BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF B. C. CONFERENCE

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 9, 1860

BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF B. C. CONFERENCE.

IMMEDIATELY after the Sabbath, Sept. 29, 1860, the conference assembled and proceeded to organize for the transaction of business by appointing Joseph Bates to the chair and U. Smith for secretary.

Letters from delegates were called for. A number reported themselves as delegates who had not thought it necessary to bring letters. Brn. Jno. Clarke and H. Craw were delegates by letter from the Lovetts' Grove church, Ohio. Bro. Butler also from the church in Gilboa, Ohio presented the following:—

"The church of God at Gilboa to their brethren in conference assembled at Battle Creek, greeting: Dear brethren, inasmuch as a general conference has been called for our brethren to deliberate together upon the wants of the cause of present truth (which is, we trust, one common cause with us all), and whereas being scattered over a vast extent of country it becomes necessary as suggested in Review to represent by delegation, we would therefore accept the proposal of Review No. 11, and represent ourselves in said conference by our delegate, Bro. Butler, through whom we submit the following resolutions as our unanimous sentiments, all of which we cheerfully submit to the consideration of your honorable body as lovers of the cause we love, as also desirous to advance it by every legal facility in our power.

"Resolved, That we are highly favorable to such organization, and such only, as the Bible authorizes and recognizes.

"Resolved, That we consider it a duty to increase the book fund in just so much as will enable the publishing committee to issue free from embarrassment such publications and in such quantity as will supply the positive wants of the cause; and we shall consider it a privilege to bear our reasonable quota of such burden.

"Resolved, That we are in favor of the church at large buying and repairing the present Review office so as to make it comfortable both in point of size and warmth, and thereafter be held as the property of said church providing the Review be the organ of the church, through which each local church may be allowed to express itself.

"Resolved, That we consider it desirable that church property be secured, but having more confidence in that company organized upon the foundation of apostles prophets and Christ [Eph. ii, 20], that it would have more fidelity, be more trust-worthy, being blood-bought, blood-purified, than any company organized on the principle of avarice, we therefore resolve that the church be its own insurance company."

It was then moved that the letters be accepted.

Bro. Waggoner. Mr Chairman: I would inquire if the action of acceptance will include anything beyond accepting them merely as delegates? Can we accept the letters without taking any action upon the resolutions contained in them?

Chairman. We accept them as credentials of the delegates without necessarily endorsing anything else contained in them.

Such having been decided to be the intent of the motion, it was unanimously carried.

Bro. Hull. As Bro. White has written considerably on the subject of organization, I move that he now spend a few moments in talking to us, and laying the subject out before us.

Chairman. If the subject of organization is the first thing for the deliberation of the conference, we are ready for those who have anything to say on the subject.

Bro. White. Perhaps, Bro. Speaker, an apology to those present is due for our assembling this evening without having business arranged. When I saw Bro. Waggoner and Smith in regard to a call for a conference, it was designed to have it commence on Thursday and to call the preachers together as early as Wednesday to arrange business to bring before the conference. We soon learned that the Fair holden in this place would not close till Friday night; and we thought it would not be proper to call our brethren together while the Fair was in operation. This is why this meeting finds us in rather an unprepared state.

Bro. Andrews. I understand, Mr. Chairman, that all that is necessary to open our business to night, is that a motion be made of some kind in reference to the matter of organization, and then the merits of the subject can be discussed; those who wish to speak can present what they have to say.

Bro. Loughborough. Mr. Chairman, I propose to reduce Bro. Hull's motion into the form of two, as I understand it rather comprehends two points, first that we take up the subject of organization, and second, that Bro. White present the subject before us.

Bro. Hull. Mr. Chairman, I will then put the motion in this form. I move that we consider the subject of organization.

This motion was seconded and adopted.

Bro. Bracket. Mr. Chairman, in order

to bring this subject in a tangible form before the meeting, I would move that the church organize.—Seconded.

