From the far fields to the near, the Conference now turned, as the chair called upon G. B. Thompson, the president, to report for the union in the midst of which the Conference is holding its session. Here follows the report:—GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.16

REPORT OF THE COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE

WASe

At the General Conference Council held at Gland, Switzerland, May 9-24, 1907, it was advised that the territory of the Atlantic Union Conference be divided into two conferences; and that Ohio, which was then a part of the Lake Union Conference, be invited to join the new conference.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.17

At the next biennial session of the Atlantic Union Conference, held in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 14-24, 1907, the delegates, after giving consideration to the suggestion of the Gland Council, acted favorably upon it; and a new conference, known as the Columbia Union Conference, was organized. Elder W. J. Fitzgerald was chosen president. This conference includes the territory of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware. The District of Columbia was organized into a conference, Feb. 14, 1909, and has requested admission, but has not yet been formally admitted into the union. Including the District of Columbia, we have in this union nine conferences, with 218 churches, and a membership of 6,591.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.18

On account of the conference having been so recently organized, we are unable to present any comparative statistics showing the growth of the work. Unity and harmony prevail in all the local conferences, and aggressive plans are being pushed for the advancement of the message in all lines. Excellent work was done in the selling of literature during 1908, the sales being much in excess of those of previous years in the same territory. The book sales alone were about $60,000. The reports for the first four months of 1909 show a marked increase over the same period one year ago.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.19

The tithe for 1908 was $87,638.75, or an average of $13.07 per member. The offerings to foreign missions for the year 1908 amounted to $24,666.04. A deep interest is manifested in the work in the regions beyond, and it is confidently expected that the gifts to missions will show a marked increase during the future.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.20

The only institution owned and controlled by the union is the college located at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. This school is widely and favorably known, workers who received their training here being found in many of our mission fields. For many years this school was owned and controlled by the Ohio Conference; but in the winter of 1907, it was voted by the constituency to transfer it to the Columbia Union, and it is now considered a union school, although some of the legal steps necessary have not, for various reasons, been complied with. The college is in need of extensive repairs, which must be made at once. In addition to the funds needed for repairs and other improvements, there is considerable debt upon the institution, which must be provided for.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.21

During the year just closed, which has been among the most successful in the history of the institution, the attendance was larger than could be well accommodated; and in order to properly carry forward the work of educating the young people of the union, more buildings will have to be erected, better adapted to the work of a college. Some plans for the raising of funds in the union for the benefit of the school were made by the board at their last meeting, and it is hoped that sufficient funds will be received to place the school in condition to carry forward the work of training more laborers for the various mission fields of the world.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.1

We have in the union some conference institutions which are doing excellent work. An academy has been opened during the past year at Newmarket, Va., which has done good work also. An excellent church-school is in operation at Takoma Park, D. C., which employs three teachers, and does a good grade of work. There are also a number of church-schools in the union conference.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.2

The sanitarium at Philadelphia, Pa., owned by the East Pennsylvania Conference, is well equipped, and prepared to render as good service in medical lines as can be found in any of our sanitariums. This sanitarium is struggling under a large indebtedness, and needs financial aid. This sanitarium at the present time stands loyally with the work of the message, and those who labor there endeavor to keep the truth before those who come under their influence. Some of the leading physicians of the city have willingly co-operated with Dr. W. H. Smith in the medical work, and aside from the debts which burden the institution, the outlook is good. It is located in one of the largest cities of the United States, and is just such an institution as is needed in order to reach the people with this message.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.3

A small sanitarium has also been operated in connection with the Mt. Vernon College during the past year; this has done good work, both in making the work of the college more efficient, and in bringing the principles of health before a large number of people.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.4

Some private institutions are also operated in some of the local conferences. As a rule, these are doing good work.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.5

The population of this union, including the District of Columbia, is 17,387,-395,—the largest of any union in the United States. But while the population is large, our membership is comparatively small. Such cities as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Jersey City, Newark, and many others are calling for workers, but at present we are unable to supply them.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.6

