In early Seventh-day Adventist practice a weekend meeting held usually by a local church for the local and neighboring members (also commonly called a conference), most often lasting from Friday afternoon to Sunday, combining a revival meeting and a business meeting for planning evangelism. An example is one announced under the heading Conference: “Providence permitting there will be a general meeting of Sabbath-keepers in Monterey, Allegan Co., Mich., Commencing Friday, Nov. 14th at 1 o’clock, P.M., and to hold over Sabbath and First-day.
“The wants of the cause in Allegan Co. will be considered at this meeting. Bro. Joseph Bates is especially requested to attend.
“In behalf of the church. M. E. Cornell” ( Review and Herald 9:8, Nov. 6, 1856).
In this case members from five other places joined with the believers at Monterey. The meetings included “fervent prayers, pointed exhortations and cheerful songs of the brethren and sisters” and “the presentation of the sure word of prophecy” of Christ’s coming, which “aroused and quickened his dear children in the meeting.” There was also a baptismal service. Bates reported the meetings ( ibid . 9:40, Dec. 4, 1856).