p. 206 | Review and Herald, Vol. 21, No. 26. (5/26/1863)

Earlier text: Lessons for Bible Students

Doings of the Mich. State Conference.

May 22, 1863.

This Conference assembled May 22, pursuant to the call of the committee in Review. Prayer by Bro. Bates. The number of delegates present duly authorized by letter were forty-nine, representing thirty-seven churches. The churches which desired to become connected with the Conference, and at this meeting were received, were the following: Newton, Charlotte, Windsor, Parkville, Bowne, Lowell, Caledonia, West Plains, Fair Plains, North Plains, Oakland, Shelby, Tyrone, Locke, Woodhull, Oneida, Orleans, Milford, Allegan, Mich., and North Liberty Ind. The aggregate membership of these churches is three hundred and fifty-seven. The yearly proceeds of systematic benevolence in the Conference amount to $4325,00

Some time was then consumed in the reading of the letters brought by the delegates to the conference, followed by the singing of the hymn "From whence doth this union arise." The ministers present belonging to the Conference were, James White, Joseph Bates, J. H. Waggoner, Jno. Byington, J. N. Loughborough, Moses Hull, M. E. Cornell and R. J. Lawrence.

Reports from the ministers were then called for, as regulated by the action of the last conference, and rendered; whereupon it was

Voted, That the Conference appoint a committee of five to consider the duty of the Michigan Conference, in reference to sustaining its preachers, and report at the next session of this meeting. D. R. Palmer, Jas. Harvey, C. S. Glover, Jno. Carman and O. B. Jones, were then chosen as that committee. Adjourned to 2 o'clock p. m.

Afternoon session. Prayer by Bro. White. The committee on ministers presented the following report, namely,

That we allow Bro. White his expenses incurred in consequence of traveling, which are $140,28.

That the officers of the Monterey church shall be empowered to draw from the State fund a sufficient amount for the support of Bro. Bates and wife; and that the remaining messengers receive the sum of eight dollars per week for the time they have labored in this State, besides their traveling expenses: Provided, this sum will meet their expenses; if not, that they shall receive such an amount as will meet their expenses.

This report was then accepted and adopted.

On motion of Bro. White, it was

Voted, That we appoint a committee of three to draw up rules and regulations, to suggest to our brethren who are building or holding meeting-houses, and report to the General Conference at its next session. Brn. Waggoner, Hull, and Harvey, were appointed as that committee.

Adjourned to Sunday at half-past 7 o'clock.

Met according to adjournment. Prayer by Bro. Loughborough. The following preamble and resolution was adopted:

Whereas, Sister White has for years past devoted her labors to the third angel's message, both in traveling and writing, and

Whereas, In so doing she has been obliged to entrust her domestic duties to hired help, while her expenses in this and other respects have never been provided for by the church, therefore,

Resolved, That as a slight token of our appreciation of her labors, we instruct the Executive Committee to make suitable provision for sister White's expenses incurred in consequence of her connection with this work.

The subject of State Conferences being now taken up, it was

Voted, That the constitution recommended by the General Conference be read. It was read, and then

Voted, That it be adopted by the Michigan State Conference.

Voted, That we change the time of our annual Conference from fall to spring, and that this take the place of our previously-appointed annual Conference to be holden in the fall.

The next business being the election of officers, the action of the Conference resulted as follows: For President, U. Smith; Secretary, E. S. Walker; Treasurer, Geo. W. Amadon; Executive Committee, Eld. John Byington and Cyrenius Smith. On motion it was then

Voted, That all ministers who have not reported be requested to place a written report of each week's labor, and the entire amount of their receipts and expenditures, in the hands of the committee.

Moved, by Bro. White, that the matter of settling for ministerial labor since the last Conference be left to the financial committee that has acted since that Conference. Carried.

Moved, That the doings of this Conference be published in the Advent Review. Carried.

Moved by Bro. White that Bro. Loughborough be instructed to issue a pamphlet to be circulated in the State of Michigan, setting forth the necessary legal steps to be taken in securing meeting-house property; and that in the same pamphlet be given an abstract of the laws of Michigan in reference to wills to religious Societies, and that a copy be sent to the principal officers of each church in Michigan and Indiana.

