The Illinois and Wisconsin State Conference of Adventists convened according to appointment at Avon, Wis. Oct. 3, 1863, at 8 o'clock P. M. Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham president. The following brethren were chosen as a prudential committee to prepare business for the morning session: Elds. Wm. S. Ingraham, I. Sanborn, and Bro. J. G. Wood. Adjourned to 8 o'clock A. M.
Morning session. Prayer by Bro. T. M. Steward. The following brethren were then chosen as a committee to nominate officers for the coming year: J. G. Wood, Brodhead; N. M. Jordon, Lodi; L. Lathrop, Freeport, Ills.
Voted, To annul the last year's conference organization.
Voted, To adopt the constitution recommended by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists assembled at Battle Creek, May 20, 1863, with the following amendments, namely, to insert the words Vice President, between President and Secretary, in second line of art. ii, sec. 1, p. 6, of Gen. Conf. Report.
The committee then reported the following brethren for officers, who were duly elected: For President, Eld. Isaac Sanborn, of Johnstown Center, Rock Co., Wis. Vice President, Eld. Wm. S. Ingraham, of Monroe, Green Co., Wis. Secretary, Eld. T. M. Steward, of Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis. Treasurer, Ivory Colcord, of New Genesee, Whiteside Co., Ills.; and J. G. Wood and H. W. Decker, of Brodhead, Wis., for executive committee.
Letters from the various churches in this conference were then called for, whereupon twelve were presented and read.
Voted, To accept their delegates, fifteen in number, duly chosen. The report of the present standing of the churches which were represented, showed an aggregate membership of three hundred and ninety, and an S. B. fund amounting to $1520,20.
On report of the committee on finance it was
Voted, To place 75 per cent. of the systematic fund in the hands of the State Conference for a Conference fund, amounting to $1140,15.
Ministers' reports were then read and accepted. Adjourned to 4 o'clock P. M.
Afternoon session. Prayer by Bro. T. M. Steward.
Voted, That Eld. Wm. S. Ingraham be a delegate from this Conference to the General Conference for 1864.
Voted, That our Conference be known as the Illinois and Wisconsin State Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Voted, That this Conference give suitable credentials to all ministers preaching the third angel's message within its limits. Adjourned to meet again after the evening meeting.
Evening session. Prayer by Bro. Ingraham. Settlement with the ministers.
Voted, To make up the deficiency of last year by an equalized draft on the S. B. treasuries of the various churches of the Conference.
Voted, That the proceedings of this Conference be sent to the Review Office for publication.
Adjourned sine die.
ISAAC SANBORN, President.
T. M. STEWARD, Secretary.
P. S. Our meetings commenced evening after sixth-day. Three sermons on Sabbath, and three on first-day, all well attended, and a good social meeting Sabbath morning at 9 o'clock. Many cheering testimonies were given. Four were baptized at this meeting.
T. M. S.
Thoughts for The Times.
WE live in a period of tragic interest. Great events tread on the heels of each other as though they were in haste to be accomplished before the knell of time shall sound. Christians are fast falling asleep, and ministers are rocking the cradle and singing the lullaby of repose. This being true, as all can see it is, we see the need of the Saviour's instruction and caution for these last days, when he says, after giving the signs of his second coming, "Take ye heed, watch and pray; . . . lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping." With all the plain signs before us, it seems strange that those familiar with the evidences of the Lord's coming should go to sleep; but it is evident that these are the very ones who need the caution; for those who do not believe the Saviour is coming soon, will not prepare for the marriage of the Lamb, and hence will not heed the warning.
"The indications are striking that God is about to arise and shake terribly the earth. Let us open our eyes. . . . Predictions, in our opinion, now fulfilling, seem to show that the opening scenes of the last great drama of the world have already commenced."
Thank the Lord that some of us see the signs of the times, and are beginning to sound the note of alarm to a sleeping church and a careless world. How little they realize the dangers of this hour. Let those who are awake, "cry aloud" and spare not.
