p. 16 | Alabama Conference Proceedings by Helen McKinnon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 27, 1906

Alabama Conference Proceedings

By Helen McKinnon

The fifth session of the Alabama Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Attalla, Ala., August 16-26. The questions brought before the conference for discussion will be seen in the following resolutions and recommendations:—

“Whereas, Realizing the importance of the Watchman in the advancement of the message in the South; therefore,—

“1. Resolved, That a strong and continued effort be made to place this paper in the home of every Seventh-day Adventist family and isolated Sabbath-keeper in the State, and that clubs of the Watchman be taken for missionary purposes; also that the conference officers secure as early as possible at least one individual to devote his time to the circulation of the Watchman in each of the large cities of the State; namely, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile.

“Whereas, There is at present an almost universal demand for religious legislation, as is shown by the many National Reform conventions, and by the frequency of the introduction of bills favoring such legislation before Congress during the past months, and,—

“Whereas, There is need of immediate action on the part of liberty-loving people to save the cause and educate State, municipal, and public officials on this subject, therefore,—

“2. Resolved, That this conference supply the State legislators with yearly subscriptions of Liberty, and other State officials as far as is advisable.

“3. Resolved, That all our churches as far as consistent, elect each a local religious liberty secretary, whose duties shall be to look after local interests and keep in touch with the State secretary of the Religious Liberty department.

“4. Resolved, That our churches as far as is possible and consistent see to it that all county and municipal officers be placed as regular subscribers for Liberty, and that we also use our influence to place it in the hands of other influential persons, such as principals of schools, teachers, ministers, lawyers, justices of the peace, editors, etc.

“5. Resolved, That we recommend our churches to hold one or more local religious liberty conventions each year.

“6. Resolved, That we urge our people in every church to utilize the public press in advocating the principles of religious liberty.

“Whereas, There is a downward tendency on the part of our young people and children in both mind and morals, and,—

“Whereas, There is nothing in the public system of education which is designed especially to correct these growing evils; therefore,—

“7. Resolved, That in our families we give more attention to the principles of Christian education and as far as is consistent assist in maintaining home and church-schools.

“8. Resolved, That we heed the instruction given us in the Bible and ‘Testimonies for the Church,’ Vol. V, regarding the training of our children.

“Whereas, There is a dearth of earnest, consecrated laborers in this field, and there are young people among us who possess much ability, therefore,—

“9. Resolved, That we place as many young people as possible in our training-schools that they may be trained for service.

“10. Resolved, That we seek to organize our young people in our churches into working societies, and to enlist the services of those who are isolated, by corresponding with them, and encouraging them to engage in missionary work and to report regularly.

“Whereas, The time has come when Satan is seeking to bring doubt into the minds of many with reference to the spirit of prophecy’s being in the church, and the real place it is to occupy; therefore,—

“11. Resolved, That as a conference we express our confidence in the Testimonies of the Spirit, and our thankfulness to God for this special gift.

“Whereas, The book ‘Ministry of Healing’ has been donated to the medical work,—

“12. Resolved, That each member of the conference get this book and sell as many copies of it as he can, in order to build up the medical work in this conference.

“Whereas, The General Conference has recommended that our Sabbath-schools set apart the contributions of one or more Sabbaths in each quarter, as may be necessary for the expenses of the school, all the contributions of the remaining Sabbaths to be given to missions; therefore,—

“13. We recommend, That we carry out the same plan in our schools in this conference.

“Whereas, The profits arising from the sale of the book ‘Story of Joseph’ have been dedicated to the establishment and maintaining of mission schools in the South among the colored people, therefore,—

“14. We recommend, That greater efforts be put forth by all our people to increase the sale of this book.”

Credentials were granted to A. J. Haysmer, W. S. Cruzan, Sydney Scott; ministerial license to Joseph Lawrence; missionary license to Helen McKinnon, J. J. Evans, R. I. Keate, Dr. Lottie C. Isbell, Mrs. Sydney Scott.

The following officers were unanimously elected: President, A. J. Haysmer; Secretary and Treasurer of the Conference, Tract Society, Educational and Sabbath-school and Religious Liberty departments, Helen McKinnon; Secretary of Medical Missionary department, O. R. Staines; Conference Executive Committee, A. J. Haysmer, W. S. Cruzan, W. J. Blake, Sydney Scott, J. H. Berry; Trustees of Conference Association, A. J. Haysmer, W. H. Williams, J. H. Smith, J. F. Dennis, Sydney Scott.

HELEN MCKINNON, Sec. and Treas.