Doings of the N. Y. Conference.
At Roosevelt, N. Y., evening after the Sabbath, Oct. 25, 1862, the N. Y. State Conference held its first business session. Prayer by Bro. Andrews. For the purpose of organization, Bro. J. N. Andrews was called to the chair, and J. M. Aldrich appointed Secretary. On motion of Bro. Cottrell, all brethren present in good standing with the body of S. D. Adventists were invited to take part in the business proceedings of the Conference. Moved by Bro. D. Arnold, and carried, that we now call for the representation of the different churches. In pursuance of this resolution, nearly all the churches in the State—whether organized or unorganized—duly responded by their delegates, and desired to become members of the State Conference. On motion of J. M. Aldrich, resolved that we now proceed to consider the applications of the various churches to become organized into a State Conference, and ascertain what churches are qualified therefor. After a careful examination of the standing and condition of the several churches, as presented to the conference by the delegates, the following named were deemed duly qualified for such organization, viz., Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa., Mixtown, Tioga Co., Pa., Willing, Catlin, Olcott, Somerset, Mill Grove, Eagle Harbor, Clarkson, Rochester, Kirkville, West Monroe, Grass River, Mannsville, Oswego, and Roosevelt, N. Y. On motion, Brn. J. N. Andrews, R. F. Cottrell, N. Fuller, S. B. Whitney, D. Arnold, and J. M. Aldrich were appointed a committee to draft necessary rules and regulations as the basis of organization, and for the government of the Conference when organized; also to prepare business for the further consideration of the Conference. Adjourned to meet at 8½ o'clock first-day morning; whereupon the committee went into immediate session, and labored faithfully until sun-rising. At the hour appointed, Conference again convened, and the committee reported the following preamble and rules, which were adopted: Whereas, In view of the great work before us of keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and the truths connected with the third angel's message, and the importance of order, union, and concentration of action in the dissemination of these truths, therefore, Resolved, That the several churches assembled in Conference at Roosevelt, Oct. 26, 1862, which, after due examination, were deemed qualified for organization into a State Conference, be formed into an Association, to be called the New York State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and to be governed by the following rules and regulations: Rule 1. The officers of the Conference shall be a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Conference committee of three, said officers to be chosen annually. Rule 2. The duties of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be such as usually pertain to those offices, and they shall make a faithful report to the Conference annually. Rule 3. It shall be the duty of the Conference committee to appoint the time and place of the annual Conferences, and to call special Conferences, whenever in their judgment it may be needful to do so; to take the general supervision of all tent operations, and property belonging to the Conference; to audit and settle accounts with ministers and others in the employ of the Conference, and to exercise general directory power in all matters which shall be for the advancement of the third angel's message. Rule 4. It shall be the duty of the clerk of each church belonging to this Conference, to transmit to the Secretary thereof, before the first of January in each Conference year, the number of members in good standing in their respective churches, and also the amount of weekly receipts of systematic benevolence in each church; and it shall be the further duty of the Conference committee to ascertain as near as practicable, the amount of money needed for the current expenses of the year, and determine what percentage shall be needed of the S. B. fund therefor, and to return thereafter as soon as is practicable, to the several churches a statement, showing the amount of percentage due from them respectively, which amount should be paid over to the Treasurer, one-half by the first of May, and the remainder by the first of September in each year. Rule 5. All duly accredited S. D. Adventist ministers that are located or may be laboring within the bounds of this Conference, shall be considered as belonging thereunto. Rule 6. The churches composing this Conference shall be represented in all meetings of the same by their duly authorized delegates, be the same more or less; provided however, each church to the number of fifteen members or under, shall have the privilege of casting but one vote, and one vote for every additional ten members. The Conference next proceeded to the election of officers, which resulted as follows: For President, D. Arnold, of Fulton, N. Y.; for Secretary, J. M. Aldrich, of Somerset, N. Y.; for Treasurer, J. B. Lamson, of Rochester, N. Y.; for Conference committee, J. M. Lindsay, of Olcott, N. Y., H. Hilliard, of Grass River, N. Y., and J. M. Aldrich, of Somerset, N. Y. The following resolutions were presented by the committee on business, and adopted by the Conference: Resolved, That this Conference determine who are the evangelical ministers within the bounds thereof, and that suitable credentials be given to the same, at this and each annual meeting hereafter. Resolved, That we deem Bro. J. N. Andrews, N. Fuller, and R. F. Cottrell, approved evangelical ministers of this Conference, and that we give them suitable credentials. Resolved, That the Conference committee be authorized to exercise discretionary power in giving credentials to such ministers as have not already been approved by this Conference, and shall in the interval between this and the next meeting thereof, give evidence that they are laboring in the order of God. Resolved, That our ministers should make a written report at each annual Conference of the amount of their weekly labors during the Conference year, and also the entire amount of their receipts and expenditures during the same time. Resolved, That we deem the labors of Bro. J. N. Andrews necessary to the good of the cause of present truth in this State, and that we hereby tender him a hearty invitation to remove his family among us, and labor with us as the way may open, and also with the tent during the next tent season. Resolved, That we earnestly request Bro. James White, J. N. Loughborough, and John Byington—the Michigan Conference committee—to whom was referred the power of assigning to ministers their respective fields of labor, to provide in due season a messenger to labor in this State with Bro. Andrews during the next tent season. Resolved, That we recommend and invite Bro. Andrews and Fuller to labor at present in Central N. Y., if it shall appear to be duty, and the way properly opens for them so to do. Resolved, That we instruct the Conference committee to purchase a new tent, and man the same for operations next season, and pay the expense thereof from the funds of the Conference. Resolved, That we earnestly recommend those churches which have united with the Conference, and those churches and companies which have not yet thus united, but desire and intend so to do, to lose no time in getting S. B. thoroughly established among them; and that in view of the largely-increased amount of funds that will be necessary for the purchase of a new tent, and other immediate demands of the cause, we urgently enjoin upon them the necessity of being more than usually liberal in their subscriptions to the S. B. fund. Resolved, That we recommend to the several churches in Central N. Y. to establish monthly meetings among them, and that they hold the first meeting with the church at Roosevelt, on the first Sabbath in December; and also that we recommend the same to the churches in Northern N. Y., and that they hold the first meeting with the church at Norfolk, on the fourth Sabbath in November. Resolved, That the State Conference exercise a watch-care over the unorganized companies of believers and individuals within the bounds of the Conference, and recommend that they make haste to become organized, and unite with the Conference. Resolved, That while we pray for the restoration to the church of the gifts of the Spirit, we fully recognize the gift of prophecy, which has accompanied the message from its very rise. Resolved, That we request the labors of Bro. and Sr. White at the meetings of this Conference, and that we stand by them in the discharge of the duties and responsibilities which God has laid upon them. Moved and carried that the proceedings of this Conference be published in the Review. Three sessions were occupied in the transaction of the proceedings above recorded. The discussion that took place during the passage of the foregoing resolutions was spirited and interesting, and some heart-searching and very affecting testimonies were given. Perfect harmony prevailed throughout the whole meeting. J. M. ALDRICH, Secretary.