Bro. Loughborough. As there are perhaps some who would consider the church organized when it was not in a situation to hold property, and in discussing the subject might drop on to what they would consider the Bible organization, I therefore propose to amend Bro. Bracket's motion so that it shall read, that we organize in such a manner as to hold property legally.

Bro. Bracket. I accept the amendment.

Bro. White. Bro Chairman (you will permit me to call you brother chairman as Mr. is so exceedingly cold), I wish to make a very few remarks. I do it, however, mostly because my name has been mentioned. I did not design to take a very active part in this matter; for all the readers of the REVIEW know that I have spoken through the paper very freely on this subject. I merely wish to read a very few extracts from the REVIEW, from what I have said, to refresh your minds. I will not stand in the way of the meeting long. My first suggestions in regard to this subject were in the REVIEW, Vol. xv, number 14, under the head of "Borrowed Money." I close up my remarks under that head by saying: "We call our preachers and leading brethren to give this matter their attention. If any object to our suggestions, will they please write out a plan on which we as a people can act."

The suggestion referred to may, perhaps, properly be read. It was this: "We hope, however, that the time is not far distant when this people will be in that position necessary to get church property insured, hold their meeting-houses in a proper manner, that those persons making their wills, and wishing to do so, can appropriate a portion to the publishing department."

I propose only to read a few extracts. Time will not admit of my being lengthy. I call your attention to the closing paragraph of this first article, in which I make this suggestion. I will read it again: "If any object to our suggestions, will they please write out a plan on which we as a people can act." I merely made the suggestion that there should be an organization sufficient for the accomplishment of the things here suggested. Just how this should be done, and how far we should go, I have made no suggestions from first to last. I did expect that if any brother responded upon the subject, he would, if he objected to my suggestion, write out a plan on which we as a people could act. Bro. R. F. C. replied to my articles, but did not write out a plan as called for. I will not speak here of the influence of his articles. When I came home from Iowa, I wrote a reply which occupies two pages and one column of the REVIEW. In this I close up with quoting the same remarks that I have already read: "If any object to our suggestions will they please write out a plan on which we as a people can act." In a recent number of the REVIEW [No. 19], I call attention to the subject as I am speaking upon a letter received from Bro. Miles. In the close of this article I state my position. I considered it necessary to do this from the fact that my suggestions which were replied to by Bro. Cottrell, had excited a great deal of prejudice, a great deal, I think, of very unreasonable prejudice. I have presented some of the necessities of something being done; but I have not undertaken to point out just what should be done. I close up my remarks in the REVIEW on this subject thus: "Let it be fully understood that we have only suggested legal organization necessary to hold church property, and have recomended the simplest form possible. We have presented some of the necessities of the case. The question has not been just what should be done, but whether anything of the kind should be done. Here we stand. We can have nothing to say in regard to what shall be done until it be decided whether steps shall be taken so that the church shall hold their office of publication."

Having said all that I have said, and its being met in the manner in which it has been, I feel that this is the proper position for me to occupy on this subject. I have felt very much hurt at the different responses that have been made to my suggestions which have had a very discouraging influence upon my mind; and I hope to be excused from taking a very active part in the matter. I have tried to inform myself in regard to the real condition of the REVIEW, and have become satisfied that there is no person, or persons, legal owners of the REVIEW Office but myself. As the matter now stands, if the church think proper to so arrange that I can in a proper, legal manner make this property over to officers that they shall choose, I shall be very glad to do so. But if the church leave the property in my hands I shall manage it the best I can, and secure it in such a way as shall seem to be duty. I hold myself ready at any time to make this property all over into the hands of proper officers that you may choose; but if you will not receive it from my hands in this manner, it is my duty to God and my brethren to see that it is taken care of until you are ready to receive it. It is my desire and request that the plan which I suggested five years ago at Battle Creek be so carried out that no one connected with the Office shall have any personal interest there. This is an object that I have rejoiced in greatly; and I have hoped to see the matter carried out so that the church could hold its own property. But I will not detain you longer. I suppose the real question is, whether we shall so organize as to hold our Office of publication, and our meeting-houses.

