Conference in Wolcott, Vt.
By S. Pierce
AGREEABLY to notice the brethren from different parts of the State met, and organized. Bro. S. Pierce presided. The case of elder N. A. Hollis was duly considered. It was adjudged that, after laborious exertions to reclaim and save him having proved unavailing, (he having withdrawn himself from the church while laboring with him,) he has gone out from us because he is not of us, The subject of the use of tobacco was taken into consideration. The article published in the Review, Dec. 4, 1855, was read. A motion was then made to rescind the resolution then passed, and the following one was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the use of Tobacco is a fleshly lust, which wars against the soul; and therefore we will labor in the spirit of meekness, patiently and perseveringly to persuade each brother and sister who indulge in the use of it, to abstain from this evil. The Conference then inquired, What does the New Testament teach in relation to the office and duties of elders? The following report of their Committee was unanimously adopted: "From the best understanding we have of those passages of Scripture collectively considered and compared, which relate to the office and duties of elders, they teach, that there were several distinctive officers ruling in the Christian church who come under the general title of elders," and that the following report of our Committee expresses the New Testament teaching in relation to deacons: "The Committee also report, that from a careful examination and comparison of those Scriptures in which the original word, translated deacon, is found, we have come to the conclusion that the office of deacon is a subordinate office, the duties of which relate more especially to the temporal wants of the church. Still, from the qualifications there given, they have much to do in promoting the spiritual wants of the church. After which it seemed good and proper to set apart certain brethren as elders, and others as deacons, the Spirit witnessing in the imposing of hands and prayer, while they were set apart to their respective offices. Resolved, That the above be published in the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. With gratitude and thanksgiving to God would we acknowledge the beneficent aid of his Spirit, which has characterized all our endeavors to do his will, both here and at our adjourned meetings at Eden and Johnson. We bless the Lord who has worked so signally for us, and granted us such victory. To his name be all the glory. The minutes of the above Conference were sent to Irasburg for Bro. Hutchins to prepare them for the press, and after lying there in the hands of him by whom they were sent many weeks, they were sent back to Bro. Bingham, the Secretary, who prepared them as above, and then sent them to the undersigned recently. This is the cause of the strange delay. S. PIERCE. Wolcott, Vt., Oct. 26th, 1856.