The North England Conference by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 18, 1913

The North England Conference

By Arthur G. Daniells

Our European Division Meetings — No. 2

Leaving Friedensau at the close of the East German Union Conference for Great Britain, to attend the North England Conference and the summer meeting of the British Union Conference Committee, I spent a day in Brussels, Belgium, with Elder R. G. Klingbeil and our workers associated with him in that country. It was a great pleasure to meet the laborers who are pressing the battle in that hard field. We spent the afternoon talking over the progress of our cause in all parts of the world, and in considering some of the difficult problems that have to be met in the endeavor to carry forward our work in Belgium. These brethren all seemed hopeful and of good courage, although the reports they gave of their experiences showed that Belgium is a hard field. It is surely the “wayside” described by the Saviour in the parable of the sower.

Belgium was at one time intensely Catholic, but the church has to a large extent lost its hold on the people. Its domination was not broken by the direct, transforming, molding influence of the Protestant Reformation, and instead of following the course taken by Germany, Scandinavia, and England when they broke away from Rome, the people of Belgium turned from their superstitions to hard, deep-seated infidelity. This is the general attitude toward everything of a religious character at the present time. Having cast aside the restraining influences of the gospel, they live for the gratification of their natural desires. It is very difficult to induce the people to come to public religious services or to open their homes for any kind of religious efforts.

But there are some here and there who want God, and it is for such that our brethren work hard, battling with these great difficulties. As a result of years of unremitting toil, we have one hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers in Belgium. These brethren show their gratitude for the light of the truth that has come to them by paying an annual tithe of about twelve dollars a member. Their annual offerings to the cause of foreign missions reaches nearly four cents a member. As they are very poor, these sums give evidence of conscientious faithfulness and loyalty. And as our laborers see these believers rejoicing

in the triumphs of the gospel and the hope of eternal life, they are strengthened and encouraged to struggle on with their work.

The North England Conference

The North England Conference was held in the city of Nottingham, about one hundred miles north of London. The meeting was attended by the members of the British Union Conference Committee, a full delegation from the churches, and quite a number of visiting brethren and sisters residing in near-by cities. In this delegation were a number who were the first to embrace the third angel’s message in Great Britain. I enjoyed a very pleasant interview with a dear old sister who rejoices in the honor of being the first person in England who took a stand for the Sabbath as a result of the proclamation of the threefold message of Revelation 14. It was most encouraging to witness the confidence, assurance, and loyalty of these brethren and sisters who have been with the cause in England from the first. They believe the message with all their hearts, and entertain no doubts regarding its triumphant consummation in this generation. The preacher could feel that his audience had a good spiritual appetite. They brought their Bibles to the meetings, and showed the deepest interest in all the studies and sermons that were given. It is a delight to expound the Word of God to such audiences.

The reports presented by the laborers for the year 1912 were very encouraging. A number of them stated that the past year had been one of the most encouraging and successful in their ministry. They had enjoyed the blessing of God in their work, and the Lord had given them good results. The report of the secretary showed that during the year the membership of the conference had been increased by one hundred and seventy-six. These reports greatly cheered the hearts of the brethren and sisters. There is nothing that lifts our people so much as to see men and women taking their stand for the truth.

In addition to the regular business of the conference an advanced step was taken in the development of the work in the northern part of England. The population of this conference was 17,000,000, and the membership was a little more than 800, with an annual tithe of $10,000. In view of the long stretch of territory and the vast population, it was thought best to organize a new conference. The southern part of the territory was cut off and organized into what is called the Midland Conference. According to the division made, the North England Conference now has a population of 11,000,000 and a church membership of 450, with a tithe close to $6,000. The Midland Conference has a population of 7,000,000, a membership of 350, and an annual tithe of a little more than $4,000. Elder W. H. Meredith, who had been president of the North England Conference, was elected president of the Midland Conference, and Elder H. E. Armstrong, president of the Welsh Conference, was elected president of the North England Conference. It is the hope of the brethren and sisters in both these conferences that about the same progress may be seen in each conference that has been had in the whole territory heretofore. Thus they are planning for a strong move forward.

During this meeting the members of the British Union Conference Committee held their summer council, and planned their work for the coming year. The biennial session of the conference will be held in the summer of 1914.

At the close of the meeting at Nottingham I had the privilege of visiting our British headquarters at Stanborough Park. Here I found the publishing house, the food factory, and the new sanitarium all pressed with work. Our brethren have a beautiful place for their headquarters, and all branches of the work are making substantial progress. I was pleased to find the new sanitarium under the superintendency of Dr. C. H. Hayton enjoying a full patronage. This institution has been opened a little more than a year, and it has made steady progress from the first. Dr. Hayton greatly enjoys his work. These institutions, with the college, make our headquarters an interesting and important center in Great Britain.

While at Stanborough Park, I had the privilege of a farewell visit with Prof. and Sister H. R. Salisbury and Dr. H. C. Menkel, who were on their way to India. They were of excellent courage, and are going to their new field with the earnest desire and prayer that God will greatly bless their labors in behalf of India’s suffering, perishing millions.

A. G. DANIELLS.