In many of our Western conferences, through the blessing of God, a large membership has been raised up in a population much less dense than in this field. As the message began in the East, and was carried West, so now we believe the West should turn and look upon the needy condition of the East, with its great and varied population, and send workers into these cities and support them. Some of the conferences are already doing this, and it is helping to greatly strengthen and develop the work. We feel grateful for the help thus given, nor are we unmindful of the help which the General Conference has so freely given in this time of need. We are blessed by having the headquarters of the General Conference, also the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the Foreign Mission Seminary, the Sanitarium at Takoma Park, and the Branch institution in the city of Washington, located in our union. While these are not owned or controlled by this union, their influence is felt, and is of great value in advancing the work.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.7

We are persuaded that further help should be given to the large cities of the East. Such aid will result in a blessing, not only to the conferences receiving, but to those which so freely give it. Like bread upon the waters, it will return to us again greatly increased. This will help to fulfill the statement made that the message is to return. East with power. There is a large foreign population in many of the cities. We have in a certain sense, a foreign field right at home. Such efforts as have been made to reach these various nationalities have been attended with good results, and a number of foreign-speaking churches have been gathered out. But we must do more. The large foreign population already here is being increased almost daily by thousands, and some plans must be devised to bring the message more fully before these people. We hope this conference will suggest a plan by which this can be done.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.8

We are full of courage and hope for the future. The message never seemed clearer, nor its speedy triumph more certain. We have followed no cunningly devised fables in this message. It is the truth of the living God. We have seen its rise from a small beginning to world-wide proportions. The closing event—the coming of Jesus to reap the harvest of the earth—is impending. Now is the time for earnest, consecrated labor; then the victory and rest in the kingdom.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.9

District of Columbia ConferenceGCB May 23, 1909, page 110.10

The report for this new conference, not yet admitted to the Columbia Union, of which it will become a part at the next union session, was next called for, and was submitted by the president, B. G. Wilkinson, as follows:—GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.11

The District of Columbia and Takoma Park, Md., was organized as a special field for evangelical work at the first constituency meeting, held Nov. 1, 1904. There were at that time only 2 churches in the District, having together a membership of 300. By the time of the next constituency meeting, Jan. 10, 1905, a third church had been organized. The combined membership was 422. During the quadrennial period the membership has risen to 558. The net increase in membership, therefore, has been 136. At the present time we have 5 churches and 1 company. During the same quadrennial period the tithe has increased from $6,067.28 to $11,168.30, or the net increase of $5,101.02.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.12

One of the strongest arguments which opponents bring against Catholicism is that the papacy is losing its grip upon the citizens of Rome itself. But no such reproach can be used against the standing of the third angel’s message at its headquarters. The substantial increase in tithes and membership reported above can not be attributed entirely to the fact that this is the headquarters of the denomination. The truth makes progress here among the citizens. In one of the city churches, the first quarter of 1909, about 26 of Washington’s inhabitants were admitted to its membership.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.13

Owing to this promising outlook, and to the necessity of placing the burden of developing the work in the District upon other shoulders than those of the General Conference Committee, it was decided, Feb. 14, 1909, to organize the District of Columbia and Takoma Park, Md., into a separate conference, which has been called the District of Columbia Conference. This conference takes pleasure in believing that it is the first conference in North America to state definitely in its constitution that a fixed proportion of its tithes—in this case one-third—shall be passed on annually for help to those needy fields which have as yet no definite and fixed source of income.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.14

During the same quadrennial period the total offerings to foreign missions other than Sabbath-school offerings, have risen from $1,374.94 to $2,297.71, or a net increase of $922.77. Sabbath-school offerings have increased from $151.12 to $660.02, an increase of $508.90, due in part to the fact that the District of Columbia Conference now gives all its Sabbath-school donations to foreign missions. The tithe per capita last year was $20.01, one of the largest per capita tithes in the denomination. The conference has also a large church-school, enrolling, last year, 75 pupils, and employing 4 teachers. During the last year the District raised for all funds a total of $18,378.24, or a per capita rate of $32.94. We have 3 Missionary Volunteer societies with a membership of 111.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.15

