I CAME to this conference, in harmony with the recommendation of the General Conference, early in July, and spent a short time; and after returning to Kansas to close up my work there, I came back to Wisconsin in time to enjoy the annual camp-meeting, August 29 to September 10. Elder Covert, though called June 21 to take charge of the Northern Illinois Conference, still remained in his position as president of the Wisconsin Conference until the close of the annual meeting.
A very sweet spirit prevailed among the workers and the congregation camped on the ground. The all-important aim of the meeting was to get our eyes upon Jesus, and reach out to the nations of earth with the message of salvation. One very encouraging feature of the meeting was the absence of any strife for position.
Results of a material character were seen. The portion of the money necessary to enable Brother and Sister Burgess to establish the work in India which Sister Burgess asked for, was provided. The necessary funds to construct a home for our Wisconsin mission school in China, under the care of Sister Ida Thompson, was largely raised in scholarships at $17.50 each. This work is still being carried forward, and will soon all be provided. We all feel glad at the thought that, with Brother and Sister Ritchie in England, Sister Ida Thompson in China, Elder B. L. Anderson and his wife soon to go to China, and our workers in the South, who are being supported by this conference, the sun never ceases to shine on the work that we have the privilege of supporting. While all this is being done, the tithes are increasing, so that more workers are being sent out.
It was decided after the close of the annual camp-meeting, to hold a local camp-meeting at Rice Lake, in the far northwestern part of the State. This seemed to be a venture at so late a date. It was decided to hold it October 3-8. We expected but few, probably fifty at most, to attend. We were much and happily surprised to find nearly one hundred and twenty camped. The Spirit of God was in the meetings from the first, and an earnest work of seeking the Lord began early in the meeting. Only one unconverted person who came to attend the meeting, left without conversion. Sixteen were baptized, all of whom were converted at that meeting. A number of those who had wandered from God, returned. The voice of earnest prayer was heard far into the mid-hours of night, and victory was told by shining faces in the early morning meeting. This reminded me of some of our annual camp-meetings of thirty years ago, when the selection of officers, and much other business, was made secondary to the conversion of souls. Let us return to our first love, and such experiences will return.
At a local camp-meeting in Wausau, in June, fifteen were baptized, at the annual camp-meeting there were thirty-nine, and at Rice Lake sixteen, making seventy in all, baptized at the camp-meetings this year.
At this last camp-meeting, in Rice Lake, with such a small congregation, about five hundred and twenty-five dollars was raised; half of it was for the six thousand dollar fund, and the rest was nearly all for China and the colored work in the South.
There were no laborers with us from outside the conference, except Elder Covert, who was there by the kindness of the Lake Union. His labors were much appreciated, and added much to the effectiveness of the meetings.
Elder B. L. Anderson was set apart to the solemn work of the gospel ministry on Sabbath afternoon, October 7. The evidence of God's approval was very marked.
With the help of Brother A. J. Olsen,17much interest was created in various kinds of missionary work. A good company of canvassers will soon be in the field in that part of the State. We are thankful that that work is once more coming to life in Wisconsin. Brother Olsen is working diligently, and the ministers are co-operating with him. Victory is in sight. We will hold on and continue to wrestle till it is realized by seeing an army in the field again.
Our sanitarium at Madison is prospering. A nice class of ten graduates there this week from the nurses' course.
For all these successes we give to God everlasting praise.
C. McREYNOLDS, President.
A Call for a Pioneer Teacher
By W. A. Spicer
BROTHER MOORE, of Cuba, sends us a quotation from a letter he has received from a brother who lives in the Isle of Pines, south of Cuba. This brother writes him:—
“I am thinking of moving to the south part of this island, on the seacoast. It is being newly settled by people from the island of Grand Cayman, West Indies, of which I am a native. On that part of the Isle of Pines there are at present more than sixty people. If we had a teacher, a school could be opened. One family alone has ten children, another seven, and others five and six. There are some young women from sixteen to eighteen years old who should have an education. The majority belong to the Presbyterian church of Cayman. I feel there is an opportunity here for the presentation of the message through the children, if we could have a teacher very soon. The only thing that stands in the way of one going there is that the mail reaches the place only about once in two weeks.”
Brother Moore himself adds: “I feel that this is an opening that should be filled by some young person who is prepared to teach, and is desirous of a missionary experience. Of course no large salary could be expected.”
