Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition and Oriental Fair
By F. M. Burg
THIS exposition will be held in the city of Portland, Ore., during the summer of the present year. It is “the first international exposition under the patronage of the United States government to be held west of the Rocky Mountains,” and is to be held in celebration of the acquisition of the Oregon Country, which originally comprised all of the present States of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming, an area of three hundred thousand square miles. This article is not intended as a detailed description of the fair, but to call the attention of the REVIEW readers to this, another opportunity for missionary effort which has come to the people through whom God is heralding the last warning message to the world. While this exposition is within easier reach of our people on the Pacific Coast, and appeals in a special way to them as a missionary opportunity, still the believers of present truth in other parts of the country will feel an interest in the matter, and will no doubt note with special interest the steps which have been taken by the Pacific Union Conference to interest the many visitors to the fair in the third angel’s message. It is estimated that one million people will visit the exhibit during the season, which suggests the importance of the opportunity we have in the event for sowing seed for the soon-coming harvest. The Pacific Union Conference Executive Committee at its meeting held at Mountain View in January spent considerable time in the study of this question, and laid some plans. A committee was appointed with power to prosecute the work in connection with the fair. This committee consisted of the following persons: A. J. Breed, W. R. Simmons, W. V. Sample, E. L. Stewart, and F. M. Burg. The conference committee also voted to request the Southern California Conference to release Elder William Ward Simpson to work in Portland during the season; and also further voted that a day be selected when an offering should be taken in all the churches of each conference in the Pacific Union to meet the expenses incident to the work, especially of procuring an adequate supply of literature. And since each conference in the Pacific Union is requested to send a worker, either a Bible worker or some one adapted to work with literature, a considerable amount of literature will be used, even though it be used judiciously, as is the aim; hence quite a sum should be raised when this special offering is taken. And one other thing might be mentioned which will interest our brethren and sisters, and which will also call for some means,—no large amount, however. It is the Rest Home, which will be fitted up in one of the exhibit buildings, where the many mothers who will visit the grounds with their little ones may find a place for retirement and rest. The fair commissioners very kindly and favorably considered our application, and courteously offered space to be used in this way. The Rest Home will be equipped with chairs, rockers, couches, cots or beds, etc., and put under the charge of some person of tact and adaptability, to receive and show Christian courtesy to the guests, and also who will watch for every opportunity to point the weary to the rest that may be found in the One who gave the great invitation. More might be written which would interest our people in regard to the work contemplated during the time of the fair. Perhaps, however, this is as much as would be consistent to write at this time. We will therefore call special attention to the time selected by the special fair committee when the offering should be taken in the churches of the Pacific Union Conference; namely, Sabbath, April 22. Please make special note of this; and let conference officers, church elders, and leaders of companies seek to interest everybody in this good work. Why not ask some friend interested in philanthropic work to give a little also? You have a good chance to appeal to him by laying before him the plan of establishing the Rest Home for mothers. Money that may come from outside the Pacific Union Conference will also be thankfully received. Remit to W. V. Sample, of the Pacific Press Branch Office, 285 Salmon St., Portland, Ore.