BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 12, 1857

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

of the General Conference, of Nov. 6th, 1857.

THis meeting commenced its business session, Nov. 9th, at 8 o'clock, A. M. Bro. Joseph Bates was chosen to the chair. Prayer by Bro. Waggoner.

The attention of the Conference was first called to the subject of the Meeting-house. The report of the building committee was read, by which it appears that the whole cost of the house is $881,39. To meet this there have been pledged, mostly by the church in Battle Creek, $553,98, leaving $327,41 still to be raised. In view of the action of the Conference held in March last in voting in behalf of the church in Michigan that such a house should be built here, and virtually only employing the church in this place to erect it, therefore

Resolved, That the Conference accept the building, and take action in regard to the payment of what is yet due.

Resolved, That the brethren residing in the State of Michigan, those present, and those not present, be invited to make up what is yet required to meet the expenses of this house, as soon as possible.

One hundred and thirty-four dollars were then pledged by the members of the Conference, towards this object.

The favorable situation of the Office in regard to issuing publications of every kind was next taken into consideration. Remarks were made by various persons setting forth the duty of the church at large, in scattering works upon the present truth. They can now be published to meet any demand, and scattered like the leaves of Autumn. The only question that remains is, Will the church act their part in their circulation?

Resolved, That the Conference express their satisfaction with the course of Bro. White and the Publishing Committee in procuring, and setting in motion, the press and engine.

The third subject brought before the meeting was the publication of the paper and the book business. These have heretofore been kept separate and distinct. But the impracticability of this has for some time been apparent to all acquainted with the business. The extreme complication of accounts, and much care and perplexity, which necessarily results from such a course, it was thought might be avoided by uniting the two, while no disadvantage would result either to the interest of the books or the paper. Accounts will be no less accurately kept of receipts and expenditures, debt and credit; but the publishing business, if much unnecessary labor would be avoided, must not be divided. It was therefore

Resolved, That the publication of the REVIEW AND HERALD, and of the books be united as one concern.

Fourth, the wants of the Cause in this State. The fact that those who are called forth as messengers into the field, are frequently embarrassed and crippled in their labors by their temporal affairs, and the wrong that necessarily attaches to this state of things, was feelingly and forcibly presented. It was the unanimous feeling of the Conference that it was not reasonable that the ministering brethren should leave the word of God, and serve tables, but give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. Therefore

Resolved, That seven men be chosen whose duty it shall be to attend to the financial interests of the cause in this State, especially by ascertaining the condition and attending to the wants of those who minister the word among us.

By a committee set apart for the purpose the following brethren were nominated to this work, and unanimously chosen by the Conference: H. S. Lay, Allegan, Allegan Co., A. F. Fowler, Hillsdale, Hillsdale Co., A. A. Dodge, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., D. R. Palmer, Jackson, Jackson Co., C. G. Cramer, Grand Rapids, Kent Co., J. F. Carman, West Windsor, Eaton Co., L. Kellogg, Matherton, Ionia Co.

Resolved, That within the next six months two thousand dollars should be raised and appropriated to the advancement of the cause in this State, under the supervision of the above named brethren.

Resolved, That a Committee of Revision be appointed, through whose hands all matter designed for publication in book form shall pass, and under whose sanction it shall be issued; by which means an individual responsibility in the publication of books will

be avoided, and confidence be placed in whatever shall be thus published, as the voice of the body.

Resolved, That Brn. J. H. Waggoner, James White and J. B. Frisbie, be this committee.

Resolved, That Brn. J. H. Waggoner and J. N. Loughborough correspond with Bro. S. Woodhull of Niagara Co., N. Y., that they may ascertain fully, in order to examine, certain views recently adopted and advocated by him.

Resolved, That the doings of the Conference be published in the ADVENT REVIEW.

Harmony prevailed throughout; and with a firm confidence that the church at large will fully realize the importance to the prosperity of the cause, of the actions taken, and promptly sustain them, the meeting adjourned sine die.

JOSEPH BATES, Chairman. URIAH SMITH, Secretary.