KANSAS CONFERENCE by J. N. Ayers; Smith Sharp

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 7, 1877

KANSAS CONFERENCE.

By J. N. Ayers; Smith Sharp

The third annual session of the Kansas Conference of S. D. Adventists convened at Ottawa, Kan., May 24, 1877. President in the chair. Prayer by Bro. J. H. Cook.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted, after being so amended as to correct the treasurer's report, making it $783.68 instead of $883.68; and to state that credentials were given J. N. Ayers instead of license; and that the Mt. Vernon church was admitted into the Conference.

On motion, The president appointed C. F. Stevens, J. H. Cook, and C. S. Glover, a Committee on Credentials. The committee examined credentials, and reported six delegates present, representing five churches.

On motion, The Sterling, Osawkee, Oswego, Bethany, Eureka, Elm Creek, and Whitewater churches were admitted into the Conference, with their respective delegates. Bro. Hill, from the Canola church, and Bro. Reed, from the Mt. Vernon church, were admitted as delegates. Bro. Santee was admitted to represent the unorganized band at Limestone, and Bro. Rogers, to represent a like company at Hymer. The companies at South Mound and Amity were also taken under the watchcare of the Conference.

On motion, Brn. Lamont, Divilbiss, and Santee were appointed a committee to consult as to the propriety of dropping the name of the Mound City church.

Moved, That the name of the Labette church be dropped from the Conference records.

Moved, That Eld. J. H. Waggoner, and all others in good standing in any S. D. A. church, be invited to participate in all of our deliberations.

The president appointed the following committees: On Nominations, W. E. Dawson, Jonas Divilbiss, J. W. Gilpin; Auditing, O. S. Stevens, J. M. Adams, Jas. Osborn, Oscar Hill, A. A. Reed, J. C. Tomlinson; Credentials and Licenses, John Helligass, A. J. Stover, J. C. Tomlinson; Resolutions, W. E. Dawson, Smith Sharp, J. Lamont.

Adjourned to call of president.

SECOND SESSION

May 25th, 5 P. M. Conference called to order by the president. Prayer by Bro. Dawson. Minutes of previous session read and approved.

The unorganized body of Sabbath-keepers near Osage City was taken under the watchcare of the Conference, with Bro. Jas. Kibby as delegate. The church at Salem was admitted into the Conference, with Jas. A. Ashbaugh as delegate. Delegates were received from several other churches.

The name of the Mound City church was changed to Zion church.

Bro. Stevens represented that, acting under direction of Conference Committee, he had purchased a tent at a cost of $208.85; had borrowed $100 from the General Conference, and paid the remainder himself.

Conference voted to receive the tent, and raise money to pay for it; also that the president appoint a committee of three to report the best method of raising money to pay for the tent. Brn. Lamont, Helligass, and Santee were appointed said committee. Adjourned to call of Chair.

THIRD SESSION.

May 27th, 4 P. M. Meeting called to order by the president. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Bro. O'Bryan of Missouri, and Bro. Burdick of the S. D. Baptist church, were invited to participate with us in the deliberations of the Conference.

Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows: For credentials, J. H. Cook, J. N. Ayers, C. F. Stevens, J. Lamont, Smith Sharp. For licenses, George Kennedy, L. D. Santee, W. E. Dawson, N. Osborn. Report received, and each case voted upon separately, whereupon credentials and licenses were granted as recommended.

Committee on Nominations reported as follows: For President, J. N. Ayers, Garnett, Kansas; Secretary, Smith Sharp, Ottawa; Treasurer, A. J. Stover, Oswego; Executive Committee, J. N. Ayers, J. H. Cook, Mound City, C. F. Stevens, Ottawa. The report was accepted. Each candidate was voted upon separately, and all were unanimously elected.

The report of the committee appointed to audit accounts was accepted.

The president was authorized to appoint a Camp-meeting Committee of three. J. Helligass, J. W. Gilpin, and T. H. Wakeman were appointed said committee.

The president was also authorized to appoint a committee of three to take Sabbath-school interests into consideration, and to report at next meeting. Brn. Lamont, Hill, and Wakeman were named as such committee.

An Auditing Committee, consisting of J. C. Tomlinson, Jonas Divilbiss, and J. A. Ashbaugh, were appointed to audit the accounts of the treasurer.

Voted, That camp-meeting expenses be referred to the committee on tent expenses. Adjourned.

FOURTH SESSION

Convened May 28, at 4:30 P. M. Prayer by Bro. Lamont. Minutes read and approved. The Auditing Committee reported that they had examined the books of treasurer, and found them correct. Report accepted.

Treasurer made the following report, which was accepted:—

Received by donations, $279 45

Received from S. B., 1,602 37

Total, $1,881 82

Paid out by order of Conference, $1,881 82

ANDREW J. STOVER, Treas.

The secretary's report showed that there were 18 organized churches, with 386 members, belonging to the Conference, making a gain during the year of 7 churches and 51 members. Amount of S. B. pledged, $1,349.17; increase over last year, $467.88.

The Committee on Sabbath-schools reported as follows:—

It is recommended, 1. That the schools of the State be all associated together; 2. That the State be districted, the boundaries being those established by the T. and M. Society; 3. That the officers be a State Superintendent and a superintendent for each district; 4. That there be meetings in the interest of Sabbath-schools at the time and place of the T. and M. meetings. Report accepted, and on motion adopted.

Voted, That there be a committee of five elected, who in connection with the president shall appoint Sabbath-school officers for the ensuing year. Brn. Hill and Stevens were elected as such committee.

Moved, That we allow M. Zittlosen an extra $10 for tent; that amount being requested in consequence of a mistake made by his clerk. The additional $10 was raised by donation.

Urgent calls were made for labor in many places.

The following resolutions were adopted:—

Resolved, 1. That we recognize the good hand of God in the growth and prosperity of the cause of present truth in Kansas during the past year; and while our hopes are thereby revived and our hearts greatly encouraged, we pledge ourselves to enter upon our work with renewed zeal for the year to come.

2. That our narrow escape from national trouble at the late presidential election, admonishes us that we cannot depend upon the continuance of our present state of peace and quiet; and that the trouble among the nations of the East, and the rapid advancement of the third angel's message, both in America and Europe, are all evidences that time is short, and that we need wisely and diligently to improve present time and opportunity.

3. That we express our thanks to the General Conference Committee for sending Eld. Waggoner to assist us in this meeting.

J. N. AYERS, Pres.

SMITH SHARP, Sec.