Eastern Pennsylvania Conference by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1909

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

By G. B. Thompson

THE fifth annual session of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference was held in Lebanon, Jan. 12-19, 1909. Although we have a neat little church building here, the entire session of the conference was held in the Sons of America Hall, the largest and best-located hall in the city. This gave an excellent opportunity to make a special effort to reach those not of our faith. The efforts put forth in this direction were quite successful. Liberal and interesting methods of advertising were used; and although the weather was stormy and cold, a fair congregation was present each evening to listen to the stirring truths of the message. The city papers, the News and the Report, gave us considerable space each day. A number of persons expressed themselves as greatly interested in what they heard, and some of the conference laborers remained to follow up the interest which was created.

The conference was very encouraging. The attendance of our people was good, and over seventy delegates were present from the various churches. Unity prevailed in all the deliberations.

The reports rendered showed an encouraging growth in all departments. The tithe showed an increase of more than two thousand dollars over that of the previous year; there was also an increase of about one thousand dollars in offerings for foreign missions. Three churches were admitted and the report showed an increase of over one hundred Sabbath-keepers during the year. The sale of our books and other publications was greatly in excess of that of one year ago. A stirring canvassers' institute was planned to follow the meeting, and the outlook for the coming year is quite good for this kind of work.

The report from the Philadelphia Sanitarium was encouraging. This institution, like similar institutions elsewhere, has had its troubles, but under its present management the outlook is quite hopeful. The treasurer's report showed that with the patronage of the present time the sanitarium is nearly paying its way. Besides this, a spirit of consecration and loyalty to the message prevails. Some of the leading physicians of Philadelphia are on the consulting staff, and the institution is able to furnish as good care and medical advice as can be found anywhere. It should have the loyal and hearty support of our people. Plans were laid to push the sale of “Ministry of Healing” in the conference, in the interest of the institution. Dr. W. H. Smith, the medical superintendent, was present during part of the conference, and gave a stirring talk on the principles of health reform.

Brethren C. S. Wiest and I. M. Martin were ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. The officers elected for the coming year were about the same as last year. Elder W. H. Heckman was unanimously re-elected president, and Elder O. O. Bernstein vice-president. Elder K. C. Russell, Prof. H. R. Salisbury, and the writer shared with the laborers of the conference in the burdens and blessings of the meeting. The brethren and sisters left for their homes with renewed courage, to press forward in the message until its final triumph.

G. B. THOMPSON.