_The Jamaica Conference_
By J. A. Strickland
THE second annual session of the Jamaica Conference was held in the church at Kingston, January 1-6. The large attendance of brethren and sisters from all parts of the island at this time when the island is in such an impoverished condition, and is passing through such an experience of scarcity and suffering as her people have never known before, is a pleasing indication of the interest felt by our churches and companies in the precious message we represent. Perfect unity existed at all times in both the business meetings and the devotional services. I wish that our American brethren could have seen the love, faith, zeal, and intelligence manifested by our native brethren in all the deliberations and devotions of this conference. In spite of the devastation caused by the hurricane that swept Jamaica last year, progress was reported from every station. Advance steps were planned, and we believe will be successfully carried out the coming year. A resolution was passed, which will call forth the energies of our people in the establishing of church schools throughout the island. The plan is for each church and company to create a school fund by selling our West India paper, the Caribbean Watchman, and the paper edition of “Daniel and the Revelation,” the profits derived from such sales to be donated as far as possible to the school fund. Whenever the school fund of a local church contains a sufficient amount to keep a teacher for six months, then one is to be supplied by the conference from a training-school that the conference expects soon to establish in Kingston. The canvassing work received lengthy consideration. It was reorganized, and a general or island agent was appointed. Under the accepted regulations, we believe that this department will be able to show a gratifying increase of business at the next conference. The much-needed and long-talked-of treatment rooms were discussed, and it is expected that such an enterprise will be started during the next twelve months. The past year eight church buildings were completed and dedicated. Two of the five churches destroyed by the hurricane have been rebuilt; the others are under course of construction. Number of baptized Sabbath-keepers in Jamaica, Jan. 1, 1903, 1,188; number added to church by baptism during the year, 174; loss during the year by death and apostasy, 12; number of baptized Sabbath-keepers, Jan. 1, 1904, 1,350. Tithe received by the conference treasurer during the year, $1,462.76; weekly offerings, $420.24; annual offerings, $128; total amount of tithe and offerings, $2,011. Elder J. B. Beckner was re-elected president. Credentials were again given to Elders J. B. Beckner, J. A. Strickland, and W. Jay Tanner. Licenses were given to Brethren Hubert Fletcher, W. H. Randle, Methuselah Jones, and Frank Hall. Missionary licenses were given to Brethren Phillip Porter, Norman Johnstone, and Linton Rashford.18 The church was crowded to its fullest capacity at each evening service during the conference; and at the last service, Wednesday night, January 6, eight precious souls accepted the Lord Jesus. Thus Jamaica has ended its first year as a conference, and begun its second one. May the rich blessing of God continue to attend it until its work is finished, and probation closed.