General Sabbath-School Association.
THE first annual session of the general Sabbath-school Association was held on the camp-ground at Battle Creek, Mich., October 11, 1878. Prayer by Elder S. N. Haskell. All ministers present were invited to take part with the delegates in the deliberations and business of this meeting. The secretary's report showed that auxiliary S. S. Associations have been formed in twelve of the different Conferences. Since most of these organizations have been so recently formed, their reports are many of them very brief and incomplete. They show an entire membership of 5,851.
Michigan, 55 schools with 2,022 members.
Iowa, 23 " " 885 "
Kansas, 32 " " 754 "
Wisconsin, 20 " " 506 "
New England, 20 " " 470 "
California, 10 " " 446 "
Illinois, — " " 310 "
Missouri, 10 " " 274 "
Ohio, 7 " " 184 "
Minnesota, — " " — "
Vermont, — " " — "
Indiana, — " " — " Received by donation from Battle Creek Sabbath-school, $25.00
Expenses for stationery, stamps, and blank reports, 16.40
Balance in the treasury, $8.60 Elders H. W. Decker, E. R. Jones, and A. O. Burrill were chosen as a committee for nominating officers. After consultation, they recommended as officers for the coming year: President, Elder S. N. Haskell; recording secretary, G. H. Bell; corresponding secretary, Eva Perkins; executive committee, Elder S. N. Haskell, Elder D. M. Canright, W. C. White. These persons were unanimously elected to their respective offices. Spirited and interesting remarks were made, showing that an unusual interest in the Sabbath-school work is springing up in every part of the land. All seemed to agree that the Instructor should be published weekly, and contain Sabbath-school lessons. The following motion made by Elder S. N. Haskell was unanimously carried:—
Moved, That it be the sense of this meeting that the Instructor be published weekly. Elder White thought that in addition to the weekly Instructor the monthly should be issued the same as now. Many thought that much good might be done in some places by organizing and conducting Sunday-schools. Several interesting cases were cited in which efforts in this direction have been attended with marked success. In discussing the question of raising means, there seemed to be a difference of opinion in regard to the propriety of receiving penny contributions on the Sabbath. Sister White thought that it would be proper. She remarked that anciently the work of the temple service on Sabbath day was double what it was on other days. God does not withhold his bounties on the Sabbath day,—the sun shines, the rain descends, plants grow, fruit ripens, and all the work of nature goes on without interruption. There is no reason why a freewill offering, previously set apart for that purpose, may not be presented to God on the Sabbath day. The following resolution from Elder J. H. Waggoner was adopted:—
Resolved, That we recommend to all our Sabbath-schools the practice of contributing a penny or more to the funds of the Sabbath-school, by both teachers and scholars, on every Sabbath day. Adjourned to the call of the chair. D. M. Canright, President.
G. H. Bell, Secretary.