Character of the Coming General Conference
By F. M. W.
THE character of every religious gathering is determined very largely by the spirit of those who attend it. No conference committee that ever lived had it in their power alone to create a live, spiritual, uplifting conference or camp-meeting. If in dependence upon God this is the purpose they set before them, and they can bring to their support the earnest, hearty cooperation of the brethren and sisters who attend the meeting, then the success of the gathering is assured. The purpose and spirit and desires of those in attendance determine the character of the gathering. This will be true with respect to the coming General Conference. The General Conference Committee do not have it in their power to make of this important gathering what God designs it to be. It is their earnest purpose, we are sure, to make it a great spiritual inspiration to this people and to this movement. And if this same purpose possesses the heart of every one who attends the gathering, we are confident that the blessing of God will be bestowed in rich and generous measure. Ordinarily, however, there are several classes of people represented in all great gatherings of such a character. At the coming meeting we hope and believe that the large majority of those who attend will be of the character just described. There is coming to be felt throughout our ranks as never before a greater need for more of God and more of his divine presence in the life. Our laborers who have gone up against the walled cities and the high towers and strongholds of sin realize that their efforts have been altogether too ineffective, and that they can succeed only in the strength of Israel's God. They cry as did Moses of old, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” Our institutional workers feel the truth-movings of the Spirit. For weary months and years have they struggled with apparently insurmountable difficulties. Many of them have labored under the burden of wearing, grinding debts. They desire greater wisdom to know in these days of perplexity what Israel ought to do. Our workers in the great regions beyond feel this longing for greater power. Facing the darkness of heathenism, contending with the subtleties of heathen philosophy, they know that they can not match intellect with intellect, argument with argument, or philosophy with philosophy; but that they must have power from above that will affect the hearts of the hearers, and take the simple truths of the gospel and make of them sharpened arrows sending conviction of sin to the inmost soul. This class of people we believe will constitute by far the large majority of those who will assemble for the meeting. There may be others who will be moved by curiosity to see or hear some strange new thing; those who will come for social intercourse; a few possibly who may come to criticize and find fault. Let us pray that the converting power of God may take hold of such hearts; and that if any come to find fault they may return to give thanks, or if any come expecting some emotional display or to see and hear strange things, they may be led to realize that man can not regulate the workings of the Spirit, but that God after his own wise purposes and designs sends his blessings as he sees they are most needed. The first work of the Spirit is to convince of sin. The putting away of sin and the unreserved consecration of the heart and life to God prepare the way for the operation of the Spirit in broader measure. We are in danger of looking for the strange and marvelous,—the manifestation of mighty power and outward display,—and thus neglecting the necessary preparation of the heart by which Heaven's workings among men are made possible. We do not need to worry over the Spirit's outpouring. We need to see that every idol has been cast out of our hearts, that the stones which have caused stumbling and grievance have been removed from the pathways of others, and that in our experience sin does not have dominion over us. This, more than any speculation as to the future, will open the way for God to work for his people in clothing the testimony they shall bear in behalf of his truth with his own convincing, mighty power. Every person may be assured that whether at the General Conference or in the confines of his own home alone with God, he may open his heart to receive God's blessing. If the Spirit of truth points out sins in his life, as he seeks to put these away and consecrate himself to God, in proportion to his consecration will communion with the Holy Spirit be his to enjoy. The quiet dweller in his home, the humble brother in the mountain fastness or in the quiet country retreat, whose circumstances prohibit his attendance at the General Conference, has this same blessed access to the Spirit of grace. O, let us remember that the blessing of our God is not confined to places or circumstances! It is not transmitted through the agency of priest or prelate. It does not come by resolution or conference action. Washington, D. C., is no nearer the throne of grace than are our missions in interior Africa or far-away China, in India or the islands of the sea. God still has his eye upon Israel. His comprehensive view takes account of every individual child. He recognizes every longing heart. He sees every outstretched hand. Wherever we are today let us give ourselves to him with new consecration. Whatever may be our privileges in meeting with his children, let us remember that God is not afar off, but that he is nigh unto us. We, with Job, may behold him with our spiritual eyesight; we may reach forth our hands of faith and take hold upon him; our ears of faith may listen to his counsel. Whoever we are or wherever we are, it is our privilege to give ourselves to him with a new and complete consecration, and then enjoy through simple faith the blessings which he is anxious to bestow. F. M. W.,