton, Andrew Brorsen, J. E. White, B. A. Stephens, J. D. Rice, Wm. M. Smith, R. D. Hicks, C. C. Burnett, Augustus Garey, and J. Dimmick. We would also recommend the Conference to authorize W. C. Granger, C. Chittenden and M. C. Israel to improve their gift. There are other cases we refer to Conference Committee.
A. B. Atwood, T. M. Chapman, Committee. John Cook.
The recommendations of the committee were adopted and credentials and licenses granted in accordance with their recommendations.
Licenses were afterwards issued to Brethren W. F. Price, A. B. Atwood, T. M. Chapman and John Cook.
Adjourned to call of chair.

FOURTH SESSION, SEPTEMBER 18, 6:30 P. M.

Session opened with singing and prayer. After the reading of the minutes of the last session petitions were read from both the San Francisco and Oakland churches for tent labor.
Elder Healey, chairman of the committee on resolutions, offered a resolution in substance, that if there should be any deficiency in settling the camp-meeting expenses, it be apportioned to the different churches for liquidation. Carried by a rising vote.
A vote of thanks was passed for Dr. M. G. Kellogg’s services.
The treasurer, Brother Geo. Manuel, made his report of the financial condition of the Conference as follows:—
TREASURER’S REPORT. Balance on hand October 1, 1876........................$ 294 59 Received from churches from October 1, 1876, to September 19, 1877........................2,967 04 Received on donations from October 1, 1876, to September 19, 1877........................233 20 Returned from San Francisco Church on the $1,000 borrowed from Conference................932 00 Total................................$4,426 83 Paid ministers, from October 1, 1876, to September 19, 1877........................$2,953 05 Paid for expressage, printing, etc., from Oct. 1, 1876, to Sept. 19, 1877........................90 68 Total................................$3,043 73 Balance on hand Sept. 19, 1877........................$1,383 10 GEORGE MANUEL, Treasurer.
The report was unanimously adopted.
Adjourned to call of the chair.

FIFTH SESSION, SEPTEMBER 18, 9 P. M.

A meeting of the Conference followed the evening preaching service.
On call of the president for further reports of committees, Brother A. B. Atwood, chairman of the Committee on Credentials, reported in favor of granting license to Brother W. T. Price, of Christine, Mendocino county.
Moved, That the appointment of camp-meetings and camp-meeting committees be left to the Conference Committee. Carried.
Applications were made for colporteurs’ licenses. Referred to Conference Committee.
The matter of distribution of ministerial labor was brought up and considered, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Solano county, Los Angeles, Fresno county, Tehama county, and other points being desirous of having preaching immediately, but no action was taken.
The Conference having completed its labors, at 11 P. M. adjourned sine die.
J. N. Loughborough, President.
Wm. Saunders, Secretary.