West Pennsylvania Conference by B. F. Kneeland

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 3, 1913

West Pennsylvania Conference

By B. F. Kneeland

THE eleventh annual session of the West Pennsylvania Conference was held at Altoona, Pa., March 4-9, 1913. A most excellent spirit prevailed throughout the meeting. The first service was marked by a hearty renewal of consecration vows, and the Sabbath service, conducted by Elder W. A. Spicer, was one long to be remembered because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Forty-eight regular delegates and twenty-one delegates at large were present to participate in the deliberations. The reports of the various officers were encouraging. There were seventy baptisms, and a net gain of fifty-five in membership during the year. One new church was added to the conference and one was reported as disbanded. The report of the treasurer showed that the tithe had increased nearly $2,000 during the year, while the donations to foreign missions had nearly doubled during the same time. There was also a marked increase in the membership and donations of the Sabbath-schools, while the tract society department had a good year, the sales of literature being over $15,000.

Strong resolutions were enthusiastically voted indorsing the new 20-cent-a-week plan, urging the importance of special consecration services in the Sabbath-schools, and pledging hearty support to the efforts being made in our large cities. Another resolution which received most cordial indorsement read as follows:—

Whereas, Christ commissioned the church not only to preach the gospel, but also to bring people to the place where they should be baptized; and,—

Whereas, The Lord lays the responsibility for bringing in new converts upon individual members; therefore,—

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to earnest and continual prayer to the Lord of the harvest that the number of new converts and baptisms for 1913 be not less than two hundred.

The organization of special prayer bands in the churches and young people's societies was suggested as a means of bringing about the results called for in this resolution.

All the conference workers were present, and, in addition, we were favored with the presence and counsels of Elders W. A. Spicer, B. G. Wilkinson, N. S. Ashton, and I. G. Bigelow. A large theater building was secured for the meetings on Sunday afternoon and evening, where very attentive audiences listened to sermons on the millennium and the Eastern question. Considerable interest was aroused in the city by the meetings, and the daily papers gave most excellent reports of all proceedings. The officers of the conference remain the same, with the exception of two changes on the executive committee.

We believe that the Lord has good things in store for us during 1913. We feel that the call for special prayer for converts is a most timely one. We have wandered in the wilderness long enough. It is now time that we should be taking some Jerichos, and thus be preparing to enter into the enjoyment of the heavenly Canaan. The end is coming upon us so swiftly that we scarcely realize the true situation. Are two hundred souls too many for God to give us during 1913? Let us pray that the number may include some of our own loved ones and friends who are now strangers to God. What is your church going to do in this great campaign for converts? What are you going to do about it? We must have only those who are truly converted. Any others would only be Achans to bring defeat. “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” B. F. KNEELAND, President.