The North Pacific Union Conference by W. B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

The North Pacific Union Conference

By W. B. White

WE are glad to say that the work in this field is onward, and we have many reasons for encouragement. The past summer and fall have been busy months for us, and we have every reason to thank God for the prosperity of the work. All our summer and fall camp-meetings were precious seasons, and were a great encouragement to our people.

In consequence of recent developments among us, some were somewhat perplexed on certain points of faith, and while possibly not in a doubting frame of mind, were in a measure bewildered. Elder Irwin's series of lessons were of great value, and brought light and faith to many minds. God blessed them to the good of his people. Our small local camp-meetings later in the fall were also sweet and precious seasons with God, and were an inspiration to all who attended them.

In this union conference we have Walla Walla College, and seven intermediate schools scattered through the several conferences. The opening of the school year found more pupils in these schools than ever before. The number has steadily increased, and at this writing all our schools have about as many students as they can well care for. Nearly every room in Walla Walla College is full, and we are glad to say that we are having an excellent school.

Prof. M. E. Cady, with a strong, consecrated faculty, is doing good work for the young people, and an excellent influence is going out through the union conference. The intermediate schools are also doing excellent work, and many wish to obtain a preparation now for service, that they may enter the work a little later. We feel much encouraged by our educational prospects, and trust that through our schools many of our young people may be turned toward the work of God.

In the medical work advancement is being made also. The Portland Sanitarium is enjoying a good year, and is having an excellent winter patronage, the best in its history. At this writing (January 23), the house is well filled, a good class of young men and women are entering on the nurses' course, improvements are being made, and the future looks reasonably bright for the prosperity of the work.

At College Place, the little sanitarium established by the Upper Columbia Conference near the college is now fitted up for work, and is enjoying a reasonable patronage. Private medical enterprises are being conducted at Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsend, and North Yakima, which as far as we know are having a reasonable degree of success.

The book work of the union conference is steadily increasing, and the prospects are that a large number will enter the field the coming year. Our States are now quite well manned with State agents, but we are greatly in need of a strong man for our union conference general agent.

Referring again to Walla Walla College, I would say that its present debt is about twenty-three thousand dollars. Last spring a plan was laid to lift this burden, and during the summer and fall cash subscriptions were taken for this purpose, and it now looks as if our plans would be successful, for good substantial subscriptions to the amount of about fifteen thousand dollars are already in hand, and a very small part of the union conference has been solicited. From the first, God has blessed this effort, and we are certain that by another fall our college will be free from debt.

In the early winter ministerial institutes were held in the three large conferences—Upper Columbia, Western Oregon, and Western Washington. We believe these have been of great profit, and trust that others of like nature may be held.

The annual conference of the British Columbia field has just been held, and we are much encouraged with reference to the progress of the work in that field. The past year its tithe has nearly doubled, about forty new Sabbath-keepers have been added to our churches, and we believe that in another year or two it will reach the point of a self-supporting conference.

A new school building will be erected the coming summer on the school farm at Port Hammond, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars. An Indian mission will also be established near Port Simpson, and a party in early spring will penetrate into what is known as the Ootsa Lake Country, where there are no missionaries of other denominations, and will endeavor to get in touch with the Indians of that region and establish a station.

It now looks as if a self-supporting conference with about four hundred members might soon be organized in southern Idaho. This is under advisement.

We are endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Our courage is good. We believe God is blessing our efforts, and to him we will give all the praise and glory for what has been and is being done, and with strength of heart press forward in the work.

W. B. WHITE.