BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS OF THE B. C. CONFERENCE.
The first business session of the Conference appointed in Battle Creek, for Apr. 26-29, was held on the evening following the Sabbath, Apr. 27. Eld. Jos. Bates was chosen to the chair, and U. Smith secretary. The business first introduced was the organization of the Publishing Association. The seven who were chosen at the conference of Sept. 28, 1860, to form the commencement of the Association, petition to the legislature for a law, &c., reported to the conference through Bro. Loughborough. On motion of Bro. Hull, the report was accepted. The law which passed the legislature of last winter, for the organization of Publishing Associations, being such that the seven brethren referred to could not act under it in the manner designated by the conference, they asked to be discharged from further duty. On motion of Bro. Cornell the committee were discharged. Moved by Bro. Waggoner that the conference appoint a committee of five to perfect the organization of a Publishing Association, according to the law obtained. Carried. Brn. Jas. White, J. N. Loughborough, U. Smith, G. W. Amadon, and M. Hull, were thereupon chosen by the conference, by nomination and vote, to constitute said committee. The subject of a new Office-building was then discussed. Bro. White suggested the propriety of a new building, of brick, upon a new lot, forcibly setting forth the disadvantages of using the present location, the suspension of business and the annoyance it would cause; and presenting also the advantages of a brick building over a wooden one. These suggestions were followed by remarks in their favor by Brn. Waggoner, Loughborough, Hull, Kellogg, Carman, Lay, Byington, Palmer, Keeny, Glover, and others. To bring the matter to a point it was Moved by Bro. Shortridge that this conference endorse the suggestions of Bro. White in regard to the new Office-building and its location. Bro. Waggoner seconded the motion, remarking as he did so, "It will be the prerogative of the Association when formed, to determine about the Office-building, &c., but they might feel more free if they had an expression from this conference in regard to the matter. This is the reason I second the motion." The motion was carried. Moved by Bro. White that a committee of three be appointed to issue circulars opening subscriptions for shares in the Association, and to see to their circulation among the members of the conference and through the REVIEW. Carried. Brn. Loughborough, Hull, and Cornell were then appointed by the chair, as that committee. Adjourned to 8 o'clock in the morning. Agreeably to adjournment the brethren came together at 8 o'clock, on Sunday morning, Apr. 28. Prayer by Bro. Waggoner. The committee on circulars proceeded to carry out the object of their appointment so far as the conference was concerned, by the circulation of their papers; and 100 shares at $10 each were soon taken by the brethren present. The second item to which the attention of the meeting was called was the name of the Publishing Association. It was voted at the last conference to call it "The Advent Review Publishing Association." Brethren have since been impressed with the propriety of having the name of the Association as similar as might be to that name by which we choose to be designated as a people; and as in the latter case the name, Seventh-Day Adventists has been selected, it was thought best to call the Association, The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association. A motion was made to this effect by Bro. Loughborough, and unanimously carried. Tent operations taken up. On this subject the following resolutions were adopted: Whereas, We believe the State of Michigan to be a good field of labor, and Whereas, There is manifested by the brethren a zeal to sustain the cause; therefore Resolved, That we instruct the Michigan Tent Committee to obtain two efficient preachers to labor with the Michigan tent the coming season. Resolved, That this conference approve the action of the Battle Creek Church in settling Bro. Hull and his family in their midst. The following resolutions were also unanimously adopted: Whereas, In our opinion, remarks calculated to excite mirthfulness tend to grieve the Holy Spirit from our midst, and thus deprive us of the guidance of heaven in our deliberations, therefore Resolved, That we consider it a breach of order to indulge in such remarks, and we request the chairman to call to order any who may use them. And whereas, In view of the solemn time in which we are living, the holy, solemn message we profess, the importance of using "sound speech," and "words that shall administer grace to the hearers," and in view of the fact that God's word condemns in the most unequivocal terms the use of trifling thoughts and words, even declaring that "for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment;" therefore