North Pacific Conference Proceedings.
THE annual session of the North Pacific State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the East Portland camp-ground, June 19-30, 1884. FIRST MEETING, JUNE 20, 9 A. M.
President, Eld. C. L. Boyd, in the chair. Opening prayer, by Eld. J. N. Loughborough. Secretary, John E. Graham, being absent, H. W. Reed was elected pro tem. Credentials presented by delegates as follows: Salem—John Osborne, George Fulton; Coquille City—J. C. Bunch; Renton, W. T.—G. W. Davis; Beaverton—J. C. Hall, J. D. Fleck; Damascus—J. T. Chitwood. Brother Withers was received to represent the church at Scio. Delegates were accepted to represent the following companies: Carrollton—Hannah Warren; Rainier—Columbus Washburn; Yaquina Bay—Fred Kundert; Corvallis—Fred Will; Alsea Bay—H. A. Baxter. All ministers from abroad, and all members of good standing were invited to participate in the deliberations of the meeting. The chairman appointed the usual committees, as follows: On Nominations—J. C. Bunch, H. Atkinson, J. T. Chitwood. On Credentials—T. H. Starbuck, R. D. Benham, G. W. Davis. On Auditing—J. E. Graham, R. D. Benham, H. Atkinson, J. T. Chitwood, G. W. Davis, George Fulton. On Resolutions—J. N. Loughborough, T. H. Starbuck, O. Dickinson. SECOND MEETING, JUNE 21, 9 A. M.
Prayer by Eld. Wm. Ings. Credentials presented by delegates as follows: East Portland Church—H. W. Reed, John Burden. Eld. W. C. White expressed an earnest desire that steps be taken to secure a larger attendance of our churches at this Conference session. A committee of three to secure that object was appointed, as follows: Elds. J. N. Loughborough and W. C. White and T. H. Starbuck. The minutes of last year's Conference were read. The names of Elders Barnes and Snashall were referred to the Committee on Resolutions. Eld. J. H. Waggoner suggested that the resolutions adopted June 24, 1883, be read, that we might consider how far we had kept them. The first resolution was read, and remarks were made by Elds. J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, A. T. Jones, and W. C. White. Brother White then called for a reading of all the resolutions. THIRD MEETING, JUNE 24, 5 P. M.
Prayer by Eld. J. O. Corliss. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:— WHEREAS, Elds. E. W. Barnes and A. Snashall have apostatized from the faith of Seventh-day Adventists; therefore, Resolved, That their names be stricken from the minutes of the Conference. After remarks by Eld. J. H. Waggoner, the resolution was adopted. Reports from churches and companies were then read. Brother Sprague was accepted to represent the company at Eugene City. Reports from the ministers were presented. Eld. C. L. Boyd gave an outline of the condition of the cause in this Conference, showing what had been done the last year. He spoke of the providence of God in opening the way to build a church and a depository, part of the latter to be used for a reading-room. Voted that a committee of nine be appointed to visit the said buildings and report. The following brethren were appointed: T. H. Starbuck, J. C. Hall, R. D. Benham, J. C. Bunch, G. W. Davis, H. Goodell, John Krumm, E. Squires, and John E. Graham. Three delegates were elected to the Pacific Coast Council as follows: C. L. Boyd, R. D. Benham, and T. H. Starbuck. FOURTH MEETING, JUNE 25, 9:30 A. M.
Prayer by Elder Loughborough. Elder Loughborough expressed the opinion that we ought to know something of the labors of Elder Barnes, and Elder Raymond was called upon to relate what he knew of his labors up to the time he moved to Salem. T. H. Starbuck spoke of his movements in that city. No favorable report of his labor could be given by either of the speakers. Eld. J. H. Waggoner made remarks that were profitable to all. Eld. J. O. Corliss spoke of the evil influence of the person in question. Mrs. E. G. White made remarks with candor and earnestness. Her testimony was very acceptable. Report of the investigation of certain views formerly held by Elder Raymond was called for. Elder Loughborough read the report, which, by a rising vote, was adopted. FIFTH MEETING, JUNE 26, 9 A. M.
