North Pacific and Upper Columbia Conferences by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 21, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 32.

North Pacific and Upper Columbia Conferences.

By John Norton Loughborough

SINCE my last report I have closed my labors for the present in the North Pacific Conference, by holding, in company with Brother Boyd, a two days' meeting at Beaverton. Notwithstanding it was rainy at the time, we had a good attendance at this meeting. The church seemed encouraged. Another elder was chosen to act with the present elder. The present elder's other duties have for the past few months occasioned his almost constant absence from Beaverton. It seems very important that every church should have, if possible, a resident elder. How else can he care for the church as a shepherd.

Some resolutions were passed at Beaverton and Salem, which, as the church reduces them to practice, will create a better understanding between the church and its members concerning the mutual obligations that exist between them. In due time there will be a better showing relative to some of their non-resident members. If such members esteem their membership of any value, it is surely no great task to write at least once in three months, either to the clerk, or to some of the members, giving some idea of their standing, hopes, desires, etc. Again, as our cause is one, members everywhere should be mutually interested for the advancement of the truth. Those away from the church should not consider themselves thereby released from their obligation to pay tithes, and to assist in pushing forward the work. When members do not report for month after month, and even year after year, it puts both the church and its officers in an embarrassing position relative to such names. The churches in the N. P. Conference seem to realize that the time has come to get a clear understanding of the position and condition of each name on their lists.

July 21 I left Portland to commence my labors in the Upper Columbia Conference. My first halt was at Goldendale, W. T., where a small company was raised up under the labors of Brother Colcord and others the last year. I had not time to send an appointment for meeting after deciding to visit Goldendale. I found the few there living far apart, but spent the two days visiting at the homes of some of those who have come out. Lack of time prevented getting to all. We trust the time will soon come when others may be gathered into the fold at Goldendale.

From Goldendale I came to Milton, Oregon, where we had our general meeting July 25-27. All our T. and M. directors were together, and we thus had opportunity to consult about, and lay some plans for, the prosecution of the work in this Conference. Our cause is an aggressive one. As we push out, making sacrifices for the advancement of the truth, we may expect the special blessing of the Lord on our efforts. If we simply content ourselves with doing what we can do without any sacrifice or any special effort on our part, how can we expect any special blessing? The Lord helps those who try to help themselves. He gives "help in every time of need."

Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 2 and 3, I was with the company at Echo, Oregon. I found there some like those in Goldendale, living quite a distance apart, yet I was enabled to visit them all and to hold three meetings. This company are mostly new in the faith, but we trust they will become burden-bearers in the cause and grow up more and more in the work of the Lord. The sooner those accepting the truth commence to pay tithes and sacrifice to sustain the truth, the quicker they become rooted and grounded in the work, feeling as though it was their cause, and that they were deeply in earnest that it might prosper.

I will take occasion here to say a few words to the brethren and sisters of the U. C. Conference. You have asked me to preside over your Conference, and I am trying, as fast as I can, to learn the exact situation, not only of every church, but of every member of your Conference. You wish the work to advance, and so do I. In order that it may advance we must be mutually helpers to the truth. I am willing to plan to push on the truth if our churches and every individual member will do all they can to sustain the work. You would like to see more laborers in the field, and more efforts made to preach the truth to the people. Certainly we cannot expect ministers to go out almost penniless and sustain themselves; they must be sustained. But in order to do this it is the duty of each member to do all in his power to raise means to replenish the Conference treasury. I do not doubt but you will all do what you can when you see what needs to be done. So I will state a few facts:—

1. When the Conference closed its last session, all the money was paid out of the treasury in settling the accounts of last year, and there was yet due to one of our ministers for past services nearly four hundred dollars.

2. As the result of this it has become necessary for those running the tent to borrow means for tent expenses.

I learn from the Conference treasurer that the payments into the treasury for the quarter ending July first, are only about $200. Now I do not believe you mean to leave these things so, or that you will leave them so; but that you will, to a member, pay in your tithes at once, and that every one in the Conference who can, will accompany his tithe with a donation to apply on the past debt.

We will enter into this compact with you, that, as fast as you increase the funds, we will increase the amount of labor in the Conference. This is certainly fair. You have not asked me to take charge of the Conference to run it in debt without making some provision for the canceling of such debts.

You look to other Conferences where the work is advancing in a rapid manner. Perhaps you ask why this is so, and why the cause does not move on more rapidly here. Well, I have labored in some of those Conferences and can positively state that the cause has gradually come into such a prosperous state by the church doing its part, in point of means, to its ability, and sometimes, seemingly, beyond its ability. Yet the more they have sacrificed the more they have been blessed. The more they have sacrificed the more they have with which to work. We are in the time when the Lord is to look with favor on and save those that make "a covenant with him by sacrifice." Ps. 50:5, 6. May we each do our part, and the Lord will not fail on his part to bless. None of us surely wish to be of the class mentioned by Malachi who have robbed God in tithes and offerings, but rather would we be those whose hearts and souls are imbued with the spirit of the message, and who are making the kingdom of God of more consequence than anything else. So may it be.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.