BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS by J. M. Aldrich; Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1867

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

By J. M. Aldrich; Uriah Smith

Of the Fifth Annual Session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Met according to appointment in Review, May 14, 1867, at 9 o’clock A. M. Bro. White not being able to attend the morning session, Bro. J. M. Aldrich was chosen chairman pro tem. Prayer by Bro. Andrews.

Delegates being called for, credentials were presented by the following brethren.

Elds. A. S. Hutchins, of Vt., H. C. Blanchard, and Jno. Matteson, of Wis. and Ill.; N. Fuller, and J. N. Andrews, of N. Y.; Wm. Carpenter, J. M. Aldrich, M. E. Cornell, E. H. Root, James Harvey, of Mich.; D. T. Bourdeau and A. A. Fairfield of Iowa; I. N. Van Gorder of Ohio, and Stephen Pierce of Minn. On motion Bro. Mallory was received as a delegate from Missouri.

Returned missionaries present were Brn. Waggoner, Canright, Van Horn, and Lawrence.

Minutes of last meeting called for, read, and approved.

On motion the Ministers present who are not members of this Conference, were invited to take part in this Conference.

Reports from Conferences presented, showing the following result:

Names	Ministers	Licentiates	Churches	Members	S. B. Fund Pledged	Used by Ch.	Pledged to Conference	Pledged to State Conf.	Funds on hand
Mich. Conf.	10	1	47	1308	$6143.06	1824.37	43.86	—	433.90
N. Y. & Pa.	5	3	25	536	3131.03	169.12	2817.92	155.00	—
Wis. & Ill.	8	3	20	554	2441.35	488.31	953.24	—	—
Iowa	—	—	15	390	2076.40	315.28	1661.12	100.00	274.67
Ohio	—	—	11	50	811.24	8.00	673.24	58.00	153.02
Vermont	4	—	10	205	982.27	6.00	922.27	—	300.00
Minnesota	2	1	5	170	787.60	150.45	536.83	50.00	50.00
N. E. Mission	4	2	27	987	2288.30	—	—	—	—
Total	28	10	160	4324	18661.39	3077.52	12883.26	363.00	4212.17

Bro. Cornell being called on to report in reference to the amount raised for his benefit, gratefully acknowledged the liberal donations of the brethren, in the sum raised, $648.10, and reported that he had no need of further help in this direction.

Bro. Andrews made a similar report in behalf of Bro. Cottrell.

The report on the meeting-house in Battle Creek, being the next item introduced, showed the following standing and prospects of the house: Expended on the meeting-house to the present time, $7,076.57; outstanding bills, $23.43; lots, still the property of the Pub. Association, $1,000.00; total, $8,100.00. Received on pledges, $5,208.80; unpaid pledges, $633.00; value of old house, $1,300.00; total, $7,141.30. Balance, $958.70.

The Michigan Conference has, since the above was reported, pledged $700.00 more for the house, leaving a deficit, after paying for the lots, of $258.70.

Bro. Andrews being called upon to speak in reference to the task allotted him at the last Conference of writing on the subject of war, reported that for want of time the work was in an unfinished condition.

On the subject of question books for children, youth and adults, Bro. Amadon reported that from sickness, and press of labor what time he had been able to work, he had not been able to carry out the instructions of the Conference. Had made some progress on a question book for small children, and marked out a plan for the whole, in which condition the work now stands.

The Gen. Conf. committee to whom was referred the subject of issuing a collection of revival hymns, reported that nothing had been done on it, but they had had under consideration the subject of a hymn book for general use.

Reports of ministers called for, and submitted to the committee.

The Treasurer’s report showed the financial condition of the Conference to be as follows:

Amount on hand at last report, $2,030.25 “ Received during year, $2,248.46 Total, $4,278.71 Paid out as per Treasurer’s book, $3,625.79 Cash in treasury to balance, $652.92 Total, $4,278.71

The change in the Constitution, as proposed in the call for the meeting, was considered and adopted, by striking out the proviso in Art. IX, and changing the words “two thirds vote,” to “three-fourths vote,” so that as amended it reads,

“Art. IX. This Constitution may be altered or amended by a three fourths vote of the delegates present at any meeting.”

The Constitution of the Conference was then still further amended as follows:

Section 1 of Art. V, was amended by adding thereto the words, “and they shall audit and settle accounts with ministers and others in the employ of the Conference,” so that, as amended, it shall read,

“Art. V. Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to take the general supervision of all ministerial labor, and see that the same is properly distributed; and they shall take the special supervision of all missionary labor, and as a missionary board shall have the power to decide where such labor is needed, and who shall go as missionaries to perform the same; and they shall audit and settle accounts with ministers and others in the employ of the Conference.”

“Sec. 5 of Art. V, was amended so as to read, It shall be the duty of the ministers and others in the employ of the General Conference to make a written report to each annual meeting thereof, of each day’s occupation during the Conference year, or such portion of the year as they may have been in the employ of the Conference.”

