ORGANIZATION OF MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE.
By R. S. Owen
According to previous appointment, this Conference was organized at the camp-meeting held at Hatley, Miss., July 26 to Aug. 4, 1901, Elder R. M. Kilgore presiding. Prof. J. E. Tenney, Principal of the Southern Training School, and A. F. Harrison, our general agent, were present as counselling brethren. After prayerful consideration of the matter during the first days of the meeting, it was decided, by unanimous vote of all the Sabbath-keepers in attendance, to organize. The chairman was authorized to appoint committees, which he did, as follows:— On Constitution and Resolutions: J. E. Tenney, R. S. Owen, A. F. Harrison. On Nominations: F. R. Rogers, I. N. Kraushaar, C. M. Emerson. On credentials and Licenses: H. W. Pierce, J. H. Nash, J. D. Hendon. A constitution was adopted in harmony with that of the General Conference and the Southern Union Conference, and is substantially the same as the one adopted by the Louisiana Conference. It provides for the carrying forward of the different branches of the work through various departments of the Conference, thus avoiding the necessity of separate organizations. Resolutions were passed relating to the advancement of the work in this State, embracing the following points:— - The payment of tithes for the support of the laborers in the State, and the “ten-cents-a-week” plan for the missionary work.
- That our laborers qualify themselves to teach the gospel of health, and that our young people who feel called to this work take a course of training.
- That we send out medical missionaries to hold schools of health and sell our health publications, and that we urge upon all our people the importance of this work.
- That we help to secure the medical missionary college by the missionary-acre plan.
- That we work and pray for a missionary nurses’ training-school for the South.
- The principles of Christian education received full recognition, also the importance of establishing church and missionary schools; this work to be carried on with the co-operation of the Southern Union Conference.
- Faithful canvassers and accredited teachers are to be recognized as Conference laborers.
- This Conference gives its hearty support to the Southern Training School.
- Two permanent funds are to be provided by this Conference, the first to be known as the Tent and Camp-meeting fund, the second, as the Educational fund.
- It was decided that the permanent headquarters of our work in this State be located in some central city or town which the Conference Committee is to select.
Elder W. J. Blake, of the Quebec Conference, was requested by vote of this Conference to make Mississippi his field of labor. The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: President, R. S. Owen; Secretary and Treasurer, W. J. Blake. Executive Committee: R. S. Owen, H. W. Pierce, L. V. Crawford, J. D. Hendon, F. R. Rogers. Secretary and Corresponding Secretary of the Department of Literature, Mrs. W. J. Blake; Superintendent of Schools, F. R. Rogers; State Canvassing Agent, H. W. Pierce. Credentials were given to R. S. Owen and H. W. Pierce; Missionary licenses to F. R. Rogers, E. P. Auger, and Mrs. H. W. Pierce. Teachers’ Missionary certificates were granted to Minnie Rogers, Mary Mitchell, Geo. Crawford, F. G. Warnick, Mrs. F. G. Warnick, W. H. Sebastin, M. C. Strachan, Maud Strachan, J. W. Dancer, and Mrs. J. W. Dancer; Canvassers’ certificates to J. S. Fry, J. D. Grimes, Angelo Johnson. It was voted that this Conference begin operation Aug. 5, 1901. It was voted that Mrs. R. S. Owen act as treasurer till Brother Blake arrives. A fund of thirty dollars was raised for the purchase of tracts and books for the Department of Literature. It was voted to request Dr. Hayward to send a physician to this State qualified for the office of Secretary of the Medical Missionary Department. Those having tithes and offerings which were received since Aug. 5, 1901, will bear in mind that they are to be sent to Mrs. R. S. Owen, Hatley, Monroe Co., Miss. R. S. OWEN.