District of Columbia Conference by William A. Colcord

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1911

District of Columbia Conference.

By William A. Colcord

The third annual session of the District of Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in the Memorial Church, Washington, D. C., May 7, 8, 1911.

In all, four meetings were held, three on Sunday, May 7, and a closing meeting, Monday forenoon, May 8.

Eighty delegates had been appointed to represent the ten churches embraced in the conference, a large number of whom responded to the roll-call at the opening meeting. One new church was received into the conference, that of

Colonial Beach, with a membership of fourteen.

In his opening address, the president, Elder W. A. Hennig, stated that there had been an encouraging growth in the conference during the past year, both in membership and in tithes and offerings. The total increase in Sabbath-keepers had been one hundred twenty-seven. Sixty-seven had been received into the churches by baptism, and twenty-seven on profession of faith and previous baptism. The increase, he stated, had been largely by conversion and profession of faith, rather than by letter; the church-membership of the conference now being 757, and the total number of Sabbath-keepers, 876.

The tithe for the year amounted to $13,554.66, of which $3,450.31 had been paid over to the General Conference. The offerings to missionary work had also been liberal, amounting in all to $8,113.81, including the tithe to the General Conference, the Sabbath-schools alone contributing $1,403.44. The total amount of tithes and offerings paid into the conference during the year was $20,407.99, or an average of $23.29 for each member.

One church building had been erected, at Clifton, Va., and another was in process of erection at Colonial Beach. To the latter and the work in that place, Sister Eaton had some years ago contributed one thousand dollars.

About fifteen hundred dollars’ worth of literature had been sold during the year. Three Bible workers had been engaged in work, through the efforts of one of whom eleven persons had been brought into the truth.

The fifth church in Washington (colored), of which Brother W. H. Green has charge, showed satisfactory progress, its present membership being about fifty.

Plans and Recommendations Adopted

The conference passed a number of resolutions. Those of general interest are herewith given:—

“That a strong, continuous effort be maintained in evangelical work along all lines, especially in the conducting of tent- and hall-meetings, giving Bible readings by expert and experienced workers, and general organized missionary work in the churches.

“That our people in the various churches render whatever assistance they can to any public efforts that may be undertaken in the conference, with a view to making them as strong, effective, and successful as possible.

“That a special effort be put forth to foster and still further develop the tract and missionary work of the conference by enlisting the lay members in the work of circulating tracts.

“That a strong, continued effort be maintained in placing the REVIEW in the homes of all of our people in this conference.

“That the ten-cent magazines be kept prominently before the members in all of our churches, and practical instruction be given in the missionary meetings on the science of soliciting, with a view of making our members efficient in the circulation of these magazines, which ever prepare the field for more effective work in other denominational lines.

“That definite plans be laid for regular meetings to be held in our different churches in the conference on medical topics during the coming year, these meetings to be conducted by physicians from the Washington Sanitarium, assisted by nurses and such others as can be used to advantage, and held at least once each quarter in our churches.

“That the conference dispose of its quota of ‘Ministry of Healing’ as early as possible.

“That we recognize with deep gratitude of heart the principles of Christian education which have been entrusted to us, and give our hearty support to the institutions embodying them, from the church-school to the college and seminary, realizing that our children and our young people are the most precious heritage of this denomination.

“That we encourage the elders and young people’s leaders in our churches to take special care of the newly baptized children and young people, and endeavor as far as consistent to provide definite instruction in the duties and privileges of church-membership, at least for all who are under the age of eighteen.

“That we awaken as never before to the work of enlightening all the people within this conference concerning the principles of religious liberty, and organize a strong, aggressive campaign in all our churches for the circulation of petitions and appropriate literature against the proposed religious legislation now pending in Congress, that the people may be educated upon this subject and the principles involved in such legislation.

“That we use our best endeavors to circulate the current number of Liberty among the school-teachers of the District of Columbia and throughout the conference, and that we lay plans for a larger circulation of this journal, and of the leaflets published in the interests of maintaining liberty for all.

“That as far as consistent and practicable, religious liberty institutes be held in the various churches of the conference for inspiring our people to greater activity in this line of endeavor.

“That we continue our efforts to complete the raising of our portion of the $300,000 Fund.”

Protest Against the Johnston District Sunday Bill

In addition to the foregoing recommendations, the following resolution in opposition to the passage of the Johnston District Sunday bill, was passed at the closing meeting:—

“Whereas, A bill has been introduced into the Senate (S. 237) entitled ‘A Bill for the Proper Observance of Sunday as a Day of Rest in the District of Columbia;’ and,— Whereas, both the title of the bill, and the exemption in the first section of the bill, declaring ‘that persons who are members of a religious society who observe as a sabbath any other day in the week than Sunday shall not be liable to the penalties prescribed in this act if they observe as a sabbath one day in each seven, as herein provided,’ reveal the religious character and intent of the proposed legislation; and,— Whereas, Said proposed legislation is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States, which provides that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;’ therefore,— “Resolved, That we, the District of Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, respectfully but urgently protest against the passage of the said bill or any similar measure, for the reason that Congress by such act would be taking a partisan stand upon a religious controversy between Christian churches on the subject of Sabbath observance, and otherwise interfere with inalienable rights, for the preservation of which our nation has stood since its founding.”

A good report of the conference, and particularly of this protest, appeared in the Washington Evening Star of May 9.

Credentials and Licenses Granted

Credentials were granted to W. A. Hennig, W. H. Green, and G. A. Stevens, the latter being ordained to the gospel ministry at the Sunday evening meeting; ministerial license was given to U. D. Pickard; and missionary license to Ella Leach, Edna Cockrell, and Mrs. M. A. Baker.

Officers Elected

W. A. Hennig was reelected president, with J. L. McElhaney, M. E. Kern, S. B. Horton, W. H. Green, T. E. Bowen, and A. J. S. Bourdeau as the other members of the executive committee. Brother A. J. Bristol has been requested to act as secretary and treasurer of the conference.

The conference proceedings passed off harmoniously, and the general sentiment seemed to be that a large amount of business had been transacted in a short time.

Before adjournment, a vote of appreciation of the work done by the committees was passed, and the plan of appointing committees beforehand, where little time can be devoted to a conference session, was also approved.

W. A. COLCORD.