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SIXTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 14.

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SIXTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS.

By James White; A. B. Oyen

According to appointment, this meeting was held on the Lansing camp-ground, Sept. 20, at 9 A. M. Eld. S. N. Haskell called the meeting to order, stating that as the president of the Conference, Eld. James White, was absent, it would be necessary to choose a chairman. The Conference then called to the chair Eld. S. N. Haskell, who opened the meeting by prayer. As the secretary, C. W. Stone, was also absent, A. B. Oyen was chosen secretary pro tem.
In response to the call for delegates to the Conference from the several States, the following named brethren appeared as such:— S. N. Haskell, from New England; E. H. Root, D. H. Lamson, E. R. Jones, John Day, Harvey Kenyon, Ezra Griggs, Francis Nelson, A. B. Oyen, from Michigan; G. W. Colcord, from Illinois; H. W. Decker, from Wisconsin; W. C. White, from California; A. H. Hall, from New York; H. A. St. John, from Ohio.
The following named brethren, who were present, were, by vote of the Conference, appointed to act as delegates from their respective States: J. O. Corliss, from Virginia; John Fulton, from Canada; A. J. Stover, from Kansas; Geo. Tenney, from Wisconsin.
On motion, All our brethren in good standing in the churches were invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
The present standing of the Conference is shown by the following reports from the State Conferences, and general missions:—
Name of Conferences Ministers Licentiates Churches Members S. B. Pledges
Maine 3 1 13 263 810 42
Vermont 6 2 18 425 1,566 39
New England 3 5 21 400 2,500 00
New York and Pa. 8 5 40 850 3,643 10
Ohio 1 3 13 300 1,804 28
Michigan 21 15 108 3258 12,000 00
Indiana 3 2 13 315 1,000 00
Wisconsin 8 8 50 1185 3,863 00
Illinois 6 13 22 500 2,384 47
Minnesota 12 16 45 871 2,847 54
Iowa and Nebraska 12 12 60 1365 5,077 00
Missouri 4 2 17 438 1,200 00
Kansas 5 4 18 386 1,349 17
California 5 6 22 600 5,504 30
Kentucky & Tenn. 2 3 6 67 426 89
North Pacific Mission 2 2 43
Texas Mission 1 2 92 550 00
European Mission 4 8 300 650 00
Total 106 97 478 11,708 $47,176 56
The secretary’s report, being called for, was read and accepted.

TREASURER’S REPORT.

U. Smith in account with the General Conference, Dr. Sept. 17, 1876, To cash on hand, $779.82 To amount received during year, 3276.09 Total, $4055.91 Cr. Sept. 19, 1877, By amount paid out during year, $2929.01 Balance on hand, 1126.90 Total, $4055.91 U. Smith, Treasurer.
The Chair was empowered, by vote, to appoint the different committees, 1. On Nominations, 2. On Resolutions, 3. On Auditing accounts.
The appointments were afterward made as follows: On nominations, U. Smith, H. W. Decker, W. C. White; on resolutions, U. Smith, S. Brownsberger, A. B. Oyen; on auditing accounts, W. C. White, J. S. Day, F. W. Howe.
Adjourned to call of Chair.

SECOND SESSION.

Convened Sept. 24, 3:30 P. M. Prayer by Eld. D. H. Lamson. The president called Eld. U. Smith to the chair. The minutes of last session were read.
The following additional delegates presented their credentials at this session: S. H. Lane, from Indiana; L. McCoy, from Iowa. N. Grant, from Ohio, appeared as alternate for H. A. St. John, who was obliged to leave the ground on account of ill health.
The Nominating Committee reported as follows: For President, Eld. James White; Secretary, Eld. U. Smith; Treasurer, Mrs. M. J. Chapman; Executive Committee, Elds. James White, S. N. Haskell, and D. M. Canright.
The report was accepted, and the committee discharged. The persons nominated were thereupon unanimously elected.
Verbal reports from missionaries and laborers were called for, and remarks were made by Eld. John Fulton, for Canada; Eld. J. O. Corliss, for Virginia; L. McCoy, for Iowa; Eld. S. H. Lane, for Indiana, and Eld. D. M. Canright, for New England.
Interesting letters were read from Eld. I. D. Van Horn, North Pacific Mission; Eld. S. Osborn, Kentucky and Tennessee Conference; J. M. Elliott, Alabama; Eld. R. M. Kilgore, Texas; Eld. Geo. I. Butler, Missouri; Timothy Bryant, Maine; Eld. J. Ertzenberger, Germany, and Eld. D. T. Bourdeau, France.
A request from Eld. H. A. St. John for an efficient minister to labor in the Ohio Conference this fall and winter, was also read.
Adjourned to call of Chair.

THIRD SESSION.

