Annual Conferences in Montana and Upper Columbia
By W. B. White
The evening of February 4 I left Oakland, Cal., to attend the annual conferences in Montana and Upper Columbia, and also a council at College Place, Wash., February 27, to consider the needs of Walla Walla College. Arriving at Ogden, I was pleased to meet Elder W. A. Alway, who is at present working in house-to-house work in that city. Through this method of labor, some good souls have already accepted the truth, and others are interested. I also spent a few hours in Salt Lake City, holding one meeting with the church. This is an important point, and demands the earnest labor of a good minister. It certainly is a great missionary field, and will yield many precious souls to the truth if carefully worked. The medical work being carried forward by Dr. W. L. Gardner and his wife, Dr. Eva Gardner, is increasing in influence in the city, and at times they have more than they can do. The health food store and cafe is also exercising a strong influence for good, and is greatly appreciated by many. At Bozeman, Mont., I had the pleasure of again meeting with old friends, among whom I had labored in past years. About forty have accepted the truth in this field the past year, and one new church was added to the conference. This was raised up at Elliston. that under the labors of Brethren W. A. Gosmer and Paul Iverson, who held a tent-meeting there last summer. Substantial additions have also been made to the churches at other places. The conference will hold a local camp-meeting early in June in the Bitter Root Valley, in western Montana, and one in July in the northern part of the State; possibly others will be held later in the season. The conference also decided to erect a State conference office in Bozeman, on the church lot, which is well located for the purpose. Brother A. E. Everett, the former tract society secretary, has been chosen as State missionary secretary and conference treasurer. From this office will go out a continuous correspondence to all parts of the field. Last summer steps were taken to purchase twenty acres of fine irrigated land about five miles from the city, on which to place the intermediate school. One thousand dollars was paid for this, and the coming summer a school home will be erected. Just across the road from this school property is a brick church, which is used very little, and it is hoped that this can be rented for school purposes. It has two rooms, and if it can be secured, will make an admirable place for the school. Good courage is in the hearts of the Montana brethren, and we trust that they may be blessed in all their plans to advance the work of God. A few indications point in the wrong direction, but the brethren see them clearly, and are determined that they shall be corrected the coming year. Elder John A. Holbrook was elected conference president by the unanimous vote of the conference, Brother Paul Iverson, who for a number of years has labored faithfully in this field, and has proved himself a soul winner, was recommended for ordination. God's Spirit witnessed to the scene, and set its seal to this act. The conference was marked by great unity, harmony, and brotherly love, and it was very evident that the power of God's Spirit was present. From Bozeman I went to Spokane, Wash., to attend the annual sessions of the Upper Columbia Conference. This gathering was held in the new church building in the city, which was finished about a year ago, at a cost of about six thousand dollars. It is centrally located, and afforded an excellent place in which to hold such a gathering. The representation from without the city was somewhat small, but as nearly all the conference laborers were present, the gathering was quite representative. Some success has been seen the past year in bringing the truth to the people, and some new church buildings have been erected. Three churches were admitted to the conference, and other companies are nearly ready for organization. It was voted that hereafter a large central camp-meeting be held at a favorable time in the spring, and that the State conference be held in connection with it. Reports from the several departments of the conference were quite encouraging, and showed faithful labor. This conference is now practically free from debt in all departments of its work, and during the past year has turned into the Foreign Mission Fund about five thousand dollars. It is taking five hundred and sixty copies of the REVIEW, or one to every two and one half of its membership. We doubt if many conferences can show a better REVIEW record than this. The conference passed strong resolutions urging the conference officers and ministers to put forth special efforts the coming year to secure the adoption of the ten-cent-a-week plan in every family. It also requested the Mission Board to look over its list of workers, and if one could be found suitable for foreign fields, the conference would sustain him there. About eight thousand dollars' worth of books were sold by its agents the past year, and prospects seem bright for the year to come. During the meeting Brethren J. L. Kay, president of Walla Walla College, and W. R. Smith, who for a number of years has faithfully labored in this field, were ordained to the gospel ministry. The conference was graced by the presence and power of God, and harmony and unison prevailed. Elder A. J. Breed was again elected conference president, with about the same committee as last year. Both of these conferences were excellent occasions, and should prove an inspiration and stimulus to the work in Montana, eastern Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. W. B. White.