Central Union Conference by Ole Andres Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 10, 1910

Central Union Conference

By Ole Andres Olsen

THIS meeting was held at St. Joseph, Mo., January 13-23, in the Y. M. C. A. building, which had been secured for the occasion. The several conferences of the Central Union were represented with a full delegation, and all the deliberations were characterized with a marked degree of unity and harmony. It was very evident that one leading thought and feeling that held supremacy in every mind was that of bending every effort to meet each requirement to hasten forward the message to a speedy and final glorious consummation.

The Y. M. C. A. building was found to be very convenient, as it not only furnished a spacious auditorium for the meetings, but also a commodious dining-room for the serving of meals for those in attendance, and rooms for the various committees to hold their meetings and councils. So for the ten days of the conference, we virtually lived in the building. This arrangement was both convenient and pleasant, and made the occasion much like a cordial family gathering.

The laborers present from the General Conference were Elder G. A. Irwin, Prof. M. E. Kern, and the writer. Elder Irwin conducted some very practical and instructive studies, which were much appreciated. Professor Kern's labor, especially among the young people, was very helpful. One can only regret that the time given for these meetings did not allow every question to receive all the attention its importance deserved.

These union conferences are filling a very important place in our organized work, as nearly every branch of the work as a whole is represented in these unions. This was very manifest at this gathering, where the various departments of the work, such as publishing, educational, and health work, all came in for careful consideration, as well as the direct conference and field work in the Central Union Conference territory.

The reports from the field and the institutions were all of an encouraging nature. Still we can but feel that we are not realizing all that we might rightly expect from the efforts put forth. We must not hide our faces from the fact that in the multitude of business that necessarily crowds itself in upon us, and in the press and rush that is everywhere present, we are liable to slight the hour of devotion and prayer. This is a matter that must receive full attention, for we all know that no business activity can fill the place of communion with God—the source of all our wisdom and efficiency.

The two Sabbath services of the conference and the morning devotional services day by day, were seasons of blessing and refreshing. It was indeed encouraging to note the readiness on the part of those present to make the most of the opportunity for gaining advanced ground and advanced experience in divine grace. The subjects of the discourses and Bible studies were close and searching, and the Spirit of God witnessed to the truth spoken, which was well received by the congregation.

Discourses presenting the leading features of the message were given every evening during the conference, and we trust the seed thus sown will find lodgment in some good ground and bear fruit to the glory of God.

Elder E. T. Russell was re-elected president of the Central Union Conference, and only slight changes were made in other positions. Harmony and union prevailed during the entire session, and in all the deliberations. The $300,000 Fund was taken hold of with a will and enthusiasm that insure success, and the same can be said of the sanitarium and relief work with “Ministry of Healing,” and of the magazine sales.

The meeting closed with a good spirit, and we trust the coming biennial season may be a prosperous one in the advance of the message in this conference.

O. A. OLSEN.