East Michigan Conference Proceedings by J. D. Gowell; E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1904

East Michigan Conference Proceedings

By J. D. Gowell; E. K. Slade

The third annual session of the East Michigan Conference was held at Flint, Mich., Sept. 15-25, 1904. About one hundred delegates were present from the churches throughout the conference. There was a good attendance and a pleasing interest during the entire meeting. The laborers from abroad were Elders Wm. Covert, A. O. Burrill, and W. R. Matthews, Prof. J. G. Lamson, Brother J. B. Blosser, and Miss M. Bessie De Graw.

Elder J. D. Gowell, president of the conference, in his annual address to the conference reported some developments of the work during the past eight years that he has been connected with the conference. He also recommended that decided efforts be made to carry the work forward in all departments in the year to come. It was reported that two hundred and eighteen had been added to the church-membership during the past year, that three new church buildings had been erected, and a fine sanitarium had been erected and dedicated to the work. Other companies were reported as waiting for organization.

Reports were received from the secretary, treasurer, superintendent of education, secretary and treasurer of Sabbath-school work, and the Missionary Department of the conference, showing a decided advancement in the work in all lines.

The following committees were appointed by the Chair: On nominations, Daniel Wood, Isaac Monroe, M. Shepard, L. G. Moore, G. P. Bailey; on credentials and licenses, B. F. Stureman, A. R. Sandborn, A. O. Burrill; on recommendations, O. F. Butcher, J. G. Lamson, C. N. Sanders; on baptism, Wm. Ostrander, O. Soule; on seating of delegates, P. C. Hayward, John Stowe.

The following recommendations were unanimously adopted by the conference:—

“Whereas, The field is the world, and the tithe is the Lord’s,—

“1. Resolved, That our laborers in this conference be placed subject to the call of the Mission Board for service in the regions beyond, and that if any accept the call as from God, they be released, and that they be supported from the tithe of this conference until such time as other arrangements are made by the Mission Board and the executive committee of this conference.

“2. Resolved, That the executive committee of this conference be authorized to allow full time and full pay to those accredited laborers in this conference who become sick while in line of duty.

“Whereas, God has been calling the attention of our people to the importance of this message going to the people in the larger cities, and as it has also been shown us that this work has been much neglected, therefore,—

“3. Resolved, That we ask the conference committee for the coming year to give this matter careful thought, and plan for the training of workers to do efficient city work.

“Whereas, No Seventh-day Adventist can be truly abreast of the times without a knowledge of the progress of the work in the home and foreign fields,—

“4. Resolved, That all our laborers and church officers enter immediately upon a vigorous campaign to place THE ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, and the East Michigan Banner in the home of every Seventh-day Adventist.

“Whereas, The General Conference has recommended the conduct of an energetic missionary campaign for the spreading of our literature, beginning the first of November this year and continuing during the winter months, said campaign to begin with a special effort of three days,—

“5. Resolved, That we urge our people to enter heartily into this missionary effort, and that special plans be laid in each church to carry out the design of the General Conference in this work.

“6. Resolved, That we take immediate steps to raise five thousand dollars for the purpose of starting an industrial academy in the East Michigan Conference.

“Whereas, Our dear Brother Gowell has rendered our conference such long and faithful service; and,—

“Whereas, He now feels it his duty to lay down the heavy burdens that he has borne as president of the conference, therefore,—

“7. Resolved, That we extend to him our most hearty thanks and express our appreciation for the faithful service rendered in the past, and for his kind and fatherly counsel for so many years, and pray that he may be spared to continue in the service of God in this conference or elsewhere as the Lord may direct.”

Officers were elected for the coming year as follows: President, E. K. Slade; Vice-President, A. R. Sandborn; Secretary and Treasurer, Frank Hiner; Secretary and Treasurer of Missionary Department, Frank Hiner; Field Secretary, H. B. McConnell; Superintendent of Education, Prof. J. G. Lamson; Secretary and Treasurer of Sabbath-school work, Tillie E. Barr; Executive Committee, E. K. Slade, A. R. Sandborn, J. G. Lamson, Daniel Wood, E. I. Beebe.

Credentials were granted to J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, L. G. Moore, J. L. Edgar, A. R. Sandborn, B. F. Stureman, M. Shepard, O. Soule, Wm. Ostrander, C. N. Sanders, J. G. Lamson; ordination and credentials to O. F. Butcher; ministerial licenses to E. I. Beebe, F. G. Lane, Delmer P. Wood, E. R. Lauda, P. C. Hayward, John Stowe; missionary licenses to Mina Pierce, Clara Kiep, Lucy Tyte, Tillie E. Barr, Marie P. Harriman, Anna L. Boehm, Rose Peters, Frank Hiner, Daniel Wood, H. B. McConnell, Mrs. Rose V. Lane, Mrs. Maude R. Lauda, Nina Nelson.

J. D. GOWELL, President, E. K. SLADE, Secretary.