Resolved, (1.) That this conference assembled, both preachers and lay members, covenant together to put away from us, whether in preaching or in social relations, all lightness and trifling. (2.) That we recommend to our brethren scattered abroad, to pursue a similar course, and rid themselves of this blighting sin which drives the Spirit of God from the hearts of his people. Adjourned to five o'clock in the afternoon. The afternoon session was opened by prayer by Bro. Hull. Bro. Loughborough remarked that the resolution passed in the morning, endorsing the action of the Battle Creek church in settling Bro. Hull in their midst, meant something more than merely to sanction it in feeling; it meant to sanction it with material aid also. Moved by Bro. Loughborough that it be ascertained what means it will be necessary to raise at this conference to help certain brethren, and for any other purposes. Carried. Bro. White remarks in reference to Brn. Shortridge and Hull, and what has been done in getting them here, also in relation to tent operations, and the resolutions to procure two efficient laborers for Mich. tent. A new tent is needed for this State. He has always objected to raising those sums at our conferences where there are but comparatively few of the brethren assembled. Questions very much whether it is proper to go outside of our systematic benevolence funds in these things, when it is a fact that these funds will fully sustain the cause. But a small amount will have to be raised except for a tent. Moved by Bro. White that those sums which are immediately needed, be advanced from the Battle Creek systematic benevolence treasury, and that brethren of other churches be invited to contribute when convenient, toward refunding the amount, except what this church wishes to do as its share in the matter. Carried. Bro. White remarks upon the inconvenience of having a tent committee scattered all over the State, especially since the time has come when it is not necessary to assemble churches in different places, and give them long and tedious drills in order to raise the means. Thinks the members of the committee should all be located at one place. Moved by Bro. Loughborough that we have a new tent committee, consisting of three individuals, all residents of one place. Carried. In view of the advantages that would result from having said committee located in Battle Creek, on account of having ready access to the press, in the issuing of circulars, &c., the following brethren, all residents of Battle Creek, were appointed: Myron Cornell, G. W. Amadon, and Wm. Hall. Bro. White speaks of the efforts that have been made in times past to procure homes for preachers, and the responsibilities he has taken in the matter. His object had been that they might be free to preach the message. Had borrowed and advanced considerable money in these enterprises, upon a great portion of which he has been paying ten per cent interest. But this had not been so great a tax as the care. Thinks that it is now his privilege, and according to the will of the Lord, to be free from these burdens. Speaks of the case of Bro. Shortridge, and Sr. White's late efforts in his behalf. Sister White now feels it her privilege to lay the remaining responsibility in this matter upon the conference. Moved by Bro. Hull that the conference take the responsibility in this case, and free sister White from further care in the matter. Carried. Moved by Bro. White that D. R. Palmer, H. S. Gurney and Geo. T. Lay constitute a committee to carry forward the matter already commenced in regard to freeing Bro. Shortridge from his embarrassments; and that this conference instruct this committee to receive from Bro. Shortridge, as they place the means in his hands, security to be held by them till we again assemble in conference, or for one year. Carried. Bro. Loughborough presents as the next subject for the consideration of the conference, a more complete organization of the church. We had come to that point where the cause of God demanded organization, not that organization which constituted Babylon, but such as would insure order in the church. He considered that the very first step in apostasy, as he showed in his article on the "Image of the Beast," in REVIEW Vol. xvii, No. 7, was the making of a creed. But this is not what we are endeavoring to do. We only want order. Bro. White would entreat his brethren in the ministry to take hold of this work. Bro. Waggoner, even before coming to the meeting and hearing the remarks that had been made, had resolved so to do. Moved by Bro. Hull that the ministers that are assembled at this conference be requested to write out an address on the subject of church organization. Carried. Moved by Bro. White that the doings of this conference be published in the ADVENT REVIEW. Carried. JOSEPH BATES, Chairman.
URIAH SMITH, Secretary.