Maritime Conference by J. A. Strickland

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

Maritime Conference

By J. A. Strickland

THE annual session of the Maritime Conference convened Tuesday, September 12, and continued, with morning and afternoon meetings, until Sunday, the seventeenth. The weather, though cold and rainy the greater part of the time, did not prevent a good attendance. The meetings were held in a tent on the grounds of Williamsdale Academy, at Williamsdale East, Nova Scotia. The academy grounds and buildings appeared at their best, the main building having recently been repainted within and without.

The meetings were harmonious and of a high spiritual order. Perfect unity prevailed in all the deliberations and a spirit of oneness characterized the entire conference. The visiting brethren present were Elders William Guthrie, president of the Canadian Union Conference, and M. C. Kirkendall, president of the Ontario Conference.

Elder Kirkendall conducted a daily Bible study that included such timely subjects as the Law and the Gospel, Bible Hygiene, Spirit of Prophecy, and Support of the Gospel Ministry. Elder William C. Young and the writer held special meetings for the young people each day in the academy chapel.

Reports of conference officers, field workers, and departmental secretaries showed a gain in membership, tithes, offerings, and book sales for the year. During the summer season seven canvassers were in the field, the sales amounting to $1,685.30, a gain of $564.30 over the sales of 1910, when eleven agents were at work.

The academy opened September 20, with twenty students present. Ten or twelve more are expected to arrive later. The academy is greatly in need of a piano, but neither the conference nor the school board can afford the expense. Students are in attendance who would take musical instruction if the institution owned such an instrument, and other pupils could be secured. The tuition from this work would appreciably increase the annual income of the school. If any of our brethren and sisters are so situated that they could supply this deep-felt need, they would render a service to many deserving young people of this conference, and assist the school over a difficulty that now seems to be insurmountable.

One great drawback to permanent progress in this conference is its proximity to the New England States. Our young people especially, and frequently whole families, seek employment or homes over the boundary because of the better business opportunities that exist in the United States. However, we realize that what is our loss is a gain to the cause elsewhere.

Officers were elected as follows: President, J. O. Miller; secretary-treasurer, Miss O. M. Russell; conference committee, J. O. Miller, J. A. Strickland, William C. Young, W. H. Cook, Watt Steves; religious liberty secretary, J. O. Miller.

The conference closed Sunday night with a special temperance meeting.

J. A. STRICKLAND.