Vermont Conference and Camp-Meeting
The forty-second annual session of the Vermont Conference convened at Hardwick, Vt., in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 18–28, 1904. Besides the delegates of the conference, there were present Elders Cottrell, Thurston, and Mattson, Professor Griggs, and Brother F. E. Painter, also our conference ministers and workers. The Chair was empowered to appoint the usual committees, which were as follows: On nominations, W. E. Fortune, A. E. Taylor, F. A. Page; on resolutions, T. H. Purdon, Eva A. Jenks, E. W. Thurber; on credentials and licences, A. W. Boardman, C. C. Drown, L. W. Wetherbee; on auditing, H. A. Thurber, A. E. Taylor, E. H. Pierce, W. E. Fortune, F. A. Page, and C. C. Drown, in connection with the conference committee. The president, Elder J. W. Watt, made a report of the work in the State for the past year. While there had not been the desired results from the year’s work, he was hopeful that more would yet be seen as a result of the efforts in several places. A good letter was read from our worker in Scotland, Elder W. A. Westworth. In referring to the canvassing work, attention was called to the advance in this department the past year. Owing to the other work of the Sabbath-school field secretary, Eva A. Jenks, there were no conventions during the year. Attention was called to our new work in the Medical Missionary Department, as represented in the treatment rooms at Burlington. Although we were not able to start this work on the cash basis as we had hoped, yet it is doing good work, and bids fair to be self-supporting the rest of the year and onward. Owing to overdraft in this department, donations are yet solicited as the people may feel free to aid the work. The resolutions adopted were as follows:— “1. Resolved, That we hereby express18our heartfelt gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the prosperity attending the work in this conference the past year, recognizing that from him come all the blessings which we as a conference are continually receiving.” “In view of the importance of the moves which are being made at the head of our work, and the omens we see that the forces of right and wrong are fast being lined up for the last great contest, and realizing that unless we as a people discern the import of all these things, we shall drop out of the work and become indifferent to our eternal salvation and the salvation of others, therefore,— “2. Resolved, That we urge upon all our people the importance of studying ‘Testimonies for the Church,’ especially Volume VIII, and subscribing for the REVIEW AND HERALD, The Signs of the Times, and the Atlantic Union Gleaner, and that we do all we can to have every family in our conference supplied with these Testimonies and periodicals.” “Recognizing the importance of our medical missionary work, and desiring to keep in harmony with the principles that have made us a separate people,— “3. Resolved, That we give our hearty support to our Washington (D. C.) health journal, Life and Health, and that we endeavor to give it a large circulation in our conference, both among our own people and among those whom we desire to see accept the light of truth.” “4. Resolved, That we approve the efforts that are being made in spreading the truth by means of The Family Bible Teacher, and that we recommend it to our people as an efficient and inexpensive means of working, hoping that through its use there will be revived among us the old-time zeal in personal missionary work.” “Whereas, The Tent and Camp-meeting Fund has been overdrawn over two hundred dollars, and,— “Whereas, Funds are urgently needed for carrying on the work this season, therefore,— “5. Resolved, That earnest effort be put forth at this meeting and among the churches to replenish this fund.” “Whereas, We are told by the spirit of prophecy that ‘very much can be done for the education and moral and religious training of our youth, by a well-organized, properly conducted Sabbath-school. Its influence can not be estimated,’ therefore,— “6. Resolved, That provision be made for holding Sabbath-school conventions in various parts of the conference as often as shall be deemed advisable for the promotion of the best interests of the Sabbath-school work.” “Whereas, There is to be an effort on the part of the National Reform Association to agitate and disseminate its principles in the State of Vermont by holding a convention in the city of Montpelier, October 11, 12, said conference being a part of its program for every State in the Union, therefore,— “7. Resolved, That this conference adopt such measures as may be indicated by the Spirit of God to enlighten the people everywhere, especially in Montpelier, in regard to the true principles involved, which will save them from fostering the principles of this so-called National Reform work, and which will save them at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” “8. We recommend, That all our people interest themselves in a Bible study of the privileges and responsibilities of paying a faithful tithe.” “9. We recommend, That all our people in the State interest themselves in the treatment rooms in Burlington, by recommending patients to the rooms, to the end that the medical missionary work may become permanently established.” “Whereas, Only a small part of our conference membership are in attendance at our annual conference to partake of the blessing in donating to the financial enterprises presented to us,— “10. Resolved, That the conference secretary be hereby instructed to send to the church elders, clerks, or librarians the leaflets containing the several pledges, with instructions to have them presented to every member.” “Whereas, Much self-supporting missionary work should be done by many of our people who at the present time are doing very little in this direction, and,— “Whereas, Elder I. E. Kimball and his wife and Brother C. F. Worthen and his wife have established an industrial self-supporting school in this