THE IOWA CONFERENCE by D. T. BOURDEAU.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 14, 1867

THE IOWA CONFERENCE.

By D. T. BOURDEAU.

THIS Conference will soon come off; and are the brethren and sisters in the different parts of the State preparing for it by appointing delegates, filling up certificates and reports, renewing their s. B. pledges for the coming year, and squaring up for the past, and by getting in a state of readiness to labor for each other, and to sacrifice for the cause they love? Are you preparing as far as possible to take care of yourselves at the Conference, as you did at the convocation meeting last summer? There is no reason why you should not in this respect do the same as you did then. It will doubtless be warm at that time, so that those who are healthy can sleep in the meeting house, in the school house near by and in barns. The brethren and sisters at Pilot Grove have often borne the burdens of such large gatherings, and they are still willing to sacrifice. But we must give them a chance to enjoy the meetings. Let all who come, therefore, come prepared to take care of themselves as far as possible, and let not too many crowd at one house. But let there be a consultation with the committee, who will be appointed to see that none are without accommodations. At the Conference last spring there was a lack on this point, and some families were burdened, while other families who would have deemed it a privilege to entertain brethren, had none to wait upon. The brethren at Richmond, which is but five miles from Pilot Grove, stand ready to do their part in waiting upon those coming from the North, while the brethren at Washington will do what they can to accommodate those coming, from the South and East. And by inquiring it will be ascertained that there are quite a number of families living from two to four miles from Pilot Grove.

There should be a difference made between those who come from a great distance and are weary, and those who have come only a short distance and are comparatively fresh. Very frequently from a want of thought, or from selfishness, those who have come but a few miles will serve themselves first, and cause others to leave and go further, who, on account of their weariness and the weariness of their teams, etc., ought to occupy their places. We were once treated in this manner at a Conference, and can sympathize with such.

We would not have these suggestions keep any conscientious souls from attending the Conference. Let all those who have the cause at heart come to carry out the principles of order and equality, and to work for the Lord. D. T. BOURDEAU.