THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
as dead, and be dropped from the records as
members of the conference. ”
Respectfully submitted.
D. P. Crrris, Conf. Sec.
The second mecting was called June 2, at
5 o'clock par, and was opened with singing,
and prayer hy Bro. Ilill. ~~ The recommendation
of the secretary to drop the names of the Irving,
Gordon, and Swanville churches, was considered.
Bro. Ill stated that the Gordon church disband-
ed in August last, and the members formed a
part of the Osakis church. This church was
dropped. The Treasurer submitted his report as
follows:
Received as tithe from churches... .. $15,115.30
“ on Loan to Agents 9.58
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1806... .... 2,991.54
Total $18,116.42
Paid to Laborers eee R1H069.39
«« Tithe to Gen. Conf... ........ 1,827.2:
“ Review & Herald.......... .... 103.7:
¢ Minn. Tract Soc .............. 35.
¢ Conf. Expense ................ 42.
In Suspended Bank ................ 991.
Cash on hand May 31 .............. 1,047.
Total $18,116.42
C. M. Everest, Treasurer.
The report was approved.
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses
reported, recommending that credentials be given
to Elders, . W. Flaiz, D. P. Curtis, W. B.
ill, H. F. Phelps, Andrew Mead, D. Nettle-
ton, I'red Johnson, D. KE. Seoles, A. J. Voth,
and A. J. Stone; and that the following named
brethren be ordained and given credentials: J. 11,
Behrens, C. L. Emmerson, W. A. Sweany, and
C. 1. Parker.
That Ministerial License be given to Brn.
J. F. Pogue, A. W. Kuehl, O. 0. Bernstein,
A. E. Christian, J. W. Ingison, P. S. Olsen,
and I. H. Christian. .
That Missionary Licenses be given to Brn.
C. M. Everest, M. H. Ellis, IL. B. Losey, and
Andrew Lillvis; and to Srs. A. KE. Ellis, Rose
F. Mead, Ella Merickel, Lena Nichols, Iannah
Carlson, Alma Johnson, and Frances Boughton.
The report was considered by items, and
adopted. The committee on nominations of of-
ficers made its report as follows: For president,
C. W. Flaiz; Vice-president, Ired Johnson;
Secretary, D. P. Curtis, Treasurer, C. M. Ever-
est; Executive Committee, CC. W. Flaiz, Fred
“Johnson, C. M. Everest, Andrew Mead, and J.
II. Behrens. Report adopted.
Subsequently the Committee reported for
Trustees of the Minnesota Conference Association
of Seventh-day Adventists, the names of C. W.
Flaiz, C. M. Everest, Andrew Mead, and Fred
Johnson, for the term of two years, and that M.
IT. Ellis fill the vacancy made by the removal of
A. G. Adams. The report was adopted.
The third meeting convened at 9 A. Mm. on
June 4, and opened in the usual manner:
The Committee on Resolutions submitted
the following recommendations:
1. That the Executive Committee be re-
quested to appoint two or more local Camp-
meetings, to be held at such time and place as
will best accomodate the churches in the Confer-
ence.
2. That we call the attention of the Execu-
tive Committee to Resolution 4 of the session of
1887, which reads: «That the Executive Com-
mittee shall appoint an auditor of the hooks and
accounts of the Treasurer, and other accounts
which may properly be submitted to him, in time
that he may be prepared to report when called
upon during the session of the Conference”
3. That the Conference (Yommittee be re-
quested to appoint the Auditing Committee early
enough to permit of the work of auditing of all
accounts of laborers at a time other than that of
local or general camp-meetings.
4. Whereas, The Lord has, through the
Testimonies of his Spirit, indicated that we as a
people are far behind our privileges intellectually;
And, Whereas, we are admonished to study sys-
tematically and faithfully with the end in view of
the mastery of the sciences according to the word
of God; And, Wheres, in the providence of
God, a school of correspondenee has been estab-
lished in connection with the Walla Walla Col-
lege tor the benefit of those who are unable to at-
tend school; Therefore, Resolved, That we ree-
commend our ministers, churches, and lay mem-
bers, to consider the advisability of taking one
or more lines of study in this correspondence
school,
On a motion to adopt by items, an amend-
ment was offered to the first, which was voted
down, and the item was passed. The third was
laid on the table, and fourth was discussed by
Bro. Seoles and others, and the whole was adop-
ted.
i ta.
ne
THE MINNESOTA WORKER. -
The following recommendations were offered
and after some discussion adopted.
