Missionary and Tract Society of the Vt. State Conference by Lewis Bean; C. W. Stone

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1872

Missionary and Tract Society of the Vt. State Conference.

By Lewis Bean; C. W. Stone

In accordance with the call in the REVIEW, a general meeting was held at Bordoville, Vt., Feb. 18, 1872, at 9½ A. M., for the purpose of forming a Missionary and Tract Society for the S. D. Adventist Conference of Vermont and Canada East. Meeting called to order by the President of the Conference. C. W. Stone was chosen Secretary, pro tem.

Some time was occupied by Bro. Bourdeau in stating the object of the meeting. The Constitution recommended, with remarks and directions, in REVIEW, No. 6, present volume, were read by the Secretary, after which, further remarks were made by Bro. Bourdeau on the object and workings of these societies. Then, on motion, it was unanimously

Voted, To form a Missionary and Tract Society for the Vermont Conference, and to adopt the Constitution recommended, which was taken up, article by article.

At this point, all present who could be recommended by a church of Seventh-day Adventists were invited to pay one dollar to become members of this society. Nearly one hundred persons promptly presented themselves, most of them of Franklin County. On motion, these persons appointed Brn. A. Stone, H. N. Austin, and E. Kellogg, a committee to nominate the officers of this society. It was suggested that the Conference be divided into five districts, and that the Executive Committee consist of five.

Letters from the churches at Jamaica, Stowe, and Irasburgh, which churches were not represented by delegates, were read.

AFTERNOON SESSION. The Nominating Committee presented their report, whereupon the following officers were elected: President, A. C. Bourdeau; Vice-president, L. Bean; Secretary, C. W. Stone; Treasurer, M. N. Cross; Executive Committee, Lewis Bean, S. H. Peck, T. Purdon, and E. Kellogg.

The subject of districting the State was taken up; it was decided by vote to leave it to be done by the Executive Committee.

By the decision of the committee, the Conference was divided into the following districts:—

Enosburgh, Berkshire, Richford, and environs.
Irasburgh and Sutton, Vt., Compton, P. Q., and environs.
Wolcott, Johnson, Stowe, and vicinity.
West Bolton, New Haven, Roxbury, and vicinity.
Andover, Jamaica, and environs.

Interesting and stirring remarks were made by several in regard to forwarding this work throughout the Conference, what is required of members, &c.; whereupon the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—

Resolved, That, as measures will be taken to organize in the several districts, we earnestly request the members of churches to become members of this society, and, that it be the duty of the elder or leader of each church to encourage the members thus to do.

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be recommended to appoint agents, men or women of candor and Christian courtesy, who shall especially interest themselves in collecting arrearages on periodicals in different parts of the Conference.

Whereas, We recognize that the special blessing of God has attended the effort made by our people in the publication of books, pamphlets, tracts, and periodicals, on a very large scale; and

Whereas, We have long felt the need of a more thoroughly organized effort for a wide circulation of our publications: therefore,

Resolved, That we gratefully receive the creation of Tract Societies for the purpose, as set forth and recommended in REVIEW of Jan. 16, 1872, as the very means, under the blessing of God, to accomplish this work.

Resolved, That we, as a society, acknowledging the obligations that we are under to God, do pledge ourselves to faithfulness in spreading the knowledge of the present truth, and in carrying out the principles of the religion of the Bible.

Adjourned, sine die.

LEWIS BEAN, Chairman.

C. W. STONE, Secretary.