N. Y. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 17, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 7

N. Y. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

[We would not have the readers of the REVIEW suppose because of our failure to report, that the right arm of present truth has become paralyzed in the Empire State. We hope to see all our people in the State take their stand firmly upon the strict principles of Christian temperance given by inspiration. Our reasonable service is to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, and to this end we intend to labor. On account of so many other duties, the former secretary did not find time to arrange the report of our last annual meeting, and has recently sent it to me. Thinking that it might not be altogether unprofitable even at this late hour, I send it for publication. ELLA M. SWIFT.]

MINUTES OF THE FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE NEW YORK HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, HELD AT THE SYRACUSE N. Y. CAMP-MEETING, AUG. 14-26, 1884.

The first meeting was called Aug. 20, at 5 P. M. Prayer by Eld. D. B. Oviatt. Minutes of the last annual session read and approved. Remarks were made by the president, Eld. E. W. Whitney, concerning the work and progress of temperance among us during the past year, encouraging all to adhere firmly to the principles they have undertaken to support. The meeting was favored with the presence of Elds. Smith, Haskell, and Sr. E. G. White, the latter presenting earnest and practical thoughts concerning the temperance work. Following these remarks, Eld. Haskell said that there was to be a very distinct line drawn on this eating and drinking question. We want to be alive to every principle that will make us a separate people; and if we do not do this we shall drift away into darkness. We must be continually taking a step in advance of where we are.

The number of those who desired to become members of the society was then taken, forty-seven signing the teetotal pledge.

The Chair was empowered to appoint the usual committee, the following persons being named: On Nominations, E. E. Miles, M. H. Brown, R. E. Cottrell; on Resolutions, H. E. Robinson, J. E. Swift, G. W. Bliss.

A committee to canvass those on the camp-ground to secure signatures to the different pledges was then appointed as follows: Mrs. J. E. Swift, Louie Higby, Mrs. E. E. Walsworth, Mrs. J. R. Calkins.

Adjourned to call of Chair.

SECOND MEETING, AUG. 24, AT 2 P. M.—Prayer by Eld. E. E. Miles. After reading the minutes of the previous meeting, the report of the Committee on Resolutions was called for, and the following were presented:—

Whereas, The Lord has shown that the health and temperance work is an important part of the third angel's message; and—

Whereas, With some of our people there has been a departure from the principles underlying true temperance; therefore—

Resolved, That we earnestly urge speedy and radical reform upon these points, by discarding such food and drink as the Bible and testimonies of God's Spirit have shown to be injurious.

Whereas, The impending Sunday conflict will probably be connected with the temperance movement; and—

Whereas, Because of our opposition to the Sunday law many will suppose that we are enemies to the cause of temperance; therefore—

Resolved, That we recommend increased diligence on the part of our people generally, and the tract society in particular, to scatter such reading and give such instruction as will inform the public of our true position on this important subject.

Resolved, That we urge our canvassers and colporters to increased efforts in reference to obtaining subscriptions to Good Health and other standard works relating to our physical well being.

These resolutions were spoken to by Elds. M. H. Brown, E. E. Miles, D. B. Oviatt, and others, after which each resolution was considered separately, and unanimously adopted.

Adjourned sine die.

E. W. WHITNEY, Pres.

MRS. E. W. WHITNEY, Sec.