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Maine State Conference

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 13, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 13.

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Maine State Conference.

By Geo. W. Barker; W. H. Blaisdell

FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING.

According to arrangements, the fourth annual meeting of the Maine State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was held on the camp-ground near Skowhegan, Sept. 2, 1870. The meeting was called to order by the Secretary.
Ministers and licentiates belonging to the Conference present were, J. B. Goodrich, L. L. Howard, W. H. Blaisdell, and Charles Stratton.
The churches represented at the Conference were, Topsham, Norridgewock, Woodstock, Athens, Cornville, Canaan, Hartland, Falmouth, and North Jay.
Adjourned to the call of the Chair.

SECOND SESSION.

Minutes of the last Conference were read and accepted. Committees were appointed as follows: On Nomination—J. H. Waggoner, M. E. Cornell, and J. B. Goodrich; on Resolutions—J. H. Waggoner, M. E. Cornell, and L. L. Howard; Auditing—W. J. Haynes, Timothy Bryant, Wm. Morton, Sumner Holt, John Davis, J. L. Hartford. Adjourned.

THIRD SESSION.

The Committee on Nominations presented the board of officers of the last year for re-election, as follows: President, Geo. W. Barker; Secretary, W. H. Blaisdell, Rome; Treasurer, W. J. Haynes, S. Norridgewock; Executive Committee, Geo. W. Barker, Asa B. Atwood, and I. C. Choate.
On motion, they were all unanimously elected. Adjourned.

FOURTH SESSION.

Before the transaction of any business, very important remarks were made by Bro. and Sr. White.
Reports of ministers were called for and received.
Report of Secretary was as follows:
Number of organized churches, 9
Number of members at commencement of year, 199
Added during the year, 4
Commenced to keep the Sabbath, not yet united to any church, 22
Total, 225
Losses during the year, 19
Present number of church members, 206
Gain, 7
This does not include those who have kept the Sabbath more than one year, who are not organized into a church.
Amount pledged to the Conference on S. B., $750.91.

FIFTH SESSION.

On motion, voted that the credentials of Bro. J. B. Goodrich be renewed.
On motion, licenses were granted to Brn. Chas. Woodman, A. Barnes, W. H. Blaisdell, G. Douglass, and M. B. Patterson.
Bro. White made extended remarks on the condition of the cause in Maine, and the difficulties under which it labored, with especial reference to the jealousy and suspicion with which Western ministers had been met when they came to help the cause in this State, by some who had shown greater regard for their own personal interests than for the interests of the cause of God and truth. Believing it necessary that these things be now met and exposed, and right that the real friends of the cause have a chance to take their stand and pledge themselves to co-operate hereafter with those who are laboring to advance the cause, he presented the following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, The cause of Seventh-day Adventism in Maine has been greatly hindered, and at the present time suffers terribly from a want of a proper appreciation of the efficient labors of experienced ministers in the past, and the spirit of murmuring and rebellion against their efforts to advance the cause; therefore
Resolved, 1. That we deeply deplore these great sins in the sight of God, and repent of them; and, by the grace of God, solemnly pledge ourselves to do all we can to redeem the past in this respect in particular, that there may be a united and hearty reception of the testimony of those whom God may send among us.
2. That we accept the statement of Sr. White, that if unconsecrated ministers in Maine had not stood in the way of the cause, there would be three times as many in the truth in this State as there are now.
3. That we accept of Bro. Stratton’s confessions, and pledges for the future, and exhort him to do all in his power to help do away with wrong impressions still on the minds of many, caused in part by his improper course, and thus do all in his power to redeem the time.
4. That we accept the acknowledgments of wrong by Bro. Howard so far as he has gone, and exhort him to be faithful with his own soul, faithful to help those he has injured, and faithful to God, lest the blood of souls be found in his garments.
5. That we pledge ourselves that when Brn. Stratton and Howard shall give good and full evidence that they have fully reformed from their past errors, and engage in successful labor, we will cheerfully give them our hearty co-operation.
6. That, in view of the terrible mistakes of these brethren in past time, which have involved the ruin of precious souls, we cannot give them our support until they have had time to give full proofs that they are thoroughly converted from their jealousies and murmurings against those whom God, and the General Conference, have sent to the State to labor.
7. That we express our deep-felt sympathy for Brn. Andrews, Cornell, Canright, Waggoner, White, and Sr. White, in the discouragements they must feel in view of their past efforts to build up the cause in Maine against the cruel and wicked spirit of jealousy and fault-finding of those in this State who should have stayed up their hands in their arduous labors.
Sr. White followed the reading of these resolutions with impressive and instructive remarks, and a strong testimony and appeal to those who have stood in the way of the work in this State, while professing to be its friends and advocates.
On motion, these resolutions were adopted by the Conference, after which they were adopted by the body of believers present, by a rising vote.
The chairman of the Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were also unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we heartily indorse the remarks of Bro. White in regard to the labor of ministers in this cause; to wit, that they must either labor in bringing souls into the truth, or in building up those who are in the truth; and that those who do neither of these are of no use among us.
Resolved, That we hereby instruct our Executive Committee to hereafter settle with ministers in consideration of labors done for the benefit of the cause, and not according to the time reported, without regard to what has been done.
Resolved, That we sustain our Executive Committee in requesting the church treasurers to send their means directly to the State Treasurer; and we would also instruct the Treasurer to pay out money only by order of the President of this Conference.
Resolved, That we express our heartfelt thanks to Bro. and Sr. White for their labors in this camp-meeting, under the most trying circumstances; and we earnestly entreat them to retain their interest in the cause in Maine, and not forsake us because of the wrongs of those who have injured them and thrown obstacles in the way of their labors.
The Conference being held this year earlier than usual, in order that it might be at the camp-meeting, the Treasurer stated that he had not received reports from the churches sufficient to enable him to make a report to the Conference. Adjourned sine die.
Geo. W. BARKER, President.
W. H. BLAISDELL, Secretary.