UPPER COLUMBIA TRACT SOCIETY.
THE ninth annual session of the Upper Columbia Tract and Missionary Society was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Colfax, Wash., May 22-29. The first meeting was called by the President, Elder H. W. Decker, May 23, at 2:30 P. M. Elder Fero offered prayer. The minutes of the last yearly meeting were read and approved. The President named for committees, the following: On Nominations—J. Bartlett, Wm. Jones, J. O. Beard; on Resolutions—F. S. Hafford, E. L. Stewart, G. W. Colcord. Voted, that E. L. Stewart audit the Secretary's accounts. Adjourned to call of chair. The Auditor reported that he found the Secretary's books correctly and nicely kept, and his report was accepted. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:— Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the privilege of laboring through another year; for increase of work, and prosperity in many ways. WHEREAS, The Bible requires Christians to be ready to intelligently answer all who ask for the reason of their hope; and, WHEREAS, The "Spirit of Prophecy" plainly declares that we are soon to witness a continued struggle which will involve the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even life; that worldly policy will urge an outward compliance with the laws of the land; that misapplications of scripture will be made for the same purpose; therefore, Resolved, That we express our thankfulness to the Lord for light, arguments, and directions in reference to said struggle as furnished in "Testimony No. 33," "Civil Government and Religion," and other works lately published; and, Resolved, That we recognize our duty to faithfully study these publications, and earnestly endeavor to disseminate the light contained therein among our own people and the world at large. Resolved, That we push forward the work of securing names to the petitions which oppose the enactment of a National Sunday law. WHEREAS, We believe our Conference ought to hold an institute for training laborers in canvassing and other departments of the work; therefore, Resolved, That we recommend that such an institute be held sometime the coming year, at such time and place as the Conference Committee may determine. The resolutions were considered separately, and called out remarks from Elders Loughborough, Decker, Colcord, Rogers, and others, and all seemed to feel the necessity of pushing forward the work as never before. A comparison sheet was read, showing the increase in the work accomplished by the Society this year above that of last year. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. On motion, a committee consisting of G. W. Colcord, Wm. Jones, and D. T. Fero, was appointed to re-district the Society. The Committee on Nominations being called, recommended for President, Elder H. W. Decker; Vice-President, Elder G. W. Colcord, and that the Conference Committee appoint a Secretary. Directors: District No. 1—W. V. Davis, Moscow, Idaho; No. 2—T. L. Ragsdale, Milton, Or.; No. 3—Wm. Russell, Heppner, Or.; No. 4—L. D. Cargill, Boise City, Idaho. The recommendation was accepted, and each elected to the office designated. The report of labor was read, as follows:—
| No. of members, | 214 |
| " " added, | 16 |
| " " dismissed, | 6 |
| " missionary visits, | 2,955 |
| " letters written, | 830 |
| " pages tracts distributed and sold, | 266,226 |
| " subscriptions obtained, | 225 |
| " periodicals distributed, | 14,220 |
| " " in clubs, | 243 |
| " Bible-readings reported, | 921 | | Cash on hand April 1, 1888, | $ 855 16 |
| " received during the year, | 5,108 54 |
| Total, | $5,963 70 |
| Cash paid out during the year, | 5,403 31 |
| Cash on hand April 1, 1889, | $ 560 39 | | Due from various sources, | $1,238 04 |
| Value of stock, etc., | 913 14 |
| Cash on hand, | 560 39 |
| Total, | $2,711 57 |
| Liabilities, | 897 90 |
| Balance in favor of Society, | $1,813 07 | H. W. DECKER, Pres.
MRS. L. A. FERO, Sec. WHERE Christ brings his cross, he brings his presence.—E. B. Browning.