West Michigan Conference Proceedings
FROM the West Michigan Herald we take the following summary of the report of the Committee on Plans and Resolutions presented at the recent conference at Charlotte, Mich.:— “We recommend, That the conference committee consider the advisability of appointing a general worker among the20Hollanders, and that an effort be made to secure workers in the different lines among the Holland people. “Recognizing the value of our literature in giving this gospel of the kingdom, and the efficiency of the work done by the Christian canvasser,— “We recommend, That an earnest effort be put forth by all our churches in missionary efforts, using our books, papers, and tracts, and that campaigns be organized for the circulation of the special literature prepared for this purpose from time to time. “We recommend, That a decided effort be put forth this winter by all our churches, conference laborers and officers to secure a large corps of canvassers who will devote their whole time to this work, the names of such persons to be furnished the field secretary for training. “We recommend, That the executive committee pay to the North Michigan Conference eleven dollars a week, and to the Superior Mission field eighty dollars a month, for the year beginning Oct. 1, 1903. “We recommend, That this conference donate to the Southern field four hundred dollars for the year 1904, payable in equal quarterly installments. “We recommend, That the conference committee consider the advisability of encouraging several young men and women to enter various departments of our work by aiding them financially to enter the field. “We recommend, That the conference committee consider the needs of the foreign fields, and appropriate to the General Conference such portion of our tithe fund as may be deemed by them consistent. “We recommend, That medical and Sabbath-school conventions be held at convenient points in the conference, under the direction of the conference committee. “In view of the multiplying judgments of God and the appalling increase of disease in these last days,— “We recommend, A greater faithfulness to the principles of health and temperance in our homes, and a more active interest in medical missionary work in our neighborhoods. “In harmony with the action of the General Conference,— “We recommend, That Sabbath-school donations on certain Sabbaths be donated to supplies for the local school, and that all contributions for the rest of the quarter be devoted entirely to the work in foreign fields. “We recommend, That we invite the Lake Union Conference to hold its next biennial session within the borders of the West Michigan Conference, and would suggest Berrien Springs as a suitable place. “We recommend, That this conference hold a general camp-meeting in the year 1904, and that the conference committee proceed to raise a camp-meeting fund. “We recommend, Immediate efforts to finish raising the $1,000 voted by the last conference for the Cedar Lake Academy. “We recommend, That the field secretary or some other competent person acting under the direction of the conference committee, devote his time for as long a period as necessary in visiting the churches where the quota of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is still unsold, organizing and encouraging the brethren, and closing the work. “We recommend, That Warren Cole, of Mt. Pleasant; R. A. Hart, of Battle Creek; Jas. E. Root, of Coopersville; R. C. Horton, of Kalamazoo; W. D. Parkhurst, of Grand Rapids; W. E. Videto, of Big Rapids; P. T. Magan, of Berrien Springs; and George Pierce, of Charlotte, together with the conference committee, compose a committee of thirteen to locate the conference offices. “We recommend, That our church schools be supported by money derived from the following sources: first, tuitions; second, donations in the local churches; third, a general fund under the control of the conference committee. “That the conference committee undertake the formation of a general fund to be known as the Church School fund, from which assistance may be given church schools in the discretion of the conference committee. “We recommend, The organization of a general Young People’s Society for the conference, in order that isolated young people as well as local societies may be brought into touch with the work of the message. “Whereas, ‘Already many are receiving the Holy Spirit, and no longer will the way be blocked by listless indifference,’ and whereas, ‘All that the apostles did, every church-member to-day is to do,’— “Resolved, That we urge upon all the earnest, faithful seeking of God, by the putting away of all sin, the righting of wrongs, the healing of all troubles between brother and brother, and the calling upon God for the Holy Spirit to fit us to give this message to the world.”