The British Union Conference
By Guy Dail
February 14-19 delegates from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales assembled in London, to attend the winter session of the British Union Conference. The committee meetings were held in our publishing house, in the college building, or in Duncombe Hall, where the larger number of our public meetings were held. In Great Britain we have two conferences and three mission fields: the South and North England Conferences, and the Scotch, Irish, and Welsh mission fields. Last summer a tent effort was carried on in Bristol, another at Edmonton, and a third at Catford. Sixty-nine were baptized during the year, and thirty-four were added by vote, bringing up the membership to 536. The tithe amounted to $6,923.46, the offerings to $915.77. Thirteen gospel workers were in the field. The Duncombe Hall College, the International Tract Society, Limited (both in London), and the Caterham Sanitarium are located in the territory of this conference. About ninety were in attendance at the school. A number of the younger students have been able to live in the school home, which, with the recitation rooms, may be reached by a five minutes' walk from our publishing house on Holloway Road. Thirteen of the pupils were converted and baptized during the year. Ten of the older students assist in the Sabbath and Sunday meetings held in various parts of the great metropolis, and fifty-five of them are paying a whole or a part of their school expenses by canvassing. The coming of Brother H. C. Lacey, from California, provided a welcome addition to the teaching force of the college. As to the influence of the publishing work, it was shown that in nearly every instance where we have heard of an interest being aroused, the circulation of our literature has at least been connected with it, if it has not been the real cause of the religious awakening. The importance of the godly life of each individual laborer as he goes from house to house with the publications laden with present truth, was emphasized. In Manchester a little girl has been selling thirty copies of Present Truth each week, going to a class of houses that the other workers could not enter. For the seven months ending Jan. 31, 1905, our publishing house sales amounted to $40,946. Among the publications sold were 20,175 subscription books, 859 health books, 413 trade books, 607 pamphlets, 86,762 tracts and leaflets; and of periodicals, 537,200 copies of Present Truth, 350,000 of Good Health, 22,000 of Our Day, and 40,000 of Coming King. The Caterham Sanitarium had a gain of about $577 for the six months ending Dec. 31, 1904. It has had a good run of patients, who have generally been very well pleased with the treatments they have received, and with the diet provided. The spiritual side of our work is especially emphasized at this institution, and the increasing patronage compels us to add constantly to our rooming facilities. There seems a very steady and healthful growth. This field has closed the best year in its history. Five new churches were organized, eighty-seven persons were baptized, and the membership arose from 357 at the beginning to 433 at the close of the year. Fourteen workers were employed. The year's tithe was $5,219.59; the offerings were $785. There are two institutions in this field—one is the Leicester Sanitarium, and the other the plant of the International Health Food Company, at Birmingham. Our health work in Leicester has made fair progress. The sanitarium is located on a quiet street in the city, and yet it has some difficulty in working up a first-rate patronage, because it is not located in the country. Especially helpful to the public have been the number of health schools conducted by our workers, as thus the masses are becoming acquainted with correct principles. During the last six months of 1904 the health food factory reduced its indebtedness from $3,825 to $2,633; this is very encouraging to us all, especially if we consider some of the difficulties with which our brethren here have had to contend. This mission reports many openings, so that the question there has ceased to be so much, “How shall we present the truth?” the query being rather, “How can we meet the demands of the people upon us?” The work of our colporteurs has been very successful, their sales being $10,262 for the year. The tithe of Scotland was $1,011; donations, $128; eleven workers were employed; forty-two persons were baptized, our membership at the close of 1904 was 131. The only institution we have in Ireland is the Belfast Sanitarium. It has had fair patronage, but here, as in Leicester, the work must be carried on in the city, and so our location is not so favorable as we could wish. The six months ending Dec. 31, 1904, show a gain of $287; all considered, this is a favorable report. Our evangelical work in Ireland has met very bitter and determined prejudice and opposition; still about twelve members were baptized during the year, bringing up our membership to 124; tithe, $1,809; donations, $152. The great revival which has swept14over Wales of late, has so engaged the popular mind that it has made our work somewhat difficult. While we do not doubt the sincerity of a great many who have taken part in this movement, yet it would seem that, tested by the simple and plain word of God, we can not look upon it as the genuine working of the Holy Spirit, for our brethren have found that so soon as the question of obedience to the Scriptures was specifically brought home to converts, and the binding claims of the law of God were emphasized, there was not that willingness to do as the Master requires which joyfully listens to his behests. However, we have lost but one member as a result of this great religious enthusiasm. Eight workers have been engaged here; fifty-nine have been received by baptism during the year; our tithe was $945; donations were $128; and the membership at the close of the year was 140. Six workers are on the British Union pay-roll. The entire income of the British field for 1904 was: Tithe, $15,909; donations, $2,090; book sales, $30,749. Total members received, by baptism, 269; by vote, 100. There were sixty workers and 1,364 church-members. These union conference officers were elected: President, O. A. Olsen; Vice-President, E. E. Andross; Secretary and Treasurer, A. Bacon; Auditor, S. S. Barnard. All were glad for the help of Brother E. W. Farnsworth, who had lately been laboring in the field. The counsel of Brother Conradi was also appreciated. In the committee meetings many difficult questions came up for consideration. We are still seeking for a suitable location in the country, but yet near enough to the great center of population, for our publishing, school, and health food work. It was decided to hold a joint meeting of the North and South England Conferences and the Welsh Mission at a centrally located city, early in August. Because of the present Sunday agitation, a special Sabbath Campaign Committee was appointed, to take charge of presenting the truth to the people in every possible manner, upon this important topic. Gradually, yet almost universally, is this question coming to the front. With the best of courage, and bright hopes for the future, the delegates left the place of meeting, determined to take up their work with new energy and faithfulness. God met with us at the British Union meeting, and it was felt by all that precious indeed is the meeting of his people. The religious instruction imparted was eagerly received. The discussion showed a brotherly spirit. We believe the ground is being well prepared, and that the organizations which have so recently been effected are becoming more and more a working power in these various conferences and missions, and that the future has still greater results in store for God's faithful followers in Great Britain.