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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 27, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 5.

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West Michigan

By C. F. McVAGH

THE Lord greatly blessed the work and workers in West Michigan during 1915. Our workers are of good courage, and the people and churches united and cooperating loyally. During 1914 there were baptized in the conference two hundred and twenty-two, and at the beginning of 1915 we asked the people and laborers to work and pray for three hundred souls during the year. We are glad to report that more than that number were baptized. We cannot yet give the full number in excess of our goal. Of course, it will be readily understood that in a conference graced by so many pioneers as West Michigan, the losses by death are heavy. Elder Langdon reports an average of more than one funeral a week in Battle Creek alone for all the time he has been there, so our net gains are small. The net gain for 1914 was only forty-one, and for 1915 only one hundred and fifteen. A comparison of results for the last three years shows good progress in all lines. A few figures may be of interest:—
Our membership in 1913 was 2,444; at the beginning of 1916 there were 2,862; net gain, 238.
Tithe for 1913, total, $38,347.88; per capita, $15.69. For 1914, total, $44,227.71; per capita, $17.23. For 1915, total, $48,051.25; per capita, $17.91. This shows a gain of nearly $10,000 in two years, and a gain per capita of $2.22 in the same time.
Total amount of Twenty-cent-a-week Fund sent forward in 1913, $15,752; in 1914, $20,389.29; in 1915, $29,205.62.
Total amount of Sabbath school offerings for missions in 1913, $6,295.99; in 1914, $7,805.40; in 1915, $9,175.47.
Total amount of literature sent out from the West Michigan Tract Society: 1913, $7,669.56; 1914, $12,704.15; 1915, $15,500.
The campaign for clearing the conference debts is proceeding satisfactorily. Elder Reefman has visited half the churches in the interest of the $6,000 we are asking the churches to raise, and if the remaining churches do as well, all the association debt and our share of the college and academy debts, will be cleared by next camp meeting time. The young people's work and school work show a healthy growth.
C. F. McVAGH.