Bro. Loughborough. Perhaps it may be proper for me to say a few words. I would say that for something like eighteen months in the past, more especially, I have seen the necessity of some steps being taken by the church that they may hold their property in a legal manner. After seeing Bro. White's remarks in the REVIEW, the first article that he has referred to here, I felt like expressing my mind on the subject. Perhaps I did it in somewhat of a bungling manner. At any rate, had I thought that so much prejudice would grow out of the subject as has, I should have been more guarded in my manner of treating it. After looking into the matter, I became satisfied that for us to talk about holding property was one thing, but to talk about holding it legally, quite another thing. Bro. Cottrell suggested in his article on the subject that we had brethren that we could trust, and could still hold our property through them. But I am satisfied that some legal steps should be taken in the matter. As far as meeting-houses are concerned, there are difficulties that have already occurred. Two meeting-houses were lost in Cincinnati, by the Adventists there, some years ago by being left in the hands of individuals. The church there thought they could trust their brethren. They were in a flourishing condition, and supposed of course there was no danger. But the first thing they knew, the meeting-house was turned into a vinegar establishment. Afterwards they lost another house in the same way; and it looked to me to talk about holding property in that way was to leave a door open that the enemy might come in. I never had the idea that the organization that was necessary for us, would make us a part of Babylon, or bring us under the head of Babel-builders. I found great prejudice in the West which grew out of Bro. Cottrell's articles. They got the impression that we were going into all the organization that was entered into by any church, and when the idea was carried out, that we could enforce our sentiments, and be just like the organizations around us. It is not necessary for me to state here to-night, that I see the necessity and shall raise my voice on the side that Bro. White has been advocating, or at least as suggested in his articles, that some measures be taken in this matter.

Bro. White. I have become satisfied recently, as I have already said, that I am the only legal owner of the publishing property, the only one that could sue or be sued in connection with it. But let it be understood just as I have always said, that the property that has been donated to the Office, brought together by the donations of the brethren and sisters, I have always regarded as the property of the church. I regard it in one sense, in that light now. I have no idea of taking the advantage of our situation in the least; but I have the power to dispose of all the property that has been placed in the Office, which no other individuals can show. Those that are opposed to anything like legal organization, must have a great deal of confidence in me. They want me to keep their property; but I do not ask them to have such confidence in me. I have never understood that the publishing committee could hold the property legally, but that all would depend on their integrity. But as I have taken the lead in bringing this property together, and the business has been done in my name, I am the only legal owner of it. And I am very anxious to make this property over into the hands of officers that you may appoint who shall hold and manage it legally.

Chairman. If your farms, brethren, were in such a situation, you would take some action would you not?

Bro. Bracket. We ought to adopt some measures whereby we may transact business in a legal manner. We have property in the Office and that lies in Bro. White's hands. Suppose Bro. White should drop away this evening, all that property descends to his children, and no action could be taken to recover it till the smallest heir becomes of age. I think we may organize in such a manner that other churches will have no ground upon which to retort upon us.

Bro. Cornell. I have realized what I have heard others express, that there seemed to be a necessity that something should be done in the shape of legal organization. If there could be an organization that would comply with the law of the land so that we could hold church property legally without compromising the truth of God, the necessity which exists would lead us to do it immediately. I feel deeply the necessity of something being done, and that speedily.

