The Atlantic Union Conference
By W. B. White
WE have much to encourage us in this field, and certainly feel that God is going before us in the work. Our union conference session last November was a very encouraging meeting, and steps were taken which we are sure will be of great advantage to the cause in this field. Elder J. B. Goodrich, who has long borne heavy burdens in connection with the cause in Maine, felt that on account of feebleness attendant on advancing years, he could no longer serve the conference in an official capacity, and Elder O. Montgomery, the president of the Vermont Conference, was requested to act as president of the Maine Conference. This plan was carried out. Other workers are coming into that field, courage seems to be in the hearts of the people, and we are quite sure that a new era has begun in the old Maine Conference, where so many battles have been fought in past days for the truth. A commodious church building has been erected in the city of Portland, and the first floor finished. On this floor is a large, light, airy lecture-room, with baptistery; while back of it is a fine16church-school room, in which a school is now being held. These rooms are modern in every respect. Above is the auditorium, still unfinished. This building is a credit to the cause of truth in Portland, and we are glad to know that a vigorous campaign is to be carried on in that city this summer. Vermont and New Hampshire have now united their interests in one conference, known as Northern New England, having nearly five hundred members and an annual tithe of forty-five hundred dollars. The work is gradually strengthening in this field, and prospects for the future are encouraging. During the fall and winter, nearly enough has been raised in the field to purchase back twenty-eight acres of land formerly owned by the South Lancaster Academy, but sold to outside parties under a financial stress. The school should own every foot of this land, which it needs for agricultural purposes. The buying back of this tract will cost us $2,550. The academy has enjoyed an excellent patronage the present year, and we have had a good school. About fifty or sixty from this institution will enter the book and periodical work the coming summer. We believe the academy and its work are worthy of the confidence of our people in the Eastern States. We are also much encouraged over the prospects at the Melrose Sanitarium. God is blessing that institution, and it is now enjoying a better patronage than at any time in its history. An earnest endeavor is being made in the family to get right with God. A better condition of things is coming in, and more of the blessing of God is beginning to be seen. In Boston and surrounding towns, schools of health are being held, and are greatly appreciated by the people. We are determined to do much of this work among the citizens of Boston during the coming year, that they may know something of the principles of health which God has so graciously given this people. A medical missionary bureau has been organized in connection with the sanitarium, which will lead out in this outside work for others. Elder Geo. B. Starr and wife are spending considerable time now in this work, and find open doors everywhere into the best homes of Boston. Dr. D. H. Kress is also assisting us in every way he can when in this union conference. We believe there is a great future before the Melrose Sanitarium, and we greatly desire to know God's will and way in all matters relating to its future work. We are glad to say that at present the whole union conference is united in its support of this institution. Formerly only Central New England, Southern New England, and Vermont were officially connected with the management of this sanitarium, but all the other conferences have now united in electing their members of the constituency, and their presidents are on the board of managers. We believe this is as it should be. During the year 1909 the Atlantic Union Conference paid about nine and one-third cents per week per member on the ten-cent-a-week fund. During 1910 we hope to make up the full amount of ten cents a week per capita. In most of our conferences, steady progress is being made in raising the $24,892.80, our proportion of the $300,000 Fund. The Greater New York Conference has about $2,000 raised in pledges; Northern New England has $600, Western New York about $1,000, and Central New England has all but a small amount of its share made up in pledges; other conferences are making progress, but we are not able to give definite amounts. Our people are in full harmony with the purposes of this fund, and we think it can be easily raised. The Greater New York Conference is opening two Bible schools in the city, one for the English, and the other for the foreign-speaking people. In these, Bible workers will be trained for that great field. The conference is also planning to conduct a vigorous evangelistic campaign in the city during the coming summer, with the hope of calling the attention of many to the truths for this time. Vigorous work the coming year will also be carried forward in Portland, Maine; Boston, Mass.; and in Buffalo and Rochester, N. Y. We see evidences of good on every hand, and are encouraged to press the battle forward among the great population here in the East.