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SUGGESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS OF THE MINNESOTA CONFERENCE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 7, 1879

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 7.

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SUGGESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS OF THE MINNESOTA CONFERENCE.

By Harrison Grant; Wm. H. Hall; Calvin Kelsey

When Eld. Haskell visited our State last winter, plans were laid to bring up the several branches of the work into proper condition. The Conference was divided into districts, and over each of these a minister was placed to whom was given the oversight of the work.
At our late camp-meeting the matter was reconsidered; and as changes were made, we wish to lay more fully before you the work you are expected to do. As the churches will be anxious to know to which district they belong and to whom they may apply for help, we will state the arrangements that were made.
Eld. N. Battin has charge of the first district, composed of the following churches: Dodge Center, New Haven, Greenwood Prairie, Pleasant Grove, Grand Meadow, and Otranto.
Eld. W. B. Hill is in charge of the second district, comprising Mansfield, Wells, Blue Earth City, Mankato, Tenhassen, Milford, and the company at Graham Lake.
Eld. L. H. Ells is in charge of the third district, comprising Medford, Kenyon, Dundas, and Cleveland.
Eld. H. W. Babcock has charge of the fourth district, comprising Hutchinson, Round Grove, New Auburn, Home, and Lower Sioux Agency.
The fifth district, being large, Elders D. P. Curtis and A. Mead were assigned to that field. We recommend that Eld. Curtis take charge of Dassel, Maple Plain, Monticello, and Oak Springs; Eld. Mead, Irving, Kingston, Fair Haven, and Sauk Rapids.
Eld. Geo. M. Dimmick has charge of the sixth district, comprising Grove Lake, West Union, Round Prairie, Sauk Center, Lake Ellen, Joy, and Wrightstown.
Eld. S. Fulton has charge of the seventh district, composed of the eight churches in Wisconsin belonging to the Minnesota Conference, and Lake City in Minnesota.
We expect Eld. O. A. Olsen of Wisconsin to labor with us after October 1. He will take charge of the Scandinavian work while he remains in this Conference.
The testimonies show us that the tithing system is a sacred duty, of binding obligation. We urge the ministers to make a special effort in the interests of this important part of the work, not only that the cause may not suffer from want of means, but that the brethren by not appropriating to their own use that which is the Lord’s, may secure the blessings promised in Mal. 3:10, 11. It is evident that the circulation of our reading matter is one of the greatest means we have of spreading the truth. Only about one-third of our church-members are actively engaged in this work. As this is a field in which all can labor, we wish you to see that all become members of the T. and M. society, and pay the added one-third, so that this branch of the work may not be hindered, and that the brethren may cherish that true spirit of sacrifice that will call down the blessing of Heaven.
We are sorry to see a lack of spirituality with many of our brethren, especially on the part of our young people. Special efforts should be put forth in their behalf. In no other way can they be reached so easily as in our Sabbath-schools. See that schools are organized in every church, and that maps and other things that are necessary to make the schools interesting are secured. If more time were devoted to Sabbath-school exercises, and less to preaching, better results might follow.
In laboring with the churches, each family should be visited, and inquiry should be made as to the spiritual condition of old and young. In giving the general oversight of the churches to these ministers we do not wish the local elders to feel that their responsibilities are lessened. Their position as leader of all meetings is the same as before, only as the minister in charge may make appointments to do a special work, and in no case is it expected that ministers will usurp the place of the leader, or assume any of the duties belonging to him.
We hold these ministers responsible for the success of the work in their districts, and shall expect them to report to the president of the Conference at least once each month.
Seek a close connection with Heaven; go to work in earnest, and God will abundantly bless your efforts.
HARRISON GRANT, } Conf. WM. H. HALL, CALVIN KELSEY, } Com. Kingston, July 24, 1879.