p. 18 | Minnesota

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 2, 1915

Minnesota

We have great reason to thank God for the progress made in our conference thus far this year. We can say, “Truly God is good to Israel.” We know it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God that this conference is able to make a favorable showing.

We have felt that the first and all-absorbing aim to keep before us is the doing of great things for God in personal soul winning. Although we have not accomplished all that we desired, the efforts of our laborers have not been without results; for, during the first three quarters of the year, 183 persons have been baptized, and many others have been led to begin the observance of the Sabbath. Several companies have been organized, and some are now being prepared for church organization.

Our people have shown their continued interest in the proclamation of the message to all the world, by their constant gifts to missions. At the close of September we were over $1,400 ahead on our quota, and we have every reason to believe that we shall easily reach more than the full amount by the close of the year.

The work in evangelistic canvassing is going on with commendable increase over last year’s record. The weather for the most part has been very unfavorable; but our faithful colporteurs have toiled on, and their sales amount to over $19,000 in nine months. We expect these figures will be augmented by several dollars before the year closes.

The integrity of our people in the paying of tithe is shown by the fact that our tithe receipts are already nearing the amount paid in for the full twelve months last year. At the end of the third quarter we had received $38,000.

We are having a splendid attendance at our academy. The students seem to be taking more than ordinary interest in their work, and we are glad to report an increase in the number of church schools. Three buildings have been erected this summer for this purpose.

The Sabbath school and missionary Volunteer departments are important factors in our conferences. Each has its field of usefulness and operation, and is a great strength to our church work. There seems to be a growing interest in the lesson studies prepared, and thus spiritual help is received.

The offerings to missions in the Sabbath school department have already reached over $7,000. This is some more than we received last year at this time.

We have not seen all the progress we desired in the home missionary department. It is a vital question to get all our people into active service for the Master. When this is done, it will solve many problems for us. When all our people will spend some time in personal soul saving, and unite their efforts with the ministry, the message will soon be finished and our Lord will come.

We can say, however, that many periodicals have been sold and given away, also thousands of pages of tracts have been placed in the hands of the people. The Harvest Ingathering campaign has been entered into with earnestness, and our churches are taking hold of the work even better than last year.

We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for the corps of faithful laborers we have, and appreciate the blessings God has bestowed upon us all. It is a great privilege to be a coworker with our Lord in carrying this blessed message to mankind.