Untitled article by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 21, 1882

From Oakland to Rome, N. Y.

By Editor

On the 23d of November we left Oakland, Cal., by the Arizona route to the East, our destination being Rome N. Y., where the General Conference was appointed to be held. We were very much worn with labor when we left Oakland, and finding it necessary to do considerable writing for the SIGNS on the way, we were not in a good condition to resist the effects of sudden changes of temperature, and consequently took a severe cold, and have coughed much for a week past. Making a short stop at Battle Creek, we arrived in Rome the afternoon of Dec. 6, and found a large number of delegates arriving and already here.

Our trip, on the whole, was a pleasant one. Bro. W. C. White was our traveling companion, and the company in our car was mostly temperate and agreeable. We found very little snow on our journey, but it stormed the night we passed through Canada, and after we arrived in Rome we had as severe a storm, with driving wind, as we have seen for many years. It was almost impossible to walk against the wind and blinding snow. But with good fires and agreeable company we enjoyed the time very well.

The Conference was promptly opened by the President at the hour appointed. Much of the first day was taken up in the organization, appointments of Committees, etc., and with statements concerning the condition and wants of the cause in various fields. A partial report on the European missions led to the appointment of a committee to consider the relation of the organizations in Europe to the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists. Elder Van Horn preached in the evening.

A good social meeting was held on the morning of the 8th. At the morning session of the Conference, Bro. Haskell spent some time in explaining the state of the missions in Europe, relating many facts and incidents of much interest. At the close of his remarks the Committee on Resolutions presented the following:—

WHEREAS, We have listened with deep interest to the report given by Bro. Haskell of the European missions, showing the importance of the work, the necessity of maintaining it, and the need of further assistance in this direction, therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend that Bro. B. L. Whitney and family go, at their earliest convenience, to the assistance of Eld. Andrews, by connecting themselves especially with the work in Switzerland, laboring also to help other missions as opportunity may offer.

Remarks on this resolution were made by a number of delegates, those from New York and Pennsylvania manifesting very deep feeling at the thought of having Bro. Whitney leave them. But the best feeling prevailed, and it was evident that the Spirit of God was leading the minds of the brethren in this matter. This was considered by all one of the most important questions which will come before the Conference. The resolution was adopted without a dissenting vote, which evinced a noble spirit of sacrifice on the part of the brethren of New York and Pennsylvania.

The consideration of resolutions concerning a German paper in Europe and a paper in England, ended the work of the first two days of the Conference.

This is a most important meeting, and there is every indication that we shall have a harmonious session, resulting in great good to the cause. EDITOR.