We make the need known, and shall be glad to put any one who desires further information in touch with the brethren in Cuba.
W. A. SPICER,
Secretary Mission Board.
East Michigan Conference
By E. K. Slade; Frank Hiner
As appointed, the East Michigan Conference and camp-meeting convened at Holly, Mich., September 12–19. The meeting was held on pleasant grounds within the village of Holly, and from the first, there was a good attendance from the village. The weather was favorable, which contributed much to the good attendance from the outside. The attendance from the churches throughout the conference was especially good, which was a very encouraging feature of the meeting. There was a fair representation from nearly every church, and a large number of children and youth were in attendance at the meeting.
We were favored at this meeting with the labors of several of our brethren from abroad. Elders K. C. Russell, F. C. Gilbert, and G. B. Thompson were with us several days, and their earnest and faithful labors were much appreciated. We were glad to have with us Elder A. T. Jones, who presented messages that were helpful and encouraging. Elders A. G. Haughey and S. E. Wight were in attendance during part of our meeting. Brother J. B. Blosser rendered timely help in the interest of the canvassing work.
Meetings were held with the conference laborers from the beginning of the workers’ meeting, and were characterized by a spirit of devotion and brotherly love, and a determination to stand right with God. It was the testimony of nearly all present that they had never before attended such a meeting. Every one seemed determined to be right with God and with his brethren, and this same spirit of earnestness and oneness continued throughout the meeting. Quite a large number were converted or reclaimed, and at the close of the meeting between thirty and forty were baptized. Aside from this, several chose to defer baptism until they reached home.
The business sessions of the conference passed off quietly, yet with a spirit of earnestness and careful regard on the part of the delegates present for the prosperity and advancement of every phase of the work. The recommendations that we discussed and adopted were studied carefully and adopted heartily. The following recommendations were adopted:—
“Whereas, the Word of God makes plain the imperative duty of the payment of the tithes, and,—
“Whereas, the Testimony of God’s Spirit has also spoken plainly upon this subject, and,—
“Whereas, at the last General Conference, resolutions were passed calling the attention of conference officers to the need of more careful attention to this matter, therefore,—
“1. We recommend, That this conference withhold the credentials of any laborer who does not pay his tithes, as recommended by the General Conference.
“2. We recommend to our ordained ministers that they do not ordain local church officers unless such officers are faithful upon the tithing question.
“Whereas, There is an increasing demand for religious legislation throughout the country, and,—
“Whereas, all such legislation is a menace to religious freedom, resulting in a union of church and state, therefore,—
“3. Resolved, That we urge upon all our people the necessity of engaging enthusiastically in the work of disseminating literature upon the principles of religious liberty, that all the people in our conference may be enlightened upon this subject.
“4. Resolved, That this conference elect a competent person, who shall be known as Religious Liberty Secretary, and who shall devote such time as shall be necessary to religious liberty work.
“Whereas, The Bible work is an important factor in proclaiming the third angel’s message, therefore,—
“5. We recommend, That all laborers be constantly looking for suitable persons to enter this line of work, and that the education and training of such persons be carried on at the Adelphian Academy.
“6. We recommend, That the General Conference plan of one treasurer in each local church be adopted in this conference, and that the conference treasurer be the custodian of all funds raised in the conference.
“7. We recommend, That the office of secretary and treasurer of this conference be located at Holly, and that the By-laws be so amended that one treasurer shall be the treasurer of all departments.
“8. We recommend, That the executive committee of the conference publish the East Michigan Banner weekly as soon as suitable arrangements can be made.
“Whereas, The Lord has plainly said, through the spirit of prophecy, that where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred, and that men and women consecrated to God should be educated to enter at once upon this line of work, therefore,—
“9. Resolved, That the president of this conference and others in responsible places encourage consecrated men and women to enter this work, and that our brethren and sisters throughout the conference extend to canvassers while laboring in their vicinity the same hospitality as is extended to workers in other lines.
“Whereas, There is a dearth in the treasury, and the Lord has expressly told us how this can be avoided by rendering to the Lord his own of tithe and first-fruits, and that the tithe is not sufficient for the proper advancement of the message, therefore,—
“10. Resolved, That we urge all our people to be faithful in bringing in the first-fruits of all their substance, in addition to the tithe.
