p. 151 | California State Conference of S. D. Adventists-Business Proceedings

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1873

California State Conference of S. D. Adventists—Business Proceedings.

By John Norton Loughborough; Wm. Saunders

The second annual session of the California State Conference was held, according to appointment, in connection with the camp-meeting at Yountville. The Conference was called to order at 3 P. M., September 19, by the President, J. N. Loughborough. Prayer by Eld. M. E. Cornell.

Seven churches were represented by twelve delegates. One of these, the Woodland church, was, by their request, voted into the Conference.

Two unorganized companies, Napa, with fifty-two members, and St. Helena, with about twenty members, requested the watch-care of the Conference, until such time as they can be fully organized, and voted into the Conference. The usual invitation was extended to all members in good standing to take part in our deliberations, and to the members of the unorganized companies to sit with us.

Secretary’s report of last Conference read and accepted.

Report was made on purchase of tent by J. N. Loughborough, as follows:—

Cost of the new, double-top tent with fixtures, $690.13

Receipts to date, 690.13

All square. Report accepted.

Ministers’ reports of labor, receipts, and expenses, made by Elds. Loughborough and Cornell, and accepted. Treasurer’s report made and accepted, as follows:—

Amount in Treasury at close of last Conference, $687.55

Received since Feb. 15, 813.07

Total, $1,500.62

Paid out, as per book, 540.47

Balance in Treasury at date, $960.15

T. M. Chapman, Treasurer.

The President being so authorized, appointed for Committee on Resolutions, M. E. Cornell, Joseph Dimmick, and Wm. Saunders; and Auditing Committee, W. W. Smith, E. A. Stockton, J. W. Bond, W. B. Dennison, T. B. Gourley, and J. W. Cassiday. The Executive Committee, being so authorized, appointed for Committee on Nominations, T. M. Chapman, J. W. Bond, T. B. Gourley. This Committee reported for President, J. N. Loughborough; Secretary, Wm. Saunders; one member of the Executive Committee, John Judson; and, failing to nominate the Treasurer and the other member of the Executive Committee, requested to be discharged; whereupon W. B. Dennison, E. A. Stockton, and W. W. Smith were appointed to nominate the remaining officers. After a few moments’ deliberation, they nominated, for Treasurer, T. M. Chapman; the other member of the Executive Committee, J. W. Bond.

SECOND SESSION.

September 20, 3:30 P. M.

A report of the standing of the Conference was made, showing that there are within the bounds of this Conference seven churches organized, and three unorganized. Of the organized churches, the report stands as follows:—

Additions by letter since Feb., 24

“Baptism” 21

Total, 45

Membership Feb. 15, 184

Present total, 229

Besides a loss by death of 3

By apostasy, 6

Total, 9

No. of Sabbath-school scholars, 199

Amount of S. B. per year, in the seven churches, $2,622.30.

No. of Sabbath-keepers not in the organized churches, 100.

The Auditing Committee reported that they had effected a settlement of all affairs referred to them, which was accepted.

THIRD SESSION.

September 21, 9 A. M.

The report of Committee on Nominations was read, and the candidates declared elected.

FOURTH SESSION.

September 22, 3 P. M.

After the reading of the address by the President, J. N. Loughborough, the following resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote.

Resolved, That the sentiments embodied in the address of the President of this Conference are fully indorsed, and that we request its publication in connection with the proceedings of this Conference, in the Review and Herald, and also that the same be published in pamphlet form for general distribution in our churches, the expense of the same to be paid from our State funds. The President being authorized, appointed a committee of three to solicit subscriptions to the $200 Camp-meeting Fund.

The following were offered by the Committee on Resolutions, and unanimously adopted:—

Resolved, That donations of money for the benefit of church or Sabbath-school funds may be received, when made in good faith, and from true sympathy with the cause of Christ which we have espoused, unless such funds shall have been raised in a manner objectionable to the trustees of the church where the money is offered, and of which the said trustees shall be the judges.

Resolved, That we hereby express our fullest sympathy with the General Conference in its endeavors to extend the cause of present truth.

Resolved, That this Conference request anew that Bro. and sister White come to this coast and spend the winter; and we hereby instruct and empower our Conference Committee to confer with them, and to make such arrangements with them in this matter as shall be congenial to their health, comfort, and duties.

This resolution was indorsed, first by a rising vote of the delegates, and then by a rising vote of the congregation.

Resolved, That the minutes of this Conference contain such portions of our last session, and previous State meetings, as it may be important to preserve.

Resolved, That this Conference and camp-meeting express our grateful thanks to Messrs. Lancashire and Linn for granting us the privileges and favors they have upon this camp-ground.

On motion, the credentials of Elds. J. N. Loughborough and M. E. Cornell were renewed.

The Treasurer submitted a final report, showing the standing of the funds at close of Conference.

Cash received during Conference, $43.35

Paid out by order of Auditing Committee, 181.85

Still to be paid on orders, 116.49

Which will leave a balance in the treasury at close of Conference, $705.16

Besides which, a quarter’s S. B. is due from all our churches, Oct. 1.

It was announced from the chair that $611.00 were pledged already on the $500 Mission Fund proposed in the Conference address, and $240.00 on the $200 Camp-meeting Fund, and the Conference adjourned sine die.

J. N. Loughborough, Pres.

Wm. Saunders, Sec.