Well, dear friends, we are doubtless rapidly nearing the glad hour of our deliverance. The signs that have accumulated for the last few years, and the condition of the elements, to the waiting, watching, praying ones, are all that we could desire. It is true the political horizon looks dark, gloomy and threatening. Doubtless the distress and perplexity will become intensified. But cheer thee, dear waiting one; beyond the cloud, beyond the gloom, beyond this soil trodden by the oppressor, ruled over by Satan, and gory and drunk with the blood of the slain, and the martyrs of Jesus, is the free soil; the placid serenity of eternal rest and peace, and the clear noontide of perpetual day.
The Red Sea must soon be crossed. The destruction of transgressors shall soon be accomplished. O! what a painful, overwhelming consideration it is to my oft-distressed mind, as I anticipate the scenes of the great and terrible day of the Lord. Jeremiah, viii, 18, in view of God's judgment upon his people, exclaims,—"When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me," and who that loves Jesus, his word and perishing sinners, in prospect of the final storm of indignation, can feel otherwise? 'Tis true David says, "Fret not thyself because of evil doers;" but in the 73d Psalm, as he viewed their end, their dreadful end, it was too painful for him. Let us do all that lieth in our power to save mortals from perishing, in these closing moments of probation.
Come, dear brethren, let us wake. We are environed with the perils of the last days. O! strive to convince sinners of their danger and only remedy, before it is too late. And be found waiting, watching, and longing for redemption, at the appearing of Jesus.—Crisis, California.
Business Department.
Business Notes.
E. V. Wiard: There is nothing due on Jas. Reed's Review. It was stopped when the subscription expired.
The P. O. address of Elder T. M. Steward is Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis.
RECEIPTS.
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money receipted pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
J. Clarke 1,00,xxiii,1. J. Averill 1,00,xxiii,4. M. D. Hilton 2,00,xxiv,1. G. A. Warner 1,00,xxiv,19. James Sawyer 0,90,xxiv,12. Eliza Carlisle 1,00,xxiv,19. D. Scott 2,00,xxiv,18. C. E. Phillips 2,00,xx,19. B. Armitage 2,00,xxiv,19. E. Childs 2,00,xxiii,1. Jas. Breed 1,00,xxiv,15. D. Curtis 2,00,xxiii,14. H. Southard 1,00,xxiii,16. T. Johnson 1,54,xxii,1. H. P. Gould 1,00,xxiv,7. S. N. Smith 2,00,xxiv,1. J. Vile 2,00,xxiii,24. S. Rider 3,00,xxv,1. Mary Hall 1,00,xxiv,19. H. A. St. John for E. Stites 0,50,xxiii,19. N. Atkins 2,00,xxiv,19. L. B. Lockwood 1,00,xxiv,1. J. W. Irwin 3,00,xxiv,5. T. Hulet 0,43,xxi,1. S. Walsworth for L. Houghton 0,50,xxiii,19. Mrs. M. Owen 2,00,xxiv,10. A. Hough 2,00,xxiv,10. George Rhodes 2,00,xxiv,19. A. Searns 2,00,xxiv,1. W. A. Raymond 1,00,xxiii,1. P. D. Hough 1,00,xxiv,1. J. McDaniels 1,00,xxiii,14. D. Robins 3,00,xxiv,4. W. T. Hinton 1,00,xxiii,1. R. H. Johnson 1,00,xxiii,18. H. Crosby 3,00,xxiv,1. B. Toal 2,00,xxiv,13. J. Logan 2,00,xxiv,13. J. Richards 2,00,xxiii,18. Mrs. S. Straw 1,00,xxv,1. H. Sage 2,00,xxiii,14. S. Babcock 1,00,xxiii,18. H. W. Decker 2,00,xxiii,19. W. McNitt 2,00,xxiii,12. P. Dailey $5 in full of all acct. G. Putnam 1,00,xxii,14. H. N. Bates 2,00,xxiv,4. A. P. Ketchum 1,00,xxiv,19. S. Cushing 2,00,xxiv,13. Mrs. H. Smiley 1,00,xxv,1. W. B. Pringle 2,00,xxiv,16. E. Smith 1,00,xxiv,16. Church at Mannsville, N. Y., for M. A. Streeter 1,00,xxiv,16, and for Mrs. J. Oderkirk 1,00,xxiv,14. S. A. Howard 1,00,xxiii,18. G. Heimbach 1,00,xxiii,18. L. E. Davis 1,00,xxii,1. N. C. Wheeler 2,00,xxiv,22. W. Hall for S. Tucker 0,50,xxiii,19. H. G. Buck 2,00,xxv,1.
