The General Conference Council
By George B. Thompson
THE spring council of the General Conference Committee convened, pursuant to appointment, at the office of the General Conference, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., April 4, and will continue till the 11th. This council has called together thus far the following laborers, representing the various fields and lines of work:— A. G. Daniells, President of the General Conference; G. A. Irwin, Vice-President; I. H. Evans, Treasurer; Elder W. W. Prescott, Editor REVIEW AND HERALD; Geo. I. Butler, President Southern Union Conference; E. W. Farnsworth, President Atlantic Union Conference; Allen Moon, President Lake Union Conference; R. A. Underwood, President Northern Union Conference; E. T. Russell, President Central Union Conference; C. Santee, President Southwestern Union Conference; H. W. Cottrell, President Pacific Union Conference; A. J. Breed, Vice-President North Pacific Union Conference; G. F. Haffner and O. E. Reinke, Superintendents of the German work in the United States; S. Mortensen, Superintendent of the Swedish work in the United States; Drs. W. A. George and J. E. Froom of the Medical Department; K. C. Russell and W. A. Colcord of the Religious Liberty Department; G. B. Thompson and Mrs. L. Flora Plummer of the Sabbath-school Department; F. Griggs, Chairman of the Educational Department; A. O. Tait, from the Pacific Press Publishing Co.; William Guthrie, Vice-President of the Canadian Union Conference; W. J. Fitzgerald, Vice-President Atlantic Union Conference; Miss Estella Houser, acting secretary of the council; and J. S. Washburn. All the proceedings of the council have been marked with the utmost unity. The tender Spirit of the Lord is present in a very special manner. Those present bring the most encouraging reports concerning the advancement of the message in the different fields, and various lines of work. Elder Conradi sent the council a most encouraging report from Europe, showing how the message is rapidly making its way among the millions of the Old World. Elder W. H. Thurston, President of the Canadian Union Conference, sent greetings, not deeming it advisable to leave his post at Ottawa, Canada, on account of a Sunday bill which is pending in Parliament. This council will have a far-reaching and permanent effect on our work the coming year. Broad plans are being considered for the advancement of the work, and steps have already been taken to establish our work more firmly in several important centers in the “regions beyond.” Many other important measures are yet to be considered. Such details as are of general interest will be published later. The missionary spirit, and an unswerving determination to stand loyally by the fundamental pillars of the message, and speedily finish the work in this generation, is manifest in all the deliberations. Not a single discordant note has been struck in the council. The outlook for the speedy triumph of this work never seemed more hopeful. The pillar of cloud is rising and moving toward the promised land. The spirit which predominates in this council is certainly calculated to inspire renewed courage and hope in the hearts of those who are permitted to be present.