p. 20 | BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 9, 1859

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS

of the General Conference of June 3-6, 1859.

THE business meetings of our conferences having heretofore been deferred till Second-day, it has usually been the case that many brethren have had occasion to leave before the deliberations of the conference were closed, and that consequently matters of the utmost importance have been left for settlement to a limited representation. To avoid this evil, although it encroached on the time usually allotted to social meetings, it was thought best to hold the business sessions at such times as could be obtained between the regular religious exercises of the conference.

Accordingly, on the evening after the Sabbath, June 4, the conference held its first session in a business capacity. Joseph Bates was chosen to the chair. Meeting opened by prayer by Bro. Andrews. The attention of the meeting was first occupied by the reading of an Address, prepared by Bro. White and revised by a committee selected for the purpose. This Address will be found in another column. On rising to read, Bro. White remarked that he did not wish the congregation to get the idea that he was preaching that evening as he did not believe in writing and reading sermons. The Address having been read, remarks unanimously in favor of the plan of systematic benevolence therein proposed, were made by Brn. Loughborough, Waggoner, Andrews, Frisbie, Cornell, Steward, Rhodes and Byington. Bro. Waggoner remarked that he had seen the working of that plan; that it worked well, and that was the best recommendation any system could have; that whenever one was required especially to sacrifice, it showed that there was, just so far, a leak on the part of some others. Systematic Benevolence aims at an equality. Bro. Andrews said that he could heartily approve of the plan proposed. Bro. Steward made an appropriate remark on the subject of taxation. Men would pay their taxes; some thought it was all they could do now; but if their taxes were doubled they would manage some way to meet them. He hoped that while we remembered the first part of the text, to render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, we should not forget the other part, to render unto God the things that are God's. He approved of system, and should therefore be in favor of systematic benevolence. Bro. Cornell remarked that nothing could be brought against the position taken. Bro. Byington suggested that God was a God of order. He had looked much at the subject of order in our operations as a people. He had not an objection to raise to the subject. Bro. Rhodes thought the only objection was that the individual amount called for by this system was too small.

Moved by Bro. Loughborough that the Address be adopted by the conference. Unanimously carried.

Adjourned to Sunday-morning at 8 o'clock.

Sunday-morning session. Prayer by Bro. White. A short time was occupied by Bro. W. in presenting to the conference a statement of the basis upon which the Office now stands, together with the course pursued by those connected with the work here, and the motives by which they are actuated. The cry of “speculation” which an occasional complainer has the assurance to raise was shown up in its true absurdity. The matters left in his hands by last conference for settlement, viz., the power press and meeting-house, he was able to report upon as follows; viz., the meeting-house is paid for; power press also, when certain reliable pledges are redeemed. The French and Holland tracts also are paid for. He referred to the effort put forth to help Bro. Waggoner to the West last year. So far as he was concerned in the matter of procuring him a comfortable home, he was able to state that all was settled; that he could look with the utmost satisfaction upon the result of those efforts, and the mission to the West. He could also state the French mission to be in a flourishing condition, and in the hands of true and judicious brethren.

Tent operations for the coming season were freely canvassed. On motion of Bro. Cornell it was

Voted, That a fund of five hundred dollars be raised to defray the expenses of the Mich. Tent the coming season, and to liquidate the debt now standing against it, of something about $166. On motion of Bro. White it was again

Voted, That brethren present be invited to contribute what they feel disposed to give toward this object, and that, so far as in their power to determine, they pledge for the various churches of which they are members; also that an invitation be extended, in behalf of the conference, to the churches in Mich. not represented, to aid in this matter.

Adjourned to 4 o'clock P. M.

Afternoon session. Prayer by Bro. Loughborough. The subject of Tent operations being resumed the brethren present, paid in $175,17; and there were pledged in behalf of individuals and churches $213.00, making the amount paid and pledged $388,17. The remainder $111,83, requisite to complete the $500, those churches and individuals not represented will doubtless esteem it a privilege to raise, where Bro. White and others may travel.

Voted, That the conference invite Bro. White to hold conferences among the churches in various sections of this State as he may desire.

Voted, That those who have preached to us the pointed and practical discourses that have been delivered during the session, be invited to write them out for publication with the Address in pamphlet form.

Voted, That the Address be published in the REVIEW.

Voted, That Jas. White, J. P. Kellogg, and Cyrenius Smith constitute a Missionary Board, to manage all funds which any brethren may appropriate for missionary purposes.

Adjourned sine die.

JOSEPH BATES, Chairman. URIAH SMITH, Secretary.