Minnesota Conference by Harrison Grant; H. F. Phelps

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1874

Minnesota Conference.

By Harrison Grant; H. F. Phelps

The thirteenth annual Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota was held according to appointment at Medford, Steel Co., Minn., June 25–29, 1874. Bro. Grant in the chair. Meeting called to order. Opening prayer by Eld. Butler.

Delegates being called for, seventeen responded, representing fourteen churches. Two churches not represented.

Call made for new churches that wished to join the Conference. Eleven were admitted with a membership of one hundred and seven, and S. B. pledged to the amount of about $1042. The churches are as follows: Grove Lake, West Union, River Falls, Wis.; Sibley, Iowa; Steele Center, Mankato, Litchfield, Lake City, Isanti, Chisago Lake, Cambridge, Minn. The Oakes church, not being fully organized, was admitted under the watchcare of the Conference by request.

Moved that Elders Haskell and Butler and all brethren in good standing be invited to take part in the deliberations of this Conference. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Voted, That the President appoint the committees. The following committees were appointed:— On Nominations, J. L. House, A. B. Brant, and Bro. Pease; on Auditing, Brn. Lamb, Hallack, Olive, Hanson, Rasmussen, and Emerson; on Licenses, W. I. Gibson, I. Z. Lamb, and Eld. Stephen Pierce; on Resolutions, H. F. Phelps, John Fulton, and Chas. Lee.

Adjourned to call of Chair.

SECOND SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. Haskell.

Delegate from Otranto, Iowa, being present, was admitted. The Kenyon church was, by request, admitted to the Conference.

Moved that the St. Cloud church be dropped from the minutes of the Conference.

The Committee on Nominations reported, report was accepted, and the committee discharged. They reported for President, H. Grant; Secretary, H. F. Phelps; Treasurer, W. I. Gibson; Executive Committee, Calvin Kelsey and I. Z. Lamb. Moved that these officers be declared elected as a body. Carried.

Committee on Licenses reported, and the following named brethren received license: L. H. Ellis, John Fulton, Geo. M. Dimmick, H. F. Phelps, Daniel Call, Wm. Hill, F. W. Morse, Stephen Roesee, Peter Erb, Peter Lindblad, C. Nelson and P. G. Phernelius.

Voted, To renew the credentials of Elders Pierce, Grant and Harmon. By request of Bro. Hanson, he was released from this Conference to join the Iowa Conference.

Voted, That Bro. Chas. Lee be ordained and receive credentials.

TREASURER’S REPORT.

On hand at commencement of the year, $ 644.36 Received, 2007.25 Total, $2651.61 Expenditures, $1955.83 Cash to balance, 695.78 Total, $2651.61

Adjourned to call of Chair.

THIRD SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. Curtis.

Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted:—

Whereas, God has evidently manifested his willingness to assist us in this Conference during the past, and is opening the field before us, therefore

Resolved, That we should take this as evidence, not of satisfaction with ourselves, but that we should seek humility and contrition before God, and that we will seek him more and more trying to get the burden of the work.

Whereas, We see by our experience in the past year that the T. and M. Society is a very efficient means of leading souls to the truth, and often opens the way for the living preacher, therefore

Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to all our brethren everywhere their co-operation in this important branch of the work.

Whereas, We believe this message is to go to peoples, nations, and tongues, and

Whereas, God has in his providence placed so many of other tongues in our midst, therefore

Resolved, That we will second every effort of the General Conference to get the truth before these people, and ask the co-operation of our brethren of other tongues who already possess these truths to work with us to the same great end.

Resolved, That we are in hearty sympathy with the work on the Pacific Coast, and that we will assist with our prayers and our means.

Resolved, That we raise means by donation to purchase tents for the use of this Conference. (Over $1000 were subscribed for this purpose.)

Eld. Curtis then presented the following resolution which was adopted by a rising vote of all present:—

Resolved, That we are interested in the work of securing protection in the observance of the Lord’s holy day in our State, and hereby express our thanks to the Legislature, which at its last session enacted a law which releases us from the liabilities of fines and penalties for working on the first day of the week, and that we pledge our co-operation with our Seventh-day Baptist brethren in all proper efforts that may be made for further protection.

Voted, That the President appoint a committee of three to act as Camp-meeting Committee. The following were appointed: Peter Hanson, Josiah Warren and A. H. Van Kirk.

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

Adjourned sine die.

HARRISON GRANT, Pres.

H. F. PHELPS, Sec.

The address of the treasurer is W. I. Gibson, Rochester, Minn., and all money should be sent to him by Draft, Post-office Order, or by Registered Letter. Be careful to give in full your name, post-office, county, and State. Send all your reports to your secretary, H. F. Phelps, Pine Island, Goodhue Co., Minn.