p. 16 | Progress This Year in the Columbia Union

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1916

Progress This Year in the Columbia Union

By B. G. Wilkinson

Thus far this year shows increasing success in each line of work in the Columbia Union. From different parts of the field, and from every department, comes the report that God is blessing in a signal manner.

We are carrying on large tent efforts this summer in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Richmond, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and a number of other cities. From the efforts already in progress word comes that the speakers are having larger and more enthusiastic audiences than ever before. Our baptisms for 1915 were one thousand, while the net increase in membership was approximately six hundred; but the prospects for 1916 are bright, far exceeding this record.

Our finances are quite as encouraging. Thus far, even allowing for the increased membership, our offerings to foreign missions are about $3,000 more than they were at this time last year. Tithes are increasing, and the union has already secured in cash and pledges about $20,000 for the new college building at Washington.

We feel sure that before the year is over, the Columbia Union will have raised for this enterprise $30,000, if not more. Our Twenty-cent-a-week Fund usually totals more than $70,000; thus for 1916 this territory will raise more than $100,000 for missions and institutions. By this we see that the Lord is taking such hold on the hearts of the people that they are giving freely of their means.

The secretary of the publishing department of the union a few days ago laid on my desk a report of our sales during the past month. They were just about double what they were for the same month of 1915. Our canvassers everywhere are of good courage.

The educational secretary of the union reports that the summer school now in progress in Washington is the largest we have ever held in the East. Yet there is hardly any one in attendance from outside the Columbia Union. News comes from all parts that the youth are making great efforts to secure in our training centers this coming year a preparation for a part in the Lord's work.

A splendid report comes from our sanitarium at Washington. The institution has been doing the greatest business that it ever has done. Its patronage is large and influential.

Likewise our camp meetings have thus far been more successful than in any previous year. The Spirit of God has been present in marked power.

For all these good tokens we thank God and take courage.

B. G. WILKINSON.