“11. We recommend, That the treasurer of the conference visit each church, giving instruction in keeping their books, and auditing their books at least once a year.
“Whereas, The REVIEW AND HERALD is our church paper, ordained to keep this people in touch with the progress of the third angel’s message, therefore,—
“12. We recommend, That our ministers and others in places of responsibility, as well as all the members of the church, do all in their God-given power to place the REVIEW AND HERALD in every Adventist family in the conference.
“Whereas, The tract depository and health food store in Lansing is exerting an influence for good in that city,—
“13. Resolved, That we encourage the conference committee to continue the operation of that department, and that special attention be given to the connecting of the spiritual and evangelistic work with the commercial phase of the enterprise.
“Whereas, The church-school problem is confronting us at this time, and the wage paid to our faithful church-school teachers is inadequate for them to increase their proficiency, therefore,—
“14. We recommend, That teachers competent to receive credentials be paid seven dollars a week or its equivalent, that teachers holding licenses be paid six dollars a week or its equivalent, and that teachers holding permits be paid five dollars a week or its equivalent.
“15. That our church-school boards be encouraged to hire only those teachers who hold certificates of qualification from the conference.
“16. Resolved, That we indorse the action of the conference committee in locating the Adelphian Academy at Holly, and that we encourage them to proceed in the erection of the necessary buildings for the conduct of the school.
“Whereas, A large per cent of the population of this conference lives in cities, and the work in the cities will be sooner hindered than will the work in the country, and,—
“Whereas, The spirit of prophecy has said, ‘The time has come to make decided efforts to proclaim the truth in our large cities,’ therefore,—
“17. Resolved, That we heartily indorse the strong effort put forth in Bay City, and other city work carried forward the past year, and also that we ask the incoming executive committee to give special attention to city work the coming year.
“Whereas, There are in the conference many parents who can not conscientiously permit their children longer to attend the public schools, and,—
“Whereas, Some of these are situated so that their children can not receive instruction in our denominational schools, therefore,—
“18. Resolved, That we ask the Adelphian Academy to undertake the work of conducting correspondence schools with such parents and children as may wish to avail themselves of this form of instruction, and that the rates of tuition for these grades of instruction be fixed by the conference committee.
“Whereas, The Sabbath School Worker is the official organ of the Sabbath-school Department of the General Conference, and some of the best talent is secured to make the Worker a practical help in the school, therefore,—
“19. We recommend, That all conference and Sabbath-school officers give18special attention to encouraging all our schools to take a club of the Worker large enough to supply all officers, teachers, and parents in the school, and that the subscription price be paid by the individual receiving the paper.
“Whereas, The General Conference Sabbath-school Department has advised that each school set aside one or more Sabbaths in each quarter to receive offerings to be used in purchasing supplies for the school, and that the offerings of the remaining Sabbaths be given to missions, therefore,—
“20. We recommend, That all our schools adopt this plan.
“Whereas, The October number of the Sabbath School Worker will be a special Convention Number, therefore,—
“21. We recommend, That our schools be encouraged to hold a convention, two or three schools uniting at one place, where practical.
“22. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the common council of the village of Holly for their courtesy in supplying the camp with light and water, and that we express our heart-felt appreciation of the courtesy extended by the business men and citizens of Holly in providing our camp-ground free, and otherwise showing such a cordial spirit of welcome to the East Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Further,—
“23. Resolved, That this resolution be transmitted by the president of the conference to the president of the common council, and that the same be published in the papers of Holly.
“Whereas, The East Michigan Banner has proved an effective means of service in the conference during the past year, and under a previous resolution it will undoubtedly be published once each week during the next conference year, therefore,—
“24. Resolved, That we urge our people everywhere to subscribe for this paper at once.
“Whereas, There is a growing tendency among our people to marry those not of our faith, and, whereas, the Word of God is explicit in regard to being unequally yoked together, therefore,—
“25. Resolved, That we urge our ministers to refuse to perform the ceremony, and to discourage, as far as possible, such unwise marriages.”
