The North Pacific Union Conference by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 9, 1908

The North Pacific Union Conference

By A. G. Daniells

THIS conference once formed a part of the Pacific Union. It was organized nearly two years ago. Its territory embraces Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. In this territory there are seven organized conferences and one mission field.

The first biennial session of this conference was held in College Place, Jan. 29 to Feb. 9, 1908, with a full delegation, I believe, from all parts of the conference. The delegates, with the brethren and sisters of College Place and the students of the college, gave the session a large attendance. All the meetings were held in the college chapel. Prof. M. E. Cady arranged the program of the school so that the affairs of both the conference and the school moved along without any apparent friction, and certainly with great satisfaction and pleasure to the delegates. Of course the meeting disturbed the regular routine of the school, and made extra work for the students, but I believe that the help a large number of the students received from the chapel talks, the daily meetings of the conference, the evening sermons, and the association with the delegates, far more than compensated for the loss of some other things.

This was one of the best conferences I have attended. The delegates were courageous and cordial, and they had most encouraging reports to present regarding the progress of the work in all parts of the field. I was especially pleased with the careful, painstaking labor the presidents of conferences had evidently given to the preparation of their reports. By the use of maps and comparative statistical tables exhibited on large sheets of paper, it was easy for the delegation to get a clear idea of the territory, the growth, and the exact standing of each conference. These reports showed steady and encouraging advancement in every phase of the work.

The membership of the union is 5,690, an increase of 711 since the organization, less than two years ago. The tithes for the period amounted to $157,458.38. I think each local conference showed a distinct gain in both membership and funds.

During the year 1907 an earnest effort was made to free Walla Walla College from its debt of $25,000. The president of the union conference, Elder W. B. White, and his committee have worked very hard to accomplish this, and they have met with a most loyal and hearty co-operation on the part of the brethren and sisters throughout the union. At the time of the conference nearly the whole amount had been pledged for this purpose, and $16,467.30 had been paid. The unpaid pledges are good, so that it is a matter of only a short time when Walla Walla College will be entirely free from debt. The brethren are so sure of this that they ventured to sing the jubilee song, the words and music of which were written by Elder F. M. Burg for the occasion.

Walla Walla College is a fine educational institution—a blessing to our people and a credit to our cause. The land which it has under cultivation is good, the buildings are well cared for, and everything gives evidence of thrift. The attendance at the present time is the largest in the history of the institution. The spiritual atmosphere and the dominant influence of the school were easily discovered by the delegates. The large band of missionary volunteers for home and foreign fields showed clearly what this institution is working for.

One encouraging, uplifting feature of this conference session was the deep interest manifested in the work in foreign fields. Nearly every day of the session an address was given on foreign missions. When all the local conferences had reported their financial standing, Elder White called all the members of the union and local committees together to consider what should be done with their surplus tithe. First of all, he took a decided position himself with reference to the union. He demonstrated that it was not necessary nor consistent for our home conferences, with their stable membership, sure and regular income, and many facilities, to carry a large surplus of funds while so many earnest, pressing calls for help are coming to us from mission fields. In harmony with his frank, vigorous statement in behalf of a liberal policy, Brother White recommended that four thousand dollars of the six thousand dollars surplus of the union be appropriated to missions. This was voted promptly and unanimously by the committee.

Having set this example, the president of the union asked the officers of local conferences what they proposed to do with their surplus funds. They asked for time to confer together. The next day Elder G. E. Langdon, president of the Upper Columbia Conference, reported that his conference had voted its surplus of four thousand dollars to missions. Elder Burg’s committee reported that Western Washington would give two thousand dollars then, and that any remainder that might be on hand at the time of their conference would probably be given by the brethren. Elder F. S. Bunch reported that his committee had decided to appropriate one thousand dollars then, and the remainder at the time of their coming conference. This made a profound impression upon the delegation. Many were in tears when these brethren finished making their reports. The very atmosphere seemed charged with earnest zeal for the finishing of this work. I wished, while sitting in that meeting, that every one of our hard-pressed missionaries in foreign lands could have been present to hear what was said and to feel the thrill of hope and courage that came to us all.

With the good spirit of unity, courage, and liberality that prevails in the North Pacific Union Conference, we are surely justified in looking for prosperity in that part of the great harvest-field. And for this let us all pray.

A. G. DANIELLS.