Adjourned sine die.

WM. S. HIGLEY JR. Chairman. U. SMITH, Secretary.

Another Call.

By Uriah Smith

It will be seen by the doings of the General Conference published this week, that the committee appointed to receive testimony concerning Elder James White, are invited to extend the time to receive such testimonies for two months from date. We therefore issue this special notice, that the attention of all concerned may be again called to it, and that his defamers may bring forward their testimony or be left without excuse. Be it understood, then, by all concerned, that two months from the date of this paper are granted for further responses to the resolutions passed by the Battle Creek church, and published in Review No. 18, which resolutions we here insert again, that all interested may have distinctly before their minds the points upon which responses are solicited:

"Resolved, That we hereby earnestly request all those, far and near, who think they have any grounds of complaint against Eld. White, all who have handed to him means that he has not appropriated as directed, all who think that he has wronged the aged, the widow, and the fatherless, or that he has not in all his dealings in temporal matters manifested the strictest integrity, probity, and uprightness, to immediately report their grievances, and the grounds upon which they base them, to Uriah Smith, chairman of the committee.

"Resolved, That we also hereby invite all those who have had dealings, more or less extensive, with Eld. White since the commencement of his public labors, to testify in what light they regard his dealings, so far as their knowledge or observation goes, and send in their testimony as above directed."

The case at present stands thus: Accusations and charges received, none. Fervent and unqualified testimonials in Bro. White's favor, seventy-four. The matter might justly be closed up here, and the case decided according to these facts, as ample time and notice had been given: but that none may have even an imaginary shadow of ground to claim that haste or unfairness is used in this matter, the time is extended as above noticed. At the end of the time specified the matter will be closed up, and the committee report as instructed. In behalf of the committee.

U. SMITH, Chairman.

God Hath Set Some in the Church.

By EDWIN C. STILES

I AM satisfied that the rebuke, and displeasure of God will be visited upon many at the present time, in some

way or other, except they repent of their contempt, manifested against the servants of God's own choice. Forgetting or unmindful of the fact that "God is not the author of confusion," but of peace and order in all the churches of the saints; they, without as good pretext as Miriam and Aaron had for treating Moses contemptuously, persist in defaming God's servants, presuming at the same time to usurp their office as overseers over the flock of God! But as it was anciently, so it is, and will be, now. God will not forego his own choice in this matter, to accept man's preference.

Now God hath set some in the church, first apostles or messengers; and upon these men he has laid the burden of their work, which is a general oversight and care for the flock east west north and south, and having been called and chosen of God to the work, under his special charge and care, they watch for souls as they that must give account; and woe unto the friends of confusion, who oppose these men in their proper calling and work.

In the body are many members, and every member hath not the same office; and overlooking this fact, the language of the rebellious seems to be; "Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?" I know of those among Sabbath-keepers who claim a large share of the Spirit of God and some of its special operations in the gift of tongues, healing, visions, &c., who are to day in this rebellious position against God's servants of whom it is said, "He that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiseth you despiseth me, and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." As Christ is not now on earth in person but has left us ambassadors in Christ's stead, beseeching us to be reconciled to God; it follows that a slight or insult to these ambassadors is an insult to Christ. Therefore, take heed what ye do unto these men; for if this counsel and work be of God it will stand and ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found fighting against God. EDWIN C. STILES.

Report of the Executive Committee.

By virtue of the duty made incumbent on us by Art. v, Sec. 1, of the Constitution of the General Conference, we, after consulting with the preachers present, have made, with their concurrence, the following distribution of laborers for the coming season:

Bro. Sanborn goes as missionary to Minnesota, also to labor somewhat, in conjunction with Bro. Snook, in Iowa. Brn. Ingraham and Steward with the Illinois and Wisconsin tent. Brn. Cornell and Lawrence with the Michigan tent. Brn. Waggoner and Brinkerhoof with the Ohio tent. Brn. Andrews, Fuller, and Taylor with the New York tent. Brn. Loughborough and Hull to labor with the Southern Iowa tent in New England.

We recommend Elder Loughborough, who will be present at the Vermont Conference, as a suitable person with whom the Committee of that State can confer in reference to the labor of the ministers belonging to that Conference.