On report of the nominating committee the following conference officers were unanimously elected: President, E. K. Slade; Vice-President, E. I. Beebe; Secretary and Treasurer, E. I. Beebe; Executive Committee, E. K. Slade, E. I. Beebe, G. G. Brown, J. G. Lamson, A. R. Sandborn; Superintendent of Education, E. K. Slade; Secretary of Educational Department and Sabbath-school Work, Tillie E. Barr; Superintendent of Missionary Department, H. E. Fairchild; Secretary of Missionary Department, Frank Hiner; Superintendent of Medical Department, Jean A. Vernier, M. D.; Secretary of Medical Department, Jessie L. Kinneburgh; Religious Liberty Secretary, Prof. J. G. Lamson; Auditors, Daniel Hale, Myron Day, John Keiser, Dr. P. E. Marsh, E. N. Hatt, Wm. A. Brace.
Credentials and licenses were granted as follows: Ministerial credentials, E. K. Slade, L. G. Moore, J. L. Edgar, A. R. Sandborn, B. F. Stureman, C. N. Sanders, Wm. Ostrander, M. Shepard, O. F. Butcher, O. Soule, J. G. Lamson; for ordination and credentials, E. I. Beebe; ministerial licenses, Delmer P. Wood, Emil R. Lauda, F. G. Lane, P. C. Hayward; missionary licenses, Clara Kiep, Lucy Tyte, Marie P. Harriman, Mina Pierce, Anna L. Boehm, Tillie E. Barr, Frank Hiner, Nina Nelson, Anna B. Bern, Ethel Burnett, Daniel Wood, H. E. Fairchild, Ida Dunlap.
We believe that this meeting will have its influence throughout the conference, and that the spirit of earnestness and the harmony and oneness that characterized the meeting will prove a blessing to the work in every church.
E. K. SLADE, President,
FRANK HINER, Secretary.
The Sanitariums of the Southern Union Conference
By GEO. I. BUTLER
In view of the fact that encouragement has recently been given that financial help would be furnished for the upbuilding of the sanitariums in the Southern Union Conference, it has seemed to the writer but reasonable that information should be given in regard to their condition, prospects, needs, etc. Much instruction has been sent us through the servant of the Lord within the last two or three years upon this important subject. Indeed, it has been stated that it would be the Lord’s will that small sanitariums should be built in connection with every large city of the South. Those in charge of matters in this field have been urged to carry out those recommendations, and establish sanitariums as far as our ability would enable us to do so, in various important centers in this field. Great encouragement has been given that these would be successful in accomplishing much good in the upbuilding of the work in this needy part of the Lord’s vineyard.
Those acting a leading part in the carrying on of the work here have heartily indorsed this counsel, and have done all that seemed possible to do in carrying out these recommendations. Four efforts have been made already, but none of them have reached the full necessities of such institutions.
A building had been erected at Hildebran, N. C., humble in appearance and size, in which it was hoped that a small sanitarium could be established in connection with the school at that place. Most unfortunately, it burned down a year or two ago. No insurance having been placed upon it, and the people being exceedingly poor, it has thus far come to naught. But there are earnest souls living near by who are watching every opportunity to again attempt the carrying out of this design formed years ago. We hope yet to see a sanitarium in Hildebran.
At Graysville, Tenn., we have a sanitarium building upon the mountainside, with a beautiful, clear spring above it, of sufficient size to furnish all needed water. The building is four stories, and is approaching completion. Recently more patients are being received, we are happy to state, than at any previous time, and we hope the institution will continue to prosper. It is still in need of many things, and has some debts upon it that are troublesome; but it would not take a great amount of funds to put it in condition to do valuable work in the health and temperance lines. It does need financial assistance, however, before it can be fully successful.
In Atlanta, Ga., a small institution has also been established. A building that was formerly the headquarters of the branch office of the Review and Herald Publishing House was donated for this purpose, since that branch office ceased its work in Atlanta, and the headquarters of the publishing business was transferred to Nashville. The location is a very pleasant one, in a quiet portion of the city, but a short distance comparatively to its finest park. A little to one side of the sanitarium is a fine new school building, erected by the city, and many trees have been set out almost in front of the sanitarium. Another public institution, twenty or thirty rods away, with a beautiful grove connected with it, has been established; so the surroundings are very pleasant. The lot on which the sanitarium is built is a pleasant one.
To transform the building into a suitable sanitarium has been a matter of considerable expense. Quite a sum of money was raised for the purpose of completing this institution. By certain changes made in the building, with some addition, it would, if completed, contain twenty-five rooms.
