BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS by S. N. Haskell; Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1878

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

By S. N. Haskell; Uriah Smith

OF THE THIRD SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S. D. ADVENTISTS.

(Concluded.)

FIFTH SESSION.

PRAYER by A. S. Hutchins. The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which, after some discussion, were unanimously adopted:—

OUR COLLEGE.

Whereas, We behold with the greatest satisfaction and thankfulness to God, the prosperity of our College, as indicated by a greatly increased attendance and by its harmonious workings, and

Whereas, We have full confidence in this institution and believe that the Spirit of God is guiding in its management; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend all our Seventh-day Adventist brethren to send their children to this College, believing it will be for their spiritual as well as mental improvement.

QUARTERLY MEETINGS.

Whereas, The experience of the past year has fully demonstrated the utility of the system of quarterly meetings as proposed by this Conference, and

Whereas, It will require faithfulness and perseverance on the part of the officers and members of our churches to maintain the system after it has been adopted; therefore,

Resolved, That we again commend this plan to all our churches, and urge those upon whom the responsibility rests to labor earnestly that it may be fully carried out.

Resolved, That we also recommend the general adoption of the new books prepared for the tract and missionary workers, believing that their use will greatly facilitate the work of the tract society.

ELD. JAMES WHITE.

Resolved, That, while we deeply regret the necessary absence of the president of this Conference, our dear Bro. White, by which we are deprived of his experienced counsel at this important point in the work, yet we are thankful to know that he is able to speak to us through our papers, and we assure him of our continued sympathy, co-operation, and prayers in his behalf.

S. B. BOOKS.

Resolved, That we heartily approve the work of the committee appointed to prepare new S. B. and Church Record Books, and recommend all our churches to supply themselves with these books, that there may be uniformity among us in the keeping of our church records and S. B. accounts.

THE DANISH MISSION.

Resolved, That we recognize the providence of God in the success which has attended the mission in Denmark, and that in consequence of the increased magnitude of the work there, we show our sympathy with Eld. Matteson and our interest in his work by rendering him all the assistance in our power, and by sending him, as soon as arrangements to that effect can be made, an assistant.

Resolved, That we recommend him to procure a tent for his use, friends of that mission to assist by their means to this purpose.

THE GENERAL EUROPEAN MISSION.

Whereas, There is immediate necessity of help for the cause in Italy and other portions of Europe, and

Whereas, The demands upon the European mission have been such, that, under the most careful management, it has overdrawn its funds to the extent of about $2,000; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend and invite further $100 donations and smaller sums to aid in this branch of the work.

THE HEALTH REFORM INSTITUTE.

Resolved, That we are greatly cheered by the improvement in the management at the Health Institute, in the increased proficiency of its physicians and helpers, and in its rapidly growing patronage and influence.

Resolved, That we express our confidence that this Institution was established in the providence of God to aid in an important branch of the third angel’s message, and hence should be faithfully sustained by God’s people.

Whereas, The Health Reform Institute, in consequence of extensive building, is just now in the most pressing need of means to meet its obligations and finish the building; therefore,

Resolved, That we earnestly recommend our brethren and sisters everywhere to loan to the Institute immediately such sums as is reasonably within their power to raise, the Institute giving ample security for the payment of such loans at such times as may be agreed upon by the parties, with a fair rate of interest.

UNSUCCESSFUL LABORERS.

Whereas, The cause is rapidly extending on every side, and the number of public laborers is increasing yearly, and the matter of their support is becoming a more and more important question with us each year; and

Whereas, Our S. B. fund is depended upon by them for support; and in a considerable number of cases we find ministers who embarrass the Conference by requiring year after year more funds from the treasury than they bring into it; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend the different Conferences to be sparing of their means to such ministers, paying them only in proportion to the benefit they have been to the cause in raising up churches, or otherwise.

SIXTH SESSION.

Monday, 2:30 P. M. On motion a committee of five was appointed to prepare a small collection of hymns for use in tent meetings and in new fields. The committee consisted of the following-named persons: W. C. White, U. Smith, B. L. Whitney, G. W. Colcord, and C. Lewis.

MEETING-HOUSE IN BATTLE CREEK.

As a larger house of worship in Battle Creek has become absolutely necessary on account of the increasing numbers called in to this place by the College, Sanitarium, Publishing Office, and the general meetings that must be held here in connection with these institutions, the matter of the erection of a suitable house was freely canvassed by the Conference. As the result, the opinion was unanimously expressed that the cause must suffer loss without such a provision to meet its growing wants. Whereupon it was

Moved and carried, That the General Conference Committee, with the presidents of the different State Conferences, be a committee to confer with a building committee to be appointed by the Battle Creek church, in reference to the erection of such a building as is now demanded.

Adjourned sine die.

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. pro tem.

U. SMITH, Sec.