UPPER COLUMBIA CONFERENCE.
THE tenth annual session of the Upper Columbia Conference convened on the camp-ground at Colfax, W. T., May 22, 1889, at 9 A. M. President H. W. Decker in the chair. Prayer by Elder G. W. Colcord. The churches at Milton, Walla Walla, Dayton, Alba, Pataha, Highland Valley, Franklin, Boise, Moscow, Spokane Falls, Echo, and Farmington, were represented by thirty-four delegates. Newly organized churches at Garfield, Viola, and Heppner were received into the Conference by vote. Garfield and Viola were represented by four delegates, making a total delegation of thirty-eight. All visiting brethren were invited by vote to take part in the deliberations of the Conference. Voted that the chair appoint the standing committees. They were named as follows:— On Nominations—W. W. Steward, L. D. Cargill, F. S. Hafford. On Auditing—T. L. Ragsdale, N. McCormick, T. Chabot, Aaron Miller, P. D. Larabee, Ambrose Johnson. On Credentials and Licenses—G. W. Colcord, Wm. Kerr, Henry Carnahan. On Resolutions—E. P. Daniels, D. T. Fero, G. H. Rogers. Meeting then adjourned to call of chair. SECOND MEETING, SUNDAY, MAY 26, AT 4 P. M. Prayer by Elder Kime; minutes of last meeting read and approved. Committee on Nominations recommended the following: For President, Elder H. W. Decker; Secretary, E. E. Andross; Treasurer, F. S. Hafford; Executive Committee, H. W. Decker, G. W. Colcord, T. L. Ragsdale. On motion the names were considered separately and the recommendation was adopted. Committee on Credentials and Licenses then recommended that credentials be given to H. W. Decker, D. T. Fero, G. W. Colcord, G. H. Rogers, J. Bartlett, S. H. Kime; and that ministerial licenses be given to W. W. Steward, E. L. Stewart, E. E. Andross, F. S. Hafford, J. O. Beard, H. A. Wilder, and D. E. Scoles. On motion the names were called out separately and the recommendation adopted by unanimous vote. Committee on Resolutions then offered the following:— WHEREAS, The past year has been one of prosperity in our Conference, not only in an increase of four churches, with an aggregate membership of about sixty, but also an increase in the membership of the older churches and an increase of $1,500 in the funds of the Conference; therefore, 1. Resolved, That we hereby express devout gratitude to God for these blessings. WHEREAS, It has been proposed by the General Conference to make a special effort to build up and establish the work in Montana; therefore, 2. Resolved, That the Upper Columbia Conference relinquish that part of our territory to the General Conference. WHEREAS, There is a grand field constantly opening in foreign lands for the spread of the truth; and, WHEREAS, The plan proposed by the General Conference that each member of our body of people make first-day offerings to sustain the work in those fields, seems to be an appropriate and feasible method; therefore, 3. Resolved, That we will adopt this plan and make weekly contributions for foreign missions as the Lord may prosper us. WHEREAS, We hail with gratitude the evidence that God is moving upon the hearts of our people in many places to search out sin and seek purity of heart before God and union with each other; therefore, 4. Resolved, That we advise all our churches to carry on this good work in their respective localities. WHEREAS, The General Conference has deemed it necessary that Elder Fero should transfer his labor to another field; and, WHEREAS, The blessing of God has attended the labors of Elder Daniels at our late camp-meeting; and, WHEREAS, there is great demand for such labor in the churches of this Conference; therefore, 5. Resolved, That this Conference request the California Conference to permit Elder Daniels to labor in this field for a time when circumstances will admit of his doing so. The first and second of the above were discussed by Elder Loughborough and others, and adopted. The third was spoken to by Brethren Loughborough, Decker, and Steward, and adopted by a rising vote of the congregation. The fourth received a hearty adoption. The fifth was presented as a minority report, and was spoken to by Elders Loughborough and Decker, and adopted. Meeting then adjourned to call of chair. THIRD MEETING, MONDAY, MAY 27, AT 3 P. M. Prayer by Elder Fero. Minutes read and accepted. Committee on Resolutions further presented for consideration the following:— WHEREAS, The rapidly increasing strength of the National Reform party is a growing menace to religious freedom in general, and to us as a people in particular; therefore, 6. Resolved, That we recommend all our people to put forth earnest efforts to place the American Sentinel in the hands of all within their reach who may be benefited by it, and we request all our people to do all in their power to secure the signatures to the petitions to Congress opposing religious legislation, and that they do this as rapidly as possible. WHEREAS, The principles of health and temperance reform are an important part of the present truth; therefore, 7. Resolved, That we urge all our people to become intelligent on these subjects by careful study of the Testimonies and other literature, and to put into practice the principles taught; and, 8. Resolved, That the President of the Health and Temperance Society be requested to visit our churches and instruct them in this branch of our work, or secure this by any other means practicable. WHEREAS, The canvassing work is one of the best means of spreading the truth; therefore, 9. Resolved, That we encourage suitable persons in all parts of our Conference to devote their time, talents, and lives, to this branch of the Lord's work; and, further, 10. Resolved, That we recommend such persons, as far as practicable, to work in companies; and, further, 11. Resolved, That a State agent be appointed as soon as deemed best. WHEREAS, Souls are endangered and lost for lack of timely counsel, exhortation, and reproof, from those who are appointed to feed the flock of God; therefore, 12. Resolved, That we urge the officers of every church, Sabbath-school, and missionary society, in our Conference, so far as practicable, to meet together for counsel and prayer once a month, when all proper steps may be taken by them to learn the standing, both spiritual and temporal, of every member in their organization, and such assistance rendered as may be necessary. 13. Resolved, That we extend our thanks to Mr. Livingston, the owner of these grounds, for extending to us their free use. The sixth resolution was spoken to by Elders Rogers, Loughborough, and Fero, with a view of showing the effectiveness of the12American Sentinel as an educator of the people in the Third Angel's Message. The resolution was unanimously adopted. Elder Loughborough spoke to the seventh resolution, expressing his interest in the matter. He called attention to the Pacific Health Journal, showing that it was not to supersede the Good Health, but was adapted to a class of minds not reached by Good Health. He gave some interesting facts concerning the establishment of the two health institutions. The resolution was adopted. Brother Leland spoke to that part of the ninth resolution relating to canvassing in companies, showing the advantages of such a plan. Elder Rogers gave some account of the rise of company work. The tenth resolution was spoken to by Elders Loughborough, Decker, and Fero, and adopted. The eleventh resolution was unanimously adopted. Meeting then adjourned to call of chair. FOURTH MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 28, AT 7:30, P. M. Prayer by Elder R. S. Owen. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Committee on Credentials stated that Elder S. H. Kime's credentials given him by the General Conference would expire in the fall; and upon their recommendation he was given credentials from this Conference. Committee on Resolutions further reported:— 14. Resolved, That we extend our thanks to the General Conference and the Conference of California, for the highly appreciated labors and help of Brethren Loughborough, Daniels, Owen, and Leland. WHEREAS, The General Conference has called our brother, Elder D. T. Fero, to labor in the new field of Montana, separating him from us; therefore, 15. Resolved, That we express our regrets at the loss of his faithful labor among us, and realize that we shall miss his counsel and ministry, and that our Tract and Missionary Society will lose in his wife a faithful secretary; and, further, 16. Resolved, That our high esteem and prayers shall accompany them to their new field of labor. The above were adopted, and the meeting adjourned sine die. H. W. DECKER, Pres.
D. T. FERO, Sec.