Some will be interested to ask: “Does your work have any influence upon the leading men who are gathered in this world’s metropolis?” To this we can say, “Yes.” From time to time, by means of our city services or by means of our religious liberty campaigns in the city, the message is brought to the attention of prominent statesmen.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.16

Those who, something over four years ago, transferred the headquarters of our work from Battle Creek to Washington believed that they did so led by the providence of God. Let those who are here assembled from all parts of the world say if the past four years have demonstrated the wisdom of this move. We believe God is watching over the work which his providence has established at this place.GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.17

The chair next called upon W. A. Westworth to present the report of the union of which he is president. The report follows:—GCB May 23, 1909, page 110.18

THE SOUTHEASTERN UNION CONFERENCE

WASe

This report of the Southeastern Union Conference, which is the youngest member in the family of union conferences, covers but a portion of 1908 and the first quarter of 1909; therefore the statistics presented represent only about one fourth of the quadrennial term. But what, through the goodness and favor of our Heavenly Father, we are able at this time to show, proves conclusively the wisdom of dividing the large territory formerly comprising the Southern Union Conference, and is an evidence of the guiding hand of the Captain of our salvation.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.1

The Southeastern Union Conference was organized in January, 1908, from the eastern portion of the Southern Union, and comprises the conferences of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Cumberland. Since its organization with a total membership of 1,578, there has been an increase of over eighteen per cent in our constituency, the present membership being 1,923, divided among 60 churches, and including 291 scattered believers.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.2

MinistryGCB May 23, 1909, page 111.3

Thirty-four ordained ministers, of which number 5 are colored, 15 licentiates, and 29 licensed missionaries, comprise the working force in the evangelical department. That the hand of the Lord has been with these workers through the past year is shown by the substantial increase in church-membership resulting from their labors, seventeen churches having been added to this territory since the report for 1907.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.4

TitheGCB May 23, 1909, page 111.5

The tithe for the year 1908 amounted to $17,834.90, and shows a gain in four out of the five conferences constituting the union. Donations to missions for the year 1908 amounted to $5,561, an increase over the former year of $1,621.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.6

The work in the Missionary Department of the union shows a decided advance; and while but a few months old, the fifty to sixty societies at work are beginning to realize that results can be everywhere obtained by concerted action with our periodicals and books.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.7

A good beginning has been made in the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department. While we have not Volunteer Department. While we have not yet been able to cover the ground as thoroughly as it is our intention, we see good results from the work already done, and feel to thank God for this factor in the promulgation of the message. Cooperating with our school work, we are using our Young People’s Department to bring to our help many of the students in the schools in our territory.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.8

The Educational InterestsGCB May 23, 1909, page 111.9

The educational work during the past year has shown gratifying results. Besides the positive advancement made in the Southern Training School at Graysville, there has been a decided rising throughout the Union to meet the demands of smaller schools. We would particularly mention the efforts made along self-supporting lines, which have met with gratifying results, and for which branch of our educational work we bespeak a careful consideration by this Conference.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.10

The Medical WorkGCB May 23, 1909, page 111.11

The Medical Department has been blessed of God. Our leading institution at Graysville has steadily increased in efficiency and power, not only holding its own, but including many new features in its operating equipment, and at the same time showing a constant gain financially. The Atlanta Sanitarium enterprise has been revived, and the building refitted, and at present this institution is beginning to attain to the position and influence which its importance demands. Supplementing this work in Atlanta, there has recently been established a medical mission for the colored people. We expect a large advance movement to result from this beginning for the millions of colored people in our territory.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.12

At Orlando, Fla., in the heart of the best winter-tourist section, there has been recently established a well-equipped sanitarium. The approval of the spirit of prophecy to this effort, as well as the liberal patronage which has attended the institution from the very beginning, emphasizes the wisdom of this step.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.13