We would also request the friends of present truth in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, to address Elder Loughborough immediately at Wolcott, Vt., in regard to the wants of the cause in their respective localities, that he may be better able to decide in what sections to labor.

Bro. Loughborough is a man of judgment and experience in tent labor, and financiering, for which reasons we commend him to the friends in New England as the minister in charge of this enterprise.

JNO. BYINGTON, J. N. ANDREWS, G. W. AMADON, } General Conference Committee.

The Dark Day, May 19th 1780.

By John Nevins Andrews

THE following appeared this spring in the Providence (R. I.) Journal. It is interesting as the testimony of one of the few now living witnesses of the memorable dark day. J. N. ANDREWS.

"Our venerable friend, Capt. Martin Page, sends us the following communication, written in a clear, fine, round hand, that would do credit to a man of half his years:

I was twelve miles from Providence in the north-east part of Cumberland in the 8th year of my age driving a yoke of oxen, R. Sheldon holding the plough, splitting hills in a four-acre corn field. The lot was to be ploughed, harrowed furrowed and dressed before being planted with corn, which would make it late in May. Although late planted we had good corn.

At sunrise it came on foggy, and grew more so. At 10 A. M. it was so thick and foggy, dark red, brass colored that we could not see far. We had to leave off ploughing and go home; found the cows in the yard, geese in their pens and turkeys and fowls on their roosts. It was very thick and dark before 12 o'clock, and after that it looked frightful. I am sorry to say that I don't remember how it ended.

Perhaps some of the readers of your valuable paper would like to hear what the old man says about planting corn eighty-three years ago who is now in his ninety-first year. Make what use of this you please and accept of my sincere wish for your good health and happiness. MARTIN PAGE.

Extracts from Letters.

Sister M. Hayes writes from Little Prairie, Wis. : It is three years since I first enlisted in the service of God, and although the way has been beset with many trials and temptations, and although I have found many crosses to take up, yet I feel no desire to turn back and seek after the giddy pleasures of the world; but I thank God that he ever called after me by the gentle influences of his Holy Spirit; that he ever permitted me to come into his marvelous light, and gave me a heart to obey his truth. I realize that I have yet much to overcome; and my daily prayer is for grace to overcome all my besetting sins, and all my evil propensities, that I may at last come off victorious through the blood of the Lamb.

Bro. M. Singer writes from Morleyton, Pa. : I am an old man. Sixty-six years of my time are gone. I have read two of your books, and I and my companion have both become believers in the doctrine, for we find it corresponds with the Bible. Thirty-five years ago we both set out in the good way of religion, and truly we have found God to be a sin-pardoning God. We tried to live a Christian life, so that when we should die we might receive a crown of eternal life; but we do not now believe that we shall receive that crown until our Saviour comes. Our Christian friends with whom we used to associate, are bitter enemies against us. Some say the doctrine we now believe is of the Devil, and some say that I shall roast in hell for it.

Sister E. A. Dike writes from Alma, N. Y. : I have recently embraced the truth, been baptized and united with the church in Allegany co., N. Y., and I feel strong in the Lord, and have a fixed determination to serve him the remainder of my life, and to try to make some little return for the great love wherewith he hath loved me in giving his only-begotten and dearly-beloved Son to die that I might live. I am trying to keep all the commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ, and live out the principles of pure and undefiled religion from day to day, that I may meet his approving smiles and approbation continually. I feel to thank God and praise his holy name, that he ever saw fit to give me the light of present truth, and a heart to receive it, and I mean by his grace to live it out as long as he sees fit to spare my unprofitable life.

I never heard an Adventist preach until I heard Bro. Fuller about five or six months ago. I verily thought then that he was sadly mistaken on some points; but as I searched my Bible from day to day, I soon found (by the help of the book, Scripture References,) that it was more truth than poetry; and as fast as I received light I stepped out on it, and shortly after embraced the whole truth, and am now a firm believer in the soon coming of the lovely Jesus; and my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that I may be an overcomer, and finally stand on Mt. Zion with the redeemed.

