New York Conference Report.
By J. M. Aldrich
Evening after the Sabbath, Nov. 7th at Adams' Center, N. Y. the first session of the Second Annual Conference of S. D. Adventists convened for the transaction of business. Meeting called to order by the president—D. Arnold. Prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. Credentials being called for, the following brethren presented themselves, and were duly admitted as delegates to the Conference: Roosevelt, Wm. Treadwell and L. R. Chapel; Bucks Bridge, H. G. Buck; West Monroe, H. Decker; Kirkville, H. Gardner; Mill Grove, Z. Brooks; Olcott, R. F. Cottrell; Somerset, J. M. Aldrich; Alleghany Co., N. Fuller, Asa Green, J. G. Saunders, and A. Lanphear; Rochester, J. B. Lamson; Mannsville, H. H. Wilcox and A. H. Robinson; Catlin, N. Fuller; Oswego, E. Goodwin; Clarkson, J. B. Lamson; Ulysses, Pa., N. Fuller; Clymer, Pa., N. Fuller. The following named churches were now voted into the Conference; and the brethren named therewith, were received as delegates therefrom. Brookfield, Ira Abbey and H. Main; Bangor, H. W. Lawrence; Adams' Center, Wm. Green and Wm. S. Salisbury; Champlain, C. O. Taylor; Norfolk, S. B. Whitney; Middle Grove, G. R. Barber; Alba, Pa., J. N. Andrews. It was now moved and carried that Brn. J. Parmalee of Verona, A. N. Curtis of Camden, and C. Gregory of Lockport, be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference. It was also moved and carried that Bro. White be invited to take part in the proceedings of the Conference. The Conference now being organized, the Secretary's report of last Conference was called for and read by the Secretary. Next business attended to, was the consideration of the form of constitution recommended for State Conferences by the last general Conference held at Battle Creek. After having been read by the Secretary, it was moved and carried, that the constitution and rules adopted at the organization of our Conference last year, be rescinded, and that the constitution recommended by the general Conference be adopted in its stead. The following named brethren were appointed as a committee to nominate officers and prepare business for the next session, viz. J. N. Andrews, N. Fuller, C. O. Taylor, J. M. Aldrich, H. Hilliard and D. Arnold. Adjourned till 8 o'clock next morning. The committee went into immediate session. At the hour appointed Conference again convened. Treasurer's report, being called for, the treasurer, J. B. Lamson, reported as follows: Whole amount received $1278.24. Paid out; $608.22. On hand, $670.02. The following brethren were elected as officers for the ensuing year: A. Lanphear, President, J. M. Aldrich, Secretary, J. B. Lamson, Treasurer, and J. N. Andrews and N. Fuller Conference committee. Receiving ministers into the Conference being now in order, it was moved and carried, that the names of those now belonging to the Conference, be taken up and considered separately; whereupon Eld. J. N. Andrews, Eld. N. Fuller, Eld. R. F. Cottrell, and Eld. C. O. Taylor were voted to continue their standing in the Conference, as duly authorized and approved evangelical ministers thereof.3 Pending the motion in regard to Bro. Andrews, Bro. White made some timely and appropriate remarks in regard to the relation sustained by him to the Conference, and the care that the churches and brethren should exercise for him and his family, whereupon the following resolution was presented and adopted: Resolved, That the remarks of Bro. White in regard to Bro. Andrews' connection with our Conference, are worthy of our candid and prayerful consideration; and that we will cheerfully unite our efforts to make him and his family comfortable and happy, and that we will do all in our power to stay up his hands and leave him free to prosecute the work of the Lord. On motion, the chair made a call for other ministers who desired to become preachers of the Conference the ensuing year. Bro. F. Wheeler was recommended by a letter from the church at West Monroe, and Bro. S. B. Whitney was recommended by several of the churches in Northern N. Y. for ordination and reception into the Conference. Moved and carried that the applications for Bro. Wheeler and Bro. Whitney and other ministers who might desire to join the Conference, be referred to the Conference committee. Adjourned to 6 o'clock in the evening. Evening session opened by prayer by Bro. Fuller. Ministers reports being now called for, Brn. Andrews, Fuller and Cottrell, presented written reports of their labors during the year, also of their receipts and expenditures, which were approved by the Conference. Moved and carried that the Conference donate to the general missionary fund $75.00; and that the Conference committee be instructed to pay the same to Bro. White for that purpose. The following resolutions were presented and adopted. Resolved, that it will be expected of the several churches within the bounds of this Conference to report to the Con. Sec. on or before the first day of January next, the amounts they will give each month during the Conference year for Conference purposes in pursuance of the third section of Art. 3. Resolved, that while we recognize the hand of God in placing Bro. and Sr. White in the responsible position they occupy, we would also deeply feel the obligation laid upon us to sympathize with them in all they are called to bear for the good of the people of God, and would tender to them our hearty co-operation. The location of Bro. Andrews and family being called in question, the following committee of seven were appointed to consider the matter, viz., J. M. Lindsay, J. B. Lamson, A. Lanphear, Ira Abbey, H. H. Wilcox, Eld. Wm. Green and H. Hilliard. Sister White, by request of the Conference being present at this session and having testimonies for several persons present, was invited to present the same. Her testimonies were then read, producing a very happy effect upon the meeting. Bro. White then, with great freedom, followed Sr. White's testimonies with soul-touching and heart-cheering remarks; after which, the Conference joined with him in fervent prayer, and then adjourned sine die. A. Lanphear, Pres.
J. M. Aldrich, Sec. P. S. It may not be out of place for me to say in addition to the foregoing report of the business meetings, that the religious exercises of all the meetings during the Conference were of a highly interesting character. The attendance was large, there being a good representation of brethren from all parts of the State. Preaching on Sabbath evening by Bro. Fuller; Bro. White preached twice on the Sabbath with good freedom. Bro. Andrews preached twice on first-day. There were two social meetings on the Sabbath, the time being well improved by the brethren. Sister White had good liberty in bearing her testimony, which she improved several times to the edification and comfort of God's people. Through her heaven-inspiring testimonies, prejudice had to yield; and some at least, and I doubt not, many, saw things pertaining to our faith in a much more favorable light than before. Upon the whole, I think we have reason to believe that the Conference at Adams' Center, has resulted, and will result, in much good to the cause, both on account of the business that was transacted, and the religious exercises of the several meetings. In behalf of the many brethren that attended the Conference, I take the liberty to say that they were nobly and generously entertained by the church and friends at Adams' Center. I doubt not, that there will be a strong inclination to meet with the brethren there again in general Conference.