| 394 At the annual conference Elder J. L. Bear was honorably released from his mission in Germany and Switzerland, and soon afterwards returned home. In the Herald for May 1, 1882, President Smith announced that Elder John Bossard, of Thurgan, Switzerland, would be in charge until relieved, by some one sent from America.
At a branch business-meeting held May 1, 1882, in Lamoni, measures were taken towards building a house of worship. Committees were appointed on location, feasibility of building, etc., and later the site was agreed upon, and a building committee, consisting of Elijah Banta, S. V. Bailey, George Adams, Peter Harris, E. J. Robinson, N. M. Reeder, and Joseph Smith, appointed.
May 15, Elder John Branch, of the Seventh-day Adventists, and Elder Columbus Scott met in debate near Hartford, Michigan.
On May 18 William Anderson, of Oakland, California, announced the arrival of Elder J. W. Gillen from Australia. He arrived at Lamoni, Iowa, June 7.
On May 11 and several days following Elder E. L. Kelley was engaged in debate at Kansas City, Missouri, with David Eccles, at that time leader of the Liberal League in Kansas City, one time a member of the church.
May 27-29 the European Mission conference was held at Hanley, England; Thomas Taylor, president; C. H. Caton, secretary. Resolutions regarding church property were adopted. 3
3 First. That a responsible person be appointed as trustee, for the purpose of holding in trust all properties, called church property, belonging to branches of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in each district now formed. That the words "church property," be understood to mean those things purchased by the branches from their common funds; and all things received by gifts, or donation to the branches.
Second. That all such property in future do belong to, and may be claimed from, each branch, by the district body corporate, for the benefit of the district in general in which such branch of the church may have become incorporate. And for this purpose district presidents shall be appointed sub-agents to the Bishop's agent, to act as overseers to trustees of branches.
Third. But that no district shall be empowered to lay claim to, so as to seize on, the church property, in the use of any branch of the church, except in case a branch may be dissolved, or otherwise cease to exist.
Fourth. That should a district in conference decide on the necessity of disorganizing
(page 394) |