Books Sent By Mail.
J. B. L. Soul 30c. B. F. Merritt 25c. W. Russell 12c. J. Whitenack 63c. H. Southard 12c. T. Johnson 46c. H. P. Gould $1,60. S. Rider 25c. E. Stites 50c. D. T. Shireman $1. E. Northey 68c. L. E. Lockwood 68c. T. Hulet $1,57. A. C. Alden 56c. A. Tuttle 25c. J. L. Locke $1. W. Lawton 25c. J. M. Aldrich $1,16. M. West 95c. A. L. Burwell 25c. E. Metcalf $2,60. E. A. Hastings 50c. J. Mallory 25c. G. Burger 12c.
Cash Received on Account.
J. B. Frisbie $8,50. J. H. Waggoner $15,61. Jos. Clarke $11,10. Isaac Sanborn $76,50.
General Conference Missionary Fund.
D. S. E. $5. J. P. Kellogg $25. M. J. Chapman S. B., 60c.
For Bro. Snook.
Ch. at Waukon, Iowa, $5.
Books Sent By Express.
James Sawyer, Cooperville, Mich., $7,60. E. S. Griggs, Owasso, Mich., $5,28.
PUBLICATIONS.
The law requires the pre-payment of postage on Bound Books, four cents for the first four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and an additional four cents for the next four ounces, or fractional part thereof, and so on. On pamphlets and tracts, two cents for each four ounces, or fractional part thereof. Orders, to secure attention, must be accompanied with the cash. Address Elder James White, Battle Creek, Michigan.
History of the Sabbath, (in paper covers), . . . 40 10
The Bible from Heaven, . . . 25 5
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6 12, particularly the Third Angel's Message, and the Two-horned Beast, . . . 15 4
ONE CENT TRACTS. The Seven Seals—The Two Laws—Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—Personality of God—Wesley on the Law—Judson on Dress—Appeal on Immortality.
TWO CENT TRACTS. Institution of the Sabbath—Sabbath by Elihu—Infidelity and Spiritualism—War and Sealing—Who Changed the Sabbath—Preach the Word—Death and Burial—Much in Little—Truth.
THREE CENT TRACTS. Dobney on the Law—Milton on the State of the Dead—Scripture References.
Bound Books.
The figures set in the following Bound Books include both the price of the Book and the postage,
The Hymn Book, 464 pages, and 122 pieces of music, . . . 80 "
" " " with Sabbath Lute, . . . $1,00
" " " Calf Binding, . . . 1,00
" " " with Lute, . . . 1,20
History of the Sabbath, in one volume, bound
Part I, Bible History Part II, Secular History, . . . 80 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. I, or the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, . . . 50 "
Spiritual Gifts Vol. II. Experience, Views and Incidents in connection with the Third Message, . . . 50 "
Scripture Doctrine of Future Punishment. By H. H. Dobney, Baptist Minister of England, . . . 75 "
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other Poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith, from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus. Price 25 cents.
The Chart. A Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel and John, 20 by 25 inches. Price 15 cents. On rollers, post-paid, 75 cts.
Poland: Sketch of Her History
By Editor
We have just received from Bro. M. B. Czechowski, an interesting pamphlet on the subject of his native land—Poland. It is entitled, “Poland: Sketch of her History. Treatment of the Jews, and laws concerning them. Polish serfs and their freedom by the Czar Alexander II. Cause of the present Polish insurrection. Chronological table of the sovereigns of Poland, and the principal events in the reign of each.”
