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VERMONT CONFERENCE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 2, 1879

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 15.

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VERMONT CONFERENCE.

By A. S. Hutchins; Chester E. Powell

As previously appointed, the seventeenth annual session of the Vermont Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held on the camp-ground at Essex Junction, Sept. 11-16, 1879.
The first meeting was held Thursday afternoon, Sept. 12, and was opened with prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Eleven delegates bearing credentials and representing nine churches responded to the call, and delegates were chosen for the churches at Wolcott and Andover.
After the reading of the minutes of the last annual session, the Cabot and Marshfield church, which has been under the watchcare of the Conference, was taken into full connection. The brethren from abroad and all members present in good standing were invited to take part in the deliberations of the Conference. The following committees were appointed by the Chair: On nominations, E. P. Farnsworth, H. W. Pierce, and C. N. Pike; on resolutions, C. W. Stone, R. S. Owen, and T. H. Purdon; on auditing, T. H. Purdon, Isaiah Stanhope, A. B. Gomoe, C. P. Whitford, E. P. Farnsworth, and H. W. Barrows; on credentials and licenses, R. S. Owen, G. W. Page, and T. H. Purdon.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND MEETING convened Sunday afternoon. H. W. Barrows was received as delegate from the Irasburgh church.
The nominating committee recommended the following as officers for the ensuing year, and they were unanimously elected: For president, A. S. Hutchins; secretary, C. E. Powell; treasurer, A. S. Hutchins; executive committee, A. S. Hutchins, Lewis Bean, and Hascall Peebles; camp-meeting committee, G. W. Page, E. P. Farnsworth, and B. F. Bicknell.
The following report was accepted at the hands of the committee on resolutions:—
Resolved, That we recommend to all the brethren and sisters of our Conference to adopt and carry out faithfully the tithing system.
Resolved, That our Conference pay a tithe of the s. b. it receives to the General Conference.
Resolved, That our churches should be punctual in making reports quarterly to the State secretary.
Resolved, That we recommend that as far as possible the laborers be evenly distributed in the State, and that they have an especial care of the Sabbath-school, temperance, s. b., and T. and M. interests in their respective sections.
Resolved, That we recognize the present temperance movement of the American Health and Temperance Association as an important branch of the third angel's message; and
Resolved, That we recommend a hearty co-operation by our brethren in the organization of local temperance societies, and in living out the principles of Christian temperance.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference are due to Mr. McGregor for the free use of his beautiful grove for our camp-meeting.
The following was submitted by Bro. C. W. Stone:—
Resolved, That we recognize the need of laborers, and the advantages presented by our College for our young people to prepare for the work, and that we therefore recommend that our youth be encouraged to attend the College for this purpose.
The resolutions were freely spoken to by Brn. G. I. Butler, C. W. Stone, A. S. Hutchins, W. C. White and others, and unanimously adopted.
The committee on credentials and licenses reported, recommending that credentials be renewed to Elds. A. S. Hutchins, A. C. Bourdeau, D. T. Bourdeau, Lewis Bean, Albert Stone, and R. S. Owen; and that C. W. Stone be ordained and receive credentials. It was also recommended that licenses be renewed to M. E. Kellogg, G. W. Page, Chester E. Powell, and T. H. Purdon; and that license be granted to Frank S. Porter. The report was accepted, and credentials and licenses granted as per report.
At their request, the churches at Barford, Stukely, and the Westbury and Eton church, in the Canada Mission, were dropped from the minutes of the Vermont Conference.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
THIRD MEETING, Monday, 6:30 p. m. The following resolution offered by Bro. Butler was adopted:— Whereas, By the action of the General Conference, the Province of Quebec was separated from the Vermont Conference in the autumn of 1878, and constituted a mission field under the charge of Bro. A.C. Bourdeau, subject to the action of the General Conference, and
Whereas, the line between this Province and Vermont runs through the church at Richford with a portion of its members and scattered Sabbath-keepers on each side of the line, therefore
Resolved, That this Conference recommend that Sabbath-keepers living near the church, and meeting there, pay their s. b. into the treasury of that church as heretofore, and that the s. b. treasurer of that church keep an accurate account of the amount of money paid by those living in the Province and those living in Vermont, and these sums respectively be paid to the treasurer of the Vermont Conference or the Association according to the place in which it was raised. And should the church by vote use any of the s. b. thus raised, in the church, it shall be taken from each part according to the sum each division has paid.
The following was presented by Bro. H. Peebles, and adopted:—
Whereas, Bro. C. W. Stone has been called from his work in Vermont to fill a place in the Battle Creek College, thus depriving the Vermont Conference of an efficient laborer, therefore
Resolved, That we express our regret at losing the labors of Bro. Stone, and if he be taken from us, we request the General Conference to send us, as help, Bro. Geo. I. Butler, or some other efficient laborer.
H. Peebles and H. W. Jackman were appointed as auditors for the coming year.
Voted, That the Conference donate $75.00 for the completion of the church at Cabot.
Voted, That the proceedings of this meeting be sent to the REVIEW for publication.
A. S. Hutchins, Pres.
Chester E. Powell, Sec.