PROCEEDINGS OF THE UPPER COLUMBIA CONFERENCE.
THE eighth annual session of the Upper Columbia Conference convened on the campground at Milton, Oregon, May 26, 1887. First meeting called to order by the President, at 9 A. M. Prayer by Elder Underwood. The Secretary being absent, D. T. Fero was appointed Secretary pro tem. The churches at Walla Walla, Milton, Dayton, Pataha, Farmington, and Echo were represented by twenty-one delegates. Elder D. T. Fero represented the Boise church. Minutes of last session were read and approved. The Highland Valley church, Idaho, requested, through Brother L. I. Cargill, to be admitted to the Conference. The request was granted, and Brother Cargill received as delegate. All visiting brethren were invited to take part in the deliberations of the Conference. The chair appointed the usual committees, as follows: On Nominations—William Goodwin, T. L. Ragsdale, Nathan McCormic; on Resolutions—R. A. Underwood, G. W. Colcord, Will Steward; on Auditing—B. F. Winkler, T. L. Ragsdale, T. Chabot, Wm. McCoy, Aaron Miller; on Credentials and Licenses—D. T. Fero, Wm. Nichols, Wm. Kerr. Adjourned to call of chair. SECOND MEETING, 9 A. M., MAY 27.
Prayer by Elder Scoles. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The Committee on Nomination recommended the following: For President, Elder H. W. Decker; Secretary, Elder J. W. Scoles; Treasurer, B. F. Winkler; Executive Committee, H. W. Decker, D. T. Fero, Wm. Kerr. Each name was considered separately and the recommendation then unanimously adopted. Committee on Resolutions then presented a partial report as follows:— Resolved, That feeling our indebtedness, we express our thanks to God for the faithful reproofs and instructions which he is in mercy giving us by his Spirit, and that we will show our gratitude for these testimonies by humbling our hearts before him, and forsaking our sins. WHEREAS, We believe the ten commandments are all binding, and that robbery against God is a grievous sin, Resolved, That we will repent by bringing forth fruit answerable to an amendment of life, in that we bring all the tithes into the storehouse of the Lord's treasury. WHEREAS, The providence of God has established upon this coast the Healdsburg College; therefore, Resolved, That we will do all we can to give it support, by sending young men and women to receive suitable training to prepare them to engage in the work of God. The first resolution was spoken to by Elders Underwood, Farnsworth, and Colcord, and adopted. The second was discussed at some length by Elders Farnsworth, Underwood, Decker, Scoles, and Fero, and Brethren Johns and Steward, and adopted by vote of delegates, after which the congregation expressed their approval by a rising vote. The third resolution was spoken to by Elders Farnsworth and Underwood and by Professor Grainger. Brother Nichols favored the resolution, and requested that the judgment of the leading brethren concerning the Milton school be clearly expressed. The resolution was then adopted and the meeting adjourned to call of chair. THIRD MEETING, 2 P. M., MAY 27.
Prayer by Elder Colcord. After reading minutes of last meeting reports of committees were called for, and Committee on Resolutions reported further as follows:— Resolved, That we hereby express our thankfulness to the Lord for his providence which has enabled us to organize a school in this place, and that we will strive to make it a blessing to children in this field, and a support to Healdsburg College. Resolved, That we express our thanks to the General Conference for the efficient help sent to counsel with and assist us during this session of our Conference. These resolutions were discussed at length and adopted. FOURTH MEETING, 9:30 A. M., MAY 30.
Prayer by Brother Johns. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Committee on Credentials and Licenses presented a partial report recommending that credentials be given to H. W. Decker, G. W. Colcord, D. T. Fero, J. W. Scoles, and J. Bartlett. Credentials were granted as recommended. Meeting adjourned to call of chair. FIFTH MEETING, 5 P. M., MAY 30.
After reading minutes, Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported, recommending that ministerial license be given to C. L. Ford and Will Steward. Report adopted. The treasurer's report was received as follows:— Cash on hand June 1, 1886, . . . $ 697 67
Rec'd as tithes during the year, . . 2,254 38
Total, . . . . . . . . $2,952 05
Paid out for labor, . . . . . $2,127 50
Tithes to Gen. Conf., . . . . . 237 50
For tent and other expenses, . . . 244 24
Total, . . . . . . . . $2,609 24
Bal. on hand May 29, 1887, . . . $342 81 The report was adopted and the Conference adjourned sine die.
H. W. DECKER, President.
D. T. FERO, Sec. pro tem.