Ohio Conference | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 3, 1859

Ohio Conference.

THE tent season in Ohio closed with a general conference at Lovett's Grove in Wood county. At this conference we had hoped to see a general gathering of the disciples of our Lord, but having large crops of sorghum to be gathered, and oxen to be proved, many of our brethren begged to be excused. But as the holy women of old hasted to the sacred sepulchre from whence the Lord of life and glory had arisen, while their brethren sat at Emmaus, sad hearted and despondent, so did the sisters on this occasion. From all directions they might be seen coming, in wagons, buggies, ox-carts, &c., any way to get to the conference where the general interests of the cause at large were to be considered. May God's blessing attend them.

Our hearts were much cheered to see the zeal manifested by those who embraced the present truth in Fulton Co., this summer, nearly all of whom came from twenty-five to thirty-five miles to attend the meeting, and not as idle spectators either, but to cheer the true servants of God with their warm and earnest testimonies. We hope our older brethren will not only follow this example at the next conference, but also set them an example in turn, worthy of their imitation.

According to previous notice given in the Review, conference convened Oct. 14th, and organized by appointing G. W. Holt chairman, and T. J. Butler secretary, and after appointing a committee composed of delegates from the following churches: viz., Portage, Turkeyfoot, Jackson, Republic, Wauseon, Delta, Cass, Greenspring, Townsend, Ayresville, Gilboa, and Lovett's Grove, to consider measures to be taken to pay up past indebtedness, and still carry on the message, the business meeting was adjourned till evening after Sabbath. First-day evening, met pursuant to adjournment, when the following resolutions were presented by the committee, and unanimously sustained by the conference.

1st. Resolved that we procure a new tent for the coming season.

2d. Resolved that Brn. O. Mears, Jno. Clarke and J. Mears (Lovett's Grove), act as a central tent committee, to transact all business connected with the tent enterprise in Ohio, J. Clark being chairman, and O. Mears treasurer, of said committee.

3d. Resolved that the sum of twelve hundred dollars be raised by the first of June next, for the following purposes. 1st. To liquidate past indebtedness. 2d. To purchase a new tent. 3d. To defray the expenses of the general cause in the future.

4th. Resolved that the conference recommend the plan of systematic benevolence to all the churches in Ohio, for their adoption.

5th. Resolved that Bro. Waggoner be invited to labor in Ohio the coming winter.

6th. Resolved that the respective members of the financial committee act as solicitors in the various churches to which they belong in raising the sum specified in the 3d resolution.

During the conference, able, heart-cheering and animating discourses were given by Brn. Waggoner and Holt, and it is hoped that an impetus was given to the cause of present truth at this meeting, which will not die away with the autumnal flowers, but that will go on, gaining new accelerations of strength, until hope is turned to full fruition.

G. W. HOLT, Chairman. T. J. BUTLER, Secretary.

Oct. 24th, 1859.

P. S. For the encouragement of those who have a heart in the cause, but were not at the conference, we would say that over seven hundred dollars were subscribed to raise the sum specified in resolution 3d, by the few brethren present, with a fair prospect of those fully converted to God and rejoicing in present truth, subscribing the balance, without the necessity of laying any burdens on the half-hearted. T. J. B.