Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the General Conference of S. D. Adventists by George I. Butler; Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1873

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the General Conference of S. D. Adventists.

By George I. Butler; Uriah Smith

(Continued from last number.)

EIGHTH SESSION.

PRAYER by Eld. R. F. Andrews. Tract work called up for discussion. Remarks were made by G. I. Butler, J. N. Andrews, S. N. Haskell, P. Z. Kinne, R. M. Kilgore, O. H. Pratt, D. M. Canright, I. D. Van Horn, R. F. Andrews.

On motion, it was recommended that Eld. S. N. Haskell visit the different Conferences, to labor in Tract and Missionary work.

On motion, the appointment of a delegate to the next session of the S. D. Baptist General Conference was left with the General Conference Committee, they to appoint a suitable person in season for that meeting in September next. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were adopted:—

Resolved, That we consider it a serious mistake on the part of some of our ministers, that without first consulting with our General Conference Committee, they make long journeys, and incur much unnecessary expense in finding their fields of labor.

Resolved, That, while we acknowledge that the prosperity of the Publishing Association is due to the untiring interest and labors of Bro. White, we cannot overlook the fact, that with this is connected the prosperity of the work in every department; and while, in the providence of God, others are raised up to assist in bearing the burdens of labor, we trust that Bro. White will, under the sanction of the General Conference, be free to occupy that position in the future, as far as his strength will permit, that God has so evidently called him to occupy in the past, not to labor to the exhausting of his strength as heretofore, but to act as counselor, and to give to the cause the benefit of his mature judgment and experience.

Resolved, That we express our thanks for the labors of Bro. and sister White during this Conference, and that we renew our expressions of confidence in the Bible doctrine of Spiritual Gifts, and of our appreciation, in some degree, of the kindness and mercy of God in favoring this people with the Testimonies of his Spirit to the church.

On motion, it was recommended to State Conference Committees to purchase one or more small tents, of 30 or 40 ft. diameter, to be used by licentiates in efforts to reach the people in small districts during the summer months. The following resolutions were then adopted:—

Resolved, That we express, as the judgment of the General Conference, the opinion that those who go out to preach should not seek to provoke discussion or controversy, but, rather, should give themselves to the work of setting forth the truth of God in its simplicity and its power.

Whereas, In the wise providence of God, our venerable father Bates has been called to close his earthly labors and to sleep in death,

Resolved, That we express our high appreciation of his long and useful life, filled up with noble and self-sacrificing efforts to advance the cause of Christ, and that we hold his memory in affectionate remembrance, and commend the example of his life to the ministers of Christ.

Resolved, That we again express our pleasure in receiving to our Conference the delegate from the Seventh-day Baptists, and we hope that by means of such friendly intercourse there may arise a more fraternal feeling between the two bodies of Christians who are united in the great object of proclaiming to the world the truth of the Sabbath of the Lord.

Adjourned to call of Chair.

GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres.

U. SMITH, Sec.