The Northern Union Conference
By G. B. Thompson
THE second session of the Northern Union Conference was held March 1-11, in the church at Minneapolis, Minn. The various parts of the field, and different departments of the work, were well represented by the delegates present. A large share of the laborers in the union attended the meeting. Elders A. G. Daniells, G. F. Haffner, and S. Mortensen, Dr. J. E. Froom, and the writer, from outside the conference, were present during some part of the meeting. All were sorry that Elder Daniells was unable, on account of important business elsewhere, to remain till the close of the meeting. His counsel on important matters pertaining to the work of the conference, and the studies given on the office and work of the Holy Spirit, were greatly appreciated. Many important questions were considered during the meeting, and the fullest freedom was exercised in the discussion of the various matters brought before the conference. A most excellent spirit prevailed throughout. The good Spirit of God seemed to be especially manifest as we neared the close of the meeting. This union comprises in its territory the States of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, and Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Careful attention was given to planning for the advancement of the work in the Canadian field. The Lord has greatly blessed the cause in that territory during the past two years, and it is confidently expected that a union conference can be organized in this territory at no distant day. The reports rendered from the various fields and departments of the work, indicated a healthy condition of the work. During the past biennial term three conference schools have been established at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars. Four schools are now being operated in the union, with a property value of over forty thousand dollars. A number of young people are attending these schools and are receiving a training for service in the message. During the meeting I had the privilege of spending an evening at the Maplewood Academy, located about twenty miles from Minneapolis. I was much pleased with the general appearance of the school. The enrolment is over eighty, and a most excellent class of students is in attendance. A very encouraging meeting was held with them, and nearly all are fitting themselves for work in the message. Encouraging reports were received from other schools. The labor in new fields has been quite fruitful, and several churches have been organized during the term. There are now about five thousand Sabbath-keepers in the union; these paid an average tithe the past two years of $12.56. The total amount of tithes and offerings paid into the general work was $47,083.43. About eighty per cent of this, I understand, has been used in the foreign work. The organization of the union was further perfected and systematized at this meeting. Advance steps were taken especially in the development of the educational and medical branches of the message. All seemed enthusiastic in their desire to develop the medical work as marked out by the spirit of prophecy. Plans were laid to push the sale of the “Ministry of Healing,” and it is hoped that funds will be realized from this source for the development of the medical work in this field. The headquarters for the union were located in Minneapolis. It was also voted that a union conference paper, called the Northern Union Reaper, be started. It is designed that this paper shall materially aid in the development of the various phases of the work in this field. Some experienced men have been secured to lead in the book work in the different conferences, and the prospect is good for a marked increase in the sale of our various books and periodicals. Although this union conference has a vast field in which to operate, their interest in the mission fields and their hearty sympathy and co-operation with the general work, were shown by appropriating five hundred dollars17to the General Conference to be used in aggressive work. The North Dakota Conference, through its executive committee, appropriated five hundred dollars to be used in the same way. Other conferences in the union will no doubt make donations later. Elder R. A. Underwood was re-elected president of the union. The other officers are as follows: Treasurer, C. M. Everest; Recording Secretary and editor of the Reaper, C. L. Emmerson; Chairman of the Medical Department, Dr. E. P. Hawkins; Secretary of the Religious Liberty department, E. G. Hayes; Secretary of the Educational department, Otto Graff; and Field Secretary, J. S. James. All were glad to see present during a portion of this meeting Elder C. W. Flaiz, who has been unable for some time to engage actively in the work because of feeble health. Many are praying that our brother may be restored to health that he may again enter the field to do valiant service for the Master. The unity, harmony, and love manifested among God's people at this meeting, as well as others which it has been my privilege to attend recently, are most encouraging. To my mind this presents unmistakable evidence of the final and speedy triumph of the message. The people who have espoused this message love it. It has hold of their hearts. They are sacrificing for its advancement, and purpose to stand by it. They are making no plans to forsake its fundamental principles, which have been their comfort and strength for over half a century. They are drawing together, and renewed activity is being manifested everywhere. The suggestion that the platform upon which they are standing is being tampered with has aroused them, and the latent energy and power of the message is being revealed. There is no power that is able to stand against this message. It is its own defense. No weapon formed against it shall prosper. The time for the Lord to favor Zion has truly come, and while a power from beneath is seizing hold on satanic agencies, a power from above is seizing hold upon God's people who are not dead in trespasses and sins. The keynote of this meeting was the receiving a greater fulness of the Holy Spirit to finish the work speedily in this generation. G. B. THOMPSON.