Our last conference meeting (which was attended by Brn. Fuller and Barr) closed yesterday. We had a refreshing season, and I trust good was done in the name of the lovely Jesus. Five were baptized and twelve or thirteen united with the church. My husband was one of that number who was led down into the liquid stream, to be buried with Christ in baptism and arise to newness of life. My heart rejoices in this, as he never has been a professor of religion; but, through the mercy of God, and the instrumentality of Bro. Fuller and others, he has been brought to a knowledge of the truth, and has become a praying man.

O may God bless these instruments of mercy, and may they ere long reap a rich reward in a far better land than this.

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.

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 received pays. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.

Mary Mills 1,00,xxiii,1. W. McPheters 1,00,xxiii,1. S. A. Harmon 2,00,xxii,1. T. L. Holloway 2,00,xxiv,1. H. Hilliard 1,00,xxiii,1. Mrs. E. Hall 2,00,xxiv,1. G. Thew 1,00,xxii,1. G. Walling 1,00,xxiii,20. J. C. Holloway 2,00,xxiii,1. David Holloway 1,00,xxiii,8. I. D. Van Horn 1,00,xxiii,1. H. G. S. Rathbun 1,00,xxiii,1. A. W. Maynard 2,00,xxiv,1. J. B. Lawson 2,00,xxiii,1. R. W. Hastings 1,00,xxiv,1. J. Davids 1,00,xxiv,1. J. D. Brown 1,00,xxi,17. S. Blodget 1,00,xxiii,20. C. W. Gould 0,63,xxiii,1. Ch. at Locke for M. Jackson 0,50,xxiii,1. T. T. Brown 1,00,xxiii,1. W. J. Mills 1,00,xxiii,1. H. S. Gurney 1,00,xxiii,1. H. S. Gurney for S. Gurney 0,50,xxiii,1. G. Castle for P. Hine 0,50,xxiii,1. J. Young 2,00,xxiv,1. J. L. Edgar 1,00,xxiii,1. M. Kunselman 2,00,xxiv,11. W. Learned 2,00,xxiv,1. J. L. Locke 2,00,xxiv,1. B. Hill 2,00,xxiv,1. R. W. Campbell $3 in full of acct. P. Scarborough 1,00,xxiv,1. J. D. Morton 2,00,xxiii,1. A. G. Wilbur 2,00,xxiii,14. A. Whitmore 0,50,xxii,1. J. Tieman 1,00,xxi,5. T. V. Canright 2,00,xxii,20. J. Lane 1,00,xxiii,1. S. Brigham 1,00,xxiii,1. N. S. Brigham 1,00,xxiii,1. H. L. Richmond 1,00,xxiv,1. J. Mousehunt 2,00,xxiii,21. W. J. Hardy 1,00,xxiii,2. W. Barden 1,00,xxiii,1. E. Bracket 1,00,xxiii,1. T. Crouch 2,00,xxiv,23. B. Carver 1,00,xxiii,1. Jane Guyer 1,00,xxiii,1. C. S. Glover 1,00,xxiii,1. H. J. Rich 1,00,xxiii,1. S. Jones 1,00,xxiii,18. C. J. Lane 1,00,xxiii,22. A. Smith 2,00,xxiii,1. B. Landon 2,00,xxiv,1. C. Starr 2,00,xxiv,1. J. Day 2,00,xxiv,6. J. P. Benedict 1,00,xxii,16. J. Fitzgerald 0,25,xxii,14. A. M. Gravel 2,00,xxiii,22. J. Fargo 2,00,xxiv,1. A. Gleason 2,00,xxiv,6. J. B. Hull 1,00,xxiii,7. J. Maddux 2,00,xxiii,18. C. Amy 1,00,xxiii,14. L. Sargeant 1,00,xxiii,1. H. M. Payne 1,00,xxii,8. E. Merrill 1,00,xxiii,1. Jenette O. James 2,00,xxiv,1. Ellen Amburn 2,00,xxiv,1. J. A. McAvoy 1,00,xxiii,1. L. Martin 1,00,xxiii,1. S. Martin 1,00,xxiii,1. J. Carter 1,00,xxiii,1. A. E. Tallman 1,40,xxii,17. L. Chandler 1,00,xxiii,1. J. Edson 2,00,xxiii,1. H. J. Kittle for S. A. Brown 1,00,xxiv,1. H. J. Kittle 3,50,xxiv,1. J. C. Perine for P. Nelson 1,12,xxiv,1. L. A. Edson for W. A. Edson 0,50,xxiii,1. J. Loudon 2,00,xxiv,1. N. Hiddleson 1,75,xx,20. Mrs. M. Campbell 1,15,xx,20. G. Prentiss 1,00,xxiii,1. Eliza Gardner 5,00,xxiii,1. M. Wells 1,00,xxiii,7. C. C. Spear 2,00,xxiii,1. C. G. Langdon 2,00,xxiv,1. J. M. Foster 1,00,xxiii,1. Mrs. E. A. Smith 1,00,xxiii,15. P. F. Lamereaux 1,00,xxiii,1. M. C. Holliday 2,00,xxv,1. E. Trumbull 1,00,xxiii,1. W. Martin 2,00,xxi,19. W. Smith 1,00,xxiii,1. A. Philips 1,00,xxiii,1. J. P. Carman 1,00,xxiii,1. Mrs. S. Verplank 2,00,xxiv,1. A. E. Buckland for W. A. Hatch 1,00,xxiv,1. C. E. Worden 1,00,xxiii,17. J. Lindsey 1,00,xxiii,1. J. Whitenack 1,00,xxiii,1. S. Vincent 2,00,xxiii,1. J. Woodard 1,00,xxiii,1. L. Schellhous 2,00,xxv,18. W. Hafer 2,00,xxv,1. Dr. H. S. Lay 2,00,xxiv,1. G. T. Lay 2,00,xxvi,1. Mrs. H. Hall 2,00,xxiv,1. Abner Lay 1,00,xxv,1. Mrs. H. Gardner 1,00,xxv,1. M. E. Darling 1,00,xxiii,1. M. D. Falconer 2,00,xxiv,1. E. Cummings 2,00,xxiii,23. J. Laughhead 2,00,xxiii,1. M. Bronson 1,00,xxiii,1. J. Pease 1,00,xxiii,1. J. P. Carman for G. Freer and Mrs. Emelia Van Auken each 0,50,xxiii,1. W. Guilford 2,00,xxiv,1. A. J. Richmond 1,00,xxiii,1. H. Grant 1,00,xxiii,1.

