Upper Columbia S. S. Association by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 25, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 25.

Upper Columbia S. S. Association.

By John Norton Loughborough

THE first meeting of the sixth annual session of the Upper Columbia Sabbath-school Association, was held on the Milton camp-ground, June 3, 1885. Representatives were present from the schools at Walla Walla, Milton, Dayton, Alba, Garfield, and Farmington. The president reported that two new schools had been organized during the year: one at Garfield, W. T., and one at Boise City, I. T.

After the reports had been read, the question box was opened, and half an hour was profitably spent in answering questions pertaining to the Sabbath-school work.

The chair appointed committees as follows: On nominations—W. L. Raymond, W. W. Steward, Adna Hesseltine; on resolutions—E. J. Waggoner, H. W. Decker, E. G. Winkler.

At a second meeting, the Nominating Committee made the following report: For president, Elder H. W. Decker; secretary, Mrs. N. J. Decker; Executive Committee, H. W. Decker, B. F. Winkler, Mrs. Mary Goodwin. The persons recommended were duly elected as officers for the coming year.

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:—

Resolved, That we consider it the imperative duty of all who accept any position in the Sabbath-school work, whether as State or local officers, to use every possible means to thoroughly qualify themselves to perform their duties.

Whereas, The Sabbath-School Worker, published by the General Sabbath-school Association, is especially devoted to giving the best methods of Sabbath-school work for the instruction of pupils, as well as teachers and officers, therefore,

Resolved, That we request all Sabbath-school officers in the Conference to take the Worker themselves, and to work for its circulation in their schools.

The merits of the Worker having been set forth by Elders Loughborough and Waggoner, Brother B. F. Winkler was requested by vote of the meeting to take subscriptions for it on the ground. (As the result of this action, twenty-four subscriptions for the Worker were taken.)

At a subsequent meeting the following additional resolutions were adopted:—

Whereas, We believe that giving is a part of the worship of God, and should be performed regularly, the same as any other act of worship, and

Whereas, We desire that our children should be instructed in all parts of the service of God, therefore,

Resolved, That we will henceforth carry out the system of Sabbath offerings, as recommended by the General Association, and that as individuals we will use our influence to have the system adopted in all our schools.

Resolved, That we recommend that the proceeds of these Sabbath offerings be devoted to such missionary enterprises as shall be advised by the Executive Committee of the Association.

Much of the time of the session was devoted to answering questions and giving instruction to officers and teachers. The matter of more earnest work for the children, in getting them interested in Bible study, drew out the following resolution:—

Whereas, The country is flooded with trashy literature that is poisoning the minds of the young, and benumbing their sensibilities, therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend that parents use great care in selecting reading matter for their children, and that schools in establishing libraries, purchase only such books as have been critically examined by competent persons.

After the discussion and adoption of this resolution, the meeting adjourned sine die.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres. L. J. HALLEY, Sec.