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MICHIGAN CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 16, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 42.

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MICHIGAN CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

By J. D. Gowell; J. S. Hall

The fortieth annual session of the Michigan Conference was held at Ionia, Mich., in connection with the camp-meeting, Aug. 31 to Sept. 10, 1900.
Seven meetings in all were held. During the session, sixty-nine churches were represented by one hundred and forty-two delegates. On motion the reading of the minutes of the last session was waived.
The treasurer read the following report, which was adopted by vote of the Conference:—

RECEIPTS.

Item Amount
Cash on hand, July 1, 1899 $1,640 92
Tithe for twelve months 37,145 86
Camp-meeting fund 3,193 82
Michigan Conference Association 1,652 97
Sale of furniture 31 22
Refunded by General Conference 87 24
Ontario Conference 438 07
Miscellaneous 1 73
Rent of Petoskey building 16 87
Contributions 325 75
Total $44,534 45

DISBURSEMENTS.

Item Amount
Labor $28,614 58
Camp-meeting expenses 3,282 28
Tithe to General Conference 3,330 30
Tithe refunded to sanitarium 1,861 11
Battle Creek College 50 00
Postage, revenue, and exchange 89 75
Printing bills, books, and blanks 110 09
Tent fund 336 87
Freight 51 15
Michigan Conference Association 3,058 29
Sanitarium endowed bed 643 36
Miscellaneous 4 50
Total $41,432 28
Cash on hand, July 1, 1900 $3,102 17
The churches of Ann Arbor, Exeter, Flushing, Hesperia, and Paw Paw, having been organized since the last Conference, were unanimously received into the Conference.
The usual committees were appointed as follows:— On Nominations: O. F. Campbell, W. C. Hebner, E. N. Hatt, S. F. Svensson, Daniel Hale. On Credentials and Licenses: H. D. Day, M. J. Cornell, Wallace Matthews, C. N. Sanders, R. C. Horton. On Resolutions: Eugene Leland, S. M. Butler, S. E. Wight. On Baptism: Wm. Ostrander, C. A. Watkins, E. K. Slade.
On motion it was voted to amend the Constitution so as to provide for an Executive Committee of five members, instead of seven.
The following resolutions and recommendations were adopted during the session:—
Whereas, God in his wisdom has called from our midst our beloved brethren and faithful laborers, Elders R. J. Lawrence and H. S. Lay; therefore,—
1. Resolved, That we extend our sympathies to the bereaved families, and our gratitude to God for the many years of faithful labor which these brethren have accomplished, and for the bright hope they have left of a part in the first resurrection.
2. Resolved, That the Executive Committee of this Conference be empowered to continue to support Elder R. W. Munson and his family, in the foreign field, in such a manner and to such an extent as said committee shall deem right and proper.
3. We Recommend, That we take steps to procure a class of young people of suitable qualifications, and give them instruction in Bible work preparatory to entering the Master's service as Bible workers; and that we select one or more ministers and their wives to enter some of the cities in this State, to have the care and instruction of the classes.
4. We Recommend, That, instead of spending so much money in our home fields, we send one Bible worker into the Tennessee River Conference to labor in the city of Memphis, and that we pay her way for one year.
5. We Recommend, That we pay the traveling expenses of two competent teachers to the Island of Sumatra, East Indies, to assist Elder Munson in his good work already begun, with the understanding that they are to be self-supporting after they arrive in their field.
6. We Recommend, That we help to sustain a school for the colored people in the South during the coming year, to the amount of seven hundred dollars ($700), and that we send a delegate to visit that school at least once during the year, and that said delegate make a report to this Conference at its next annual session.
7. Resolved, That five persons be chosen by the Conference Committee to form a Board of Education; that at least two members of the Conference Executive Committee, one member of the Battle Creek College faculty, and the Conference superintendent of schools shall be members of said board; that this board, in counsel and co-operation with the Conference Committee, shall have full control of the educational work in this Conference.
8. Resolved, That each intermediary school be allowed to appoint two persons to act with this Conference board on matters concerning its own local affairs.
9. Resolved, That we indorse the work that has been done among the young people of this Conference during the last year, and that we authorize the officers of the Sabbath-school Association to continue their work, and we will give them the moral support of this Conference in all their efforts.
Whereas, Prophecy is fast becoming history, and the movements in the political, social, and financial world clearly indicate that the work of proclaiming the last warning message of mercy to the world must be speedily accomplished; and,—
Whereas, Our literature is a great and important factor in our work, and a means ordained of God for disseminating the light and truth given, and is wielding an influence, the results of which eternity alone will reveal; therefore,—
10. Resolved, That we, the Michigan Conference in annual session, recommend and encourage the selection of suitable persons to engage in missionary canvassing for our large publications; such as, “The Desire of Ages,” “Daniel and Revelation,” “Great Controversy,” and “Patriarchs and Prophets;” and, further,—
11. Resolved, That each church select one or more members from their company to engage in the sale of our smaller books, papers, and other publications in their vicinity.
12. Resolved, That the Conference give five hundred dollars to Battle Creek College for last year's expenses.
The following officers were elected for the coming year: President J. D. Gowell; Secretary, J. S. Hall; Treasurer, Review and Herald Pub. Co. Executive Committee: J. D. Gowell, H. D. Day, M. J. Cornell, S. M. Butler, S. E. Wight. Trustees of Conference Association: J. D. Gowell, H. D. Day, M. J. Cornell, S. M. Butler, S. E. Wight.
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses offered the following report, which was adopted:—
For credentials: J. D. Gowell, E. H. Root, H. M. Kenyon, Wm. Ostrander, L. G. Moore, T. M. Steward, R. C. Horton, H. D. Day, S. M. Butler, J. L. Edgar, B. F. Stureman, J. C. Harris, O. Soule, L. N. Lane, W. R. Matthews, O. F. Campbell, C. N. Sanders, M. C. Guild, W. C. Hebner, S. F. Svensson, E. R. Williams, C. A. Watkins, W. H. Falconer, Conrad Weber, R. W. Munson, E. Leland.
For ordination and credentials: A. R. Sanborn, E. K. Slade.
For ministerial license: E. I. Beebe, C. G. Howell, F. J. Harris, John Irwin, Jr., C. E. Leland, W. D. Parkhurst, M. Shepherd, R. E. Harter, L. Terry, Chancey Wood, S. E. Wight, J. G. Wilson, Carl Hanson, W. E. Videto, O. F. Butcher, M. D. Warfle, C. D. Rhodes, Byron Hagle, E. A. Bristol, T. G. Lewis, J. C. Brower, Fred Brink.
Missionary license: Myrtle Bristol, Emily Campbell, Nettie Haysmer, Clara Hildreth, E. Jennie Lane, Mina Pierce, Mrs. E. R. Williams, Mrs. R. W. Munson, Belle Campbell, Minnie Burden, Mrs. M. M. Faulkner, Mina Hildreth, Clara Kiep, Minnie Lay, Lucy Tyte.
A committee, appointed to revise the church list, offered the following recommendations, which were adopted:—
We Recommend, That the following names, which appear on the list of churches, be dropped, as there are no church organizations at these places: Clare, Montrose, Midland, McBain, and Pontiac; and further,—
We Recommend, That the following-named churches, the members having died or moved away, be disbanded: Birch Run, Colon, Chippewa, Ely, Ogden Center, Webberville.
On motion the Conference adjourned sine die.
J. D. GOWELL, Pres., J. S. HALL, Sec.