NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE.
THE thirteenth annual session of the North Pacific Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in connection with the East Portland camp-meeting, May 14-21. The first meeting was held May 14, at 5 P. M., the president, Elder S. Fulton, in the chair. After singing, prayer was offered by Elder J. N. Loughborough. The president then stated that owing to his poor state of health, he desired that Elder J. N. Loughborough should preside over the meetings of this session. The minutes of the last annual session were read and approved. At the first meeting the following churches were represented by their respective delegates: East Portland, Spring Brook, Grand Ford, Lynden, Aldany, St. John's, Tacoma, Maple Valley, Vancouver, Artondale, Seattle, Coquille, Salem, Carrollton, and Beaverton. A written request was presented from the Ilwaco church, stating a desire to be admitted into the Conference, and, upon its admission, that J. E. Graham and H. W. Reed be its delegates. A statement was made that it was recently raised up and organized, and contained fourteen members. It was then voted into the Conference. The chairman appointed the usual committees as follows:—
On Nominations—O. Dickinson, G. W. Davis, E. D. Hurlburt.
On Credentials—T. H. Starbuck, J. E. Graham, J. N. Loughborough.
On Auditing—G. W. Davis, H. A. Baxter, G. E. Tyszkiewicz, C. A. Wyman, J. D. Manning, J. C. Hall.
On Resolutions—E. P. Daniels, W. C. Ward, Isaac Morrison. SECOND MEETING, MAY 16, AT 9 A. M. The Newton and Corvallis churches were represented by their delegates. The number of delegates who had presented their credentials now numbered fifty-three. The minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. Upon request, the West Union church, consisting of eleven members, was received into the Conference. The resolutions adopted at the last camp-meeting were read, and appropriate remarks were made, showing how fully they had been carried out. Resolution 4 recommended "that we send T. H. Starbuck to attend the council of teachers soon to be held in Battle Creek, Mich., and to visit schools which have made a marked success in methods which we propose to follow." To this resolution Brother Starbuck said: "I went to Battle Creek, Mich., and attended the teachers' meeting. Spent the month of July in the Chautauqua summer school, in Bible study. Attended the State annual meetings in Ohio and Michigan. Spent nearly one month in Battle Creek, Mich., and most of that time was devoted to the study of methods of instruction, and management of the Students' Home. Attended the General Conference, and the institute which preceded it. It was the most profitable five months, to myself, ever passed, and I hope that it may prove to be of lasting benefit to the work in which I am engaged." THIRD MEETING, MAY 17, AT 9 A. M. Four more delegates presented their credentials. One of them represented the Marshfield church. A request was made that the Woodland church, consisting of six members, be received into the Conference. It was voted to receive the church. The Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
Resolved, That article three, section one, of the constitution of the North Pacific Conference, be amended by striking out the word three and inserting the word five.
This resolution was adopted. The Committee on Credentials and Licenses made a partial report, as follows:—
For credentials—Samuel Fulton, H. W. Reed, Wm. Potter, W. C. Ward, Fried Jorg.
For ministerial licenses—Isaac Morrison, H. A. Baxter, J. M. Cole, G. W. Davis, Carl Scheiper, J. C. Bunch.
The report was adopted. The Conference treasurer's report was read, as follows, and adopted:—
Whole amount of tithes received, - - - $7,205 72
Whole amount of tithes paid out, - - - 5,907 95
Amount on hand, - - - - - $1,297 77 FOURTH MEETING, MAY 17, 4:30 P. M. At this meeting the Damascus church was represented. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:—
WHEREAS, It is deemed advisable in the conducting of Conference schools to combine manual labor with other instruction; therefore,
Resolved, That we will provide grounds and other facilities in connection with our school buildings for carrying out this object.
WHEREAS, It is essential to the correct discipline and proper guardianship of the morals of our students that a boarding-house, or students' home, be connected with our school; therefore,
Resolved, That we will provide means for the erection and equipment of such a home.
Resolved, That the Executive Committee of this Conference are hereby empowered and instructed to secure means by loans, donations, etc., with which to obtain lands, erect proper buildings, etc., for the objects stated in the above resolutions; and further,
Resolved, If these facilities cannot be secured in East Portland, that the said committee are hereby empowered to dispose of the present school property on the best terms possible, and obtain a suitable site at some feasible point centrally located in our Conference. Resolved, That an Educational Society be formed in this Conference, which shall hold our school property, and legally manage the temporalities of the same.
Resolved, That we will raise at once, at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) in stock, in shares of the par value of ten dollars ($10) per share.
Remarks were made in favor of these resolutions, and they were carried by unanimous vote. FIFTH MEETING, MAY 20, AT 8 A. M.
