The Michigan Conference by E. I. Beebe

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1902

The Michigan Conference

By E. I. Beebe

The forty-second session of the Michigan Conference was held at Alma, Mich., prior to the camp meeting, August 25 to September 1. Eleven meetings in all were held. By motion the reading of the minutes of the previous session was waived.

The conference was represented by about one hundred delegates representing seventy churches.

The following churches were received into the conference by vote: Marine City, with twenty-one members; Grace, with eighteen members; and Berrien Springs, with sixty members. A petition was presented requesting the organization of the Belleville company into a church. This was referred to the conference committee for investigation and action.

The treasurer’s report was presented as follows, and adopted by vote:—

RECEIPTS


Cash on hand July 1, 1901	$3,215 86
Tithe for twelve months	42,010 04
Camp-meeting Fund	2,414 14
Total	$47,640 04

DISBURSEMENTS


Labor	$34,159 62
Donations	1,230 00
Camp-meeting expenses	2,424 60
Detroit Mission	399 30
Miscellaneous expenses	78 35
Michigan Conference Association	200 00
Tithe to General Conference	1,921 41
Tithe to Lake Union Conference	1,901 12
Cash on hand June 30, 1902	5,325 64
Total	$47,640 04

The Missionary Department of the conference presented the following report, which was accepted by vote:—

REPORT OF MISSIONARY WORK FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1902


Number of church members	7,216
Number of reports returned	940
Number of letters written	1,318
Number of Bible readings held	1,827
Number of letters received	537
Number of subscriptions for periodicals	748
Number of periodicals distributed	43,882
Number of pages of books and tracts distributed	551,144
Fourth Sabbath donations	$307 98
Other donations	$8,455 23

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS


Cash in bank July 1, 1901	$586 42
Receipts	29,452 56
Total	$30,038 98
Disbursements	$29,388 98

RESOURCES

July 1, 1902


Inventory	$5,510 54
Property	305 79
Bills receivable	511 38
Church accounts	2,481 55
Individual accounts	4,868 25
Labor	843 15
Total	$14,520 66

LIABILITIES

July 1, 1902


“Christ’s Object Lessons”	$3,788 75
Church accounts	135 13
Individual accounts	29 58
Present worth stock	10,567 20
Total	$14,520 66

July 1, 1902


Present Worth	$10,567 20
July 1, 1901
Present Worth	9,691 90
	$875 30

The superintendent of schools gave his report. He said that the outlook was very encouraging, that there was an intense interest on the part of many of the conference laborers in this work, that many people were deeply interested in the school work, that there were twenty-four schools last year, and that the work done was very good, also that there were about thirteen hundred young people who ought to be in school this present year.

A report of the Cedar Lake school was given by the principal, J. G. Lamson. He said that it is now in its fourth year, that last year there were forty-four in attendance, that the highest number ever in attendance there was sixty-three, and that there was a possible enrollment this coming year of fifty. He also said that the school was on a paying basis, and that it was out of debt, and that there was every prospect that it would continue to be on a self-supporting basis this coming year.

The following recommendations and resolutions were presented by the committee, and were adopted:—

1. That we favor the setting off of the Upper Peninsula as a mission field, and that the Lower Peninsula be divided into three conferences.

That the Chair appoint a finance committee to make a proper division of the property and territory. (This committee was as follows: representing the northern Peninsula, H. R. Johnson; eastern division, E. I. Beebe; western division, S. E. Wight; northern division, C. A. Hansen; J. D. Gowell fifth member, and chairman of the committee.)

Whereas, The hand of death has removed from our ranks three trusted laborers, Elders R. D. Day, W. H. Falconer, and H. M. Kenyon, therefore,—

2. Resolved, That we express our appreciation of their labors, and extend to their families our heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement.

Whereas, The manifest blessing of the Lord has attended the effort of the Michigan Conference to help in regions beyond, by contributions of workers and means to needy fields,—

3. We Recommend, That the work already entered upon be continued the coming year, and that the same plan be adopted as the policy of the several conferences within the State, counting it a privilege to have a part as conferences in sending this message to all the world in this generation.

Whereas, In the distribution of the General Conference Association liabilities, the Lake Union Conference has assumed its proportion with the other union conferences, therefore,—

4. Resolved, That Michigan’s share of this amount, fourteen thousand dollars, be assumed by this body, and apportioned among the conferences of the State.

5. We Recommend, That the request of the Entrican church for a change of name to Clifford Lake church be granted.

6. We Recommend, That the East and West Michigan Conferences make regular appropriations for assisting the Upper Peninsula.

7. We Recommend, That each conference employ one or more trained medical missionary workers to instruct the churches in health reform.

8. We Recommend, That all our churches take an interest in the circulation of the Christian Record, by placing it in the hands of blind people and contributing to its support.

9. We Recommend, That a committee consisting of the presidents of the three conferences and mission field prepare and submit to this body constitutions for these organizations.

10. We Recommend, That the name of the Stambaugh church be changed to Iron River.

Whereas, The Lord has blessed the circulation of our books to the salvation of souls, and—

Whereas, He is calling on us greatly to increase our work in this way, therefore,—

11. Resolved, That the churches in their missionary efforts use more of our books, selling and loaning them to the people.

12. We Recommend, That more attention be given the matter of encouraging young men and women to engage in the canvassing work as a life work, in order to accomplish this and to raise the standard of the work.

