Eastern Pennsylvania by H. W. COTTRELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 12, 1904

Eastern Pennsylvania

By H. W. COTTRELL

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference session was held at Williamsport at the time appointed. There were about fifty delegates and visitors in attendance, besides the brethren and sisters from the city. In addition to the conference laborers there were present the executive committee of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, Professor Griggs from the union conference academy, and the writer. Each one who acted a part in a public way, had the freedom of the Spirit of truth in presenting the living Word. Unity prevailed throughout all the business meetings, and they were as truly spiritual as were the other meetings. All business meetings should be characterized by the Spirit of Christ.

It has been about ten months since the organization of the conference, it being one of the divisions of the Pennsylvania Conference. The earnestness with which the laborers conducted their work, together with the visible results thereof, manifests the wisdom of the division of the conference. The reports of the laborers show that there have been about one hundred and fifty converted to the faith during this short time, and nearly all of them have been baptized and have joined the church.

Owing to the heavy indebtedness with which the conference had been burdened for many years, the resources and liabilities were not divided at the time of the territorial division. The division of the finances, however, was satisfactorily effected at this meeting. I never saw greater unanimity of sentiment in the adjustment of business problems than was manifest in these transactions.

The conference voted to indorse the action of the conference committee in accepting the Philadelphia Sanitarium, thus making the medical work a department of the conference. While this brings an additional financial burden to the conference, all present realized that it is not equivalent to incurring debt by establishing new institutions. The unanimous vote of approval gave evidence of the interest the people take in the sanitarium work.

Good instruction was given concerning the distribution of our denominational literature. We made special effort to increase the subscription list of our periodicals, receiving subscriptions before votes were taken to extend their circulation. Every department of our work received its share of attention as far as time would permit.

As Elder Underwood, who was president of the conference, had been elected president of the Northern Union Conference, Elder W. J. Fitzgerald was elected president; W. H. Smith, vice-president; V. H. Cook, secretary and treasurer; the personnel of the executive committee remains, I believe, about as before.

The brethren were sorry to be deprived of the labor, association, and counsel of Brother Underwood, but realizing that he was called to a larger field of usefulness, bade him Godspeed.

H. W. COTTRELL.