Dr. Lillis Wood Starr and her husband are seeking to carry on the work as physician and business manager, but under very discouraging circumstances, until money comes from some source to complete it, furnish the rooms, and make it a suitable place to which to invite patients.
At Nashville, Tenn., the prospects, so far as the writer’s information is concerned, seem more bright than at any other place, if help can be furnished to place the work in a self-supporting condition. For years in the past bath-rooms have been maintained, and efforts along health lines have been energetically put forth. Brother L. A. Hansen and his wife kept up the effort for years, with the most earnest determination, and with quite a measure of success, in spite of very great obstacles. They gained the confidence of many of the best citizens, and had a good measure of patronage, but through the light that came to us, it was felt that a greater effort should be made in such a city as Nashville, especially as it is the center of the work in the South.
Dr. O. M. Hayward came to Nashville to engage in the work with Brother Hansen, and the Southern Union Conference purchased the plant already established, and have been endeavoring to add to it. Brother Hansen has now established a store for sanitarium foods, health supplies, and other suitable articles, which is receiving quite a patronage.
A sanitarium board was established, under the auspices of the Southern Union Conference, by those occupying leading positions in Nashville; two or three large buildings have been rented, and the work has been carried on. One of these buildings is in the country. Bath-rooms are established in the city. Dr. Hayward stands at the head, as a physician, with Dr. J. E. Caldwell assisting.
The sanitarium family—physicians, nurses, patients, and boarders, consisting of some forty persons, many of whom have lived in tents—have been carrying on the work the past summer, but they19have labored under the greatest disadvantages, the bath-rooms being near the center of the city, and the sanitarium proper being miles away. It has been a tremendous struggle, against great obstacles, to keep the work going forward. Yet it has been so conducted that it has not run behind. Dr. Hayward has no doubt but that, if we had a suitable building, properly furnished with the necessary furniture and equipment, we would have, in a short time, fifty patients. We are certain that there is an excellent opportunity for sanitarium work here in Nashville and its vicinity. Some of the most intelligent people of the place are learning the value of our health methods, and have confidence in the skill of the physicians in conducting the work. There is the greatest possible need of premises of our own, and a suitable building in close touch with the city of Nashville. These needs have been felt for two or three years past, but the lack of means has hindered the development of the work. The words that have come to us recently, that the time had now come when our work should be established in a proper manner, has afforded the greatest comfort and satisfaction. It is impossible to carry forward this work with the means at our command without financial assistance.
When Mrs. E. G. White, and her son, W. C. White, were here a year ago last summer, most encouraging statements were made in regard to the needs of our work, and we then began looking about to find a suitable place.
About two months ago members of the Board were called together to look at another property, which lies practically at the end of one of the street-car lines of the city, on high ground. It has a beautiful spring, what they call here lithia water, as clear as crystal, evidently coming from deep down in the earth, for the flow is about the same in a drought as in a freshet. This water is soft, and has a very pleasant taste. It is water that has been sold in the city, and is gladly purchased by the citizens. There is a beautiful situation for a sanitarium building near a nice little grove of locust trees, in the immediate vicinity. Thirty-two or thirty-three acres of land has been purchased, which seems to be of very good quality. A brother of some means paid the money for this land, and took a mortgage upon it as his security. The Board all felt that this was the proper site for our Nashville Sanitarium.
This is the present status of our Nashville effort. The whole question resolves itself into this: Are our brethren and sisters willing to furnish the means to erect a modest sanitarium building here in the city of Nashville, the headquarters of our work in the South? It is greatly needed. The move has been fully indorsed by leading brethren as a suitable thing to be done. A suitable site has been obtained, and now, dear brethren and sisters throughout the United States, are you willing to help in putting this sanitarium upon its feet? We have physicians of ability and of experience ready to enter upon their work. We have been renting buildings at great cost, and yet the work has grown, in spite of this, to larger proportions than any other in the South. We have the indorsement of the spirit of prophecy that this is just the proper thing to do. It is said also that could we have had our schools and sanitariums established as the Lord would like to see them established in this Southern field, twenty times as much might have been accomplished here as has been accomplished.
