The Missionary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 11, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 43.

The Missionary.

California Sabbath-School Association Proceedings.

THE ninth annual session of this association was held in Woodland, in connection with the camp-meeting, October 6-19, 1886.

The first meeting was called on Thursday, October 7, at 9 A. M. The song, "Workers in the Master's Vineyard," opened the meeting, and prayer was offered by Elder A. T. Jones. A statement was read showing the total number of Sabbath-schools in the United States to be 829; number of members, 20,840; contributions for one year, $7,539.10.

Accounts given by those who had organized new schools were listened to with interest. The following are the names of schools which have been organized the past year: Brown's Station, Calistoga, Carson City, Cottonwood, Crystal Springs, Dayton, Duarte, Laytonville, Lompoc, Lone Oak, Mason Valley, Pomona, Rocklin, Rough and Ready, Sacramento, Selma, Stockton, Stuart, and Unionville. The schools at Callahans, Freshwater, Hanford, and Ukiah have been discontinued. Nineteen school having been added and but four dropped gives an increase of fifteen this year. There have also been two Sunday-schools organized, both in Oakland, making in all three that are held in the State. The number of schools in the Conference, including both Sabbath and Sunday-schools, is 64; membership, 2,001, which is an increase of 204 over last year's report; amount of contributions for the year, $1,763.28. The camp-meeting contributions have been $112.06; tithes sent State association, $166.10. Amount on hand in favor of association, $286.29.

The President appointed the usual committees, which were announced as follows: On Nominations, Elders J. N. Loughborough, Wm. Healey, N. C. McClure; on Resolutions, Elder E. J. Waggoner, R. S. Owen, W. C. Grainger; on Examination of Record Books, Josie L. Baker, Alice C. Bartlett, Emma H. Boyd.

Alice C. Bartlett and Josie L. Baker were appointed to canvass the ground to obtain subscriptions for the Sabbath-School Worker.

At the second meeting, held Tuesday, October 12, the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Brother R. S. Owen then gave an interesting talk, answering the question, "How can we make our school interesting when it is so small?" This was followed by the reading of a paper by Mrs. E. J. Waggoner, entitled, "How to Help the Children."

The Nominating Committee presented its report, recommending that the officers for the past year be re-elected. Their names are: C. H. Jones, President; W. C. Grainger, Vice-President; Josie L. Baker, Secretary; Alice C. Bartlett, Assistant Secretary; E. J. Waggoner, A. T. Jones, R. S. Owen, members of the Executive Committee. The report was accepted and the nominees elected.

Thursday, October 14, the third meeting was held. The Committee on Resolutions submitted its report. After the reading of each resolution,

all of which were thoroughly discussed, some amendments were made, and the resolutions adopted as follows:—

WHEREAS, It is apparent that the Sabbath-schools are being owned and blessed of God as an instrument in his hands for bringing souls to the knowledge of his truth; therefore,

Resolved, That we encourage their establishment wherever it is possible, and that we believe that even in the case of a single family much more good could be accomplished by the organization of a family school, than without such organization.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that Sunday-schools may be a great means of good, and that we recommend that this means be utilized more largely in the future.

Resolved, That as members of this Association we will use our influence to induce every member of a Seventh-day Adventist Church in California to become also a member of the Sabbath-school.

Resolved, That we advise our Sabbath-schools to order their supplies directly from the Pacific Press Publishing House.

WHEREAS, The children are under the care of the Sabbath-school teachers for only one hour in the week; therefore,

Resolved, That we urge parents always to remember that the Sabbath-school teachers can never take their place in instructing the children, and to heartily co-operate with the teachers by learning the primary lessons themselves, and by assisting the children in their study of them.

WHEREAS, The school contributions for the past year have aggregated nearly $1,800, and we believe that if the minds of all were directed to a worthy, common object, the amount of contributions would be greatly increased; and

WHEREAS, The most of our schools are quite well provided with necessary supplies; and, even if they were not, it is not in accordance with the principles of the gospel which they teach, that all their expenditures should be for themselves; therefore,

Resolved, That, as an association, we hereby pledge to the General Conference at least $1,000 from our contributions for the coming year, to assist in opening up the work in South Africa, provided that the General Conference shall, at its next session, take steps toward starting the work in that field.

The meeting closed with remarks from Elder Waggoner, on the work and qualifications of a Sabbath-school teacher.

Adjourned sine die.

C. H. JONES, Pres't. JOSIE L. BAKER, Sec'y.