For Shares in Publishing Association.

J. P. Fleming $10. L. W. Carr $10. Diana Smith $10.

Donations to Publishing Association.

L. Chandler s. b. $1.56. Mary E. Chandler s. b. $0.52. Laura M. Chandler s. b. $0.52. Dr. John B. Johnston $3. Ch. at Bridgewater, Mich. $8. W. Peabody $60. J. K. Bowlesby $40, in gold. Della Chamberlain $1.

Cash Received on Account.

B. F. Snook $8,00. W. S. Higley, jr. $1. R. J. Lawrence $24. P. Strong $5. E. S. Griggs $5. N. Fuller $10. Miles Grant $7,50. John Bostwick $5. J. S. Day $4,34. J. M. Aldrich $41,41. Dr. H. S. Lay $5,40.

Michigan Conference Fund.

Received from Churches. Church at Charlotte $4. Watson $23,28. Monterey $25. North Liberty, Ind., $20. Parkville $25. Brady $2,25. Lowell 10. Battle Creek $20. Laporte, Ind. $2,50. Oneida $5,04. Hanover $6. Jackson $25. Caledonia $15. Tompkins $15. Orleans $36. Eureka and Fairplains $25. Orange $8. Salem Center, Ind. $4. Charlotte $8. St. Charles $12. West Windsor $20. North Plains $7. Woodhull $4. Oakland $3. Greenbush $6. West Plains $6. Friends in Leslie, $5.

Individuals. James Harvey $25. E. R. Whitcomb $1,50.

Books Sent By Mail.

Geo. P. Cushman 25c. Mrs. J. Saxby $1,15. Mrs. E. M. Prentiss 75c. G. Freer 25c. B. Berry 6c. R. Watts 40c. L. Hersey 28c. W. H. Landon $1. M. A. Dalbey $1. N. G. Sanders 75c. E. Landes 40c. J. A. McAvoy 50c. Lewis Martin 30c. A. E. Tallman 60c. E. Edson $1,89. D. I. Trump 50c. Nettie Kilgore 40c. W. A. Geer 19c. H. G. Washburn $1,10. J. B. Johnston 25c.