13. We Recommend, That the State agent, in counsel with the conference committee, select the canvassers.

14. That all tried and proved canvassers be given canvassers’ credentials by the conference.

15. That more attention be given the education and training of canvassers.

16. We Recommend, That The Life Boat be used by all our churches as a means of introducing our other literature to the attention of ministers, leading temperance workers, and others.

Whereas, The work for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” has resulted in great good to our churches, and in many rich experiences to the individuals engaging in it, and—

Whereas, The need for the sale of this book is very pressing, that the work of Emmanuel Missionary College may not be hindered, therefore,—

17. Resolved, That we express our gratitude for the privilege that has been thus given for a revival of personal work for our neighbors, and pledge ourselves to renew our efforts in the sale of the book, and that we make a determined effort for the sale of this book between now and the holidays.

18. We Recommend, That this conference grant teachers’ credentials to church-school teachers who have taught with success, and teachers’ licenses to those who are taking up the work for the first time.

19. We Recommend, That the practice of paying the stationery and postage expense of the Department of Education out of the Sabbath-school funds be continued during the coming year.

20. That those laborers who are in the Northern Peninsula mission field at the time of the division, be supported as before, and that this expense be divided between the Eastern and Western Michigan Conferences, and that the details be left to the committees of the two conferences to act jointly, and that the Eastern and Western Conferences each pay the wages of two laborers in the Northern Michigan Conference.

21. That each conference adopt the constitution of the Michigan Conference, with five members on the committee, and that wherever there is a vacancy in the committee, it be supplied by the conference committee.

22. That the charter of the Michigan Conference Association be so amended as to substitute the name “East Michigan Conference” for “Michigan Conference Association,” and that the trustees be elected at the annual meeting of the East Michigan Conference.

23. That the conference committees of the North and West Michigan Conferences be authorized to organize in corporated bodies to take over and hold their share of the assets and liabilities of the Michigan Conference Association.

The Finance Committee presented the following recommendations, which were adopted:—

That the Detroit Mission property and its equipments belong to the East Michigan Conference, and the Cedar Lake property and its equipments belong to the West Michigan Conference, and that the Petoskey church property and its equipments belong to the North Michigan Conference.

That the Missionary Department of the conference be given until October 1 to close up accounts and diminish stock before making said division.

That after paying the conference expenses and the laborers up to October 1, and reserving a thousand dollars, we pay the rest of the money on hand toward the Ireland and Wales Missions.

That the Battle Creek church and each conference into which the Michigan Conference

has been divided assume their portion of the fourteen-thousand-dollar debt per capita, with the understanding that an account of the notes held against the General Conference Association by individuals in the Michigan Conference be turned over to the Michigan Conference Association, and the accounts be equally divided between the different conferences and the Battle Creek church per capita.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year for the Michigan Conference Association: J. D. Gowell, A. G. Haughey, S. E. Wight, E. R. Williams, and E. I. Beebe.

For trustees of the Cedar Lake Industrial Academy, Incorporated, A. G. Haughey, S. M. Butler, J. G. Lamson, S. E. Wight, S. P. S. Edwards, I. H. Evans, and W. C. Hebner.

Ministerial credentials were voted to the following-named persons: J. D. Gowell, E. H. Root, E. R. Williams, O. F. Campbell, L. N. Lane, C. N. Sanders, W. C. Hebner, S. M. Butler, W. R. Matthews, S. E. Wight, L. G. Moore, Wm. Ostrander, R. C. Horton, E. K. Slade, H. R. Johnson, M. W. Lewis, M. C. Guild, A. R. Sanborn, W. D. Parkhurst, J. J. Irwin, B. F. Stureman, Eugene Leland, R. W. Munson, H. W. Miller, J. L. Edgar, C. P. Haskell, M. B. Miller, A. G. Haughey.

The following received ministerial licenses: W. E. Videto, M. D. Warfle, M. Shepherd, T. G. Lewis, Mrs. E. R. Williams, J. G. Lamson, R. E. Harter, S. P. S. Edwards, M. D., F. J. Harris, C. A. Hansen, Fred Brink, O. F. Butcher, E. I. Beebe, A. J. Olsen, E. A. Bristol.

Missionary licenses were given to Mrs. E. I. Beebe, Belle Campbell, M. M. Faulkner, Rose Gooden, Agnes Harris, Mrs. C. A. Hansen, Mrs. E. F. Hutchinson, Clara Kiep, Mrs. M. W. Lewis, E. Jennie Lane, Mrs. R. W. Munson, E. McHugh, Mina Pierce, Ethel Peters, Rose Peters, Grace Richards, Bertha Snyder, Alice Slade, Emma Schilling, E. F. Hutchinson, Mrs. M. C. Kenyon, Mae Warfle, Mrs. M. B. Videto, Lucy Tyte, Marion Teats.

Chancy Wood was recommended for ordination.

In accordance with the action taken, the Michigan Conference is now divided as follows:—

The Superior Mission Field comprises the Upper Peninsula.

The North Michigan Conference comprises the counties of Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac.

The West Michigan Conference comprises the counties of Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch.

The East Michigan Conference comprises the counties of Midland, Bay, Huron, Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Clinton, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, Washtenaw, Wayne, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe.

E. I. BEEBE, Secretary.