This brief sketch of what the Lord has said should be done, and the efforts which have been made to carry it out under great stress of difficulties and perplexities, is the report we are compelled to make. We ask for no grand buildings; we have made no extravagant investments. Our desire is for only humble, modest buildings, good enough so that the cause may not be dishonored or reproached, and so that respectable people may not be ashamed to come to them for treatment and restoration to health.
All we can do is to state these matters in a clear, forcible, and explicit way, and leave the results with our people. We believe that God will impress upon their hearts the importance of assisting to build up his work in this most difficult Southern field.
GEO. I. BUTLER,
President Southern Union Conference.
Camp-Meetings in the Pacific Northwest
By F. M. BURG.
(Concluded)
Victoria, British Columbia
I ATTENDED only about half of this meeting, having to leave sooner than otherwise in order to reach the Montana meeting in time for the opening. I am not prepared to give many details regarding the Victoria meeting. The attendance at the first and until I left was very small, perhaps twelve or fifteen being present. I learn from Elder Decker and others who were there that quite a number of others came before the close, and that the good spirit that was in the meeting from the beginning remained and increased in intensity till the last. There were several candidates for baptism, and everybody was revived in the message and the work for this time.
At the session of the British Columbia Conference held at this time, Elder J. L. Wilson was re-elected president, and Elder P. P. Adams was chosen secretary and treasurer, and also secretary of the Missionary Department.
This conference pays a good tithe, considering its small membership,—only about one hundred and forty. The tithe reported for the past year was a little over eighteen hundred dollars. Including Elder Adams, whose time is taken up in the work of the school at Port Hammond and in the work of conference secretary and treasurer, there are only three ministers in this field. The work needs strengthening, and the pre-eminent need of the field is that a good strong constituency be built up. I think that if the right work is done here, a good future is in store for the British Columbia Conference.
The aim of the brethren is to make more vigorous efforts than heretofore in the evangelical work, to raise up new churches and to build up and strengthen those already in the field.
Whitehall, Mont.
The meeting at Whitehall was a very small one, only twelve persons being on the ground for several days at the first of the meeting. About the middle, others began coming onto the ground, till the last few days forty or fifty were present. This failure to attend the camp-meeting was quite a disappointment to the laborers in the conference. It was accounted for in part by so many being just at the time busy working on the new schoolhouse at Bozeman.
However, the meeting was profitable for those who did come. The instruction by the ministers was especially spiritual and practical. The brethren and sisters were evidently helped to a better experience with God. There was a decided forward movement, and a forsaking of things which belong to the flesh and the world. There were four souls baptized on the last Sabbath of the meeting.
The attendance from the town was good throughout; and seemingly several persons were weighing the question of their duty to obey. Elder Gosmer and D. Hanson are continuing the work there, and hope to see fruit from the efforts which have been made in Whitehall. The enemy is astir there, the Mormons and the “Christians” doing all they can to resist the progress of the truth.
The windy weather which prevailed throughout the time of the meeting made it quite unpleasant, especially as the place was very dusty. A good rain on the last day settled the dust, and added much to the comfort of the closing meetings.
I went to Bozeman from Whitehall, and visited the school site, which is five miles and a half southeast of the town. I found what I thought a good prospect for their school. They have a tract of twenty acres of excellent land, for which they paid one thousand dollars.
They are putting up a building thirty by forty feet, three stories, including basement. The estimated cost of the building is about twenty-five hundred dollars. This amount is nearly provided for in cash and pledges. The school will open about the first of November, under the charge of Brother J. L. Jones. The school will be known as the Mount Ellis Academy.
The Montana Conference has a membership of about four hundred. The Lord has blessed the faithful labors of his servants in this field; and there have been added, from year to year, a goodly number of souls. But notwithstanding this there has been but a little increase in the conference membership for some time, this being accounted for by the fact that so many of our people have moved from the State. In a way, this has been discouraging to our brethren in Montana. But who knows that the harvest will not be even greater for this “scattering abroad”?
There are three ordained ministers and three licensed laborers in the field. They were all at the meeting at Whitehall, except one; and it was a real privilege to me to meet these faithful brethren, and to labor together with them. They have the spirit of the message for this time.
Up to the time of the meeting only eight months of the conference year were past, and the tithe received to date was just about equal to the tithe of the entire year previous. This is a good omen for the conference. And the per capita for this field, in comparison with the field generally, is about at the top of the list.
