Doings of the Conference at Green Spring, Ohio, March 1st, 1858
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Doings of the Conference at Green Spring, Ohio, March 1st, 1858.
By Jesse Dorcas
Conference opened by appointing Eld. James White to the chair, and J. Dorcas, secretary. First item of business introduced was the past tent operations. After some deliberation it was determined to waive for the present all past claims or considerations, and introduce immediately the tent enterprise for the coming Summer. When upon motion of Bro. G. W. Holt, to put the Ohio tent in motion as soon as practicable, there was a unanimous vote given to sustain it. It was also unanimously agreed upon by the conference to raise an Ohio tent fund to the amount of $300, for the purpose of defraying current expenses. On motion of Bro. Hardesty, delegate from Gilboa, that a committee of two be appointed to act as tent committee for this portion of the field, to act in connection with committees that may be appointed by the Gilboa conference; whereupon J. Tillotson and J. Dorcas were chosen, whose duty it shall be to raise by subscription or otherwise, their portion of the $300. A suggestion was laid before the conference respecting the propriety of calling for ministerial help from abroad; when after an appropriate address by Bro. White, and mature deliberations of the conference, it was Resolved to tender a request to the church at Battle Creek to supply our need, in this respect, as the Lord may direct. Conference adjourned. It might not be out of place to state here, that the tent committee for the past season, wish in this public manner, to express their gratitude to God for his kind, overruling providence during the past year. And notwithstanding the marked efforts of Satan to distract our ranks, praise God! peace and union have prevailed. God's special blessing rested upon the efficient labors of Bro. Cornell, while the labors of Brn. Holt, Clarke, and others are not without their fruit, so that the borders of Zion have been greatly enlarged in this State. And the souls of them that believed have been greatly confirmed by the late visit of Bro. and Sr. White. We may also call attention to the fact that during the conference year just closed, the receipts from all sources have exceeded $400, out of which our tent has been paid for, and all the necessary expenses met. And there is still on hand a small supply of books, many hundreds of copies of which have been scattered broadcast over this broad field. In this summary of the operations for the year, the Board feel that they have great occasion for thankfulness and encouragement. But these gratifying facts should serve to stimulate to greater efforts and exertions for the coming year. In fact, the labors of the past year have served to show how much is to be done, and how urgent and extended the demand. The United States is doubtless the most favorable field in the world for the Third Angel's Message; and of these, Ohio is not unworthy of high respect for her respect for moral and religious obligations; and of the vast multitude of her inhabitants, we humbly hope many are still within the reach of this message. Under these favorable auspices, we desire for ourselves to greatly enlarge our exertions; and being deeply affected by the present aspect of this great work, the committee prayerfully and confidently commit this cause to the blessing of the God of all our mercies, and the Author of all good, and to the care of those who love his precious truth. And with confident hope they look to the future, believing that the "present truth" is destined soon to accomplish its sealing work. In behalf of the tent committee of Ohio.
JESSE DORCAS.
Fremont, Ohio, March 17th, 1858.