conference, and,— “Whereas, They have expressed a strong desire to direct, or manage, the school under the counsel of the conference, therefore,— “11. Resolved, That we extend to them our hearty moral support in their educational work, with the understanding that we deem it wise not to make a strong effort to induce students to come to the North from the South, believing that it is better for them to receive their education in the South for missionary work in that field.” “Whereas, The solemn truths taught in our Sabbath-school lessons are just what our people need to aid them in passing through the trials and perils of these last days, therefore,— “12. We recommend, That all provide themselves with the Sabbath-school Lesson Quarterly, and spend at least one half an hour each day in the study of the Sabbath-school lessons.” “Whereas, Both divine inspiration and divine providence indicate that the present is the most favorable time we shall ever have for the spread of this message by means of the printed page, therefore,— “13. We recommend (a) That all our people be encouraged to spend as much time as they can in the circulation of our literature, either selling tracts and the special and regular issues of our periodicals, such as The Signs of the Times, Southern Watchman, Life and Health, and The Bible Training School, or taking up the work of resident canvassing for some of the books which have been set aside for that purpose, or joining the ranks of our regular canvassers, and engaging in the sale of our larger and more important publications; (b) that all persons who do enter the work as regular canvassers first communicate with the State agent, and arrange with him for territory, and that they work under his directions, reporting their work to him each week.” “Whereas, We as a conference have disposed of only about two thirds of our quota of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ therefore,— “14. Resolved, That we push this work to a speedy completion, and hereby pledge ourselves to do all in our power to accomplish this end.” “Whereas, The General Conference Publishing Committee has issued a proposition to publish a special series of four numbers of The Signs of the Times containing articles on the leading features of the third angel’s message, for a special missionary effort by all our people during the coming fall and winter, therefore,— “15. Resolved, That said proposition meets our hearty approval, and that we urge all our people throughout the conference to engage in the sale of the proposed special series of The Signs of the Times.” The preceding resolutions gave opportunity for general instruction and discussion, which always prove so valuable and stimulating. The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, J. W. Watt; Secretary and Treasurer of conference, F. M. Dana; Secretary and Treasurer of Tract and Missionary Department, F. M. Dana; Field Secretary of Sabbath-school Department, Frank A. Page; Corresponding Secretary of Sabbath-school Department, Mrs. A. E. Taylor; Educational Secretary, Frank A. Page; Canvassing Agent, A. W. Boardman; Auditor, A. U. C. Auditor; Executive Committee, J. W. Watt, F. M. Dana, T. H. Purdon, A. W. Boardman, and F. A. Page. It was also recommended that the work usually done by the district directors be done by the tract and missionary secretary. Ministerial credentials were granted to J. W. Watt, T. H. Purdon, and W. A. Westworth; ministerial licenses to C. H. Drown, F. M. Dana, Frank A. Page, and Brother Stowe. The treasurer made the following reports and statements:— Standing of the Vermont Conference, Aug. 1, 1904
|
Amount |
|---|
| Notes receivable |
$222 00 |
| Mileage |
57 12 |
| Treatment Rooms (Funds) |
39 00 |
| Tent and Camp-meeting Funds |
5 64 |
| $350 apportionment of A. U. C. Debt |
147 43 |
| Tithe |
69 02 |
| Accounts due |
16 24 |
| Cash on hand |
239 18 |
| Total |
$795 63 |
|
Amount |
|---|
| Notes payable |
$500 00 |
| Special Fund |
200 00 |
| Vermont Educational Fund |
4 18 |
| Vermont Benevolent Fund |
69 45 |
| Sundry funds |
22 00 |
| Total |
$795 63 |
RECEIPTS (AUG. 15, 1903, TO AUG. 1, 1904)
|
Amount |
|---|
| Tithe |
$4,108 46 |
| Donations |
3,271 49 |
| Mileage |
110 28 |
| Notes receivable |
217 50 |
| Temporary loan |
500 00 |
| Refunded by treatment rooms |
150 00 |
| Sundries |
42 73 |
| Cash on hand, Aug. 15, 1903 |
906 83 |
| Total |
$9,307 29 |
|
Amount |
|---|
| Laborers |
$4,504 00 |
| Tent Fund |
667 39 |
| Donations |
3,267 38 |
| Tithe to A. U. Conf. |
351 07 |
| Mileage |
237 66 |
| Stationary and sundries |
40 61 |
| Cash on hand, Aug. 1, 1904 |
239 18 |
| Total |
$9,307 29 |
|
Amount |
|---|
| Cash on hand |
$157 49 |
| Notes receivable |
41 22 |
| Subscription (inventory) |
626 95 |
| Trade (inventory) |
369 61 |
| Merchandise (inventory) |
10 37 |
| Foods (inventory) |
92 88 |
| Furniture and fixtures |
67 35 |
| Office expense |
24 35 |
| “Christ’s Object Lessons” |
169 03 |
| Accounts receivable (doubtful) |
216 97 |
| Accounts receivable (good) |
201 93 |
| Total |
$1,978 15 |
|
Amount |
|---|
| So. L. Acad. for “Object Lessons” |
$169 03 |
| C. O. L. Commission Fund |
17 00 |
| P. P. Pub. Co. (old debt) N. Y. Branch |
300 00 |
| P. P. Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. |
14 68 |
| Due on “Story of Daniel” |
200 67 |
| Accounts payable |
4 25 |
| Stock, or present worth |
1,272 52 |
| Total |
$1,978 15 |
STANDING OF “CHRIST’S OBJECT LESSONS”
|
Number/Amount |
|---|
| Copies received to Aug. 1, 1904 |
2,224 |
| Copies sent out from office |
2,064 |
| Copies as per inventory |
160; 2,224 |
| Cash on hand |
$13 80 |
| Accounts due |
177 23 |
| Value of inventory |
200 00 |
| Total |
$391 03 |
| Due academy |
$169 03 |
| Due on loan to advance to academy |
222 00 |
| Total |
$391 03 |
| Copies sent out from office |
2,064 |
| Copies sent out not paid |
142 |
| Leaves copies sold |
1,922 |
| Copies to be sold |
1,078 |
Equals “quota” . . . 3,000
Accounts collected on sales for past year, $472.77, or about 378 copies.
F. M. DANA,
Sec. and Treas.