Ohio by E. K. SLADE.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 9, 1915

Ohio

By E. K. SLADE.

DURING the past six months, we have been permitted to see decided advancement in all phases of our conference work. The laborers in Ohio have been seeking as never before to secure better results in giving the message in new places, in bringing in new believers, and in raising up new churches. A few new churches have been organized, but the additions to the faith have largely been in connection with churches already existing, especially in our cities. As an indication of the advancement, we have received by baptism into our churches during the first six months of this year approximately two hundred members. This number is more than was received during the entire preceding year. Every laborer seems to be doing his best, and I believe the Lord is blessing the efforts of all.

It has been our purpose to strengthen every department of our work in Ohio. In financial matters, the increase has been even more encouraging, as our offerings to missions during the last year are double what they were about four years ago. During 1914 the Ohio churches raised their full quota on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund, and a considerable amount over, and in the year just ending the results will be still better. There is a decided increase also in tithe receipts.

Though the field has been worked a great deal with our books, our strong band of colporteurs is placing in the homes of the people a larger number than ever before. By this means, the truth in printed form is being placed in the homes of the people in every county of the State, and we feel that the seed sown in this way will bring a bountiful harvest of souls.

The Mount Vernon Academy is in a most prosperous condition. Four years ago, when I came into the State, this institution was laboring under a debt of over thirty thousand dollars. Through the faithful efforts of the conferences supporting it, this debt has been entirely removed. The academy has an excellent student body and a most efficient faculty, and we believe that a high standard is maintained. Mount Vernon Academy will evidently continue to be one of our most efficient educational institutions.

Ohio contains a population of approximately fifty million people, with twenty-five hundred cities and villages. It is one of the foremost States of the Union, and furnishes a field of great importance in the giving of the last warning message. We are giving especial consideration to its teeming cities, and are endeavoring to establish a strong work in every large city.

The foreign population of the State is great, and to this problem we are giving careful attention, and already have a work in progress for some of these foreign peoples. While properly caring for our work within the State, dealing with this great problem of carrying the message to five million people at home, we are endeavoring to do our part in sending men and means to the great, populous fields now in darkness. We have sent many laborers to the foreign fields, and workers are still going from our State to the regions beyond, while many are in preparation for work in other lands.

I am glad to be able to report to the readers of the REVIEW that the Lord's blessing is with us, and that the believers in our great State are manifesting the utmost loyalty and faithfulness in relation to the great work committed to this denomination. E. K. SLADE.