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

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1903

East Michigan Conference Proceedings

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

The first annual session of the East Michigan Conference was held at Flint, Mich., Aug. 26–28, 1903. For one week preceding the conference a meeting was held, and was well attended by the churches from all parts of the conference. During this time some not of our faith manifested considerable interest in the study of the main features of the message for this time. It was a season of refreshing and renewing of courage for our own people. We were much pleased to have with us Elder R. A. Underwood, of Pennsylvania, and Elder I. H. Evans, of the Review and Herald. The labors of these brethren were appreciated by all. At the calling of the conference roll, delegates were seated from nearly all the sixty-three churches.

This report covers a period of only nine months, ending with the conference year, June 30, 1903:— Churches and companies ........ 63 No. of reports ................ 104 No. of members ............... 1,938 No. of letters written ........ 104 No. of Bible readings held .... 392 No. of letters received ........ 26 No. of subscriptions for periodicals taken ........ 136 No. of periodicals distributed ........ 10,640 No. of pages books and tracts distributed ........ 139,217

Financial Report of the Missionary Department

RESOURCES July 1, 1903 Cash in bank .................... $1,250.84 Inventory ....................... 1,903.42 Property ........................ 144.50 Church accounts ................. 234.78 Individual accounts ............. 304.91 Labor ........................... 255.00 $4,093.45

LIABILITIES July 1, 1903 “Christ’s Object Lessons” ...... $ 984.67 East Michigan Conference ....... 326.37 Church accounts ................ 64.08 Individuals .................... 6.79 Present worth, stock ........... 2,711.54 $4,093.45

July 1, 1903 Present worth .................. $2,711.54 Oct. 1, 1902 Present worth .................. 1,568.33 Net gain ............ $1,143.21

Conference Treasurer’s Report

RECEIPTS Tithe for nine months .......... $11,082.34 Camp-meeting fund .............. 91.27 $11,173.61

DISBURSEMENTS Labor .......................... $10,028.64 Detroit Mission ................ 140.58 General expense ................ 692.70 Cash on hand, July 1, 1903 ..... 311.69 $11,173.61

Report of Auditor

East Michigan Conference Executive Committee,—

This is to certify that I have examined the books of your treasurer for the year ending June 30, 1903, and find them correctly kept, and the ledger in balance. The deposits in the City National and Review and Herald banks agree with the amounts demanded by the books of record.

W. H. EDWARDS, Auditor, Lake Union Conference. Lansing, Mich., July 17, 1903.

At the first session of the conference it was voted that the Chair be empowered to appoint the usual committees. All the laborers were called together, and in co-operation with them the Chair appointed the following committees:—

On Nominations: Daniel Wood, C. N. Sanders, E. N. Hatt, M. Shepard, B. F. Stureman.

On Resolutions: E. K. Slade, O. F. Butcher, B. F. Stureman.

On Licenses and Credentials: A. R. Sandborn, E. K. Slade, L. T. Dysert, H. L. Cohoon, G. P. Bailey.

Seating Delegates: E. I. Beebe, E. R. Lauda, H. A. Boylan.

Considerable time was given to the consideration of the educational work. The report of the Educational Department by Elder E. K. Slade showed that the work is onward, and that about one third of the churches will have schools the coming year. A general increase in interest in the educational work was reported to exist throughout the conference.

Miss Tillie E. Barr, secretary and treasurer of the Educational Department, reported a successful year’s work in the Sabbath-schools, showing an increase in general interest in the work, as well as an increase in membership and offerings.

The following recommendations were unanimously adopted by the conference:

“Whereas, Christian education is designed of God to prepare our children and youth for the work of God and the coming kingdom, and,—

“Whereas, We have no well-defined financial plan for the support of Christian schools, therefore,—

“1. We Recommend, That an educational fund to the amount of two thousand dollars be raised by the churches of this conference for teachers’ wages in church schools; said fund to be disbursed proportionately to the teachers employed in the conference.

“Whereas, The holding of the conference in connection with the camp-meeting interferes with important needs of both the conference and the camp-meeting, and,—

“Whereas, The Testimonies have repeated the message to separate the camp-meeting from the conference, therefore,—

“2. Resolved, That we divorce the two, and ask the conference committee to arrange, if practicable, to hold the conference in the winter or early spring.

“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 has also 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 work.

“Whereas, The canvassing work is a most efficient means for placing the truth in the homes of the people, therefore,—

“4. We Recommend, That a decided effort be made to induce suitable persons to devote their time to the canvassing work, and that a special effort be made to revive the canvassing work throughout the conference.

“5. We Recommend, That the executive committee of this conference place directors in the five districts of the conference to work in the churches in the interest of all branches of the work.

“6. We Recommend, That the constitution be so amended as to change the name of the State canvassing agent to field secretary.

“7. We Recommend, That our executive committee be asked to consider the advisability of holding a ten days’ institute the coming winter for the training of laborers for the canvassing work.

“8. We Recommend, That those who labor in the conference, if not already residing here, make arrangements to move into this conference as soon as convenient.”

Ministerial credentials were given to J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, B. F. Stureman, C. N. Sanders, A. R. Sandborn, J. L. Edgar, R. W. Munson, L. G. Moore, William Ostrander; and ordination and credentials to M. Shepard.

Ministerial licenses were given to E. I. Beebe, O. F. Butcher, F. G. Lane, Delmer Wood, A. J. Harris, Hiram A. Boylan, E. R. Lauda.

Missionary licenses were given to Mina Pierce, Clara E. Kiep, Lucy F. Tyte, Marie P. Harriman, Anna L. Boehm, Tillie E. Barr, Gertrude M. Butcher, Rose V. Gooden, Maude E. R. Lauda, Rose E. Peters, Daniel Wood, H. S. Merchant, H. B. McConnell, L. F. Westfall, Frank Hiner.

The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, J. D. Gowell; Secretary, E. K. Slade; Treasurer, E. I. Beebe; Executive Committee, J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, A. R. Sandborn, B. F. Stureman, Daniel Wood; Superintendent of Educational Department, E. K. Slade; Secretary and Treasurer of Educational Department, Tillie E. Barr; Secretary and Treasurer of Tract Society, Frank Hiner; Field Secretary, H. L. Cohoon; Trustees for the East Michigan Conference, J. D. Gowell, E. K. Slade, B. F. Stureman, E. N. Hatt, Daniel Wood.

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