Proposed Autumn General Conferences by E. L. Barr; Stephen Pierce

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1857

Proposed Autumn General Conferences

By E. L. Barr; Stephen Pierce

From Brn. Pierce and Barr.

Bro. Smith: As we have not time now to give the readers of the Review the particulars of the West Wilton meeting, we would simply say that the brethren that tarried until First-day evening, after a due deliberation, concluded that further efforts with the Tent this season would not be profitable, but the present state of the cause did demand five general conferences this present Autumn, as soon as the brethren could be consulted in the different States and the necessary arrangements made as to places where to hold them, and the appointments given through the Review.

Should this move meet the approbation of the brethren generally, we should be glad to commence as early as the last of September or first of October, and have our first in Ct., second in Mass. one week later, the third in N. H., fourth in Vt., and fifth in Me. In order for this, the brethren in the different States will fix upon the places for holding these meetings and communicate the same to Bro. J. C. Day of Lancaster Mass. who will give the time through the Review as near as he can to the suggestion of the brethren and not have one appointment interfere with the other.

Now we wish to suggest a few questions for the candid and prayerful consideration of the dear saints, previous to the time of holding these conferences.

1. Is it not possible that after all that God has done for us as a people, that some at least that profess the present truth are now in imminent danger of being cast off by the great Head of the church with utter detestation. If so will it not be best for each individual member of the church to make an effort immediately to give a more earnest heed to the counsel of the Faithful and true Witness.

2. Will it not be best for each church to so regulate its affairs that the conference, and the servants of God shall not be unnecessarily burdened. God’s Spirit grieved, and precious time lost. And if any matters of difference should remain that could not be settled otherwise, let them be resolved into mere questions by the parties previously, so as to consume as little time as possible.

3. Will not those who attend these conferences do well to so arrange their worldly affairs as to leave them all at home and some one to take care of them while they assemble with the saints to serve God and stay till the work before the conference is done.

4. Will we not prove that our interest in the present truth is paramount to every earthly consideration, by being present at the business part of the conference and not leave the faithful few to bear burdens that God designed should be borne by the entire church in proportion as he hath prospered them.

5. Is it not indispensably necessary that a strenuous effort should be put forth by the church to walk more fully in all of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And has not this neglect, been one great cause of our poverty and wretchedness.

6. If so shall we not do well to rally at these meetings and consecrate our entire all anew to God, make strait paths for our feet and throw our whole influence into the great scale of present truth in a manner that shall tell to those around us that whatever they have to do to be saved must be done quickly.

7. Shall we wait before we commence this all important work until we get our worldly affairs so adjusted that we can attend to it without any sacrifice of personal ease, or worldly comfort, or shall we attend to it now.

8. Is it not high time that every member of the church give some proof that they do seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.

9. If we answer these questions in the affirmative (excepting the seventh,) have we not a great work before us.

10. Shall we expect that those we meet at those conferences have a mind to work and are doing their part of the same.

E. L. Barr. Stephen Pierce.