WISCONSIN CONFERENCE by H. W. Decker; A. S. Osborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 13, 1878

WISCONSIN CONFERENCE.

By H. W. Decker; A. S. Osborn

This Conference held its eighth annual session at Madison, Wis., in connection with the camp-meeting, May 29 to June 4, 1878.

Conference convened May 30, at 9 o’clock A. M., the president, H. W. Decker, in the chair. Prayer by Eld. D. M. Canright.

Delegates being called for, thirty-four responded, representing twenty-seven different churches.

Applications for admittance into the Conference were received from the Pulcifer and Bellefontaine churches, they being represented by delegates.

Voted, That the chair appoint the usual committees.

Adjourned to call of chair.

SECOND SESSION.

This session was called May 31, at 9 o’clock A. M. Prayer by Bro. Tenney.

The committees appointed were as follows: Nominating Committee, P. H. Cady, John Atkinson, and Orcutt Burr; Auditing Committee, Benj. Carter, A. J. Breed, A. C. Woodbury, M. J. Bartholf, Frank F. Elwell; Committee on Credentials and Licenses, O. A. Olsen, J. P. Jasperson, and Geo. C. Tenney; Committee on Resolutions, C. W. Stone, S. S. Smith, and Rufus Baker.

A list of the churches being called for, it was found that twelve churches were not represented. The class at Pardeeville was taken under the watchcare of the Conference, with Bro. Woodward as delegate.

Voted, That on account of the removal of members from the Marquette church, said church be disbanded, and the members recommended to unite with other churches.

Adjourned to call of chair.

THIRD SESSION.

Called June 3 at 5 o’clock A. M. Prayer by Bro. Downer.

The Nominating Committee submitted the following report: For President, H. W. Decker, Monroe, Green Co., Wis.; Secretary, A. S. Osborn, Bloomington, Grant Co.; Treasurer, Wm. Kerr, Monroe, Green Co.; Executive Committee, H. W. Decker; O. A. Olsen, Fort Howard, Wis.; N. M. Jordon, Lodi, Columbia Co. The report was accepted, and the candidates elected to their respective offices.

The other committees not being ready to report, it was voted to suspend the business of the Conference to call of chair, and take up the subject of Sabbath-schools.

On resuming the business of the Conference, the Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows: For Credentials, H. W. Decker, John Atkinson, David Downer, C. W. Olds, George C. Tenney, O. A. Olsen, John G. Matteson, I. Sanborn; for Licenses, O. A. Johnson, J. P. Jasperson, Martin Olsen, A. D. Olsen, A. J. Breed, Eli Osborn, Hans Sorensen, N. M. Jordon, Andrew Christianson, Sherry S. Smith, T. B. Snow, N. Clausen, and George Smith.

Adjourned till 5 P. M. of same day.

FOURTH SESSION.

This session was held June 3 at 5 o’clock P. M. Prayer by Eld. Decker.

The Committee on Resolutions made the following report:—

Resolved, That we heartily approve of the action taken by the last session of the General Conference in relation to the Sabbath-school work; and that we invite our ministers and all our members to lend their special aid to the interest of the Sabbath-schools in our Conference.

Resolved, That all the church clerks in this Conference report promptly and regularly to the president the standing of their several churches, as determined by each quarterly meeting.

Resolved, That we recommend to our churches to discharge such clerks, secretaries, librarians, and s. b. treasurers as are habitually neglectful of duty, especially those that neglect reporting to the State Conference, and elect new ones in their places.

Whereas, The number of our ministers is increasing, and consequently the demand for means is greater, therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend that all our s. b. pledges be paid into the treasury of the State Conference.

Resolved, That we express our deepest interest in the labors of our dear Bro. Mattson, and in his mission to Denmark; also that we extend to him and his family our Christian sympathy for the sad affliction that has fallen upon them in the death of their daughter.

Resolved, That the camp-meeting committee be instructed to employ such help as may be necessary to prepare the camp-ground before the opening day of our next camp-meeting.

Resolved, That our thanks are due to Mr. Briggs, of Madison, for the free use of this beautiful grove; to Sheriff Charlton and Deputy McConnell, for their presence to preserve excellent order; to Capt. Freeman, of the Mendota, for his co-operation and courtesy; to the citizens of Madison, for the welcome they have given us and the kind interest they have manifested in our meeting and our personal comfort; and to the Wisconsin State Journal and the Madison Daily Democrat, for their courteous considerations and for the extended reports of our proceedings which they have published.

Resolved, That our thanks are due the General Conference for their timely aid in sending Eld. D. M. Canright and Prof. C. W. Stone to assist us with their labor and counsel in this camp-meeting.

Resolved, That above all, our gratitude is due to the great Giver of all good for the opportunities we have enjoyed on this camp-ground.

The following resolutions in reference to the cause among the Scandinavians, were presented by Bro. Olsen:—

Whereas, The Lord has brought the truth before the Scandinavians through his servants, and many have been led to obey the truth, both in America and in Europe; and

Whereas, The cause among the Scandinavians is growing rapidly, and calls for help are coming in from many places in the United States; also calls from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden for preachers, colporteurs, and correspondents, persons who are willing to devote their time and means to the advancement of his cause among our friends; and

Whereas, There are but few educated men among our Scandinavian brethren, as compared with other denominations, men who are qualified to present these truths correctly and intelligently before the public, and who can act as successful colporteurs and correspondents; and

Whereas, The American brethren are much interested in our mission and its success among the Scandinavians, and are willing to assist in the future as they have done in the past whenever such assistance is needed; therefore,

Resolved, 1. That we acknowledge the goodness of God in giving us the light of present truth, and for the increasing success among our friends both here and in Europe.

2. That we encourage young men and women to educate themselves to write and speak the Danish language correctly, so they may be better fitted to present these truths publicly, to serve intelligently as

colporteurs, and to act as correspondents.

3. That we feel grateful to God for putting it into the hearts of the American brethren to take such an interest in the promulgation of these truths among our people.

4. That we pledge ourselves to act in harmony with the American brethren in advancing this message, both among the Americans and Scandinavians; yet we feel it our duty to make it our chief object to work for our own people.

Resolved, That the Scandinavians have their Sabbath-schools in their own language as far as practicable, in order that the youth may have a chance to learn the truth in their own tongue, and thus, at the same time, learn to speak the same language more readily.

All the foregoing resolutions were taken up singly and unanimously adopted.

Voted, That the chair appoint a camp-meeting committee of three, to prepare the camp-ground before the opening of our next camp-meeting.

The secretary makes the following report: Whole number of churches, 47; No. reported, 35; No. not reported, 12; No. of members reported for the Conference year 1877, 990; No. reported for 1878 from 28 churches, 868. Nineteen churches did not make any church report. No. of S. S. scholars reported, 447, showing 150 more than for 1877. Amount of s. b. reported for 1878, $2,207.88; only thirty churches reported their s. b. No. of ordained ministers, 8; licentiates, 13.

The treasurer reported as follows:— Rec’d during year, $2785.99 Paid out on orders, 1894.26 Balance on hand, $891.73

Voted, That the secretary be instructed to furnish a copy of the business proceedings of this Conference for publication in the Review and Herald; also that a copy of the local resolutions be furnished the city papers for publication.

Voted, To donate to the General Conference fund the sum of $200.

Voted, To refer the case of Bro. P. L. Hoen, who was recommended for license, to the Executive Committee.

Camp-meeting committee appointed: N. M. Jordon, T. B. Snow and A. J. Breed.

Adjourned sine die.

H. W. Decker, Pres.

A. S. Osborn, Sec.