The Jamaica Conference by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 13, 1913

The Jamaica Conference

By H. C. Goodrich

THE eleventh session of the Jamaica Conference was held with the church at Kingston, Dec. 27, 1912, to January 5, 1913. Elder U. Bender, president of the union conference, and the writer, were present to assist in the meetings.

The attendance was better than had been expected, considering the severe storm that visited the island just a few weeks before the meeting, destroying three of our churches and the home of Elder W. H. Randle, one of our native ministers. Though this storm destroyed a great deal of property throughout the island, still there was a note of courage in the meeting from the very first, which was good to see. The thought of loss and hardship seemed to be forgotten in the enjoyment of this yearly feast of blessing.

The financial report showed that the conference had just about held its own the past year; but when we consider the terrible drought of the first part of the year, during which not only crops perished, but cattle and horses as well as many persons died for want of food and water, and that after this came the great storm of November, we wonder at the courage displayed by the brethren and sisters not only in paying tithes and offerings, but in their attendance at this union conference.

One feature of this meeting, which seemed to the writer to be most excellent, was the institute work, in which was considered such subjects as “The Paying of Tithes and Offerings,” “Sabbath-School and Young People’s Work,” and “Our Behavior in the House of God.” Several very excellent papers were written, and the discussions which followed showed that the brethren and sisters were studying the subjects presented. I am sure they were very much appreciated by all.

Two evenings were given to the stereopticon, in which Elder D. E. Wellman took his audience around the world, viewing churches and schools, sanitariums and parties of workers, wherever the light of truth had penetrated. These lectures were well calculated to give the public a good idea of the work being done by this people throughout the earth.

Plans were laid by the conference for the extension of their work into new fields by organizing two tent companies, which will begin work as soon as arrangements can be made. The preaching was of a practical nature, and the attendance from the city very good. The Lord met with his people especially in the early morning meetings. It was in one of

these that two of our new converts told how they had purchased books in another country, and thereby been led to obey God and to keep all his commandments. The joy they expressed in this new-found truth, although they had lost their positions and had to return home, was an encouragement to every one.

Elder Wellman, the president of the conference, and those who had been associated with him in conference work during the year past were reelected, and the laborers start out with a new determination to push the battle to the gates, expecting victory at every point through our Lord Jesus Christ.

H. C. GOODRICH.

Cristobal, C. Z.