REPORT OF THE N. Y. STATE CONFERENCE by B. L. Whitney; E. W. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1879

REPORT OF THE N. Y. STATE CONFERENCE.

By B. L. Whitney; E. W. Whitney

The New York Conference held its eighteenth annual session in connection with the Pa. Conference during the camp-meeting at Hornellsville, N. Y., Sept. 18–23, 1879.

FIRST MEETING convened Sept. 18, at 5:30 P. M., and was opened with prayer by Eld. Geo. I. Butler. Minutes of the last session read and approved. Twenty-one delegates were present, representing nineteen churches.

The following resolution was then presented by Eld. R. F. Cottrell, and adopted by the Conference:—

Resolved, That in all matters of interest to both, the two Conferences act in concert during their present session.

SECOND MEETING called Sept. 19, at 9 A. M. Prayer by Eld. R. F. Cottrell. The usual committees were then appointed by the Chair.

THIRD MEETING called Sept. 22, at 1:30 P. M. Prayer by Eld. S. B. Whitney.

Voted, That the company at Tylerville be taken under the watchcare of the Conference.

Voted, That all our brethren present who are in good standing among us, and especially our leading brethren from abroad, be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.

The following resolutions were then presented by the committee on resolutions, and, after remarks by Brn. W. C. White, S. B. Whitney, B. L. Whitney, C. B. Reynolds, and J. B. Goodrich were unanimously adopted, the second by a rising vote of the whole congregation:—

Whereas, We believe the principles of health and temperance reform to be clearly taught in the Bible, to have a special application to the experience of God’s people in the last days, and to constitute an essential portion of the present truth, therefore

Resolved, That we look upon the present movement among us as being in the order and providence of God, and we recommend the hearty co-operation of all our people by adopting the strictest temperance principles, and by the organization of a State and local societies.

Resolved, That we deeply regret the manifest tendency of many of our people to conform to the world in the matter of dress, and we earnestly urge a return to the plainness and simplicity of the gospel on this point, and thus invite the Spirit of God back to hearts, homes, and churches.

FOURTH MEETING called Sept. 22, at 6:30 P. M. Prayer by Eld. R. F. Cottrell.

The following were then presented by the committee on resolutions, and, after appropriate remarks by Eld. James White, W. C. White, and others, were acted upon separately, and unanimously adopted:—

Resolved, That it is the duty of all our young men and women, and especially those who expect to bear a part in the closing work of the church, to make every possible effort to gain such an education as will enable them to labor successfully; and that it is the duty of our people to encourage them, and if necessary help them to do so.

Resolved, (1.) That it is the judgment of this Conference that there should be an educational relief fund raised in the State to aid worthy men and women to educate themselves to become home and foreign missionaries; (2.) That this fund be raised by donations of sums of not less than one dollar, and by loans for three years, without interest, of sums of not less than ten dollars; (3.) That the fund thus raised be controlled by three trustees to be elected by the Conference, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, so that hereafter there shall be one elected annually to hold his office for three years; (4.) That the duty of the trustees be as follows: first, to encourage as many as possible to avail themselves of the advantages of our College at Battle Creek; secondly, to decide who need aid from this fund and are worthy of it, who shall be helped by loans, and who by donations, and to what extent in each case; thirdly, to report annually to the Conference all receipts, expenses, and disbursements, which report shall be submitted to the auditor appointed by the Conference.

Resolved, That we are more than ever convinced that a tithe of our income is the Lord’s; that we would hereby express our satisfaction at the willingness with which most of our people are adopting the plan; and that we earnestly urge the duty upon all our members, believing it to be essential to their welfare and prosperity, and necessary for the support of the ministry.

Resolved, That we express our increased confidence in the gift of prophecy among God’s remnant people; and that we hereby return our warmest gratitude to God and the General Conference for the privilege of having Bro. and Sr. White again with us.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Conference that all our churches should report their standing to the president of the Conference after each quarterly meeting.

FIFTH MEETING called Sept. 23, at 7:30 A. M. Prayer by Eld. Jacob Wilbur.

The committee on credentials and licenses offered a partial report, recommending that the credentials of F. Wheeler, R. F. Cottrell, C. O. Taylor, J. N. Andrews, Jacob Wilbur, C. B. Reynolds, S. B. Whitney, B. L. Whitney, and A. H. Hall be renewed, and that M. H. Brown and Geo. D. Ballou be ordained and receive credentials. The report was adopted.

SIXTH MEETING called Sept. 23, at 1:30 P. M. Opened by singing and prayer.

The committee on credentials and licenses reported further, recommending that T. M. Lane, J. Q. Foy, C. C. Lewis, Benjamin Holmes, Edward Plumb, H. H. Wilcox, M. C. Wilcox, E. W. Whitney, Geo. W. Bliss, and J. E. Robinson receive license to preach, and that E. S. Lane and Walter Humphrey receive colporteur’s license. Report adopted.

SEVENTH MEETING called Sept. 23, at 9:30 P. M. The committee on nominations reported as follows: For president, Eld. B. L. Whitney; secretary, E. W. Whitney; treasurer, L. T. Nourse; executive committee, B. L. Whitney, M. H. Brown, and A. H. Hall. Each person named in the report was then elected to the office designated.

The following resolution was then passed by the Conference:—

Resolved, That the second member of the executive committee of the N. Y. Conference be considered as holding the position of vice-president, and that he do the work usually devolving upon those holding such office.

On recommendation of the committee appointed to nominate trustees for the educational relief fund, the following-named persons were elected: B. L. Whitney, for one year; Daniel Bowe, for two years; P. Z. Kinne, for three years.

The treasurer presented the following report:—

Received of churches, $1679.90 Paid on orders, $1457.17 Cash on hand to balance, $222.73 $1679.90

CHAS. E. GREEN, Treas.

Adjourned sine die.

B. L. WHITNEY, Pres. E. W. WHITNEY, Sec.

CONFERENCE DIRECTORY.

Pres., Eld. B. L. Whitney, Rome, N. Y. Sec., E. W. Whitney, Manlius Station, N. Y. Treas., L. T. Nourse, Chittenango Falls, N. Y.