Young People's Convention in Ohio
By G. B. Thompson
A CONVENTION of the young people of the Ohio Conference was held December 6-8, at the Mt. Vernon Academy. The presence of a number of young people from the various churches, in addition to the students in the academy, made the gathering a large and representative one of the young people of the conference. The meeting was in charge of the educational secretary. Elder Burkholder and several other members of the conference committee were present. These, with the teachers in the academy, all entered heartily into the work of the convention. Elder W. H. Anderson and the writer were present from outside the conference. The design of the meeting was more fully to organize this branch of conference work, and the organization effected was of the simplest kind possible, and the entire work and management of the department was placed under the direction of the conference. From the very beginning of the meeting, the especial presence of the Holy Spirit was experienced, and a marked missionary enthusiasm was manifested among all in attendance. This spirit permeates the academy in a very encouraging manner, and nearly all the students in attendance are preparing themselves for work in the message, especially in the foreign fields. A number have gone from this school to the “regions beyond,” and our visit here convinces us that in a short time scores of others will join them in the work of extending the message in those needy fields. The one purpose of the school is to develop workers for God. It was encouraging to see so many of the young men preparing to enter the ministry. The keynote of the convention was that of missionary work, at home and abroad. The thought was strongly emphasized that the young people of this denomination have but one object in organizing themselves into societies, and that is to labor for souls. This is the only purpose expressed in the call which has come to the young to form themselves into bands. The convention adopted as the object of their organization the following: “To study the Bible; to study missions; to save souls.” Motto: “The Advent Message to the World in This Generation.” The move taken at the last camp-meeting by this conference, to hold one half of its laborers and one half of its tithe at the call of the Mission Board, was a step in the right direction, and is proving an inspiration to the whole conference. As they look out into such nations as India, China, Egypt, etc., and see some of their own laborers seeking to plant the truth in these fields even in the midst of many difficulties, the missionary spirit is increasing more and more. Every such step will be blessed of God. This same missionary spirit was manifested by the young people in their convention, and they planned to focus their effort on some definite foreign work, in addition to the home missionary work planned for, and voted to sustain one or more workers in a foreign field. A letter from Brother F. W. Field, in Japan, giving a detailed account of how the message is spreading in Korea, was read, and they decided to support a worker in that field, and voted to pay the salary for one year of the native worker, Brother Lim Ki Pan, now laboring in that country. A collection was taken at the evening service to start this work, and $30.50 was received in cash. The needs of Africa were presented to the convention by Brother Anderson, and the Lord moved in a special manner upon the convention to assist in the work of the mission being established under the direction of the General Conference in Barotseland. By vote they agreed to pay the salary for one year of one of the native workers whom Brother W. H. Anderson is planning to take with him from Buluwayo to this mission. A collection was taken, and $48.58 was received in cash, which is more than enough to pay the salary for the year. In addition to this, $25.22 previously raised by the young people of the State for missionary work, was voted to the work in India. I greatly enjoyed this visit to the academy, and the missionary spirit manifested was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of attending the convention. We received some drops of the latter rain, and a special preparation for the week of prayer. The deep missionary interest manifested we believe to be but the beginning of that mighty work which is to lighten the whole earth with the message, and prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. We saw more clearly than ever before the great work which is within the reach of our youth. The youth in other conferences can do a similar work to that begun by the consecrated young people of the Ohio Conference. Let some simple plans be perfected, and under wise and consecrated leaders let the youth and the children be set to work for the Lord. In working for others they will save their own souls. The work is onward in this conference, and the Lord is indicating something of the great work that he is soon to accomplish in the earth. The long delay in the work of God is to end, and such a work in the history of the message as we have longed for, but not seen hitherto, is now19to be seen. It is surely a time to lift up our heads and rejoice, for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.