Books Sent by Express.

Eld. Wm. Rogers, Kidder, Mo., $10.

Vermont Conference Fund.

By D. T. Bourdeau

Churches and individuals in Vermont and Canada East have pledged as follows to raise a Conference fund: Church at Irasburgh $60, Troy and Potton $41,25, Richford $14,40, Enosburgh $50, Johnson and Eden $33,95, Wolcott $12, Stowe $100, Bro. I Laroch, East Montpelier $40, Andover $10, Jamaica $18, Vernon $16, Melbourne, C. E. $10. Total 407,23.

One half of this amount is to be paid in to the Treasurer of the Conference fund by the first of June, and the remaining half by the first of September. We expect to hear from other churches and individuals soon.

D. T. BOURDEAU, Conf. Sec. West Enosburgh Vt.

OBITUARY.

By H. H. Wilcox

DIED of consumption, in Adams, N. Y. sister Lovina, wife of George Martin, in the 36th year of her age. She has left a companion and one child. Her aged parents, brothers and other friends deeply mourn the loss of their absent friend, but we have the best of evidence that she sleeps in Jesus, and the promise is that such the Lord will bring with him, when he comes. Our dear sister some three years ago was led to an investigation of the prophecies, also the commandments of God, and became satisfied of the truthfulness of our position, and soon commenced keeping the Sabbath.

Those that visited her on the day of her death, were deeply convicted of the reality of the Christian religion, and the grace of God, to sustain the dying Christian. She rests from her labors and her works do follow her.

"Not long will earth's bosom, Her precious form hide, And death's gloomy portals, From kindred divide; For swiftly approaching, We see the bright day, That brings the glad summons, Arise come away." H. H. WILCOX.

APPOINTMENTS.

Mich. Tent.

PROVIDENCE permitting the Michigan tent will be pitched in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan, May 28 to remain as long as the interest may demand.

R. J. LAWRENCE.

M. E. CORNELL.

N. Y. Tent.

THE New York tent will be pitched in Alleghany county about the sixth of June next. Further notice hereafter. J. N. ANDREWS. C. O. TAYLOR. N. FULLER.

ELD B. F. Snook will meet with the church of Seventh-day Adventists at Laporte City Iowa, on Friday June 5 at 6 o'clock P. M. and remain over Sunday. Also will meet with the Brn. at Waterloo, on Thursday June 11 at 6 o'clock P. M. and remain over Sabbath and Sunday. We hope the brethren will have every arrangement made for a happy meeting. B. F. SNOOK.

BRO. John Byington and wife, design to meet with the church at Allegan, May 30th.

Providence permitting, we will hold meetings at Adam's Center, N. Y., Sabbath and first-day, June 6 and 7. Meetings to commence with the Sabbath. We will be at Grass River, Tuesday, June 9, at 2 P. M. Rouse's Point, Wednesday, at 7 P. M. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. MOSES HULL.

Vermont State Conference.

The Vermont State Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists will be held at Wolcott, Vt. to commence June 11, at 7 p. m. It is expected that the churches belonging to this Conference, and those who intend to unite with the Conference will send delegates. A cordial invitation is hereby extended to Bro. and Sister White, and to all the true friends of the cause in Vermont and Canada East. We would also be happy to see brethren from different parts of New England and Northern New York, who are interested in the advancement of the cause East.

Brethren and sisters, let us come to this meeting with our hearts burning with the love of God, and ready to endorse those principles of order and union that are inseparably connected with the prosperity of the cause, and to keep pace with the important work of the third message.

A. S. Hutchins A. C. Bourdeau } Vt. Conf. Com. D. T. Bourdeau

Elders Loughborough and Hull design to be at the Vermont Conference. The religious meetings of the Conference will commence with the Sabbath, and hold over first-day. The tent should be pitched, and the notice extensively circulated. We send hand-bills to H. Bingham, E. Churchill, and A. R. Morse, to be posted extensively if the tent can be pitched.—Ed.