British Columbia by A. J. Breed

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

British Columbia

By A. J. Breed

The meeting of the British Columbia Conference was held at Port Hammond, according to appointment, January 17-21. The first meeting was called at 9 A. M., January 17. About thirty delegates were present, representing thirteen churches. It was quite a surprise to see so many in attendance in this young conference.

It seems only a short time since the work was organized in this field, but the work has steadily gone forward until British Columbia, with other provinces of Northwest Canada, has been organized into a union conference, taking the name of West Canadian Union Conference.

Elder E. L. Stewart, who has been the acting president of British Columbia, was elected president of the union conference,

and Elder W. M. Adams, of Manitoba, was elected to take the place of Elder Stewart in British Columbia.

The work of the conference the past year showed some gain, there being two new churches added to their numbers, increasing the membership by about twenty-five.

The meeting was held in the new building used for the school this winter. They were not able to erect their school building, on account of the lateness of the season, so the school is held in a building which will be used for other purposes after their school building is erected. There are about thirty students in attendance, and a most excellent interest is manifested.

They have a farm of two hundred ten acres connected with the school, which in time will be a great source of income. There is a sawmill located on the farm, belonging to the conference, which will give work to students, as well as furnish lumber for their buildings, and fencing for the farm. The mill will be run as an industry.

There is valuable timber on the farm, which will be more than they will ever need for their own use, and as soon as they are able to manufacture and ship lumber, they will have a nice, growing business. The Canadian Pacific Railroad has established a station on the farm, about one-half mile from the school, which is a great accommodation, and will save much travel to and from Port Hammond.

The work in the conference, so far, has not been self-sustaining, but plans were laid to push the work into new fields, increasing the numbers of church-members and so building up their finances. With the tide of immigration coming in, British Columbia will soon become one of the leading conferences of the Northwest.

Quite careful study was given some of the items reported, but after explanations were made, general satisfaction was manifested by the delegates. At the close of the conference the brethren returned to their homes quite well satisfied with the progress made, and determined to advance the interests of the work in all departments of the message the coming year. If they all walk humbly with God, and union and harmony prevail, there is no reason why we may not expect great things. May the Lord bless the work in British Columbia.

A. J. BREED.