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California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 25, 1875

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 16.

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Conference Proceedings.

In response to a call issued by the California Conference Committee, for the purpose of determining upon a permanent location for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, making arrangements for the erection of building, etc., a special session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in Oakland, Feb. 12th and 14th.
Conference opened at 9 A. M., with prayer by Eld. Jas. White.
The churches of the Conference were represented as follows: Napa, Joseph Eggleston; Healdsburg, John Cook, Joseph Dimmick; Santa Rosa, John Morrison; Oakland, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, G. A. Baker, W. J. Cronkrite; Vallejo, J. S. Howard; San Francisco, Wesley Diggins, E. A. Stockton; San Jose, H. H. Stevenson; St. Helena, John Mavity; Santa Clara, W. O. Swinnerton; Woodland, N. Grayson, Alfred Mason, Wm. Saunders; Green Valley, —— Ross; Petaluma, E. Moore.
Elds. White, Waggoner, and Canright, and all brethren in good standing were invited by vote of the Conference to take part in its deliberations.
Elder Loughborough, President of the Conference, made some introductory remarks, and was followed by Elder White, who reviewed his previous visit to this coast, his connection with the SIGNS, and said he had come again in the name of the Lord to help the work forward; expected to make his headquarters on this coast, but should make visits East as the necessities of the cause demanded. The brethren East have subscribed $6,000 to $8,000 for the purpose of fitting out a complete printing office for this coast—presses, steam engine, type, and all necessary material for a first-class printing establishment. Besides this, he had arranged for a full corps of hands to assist in the office, if it should be entrusted to his management.
Elder Waggoner remarked that he was a stranger in the State and could not advise; but desired to express his interest in the cause, and had determined to go wherever duty called. He felt that Bro Loughborough ought to be relieved from his connection with the SIGNS office, and also that Bro. White should be left free to attend Conferences and Camp-meetings, and to exercise a general supervision of the work everywhere.
After remarks by several brethren, the reading of the preamble and resolutions upon which the California Conference voted to assume control of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was called for, and after they were read and freely discussed,
Bro. Stevenson moved that the vote by which the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was received from Bro. White, and the publication of the paper assumed by the California Conference, be rescinded, and that the office revert to Bro White as before. After some discussion the question was called, and carried by a unanimous vote.
Bro. Saunders moved that a committee of three be chosen by the Conference to inquire into the matter of the publishing interest, and report to a future meeting of this Conference.
Brn. Loughborough, Diggins, and Morrison were elected as such committee.
Adjourned to meet at 3 P. M.

SECOND SESSION.

Opened with singing, and prayer by Bro. Waggoner.
After remarks by the President, in which the hope was expressed that the publishing interest would be promptly attended to, the report of the committee on the publishing interest was read, and drew forth remarks from the delegates, nearly all having some inducements to offer in behalf of their several localities. Sr. White, upon motion of Bro. Canright, was invited to give her views as to location, etc., which she did, stating that her mind was in favor of either San Francisco or Oakland, from the fact that they were situated on the great highway of travel and commerce.
Adjourned to meet at the call of the President.

THIRD SESSION.

Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 A. M.
Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. Loughborough.
The President stated that an informal session had been held the previous evening; that no action had been taken, but that the expression of the delegates showed that there was a general agreement that Oakland was the best point at which to establish permanently our printing office for this coast.
Bro. Saunders then moved that Oakland be selected by this Conference as the point of location for the printing establishment, which being put to vote, was carried, unanimously.
Bro. Howard moved that the State Conference Committee, in conjunction with Bro. Diggins of San Francisco and Bro. Tay of Oakland—making a committee of five, be empowered to select and purchase a suitable site and erect the necessary buildings; and that this committee be instructed to take the necessary steps to effect the organization and incorporation of a Publishing Association as soon as practicable. Carried unanimously.
The President stated that the General Conference had tendered back the five hundred dollars voted to the General Conference last autumn, and requested its acceptance by this Conference. The liberality of the General Conference was accepted with many expressions of thanks on the part of the members of this Conference.
Eld. Loughborough brought up the matter of field labor the coming season, and the necessity of having one or more tents for that work.
A motion was made and carried that the Conference Committee be empowered and instructed to purchase such tents for the coming summer's field labor as may in their judgment be necessary.
Adjourned to 2 P. M.

SIXTH SESSION.

Sunday, 2 P. M.
Meeting opened with prayer by the Secretary.
The time of quarterly meetings, appointments for preaching in different localities, etc., were left with the Committee for determination.
There being no further business to transact, the Conference adjourned sine die.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, President. WM. SAUNDERS, Secretary.