BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS AT THE MILTON, OREGON, CAMP-MEETING.
By Editor
FIRST MEETING, MAY 25, 9 A. M.
ELDER I. D. Van Horn in the chair. Prayer by Eld. Jones. The following delegates presented credentials: Walla Walla, A. T. Jones, T. Chabot; Milton, Wm. McCoy, J. A. Smith; Dayton, Ambrose Johnson; Pataha Prairie, Moses Hunt, by Wm. Gibson. Bro. Nicholas Ownbey was received as representative of the brethren of Grand Ronde Valley, and Bro. J. Cowles for the brethren of Klickitat Co., W. T. Elder S. N. Haskell of the General Conference Committee and all S. D. Adventists in good standing, were invited to participate in the deliberations of the meeting. Moved by Wm. McCoy and seconded by Ambrose Johnson that a division of the North Pacific Conference, on the line of the Cascade Mountains, is advisable. After considerable discussion the meeting adjourned. SECOND MEETING, MAY 26, 9:15 A. M.
Prayer by Eld. Haskell. Discussion of motion to divide Conference was continued. The motion was finally submitted and carried unanimously. A committee of three was appointed on resolutions and nominations, to which were added two persons outside of the delegates to act with said committee. Committee—A. T. Jones, Ambrose Johnson and J. A. Smith. To act with these, Wm. Goodwin and Wm. Nichols. THIRD MEETING, MAY 27, 5 P. M.
Prayer by Eld. Haskell. The following was submitted as the report of committee on resolutions and nominations:— Whereas, It has been, by unanimous vote, deemed advisable to divide the North Pacific Conference on the line of the Cascade Mountains, therefore, Resolved, That we hereby respectfully request the regular session of the N. P. Conference, which is to be held at Salem, Oregon, June 9–15, 1880, to grant this our appeal and recognize us as an independent Conference to be known as the Upper Columbia Conference of S. D. Adventists. [Granted. See minutes of N. P. Conference.] Resolved, That we adopt as a whole the Constitutions of the Conference, the Tract and Missionary Society, and the Sabbath-school Association that have already been adopted by the N. P. Conference. Resolved, That our gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise, are due to our Heavenly Father for his mercy and lovingkindness in allowing us the privilege of another camp-meeting; for the testimonies of his Spirit in this meeting, and for the counsels of his servants. Resolved, That we thank the General Conference Committee for their care for us manifested in the assistance they have rendered us in the labors of Elder S. N. Haskell and Sister E. G. White. Resolved, That we thank the General Conference for the presence of Elder G. W. Colcord, and that we hereby extend to Elder and Sister Colcord our hearty welcome and support, and our earnest invitation to remain and labor among us in the great work of God. Resolved, That we respectfully request that Eld. Alonzo T. Jones be allowed to remain and labor among us. Resolved, That we all, as churches and individuals, hereby pledge ourselves to work to the fullest extent of our ability to push the great work of the Third Angel's Message to a successful issue in all its departments. Resolved, That we deem it a duty enjoined in the Scriptures, and therefore we recommend that every member in this Conference adopt the tithing system, and carry it out faithfully in all things. Resolved, That we deem it necessary for the efficient working of the T. and M. Society, that a Reserve Fund of such amount as may be deemed advisable by the Conference Committee, be raised, by means of which a stock of publications can be kept on hand. Resolved, That we recommend that the ministers act as agents of the T. and M. Society. Resolved, That we recommend that each and every one of the scattered S. D. Adventists in this Conference be corresponded with for the purpose of getting them enlisted heartily in the work in all its parts. Resolved, That we deem it essential to the success of the cause that Vigilant Missionary Societies be organized in every company of Sabbath-keepers where practicable. The resolutions were taken up one by one and adopted unanimously. The committee placed in nomination the following persons as officers, all of whom were elected: Conference—President, Elder G. W. Colcord; Secretary, Elder A. T. Jones; Treasurer, Wm. Nichols; Executive Committee, Wm. Goodwin and Ambrose Johnson. Tract and Missionary Society—President, G. W. Colcord; Vice-President, Wm. Goodwin; Secretary, Mrs. G. W. Colcord; Board of Directors, A. T. Jones, George Beck and Ambrose Johnson. Sabbath-School Association—President, Elder G. W. Colcord; Secretary, Miss Adna Johns. The officers of the T. and M. Society were appointed a committee to district the Conference. Their action to be final. FOURTH MEETING, MAY 28, 3 P. M.
Prayer by Elder Raymond. Further report of committee on resolutions: Resolved, That we hereby tender to the P. C. S. S. Co., and the O. R. & N. Co., a vote of thanks for their courtesy toward Elder S. N. Haskell and his party on their visit to this place to assist in establishing the missionary work in this field. Resolved, That we hereby request the recognition of the Upper Columbia Conference by the General Conference. Resolved, That we hereby tender a vote of thanks to Bro. Wm. Nichols for the free use of these pleasant grounds for our camp-meeting. Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the camp-meeting committee, and the Milton church for their kind labors in so pleasantly fitting up our camp-ground. Voted that this Conference pay quarterly to the General Conference one-tenth of all tithes received by our Conference Treasurer. FIFTH MEETING, MAY 31, 6:30 A. M.
Credentials were granted to Elder G. W. Colcord, and renewed to Elders A. T. Jones and W. L. Raymond. Voted that the granting of licenses be left to the Conference Committee. Voted that we have a camp-meeting next year. Also, that we have a general meeting in October of this year. The districting committee presented the following report: District No. 1—To include Walla Walla county with all of the Territory north and west of the Columbia river, and east of the Cascade Mountains. Director, A. T. Jones, Walla Walla, W. T. District No. 2—With the exception of Walla Walla county, to include all of the country in Washington Territory east of the Columbia river. Director, Ambrose Johnson, Dayton, Columbia Co., W. T. District No. 3—All of Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains. Director, George Beck, Milton, Umatilla Co., Oregon. Voted that a copy of these minutes be furnished the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and Review and Herald for publication. G. W. COLCORD, President.
ALONZO T. JONES, Secretary.