Impressions of Takoma Park and the Conference in Camp
THE following brief expressions of opinion indicate in a general way the feeling entertained by some of the brethren who are now making their first visit to the new location of the headquarters of the denomination. Taken together, these statements constitute a limited testimony meeting upon a topic of general interest throughout the denomination. Elder W. S. Hyatt, the president of the South African Union Conference, expresses himself thus:— “I arrived in Washington the evening of May 9, after seven years’ labor in South Africa. It is impossible to express my feelings as once again I meet with the laborers from all parts of the great harvest-field. We have often heard of Takoma Park and the work at that place, but we find that we had very little realization of what it is. Truly God has directed in the selection of this place so near to the capital of the nation, and yet in a quiet country place surrounded with the scenes of nature. The work here is prospering, and I believe God’s hand is directing to his own glory.” Elder J. W. Westphal, the superintendent of the South American field, tells how he was “agreeably disappointed:”— “I had supposed that the ground purchased for school and sanitarium purposes at Washington was in a village, not so isolated as might be desirable for the school. After passing along a sparsely settled street for a mile, and then entering a forest for nearly another half-mile before reaching the school buildings, I concluded that my impressions were not correct, and was agreeably disappointed. The location is beautiful, and with the tents pitched in this natural grove, the sight inspires a spirit of devotion. If surroundings can help to make a good conference, the one of 1905 ought to be a good one.” Elder Geo. A. Irwin, the president of the Australasian Union Conference, expresses his view as follows:— “Nature has done much for the site chosen for the school and sanitarium near Takoma Park, and when the buildings are completed and the grounds are laid out according to the original plan, the place will be very beautiful. Having a General Conference in a place where the delegates are surrounded with natural scenery, and where the early morning hours are made vocal with the happy songs of numberless birds of different species, is a new departure, which will, I trust, be not only pleasing to all, but will be for our spiritual blessing, and will result in heaven-born plans for the rapid advancement of the work throughout the entire field.” Elder S. N. Haskell, whose appreciation of nature is well known, says:— “It is a pleasant, retired location. The tents and buildings are among the trees, without the annoyance of the city traffic. Nature has done her best to make the spot one of seclusion from the world, permitting us to be shut in with God. This is my impression of the place for the General Conference. We shall pray and hope for a large outpouring of the Spirit of God on this occasion.” ELDER J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, who has known this work from its beginning, finds his expectations fully met, and testifies as follows:— “When I heard that the conference was to be held in a park, I said it was a fine thing, and since coming, my expectations have been fully met by the grandeur of the place.” Elder J. L. Shaw regards Takoma Park as “an ideal spot for a conference,” and is reminded of Nehemiah’s time. He says:— “Arriving from India, we find Takoma Park a delightful change. The cool, refreshing breeze and the genial sunshine of this oak-covered spot, make it an ideal spot for a conference both with God and with man. The kind hand of Providence has surely provided us with a place for this General Conference that should tell in making it an occasion in keeping with the times in which we are living, and with the mighty problems that confront us in the evangelization of the world. We are reminded of Nehemiah’s time, when the people met in booths to seek God and study his Word. We wish the missionaries in the hot places of the earth could plan and pray with us among these quiet, cool, refreshing oaks, that we might more fully see the work before us in the dark corners of the earth.” Elder D. T. Bourdeau describes his satisfaction in the following words:— “I am deeply penetrated with a conviction that a right choice has been made for the location of the present General Conference. In this choice wisdom has been displayed from the triple standpoint of reason, the testimonies of God’s Spirit, and the wants of the people at the capital of our nation. It will inspire new faith and life and courage in the delegates, as well as in all our people who shall attend. I regard the grounds, and the work of construction already begun upon them, as in perfect consonance with our high profession, and the testimonies of God’s Spirit, as well as with principles clearly shown in God’s Word.” Elder L. R. Conradi, the president of the General European Conference, is pleased both with the time and with the location of the conference. He states his feelings thus:— “In past years delegates from abroad have had to make their trips across the water at a most unfavorable time of the year. We already highly appreciate the choice of season, and the voyage has been a rest to us. This favorable impression still increased as we saw the beautiful green of spring, and still more as we saw the beautiful camp at Takoma Park. This place is certainly a beautiful one,—one in every way suited for a large gathering like this, where we can be refreshed not only by meeting our brethren and sisters and counseling for the great work, but also by inhaling the pure air; and in the groves every one has a splendid opportunity to seek the Lord. I am pleased with what I see of the buildings.” Elder O. A. Olsen, the president of the British Union Conference, expresses his own satisfaction, and the interest of the believers in Great Britain, in the following words:— “When I first learned of the plan for holding the conference in a camp, I was much pleased with it. As to the location at Takoma Park, it appears in every way favorable; and from the developments which have taken place since first establishing the headquarters at Washington, it is evident that the providence of God is directing the work in a very marked manner. I do not know what more could be asked for in the way of natural surroundings, and I can say as for our people abroad, especially Great Britain, that this movement is followed with the deepest interest, and their hearty sympathy is with it. They firmly believe that the move has been made in the providence of God, and it has their hearty support.” Elder E. W. Farnsworth, who has preached this message for many years and in many fields, gives his impression of the place in these words:— “As I was crossing the grounds, a friend said to me, ‘I wish I could take you to paradise.’ I replied, ‘This is about as near paradise as I ever expect to be in this present world,—the air so balmy, trees so green, and the melody of birds filling the air.’ Everything indicates that no mistake has been made in locating the General Conference in this place.” Elder W. H. Wakeham, superintendent of the work in Syria and Egypt, notes the contrast between Africa and Takoma Park. He says:— “Coming from the burning sands of Africa and cosmopolitan Cairo, the first sensation experienced on entering Takoma Park is the enjoyment of the delightful coolness and refreshing atmosphere. Then, too, meeting the old friends and fellow workers of former years is always refreshing, and the soul is filled with a foretaste of the spiritual blessings which await us at this gathering. We surely have abundant reason for praise and thanksgiving. Special evidences on every hand convince us at once that29some one has been hard at work here, and the blessing of God surely has attended the efforts. We confidently hope that this place will be one from which influences will go out to permeate not only this country, but to be carried to the ends of the earth.” THE following delegates have been appointed, in addition to those named in the list which was printed in the last REVIEW:— ATLANTIC UNION: H. C. Wilcox. CANADIAN UNION: A. O. Burrill, H. E. Rickard, Wm. Guthrie, Dr. W. H. White, Eugene Leland. LAKE UNION: J. O. Miller. GENERAL EUROPEAN: W. A. Westworth, B. G. Wilkinson, Miss Bertha Severin, A. F. Ballenger, Wm. Hutchinson, C. W. Weber. DELEGATES AT LARGE: D. C. Babcock, E. A. Sutherland, Miss F. M. Dickerson, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer, G. B. Thompson, Mrs. Flora L. Bland, Estella Houser, K. C. Russell, W. A. Colcord, C. P. Bollman, D. W. Reavis, J. S. Washburn, S. N. Curtiss, James Cochran, E. R. Palmer, S. D. Hartwell, Dr. G. H. Heald, Dr. W. C. Green, Dr. J. E. Froom, Dr. G. A. Hare, Dr. D. C. Ross, Dr. B. E. Fullmer, Dr. C. P. Farnsworth, Dr. Emma H. Perrine, Dr. W. S. Swayze, Dr. J. H. Neall, F. M. Wilcox.