OHIO STATE MEETING by R. A. Underwood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, April 28, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 17

OHIO STATE MEETING.

By R. A. Underwood

This meeting, just past, was one of great encouragement to the cause in Ohio. All our ministers and a goodly number of other brethren and sisters were present. A marked feature of the meeting from the first, was a solemn spirit of self-examination and of seeking God. This brought the Spirit of the Lord into our midst giving light, counsel, courage, and faith. Our meetings at 5:30 A. M. were most precious seasons. Subjects of great importance to the cause in Ohio were freely discussed in our business meetings, and advance steps taken. The work of our city missions, tent labor, camp-meeting, and canvassing received especial attention. It was decided to enlarge the work at Columbus, and locate our State depository in that city. Three or four organized companies, with an experienced canvasser at their head, go out to work from this meeting. Five or six tents will be run in Ohio and West Virginia this season. D. K. Mitchell, John Sprinkle, Abraham McClellen, Chas. Noffsger, and Anthony Williams were elected as camp-meeting committee. The camp-meeting will probably be held at Springfield. The following are some of the resolutions adopted:—

Whereas, Our past experience has shown it to be very detrimental to the progress of our work, to select as leaders in our churches men who are not in full sympathy with us on all points of our faith; therefore—

1. Resolved, That no minister should ordain a brother as elder or deacon of a church before feeling confident that he is in harmony with us on all points of Bible doctrine.

Whereas, The late work of Eld. Geo. I. Butler on the tithing system supplies a want long felt; and—

Whereas, Additional light is being brought out on this subject, demanding corresponding efforts on our part; therefore—

2. Resolved, That our ministers and church officers see that said work is placed in the hands of every S. D. Adventist in this Conference, and that continued effort should not cease on this point until all have signed the tithing pledge, and are willing to return to God his own; since “the tithe is the Lord’s.”

Whereas, Many of our brethren in the Ohio Conference are not taking our church paper, THE REVIEW AND HERALD, and are thereby suffering great loss, and are in danger of becoming dead branches; therefore—

3. Resolved, That a proper person should be selected in every church in the State who will see that every family of S. D. Adventists in their church or locality is supplied with the REVIEW; if too poor to subscribe, being assisted by the church with which they are connected.

Whereas, Pride and a love to follow the fashions of the world are growing upon our people; and—

Whereas, These always drive away the Spirit of God from those indulging therein, and have a chilling influence over new Sabbath-keepers when indulged in by our older brethren and sisters; therefore—

4. Resolved, That we as a Conference discountenance such, believing it is the duty of all our ministers and church elders to bear the straight testimony of the Lord, and reprove these sins in a Christian spirit.

Whereas, The light shining under the third angel’s message clearly shows the importance of the health reform; and—

Whereas, The Bible, spirit of prophecy, science, and experience teach us that the use of such articles as pork, tea, and coffee is injurious; and—

Whereas, God has established such means as the Sanitarium and our excellent health journal, not only as agents to relieve the afflicted, but as educators of the people in this important work; therefore—

5. Resolved, That our ministers be more faithful in presenting the whole truth upon this subject, and thereby aid the influence of the Sanitarium and Good Health in their important missions; also by endeavoring to increase their patronage.

6. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the good spirit of this meeting, and that we shall ever pray for his Spirit to continue with us.

The outside interest was such that our church was too small to hold the people; therefore the last three evenings we used a large town hall. Eld. Thompson remains to follow up the work. All separated with better hopes for the future success of the cause in Ohio than ever before. May God grant that these hopes may be fully realized. R. A. UNDERWOOD.