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SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 6, 1876

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 14.

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SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.

By James White; Uriah Smith

This meeting convened, according to appointment, March 31, 1876, at 9 A. M. Singing, “Lord in the morning thou shalt hear,” &c. Remarks by the President, stating some of the reasons why there is occasion for a special session of Conference at this time.
Prayer by U. Smith.
On calling for delegates the following responded:—
Delegate From State
Jas. White, from California,
H. H. Van Camp, “ Ohio,
B. L. Whitney, “ New York,
John Fulton, “ Minnesota,
O. A. Olsen, “ Wisconsin,
W. B. Sprague, “ “
J. Fargo, “ Michigan,
S. Brownsberger, “ “
E. H. Root, “ “
J. S. Day, “ “
Jas. Harvey, “ Indiana,
T. M. Steward, “ Illinois,
J. B. Goodrich, “ Maine,
J. T. Mitchell, “ Iowa,
D. T. Shireman, “ “
The subject of correspondence being taken up, communications were received from the following sources: S. Osborn, in behalf of the cause in Kentucky; J. N. Ayers, in behalf of the Kansas Conference; A. S. Hutchins, in behalf of the Vermont Conference; H. A. St. John, in behalf of the Ohio Conference; J. G. Matteson, in behalf of the cause among the Norwegians, in this country and Europe; L. N. Whisby in behalf of the cause in Sweden, Europe; R. Asbury, in behalf of the cause in Virginia; also from R. D. Benham, A. Rasmussen, Mrs. L. Parker, O. M. Olds, E. D. Hoagland, Alva and Hannah Craw, C. C. Aldrich, L. D. Avery. Adjourned to call of the Chair, who immediately appointed next session at 2 P. M.

SECOND SESSION.

Prayer by the chairman, after singing. The session was occupied by an address from the President stating the wants of the cause, and some of the questions to come before us at this meeting. This meeting was not called to meet the emergency of any difficulties that are pressing upon us and threatening to distract and divide us; for there is nothing of the kind. There never was a stronger influence for unity among us, generally considered, than exists at the present time. This meeting is called to consider what we shall do next, not in the sense of men who are out of work and are looking about for something to do, but as those who have so much pressing upon them that they know not what to take hold of first. We have come to confer together how we may best husband our strength to meet the demands of the work which is rising in such magnitude before us.
On motion, brethren present were invited to participate in the deliberations of this Conference.
Adjourned to 7 P. M., evening after the Sabbath.

THIRD SESSION.

Prayer by Bro. Canright. Roll called. General business taken up.
Bro. Van Camp spoke for Ohio, stating that the cause is prosperous in that State, and everything betokens good success the coming season.
Bro. Olsen spoke for the cause in Wisconsin. God has blessed them since last Conference. Never had so good meetings, and such success in the work. They want two camp-meetings, one at Sparta, and one at Ripon.
Bro. Root and Canright spoke for Michigan. Many openings presenting themselves. Calls for tent labor in a number of most promising fields. Bro. C. reported he had never found such unity among brethren in any State. With the exception of the slight defection in Allegan County, he found no place in the State where there was any murmuring or complaining. Bro. White reviewed the progress of the work in Michigan, and gave some reasons why the blessing of the Lord lingers still in Michigan.
Bro. Harvey spoke for Indiana. Never before has witnessed such a spirit of inquiry as is now abroad there. Never expected to see the way so completely opened as it is now for the spread of the third angel’s message.
Bro. Goodrich spoke for Maine. Interest on the increase since last camp-meeting. They are seeing some fruit from missionary labor. Some have accepted the truth, and others are interested. Brethren in Norridgewock revived and encouraged, and also in Aroostook Co.
Bro. Mitchell spoke for Iowa. The work is onward there. Some few features somewhat discouraging, but on the whole the prospect is good. Some of the young are coming up to the work well. Want one camp-meeting the first of June, at Marshalltown, and want help then.
Bro. Whitney spoke for the cause in New York. Field is immense, and call for help urgent.
Bro. White spoke of the prosperous condition of the publishing work in California.
Adjourned to call of the Chair. Called at 9 o’clock A. M.

FOURTH SESSION.

Prayer by U. Smith. Remarks by Bro. Fulton in reference to the cause among the Swedes in Minnesota. Letter was read from J. E. Norstrom, followed by remarks from Brn. Canright, Sawyer, Lane, and White.
On motion, the Conference invited Eld. James White, with such help as he may choose to take with him, to visit Minnesota, to look after the cause among the Swedes there.
On motion, the Conference recommended the immediate publication of a small hymn book for the use of the Swedes.
On motion, the Conference recommended the Trustees of the S. D. A. P. Association to donate to Brn. Lane and Corliss a box of books for their use in their new field of labor in Virginia.
On motion, the Conference invited Eld. James White to visit Kentucky and Virginia at his earliest convenience.
On motion, voted, That the General Conference own the tent to be used in the Virginia field.
On motion, voted, That this Conference purchase a tent for the use of Bro. Osborn in Kentucky.
Voted, That this Conference do hereby recommend to the Publishing Association to furnish Bro. Osborn a quantity of books.
Adjourned to half past one P. M.

