The Central New England Conference by K. C. RUSSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1908

The Central New England Conference

By K. C. RUSSELL

THE annual session of the Central New England Conference was held in the church at South Lancaster, Mass., October 8-11. There was an excellent attendance from all parts of the conference; besides the members of the conference, Elder E. R. Palmer and wife, R. J. Bryant, F. M. Dana, general missionary agent of the Atlantic Union Conference, and Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, were present to share in the privileges and blessings of the meeting.

Elder E. R. Palmer gave some interesting and instructive addresses on the growth of the publishing work among Seventh-day Adventists. This alone is sufficient to convince the most incredulous that the third angel's message is rapidly reaching the time when it will triumph gloriously.

The medical work received its share of attention. The importance of our people's exemplifying in their lives the true principles of health reform, and the necessity of circulating our health literature, were emphasized as the chief and most effective way of making the New England Sanitarium at Melrose, Mass., a success. Brother J. B. Huguley, the newly appointed business manager, was present at the conference, and manifested a lively interest in the work of the institution. The delegates of the conference received with satisfaction the intelligence that the sanitarium is now in shape to do better work, with its additional facilities in the way of new bathrooms and a suitable gymnasium.

Miss Mary Sanderson, M. D., superintendent of the sanitarium at Springfield, Mass., was present, and gave an interesting report of her work. She related how the Lord has blessed the medical work in that city, as a medium in reaching souls with the third angel's message.

Mrs. L. S. Wheeler, secretary of the Missionary Volunteers' work in the Central New England Conference, gave an encouraging report of this department of the work.

The financial report of the conference showed an increase in the tithe of $447.45 over 1907, and an increase in offerings to missions of over $2,000 for the same period.

The reports rendered by various ministers and Bible workers were encouraging to the delegates, as they showed that many souls had been won for Christ during the past conference year.

The following commendable resolution was enthusiastically discussed and unanimously adopted:—

“Whereas, There is at the present time no adequate provision for the care of the aged poor of our conference; therefore,—

*“Resolved, That a suitable home be provided for them, and that each memberof the conference be given the privilege of contributing to a permanent fund for its purchase and maintenance; and that a committee be appointed at this meeting to investigate this matter, and report to the conference committee as soon as is consistent.”*

Let other conferences go and do likewise.

One of the most impressive features of the meeting was the ordination of three young men—F. W. Stray, A. E. Anderson, and J. H. Anderson—to the work of the gospel ministry. We believe the Lord will crown the labors of these young men with success, as they go forth with humility and in the fear of God to carry this precious message of divine truth.

The Sabbath service of this meeting was especially blessed of the Lord in impressing hearts with a deeper consecration in the closing work of this message. The conference showed its continued interest in the work of South Lancaster Academy by voting to pay the salary of the Bible teacher.

Elder H. F. Ketring was again unanimously elected president of the conference, and H. B. Tucker secretary and treasurer.

Monday, October 12; after the regular session of the conference had closed, in a council of the workers, a most spiritual meeting was held. It was indeed a fitting climax to the work of the conference session that had preceded it,—a little Pentecost, where the workers were endued with power, before leaving for their respective fields of labor.

K. C. RUSSELL.