The Lake Union Conference
THE second biennial session of the Lake Union Conference was held at Berrien Springs, Mich., May 17-26, and was attended by eighty-eight delegates and a large number of visitors. Among the resolutions adopted are the following:— “That the earnest sympathy of this conference be extended to Prof. P. T. Magan in his present deep bereavement, and that our prayers be offered in his behalf, that God will prove a comfort and stay in this trying hour.” “That the educational secretary of the Lake Union Conference, the president of the Emmanuel Missionary College, the principal of the Mt. Vernon Academy, the conference superintendents of education, and the principals of the intermediate schools in the Lake Union Conference constitute a board to control the examination of teachers; that the board organize itself, and adopt regulations for the making of question lists for the conducting of all examinations, and for the grading and classifying of teachers.” “That, wherever practicable, necessary changes in the office of superintendent of education be made at or near the beginning of the calendar year.” “That as far as possible local conferences should defray the traveling expenses of the church-school teachers to and from such summer schools and institutes as may be chosen by the several conference committees.” “That about Nov. 1, 1904, a special missionary effort be begun by each of our churches. That this be introduced by simultaneous missionary conventions in all the churches, which shall be followed by a judicious use of our literature, and that our people be encouraged, as far as consistent, to give their best energy to the circulation of both our special and regular literature.” “That for the purpose of building up the spiritual interests of our canvassers and the training of new ones, canvassers’ conventions be held in all our conferences for at least ten days each year, this to be followed wherever practicable by practical work by those just beginning, for several weeks at the same place that the convention is held, and that a good Bible teacher be in attendance to conduct the Bible study.” “That the Lake Union Conference Executive Committee establish headquarters in the vicinity of some large city, near the center of the Lake Union Conference, and that the president, secretary, treasurer, and heads of departments, as far as consistent, live at or near the headquarters.” “Whereas, The Lord has called for the organization of our young people for work,—” “We recommend, That all officers of the Educational Department of the various conferences in this union be urged to enter upon a vigorous campaign in response to this call.” “We recommend, That as soon as practicable an institute be held, in which the workers in this line, and others who are especially interested, shall study this question, that the work may be carried forward harmoniously.” “We recommend, All our people to become subscribers to The Southern Watchman, in order that they may become better acquainted with the situation in the Southern field, and that we approve of the issuance of a special number, and urge our people to do all in their power to give it a large circulation.” “In view of the clear instruction given in Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, relative to the work and conduct of our camp-meetings,—” “We recommend, That our camp-meetings be held where they can reach at least a proportion of the mass of the people in our cities and large towns.” “That our people be urged to come to the meetings prepared to remain not only to the regular meetings, but as much longer as may be consistent, in order to study methods of work, and assist in missionary work in that locality.” “That an abundance of ministerial help, to make a force as strong as possible, be connected with the meeting, and as many of these men should remain as will be necessary in order that there may be no letting down of the meeting.” “That in matters of advertisement, sanitary arrangements, music, and business meetings, great care be exercised that the main object of the meeting may be more perfectly realized in the salvation of souls.” “We recommend to all our people a hearty co-operation in the Missionary Acre Fund plan of raising money to pay the debts of the old Battle Creek College.” “That the executive committee of this conference be authorized to continue its support of the medical missionary and rescue work in Chicago.” “In view of the fact that there are in our industrial schools a desirable class of young people, many of whom should be entering the canvassing work,—” “We recommend, That an earnest effort be put forth by our school men and conference officers to encourage these to enter this work, and that arrangements be made for their special instruction.” “We recommend, That the religious liberty work be made a department in each local conference and this union conference, and that some suitable person be chosen in each local conference and this union conference as secretary of said department.” “Whereas, There is a great dearth of laborers to advance this cause in the German tongue,—” “We recommend (a) All our local conferences to urge men and women whom the Spirit of God seems to indicate, to consecrate themselves to, and prepare for, the German work; (b) that a German institute be opened at Berrien Springs during the summer, with a competent Bible teacher in charge, providing a sufficient number of German people signify that they will attend such a school.” “Whereas, It seems to be needful that the German laborers in this cause should become unified in their teachings, and acquainted with one another,—” “We recommend, That the Lake Union Conference Committee be authorized to call a German institute for two or three weeks each year, which all the German laborers may be permitted to attend, the expenses to be borne by the conferences in which the laborers have been working; and that notice of this institute be published in the Hausfreund at least three weeks prior to the meeting.” “That the Lake Union Conference accept the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as the mission field of the Lake Union Conference.” “Whereas, The Lord greatly blessed the Scandinavian Bible schools in Chicago last winter,—” “We recommend, (a) That similar schools be held the coming winter wherever the interest may demand; (b) that suitable Scandinavian persons be encouraged to attend these institutes, that they may receive a better preparation for the canvassing work; (c) that we encourage the Scandinavian canvassers to work among their own nationality as far as practicable.” “We recommend, That suitable families be urged to move to the Southern field, three or four families settling in a vicinity, to engage in self-supporting missionary work.” Credentials were granted to Allen Moon, E. R. Williams, M. W. Lewis, E. A. Sutherland, W. S. Sadler, and P. T. Magan; ministerial licenses to R. J. Bellows and Mrs. E. R. Williams; missionary licenses to Florence Hutchinson, E. Fred Hutchinson, M. Bessie De Graw, Dr. D. Paulson, W. H. Edwards, E. B. Van Dorn, Mrs. H. W. O’Dell, Fannie Emmel, Mrs. Nina Crane, J. B. Blosser, Belle Campbell, and Bertha Bartlett. F. J. Harris was recommended for ordination and credentials. The following officers were elected: President, Allen Moon; Vice-President, Wm. Covert; Secretary and Treasurer, W. H. Edwards; Field Secretary, J. B. Blosser; Educational Secretary, M. Bessie De Graw; training-school representative, P. T. Magan; Missionary Secretary, D. W. Reavis; publishing work representative, I. H. Evans; sanitarium work representative, Dr. D. Paulson; German work representative, C. J. Herrmann; Scandinavian work representative, L. H. Christian; Field Secretary religious liberty work, D. W. Reavis; auditor and business agent, W. H. Edwards; Executive Committee, Allen Moon, Wm. Covert, W. H. Edwards, H. H. Burkholder, J. D. Gowel, A. G. Haughey, S. E. Wight, W. J. Stone, Northern Illinois president, J. M. Rees, P. T. Magan, D. Paulson, I. H. Evans, C. J. Herrmann, L. H. Christian. There were sermons and addresses during the conference by Mrs. E. G. White, Luther Warren, W. W. Prescott, A. T. Jones, G. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, E. W. Farnsworth, and W. H. Anderson. Quite full reports were rendered by the presidents of the several local conferences, and the heads of the various departments and institutions. Some of these will probably be printed in the REVIEW.