Prayer by Eld. A. T. Jones. The Nominating Committee reported as follows: For President, Eld. C. L. Boyd; for Secretary, H. W. Reed; for Treasurer, O. Dickinson. Members of the Conference Committee in addition to the president, J. E. Graham, R. D. Benham. Moved and seconded that Eld. C. L. Boyd be elected president. Elder Boyd declined until more unity could be established. He presented his objections on paper, which were read and commented upon by Eld. J. H. Waggoner, followed by remarks from Eld. J. O. Corliss. Mrs. E. G. White then bore testimony which was of great importance to all who desire eternal life. Remarks by Elds. J. H. Waggoner, W. C. White, J. O. Corliss, Bros. R. D. Benham, T. H. Starbuck, and E. Squires. SIXTH MEETING, JUNE 26, 4 P. M.
Eld. J. H. Waggoner made some remarks, and called up the appeal of President C. L. Boyd to the Conference, concerning certain action taken by some members in regard to his relations to Elder Barnes. The appeal was sustained, and the opposition to the authority and action of the General Conference, which had been manifested in this Conference, was repudiated and condemned. On this subject Mrs. E. G. White gave a most impressive and powerful testimony in reference to the condition of the Conference when Elder Boyd was sent here, and to the condition of those who had criticized the action of the General Conference, and rejected those whom the Lord had sent to their assistance. Remarks were made also by several others, and Elder Boyd requested them to vote against his election. SEVENTH MEETING, JUNE 27, 10:30 A. M.
Prayer by Eld. W. C. White. The question of the election of Eld. C. L. Boyd was called for. The delegates expressed their choice by a unanimous vote. The privilege to vote on the question was extended to all members of Seventh-day Adventist churches present, which resulted in a unanimous vote. Eld. O. Dickinson was chosen to represent the Salem church, taking the seat vacated by John Osborn. H. W. Reed was elected Secretary, and O. Dickinson, Treasurer. John E. Graham and J. C. Hall were elected members of the Conference Committee in addition to the president. The appointing of the Camp-meeting Committee was left to the Conference Committee.427 EIGHTH MEETING, JUNE 29, 5:30 A. M.
Prayer by Eld. C. L. Boyd. The following recommendation was then presented by the committee appointed to visit the church and reading room erected the past year: "We find the work well and faithfully done, and as they seem to be what this Conference needs to accomplish its best work, therefore, we recommend that the amount needed to complete payment for these buildings be raised by the Conference. After remarks by Elders Loughborough and Waggoner the recommendation was adopted. The following resolution was then presented: Resolved, That we raise a fund of $3,000 to be used as follows: 1. To settle the indebtedness on the East Portland meeting-house and the State depository. 2. Five hundred dollars to be devoted to tent and camp-meeting purposes. The remainder to be used as a missionary fund for the support of our ship and city mission and colporter work. Brother Dickinson moved to make the sum $5,000. After remarks by Elds. J. N. Loughborough, J. H. Waggoner, and W. C. White, the motion as amended was carried by unanimous vote of the delegates. The brethren and sisters present showed their appreciation of the motion by a unanimous vote. Pledges were then made for this purpose amounting to $4,918.55. NINTH MEETING, JUNE 30, 9 A. M.
The following resolutions were presented:— WHEREAS, We see a vast field opened up before us and but few laborers to enter the same; therefore, Resolved, That it is our duty to encourage devout men and women not a few, to attend the Healdsburg College as the way to prepare themselves most quickly to be efficient laborers in this cause. Resolved, That we render devout gratitude to God for the testimonies of reproof and counsel given by the Spirit through Sister White during this camp-meeting. Adopted by a rising vote. Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the proprietors of the Oregonian and Telegram for favorable notices of our camp-meeting. Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the North Pacific and Oregon Railway and Navigation Cos.; Oregon and Californian Railway; also to the proprietors of the steamer, Joseph Kellogg, for reduction in fare over their respective lines of travel. Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported as follows:— That credentials be renewed to Eld. C. L. Boyd; that licenses be granted to H. W. Reed and John Burden; that colporter's licenses be granted to Mrs. C. L. Boyd and John Cole. After remarks by Eld. J. H. Waggoner, the report was adopted. The following resolution was then presented: Resolved, That we request Eld. J. N. Loughborough to spend as much time in this Conference as is consistent with his other duties; and that he and Elder Boyd visit the churches in this Conference and labor with them, in accordance with the recommendation of the Pacific Coast Council. The resolution was adopted. The treasurer reported as follows: Money received during the year, $1,407; money paid out during the year, $1,407; amount of unpaid orders, $160. Moved and seconded that the Conference send a delegate to the General Conference. After remarks by Elds. J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, and J. O. Corliss, the motion was carried. The Conference having completed its labors, adjourned sine die. CHAS. L. BOYD, Pres. H. W. REED, Sec. pro tem.