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Maritime Conference

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 42.

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Maritime Conference

By W. H. THURSTON

The annual session of the Maritime Conference was held at Williamsdale Academy, Nova Scotia, September 10-20, in connection with the fourth session of the Canadian Union Conference. The weather was pleasant during the entire time of the meeting, and the attendance was good. The meetings during the day were held in the academy chapel, and the evening and Sunday services were held in a Latter-day Saints church, about half a mile from the academy. Laborers present from outside the conference were Elders E. R. Palmer, Eugene Leland, G. H. Skinner, C. H. Keslake, and B. B. Noftger. All departments of the work were given careful study, and plans were formulated for a forward movement.
The first Sunday afternoon was devoted to a temperance rally, and much interest was manifested in this important subject. Elder Palmer’s talks on missionary work, and especially on the publishing work, were greatly appreciated, and resulted in moving the people to action, and confirmed all in the possibilities of greater things. He also joined us in our committee work, representing the General Conference, and gave timely suggestions and counsel. The evening and Sunday services were planned largely for the general public, that all might get a clear understanding of our work and of our mission in this world, and of the message that we are giving in all lands. Those present listened attentively, and seemed to understand their duty, and some were quite persuaded.
The business of the conference was carefully dealt with in facts and figures, and $1,035 was raised in cash and pledges toward liquidating the indebtedness on the school buildings. With an effort among those who were not at the meeting, and with the amount appropriated by the General Conference for this purpose, the indebtedness will be paid, and the jubilee song will be sung.
A resolution was passed, asking for a thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” to be handled in the conference to supply money for further improvements at the school from time to time. Elder J. O. Miller was elected president of the conference, Elder E. E. Gardner treasurer, and the members of the executive committee elected were J. O. Miller, E. E. Gardner, W. H. Cook, James Hannah, and Ira Galt. Miss Beatrice Hisler was chosen secretary of the conference; Miss Mabel Dimock, field missionary secretary; A. A. Livingston, religious liberty secretary; G. W. Miller, of South Dakota, field missionary agent, provided he can be secured; and Ira Galt, auditor. The new board held several meetings, and planned the work for the coming year.
The Sabbath days of the meeting were exceptionally good days, and the Holy Spirit was especially manifested. The last Sabbath afternoon we repaired to the beautiful water flowing by the academy, and five souls were buried with their Lord in baptism, Elder Wm. Guthrie officiating. The last Sunday we had a religious liberty rally, the time being divided among three speakers. The church was well filled, and the best attention given to this important question. Some of the brethren there have been notified by the secretary of the Lord’s Day Alliance that they must stop working on Sunday, and that if they do not, they will be prosecuted. One of these letters was read to the audience, and the subject was discussed on its merits.
The last Sunday night the church was packed to the doors, and Elder Palmer spoke on “the home of the saved.” He had freedom; and at the close of the service, some expressed themselves, with tears in their eyes, as desirous of having a part in that home. The conference closed with a shout of victory, and all went home with a deeper sense of the importance of the work and the times in which we are living, and of the privilege of having some active part in spreading the truth.
Elder Gardner and wife will continue in the educational work in the academy, and the outlook for the year in this department of the work is very encouraging. May prosperity attend every effort, and the result be an ingathering of souls.
W. H. THURSTON.