Convened 5:30 P. M., Sept. 27. Prayer by Eld. U. Smith. The minutes of last session were read and approved.
A letter from Eld. John G. Matteson, giving the standing of the cause in Denmark, its wants, and its future prospects, was read.
The report of the Committee on Resolutions being called for, they presented the following partial report:—
Resolved, That we express our sympathy for the friends of the Sabbath reform, in those portions of Europe where the English language is spoken, and we hope to be able ere long to establish a mission in that field.
Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to God for the success that has thus far attended our European mission, and for its present prosperity, and pledge ourselves anew to sustain our beloved brother, Elder J. N. Andrews, and his fellow-laborers in the work there, by sending him additional helpers as soon as in our power.
Resolved, That in the starting of a mission in Denmark, the success attending Eld. John G. Matteson’s labors to establish the truth there, and the many calls for labor in that country, we see the opening and favoring providence of God, and an indication that the prophecy that the truth shall be preached to many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings, is being fulfilled.
Whereas, In view of the many favorable openings for the introduction of the third angel’s message among the Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians, not only in this country, but also in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, and the lack of efficient laborers in these tongues, therefore,
Resolved, That we encourage young men of these nationalities, who feel a burden of the work, to prepare themselves for usefulness and engage in spreading the light among their countrymen, and that we pray the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into his vineyard.
Resolved, That we recommend the President of this Conference to visit immediately the southern field, accompanied by such a laborer, or laborers, as he may choose, or if he cannot go, that some other suitable person be immediately sent.
Whereas, The calls for ministerial labor in spreading the truth in all parts of the world are rapidly increasing, and as they are now far beyond the ability of our conferences to meet, and
Whereas, The Biblical Institute lately held in California has proved so instrumental in the preparation of young men for this work, that, by its means, the number of laborers in that State has been almost doubled;
Resolved, That Elds. Jas. White and U. Smith be requested to continue to hold such Biblical Institutes during the coming year, in such States and at such times as the General Conference Committee may advise.
Resolved, That we hereby express our high appreciation of the efficiency of the labors of these brethren, and the skill and thoroughness which characterize their management of these Institutes.
Resolved, That this Conference appoint a committee of one or more to draft a better form for church letter, or letter of recommendation, to be used by all our churches.
The above resolutions were unanimously adopted, several of them being discussed at some length by the delegates.
It was moved and seconded that Eld. U. Smith draft a church letter in accordance with resolution eight.
Adjourned to call of the Chair.

FOURTH SESSION.

Sept. 28, 4:30 P. M. Prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
The committee on Resolutions presented the following, which were unanimously adopted:—
Resolved, That each year’s experience in this message confirms our faith that God has chosen Bro. and Sr. White to fill a leading position in this work; that we never felt the need of their counsel and experienced labors more than now; and that therefore we earnestly pray God to sustain them with strength and wisdom for their arduous labors.
Whereas, We see the utmost confusion, division, and lack of harmony, among other bodies of Adventists, crippling their influence, and bringing reproach upon the Advent cause; and
Whereas, Such thorough unity, both in doctrine and practice, has always prevailed among Seventh-day Adventists, and does still, though they are of so many different nationalities, creeds, classes, and temperaments; therefore
Resolved, That we hereby express our deep gratitude to God for the harmony and power of the third angel’s message which has done so much for us. And
Whereas, During the experience of a quarter of a century of this work we have invariably seen those persons and parties who have separated themselves from us in opposition to the gift of prophecy which God has placed in the remnant church, go into divisions, confusion, or cease to accomplish anything in the work of the present truth; therefore
Resolved, That we hereby express our continued conviction that we are largely indebted to the gift of prophecy, as manifested through sister White, for the harmony and unity which this people enjoy.
Resolved, That we, as a people should cultivate a high and active educational sentiment, and see that all our children secure a good mental training, or, at least, a thorough knowledge of the common branches taught in our schools.
Resolved, That we are highly gratified at the prosperity that has attended our efforts in the establishment of an institution of learning, and with joy and humility we would acknowledge the directing hand of God in all these efforts.
Resolved, That our ministers should continually keep before our people their duty to support the work of the ministry, according to the plan of S. B. as set forth in the recent tract entitled, “Systematic Benevolence;” and that we recommend that the leader of each company read that tract to the church at the quarterly meeting in January next.
Resolved, That we fully approve of the plan partially adopted by our brethren last year, of each individual giving for the support of the tract and missionary cause a sum equal to one-third his S. B.; and that we recommend its universal adoption.
Resolved, That we encourage donations on the part of those who are able to make them, to the tract cause and to every other branch of the work where means are needed.
Resolved, That Brn. James White, D. M. Canright, and U. Smith be hereby appointed a committee to prepare an S. B. book and a church clerk’s book adapted to the present wants of the cause.
Interesting remarks were made by Eld. D. M. Canright and others in reference to Resolutions 1, 2 and 3. He heartily approved of and indorsed them, and wished that an expression from the congregation might be taken in regard to them. A rising vote was taken, showing that the people were entirely in harmony and sympathy with the sentiments expressed in the resolutions.
The report of the committee appointed in the annual meeting of the Conference in 1875, to revise the tract on Leadership, wascalled for. Eld. U. Smith stated that the committee had not had time to devote to this revision, but as certain resolutions touching this question had been prepared to be submitted to this Conference, the committee would beg leave to endorse these resolutions, and present them for their report:—
Resolved, That we rescind all that portion of the Address on Leadership passed in 1873, which teaches that the leadership of the body is confined to any one man.
Resolved, That the highest authority under God among Seventh-day Adventists is found in the will of the body of that people, as expressed in the decisions of the General Conference when acting within its proper jurisdiction; and that such decisions should be submitted to by all without exception, unless they can be shown to conflict with the word of God and the rights of individual conscience.
The Conference accepted the report of the Committee, and unanimously adopted the resolutions.
Eld. White spoke of the pleasure of seeing Eld. W. H. Littlejohn at this meeting, and of the prospect of his once more being united with our people, and laboring in harmony with us.
Bro. Littlejohn thereupon said that the resolutions just passed had cleared away the difficulties that had stood in the way of his active co-operation with the body for the past four years, and he hoped that he soon would have the privilege of engaging actively in the work of spreading the truth again.
Eld. White then presented the following resolution:—
Resolved, That this Conference invite Bro. Littlejohn to join us in the work in fellowship and in labor.
This was unanimously passed by a rising vote of the whole congregation.
Adjourned to call of the President.
JAMES WHITE, Pres.
A. B. OYEN, Sec. pro tem.