Bro. Andrews. I would like to make a few suggestions with reference to the matter before us. But I have felt to hesitate somewhat because my mind might differ from that of the brethren who have spoken. I would say that I have the utmost confidence in Bro. White's integrity in bringing the matter before the people. I agree with him that something should be done. I have reflected seriously upon this matter, and have pondered what would have to be done in order for the whole church to hold the REVIEW Office. I came to the conclusion that in order for us, as a body, to hold the property, it would be necessary for us to adopt an organization framing our separate churches into one great whole, something after the manner of the Methodist church. And then the question with me has been, whether we have in the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts, a model of anything of the kind. It appears to me that we have not. I would therefore make a suggestion: I do not know as it is a good one, but I will just make it, and occupy but a moment in so doing. My idea has been that if we could choose certain brethren, as was done in the days of the apostles, so that it would not be a heavy burden resting upon any one individual, and have those brethren constitute an association, something as the Tract society holds its property, this would meet the case; that it would relieve Bro. White; and that, in this case, the property would not become individual property; for the association could perpetuate itself by choosing in members; and that such an association as this would not be a church incorporated by law, but an association to hold the property. It seems to me that if something of this kind could be acted upon it would save the necessity of framing ourselves into a great whole as already mentioned. I might state my objections to thus framing ourselves, but do not wish to throw confusion into the minds of the brethren. We should make, as nearly as possible, the apostolic church our model. I know the objection that will be brought against this plan at once. The difficulty is that there is no law in Michigan by which such an association could be formed. But the same difficulty would exist in the other case. Even in that case we must wait till a law of Michigan is passed bearing on the subject. So one is no more difficult than the other. I want, brethren, and this is all the object I have in speaking upon the subject, I want if possible that we should not depart from the apostolic churches. I am certainly in favor of legal organization by choosing such officers as we find in the New Testament; and it is not difficult to hold property in such cases. I think the plan I have suggested will meet the case, and hope it will not be regarded as a lack of confidence in those who have spoken.

Bro. White. I would just remark that it has been decided to be unconstitutional for the legislature to pass an act in reference to our organization, or for our especial benefit; but it can pass an act under which all such organizations could be effected. It would be of no use for us to petition for an act for our especial benefit. But we could petition for an act under which all organizations of this kind could be formed.

Bro. Andrews. I understand it just as Bro. White has stated. The only difficulty with regard to the constitution is that it does not admit of a law's being passed with reference to one particular object; but a general law can be passed, and under that general law we might organize in the manner proposed by the brethren, or that I have suggested.

Bro. Waggoner. At the commencement of our meeting, there was a letter handed in from Bro. Cottrell; and as his name has been called, I would suggest, as Bro. C. is intimately connected with this subject, that possibly that letter touches the subject. I would therefore like to have inquiry instituted to see whether it would not be proper to have the letter read while this subject is under consideration.

On motion it was voted that Bro. Cottrell's letter be laid before the conference. It was then read by the secretary, as follows:—

"To the brethren assembled in conference at Battle Creek, Michigan.

"Dear Brethren: Since it is not expedient for me to be present with you, it may be my duty to write a few words. Accept of my salutation and best wishes; and be assured that my most earnest desire and prayer to God is that you may have wisdom from above to guide you in the truly important business that has called you together. May the blessing of God be upon you, and may the will of the Lord be done in the measures that you shall adopt.

"I hope that measures will be taken to secure a title to the Office building and lot, and to repair and enlarge the building so that it will be comfortable and convenient. And in compliance with a request from Bro. White I will suggest the sort of organization for the purpose of holding the Office property that would meet my mind, and leave it with you to adopt or reject, as you may see best; and my only desire in regard to it is, that the will of the Lord, not my will, may be done.

"I propose then that a committee be chosen to attend to the financial affairs of the Office, and to hold the property in trust for purposes specified. It is just as easy to ask the legislature to incorporate a business association, as it is to ask them to incorporate a church. And in doing so we shall make a proper distinction between the church and a legally incorporated business association. The object will thus be attained without the risk of being unlawfully connected with the State, and of leaning on any arm for protection but the arm of our beloved. I hope you will consider that there is a vast difference between enjoying the privileges that the State grants us as citizens, or as business associations of citizens merely, and claiming its protection as a church.