Art. V was further amended by the addition of another section as follows: “Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Conference to select a committee of two laymen to act with the executive committee in the examination and settlement of accounts.”

Art. VII, was amended by striking it out as it now stands, namely, “The officers shall hold their offices for the term of one year, and shall be elected at the regular meetings of the Conference,” and inserting the

following in its stead: “The officers shall be elected at the regular meetings of the Conference, and shall hold their offices for the term of one year, or until their successors are chosen.”

The executive committee then presented the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That we recommend to the different State Conferences to adopt the following as Sec. 3. of Art. VII, of their State Conference Constitution: This Conference may, at its discretion, invite all persons present who are members of our churches in good standing to take part in the discussion of business, but not to participate in voting.

Resolved, That we recommend to the different State Conferences to adopt the resolutions passed at the Gen. Conf. of 1866 on the expulsion of members and church trials as a part of their State Conference Constitution.

Resolved, That we recommend to the several State Conferences the adoption, as part of their Constitutions, of the resolution of 1866 on the subject of Systematic Benevolence in the case of members moving from one church to another.

Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference that one or more of the General Conference Committee or some one appointed by them, should be present at the sessions of each State Conference, and participate in all its business proceedings.

FIELDS OF LABOR.

Resolved, That ministers who leave their fields of labor when their work therein is unfinished shall be liable to censure from the Conference of which they are members.

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION.

Resolved, That in the judgment of this Conference no church clerk should ever give letters of commendation except when instructed so to do by vote of the church.

MEMBERS MOVING.

Resolved, That we deem it worthy of severe censure that our brethren frequently move from churches to which they belong when there is no sufficient reason for so doing, and when the churches of which they were members are thereby so weakened as to have their very existence endangered; and, that in our judgment such churches may at its discretion withhold letters of commendation from members moving under such circumstances.

Resolved, That in our judgment, the ordinances of the Christian church belong only to those who accept the duties and responsibilities of church membership.

Resolved, That we deem it duty to caution our brethren against purchasing patent rights; and that we express our surprise and regret that our friends should so often forget the warnings given on this subject through the Testimonies.

Resolved, That in the judgment of this Conference, it is to be regretted that some persons travel about without a license from the Conference, introducing a few points of present truth, and those points in an objectionable manner; and we hereby enter our protest against such a course.

Resolved, That in our judgment it is more for the advancement of the truth to live it out before our neighbors, than to be constantly contending with them.

ENLARGEMENT OF REVIEW.

Resolved, That in the judgment of this Conference, the cause of God demanded the enlargement of the Review already made, and also demands the one proposed to take effect at the commencement of next volume, and that we recommend to our ministers and people to sustain it by extending its circulation as far as possible, and by donating sufficiently to relieve all embarrassment arising therefrom.

Resolved, That we recommend to the editor of the Advent Review to reject articles that are of a personal or censorious character, except such as are positively necessary to defend the cause of truth.

Adjourned to ½ past two P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Met according to adjournment. Prayer by Bro. White. The meeting being opened, Bro. White stated that he had simply come to excuse himself from serving as chairman of the meeting, and in view of his state of health, and his anticipated change of location, as he wished for rest and retirement awhile, he requested to be released from all office in the Conference during the coming year. At his suggestion, Bro. Aldrich again took the chair.

The Conference then proceeded to the further consideration of resolutions prepared by the committee, which were unanimously adopted as follows:

SEVENTH-DAY BAPTISTS.

Whereas, We desire as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men, and especially with that people who in common with ourselves observe the ancient Sabbath of the Bible, and, Whereas, On several occasions collisions have arisen between ourselves and the Seventh-day Baptists, and, in the excitement of debates reports have been written in which unguarded language and more or less of personalities have been used.

Resolved, That we hereby express our regret that such language has ever been allowed in the Review and that we request the Editor to strike out all such matters from the articles inserted in its columns unless the most obvious reason for its insertion exists.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

Resolved, That we express our continued faith in the perpetuity of Spiritual gifts during the gospel dispensation, and our gratitude to God that he has intimately connected the spirit of prophecy with the proclamation of the third angel’s message.

APPEAL TO MOTHERS.

Resolved, That we deem it important to call anew the attention of parents and guardians to the work of sister White, entitled, Appeal to Mothers; and that we earnestly invite them to place this work in the hands of such young persons as are under their care.

YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR.

Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference, that the wants of our young people demand a more frequent publication of the Youth’s Instructor; and we hereby request the Publishing Association to issue the Instructor once in two weeks.

HYMN BOOK.

Whereas, Our present hymn book is exhausted, and, Whereas, We believe that the present book can be materially improved, if sufficient time and labor be bestowed upon the work, therefore,

Resolved, That ______ be a committee to engage in the preparation of such work; and they are hereby instructed to use their best endeavor to furnish a work of moderate size and of reasonable expense, filled with the choicest hymns of praise and devotion, and expressive of the great truths of our holy faith.

Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference, that a small collection of devotional hymns should be immediately issued to meet the wants of those who have no hymn books, till such time as a larger and more complete work can be published.

