Business Meeting at Monroe, Wis by R. F. Andrews; G. W. Colcord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1875

Business Meeting at Monroe, Wis.

By R. F. Andrews; G. W. Colcord

A BUSINESS session was called to order in the S. D. Adventist house of worship at Monroe, Wis., by Eld. O. A. Olsen, president of the Wisconsin Conference, on first day, Dec. 5, 1875, at 9:30 A. M. The object of this meeting was to consider the propriety of dividing the Wisconsin and Illinois Conferences.

After prayer, Eld. R. F. Andrews was chosen chairman of the meeting, and Bro. G. W. Colcord clerk. The object of the meeting was stated by the Chair; whereupon Bro. Olsen, Pratt, Ballenger, Gillett, I. Colcord, Olds, Bennett, Newton, and others, freely expressed their mind with reference to the proposed change in our Conference boundary lines.

Voted, That the clerk read before this meeting an instrument in his possession addressed to the General Conference Committee.

He read as follows:—

“To the General Conference Committee of Seventh-day Adventists, Dear Brethren: We, the brethren and sisters from various points in Wisconsin and Illinois, assembled in a business meeting at Monroe, Wis., Dec. 5, 1875, believe that, in the providence of God, the time has come when the division of these Conferences would be in harmony with the work of God. Therefore, we would respectfully petition that, if it be in accordance with your judgment, you should grant us permission to divide as follows:—

“Three tiers of counties off from the northern part of Illinois, and two off from the southern part of Wisconsin, and let this territory be known as the Union Conference.

“Our reasons for forming a new Conference are, first, to save traveling expenses, and secondly, to give our brethren and sisters a better opportunity for attending our annual gatherings in their own Conference.

“We would suggest that three camp-meetings be held the coming year in Illinois and Wisconsin as follows: One in Southern Illinois, one in Northern Wisconsin, and a third—a union meeting—at, or near, Freeport, Ill., in which the Conference business of both States should be transacted.

“We further ask that this union meeting may be held in the month of September, and that ministerial aid be furnished us by the General Conference; but we leave time and place subject to your decision.”

After due deliberation a vote of all interested was called for and taken, which showed the following:—

In favor of division, 45; opposed to division, 2; undecided, 7.

Voted, To send a report of this meeting to the REVIEW AND HERALD for publication.

Voted, To adjourn without date.

R. F. Andrews, Chairman, G. W. Colcord, Clerk.

P. S. I voted for “division,” still I am not now fully in favor of it. I incline to this change: Divide each Conference separately, and make four Conferences of the two; perhaps not in 1876. G. W. C.