FIFTH SESSION.

Prayer by Bro. White. Letters were read from Petrolia, C. W., Alabama, Colorado, and Michigan, setting forth the wants of the cause, and the prospects for labor. Calls are everywhere urgent, and prospects most flattering.
Remarks were then made by Bro. Canright on the subject of Systematic Benevolence. Taking certain well ascertained facts as a basis, he showed that if all would come up to the Bible plan of S. B., the amount within our ranks would reach the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars yearly, instead of about forty thousand as it now is. The Lord says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house,” and until this is done, the Lord will not be “proved,” to see whether he will not pour out a blessing so that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Bro. White followed with lengthy and stirring remarks on the same subject.
Bro. Canright offered the following resolutions on the subject of systematic benevolence, which were unanimously adopted by the Conference and congregation:—
Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of all our brethren and sisters, whether connected with churches or living alone, under ordinary circumstances, to devote one-tenth of all their income from whatever source, to the cause of God. And further,
Resolved, That we call the attention of all our ministers to their duty in this important matter to set it plainly and faithfully before all their brethren and urge them to come up to the requirements of the Lord in this thing.
Moved and carried that the chairman appoint a committee of three, himself to be one of that committee, to prepare a tract upon the subject of Systematic Benevolence. The Chair appointed D. M. Canright and U. Smith to act with him as that committee.
The resolution to purchase a large tent 80×120, passed at the last regular session of the General Conference, in Aug., 1875, was by vote rescinded, and the Conference recommended the Michigan Conference to purchase and own such a tent.
Resolved, That this Conference authorizes the Trustees of the S. D. A. Educational Society to draw upon the General Conference Fund to the amount of one thousand dollars, to be appropriated to the purposes and uses of the Educational Aid Fund.
Resolved, That the Conference Committee of each State Conference, in connection with the General Conference Committee, shall decide who of those applying are worthy to attend the College free of charge, in whole or in part, from their several Conferences.
Adjourned to Monday morning at 9 A. M.

SIXTH SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. E. R. Jones.
By vote, the case of Bro. and sister Strong was referred to the Mich. Conf. Committee.
Eld. White not being able, in view of other urgent duties, to comply with the request of the Conference to visit Minnesota, he was excused by vote of the Conference, and Eld. D. M. Canright was appointed to visit Minnesota in his place.
European mission was taken into consideration, and a large part of the time of this session was occupied in considering how best to raise means for this and other enterprises. On motion, the Chair was empowered to appoint a committee of three to present resolutions before the Conference on this subject. Bro. Canright, Smith, and Kellogg were appointed as that committee.
The subject of the publication of the HEALTH REFORMER and hygienic books was referred to the Committee on Resolutions.
Subject of camp-meetings introduced and spoken to by Bro. Canright.

SEVENTH SESSION.

Prayer by the chairman. Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted:—
Whereas, The cause is in pressing need just now of about $10,000 to establish a press in Europe, therefore
Resolved, That we instruct the Gen. Conf. Com. to immediately proceed to raise that amount in the manner they may find best.
Whereas, So great a degree of success has attended the labors of Bro. White in his management of the Hygienic Agency, and
Whereas, He has now expressed a desire to be released from the personal supervision of this enterprise,
Resolved, That we hereby express our entire satisfaction with the manner in which Bro. White has conducted the Hygienic Agency and the disposition which he has made of the proceeds of the same, while it has been in his hands.
Resolved, That we request him to still continue its management, for the present, if he can do so consistently with his other duties.
Whereas, The increasing importance of the subject of health reform demands that it receive more earnest attention, and
Whereas, Our people in general seem to be in great need of being awakened upon this subject, and
Whereas, The wants of missionary laborers and the popular demand for hygienic literature is calling loudly for a larger variety of health publications,
Resolved, That we receive with pleasure the proposition of Bro. White to prepare a volume on the subject of Bible Hygiene, and to contribute to the HEALTH REFORMER, and express the hope that he will be enabled to do something in this direction very soon, and
Resolved, That we urge the preparation as soon as expedient of such publications as the wants of this branch of the cause demand.
Whereas, There is now a debt of about $10,000 due on the college, and
Whereas, There are still unpaid pledges sufficient to cover this debt, therefore,
Resolved, That we earnestly solicit those who have made these pledges to pay them immediately as far as possible.
Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the school be requested to solicit the immediate payment of unpaid pledges by personal appeals to all who are in arrears.
Resolved, That we invite the Conference Committee of each State to select beforehand a proper person who shall attend their camp-meeting and furnish a daily report of it for the secular papers.
Whereas, Our camp-meetings furnish an excellent opportunity for missionary work among unbelievers, therefore,
Resolved, That we advise each Conference to have on the ground a large assortment of small tracts and papers for free distribution; and that early in the meeting they appoint a certain number of proper persons who will judiciously distribute them.
On motion, the Chair appointed a committee of three to arrange camp-meetings the coming season. Brn. Whitney, Harvey, and Mitchell were appointed as said committee. Adjourned.
JAMES WHITE, Pres.
U. SMITH, Sec.