HEALTH REFORM.

Resolved, That we acknowledge the Health Reform as a proper exemplification of the subject of Christian temperance, and an important part of the great work of preparation for the Judgment.

THE HEALTH INSTITUTE.

Resolved, That we recognize the hand of God in the successful establishment of the Health Institute, and that we invite the continued action of our people in order that this may be enlarged to meet the wants of its patients.

DRESS.

Resolved, That we earnestly entreat all our friends to regard the subject of plainness of dress as set forth in the pamphlet recently issued from the Review Office, containing the Gen. Conference Resolutions on dress, and Judson’s letter on the same subject.

REFORMED DRESS.

Resolved, That we recommend to our sisters the Reformed Dress set forth in testimony No. 11, and now in use at the Health Institute.

WAR.

Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference, that the bearing of arms, or engaging in war, is a direct violation of the teachings of our Saviour and of the spirit and letter of the law of God. Yet we deem it our duty to yield respect to civil rulers, and obedience to all such laws as do not conflict with the word of God. In the carrying out of this principle we render tribute, customs, reverence, &c.

PRIVATE PUBLISHING INTEREST.

Resolved, that it is the judgment of this Conference, that there should be no private interest connected with the Association, but that whatever is published at the Office, depending for sale upon the patronage of our people, such works should be the property of the association.

Resolved, That we deem the circulation of publications relating to the present truth a matter of vital importance to the cause in which we are engaged; and that we consider it indispensable that our ministers should personally interest themselves in this work, though the care and perplexity of their sale should be borne by others.

Resolved, That we request Bro. J. N. Andrews to complete his article on the subject of war and publish through the Review at his earliest convenience.

Resolved, That it is the judgment of this Conference, that the wants of our people at large demand a work on the structure, functions and care of the human system; and we request the Health Reform Institute to issue such a work.

Resolved, That this Conference renew its request to Bro. G. W. Amadon, to prepare a series of question books for Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, in such series as were recommended at the last Conference.

On motion, the Chair was empowered to appoint two laymen to aid the executive committee in examining and settling accounts of missionaries, as required by the amended constitution. Bro. E. H. Root, and James Harvey were thereupon appointed as such committee.

The subject of distribution of labor was next considered. Bro. Loughborough presented petitions from Ohio, California, Missouri, &c. Bro. Bourdeau spoke for Iowa, Bro. Mallory for Missouri, Bro. Matteson for the Danes and Norwegians of the West.

All the calls for help were referred, on motion, to the Gen. Conf. Committee.

Adjourned to call of Committee.

Third session, Thursday, 2½ P. M. After prayer by Bro. Waggoner, the auditing committee’s report was read and accepted.

Election of Officers. Moved, That the officers of the Conference for the ensuing year, be nominated by ballot. Carried.

The balloting resulted in the nomination of the following persons for the officers of the Conference: For President, Eld. J. N. Andrews, Secretary, U. Smith, Treasurer, Eld. I. D. Van Horn, Executive Committee, Eld. J. N. Andrews, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, and J. M. Aldrich.

On motion, the persons named were declared unanimously elected.

On motion, the executive committee of the Conference were appointed as a committee to fill the blank in the resolution on hymn book.

A letter being read from Bro. Stratton, it was voted in reference to Elds. Stratton, Howard, and Rodman, as this was the first time their names had come before the Conference for action, that it be referred to the Executive Committee to grant them such credentials as in their judgment shall seem proper.

Fourth session, Friday, 3 P. M. After prayer by Bro. Fuller, the committee reported the following names to fill the blank in the resolution on hymn book: Eld. J. N. Andrews, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. E. F. Cottrell, and U. Smith.

The following preamble and resolutions were then presented by Bro. Andrews, and unanimously adopted:

Whereas, The season of fasting and prayer that the war might be brought to a close was followed by a signal answer to that prayer; and

Whereas, Such answer to prayer called for the deepest humiliation before God, that we might discharge the great responsibilities that devolved upon us by this opening to give the warning voice of the third angel; and

Whereas, Instead of this, a spirit of self laudation and vanity came over us that justly displeased the Lord.

Resolved, That we publicly acknowledge the hand of God in the great humiliations that have come upon us, and that we beseech the great God of Heaven to grant us such a spirit of repentance and humiliation that he can properly remove his just displeasure from us.

Resolved, That we express our solemn convictions that in some places our brethren have been more anxious to impress upon the public the idea that they were an upright worthy people, than to call their attention to the awful importance of the truths we cherish.

Fifth session. First-day, May 19, at 4 P. M. The following resolutions were unanimously passed at this session:

Resolved, That we request Bro. U. Smith to prepare for publication in pamphlet form his argument in answer to the objections against the visions.

Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the church in Battle Creek for their kindness and hospitality during these meetings.

Resolved, That the minutes of this meeting be published in the Review.

Adjourned sine die.

J. M. ALDRICH, Chairman pro tem.

U. SMITH, Secretary.