Neat 12 mo, 60 pages. Price, in paper covers, 25 cents; in cloth, 50 cents. Sent by mail pre-paid upon receipt of price, by addressing the following: M. B. Czechowski, Williamsburg, L. I., N. Y.; Wm. P. Butler, Boston, Mass., or Baker and Godwin, publishers, New York city.
Appointments.
By James White
PROVIDENCE permitting we will attend the following meetings—
Newport, N. H., October 24th and 25th.
West Enosburgh, Vt. October 31st and Nov. 1st.
Adams Center, N. Y. November 7th and 8th.
Mrs. W. will accompany us.
Elder J. N. Loughborough will attend the meeting at Newport.
We shall have at all these meetings the new charts, and a good assortment of our publications. The brethren in Vt. and N. Y. had better send for the charts, Sabbath Readings and other books by the delegates who attend the West Enosburgh, and Adams Center, conferences. We will supply at wholesale prices where $10 worth are taken.
We shall have every subscriber's account for Review and Instructor with us, and hope to receive on old accounts, and payment in advance, from very many.
JAMES WHITE.
N. Y. Annual Conference.
THE undersigned, Conference Committee, hereby give notice that the N. Y. annual Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at Adams' Center, N. Y.
As there is considerable business of importance to be transacted at this Conference, it is necessary that the churches throughout the State be well represented by delegates. We therefore request the several churches to send one or more delegates to this Conference. Bro. and sister White expect to attend.
Those churches that have not yet paid their full amount of percentage to the State fund, are particularly requested to forward the same without delay.
H. HILLIARD, J. M. LINDSAY, J. M. ALDRICH, Conf. Com.
Providence permitting, the quarterly meetings of Seventh-day Adventists in Franklin Co., Vt., and Sutton, C. E., will be held as follows: West Enosburgh, Vt., Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Berkshire, Nov. 28. East Richford, Dec. 26.
Bro. and sister White will be present at the quarterly meeting in West Enosburgh. We cordially invite the scattered brethren and sisters in Vermont and Canada East to attend this meeting. Come, brethren and sisters, filled with the spirit of truth, and praying that the Lord will meet with us.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
BRO. and Sr. Byington, Providence permitting, will meet with the church at Memphis, Mich., Sabbath, Oct. 24, 1863, and spend a number of weeks in that vicinity.
Providence permitting, Bro. S. Pierce and myself will give a course of lectures at Vernon, Vt., commencing third-day evening, Oct. 13, and continuing two or three weeks, if duty shall seem to demand. The object of these meetings is to assist the church in setting things in order, and to present the truth to such as have an ear to hear.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Conference Fund Payments
By M. C. Committee
Brethren in Michigan will remember that at the last Mich. State Conference, held in Battle Creek, May 22, 1863, the commencement of the conference year was changed from fall to spring, so that a new conference year commenced last spring, and will extend to the coming spring. Brethren and churches, therefore, who have pledged to the conference fund, will please continue their payments the same as the past year, until the next session of the conference.
M. C. Committee.
M. C. COMMITTEE
By Editor
Brethren who are wishing for meetings to be held with them, may be anxious to know what disposition has been made of laborers, and what help will be available in this State the remainder of the autumn, and the coming winter. We would say that the consultation of the preaching brethren and the committee, at the time of the Association meeting, resulted in the following arrangement: Bro. Cornell will labor in the East in connection with the N. E. mission. Bro. Waggoner will make Ohio his field of labor for the present. Bro. Frisbie will confine his efforts to new fields in this State. We are happy to announce that Bro. I. D. Van Horn designs to give his time to the cause of present truth, to visit churches of new fields, as duty may seem to demand. And in addition we have Brn. Byington, Bates and Lawrence, to look after the interests of the churches within the bounds of this conference.