All these meetings were a great blessing to me. The people of God are lifting20up their heads in hope; and every omen of this kind that we see of the soon coming of our King and the close of this great work is encouraging to the waiting pilgrim.
F. M. BURG.
Greater New York Conference
By H. W. Cottrell
The fourth annual session of the Greater New York Conference was held, according to appointment, October 4-9, in a hall on 110 Street, New York City. The weather was delightful throughout the entire period of the meeting.
We were much disappointed in not having with us any of the General Conference brethren from Washington, D. C. The services were well attended by our people, as the hall was easy of access from all parts of Greater New York by means of elevated, surface, and subway electric trains, a subway station being within a few rods of the place of meeting. Evening services were well attended by those not of the faith, and a good impression was made.
A Baptist minister who recently accepted the truths of the message we bear was in regular attendance. A Jew who was just converted to Christianity came to our Sabbath meetings, and for the first time made a public confession of Christ as the Messiah, accepting him as his Saviour. He occupied about thirty minutes in his address, proving from the prophecies that the Jesus of Nazareth was “very Christ.” It was indeed refreshing to see another soul rescued by the Spirit of the Lord, as “a firebrand plucked out of the burning.” Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Elder S. N. Haskell and his wife were present, also Brother and Sister Burgess of India, and the writer, besides the local conference laborers.
Every one did what he could to make the meetings a success, and the Lord added his blessing as he always does under such conditions, and we had a heavenly sitting together. It was restful to be in the meetings of the business session on account of the prevailing influence of the Spirit of Christ. Not a discordant note was sounded during the period. Every department of the work received its share of attention.
Eleven thousand special Signs of the Times, to be known as the New York Specials, were taken by individual members, with the view of doing missionary work with them in the city. Eighteen hundred copies of the Bible Training School were also taken by individuals, in the interest of the work in India. Special efforts were made to secure yearly subscriptions for the REVIEW AND HERALD, Life and Health, Youth’s Instructor, and Atlantic Gleaner.
Special arrangements were made to close out the sale of their quota of “Christ’s Object Lessons” this conference year. Unusual interest was manifested in the sale of “Ministry of Healing,” to establish sanitarium work in Greater New York. The fall missionary campaign work was considered, and plans laid to do active work.
A good work has been begun among the Italian-speaking people of the city, one Italian laborer giving his time to that effort. He receives his support from the Kansas Conference.
Elder C. H. Edwards was again elected president of the conference, and E. H. Hall secretary and treasurer. The conference committee and department secretaries, with one or two exceptions, remain as last year.
The outlook for successful aggressive work in New York is more favorable now than at any period in its history. May the Lord abundantly bless these workers with their heavy responsibilities.
H. W. COTTRELL.
The Missionary Campaign
By Joel C. Rogers
FOR a whole year the little church in Deming, northwestern Wash., had no ministerial help, and the worker sent to assist in their campaign was most welcome. The enemy of souls had not been idle, but the majority of the flock were drawing together. I arranged to reach this place Thursday evening, so as to have one day to get acquainted and learn the needs of the company. This first day's experience was of much value in planning intelligently for the work. Each family was visited. Then a meeting was held Friday evening, when God's forgiving love and mercy to sinners was studied.
After Sabbath-school next morning, two of the readings were presented and briefly discussed. In the afternoon the other two readings were given. All the readings were presented by members of the church.
There had been some misunderstanding and discouragement among members, and the prospect of uniting for missionary work looked dark. But after the readings, when an appeal was made for consecration to God, his tender Spirit reached every heart.
About fifteen children and youth were present. Some of these had entered public school, drawing away from our church-school, which had not yet found a teacher. One girl of fourteen broke down under the touch of the Holy Spirit, and asked our prayers. She and three others of the same family who were in school now await anxiously the opening of our own school.
All took hold of the tract work, and a good supply of Signs Leaflets was ordered. A boy of nine years had just returned with his pay for an unexpected job of work, and he wanted to buy a pound of leaflets.
The children ordered forty copies of Life and Health, while some young people took hold of the sale of small books. Four families ordered the REVIEW, which now visits every family in the church.
The brethren and sisters were much encouraged as they entered upon this campaign work, and I believe courage will rise as each one does his part to hasten on the message.