Fifth Annual Meeting of the Michigan State Conference.
By Uriah Smith
PURSUANT to call of the Committee through the Review, the Michigan State Conference held its fifth Annual Session at Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, May 18th, 1865, at 9 o'clock A. M. Session opened with prayer by Bro. Loughborough. Credentials of delegates were then examined. The number of delegates present, duly authorized, was forty-five, representing twenty-nine churches. On motion of Bro. John Byington, the Church at Ithaca, was received into the Michigan State Conference. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The reading of reports from Churches was omitted. Reports from ministers belonging to the Conference being called for, the following brethren responded, viz., Jas. White, J. N. Loughborough, J. Byington, R. J. Lawrence, J. B. Frisbie, J. H. Waggoner and I. D. Van Horn. On motion, the Chair was authorized to appoint committees on nominations, and a Committee to settle with ministers; whereupon the following brethren were appointed a Committee on nominations, viz., Elder J. N. Loughborough, L. M. Jones and E. S. Griggs; and the following brethren a Committee on settlement with ministers, viz., S. H. King, D. R. Palmer, J. S. Day, Cyrenius Smith, E. S. Faxon and D. Carpenter. Adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M. Afternoon Session. Prayer by Bro. Lawrence. Reports from licensed ministers being called for, the following brethren responded: Philip Strong, D. M. Canright, and H. L. Doty. On motion of Bro. White it was Resolved, That Bro. McPherson of Wright, Bro. Rumsey of Monterey and Bro. Amadon of Battle Creek, be a committee to investigate the case of Bro. H. L. Doty who was drafted, and apportion the means raised to clear him. The Treasurer's report was presented and accepted showing the following result, viz. : | Cash on hand at close of last Conference year, |
$379,92 |
|---|
| Amount of Donations during the year, |
3242,66 |
| Total, |
$3622,58 |
| Paid out to Ministers during the year, |
$2202,76 |
| Cash on hand to balance, |
1419,82 |
| Total, |
$3622,58 |
The credentials of the following ministers were renewed: James White, J. N. Loughborough, John Byington, M. E. Cornell, R. J. Lawrence, Joseph Bates, I. D. VanHorn and J. B. Frisbie. Whereas, Bro. Waggoner requested that he receive no credentials this year as circumstances were such with him that he could not at present use them, therefore, Resolved, That the matter of his credentials be left with the Conference Committee. The committee on nominations presented the following report, viz: For President, J. N. Loughborough; Secretary, I. D. VanHorn; Treasurer, Geo. W. Amadon. Executive committee, J. N. Loughborough, James White and Uriah Smith. On motion the nominations were ratified and the brethren named were elected to the respective offices to which they were nominated. On motion of Bro. Byington, Tent operations and other State labor was referred to the State Conference Committee. On motion of Bro. White it was Resolved, That this Conference approve of the plan entered into by the Committee in districting the State. The following preamble and resolution was introduced and passed by the Conference. Whereas, Battle Creek, Michigan is a central point for the General Conference to hold its sessions, also for the sessions of the Michigan State Conference, and being the place where the property of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association is located, therefore, Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Conference that a house of worship should be built in the city of Battle Creek, of sufficient size to convene the meetings of worship usually held in connection with our annual Conferences, and that the General Conference Committee should feel free to solicit funds from the friends of the cause in the wide field, and to act in connection with the church in Battle Creek in erecting the house. On motion of Bro. White the church at Alma was received into the Michigan Conference. Adjourned, subject to the call of the Committee.
URIAH SMITH, President.
E. S. WALKER, Secretary.