The Missionary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 8, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 38.

The Missionary.

California Conference Proceedings.

THE first meeting of the fourteenth annual session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held on the Good Water Grove camp-ground, near Stockton, Sept. 20, 1885, at 9 A. M. The president being absent, the published call for this Conference was read by the secretary, after which Elder J. H. Waggoner was elected president pro tem. Prayer was offered by Elder J. N. Loughborough.

The following churches were represented by delegates:—

Burrough Valley, Fairview, Ferndale, Fresno, Healdsburg, Lakeport, Lemoore, Los Angeles, Napa, Nevada City, Oro Fino, Oakland, Petaluma, Pleasant Grove, Rocklin, Reno, St. Clair, San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, St. Helena, Vacaville, and Woodland.

The churches at Arbuckle, Gilroy, Lafayette, Laytonville, Norwalk, and San Pasqual, failed to send delegates.

The chairman spoke of the responsibility resting upon the delegates, to check fanaticism and maintain decency and good order in the camp, that God may be honored, and our past reputation for peace and sobriety be preserved.

After a statement of the conflict between our constitution and that lately adopted by the General Conference, it was voted that the word "four" be changed to "six," in article 2, section 5, of our constitution, so as to read, "It shall be the duty of the Conference to elect or appoint a committee of six," etc.

On motion it was decided to waive the reading of the minutes of the last session, until a later meeting.

The chair then appointed committees as follows:—

On Nominations—S. Brownsberger, W. N. Glenn, W. G. Buckner. On Credentials and Licenses—W. M. Healey, E. J. Waggoner, E. J. Church. On Auditing—C. H. Jones, Wm. Saunders, Wm. Butcher, John Morrison, M. J. Church, Joseph Leininger. On Resolutions—A. T. Jones, N. C. McClure, E. R. Jones.

Elder Loughborough expressed thanks for the favorable circumstances under which we are camped, and regrets that four times as many more of our people of this Conference were not privileged to be with us. He said the wish of the enemies of the truth, made several years since, that we all "ought to go to Stockton," was now partly fulfilled, though we are camped under far different circumstances, and in a very different place from that to which they would fain have consigned us.

Adjourned to call of the chair.

SECOND MEETING, SEPT. 21, AT 9 A. M.

Prayer by Elder E. R. Jones. Minutes of the last session of the Conference, and of the last meeting, read and approved. Elder Waggoner spoke of our failure to help Idaho, as voted at our last session, the help appointed for that field having failed to go. Another has been laboring in that Conference. The question of our obligation to render them some financial help, should be considered. The chair further stated that the General Conference had recommended that Elder W. M. Healey go to Honolulu to labor under its supervision. Elder Healey has consented to go shortly after this Conference session.

Brother C. H. Jones stated that the California Year Book, containing the annual business proceedings of all our societies and associations, etc., had been published as voted, and earnestly recommended that all procure one or more copies. By vote a committee of three was appointed to canvass the camp for said pamphlet. A motion to make some verbal changes in our constitution being carried, the necessity of the said pamphlet was seen, and a few minutes were given to furnish the delegates with them. The following are the changes made:—

In article 3, section 1, after the word "paid," insert "quarterly;" and instead of "ministry of the gospel," read, "purpose for which the Conference was formed." For section 3, of article 3, read: "All money shall be paid out by the Treasurer as may be provided by the Executive Committee. In article 2, section 3; article 4, section 1; article 5, section 1; article 6, sections 1 and 2, and article 8, where the word "meeting" or "meetings" is used, read "session" or "sessions."

Adjourned to call of chair.

THIRD MEETING, SEPT. 24, 5 P. M.

Prayer by Elder E. R. Jones. Report of last meeting approved. Committee on Nominations reported as follows:—

For President, Elder S. N. Haskell; for Secretary, E. A. Chapman; for Treasurer, Pacific Press; for Executive Committee, Elders S. N. Haskell, J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, Wm. Ings, E. J. Waggoner.

The report was accepted, the names considered separately, and the nominees unanimously elected.

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:— WHEREAS, In the year just passed, God has sent prosperity to our Conference and its institutions,—in the progress of our College; in the establishment of the Rural Health Retreat in a course of efficient work; in the publication of important works by the Pacific Press; and in bringing souls to the knowledge of his truth, therefore, Resolved, That we will give our gratitude the most practical turn in, 1. The support of the College, that our young people may be fitted, not only to be good citizens and successful men and women, but also for successful labor in the cause of God; 2. The support of the Rural Health Retreat, and in increasing the circulation of the Pacific Health Journal, that the principles of Health Reform, according to the will of God, may be spread amongst men; 3. The support of the Pacific Press Publishing House, that the truth of God in the Third Angel's Message may be sent to the ends of the earth; 4. The support of the Conference, by honestly devoting

to the Lord his own in tithes and offerings, that the ministry of the word may be prosecuted without distraction.

Resolved, That we gladly hail the prospect of the early issuance of the American Sentinel, and that we will give it our hearty co-operation and support.

WHEREAS, It is painfully apparent that amongst us as a people there is entirely too much of a disposition to be "conformed to the world," in the wearing of jewelry, feathers, artificial flowers, and in imitating the follies of fashion, therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend that a decided effort be made to come up to the requirements of the Scriptures, and the Testimonies of the Spirit of God, upon this subject.

