p. 17 | The Arizona Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

The Arizona Conference

THE seventh annual session of the Arizona Conference was held in Phoenix, Nov. 10-16, 1908. Since the last conference, held in January, two new churches have been organized, with a membership of forty-six. These were admitted to the conference.

During the year ending Dec. 31, 1907, the tithe average per capita was $27.50; and while the average during the year just closed was not so large, we are confident that the financial depression has been quite largely responsible for the decrease.

The finances of our corporation are in a flourishing condition. The conference has no debt, and has several thousand dollars in available assets. The several departments of the conference are prosperous.

The representation of delegates from the various churches was encouraging, and the reports of the workers were full of interest. A fixed determination was manifest to push the work as fast as possible, and to herald abroad the news of Christ’s soon coming. On the whole, the conference has made an encouraging growth during the past ten months. An active interest was taken in supporting the work in foreign fields. Something over three thousand copies of the special Thanksgiving number of the REVIEW have already been ordered.

A decided advance has been made in the educational work. Two new church-schools have been opened, and another teacher added to the force in the Phoenix School, which carries work up to and including the eleventh grade. Several Mexicans are attending this school, and still others are expected in the near future. Of these Spanish-speaking students, we hope to see some develop into first-class workers among their own race.

Our union conference president, Elder H. W. Cottrell, was with us, and his assistance was most valuable. His counsel and sermons were timely, and will not soon be forgotten. His lessons on the divinity of Christ are needed by many Seventh-day Adventists, and can not fail to accomplish great good.

The officers of the conference, elected for the coming year, are as follows: President, H. G. Thurston; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. M. T. Poston; religious liberty secretary, H. G. Thurston; educational secretary, H. G. Thurston. Some changes were made in the conference committee, H. G. Thurston, F. W. Wheeler, I. P. Dillon, Roy Roberts, and Juan Garcia Orozco being elected for the coming year. Corporation Trustees: H. G. Thurston, F. W. Wheeler, I. P. Dillon, Geo. G. Sims, Roy Roberts.

We feel grateful for God’s prospering care over this field, and expect the year upon which we now enter to be still better than the short one just closed.

Ministerial credentials were issued to H. G. Thurston, F. W. Wheeler, J. E. Bond, M. Serna. Ministerial licenses were given to I. P. Dillon, Geo. G. Sims, Juan Garcia Orozco, and missionary licenses to Mrs. M. T. Poston and A. J. Cole.