p. 17 | Northern Union Conference by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 5, 1910

Northern Union Conference

By Arthur G. Daniells

WHAT is now known as the Northern Union Conference was organized in 1901, and was then called the Northwestern Union Conference. At that time its territory embraced the States of Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming; also the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, in Canada. The development of the work in the northwest has led to the reorganization of the territory, so that what was the Northwestern Union Conference is now the Northern, with but the four States of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

This conference held its fourth biennial session in the Seventh-day Adventist church in Des Moines, Iowa, February 22 to March 3. The different conferences and departments of work were well represented, 165 delegates being present, besides many visitors.

The usual committees were appointed early in the meeting, and the business of the conference was carried forward very promptly. The report of the president, Elder R. A. Underwood, gave an interesting and encouraging account of the development of the work during the biennial period. All the reports rendered by conference presidents and department secretaries indicated progress in all branches of the work, and the degree of enthusiasm and aggressiveness manifested was very encouraging.

The report of the treasurer indicated an increase in finances. Over $120,000 passed through his books during the biennial period, about $90,000 of which was trust funds for the advancement of the work outside of the union conference. More than ten cents a week for each church-member had been raised in this union conference for missions during the past two years.

The Danish-Norwegian Seminary, which the General Conference Council, held at College View, Neb., in October, 1909, voted to establish, has been located in this union conference, at Hutchinson, Minn. A college building, 123 x 127 feet, four stories high, built of brick, with 150 acres of land, has been secured at a cost of $22,250. Many things connected with the securing of this site for a school indicate that the providences of the Lord have favored us in the establishment of this institution. A strong effort is being made to dedicate the school free from debt at the opening this fall. We hope this can be done.

The Iowa Conference has effected a sale of its sanitarium in the city of Des Moines, and during the past year has erected a very nice sanitarium building at Nevada, at a cost of about $50,000. The new institution is enjoying a good patronage, and the outlook for the future seems encouraging.

The conference formulated plans for an aggressive advance in all lines of work. The union conference cheerfully accepted its share of responsibility in the raising of the $300,000 Fund. The “Ministry of Healing” campaign was also approved. In harmony with a request from the General Conference, the delegates voted to appropriate two thirds of all that is raised in the union conference by this campaign, to one of the Eastern sanitariums. This generous act will be greatly appreciated by our people in the East.

The instructive and helpful series of Bible studies conducted by Prof. W. W. Prescott during the session was one of the most excellent and inspiring features of the conference.

Union, harmony, and brotherly love pervaded the conference. Elder R. A. Underwood was re-elected president, with Elder M. N. Campbell vice-president, and T. D. Gibson secretary and treasurer. This is a growing conference, with great resources, and the outlook for its future is encouraging.

A. G. DANIELLS.