Educational and Missionary Volunteer Convention for the Union College District
By Harvey A. Morrison
Friday evening, July 9, the opening address was given by Elder A. G. Daniells. The subject, “Our Message and Our Young People,” is one of vital importance, and brought to us a vision of the great work our young people are to prepare to do. Sabbath morning he addressed the convention on “The Call of the Orient.” The fact that Elder Daniells has just arrived home from the Orient gave a freshness to the tone of his message as he directed our minds to the great need of the East, and also to the many wonderful openings and opportunities that are offered us in these lands of darkness and superstition. With this vision before us, the delegates were specially prepared to take up the consideration of the work of training and directing our young people. The convention was conducted by the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments of the North American Division Conference. Prof. Frederick Griggs, assisted by Prof. W. E. Howell, led in the educational work; and Prof. M. E. Kern, assisted by Elder Meade MacGuire, led in the young people's work. There were about one hundred and fifty delegates present, representing institutions and conferences in the Northern, Southwestern, and Central Union Conferences. We feel that the results of this convention will be a great blessing to this entire Union College district. The unity which pervaded the council in such a marked manner, also manifested itself among us. Every one seemed anxious to strengthen and build up the work, not only in his particular locality, but in the entire field. Our educational work was more thoroughly organized than ever before, and this means much for the rapid progress of our children and youth in the elementary school, academy, and college. This closer affiliation will be a blessing not only to the pupils and students, but to the institutions themselves. The relation of the Missionary Volunteer work to education was another prominent feature brought out in the convention. All workers in these two departments received new views as to how each department could help the other. Plans for this close relationship insure rapid advancement for our young people, and the saving of many more of them to this truth. All along the line broad and effective plans were laid to help guide our young people in the home, in the school, in their social life, and in their work. Every action taken was to the one end of giving this message to the world in this generation. In order to do this, we must introduce a new and reviving spirit among our young people, and give them such a preparation that they may be ready to dedicate their lives to the work in heathen lands. The studies given on “Seek and Save,” “Saved to Serve,” “Christian Leadership,” etc., gave the keynote to the entire convention. The Lord came very near and blessed us throughout these meetings, as was evidenced at our last meeting Sabbath afternoon, when we held a consecration service led by Professor Howell. Those present at this meeting could not help being inspired to consecrate themselves unreservedly to the finishing of this work. The one determination expressed by nearly all the delegates was to go home to their work with a zeal and a spirit that would bring to Christ every child or young person in the sphere of their influence. All were led to realize more than ever before the need of preparing men and women for our evangelistic and mission work. Let every reader pray for the workers who have to do with the training and molding of these young minds, that a mighty work may be done for God's people, and that the schools in this district may greatly prosper in order that the work may rapidly be finished and we be gathered home.