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Canadian Union Conference

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 21, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 3.

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Canadian Union Conference

By W. H. Thurston

In many ways the year 1908 has been a prosperous one for the work in our field. There has been a gradual increase in membership. Some who were indifferent to the truth have been revived, and all seem of good courage.
Our two academies are well equipped, and with the assistance rendered by the General Conference, and the efforts made in the conferences where the schools are located, we hope soon to liquidate the indebtedness. We have a good class of students in both schools, and the work is going on well. During the vacations our students go out into the field with books, and in this way, wholly or in part, pay their way through the school. We are looking to our schools for workers in the various departments of the conference, and we are sanguine that we shall not be disappointed. Already two have positions as conference workers, and others are preparing to enter the work. Some will, no doubt, make canvassing their regular work, some will take up Bible work, while others will go out as teachers, and some will prepare for the ministry. Our church-schools, though few in number, are being successfully carried on, and we hope to organize several more this year.
The publishing work has enjoyed a successful year, and we are organizing for still more aggressive work. Our sales for the year amounted to nearly eleven thousand dollars, a gain of about four thousand dollars over 1907. We have set our stakes for an output of twenty thousand dollars’ worth of literature this year, and we shall try to enlist everybody in its distribution. We are gratified to know that the reading-matter placed in the hands of the people is doing much good, and many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth, and saved in the kingdom of God, as the result of the work of our faithful canvassers.
We are pleased to report that we now have a provincial canvassing agent in the Maritime Conference, Brother G. W. Miller, who will give his whole time to field work. Brother Miller is a native of Nova Scotia, and has had several years’ experience in the book work. His headquarters will be at Moncton, New Brunswick, but he will work both in New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia. At the close of the school at Williamsdale, he will conduct an institute, and then place the canvassers in the field and join them in their work for the summer. We are also negotiating for a provincial agent for Ontario.
Our publishing house has been moved from Toronto Junction to Ottawa. We are well located here, and have put in a good stock of books for the summer trade. We are considering the question of buying a lot in Ottawa and erecting a building of our own for our publishing work, as we are fully convinced that Ottawa is the place for our headquarters and for our publishing house. The treatment-rooms at Ottawa and at Lindsay, Ontario, are prospering, and giving satisfaction to the public.
The program for the special REVIEW campaign was carried out quite fully, and considerable money was received. As a result of this effort, several persons became much interested in our work. We believe that number of the REVIEW is doing great good.
One church building has been erected; two others are under construction, and will soon be ready for dedication.
Our ministers are working mostly in the cities this winter, encouraging the believers, and holding public services evenings. Through sickness and removals to other fields our corps of laborers is somewhat diminished at present, but it will be reinforced soon.
From our mission field, Newfoundland, come interesting reports of the work. Several have been added to the number of believers, and others are interested in the truth. A goodly number of the special REVIEW were used in the island with good results.
Our tithes and offerings are gradually increasing, and our people are coming to realize more and more the importance of giving not only their means, but also their sons and daughters to the Lord’s work. We are pleased to report progress from our part of the field, and are claiming the promise, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
W. H. Thurston, President Canadian Union Conference.