Important Features of the Conference by W. T. BARTLETT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 19, 1913

Important Features of the Conference

By W. T. BARTLETT

It is a great privilege to be able to attend a General Conference. Here one meets workers from the ends of the earth. They come from the strongholds of Romanism, and Mohammedanism, and heathenism,—grave, earnest, courageous men, who have learned how to give battle to the powers of darkness and snatch souls from the enemy. It is good to hear them tell their experiences, and to listen as they discuss together in the morning council how best the common problems of the missionary may be solved.

Life in the mission field is evidently worth living. It draws out all there is in a man. He becomes broad-minded, resourceful, fearless. The home fields say sometimes that they have weakened themselves by giving so freely of their best men for foreign missions, but such giving has not weakened the cause as a whole. To-day it is rich in capable leaders who are, under God, preparing its triumph in all the earth.

The morning missionary council is one of the outstanding features of the Conference. As the canvassers say, it is worth the price of the whole. How to win the Roman Catholic and the Moslem; how to begin and carry on schools in Africa; what to do with the converted polygamist and his wives; whether to study a new language in the field, or before leaving home; how to co-operate with fellow workers and with the home base; and a multitude of other questions have been considered and discussed. Every contribution is the fruit of sober thought and practical experience. No one talks for the sake of talking. An admirably drawn-up syllabus guides the discussion to the real difficulties of the fields, and Brother Spicer knows how to focus the various contributions and make them shed an illuminating ray on the subject considered.

There is little chance for fanaticism among such counselors as our foreign work is developing. As the denomination takes on its proper load, the pendulum restricts its movement within useful limits. The missionary work is going to prove our salvation. Already the latter rain is falling, in the spirit of wisdom and understanding, to give us largeness of heart and soundness of mind. We need more of the same salutary influence in the home fields. A peculiar people is in danger of falling in love with itself as long as it delays to fulfil its development and to become zealous of good works.

Another feature of the Conference to be long remembered was the gift of eighteen thousand dollars to Loma Linda. Here again the missionaries and ministers led the way in generous giving, and others brought up the rear. It was a wonderful meeting. May the Lord help the workers at Loma Linda to regard this gift as sacred, like the water from the well at Bethlehem that David would not drink, because it is so largely the outpouring of missionary life.

The various departments seem to have had good times, but unfortunately they all came at the same hour, so that any one hoping to get an all-round education in the development of the work was disappointed.

The organization of the camp was a veritable triumph of foresight and generalship. How much the success of the Conference was due to this cause the delegate can only guess. But from the first moment of his arrival he found that his every want had been anticipated. The workers in the reception tent, especially when it was most crowded, suggested a company of angels.

Progress has been the key-note in the reports from the fields. The cause has gained victories all along the line. The quadrennial period before us must witness great advancement. Europe and America are reorganized for closer and harder work. The Educational Department has been putting its house in order for better service. The junior forces are in line. Our own medical college must soon begin to pour out Seventh-day Adventist physicians. The General Conference is set free for definite leadership in the world field. May the arm of the Lord be made bare in the lives of a united and consecrated people.

One cannot help feeling thankful that God has given us Takoma Park, a quiet and beautiful spot, where such great gatherings can come as to a home, rendered dear not only by gracious providences, but also by happy recollections. On this spot old friendships with scattered comrades can be renewed. Here one learns to know and love some who have been only a name on a list of names. There is a sense of satisfaction in coming back to Takoma Park, and a feeling of regret when one stands for the last time on the bridge to watch the fireflies among the trees and listen to the murmur of the Sligo beneath. God speed the day when the great cause with which Takoma Park is so intimately identified shall triumph gloriously.

W. T. BARTLETT, Editor Present Truth, London, England.