ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
Kentucky and Tennessee Conference.
The Ky. and Tenn. Conference met at Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Ky., at 9 A. M., May 19, 1877. Prayer by Eld. Osborn. President Eld. S. Osborn in chair. Credentials of delegates being examined, an invitation was extended to all Sabbath-keepers in good standing to take part in the deliberations. Mount Gilead church was admitted into the Conference, making the number of churches six; members, 67. Increase of last year, 14. Systematic benevolence pledge for this year, $426.89. Increase, $83.90. Last year's tent expenses were $136.60. Paid Eld. S. Osborn for labor, $230.65; Eld. O. Soule for labor, 55.00. Total, $322.25. Appointed J. S. Milton and R. G. Garrett Nominating Committee. Committee on Resolutions, R. P. Pickens, R. G. Garrett, Orlando Soule. To settle with ministers, S. P. Sample, C. Owens, D. W. Barr, and J. S. Milton. Committee on Nominations reported for officers of the Conference: For President, S. Osborn; Secretary, Bettie Coombs; Treasurer, David W. Barr. For Conference Committee, S. Osborn, O. Soule, and R. P. Pickens, which were duly elected. Second session opened May 20 A. M. Prayer by Eld. O. Soule. Voted credentials to S. Osborn and O. Soule. Licenses were given to P. D. Myers, R. P. Pickens, and R. G. Garrett to improve their gifts. Eld. S. Osborn was appointed delegate to the General Conference. Tract and Missionary work. Nothing being reported, measures were taken to bring this work to greater perfection. For President, C. Owens; Vice-President, R. P. Pickens; Secretary, C. Barr; Treasurer, S. E. Barr. The following resolutions were then passed:— Resolved, That we commend Eld. S. Osborn for the zeal and courage with which he has labored the past year. Resolved, That we commend Eld. O. Soule for the earnestness, zeal, and sacrificing spirit that he has manifested in laboring for the cause in Tennessee. Resolved, That in view of the rapid fulfilment of the signs of the times, we should arouse to the work as never before; and therefore Resolved, That this Conference, in harmony with the body of Seventh-day Adventists at large, regard the health reform as holding close connection with the third angel's message; that we use all the means in our power to live it out, and to induce others to do the same; and that we have no union with those who persist in the use of tobacco, tea, coffee, and swine's flesh, after having the light fully set before them. Resolved, That we deeply lament the unfaithfulness of our brethren and sisters in the T. and M. work the past season, and pledge ourselves to amend, and to urge upon brethren not present to come up to this work the coming season. Resolved, That every expression of murmuring be discouraged. That every brother and sister bridle well the tongue, and cease speaking of the imperfections of one another in a fault-finding manner; but when necessary, reprove in the spirit of Christ, and with charity. Resolved, That we urge the young men of ability in our Conference fully to consecrate themselves to the work of the ministry. Resolved, That in view of the great work to be accomplished we do earnestly pray the Lord of the harvest to send us laborers. We would cordially welcome any servant of God that the General Conference may send us. Resolved, That by special request of the brethren from Tenn., we hold a camp-meeting this fall at some central point in their State, and we do sincerely solicit the attendance of Brother and Sister White. Resolved, That we receive the spirit of prophecy as being in harmony with the word of God and necessary for the church; more especially necessary in these times of spiritualism and infidelity. Resolved, That we extend our sympathy to the brethren of Alabama and Florida, and solicit the General Conference seriously to consider their wants and send them help if possible. Resolved, That we tender to Bro. and Sr. Barr a vote of thanks for their kind hospitality during this Conference meeting. Resolved, That these proceedings be published in the REVIEW AND HERALD. S. OSBORN, Pres.
BETTIE COOMBS, Sec. Indiana State Quarterly T. & M. Meeting.
This meeting was held at Rochester, May 20. Dist. No. 3 failed to send a report in time for the following summary of labor:— No. of families visited, 108; letters written, 41. Received from membership, $14.00; donations, $16.10; book sales, $13.33; subscribers, $14.00; total, $57.43. New subscribers, REVIEW, 4; INSTRUCTOR, 16; REFORMER, 4; SIGNS, 84; copies sent to friends on trial, 6. Periodicals distributed, 686; almanacs, 191; pages of tracts and pamphlets, 185,807. Our brethren are just beginning to understand the T. and M. work; but they are ready to fall into line and move forward. Let the librarians and secretaries understand and perform their duties more carefully and zealously, and far greater results will follow. See that every member has a Report of Labor, and memorandum book, and then teach him how to use them. Let our leaders study to show themselves workmen, and let our brethren give a share of their best thoughts to devising “ways and means” to spread the truth far and wide. Now, brethren, for a better work for next quarter. L. CALDWELL, Sec. pro tem. Quarterly Meeting, Dist. No. 1, Ind.
About sixty were in attendance at the T. and M. meeting at Rochester, May 20 and 21, Elder S. H. Lane presiding. The tent church erected here last summer was dedicated Sunday forenoon. Six were buried in baptism after the services. The meeting was a precious one, and the Spirit of God was graciously present. All are determined to labor more earnestly for the spreading of the present truth in this State the coming summer. Let all the T. and M. workers take hold with a will, and all Indiana shall soon be lighted up with the third angel's message. Eld. Lane gave some plain directions as to some of the ways and means of getting these truths before the people. Elder Bartlett and others followed with good suggestions and cheering words. After reading the reports of the last quarterly meeting it was voted to send four copies of the SIGNS to the Deedsville church for its use; also, to donate a sum sufficient to complete Indiana's share of the Centennial expense. The following report of the labor done during the quarter was then read:— No. of families visited, 72; letters written, 23. Received for membership, $8.00; by donations, $7.60; from book sales, $4.00; new subscribers, $6.00. Total, $26.60. Subscribers obtained, 12; periodicals distributed, 318; almanacs, 33; tracts and pamphlets, 9,020 pages.