"In order to be legalized as a church, it is necessary, if I understand it, for individual churches already organized as nearly to New Testament order as we have attained, to re-organize. There is a marked distinction between church organization necessary to public worship and the ministration of the ordinances of the church, and that organization necessary to hold church property legally. Our beloved Bro. White has recognized this distinction in Good Samaritan No. 4. One of these organizations is scriptural, and I do not say that the other is anti-scriptural, but in my judgment it is unscriptural, that is, it is not recognized in the Scriptures. I think we should fear no organization as a church which has no warrant from the Scriptures, while we hold the Bible and the Bible alone as the rule of our faith and practice. How did the early church become unlawfully wedded to earthly governments, but by little and almost imperceptible departures from the divine standard?

"Suppose that a church that is already organized according to the gospel, should re-organize for the purpose of holding property legally. Of course they would not give up their present organization for the other. Then they would have two distinct organizations. Which of these organizations is the church? I think all must answer, The former. Then can a person belong to the church and not belong to the property or business organization? If all have the liberty to do so, then the business organization is not the church, though its members all belong to the church, but is a separate association, and there is no necessity for one tenth part of the church to be members of it. But if the business organization is the church and none may be members of the church and remain disconnected with it, then I trust it will be seen that the church has exchanged her scriptural organization for one that is not scriptural, or, at least, has given a preference to the latter, making membership to depend on it.

"Now, as I understand it, membership in the church does not depend on our name's being attached to any articles of faith, covenant or church book, but upon Christian character, or the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Should we not be slow to introduce any test outside of the Scriptures? Should we not fear lest we build upon a foundation of our own?

"Concerning meeting-houses, each church that builds one can doubtless find a way to hold it legally without entering into any unscriptural organization. It would not be just for the church at large to hold them all. They are justly the property of those that build them. To illustrate what I mean, suppose that a Methodist congregation having a house which they have built with their own means, should embrace the present truth. It would separate them from that church as a body; and the house that they built would no longer be theirs, but would be held by the great body called the Methodist Episcopal Church. This is not just. Therefore those that build such houses should choose their own way of holding them, preferring always to lose them totally than to sacrifice their scriptural organization as a church of Jesus Christ.

"Dear brethren, you have my judgment in brief. I have no anxiety for it to be received, unless it is in accordance with the will of God. Be assured that in all I have said, in this letter or in the Review, I have designed no personal attack upon any brother or brethren. If I have said anything that has operated against the cause that I love, I am sorry for it, and ask your forgiveness. It was an error of the head and not of the heart. I still give you my heart and my hand to press forward with you in this good cause of the Lord, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.

"May God guide you in your deliberations; may his holy will be done by us here, and may we all be gathered into his everlasting kingdom. "In much love. R. F. COTTRELL."

Bro. White: I would briefly state that the position of Bro. Cottrell at the first, in his articles in the REVIEW, was that anything like legal organization was wrong. He went against anything of the kind. This was his first position which produced such a sensation among our brethren. He has abandoned that position, and here takes another. And although he has changed his position he has not acknowledged his first stand to be wrong. With this course I am grieved. Again, in regard to holding our meeting houses, he says that every church should hold its own. This certainly is the privilege of each church; I have never come to any other conclusion. But they should do it in a legal manner. At present this meeting house in which we are

now convened, is the property of Bro. S. T. Belden, because he cannot legally deed to the church the land on which it stands. And if he should be taken away, the law would place this all to his heirs, and then it might be turned into a vinegar establishment or anything else, as well as the house referred to in Cincinnati.

Bro. Bracket. I have never been so forcibly struck with the importance of this subject, as since I came into this house this evening. I cannot entertain the thought that we should leave so much burden upon Bro. White. Still we would not take anything away from him, only to relieve him of the burden of the Office property, and the risk of its falling into the hands of his heirs, in which case there would be no getting it out, unless the law would voluntarily give it up to us. So with this meeting house. If Bro. Belden should be taken away, the thing goes right into the hands of the Judge of Probate, and unless he sees fit to give it up to us, it is gone. Some measures should be taken to secure it.

