The New Jersey Conference
By B. F. Kneeland
The ninth annual session of the New Jersey Conference, which was held at Irvington Center, Newark, N. J., January 17-22, was a season of spiritual refreshing, as well as a time when various business matters were considered. Each afternoon was devoted to convention work; the Sabbath-school, educational, and home missionary departments receiving consideration, while the last afternoon was given up to a discussion of the work of the church officers. The deep interest shown in these discussions indicated that our people appreciate these efforts to fully acquaint them with our plans. The treasurer's report showed that15eleven and one-half per cent a week, or a total of $5.95, was contributed to foreign missions by each member in the State during 1910. The total offerings to general trust funds amounted to $5,768. Nearly one half of the conference quota of the $300,000 Fund has been paid in during the year. Considerable interest was shown in the question of providing Christian education for our young people. More than a score of our young people have been in attendance at our various colleges and training-schools during the year, besides several who are enlisted in the Fireside Correspondence School. We trust that this number will be largely increased during 1911. The business sessions of the conference were characterized throughout by a spirit of harmony. From the very first meeting of the workers, who were called together for a season of special prayer a day before the conference opened, the Lord's presence was shown in a marked manner. The list of officers and workers remains practically unchanged from that of last year. The Sabbath spent at the conference will be long remembered by those who were present. As the day had been set aside as one of fasting and prayer, all seemed to realize that it was an occasion for special heart-searching; and as we wept and prayed together, the Spirit of the Lord came in with wonderful power. Wrongs were made right, and hearts were united, while a deep burden for perishing souls rested upon the workers. As the sun sank from sight, a small band gathered at the bedside of a suffering brother, and the answer to our prayers for him seemed a fitting close to the blessed day. The conference was greatly favored by the presence of Elder W. A. Spicer, who was with us during the greater part of the meeting. Elders B. G. Wilkinson, W. H. Heckman, and Brother E. R. Numbers were present from the Columbia Union, and Elder A. Boettcher, of Brooklyn, visited us in the interests of the North American Foreign Department. One church, the Jersey City Swedish, was organized during the year, and admitted to the conference. Sixty-six persons were baptized during 1910. The development of the work among the different foreign nationalities was very encouraging, as efforts for these peoples constitute a large part of our conference work. The present number devoting their whole time to work among foreign-speaking peoples in the State is in excess of the whole force of conference workers three years ago, while still we are not keeping pace with the demands. The problems before this conference are large. The great increase of our city population, and the fact that in the last ten years half a million foreigners have settled within our borders, are constant reminders that we have a needy field at our very doors. The large untouched areas of fertile farming land offer excellent opportunities for self-supporting missionary work. The great coast resorts are crowded with visitors from all parts of the country, while we have scarcely a worker on our whole seacoast. The excellent success that has attended the efforts of our canvassers and workers during the past year shows that this is a fruitful field. The people are reaching out their hands for help. God has plainly declared that the time has come for the message to return to the East with power. The field is ripe, but the laborers are few. The workers and believers here are of good courage, for they realize that the battle is the Lord's. We ask to be remembered in the prayers of God's remnant people, that the work may be speedily finished before the judgments of God bring swift destruction upon the inhabitants of this wicked world.