The Annual Chesapeake Conference by Benjamin George Wilkinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1914

The Annual Chesapeake Conference.

By Benjamin George Wilkinson

THE brethren of the Chesapeake Conference assembled for their annual meeting in the new church in Baltimore, Md., October 4-11. The number of delegates, small at first, increased toward the last of the meeting. An excellent spirit prevailed throughout all the meetings, all the brethren working together harmoniously for a better basis for the work the coming year.

The report of the president, Elder R. T. Baer, showed excellent progress for the conference during the year. Over two hundred persons have accepted present truth in that period of time. There was a very marked growth in tithes and offerings. Special mention should be made of the work of Brother Rodgers among the colored people in the city of Baltimore. About sixty have already accepted the truth as a result of the tent effort last summer, and the number will probably run much higher before the effort is concluded. The splendid growth in tithes and offerings in this conference is all the more marked when we consider the unusual number of new church buildings which have been erected in this field in the last two years. This has

drawn heavily upon the material resources of the brethren, yet in spite of this the conference shows excellent growth financially as well as spiritually.

Owing to the proximity of the meeting to Washington, D. C., many of the leading brethren came to Baltimore and occupied the pulpit in the evening meetings. The union men representing the various important departments were also present, and gave material assistance in the formation of plans and the preparation for their execution.

The blessing of God was experienced on Sabbath in an unusual manner. Many found new blessings in renewed covenants. About $200 was given in the Sabbath school donation from an attendance of about three hundred. As the emergency call had been thoroughly presented in all the churches, no heavy call for foreign missions was made. The donations of the day, however, amounted to about $500.

The brethren plan to hold a camp meeting next year under tents, in the early part of the season. This will no doubt be quite helpful to this conference, where it is not so easy to arrange for camp meeting as in some of our northern conferences. We look for good growth in the conference the coming year.

B. G. WILKINSON.