An informal meeting of the Conference was held for the purpose of raising stock for the Educational Society. Pledges were taken to the amount of five thousand three hundred and six dollars ($5,306). SIXTH MEETING, MAY 20, AT 10 A. M.
Prayer by O. Dickinson.
Upon request, the name of the Newton church was changed to Elk City.
The Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
WHEREAS, Already one bill has been introduced into the Senate of the United States to secure the enactment of a national Sunday law; and,
WHEREAS, A National Sabbath Union has been organized to secure the enactment of an oppressive Sunday law by the Congress of the United States, and is vigorously pushing forward its work in every State and Territory, through the pulpit and the press, and by the circulation of petitions to Congress favoring the same; and,
WHEREAS, We see in this a striking fulfillment of the prophecies in reference to our country; and,
WHEREAS, It is to be one of the last events in the history of our country, which will usher in the time of bitter persecution that will greatly hinder our work in spreading the truth; and,
WHEREAS, It is a striking evidence that our work for the world is soon to close, and what is done must be done quickly; therefore,
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to renewed energy and diligence in taking subscriptions to the American Sentinel, and in circulating the remonstrative petitions, calling attention of the people to what is coming, and what must be done to be prepared to meet it.
After some very interesting remarks, the resolution was adopted. WHEREAS, The health of our beloved brother, Samuel Fulton, is such that it is thought necessary to the preservation of his life that he should be relieved from the office of president of the North Pacific Conference; therefore,
Resolved, That we deeply regret the circumstances which compel the change, and as a Conference express our sincere gratitude for all the benefits resulting from his faithful and unselfish labors during the past two years.
This resolution was unanimously adopted. WHEREAS, During the past year the prosperity attending our Conference labors, and the blessing of God manifestly displayed in the preservation of both the health and the property of our people, continually deserve grateful remembrance; therefore,
Resolved, That we express our united thanks to God for his unmerited care and providence, and that we deeply deplore our lack of spirituality and faithfulness to duty.
After adopting this resolution the whole congregation arose and sang the Doxology, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." The Committee on Credentials and Licenses made further report, as follows:—
To receive ministerial licenses—A. Benson, T. H. Starbuck. The report was adopted. The Committee on Nominations made the following report:—
For President, Elder R. C. Porter; Secretary, H. W. Reed; Treasurer, O. Dickinson; Conference Committee—R. C. Porter, T. H. Starbuck, G. W. Davis, J. E. Graham, J. C. Bunch. SEVENTH MEETING, MAY 20, 6 P. M.
Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
The chairman called for a reading of the resolution touching the formation of an Educational Society. After its reading, the chair364stated that the law of Oregon in reference to corporations is very liberal; that we need not form a corporation by joint stock, as provided by the resolution, but that we can have it under the control of the Conference, if we so desire. It was voted to reconsider the motion adopting said resolution.
Voted to amend the resolution so that it will read as follows:—
Resolved, That we will raise by donations five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the Educational Society. Moved that those who have paid and pledged stock for this Educational Society be allowed to vote. Carried by an almost unanimous vote.
Conference then adjourned to the call of the chair. EIGHTH MEETING, MAY 20, 9:30 P. M.
The minutes of last meeting were read and approved. The Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported, recommending that Brethren Isaac Morrison and G. W. Davis be ordained and receive credentials.
The report was adopted. Voted that the Conference Committee appoint a corresponding secretary, who shall devote such portion of his time to correspondence as the committee shall deem best. Voted that the Educational Society be organized according to the law of Oregon. The following articles were read:—
THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
ARTICLE 1. The name of this society shall be, The Educational Society of the Seventh-day Adventists, and the duration of the same shall be unlimited.
ART. 2. The object and business of this society shall be to maintain a denominational school, where biblical and scientific instruction shall be imparted, and where manual labor shall be combined with mental instruction.
ART. 3. The estimated value of school property already in the hands of this society is $5,000. The resources are the property on hand, donations, legacies, tuitions.
ART. 4. The business of this society shall be managed by a board of five directors, who shall be chosen annually by the North Pacific Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and this board shall choose a president, secretary, treasurer, and auditor from their own number immediately after their election.
ART. 5. The location of this society, and its principal place of business, is East Portland, Oregon. Voted that these articles be adopted. Voted that the Nominating Committee present names for the board of directors. The following names were presented and elected: T. H. Starbuck, J. E. Graham, C. A. Wyman, E. D. Hulburt, O. Dickinson. Voted that the Conference Committee be requested to procure a tent of suitable size to be used at our next annual gathering. Voted that the Conference Committee provide for a camp-meeting this season in the Puget Sound country. Voted that those who wish to re-subscribe to the $5,000 Fund do so, making their subscription more or less as they may choose.
Adjourned sine die.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres. pro tem.
H. W. REED, Sec.