p. 16 | The Lake Union Conference by I. H. EVANS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1908

The Lake Union Conference

By I. H. EVANS

The Lake Union Conference convened in the South Side Church, Chicago, Ill., March 15-29, 1908. The conference was preceded by a three-days' publishers' institute, which considered the circulation of our denominational literature.

At the opening of the conference there was present nearly a full delegation from the respective conferences. Elder Allen Moon, president of the union conference, presided; and all were glad to know that his health is greatly improved. The meetings passed off harmoniously, and there was a marked unanimity of sentiment throughout the entire conference in most of the business matters.

The Lake Union Conference pledged itself to raise a sum of money equal to ten cents a week per member for foreign missions, and the local conferences were generous in voting tent companies for the work in the South.

Elders A. G. Daniells, G. A. Irwin, G. F. Haffner, Prof. M. E. Kern, and the writer, of the General Conference, men were present during a part or the whole of the session. S. N. Curtiss, D. W. Reavis, and Morris Lukens, representing the Review and Herald Publishing Association, of Washington, D. C., were also present, and rendered valuable assistance.

During this session of the conference, the Review and Herald Publishing Association held its annual meeting in connection with the Lake Union Conference, and elected four members of its board of trustees for the two succeeding years.

One day of the session was given to the study of the educational work, and another day to the medical work. These days were interesting features of the meeting; and the papers submitted, and the discussions that followed, were educational and helpful in their nature.

Elder Allen Moon was re-elected president of the union conference, and W. H. Edwards chosen secretary and treasurer. There was a free discussion on the numerous resolutions that were adopted, and all who took part seemed to desire to see the work advance, and to send the message to all parts of the world.

Reports from the various conferences, rendered by the presidents, indicated that earnest work is being put forth in the local conferences to advance the message along all lines.

The report concerning the circulation of our denominational literature was encouraging, and all seemed to feel that the past was only an earnest of what we might expect in the future.

In membership the Lake Union Conference is the strongest union in the United States, and the various conferences comprising it have been so generous in the supplying of men for foreign fields that they find themselves crippled in handling the work in their territory. Scores of workers have gone out from this union conference to the foreign fields during the last few years, and the conferences have contributed liberally from their tithes for the support of the work in other lands. Many young men have been encouraged to enter the ministry, who are making rapid growth, and will soon be able to do efficient work in the Master's vineyard.

We trust that the past is only a beginning of the good work which this strong union conference will do in behalf of other lands. The officers of the union need the sympathy and hearty co-operation of all the brethren in the field, that the work may prosper and grow.

We trust that the next two years will be the most encouraging in the history of the Lake Union Conference.

This closes the sessions of the Union Conferences in the United States for this biennial term, and the meetings have been most encouraging. There never has been a time in the history of our denominational work when there was such a united and sympathetic co-operation as at the present time. There has never been a time when our people were more united in the carrying forward of the third angel's message than at present. The tithes have greatly increased, until they have reached nearly a million dollars a year. The annual offerings were larger than at any time in the history of our work. There are more workers in the foreign fields than ever before; and more men in our schools and conferences who are seeking a preparation to enter the foreign service than at any time in our denominational history. The local and union conferences are contributing more liberally from their surplus tithes than ever before. Many conferences are limiting themselves to a minimum of expense, that more funds may be saved for the foreign work. In all the meetings there has not been a note of discord or lack of harmony. We believe these are signs of the rapid prosecution of the third angel's message, and indicate a quick work in the future.

We trust that God's people everywhere will unite in carrying out the great and broad plans that have been laid for the prosecution of the work, that with one heart and one mind this work may go to all the earth as a witness to every nation. I. H. EVANS.