Minnesota Conference by H. Grant; H. F. Phelps

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1873

Minnesota Conference.

By H. Grant; H. F. Phelps

The thirteenth annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota was held at Medford, Steele Co., June 26 to June 30. First session opened by prayer by Eld. Butler.

Delegates being called for, twelve responded, representing nine churches. Delegate from Riceland church not being present, Bro. John Hanson, by vote of the Conference, took his place. New churches being next in order, Hutchinson, East Hutchinson, and Golden Gate, responded through their delegates and were admitted to the Conference. The Sabbath-keepers at Kenyon, represented by their delegate, were taken under the watchcare of the Conference.

Moved that Elds. G. I. Butler, D. M. Canright, John Matteson, and all brethren in good standing, be invited to participate in the deliberations of this Conference.

Minutes of the last Conference read and accepted.

The President appointed the following committees:—

On Credentials and Licenses, Eld. D. M. Canright, C. Kelsey, and W. I. Gibson.

On Nominations, I. B. Edwards, D. McAlpine, and Wm. Hill.

On Resolutions, D. M. Canright, John McMiller, and D. Alway.

Auditing Committee, J. L. House, D. McAlpine, E. L. Rouse, Hans Rasmussen, H. Schram, and S. A. Halleck.

Reports of ministers and licentiates:

Eld. D. M. Canright, John Hanson, H. F. Phelps, L. H. Ellis, and George Dimmock, responded.

Adjourned to call of President.

SECOND SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. Curtis.

Delegates from Otranto and Riceland churches being present, were admitted to the Conference.

Report of Treasurer read and accepted, showing receipts of $1691.17 Payments, 1046.81 Remaining in the Treasury, $644.36.

Secretary then read a report concerning the standing of the Conference. The report showed: No. of churches, 16; members, 429; gain, 142; s. B., $2124.04; gain, $1012.04. Report was accepted.

The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—

DUTY OF CLERKS.

Resolved, That it is with regret that we learn of the slack and unbusiness-like manner in which the church records in the different churches of this Conference have been kept, and that we recommend the different clerks to inform themselves of the duties of their office, and then carefully attend to them.

S. B. TREASURERS.

Whereas, Our s. B. Fund is a sacred and important one, and every cent should be carefully accounted for, and every pledge paid as made to God, and,

Whereas, Its prosperity depends much upon the proper interest and action of the s. B. Treasurers, Therefore,

Resolved, That the persons most suitable for the office should be chosen, and that they be instructed to properly and carefully attend to the duties of that important office.

SCATTERED SABBATH-KEEPERS.

Resolved, That we earnestly invite all the Sabbath-keepers in our State to help in sustaining the cause. All such pledges and money to be sent to W. I. Gibson, Rochester, Minn.

Resolved, That no money should be paid from the s. B. Funds, either from churches or the Conference Treasury, except by an order from the Executive Committee.

STATE AUDITOR.

Resolved, That we appoint a State Auditor, whose duty it shall be to audit the accounts of each s. B. Treasurer at the close of each Conference year.

ABSENT CHURCH MEMBERS.

Resolved, That we again remind our brethren that it is the duty of absent church members to report themselves by letter to the church once in three months, said report to be sent to the clerk, and by him, or her, read to the church; and that the clerk shall write to such as fail to report.

TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Resolved, That in view of the scarcity of preachers among us, the shortness of time, the increasing calls for the truth, and the efficiency of our publications, we regard the rise of the T. and M. Society as in the special providence of God as an efficient means of maintaining and spreading the truth; and that we earnestly recommend all of our churches to immediately enter into this work.

THE SCHOOL.

Resolved, That we are heartily in favor of the establishment of a denominational school for our people at Battle Creek, Mich., and that we recommend all who are able, to assist by their means in the raising of necessary funds for a suitable building for said school.

THE HEALTH REFORM.

Resolved, That each year's experience increases our interest and faith in the health reform, as being an important part of the message, and that we recommend all to adopt it in a consistent manner.

Resolved, That, with regret, we learn that the state of Bro. White's health would not permit him and sister White to be with us on this occasion, and that we earnestly pray that God will restore him to health again, that he may have part in the closing message of mercy.

Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the General Conference for the help they have given us the past year, and at this Conference, and pray that they will remember us in the future. This was passed by a rising vote of all present.

Adjourned to call of President.

THIRD SESSION.

The President being absent, D. M. Canright was elected Pres. pro tem.

Prayer by D. M. Canright.

The Nominating Committee then reported. The following brethren were nominated and elected to their respective offices. President, H. Grant; Secretary, H. F. Phelps; Treasurer, W. I. Gibson; Executive Committee, C. Kelsey and D. McAlpine.

By request of the Conference, the President nominated, as State Auditor, O. W. Pierce, who was elected.

The following resolution was then adopted:

Resolved, That this Conference direct the Secretary to furnish the blanks which are necessary for church and s. B. Treasurer's reports, just before the time when such reports should be sent to the Secretary, that those having such reports to make, may be reminded of their duty to report immediately.

Report of Committee on Credentials and Licenses was then submitted, recommending that the credentials of Elds. Pierce and Ingraham be renewed, and that Brn. H. Grant and J. Hanson be ordained and receive credentials; also, that H. F. Phelps, L. H. Ellis, Geo. Dimmock, Charles Lee, Wm. Hill, and J. Fulton, receive licenses.

The name of Brush Creek church was changed to that of Wells, the church of Joe Davies, to that of Blue Earth City, and that of Pleasant Grove, to that of High Forest.

Adjourned to call of President.

FOURTH SESSION.

Prayer by Bro. Canright.

The question of licenses being again called, Bro. Peter Erb received license.

Voted, That we donate to the General Conference the sum of $500.00.

Bro. Butler then made remarks on the necessity of a proper person's removing from this Conference to Battle Creek to assist in the work at that place, and then submitted the following resolution, which was passed unanimously.

Resolved, That we, as a Conference, appreciating the importance of having the right influence at the head of the work at Battle Creek, and desiring to do our duty with our brethren of other Conferences in supplying this want, hereby direct the President of this Conference to correspond with those who are competent to select proper persons, and when such selection is made, we earnestly recommend such persons to remove there immediately.

On motion, the President appointed Brn. I. Z. Lamb, A. H. Van Kirk, and John Fulton, to act as Camp-meeting Committee.

By request, the name of the church of Deerfield was changed to that of Medford.

The Secretary then presented the following resolution, which was passed by a rising vote of all present:

Resolved, That we regret that we are compelled to part with Bro. Canright, thus being deprived of his labors, on account of his failing health, and earnestly solicit his return if Providence should direct; and we pray God to bless him with health and strength to labor on in this good cause.

Moved, That the doings of this Conference be sent to the REVIEW for publication. Carried.

Adjourned sine die.

H. Grant, Pres. H. F. Phelps, Sec.