Elder E. J. Waggoner moved the adoption of the first resolution. This resolution called forth interesting remarks, showing that it meant business, called for the hearty co-operation of all in patronizing our institutions, distributing our literature, canvassing for our publications, taking stock in our institutions, and making them a place of deposit for our means instead of burying it in the ground or squandering it in speculative enterprises; church treasurers should not only receive, but see to collecting faithfully, all the tithes and offerings in their several churches. There should be co-operation on the part of all.

Meeting adjourned to call of the chair.

FOURTH MEETING, SEPT. 25, 2:30 P. M.

Prayer by Elder J. N. Loughborough. The secretary's report of previous meeting was accepted. Resolutions pending at last meeting were considered and passed. That concerning the American Sentinel was spoken to by Elders J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, E. R. Jones, and Brother C. H. Jones. The special object of the paper was to counteract the influence of the Christian Statesman, the organ of the Religious Amendment Party, which is advocating a religious amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which means a union of Church and State, and oppressive Sunday laws. Sample copies of the American Sentinel have been printed. The first number will be issued about the holidays, bearing date January, 1886.

Committee on Nominations presented a report for Camp-meeting Committee. After some consideration the report was referred back to the committee.

Committee on Credentials and Licenses presented a partial report as follows:— For Credentials—Elders J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, W. M. Healey, J. D. Rice, E. A. Briggs, E. J. Waggoner, Wm. Ings, N. C. McClure, A. T. Jones, H. A. St. John, G. W. Colcord, E. R. Jones, W. C. White.

The report was accepted, the names considered separately, and all granted credentials as recommended.

Elders J. H. Waggoner and S. N. Haskell and Brother C. H. Jones were elected delegates to the General Conference.

Adjourned to call of the chair.

FIFTH MEETING, SEPT. 28, 9 A. M.

Prayer by Elder J. N. Loughborough. The chairman of the Nominating Committee moved to leave the matter of selecting a Camp-meeting Committee to the Executive Committee of the Conference. Carried. Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows:—

For Ministerial License—Andrew Brorsen, Philip Kent, Lucius H. Church, R. S. Owen, Frank T. Lamb, J. G. Smith, A. J. Morton.

Report accepted for action, and licenses granted as recommended.

The query arising as to whether it was an oversight or intentional that colporters' licenses were not recommended as heretofore, the committee answered that it was intentional; that to their minds such licenses were unnecessary in the work in this State, gave no advantage to the holder, and were therefore not desirable; that it was not designed at all to reflect upon or in any wise hinder the faithful ones from continuing their work.

The following resolutions were adopted:—

Resolved, That we express our opinion that changes in fields of labor should be at least as well guarded as changes in church membership, and that therefore we shall expect that all ministers coming to this Conference shall bring letters of commendation from their own Conferences, except when coming under the advice of the General Conference; and further, that if any person wishes to come from another Conference to labor in this, we believe it is his duty to consult the officers of this Conference before he comes.

WHEREAS, At the 1884 session of this Conference, it was decided to send a laborer to the Upper Columbia Conference for labor in Idaho, and to support such laborer there; and WHEREAS, Through unforeseen circumstances, we have not been allowed to fulfill this resolution, therefore, Resolved, That we will carry out the spirit of it, by cheerfully supporting, for the next six months, the minister who labors in Idaho, under the direction of the Upper Columbia Conference.

Resolved, That we will publish a Year Book for 1885, which shall contain the minutes of this session of our Conference, the minutes of the Upper Columbia and North Pacific Conferences of 1885, the annual meetings of our institutions; and such other matters as may be deemed expedient by the Conference Committee.

Resolutions of thanks were then voted to the Stockton Street Railroad Company, the Good Water Grove Company, the California Navigation Company, the Central Pacific, and North Pacific Coast Railroad Companies, and Smith and Walker's Express Company, for liberal favors granted. Also to the proprietors of the Stockton Swimming Baths for accommodations in baptizing.

The following resolution was introduced by Elder Loughborough, and adopted:— WHEREAS, The Healdsburg College was established by the action of this Conference, and the Conference has to furnish a Biblical teacher for the College, therefore, Resolved, That the teacher so furnished shall be considered the minister resident at Healdsburg while he is engaged in the College, and that he shall have charge of the preaching in that locality during that time.

Adjourned to call of the chair.

SIXTH MEETING, SEPT. 28, 5 P. M.

Prayer by Elder E. R. Jones. Report of last meeting accepted. Elder Loughborough moved to rescind Brother A. J. Morton's license, as it is decided that he attend Healdsburg College instead of laboring in the field. Carried.

Fields of labor were next considered. Elder Loughborough presented the plea from Nevada. After explanations as to the condition of the work in Virginia City and vicinity, and other places, it was voted that the laborers now in Nevada be authorized to remain there during the winter and follow up the work.

Elder Decker's plea for Idaho was considered, but at present it was not clear who, if any one, could go.

Elder N. C. McClure's plea for Humboldt County was considered favorably, and it is recommended that Brethren Charles Reaser and Frank Lamb assist him; the former as canvasser, the latter to settle down to the work as advised, and work up the interests awakened, under the direction of Elder McClure.

A strong plea was made for a tent-meeting in Stockton, immediately. A motion to this effect, also that Elder E. R. Jones take charge of said meeting, was carried. Pleas for San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno, and Los Angeles were made. The prospect was good that the last two named places would soon receive help.

The propriety of holding general meetings in different parts of the Conference was, by vote, left to the Conference Committee.

Adjourned sine die.

J. H. WAGGONER, Pres. pro tem.

J. D. RICE, Secretary.