The Interest in the Coming General Conference an Encouraging Omen
By A. G. Daniells
As the time approaches for the General Conference to convene, increasing evidence comes to us of a deepening interest among our people everywhere in that important meeting. This interest is expressed in conversations, correspondence, good wishes, earnest prayers, and a great desire to attend the conference. As far as one can discern, this interest is of the right stamp. There is an earnest desire that this Conference shall in some way bring a great spiritual blessing to our cause, giving a new impetus to the work everywhere. This is an encouraging omen, for if rightly directed and developed, this solicitude in behalf of the Conference will contribute much to its success. All should understand that it is not possible for man to make the Conference the inspiring, uplifting occasion it should be. We may make the most perfect arrangement and preparation of the material features, and carry through an interesting program, but all this will not make just the meeting we want.12 Perhaps the most any one can do to help make the Conference all that it should be in this closing work is to pray the Lord most earnestly to be signally present in the meeting. Only the Lord's presence, instruction, and blessing will make the Conference what so many earnestly long that it shall be. With prayer there must be self-surrender, consecration, and obedience. When the people of God unitedly take this attitude, every needed blessing will be given them. The believing, trusting, obedient followers of the Lord are the objects of his supreme love. In his infinite wisdom he knows all their needs and freely supplies them from his inexhaustible resources. The coming Conference will be the largest we have ever held. Every conference in North America will be fully represented by accredited delegates. The most of the foreign conferences will be more largely represented than at any former Conference. Nearly all the mission fields throughout the world are sending delegates, and large numbers are coming at their own personal expense. Some who are paying their own way are coming from parts of the globe the most distant from Washington. May all these dear, loyal believers receive help that will fully repay them for the sacrifice they are making. There is one thing for which we should all continually pray—that the Lord will make very clear to those gathered at this Conference just what steps should be taken now to quickly finish the work of God and bring the end. The last warning message we are proclaiming to the world has now been sounding sixty-nine years. It is to do its full work in a single generation. We must surely be near the close, and now we should have clear vision regarding the finishing of the work. We all need the baptism of the Holy Spirit for personal victories over evil, and for power to win the lost to Christ. O, how greatly we need the wisdom and love and power of the Saviour to reach the great masses around us who are unprepared to meet God! This is more vital to the triumph and consummation of the cause of God than anything else. For this all should pray.