p. 17 | British Union Conference by Eugene E. Andross

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 31, 1907

British Union Conference

By Eugene E. Andross

The annual camp-meeting for the British Union Conference held at Nottingham, August 2-12, was the most successful one that we have ever held in this field; at least, this seemed to be the opinion of all who were present. It was certainly the most largely attended, and the results seemed to be the best. The Lord gave freedom to all who assisted in the public labor. But it seemed to me that the chief reason for its success was in the fact that our people responded heartily to the messages the Lord sent to them through his servant Sister White.

The day the meeting opened, I received several Testimonies that were designed to be read at our camp-meetings, some for all the congregation, others for our workers, and some for our young people. These were read, and there was a hearty response on the part of all to the messages they contained. A sweet spirit brooded over the entire encampment. Our people returned to their homes full of courage, and very hopeful for the speedy triumph of the message.

Since the meeting closed, I have made a visit to Ireland, where I found the work progressing favorably. Two tent efforts are being conducted, one at Londonderry, in the far north, and the other in Dublin, the capital. In both of these a fair interest in the truth is being manifested, and some fruit is already beginning to appear. We hope that good churches will be raised up in each of these cities as the result of these efforts. One of the tents came from our brethren in California, and the other from the brethren of the Colorado Conference. Our people in Ireland are very grateful for the generous assistance thus rendered them in their efforts to carry forward the work in that field.

The Rostrevor Hills Hydro, which has recently been removed from Belfast to a very beautiful location in the country, is enjoying a good patronage, and the outlook for its future is encouraging. A most excellent work is being done by those connected with it. The influence that is going out from the institution is very favorable to our work, and some patients are becoming deeply interested in the truth.

Ireland is not an easy field in which to labor; it seems to be very difficult to reach the people, as a large portion of them are intensely Catholic. They seem to be very firmly held in that faith, and it is next to impossible to lead them to investigate anything else. I do not doubt but that Catholicism has a stronger hold upon the people of Ireland than upon those of any other country. They seem to be more devoted to Catholicism than any I have met of other nations; and yet we are fully convinced that the Lord has a people among them, and that the message will search these out.

We ask for the prayers of our dear people in behalf of the work in this most difficult field. At present, Ireland is passing through a trying period. There seems to be a condition of greater restlessness on the part of the people of the south and west than has appeared for many years. Recently five counties have been placed under martial law, and the police force has been largely increased. Extreme precautionary measures are being taken by the government to prevent serious trouble, and we believe the angels of God will restrain the winds of strife until the work of giving this message has been accomplished.

We have now about finished the transfer of our publishing interests from London to Watford. The larger part of our machinery is installed, and is operating at Watford, and the business is being conducted from that place. Also, the food factory is getting pretty well removed; but the machinery is not yet up, and perhaps it will be two or three weeks before they will be running all their plant.

Yesterday (October 2) our college opened with an attendance of fifty-six. I think this was as favorable as the opening of any year since the school has started, with as fine a class of students. The enrolment will doubtless be a little larger this year than any previous year. One hundred fifty applied for entrance, and we were compelled to refuse at least half that number, because of our inability to accommodate them, and also because of their lack of means. I think this situation ought not to be allowed to continue very long, since we are in such desperate need of workers. I would be glad if we could take a much larger number, and be prepared to give them some further financial assistance, enabling those to attend the school who do not have means. But we are going to do our best to enlarge our means, and to do more to assist worthy young people.

We are fully persuaded that the Lord has guided us in the selection of our institutions, and that this move will result in great blessing to the work here. We are doing all we can to raise funds from our people in this field to build up this work, and we are very grateful to our brethren in America for the assistance they are rendering us. We feel sure that when the judgment reveals the work we have accomplished, no one will have occasion to regret having invested his means in the work in the British Union Conference.

The Lord is blessing the efforts we are making to advance his cause, and throughout the field there is a general forward movement. Our numbers are increasing, and our people are settling down upon the foundation principles of the third angel's message, determined to press forward until the work is finished. I think the third quarter's report will be as good as any previous one, if not better.

E. E. ANDROSS.