Bro. White. Allow me to speak a few moments. Bro. Brackett's remarks have opened the way for me to say a few words. He speaks of relieving me. It would be a great relief to me if the church would take this property. He then speaks of not taking anything away from me. I would like to speak my real feelings upon this point. I have felt for the last six months that I would like to become disconnected from the Office. There are no privileges there. The cares I have had have been such as to leave me no time for meditation, study, &c. My mind is occupied almost entirely in managing the financial matters of this cause, and I have become resolved to place myself in a different position: and the only reason, I would say, why I have not disconnected myself from the REVIEW Office the past summer, has been the loose and insecure position in which that property stands. I would leave it entirely, if it were not that I am the only legal owner of it. Some of the brethren know that the publishing part of this work was commenced by myself in the issue of a small paper, eleven years ago, when I could write letters in the course of a day to all my friends. We have had a hard struggle to push the matter forward. I will not dwell here; but I could not employ language, this evening, to express to you the suffering of body and of mind which we have had to endure in sustaining the publishing department in its very infancy. Many of you are acquainted with the outcry which the 'Messenger party' raised.

When I came to Michigan I owed 2500 dollars which I had borrowed to put into our publications. My constitution was gone; I expected to go into the grave. I had the deed of my place made out in my wife's name, expecting that I should soon leave it to her. These were my feelings. But whether I lived or died, I resolved that I would prove to the church of Sabbath-keepers that my object had been to advance the cause of God. Hence when the ADVENT REVIEW, which had come up from obscurity with but few friends in the beginning, had just reached a point of time when there was sufficient subscribers to sustain it, it was given up to the church. So with the YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR. And here were also our publications. To repeat the editions of these books afforded prospect of quite a profit. For this I took nothing. The REVIEW at the present time will fully sustain itself from its subscribers; and we have not made appeals because our books and papers will not sustain themselves. Then again, the amount of books I had on hand, I turned out at a discount of from 8 to 50 per cent. And in addition to this, instead of receiving six dollars a week as the committee decided I should have, I received four. These things I have done to convince the church that my object has been the good of the cause. And after doing this, giving up the REVIEW, and throwing off $500 on my wages, I feel that it would be no particular advantage to me to remain at the REVIEW OFFICE for the small pay of six dollars a week. It is my ardent wish that the church may take a position to hold and manage its own property legally. I long to retire and be entirely free from its cares. At nearly the age of 40 I feel that with a good degree of courage I can enter the field to preach to my fellow-men.

Bro. Waggoner. I would like a little information, before I should be willing to suggest or express myself on suggestions already made. I have not viewed the matter in the light in which Bro. White has last presented it; that is, that our action here was going to disconnect him from the Office. I had understood that it was the will of the Lord, that he should occupy a place there, and that to remedy any difficulties that already existed, or might arise, was not to place somebody else in the position that Bro. White occupies in regard to the oversight of the affairs of the Office. I would like to understand the matter if I have misunderstood it; for my mind is not clear upon it at this time.

Bro. White. I do not wish to convey the idea that if the property passes out of my hands, I am necessarily dismissed. I did not know but some brother might get the idea that I wished to remain there; that I thought myself highly honored, or that the position was of some advantage in a pecuniary point of view, or that I had claims in the Office. I merely stated my feelings, and that if God in his providence opened the way for me, I would be glad to be free from the Office.

Bro. Sperry. If we are not in a position to hold property by law, is it not necessary to first ascertain what is necessary in order to hold property according to law, and then we can readily ascertain whether it would violate any principle or not? In Vermont another brother and myself consulted one of the best lawyers in the State, and he said it was not necessary for us to appeal to the legislature; for he said that some were opposed to that. He said it was only necessary for us to come together and take some name, and then we could transact any business. This is the law of Vermont.

JOSEPH BATES, Chairman, URIAH SMITH, Secretary. (To be Continued)