The Maritime Conference
By George B. Starr
This meeting was held at Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, August 21-31. In company with Elder N. Z. Town, the writer reached Hopewell Cape the evening of the twenty-first, and remained until the twenty-ninth. The conference was opened with a practical sermon by Elder J. A. Strickland, Thursday evening, the twenty-first. The other evenings were occupied by Elders Hare, Campbell, Barrett, and Strickland on points of present truth. The attendance was good. The meetings were held in the union church, which is occupied regularly by Seventh-day Adventists and Methodists. It is a commodious and comfortable building. The delegates to the conference were entertained by the citizens and our own people in their homes, and boarded at a conference boarding-house successfully conducted by Mrs. Hare and Brother and Sister Steeves. The Sabbath services were seasons of special blessing. On the first Sabbath a revival service followed the morning discourse, and almost if not fully the entire audience sought the Lord for an experience in victory over besetting sins; and victories were obtained. On the second Sabbath the ordinances were celebrated by the conference church, and the delegates all joined with them. During the conference the subjects of personal work, book and tract distribution among neighbors, health reform, and spiritual gifts received special attention, and the people voted to work together to double their membership and tithe during the next year. A strong resolution practically indorsing and accepting the health reform was adopted, and the laborers at a special meeting agreed to present a united influence in their teaching and practise on the subject. This action was hearty, voluntary, and without pressure, and must result in good. The Sabbath-school report showed a very large increase in offerings to foreign missions. Elder M. M. Hare was elected president of the conference, and being of English birth and rearing, seems well adapted to this field. Miss Lulu Van Buskirk was reelected conference secretary and treasurer, and Miss Terese Barrett secretary of the Sabbath-school department. At the close of the Sunday night service, August 24, D. J. C. Barrett was ordained to the gospel ministry. Brother Barrett and his sister were reared in the Catholic Church. They are both happy in their new-found faith in the Word of God, and in a field of usefulness in connection with this movement. The labors of Elder N. Z. Town in connection with the circulation of literature were especially helpful. The entire faculty of the Williamsdale Academy was present, and a number of enthusiastic students. The school is evidently doing a good work and filling an important place in the training of workers. Elder M. N. Campbell, president of the union, whose labors were much appreciated, was called home during the conference by the illness of his wife. Friday evening, August 29, and Sabbath and Sunday, the thirtieth and thirty-first, we spent with the church at St. John. By request the subjects of spiritual gifts and health reform were presented. We enjoyed meeting with this faithful church and visiting many of the members in their own homes. At their Sunday night services they have a good interest, and a large attendance of those favorable to the truth. There is certainly a hopeful outlook for the Maritime Conference, with a good school in successful operation, a number of promising young men in the ministry, and a large field for aggressive work. We greatly enjoyed our visit and labor at this conference.