The Canvassing WorkGCB May 23, 1909, page 111.14

In the book work in our union the hand of the Lord has been with us,—the sales for 1908 amounting to $25,000. The best idea of the present condition can be obtained in the comparison given for the first three months of 1909, compared with the like period in 1908. In the preceding year the sales for the first quarter amounted to $4,167, while the present year brought the amount to $7,782, almost doubling the previous record. The number of canvassers has increased from twenty-seven to forty. We are pleased to note that among this number are several colored canvassers, whose success warrants the making of greater efforts to increase this class of workers.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.15

The conferences report church property to the amount of $33,800, and personal property to the amount of $2,977. The union institutions all show a marked improvement in their financial standing. Outside of the equities held in the Southern Publishing Association, amounting to one third of its holdings, and in the Oakwood Industrial School, of which one half belongs to the Southeastern Union, in the realties of the union, we find assets amounting to $95,644.04, against which there are liabilities aggregating $29,615.36, or a present worth of $66,028.36. The gain for the past year is $20,087.13, much of this being the result of a munificent gift to the cause in Asheville, N. C. Added to this is $425 personal property.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.16

Our NeedsGCB May 23, 1909, page 111.17

While the hand of God has thus been with us, we trust that none will get the idea that the Southeastern Union has conquered all its difficulties, and is in a position to gain a victory without battle. The many mercies of God toward us have but opened our eyes the more to appreciate what can be done in this neglected portion of the great home land of this third angel’s message. It is now evident that activity and consecration will produce results even in this field, called of God among the very hardest of all earth’s dark corners. We are shown by the small advancement thus made that we shall not stand without excuse if we do not arise to the call of God to do, “without delay,” the work commissioned to us. As late as October, 1908, the sad condemnation is brought to us from the spirit of prophecy that as a church we have failed to do our duty toward the waiting millions in the Southland.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.18

“The cities of the South are to be worked, and that without delay, and for this work the best talent must be secured,” is the word which comes to us, even at this late date. We feel almost abashed before the mute appeals of the millions of the far East for light, and would not press our needs to the exclusion of a single effort for those who sit in darkness; but with the call of God to action right here at home, with the condemnation of heaven resting upon us, can we afford to pass by on the other side, and leave, for any cause whatsoever, this commission to help the downtrodden brother whose only crime is that he was born with a darker skin than ours?GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.19

The prejudices of the South are increasing under the misguided efforts of many from outside the field, who, not understanding the actual conditions, are endeavoring to right the wrongs of centuries; and soon, says the word which comes to us from the Lord, it will be everlastingly too late to do this work. Even now the way is closed in certain places. Hence we can not refrain from inviting, at this conference, a more detailed study of actual conditions in the South, and the taking of such steps as shall place our effort for the negro upon a permanent and reliable working basis, as a regular department of our organized work, and not leave it to the care of any individual or society not an integral part of the church militant.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.20

It would be impossible to detail all our needs at this time, but we would simply ask that the matter be considered in the light of the most recent revelations from the spirit of prophecy, and such steps taken as to obviate the need of a continual plea coming with a regularity unsurpassed by any other portion of the great world-wide field. We confidently believe that if the South can be placed upon the basis which God has for years been asking us to reach, we will very soon be beyond the necessity of receiving any help other than that which can be obtained within our own borders. But till such a time as this is reached, we can see little hope of getting where we can be the help to the great outside African world which we should be.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.21

In closing, we would express our appreciation of the hearty welcome given to us, and the ready response that comes to our calls for help, as we tell the story of our actual conditions and the call of God to our people. We feel confident that with the same attitude assumed, and the same spirit of helpfulness manifested on the part of this delegation, we shall erelong see the cloud rise, and hear the shouts of praise from many souls who now are waiting for the light of eternal life.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.22

At the conclusion of this report the Conference adjourned.GCB May 23, 1909, page 111.23

G. A. IRWIN, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

Bible Study. REFLECTING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

FIFTEENTH MEETING