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

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 24, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 17.

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

By James White; Uriah Smith

(Concluded.)
Ninth meeting, Oct. 14, at 10 A. M.
After prayer by Bro. Haskell, Bro. S. Maxson, who had just arrived from Oregon, was received as delegate from the North Pacific Conference.
The committee on supplying destitute fields with labor, being called for, reported through S. N. Haskell. Thereupon Virginia was, by vote, taken under the watchcare of the General Conference.
It was recommended that Eld. S. B. Whitney, of New York, make Dakota Territory his field of labor for a while, and that Eld. D. M. Canright be transferred from Iowa, where his Conference connection now stands, to Michigan.
The matter of help in Ontario for Bro. J. Fulton was referred to the General Conference Committee.
Bro. S. H. Lane made an appeal in behalf of Indiana, and Bro. G. W. Colcord in behalf of the French in Illinois.
The committee on the circulation of the SIGNS, being called for, reported, recommending that the SIGNS be offered as follows:—
Single copy to Sabbath-keepers and old subscribers, $2.00; single copy, to tract societies only, $1.50; in clubs of ten to tract societies, at $1.20 per copy; in smaller clubs, as may be arranged by the tract societies with their own members; and that churches that will take one hundred copies at $1.20 each shall have ten extra copies free.
Bro. Canright then read a report from Bro. C. O. Taylor, in reference to his labors in Georgia.
The following resolution was presented by Bro. Haskell, and adopted:—
Whereas, The SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a pioneer paper, designed to advocate our views in new fields, therefore Resolved, That we recommend that our brethren pay not less than $2.00 per year for the paper for themselves; but that the tract societies, ministers, and agents be authorized to offer it to new subscribers at the rate of $1.50 per year, or four months for 50 cts. And further
Resolved, That it be furnished to churches and individuals in clubs of not less than ten, for missionary work, for $1.20 a copy, smaller clubs being referred to the tract society officers; and that where one hundred copies are taken in clubs, for the above purpose, ten copies extra be furnished free.
The committee appointed to examine the new music book, “The Song Anchor,” being called for, reported as follows:—
Your committee, having performed the work assigned to them as thoroughly as their time would permit, would report that we find the “Song Anchor” to contain an excellent selection of music and hymns, which we consider, as a whole, above the ordinary standard of works of this class.
We are especially pleased to find in it a fair proportion of easy music adapted for use in the ordinary Sabbath-school, as well as a good variety of more difficult pieces for advanced singers in choirs and families.
One feature of the book especially commendable is its freedom from the theological errors so common in books of this class; and as we regard this a matter of vital importance, we recognize in this feature alone a very essential element of a suitable book for our Sabbath-schools.
Your committee would therefore recommend the “Song Anchor” as the best work with which we are acquainted for use in our Sabbath-schools; and we also recommend its general adoption by all our schools, believing that it will be of great service in this important department of the work.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
B. L. Whitney, S. B. Whitney, } Committee. C. W. Stone.
A resolution by Bro. Lamson, That the Conference recommend all our ministers to introduce the Song Anchor, and try to secure its adoption wherever they may labor, was adopted.
Bro. Haskell presented the following:—
Whereas, The subject of spiritual gifts is one of importance, and such works as The Spirit of Prophecy, and the Testimonies should be in the hands of all our brethren, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend the various tract societies to make a special effort to place them in the library of each church, and in the hands of scattered brethren, and that they encourage the reading of them. And further
Resolved, That where these works are used as above stated, we offer them at one-half the retail price, and that the difference between this and the regular wholesale price be paid from the fund raised for circulating these works, said fund to be increased from $1000, as at first started, to $5000.
Moved, That this Conference recommend the holding of a camp-meeting in Texas the present autumn, at such time as Bro. and Sr. White can attend, they to give the appointment. Carried.
Moved, That the matter of publishing a series of sermons on the principal points of our faith, to be written by Bro. White, for the use of readers, colporteurs, visitors, etc., be referred to the General Conference Committee. Carried.
Tenth meeting, Oct. 14, 3 P. M. After prayer by Eld. W. H. Littlejohn, Bro. J. N. Andrews offered the following resolution:—
Resolved, That we request the General Conference Committee to appoint a delegate from this body to the next session of the S. D. Baptist General Conference.
This was spoken to by Eld. Andrews, who expressed a most kindly feeling toward the S. D. Baptists, and a deep interest that this feeling between the two bodies of commandment-keepers should continue and grow deeper. Similar remarks were made by Elds. A. C. Spicer and J. H. Waggoner, after which the resolution was adopted.
At this point Eld. Andrews read a very interesting letter just received from Dr. Ribton, of Naples, Italy, in which he stated that a man who was a deist, who received the truth from him some time ago, has recently been out laboring in the cause, and that ten persons have embraced the truth under his labors.
The report of the committee on a course of study for ministers, being called for, was presented. After some discussion, it was referred back to the committee, with a grant of further time to perfect it.
The subject of the mission to England being introduced, Eld. James White offered the following resolution:—
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conference the time has fully come to open a mission in Great Britain, and
  1. That Eld. J. N. Loughborough be our missionary to that field.
  2. That there should be a committee of three to take the supervision of the entire work in Europe, who should act in harmony with, and under the direction of, the General Conference of S. D. Adventists of America.
  3. That Eld. J. N. Andrews, J. N. Loughborough, and a third brother whom these two may appoint, be that committee.
This resolution was unanimously adopted.
Remarks were made by Eld. Andrews, Sr. White, Elds. D. M. Canright, S. N. Haskell, and James White, on the Swiss mission, the establishment of the press at Bâle, and the advisability of recommending W. C. White and wife to go immediately to Switzerland. No action was taken.
The following resolution was offered:—
Whereas, Eld. White requests the Conference to excuse him from acting as president, therefore
Resolved, That we regard it as his privilege to resign at any time he may feel it to be his duty so to do, and that we empower the other two members of the committee to appoint a president to fill the vacancy.
On motion to adopt, the question was put, and the motion was lost.
Adjourned to call of chair.
Eleventh meeting, Oct. 16, 3 P. M. Prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews.
Voted, That Eld. A. O. Burrill accompany Eld. D. M. Canright to Ohio to labor there.
Voted, That D. M. Canright attend the Kentucky Conference.
Voted, That Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Haskell attend the two later Kansas camp-meetings.
Voted, That we recommend Eld. Butler to draw two laborers from Iowa to help in Kansas.
Voted, To recommend Bro. E. W. Farnsworth to go to the Pacific coast to labor.
Voted, That this Conference recommend Eld. D. M. Canright, assisted by C. W. Stone, to hold a tent-meeting in Chicago next tent season.
Voted, That Eld. A. C. Spicer be recommended to labor in the Nebraska Conference.
Voted, That Bro. D. T. Bourdeau be recommended to labor among the French brethren of Illinois.
Adjourned sine die.
JAMES WHITE, Pres. U. SMITH, Sec.