Northern Illinois Conference
By Allen Moon
Report of the President at the Lake Union Conference
THE Northern Illinois Conference was organized Sept. 1, 1902. It comprises thirty-two counties of the one hundred and two in the State. The line running east and west dividing the northern conference from the southern passes through the city of Peoria. The population of the counties composing the Northern Illinois Conference is 2,932,033. At the time of its organization the membership was one thousand, and the tithe paid that year was ten thousand dollars. At the present time the number of churches is twenty-six, with a membership of eleven hundred; number of isolated Sabbath-keepers, seventy-five; total number of Sabbath-keepers, 1,175. The number of Sabbath-schools is thirty-two; membership of Sabbath-schools, 1,147; number of church-schools during the past year, eight; membership of these schools, one hundred and ten; number of church buildings owned by our people, twelve; number of ministers given credentials, eleven; number of licensed ministers, two; number of persons having missionary licenses, seven; number of canvassers in the field, fourteen; total number of laborers aside from canvassers, twenty; total number including canvassers, thirty-four; annual offerings, $992.68; weekly offerings to foreign missions, $418.22; miscellaneous offerings to foreign missions, $297.16; total Sabbath-school offerings, $633.36; retail value of book sales, $2,392.31. The tithe of the Northern Illinois Conference for the year ending December 31 was $14,225.70. The Northern Illinois Conference is in a fairly prosperous condition. Although no large companies have been raised up since its organization, yet there has been a steady growth of membership throughout the conference. At the present time the canvassing work is in the most prosperous condition of any time since the organization of the northern conference, the book sales amounting to about five hundred dollars a month. The intermediate school carried on under the direction of the Northern Illinois Conference, known as the Sheridan Industrial School, is in a fairly prosperous condition. The resources of this school are as follows:—
Real estate .................... $ 8,470 00
Personal property .............. 870 86
Merchandise .................... 40 22
Well fund ....................... 134 60
Personal accounts receivable ... 1,150 65
Bank deposit ................... 151 59
Cash in office ................. 19 96
Total .......................... $10,837 88
LIABILITIES
Bills payable ................... $ 30 00
Factory ......................... 78 75
Cottage fund .................... 41 53
Illinois Tract Society .......... 631 07
Accommodation account .......... 123 61
Personal accounts payable ....... 246 69
Total .......................... $ 1,154 65 The enrolment of the school during the past year was about eighty; the attendance, sixty. The real estate of the school consists of forty-three acres of land, on which is situated one main building containing study rooms, chapel, and girls' dormitory. There are also three cottages on this land which are used as boys' dormitory and dwellings for teachers. There is one barn for housing horses and cattle; also wagon shed, etc. Another building will soon be in process of erection for a workshop. The industries at the school are farming, broom-making, blacksmithing, carpentry, and printing. A small printing plant is operated here, and the conference paper printed by student help. All the buildings on the farm except the main building were constructed by the students, who also cut the logs from the land, and assisted in sawing all the rough lumber for the buildings. The class work at the industrial school is conducted during the entire year with the exception of two or three short vacations. During the summer period the class work is reduced to one half that of the fall and winter terms. Four teachers are employed. The spiritual interest in the school during the past year has been excellent. Only one student, I believe, has not made a profession of religion. All others have been active in religious work. There have been several interesting cases in connection with our industrial school work; as, for instance, a young man, a member of a Baptist family, came to the school with a young man of an Adventist family, who was his friend. On looking about the school and farm, he decided to take instruction at the school. He remained nearly two years, and at the end of that time was a devoted Christian young man, and had accepted all the truths held by us as a people. He is still a faithful young man. Other cases of equal importance might be mentioned. We are of good courage in the work, and are looking forward to the final consummation of all things earthly and the soon coming of the dear Saviour.