Oswego Conference by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 27, 1855

Oswego Conference.

By John Norton Loughborough

According to the appointment in the Review, this Conference commenced Dec. 14th, and held over the 15th and 16th. A goodly number of brethren assembled at the hour appointed, from Oswego and the surrounding counties. Bro. J. Hart of Vt., was chosen chairman, and David Arnold of Fulton, recording secretary.

It was first proposed to take into consideration the propriety of establishing further order in the churches in Central New York. Bro. Hiram Edson and David Arnold were then chosen, and afterwards set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands, to act as Elders in the church.

The subject of Tent operations for the coming season, was next brought before the Conference. It was proposed that a fund of $500 be raised to sustain the Tent in new fields. J. N. Loughborough, of Rochester, N. Y., was then appointed treasurer of said fund, to receive said money, and to keep an accurate account of the manner in which it was expended.

A Committee of five was then chosen to assist in collecting the Tent fund. It was also considered to be the prerogative of the Committee to investigate the book and see how the money is expended, and to take the general supervision of Tent operations. R. F. Cottrell, A. H. Robinson, Ira Abbey, Elias Goodwin and John Martin, were chosen as a Tent Committee.

The address of the Battle Creek Conference on the gifts of the Church, prepared by Brn. Bates, Waggoner and Cornell, was then read, and unanimously adopted.

A letter was read from Bro. White, and a proposition made to raise a Book fund of four or five hundred dollars to pay for books that have been left in this State, and assist Bro. White. The Tent Treasurer and Committee were chosen to take hold of the Book fund also.

This Conference we trust will give a new impetus to the work of God in this State. After some little difficulties were adjusted, union and love pervaded our meetings. First-day evening we enjoyed a sweet season in attending the ordinances of the Lord's house. While engaged in this, a daughter of Bro. Edson professed faith in Christ, and the same hour of the night, arose and was baptized. As we had here been striving to get into Apostolic order, this last scene seemed to give a still more vivid impression that it is so, that as the church strives for the unity of the faith, and endeavors to live according as the apostles lived, they will see souls urging their way forward to obey Christ.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

Oswego, Dec. 18th, 1855.