BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1856

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

Of the Conference at Battle Creek, May 26th, 1856.

THE Business Meeting of the General Conference, held at Battle Creek, commencing May 23d, was attended to on Second-day, the 26th, at 10 o'clock A. M., according to previous appointment. Eld. Joseph Bates was chosen Moderator. A spirit of love and union prevailed, which it was pleasant and encouraging to witness.

The Tent Enterprise was first taken into consideration, upon which spirited and cheering remarks were made by many of the brethren present. It was a unanimous opinion that Tents should go into new fields; that there should be a spirit of sacrifice on the part of the Church, to sustain them, and that they should be manned by volunteers. For the Tent in Michigan it was unanimously

Resolved.—That Brn. C. S. Glover, J. P. Kellogg, D. R. Palmer, C. Smith and J. R. Lewis, be a Tent Committee, to whom all Tent operations in this State should be referred.

Resolved.—That J. P. Kellogg be Tent Treasurer for this State.

Resolved.—That we, the Church in Michigan, feel it our duty to act our part in sending out the Tent as the way may open.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The principal question before the afternoon meeting was the Church Book Fund, and the Publishing Department. A history of the publishing of the present truth from the commencement was related by Bro. White; and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

1. That the Church receive the Books from Bro. White.

2. That according to the request of Bro. Henry Lyon, on account of ill health, he be released from the care consequent upon being one of the Publishing Committee of the ADVENT REVIEW.

3. That Bro. J. P. Kellogg, of Battle Creek, be chosen in the place of Bro. Lyon, resigned.

4. That the Publishing Committee of the REVIEW be also the Committee which shall have charge of the Church Book Fund.

EVENING SESSION.

The financial condition of the REVIEW Office considered by the Conference.

Resolved.—That the two debts, viz., what remains behind on Vol. VII, and what is yet due to move Office, &c., be united under one head, and that those who feel so disposed be invited to follow the example of the members of the Conference, and designate what sums they would esteem it a privilege to give between this and the first of September, towards removing this debt.

Resolved.—That we recommend a larger circulation of the REVIEW, not forgetting the poor who may receive it at half price, if they choose; and that we consider it the duty of every brother or sister to be prompt in complying with its terms, to pay in advance.

Considering the need there is of some work on, present truth for circulation among the Germans, many of whom are unable to read the English language, and whereas we have no one tract which alone we deem, sufficient for this purpose, if translated therefore

Resolved.—That James White, J. H. Waggoner, and U. Smith, be a Committee of three, to prepare a tract on the subject of the Sabbath, to be printed in German, for distribution among the German portion of our population.

It was further resolved:

1. That Bro. J. H. Waggoner address the Church at large in behalf of the Conference.

2. That a Committee of two be chosen to draw up a resolution expressive of the feelings of this Conference respecting our brethren and the cause in Wisconsin. Brn. Joseph Bates and J. H. Waggoner were chosen that Committee, who prepared the following:

Whereas, We have viewed with deep regret the state of the cause in Wisconsin, and the transfer of the tent which was purchased to spread the Third Angel's Message, to the cause of error and disunion, and the united effort of all the ministers in that state who formerly preached the Message, to sustain that cause, (see Messenger, Oct. 25, 1855, and Review, Dec. 11, 1855,) therefore

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the faithful ones scattered in that state, whose wants and interests are not immediately represented by any brother in the ministry; that we feel to place their case before the Lord in our prayers, and would give them the assurance that it shall be our endeavor to afford them the benefits of our labors in placing the light of the Present Truth before them and the inhabitants of that State in every way that God by his Spirit and in his providence may direct.

4. That the doings of the Conference be published in the ADVENT REVIEW.

JOSEPH BATES, Chairman. URIAH SMITH, Secretary.