The Division of the California Conference by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1911

The Division of the California Conference

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The fortieth annual session of the California-Nevada Conference was held February 9-19, in Fresno, Cal. It was one of the largest local conferences I have ever known among Seventh-day Adventists. Over two hundred delegates were seated.

Owing to the size of the California Conference, it was thought best to divide it into three conferences, that more thorough work might be done; but notwithstanding the fact that there were ninety-three churches and 5,206 Sabbath-keepers in the conference, a large proportion of the brethren and sisters did not wish to divide. They loved the associations, and had always looked forward to the annual gatherings with great pleasure; and they could not bear the thought of a separation of these ties which had been dear to them for many years. Some of the leaders felt that the prosperity and advancement of the work would be hindered if the conference was not divided. We all felt that if the Lord did not make the people see the need of division, it would be folly to attempt it.

The opening meeting was held Thursday evening, February 9. Friday morning the conference was organized, the delegates were seated, and the committees appointed, and no other business was brought before the conference. The entire time during the first two days was spent in seeking the Lord. Some who knew the large amount of business to be attended to became a little nervous for fear we would not have time enough to attend to the business; but we felt the most important business was to seek the Lord, and individually get a living connection with him.

Sunday morning a map of the proposed divisions, with a statement of the area, number of churches, membership, and tithe of each of the proposed divisions, was placed in the hands of every person in the conference. After giving two days for all to carefully consider the matter, the conference voted to divide into three divisions, as follows: (1) The Central California Conference, comprising the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley and Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties on the coast; (2) the North California-Nevada Conference, composed of the counties east of the Cascade Mountains, Merced and Mariposa counties being the limit on the south, this conference also including the northern half of Nevada; (3) the California Conference, including all the counties bordering on San Francisco Bay, and west of the Cascade Mountains and north of San Francisco Bay. The last-named conference is the strongest, numerically and financially, of the three, as the working of the large seaport cities will always be an expensive work, and will require more funds than are required to work inland territory.

The southern half of Nevada and Mono and Inyo counties of California were given to the Southern California Conference. There was only one small church of fourteen members in all this territory. It will require men and means to work it. The Southern California Conference is a strong conference. It needs more territory, and owing to geographical conditions, can reach this field much more easily than the other conferences. The northern part of Santa Barbara County was also given to the Southern California Conference.

The election of officers went through with the same sweet spirit. Every one present felt that the Lord was surely with us. The remark was frequently heard, "We never attended a conference where the Lord’s presence was more manifestly felt." Those who in the past had been in the habit of contesting all points (there are some such in most conferences), were in perfect harmony with each move. We all felt that we had learned the lesson that the larger the amount of business, the larger the amount of time that should be spent in seeking the Lord. In taking two days as a conference to seek the Lord, we had gained a great victory.

Elder J. H. Behrens, of California, was chosen president of the Central California Conference; Elder C. L. Taggart, of California, was elected president of the North California-Nevada Conference; and Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the California Conference.

Letters had previously been sent to be read in every church, stating that the division of the conference would be considered at this meeting, and it was interesting to see the class of delegates present. Some of our large churches, which were entitled to twelve or fifteen delegates, were represented almost wholly by business men, who made a sacrifice to attend. This showed that they regarded the interests of God’s cause of more value than their own. From the beginning to the close of the conference there was not a word of contention, nor a discordant note.

The Sustentation Fund was presented, and all gladly voted to give five per cent of their tithe to the support of this fund. The foreign missionary work was also presented, and, although they were starting out into untried fields, and hardly knew the expenses they would meet in their new conference work, yet they very cheerfully voted to give fifteen per cent of their tithe for the support of the foreign missionary work.

We feel thankful to the Lord for the prosperity that has attended the California Conference in the past, and earnestly pray that the prospering hand of the Lord will ever be over the three new California conferences.

S. N. HASKELL.