West Pennsylvania Conference
By George B. Thompson
The second annual session of the West Pennsylvania Conference was held at Wilkinsburg, a suburb of Pittsburg, April 19-23, 1905. Delegates were present, representing a number of the churches in the conference. All the laborers were also in attendance, including Elder P. M. Howe, who has recently come to the conference to labor, and is located in the city of Pittsburg. Elder H. W. Cottrell, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, and the writer were present from outside the conference. Also Brother F. E. Painter, the field agent for the union conference. All were hospitably entertained by the members of the local churches. The guiding hand of the Lord was seen in the meeting from the very beginning. Some differences had been permitted to come into the work, which threatened to mar the harmony of the meeting; but all came together with the desire to attain unto the unity of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord did not disappoint his people; he never does. The practical truths of the word were impressed upon the heart, and I have never seen a greater work done for the people in a meeting than was done at this gathering. Sabbath was a good day. The Holy Spirit was present in no ordinary manner. Alienations were put away, backsliders renewed their covenant with God, while others started for the first time in the service of the Master. Such meetings give us some indication of the willingness of the Lord to bless his people. He is only waiting for them to come into right relation to him in order to bestow that special outpouring of the Holy Spirit which will fit up his people to speedily finish the work. Many expressed the conviction that this meeting marked a new era in the work of the conference. This will indeed be so if we, with them, carry into the churches the same spirit which was present at the meeting. The utmost harmony prevailed in all the deliberations. Elder E. J. Dryer was re-elected president. It is expected that two or more local camp-meetings will be held in the conference during the summer. Two new churches were admitted into the conference at this meeting. Careful consideration was given to the different departments of the work. All are deeply interested in the work being carried forward in Washington, and expressed a determination to continue financial aid until the funds necessary to properly establish the headquarters here are raised. Besides the pledges made, over eight hundred of the one thousand copies of the Bible Training School, donated by Elder Haskell and his wife for the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund, were taken at this meeting. It is expected that four tents will be run in the conference this summer, while other laborers will be left free to develop local interests. All departed for their homes, encouraged to believe that the Lord would be with them in a special manner. G. B. Thompson.