1. That the (onference Treasurer's year
close with March 31, instead of May 31, so as
to give opportunity for the Treasurer to close the
account of the Conference, and the same to be
audited, before the meeting of the Conference.
2. That the publication of the Minnesota
Workir be continued, and that the {Conference
sustain one-third of the loss in its publication.
The following resolutions were presented and
adopted.
Resolved, That we extend a vote of thanks
to the Minn. Transfer ¢'o. for the use of these
grounds; and also to the different railway comni-
panies: for the privileges of reduced fare.
Resolred, that we extend a vote of thanks to
the various daily papers of the Twin Cities, for
their courtesies in publishing daily reports of our
C amp-meeting and Conference.
The minutes of the meeting were read and
approved, and the Conference adjourned.
C'. W. Frarz, Pres.
D. P. Curtis, See.
> —
#¥ MISSIONARY WORK. x
Report of Corresponding Secretary of Minn.
Tract Soc. for the Year ending May 3I, 1897.
YEAR by year as we have sought to grasp the
true “‘missionary idea’ as given in the Bible, its
blessed possibilities have unfolded before us in ever
widening lines; yet how slow we are to comprehend
the meaning of the Master's words—‘‘As the Father
hath sent me into the world, even so send I you”,
Personal recognition of the Divine command, and in-
dividual acceptance of the comission would work
wonders in our ranks. “It is one thing to be out-
wardly conformed to a pleasing inodel; another to be
inwardly transformed to the Divine likeness.”
I am glad to say that the spirit of individual re-
sponsibility in the work seems to be on the increase.
Never have so many societies reported the entire
membership active as the past year. This greatly
increases the power of our organized work; for the
real strength of an organization lies in the individu-
al faithfulness of its members. There is truth in the
remark of one of our librarianms, that it is easy to
plan the work for those who are eager to do some-
thing, but extremely hard to make any plan work
when the plan is the only thing that is expected fo
work.
There has been a greater diversity than usual in
our missionary efforts in the State. While the old
and tried ways have not been neglected, other prac-
tical work of many kinds has been carried on. As
one librarian expresses it, “our members are eager
to do whatever comes to hand”. This is literal
obedience to one of the plainest of missionary com-
mands, ‘‘whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it
with’ thy might’’. Fully two thirds of our societies
have taken active measures for the relief of the sick
and poor, both at home and abroad. Our city organ-
izations for this special line have done excellent
work; and in the many societies where the mewmber-
ship is small and scattered, the fact has been recog-
nized that this is missionary work and can be carried
on by the society the same as other missionary lines.
I would be glad to see this branch of the work
receive a good share of attention. The exercise of
careful thought and judgement will suggest to the
officers of each society the best way of taking it up.
Commendable efforts have been made to increase
the circulation of our church papers, and with a good
degree of success. Our missionary publications have
not been forgotten. The Signs, especially, has been
kept before the people, and much good has resulted
from its use. This paper has never been more favor-
ably received among my own correspondents than
the past year. While from the increase of other
work it has almost seemed that it would be necessary
for me to use’ fewer copies of the Signs, yet I have
felt very reluctant to diminish the club, and so have
kept up the 100 copies; and although not able to give
this work as much attention as it deserved, yet scores
of good letters have been received and seven persons
have been led, through the blessing of God, to an
acceptance of the truth. Many others seem con-
vinced, and may the Lord give them strength to obey.
Some societies have reported evident goed results
from their efforts, while other, though not yet glad-
dened with visible fruits, are still blessed in their
work, believing that ‘they who sow in tears shall
reap in joy’’.
I gladly mention the increased interest in foreign
mission work. It has been our constant aim to main-
tain a steady interest in all branches of the work;
and it has seemed in the past that there has been no
adequate provision for this important work. At our
meeting last year, the matter was carefully consid-
ered, and it was recommended that we set aside a
definite day each month, (the second Sabbath) for
public service in the interest of the foreign mission
work, giving all an opportunity to bring their offer-
ings for the same. The plan seemed to meet a long-
felt need, and has received the hearty support of
nearly all our churches. I have tried to make pro-
vision for most of these meetings, either by suitable
readings, letters from our missionaries, or suggest-
ions, as most of our churches seldom enjoy ministeri-
al help and must provide for their own meetings.
Some, through failure to apprehend the real nature
and object of these meetings have not received as
much benefit as others; but the testimony from our
librarians has been without exception that the mis-
sionary services were a great help to the spiritual in-
terests of the church; and how could it be otherwise
when we are so plainly taught that in unselfish work
for others lies the secret of blessing for ourselves.
The offerings for foreign work also show an increase of