Ohio Conference by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1864

Ohio Conference.

By Jos. Clarke

Conference met at Portage on the 28th and 29th of May, at the M. E. meeting-house. An attentive audience listened to Bro. Waggoner, as he reasoned upon the Scriptures. The brethren and sisters were blessed and strengthened, and our hearts were made glad to meet so many at this Conference, who came to attest to the world and to the church, to the vitality of present truth. Much interest was manifested by the community in this meeting, and a good influence has been exerted in behalf of the truth by the powerful arguments and reasoning of our brother, who labored for us on this occasion. To God be all the glory, who raises up our help for us, and may he in his mercy raise up and send forth many more laborers into the ripe, wide harvest field.

Business arrangements were promptly and satisfactorily and harmoniously made, and we need not report more than such items as will be of general interest.

Eight churches were represented by delegates. (Townsend and Wakeman not represented.) Whole number of church members reported 144. Gain 36. Loss 12, during the year. Amount of S. B. Fund pledged $594,84. Paid in during the past Conference year, $558,21, paid out $378,15, now on hand $180,06.

Resolved, That we heartily coincide with the Gen. Conf. Com. relative to labor with the Ohio Tent for the coming season, and

Resolved, That we tender our sincere thanks to the Gen. Conf. Committee and to the Mich. State Conference for their generous aid in sending laborers to Ohio.

Resolved, That we deeply deplore the want of gratitude manifested by many in Ohio in reference to past labor, especially to the Mich. State Conference, who have from time to time sent their most efficient laborers to Ohio, and to show our deprecation of the murmuring spirit manifested by some, we hereby pledge ourselves to give them our cheerful co-operation by our means and our prayers.

Resolved, That we appreciate the visit of Bro. and Sister White to this State in Feb. 1863 believing that it was the means of freeing the cause from many hindrances, and dispelling the dark clouds which long hung over this State, and that we tender them our thanks together with a fervent request to visit this State again at their earliest convenience.

Bro. Hutchinson is expected to attend the quarterly meetings. Bro. Waggoner and Bro. Ingraham are expected to preach in the tent as arranged by the Gen. Conference.

The cause we feel to be one, and are ready as far as is in our power to extend our aid beyond our own State, and if it is expedient, we shall be happy not only to tender the use of the Ohio Tent, but our means to other fields. Officers for the coming year, Pres. O. Mears; Sec. Jos. Clarke; Treas. Jno. Mears; Ex. Committee. Jos. Clarke, I. N. Van Gorder.

At the close of Conference Bro. Waggoner started for Trumbull Co., intending to pitch the tent in Mesopotamia. Bro. Hiram St. John is to join him to take charge of the tent. JOS. CLARKE.