p. 9 | Impressions of the General Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 22, 1909

Impressions of the General Conference

By GEORGE I. BUTLER

GEORGE I. BUTLER

The World's General Conference of their Seventh-day Adventists, for 1909, will long remain a remarkable epoch in the history of the denomination. It was held at the American capital. The leading papers of the city gave extended notices of its most important transactions. Indeed, many leading papers in various portions of the country gave more or less space in their columns to this quadrennial gathering. These facts simply show that the growth of this denomination and the principles for which it stands are of considerable interest to the public as matters of news. The denomination is more and more attracting public attention. This is an encouraging omen.

The meeting continued nearly a month. Some attended a part of the time, and then went home to give others of the family a chance to attend. But the congregations remained quite uniform from the commencement to near the close. There was an attendance of not far from two thousand Sabbath-keepers. The buildings were fully occupied, and there was a large city of tents well filled. It was by far the most important meeting ever held by the denomination. Its leading characteristic was that of a great missionary meeting. The chief theme was the carrying of the last warning message to the world in the present generation. The leading plans and business questions studied, largely centered in this important question. The field considered was the whole world.

To a true believer in this, the most grand and momentous message the world ever heard, demonstrating the nearness of the appearing of the blessed Saviour, the last General Conference will ever be a glorious landmark, a bright spot in his memory. From almost all parts of the earth were gathered the representative men in the work of this last message,—the missionaries who have taken their lives in their hands to go to earth's teeming millions. From Korea, Japan, China, India, the Polynesian islands, Malay Peninsula, Australia, New Zealand, the dark continent of Africa, Central Asia, all of Europe, South America, West Indies, all of North America, representative men came to this great Conference. It was an inspiring assemblage. All had but one story to tell,—the swift progress of the all-important message. Their stirring reports were most inspiring. Many of them greatly touched our hearts.

It would seem that Europe was becoming acquainted with the message almost as fully as the United States. It, too, is sending out its missionaries to the regions beyond. Prosperous missions have been established in the darkest places in the Dark Continent. God is working wonderfully in Russia, and even in cold Siberia and many other countries. Hundreds of Catholics have been embracing the message of present truth. Station after station of missionaries is being established in Africa in various places. Delegations of prominent men from various tribes are beseeching that missionary stations may be established in their tribes. Students go long distances on foot to attend our schools and to learn the gospel of salvation. Indeed, some of the missions of other churches are wondering how it is that our work accomplishes so much more than theirs. The answer is easy enough to those who know and love the truth,—we have a message of great and precious light to give to the people, while they are not giving the message now due the world. Protestantism seems to be going into decadence, or, in other words, the popular churches are really leaving their former Protestant principles.

There were weighty problems to be solved at this Conference. With the multitude of openings springing up in every direction, how should persons and means be raised with which to meet these demands of the message? Great plans were laid, and these may be learned from the Bulletin and our other periodicals. They will be laid before our people at the camp-meetings. Every earnest Seventh-day Adventist will want to know what these plans are, and do all he can to help carry them into effect. No other people has ever had such an important work to do as have Seventh-day Adventists. The world is to be warned in this generation. Never was greater consecration required of any people. All who want to hear at last, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will certainly rally round the cause at this important epoch in its history.

The perfect union of sentiment throughout the entire camp was most noticeable. Some came wishing to raise questions which would produce discord, and such had the discouraging experience of seeing their plans come to naught. The whole interest was in the cause of giving the last warning message. Nehemiah's sentiments seemed to be in the ascendant, We “are doing a great work” and “can not come down” to enter into any controversy. The writer never saw our people apparently more united. All seemed cheerful and happy and hopeful in God.

The servant of the Lord, Sister E. G. White, came all the way from the Pacific Coast to attend this meeting. Although eighty-two years of age, she was given strength to stand before the vast congregation and make her voice heard. Age and abundant labors have left their marks upon the physical system, but her mind, so often illuminated by the divine Spirit, seemed perfectly clear.

Her example of continued labor in faithfulness and earnestness, even with the physical weaknesses of old age upon her; her exhortations to earnestness and faithfulness, greater devotion to God's work and Word; her intense interest in the salvation of all; her pity for those in darkness and sin, were a stern rebuke to ease-loving ministers, and careless, selfish souls satisfied with their own indifference; also, a great encouragement to those who long for greater usefulness.

From the labors of the Conference, she has gone to New England, to the scenes of her earliest labors, to give her testimony there. What a life of earnestness, sacrifice, industry, spirituality, and of following after the blessed Master has her life presented to this people and to the world! May our dear Lord grant strength and grace for its continuance years yet to come.

Bowling Green, Fla.