CALIFORNIA STATE CONFERENCE.
The sixth annual session of the California State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the Christian campground, near Yountville, Napa County, Sept. 13–19, 1877. From the minutes as published in the Signs, we make the following condensed report: Nineteen churches were represented by thirty delegates. The following persons were elected as officers for the coming year: President, J. N. Loughborough; Secretary, J. E. White; Treasurer, Geo. S. Manuel; Conference Committee, J. N. Loughborough, John Morrison, Wm. N. Glenn. Credentials were granted to J. N. Loughborough, W. M. Healey, J. L. Wood, John Judson, and M. G. Kellogg. And licenses were given to R. A. Morton, Andrew Brorson, J. E. White, B. A. Stephens, J. D. Rice, Wm. M. Smith, R. D. Hicks, C. C. Burnett, Augustus Garey, J. Dimmick, W. F. Price, A. B. Atwood, T. M. Chapman, John Cook, W. C. Granger, C. Chittenden, M. C. Israel, and W. T. Price. The treasurer’s report showed the total receipts for the year to have been $4,426.83, and the expenditures, $3,043.73, leaving a balance on hand of $1,383.10. The following were among the resolutions passed:— Whereas, In the providence of God the cause of present truth has greatly prospered during the past year, and we have ever-increasing evidence that the cause we advocate is the cause of God, and that his Spirit accompanies the work, abundantly blessing those who heartily engage in it; therefore, Resolved, That our thanksgiving and praise are due to him for his great blessings upon us as a people; for the additional numbers that have been added to our ranks; for the pecuniary means that have helped us to increased facilities for spreading the truth, and for the number of young men who have volunteered to take the field in the work of the ministry. Resolved, That we appreciate the valuable services and sacrifices of Eld. James White and sister White in this State during a portion of the year past, and the deep interest they still manifest in our publishing house and the cause in general. Resolved, That we acknowledge our obligation to the General Conference Committee for their liberal action, and to Elds. White and Smith for their faithful labors, in conducting a Biblical Institute in Oakland last spring, whereby several of our young men were well started in preparing for the ministry and other important duties, at no expense for instruction. Resolved, That we tender our thanks to Eld. J. N. Loughborough, whose services, under God’s providence, have been given to this coast for the past nine years, and especially for his untiring zeal and wise counsel in so successfully conducting the affairs pertaining to this yearly camp-meeting. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to Bro. W. Saunders, who has for four consecutive years served us faithfully as secretary, and we regret that a pressure of other duties prevents him from longer occupying the position. Resolved, That we are ever grateful to our brethren in the various Eastern Conferences for their liberal support of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, thereby enabling us to maintain a publishing house in California; that we will use our utmost endeavor to make the publishing interest upon the Pacific Coast self-sustaining, so that those who have so liberally helped us may be enabled to forward such other enterprises as the interest of the cause may demand. Resolved, That we clearly recognize the hand of God in the establishment and prosperity of the cause of present truth in Europe; that we hail its advancement with unfeigned delight; and that we pledge ourselves to sustain our faithful missionaries by our earnest prayers, and their work by our means. Resolved, That we approve the recommendation of the General Conference Committee in relation to regular quarterly meetings in all the churches on the first Sabbath and Sunday of January, April, July and October, of each year, as presented in the REVIEW of June 7; and that we recommend the adoption of the plan by all of our churches; that we believe that if the tithing system could be universally adopted by the churches, our treasuries would be constantly supplied with ample means to carry forward the work of the Lord in all its branches. Resolved, That we heartily concur in the plan suggested by the General Conference Committee, to pledge to the support of the Tract and Missionary Society an amount equal to one-third of our S. B. pledge, and earnestly recommend the adoption of this plan by all our brethren. Resolved, That we regard the T. and M. work as one of the most efficient means by which we may reach the masses of the people. Thankful for what has been done in the past year by those who have taken hold in earnest, we solemnly appeal to all our brethren to continue the good work with new and united efforts.