Central Union Conference by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 5, 1908

Central Union Conference

By G. B. THOMPSON

The third biennial session of the Central Union Conference was held in Boulder, Colo., January 23 to February 2. This session of the conference was preceded by an educational convention lasting two days. Several of those especially interested in educational matters were present, also some of the delegates, and a number of plans for the advancement of this department of the work were carefully considered.

A good delegation was present from the various conferences in the union, and quite a number attended who were not delegates. Some changes have been made in the territorial lines of the conference since the last session. Iowa had become a part of the Northern Union Conference, and New Mexico a part of the Southwestern Union. The work had grown in Wyoming so that the territory hitherto known as the Wyoming Mission Field had been organized into a conference. This conference was admitted into the union at this session.

The proceedings of the conference were marked with the utmost harmony. I do not remember of ever attending a meeting where there was greater unity in acting upon the plans presented. This is especially encouraging when we remember that great efforts have of late been made to disorganize and divide us as a people. The Spirit of God manifested itself from the beginning. In answer to prayer some were healed of bodily infirmities of long standing. The same sweet spirit continued with us until the close of the meeting.

The reports from the conferences and the various departments of the work showed an encouraging degree of progress. There was a marked degree of increase in the tithes and offerings to missions over the previous biennial period.

A number of very important resolutions and plans of work were adopted, looking not only to the advancement of the message within the borders of the union, but in the “regions beyond” as well. The plan to raise in each conference a sum equal to ten cents a week per member for missions, the Sabbath-school, midsummer, and annual offerings to be included in the above sum, met with a hearty response. If this sum is raised, it will more than double, in the union, the offerings of the past biennial period, and will be a great help in financing the work in the destitute and needy fields abroad. This plan was taken hold of in a most enthusiastic manner. Conference presidents and others expressed themselves as in full sympathy with the plan, believing that it would be accomplished, and all returned to their fields with a determination to carry it through. The plan is both simple and practical. The average of a dime a week for each member to carry a message world wide in its scope, is a very small sum. When we stop to consider that this includes all we give to missions,—annual, midsummer, and Sabbath-school offerings, as well as the regular weekly offerings,—surely none can be so faithless as to believe that it will not be accomplished. If conference officers will organize the work in each church, appointing some one to look after the matter each week, this sum will be easily raised.

The union and local conferences are committed to the plan of sending all their surplus tithes to mission fields. This is as it should be. Why should a union or a local conference keep a surplus in the bank when it has a steady, assured income? Our workers in distant, difficult mission fields are working without any surplus funds, paid from a treasury which is continually drained, and we believe the time has come when the conferences in the home field should turn all their funds over and not hoard a surplus.

It was also voted to send the Missions number of the Signs to the ministers of the various denominations in the union, each conference becoming responsible for the number supplied to the clergy in its territory. One hundred dollars was appropriated from the union treasury to assist in this work.

Resolutions were passed touching the educational work in Union College, and the establishment and operation of intermediate and industrial schools in the union. If these are carried out, it will greatly strengthen the educational work. The adoption of the second tithe was commended to the prayerful study of our people as a means of supporting our church-schools. Consideration was also given to the canvassing, publishing, young people's, religious liberty, medical, and Sabbath-school work. A committee was appointed to investigate the needs of the destitute aged poor and the orphan children in the union, and to make recommendation regarding the establishment of such home or homes as may be needed to make provision to meet their needs.

During the conference, daily Bible studies were given on important topics, such as religious liberty, church organization, the improvement of the educational work, the young people's work, etc., and the evening preaching services were well attended by the church and others in the city.

Free entertainment was furnished to the delegates by the Boulder Sanitarium and the Colorado Conference, and everything possible was done to make those attending the meeting welcome and comfortable.

The Boulder Sanitarium is an excellent institution, and is doing splendid work, not only in caring for the sick, but in training missionaries for the field. An excellent spirit pervades the entire institution. It certainly ought to have the hearty support of all our people.

Elder E. T. Russell was re-elected president of the union; Elder A. T. Robinson, vice-president; Elder B. E. Huffman, secretary; and Brother C. T. Caviness, auditor. Elder Meade MacGuire, of Colorado, was chosen secretary of the young people's work.

Elder R. C. Porter, Prof. M. E. Kern, and the writer were present to share with the laborers in the union the burdens and blessings of the meeting. We feel sure that the excellent spirit which characterized this meeting is an omen of great advancement and of the abundant blessing of the Lord during the future biennial period. To this end let us all work and pray. G. B. THOMPSON.