The Meetings at College View, Nebr.
By A. T. Robinson
The ministerial institute and the sixth biennial session of the Central Union Conference began Tuesday evening, January 13, and closed Sunday evening, January 25. The first seven days were devoted to the institute work, Elders A. G. Daniells, I. H. Evans, and G. B. Thompson taking the lead in all the public services. Miss E. M. Graham was present during the entire time, and gave much valuable instruction in home missionary work. “An individual soul-winning campaign for 1914, and until the work is finished,” was the keynote from the opening meeting of the ministerial institute to the closing meeting of the conference session. The deep movings of the Holy Spirit which characterized the first few days of the institute proved to be but a few drops before the more full and plentiful showers of divine grace which were poured out upon the assembled people upon the Sabbath. Friday evening Elder Thompson delivered a soul-stirring discourse on the sealing work. God helped his servant to present a picture of what it will mean to an individual to know that the seal of the living God has been placed upon him, and also of the unutterable disappointment of those who shall awake to the awful realization that the angel “with the writer’s inkhorn by his side” has finished his work and passed them by without placing the “mark” upon them. The Spirit of God bore powerful witness to the statement of the fact that we are now in the time of the sealing work. A spirit of deep solemnity rested down upon the people, and at the very first word of invitation nearly every one in the great congregation arose, signifying his desire and determination to make a new and unreserved consecration to God. Sabbath morning the ministers and other workers assembled in the South Hall parlor for a consecration service. Elder Evans, in a forcible and impressive talk, set forth the weakness of our ministry as compared with what it ought to be in view of the tremendous work committed to our hands. He pointed the way to the source of strength and almighty power awaiting the demands of every minister of God. Many heartfelt confessions were borne, of sins which have been cherished, and of a determination to put them away. Some of these confessions brought liberty of soul to individuals, and the song of victory was heard before the close of this meeting, which lasted more than two hours. Another great wave of God’s power passed over the large congregation during the forenoon service, when Elder Daniells spoke with much freedom from the words, “Ye are witnesses of these things.” God has called this people to be living witnesses of the saving power of this closing message of the gospel in every part of the earth. As a fitting close of a blessed Sabbath day, Elder Olsen preached in the afternoon, with his old-time earnestness. Following the close of the institute program, on Monday, January 19, the remainder of the week and the following Sunday were given to the business meetings of the Central Union Conference, with a preaching service each evening. While all the evening discourses were especially timely, a very deep impression was made by Elder Daniells’s sermon one evening, based on the words of the prophet Micah, “The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass.” As the different countries were pointed out on the map, showing where this message has obtained a foothold and where there are living witnesses of the truth, it certainly could be said of a truth that the “remnant” are in the midst of many people. The saving power of this message upon the lives of those who are brought from the darkness of heathenism to the glorious light of the gospel surely is “as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass.” A spirit of harmony and unity characterized all the meetings of the union conference session. The biennial period just closed has been marked by financial prosperity. The amount remitted to the General Conference treasury during the two years, including the per cent of tithe to missions, Sustentation Fund, and mission offerings, was $162,498.29. Elder E. T. Russell’s annual address to the conference was a very inspiring one, as it marked two years of progress in all phases of the work. This session of the Central Union Conference has been characterized by more than the usual number of changes, affecting the personnel of the laborers in the union and local conferences. Elder Russell, who has carried the responsibilities of president since the organization of the union conference twelve years ago, has laid down that work, and is succeeded by Elder R. A. Underwood. Brethren I. F. Blue, of Nebraska, and John S. Yates, of Kansas, were ordained to the work of the gospel ministry on the closing Sabbath of the conference, the former having accepted a call to take charge of the educational work in India, and the latter to make Sumatra his field of labor. Elder C. H. Miller, of Nebraska, was invited to take charge of the Caribbean Conference. Besides these calls to foreign fields, several exchanges of laborers between conferences in the union were provided for. Elder C. R. Kite, president of the Colorado Conference, on account of his own health and that of his wife, was compelled about two months ago to resign as president of the conference, and the writer was called to take the place thus made vacant. It is a source of consolation to know that an unseen, omnipotent hand is guiding and overruling in all that pertains to the carrying forward and finishing of this work. Sometimes we do not see clearly the way before us, but if we cling closely to the Master’s guiding hand, we may have the abiding assurance that “all things work together for good to them that love God,” and that he will bring us safely through every trying experience. The closing Sabbath of the conference witnessed much of the power and blessing of God. It was a day of victory to many. The counsels and labors of the tried and worn servants of God were greatly appreciated during this series of meetings, and will prove of lasting good to the work in this part of the field. The mistake made by any who may not have made an unreserved surrender for service in the finishing of this work, may prove an irreparable loss. May the Lord keep us all faithful and true to him and to the sacred responsibility committed to us in this blessed truth.