Columbia Union Conference by B. G. Wilkinson; E. R. Brown

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1910

Columbia Union Conference

By B. G. Wilkinson; E. R. Brown

THE Columbia Union Conference met for the first time as a union conference in the city of Baltimore, Md., Dec. 2-9, 1909. It had first been arranged to hold the meeting December 2-12; but owing to the week of prayer just coming on, and the desire of the delegates to return as soon as possible to their respective fields, it was voted to close the conference session Thursday noon, December 9, which cut the meeting short by three days and a half.

Nevertheless there was an earnest spirit of work present, and all matters were thoroughly attended to before the conference closed. Fifty-seven delegates were present, representing eight conferences and two institutions. In addition to the delegates, we had present with us at times the members of the Baltimore church, so that, altogether, the conference was well attended.

Two years ago the Columbia Union Conference was first formed. It was cut off from the Atlantic Union Conference, and was made up of the conferences of Ohio, Eastern Pennsylvania, West Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Chesapeake, Virginia, and West Virginia. Since that time the District of Columbia Conference has been organized, and at this recent union meeting was admitted into the union.

The history of the Columbia Union Conference since its formation has in one respect been a little unfortunate. It has had, during the past two years, four different presidents, none of whom has presided over the conference much longer than seven months at a time. Thus it can be seen that many important questions in the union had been postponed by each successive executive, who knew that his stay with the union was only temporary. So that this union meeting found itself face to face with unusually large and important measures which demanded earnest and careful consideration.

No resolutions were introduced which reaffirmed any accepted principles of policy. Only those resolutions were brought before the conference which strictly pertained to the pressing business before it. The $300,000 Fund was indorsed, and the quota allotted to the Columbia Union Conference was heartily accepted. It was unanimously agreed on the part of all the delegates present vigorously to push the raising of the quota, so that the portion of each conference should be in the treasury at the end of the time allotted. A resolution indorsing the plan of campaign with the “Ministry of Healing,” for the relief of our medical work, also was heartily accepted. A special afternoon was set aside for the discussion of work in our large cities. It would be difficult to find in America a union conference territory where there were more large and important cities than in the Columbia Union Conference. Here we have Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, Wheeling, and the large cities of New Jersey. It was the determination of this union conference to push the work in these large cities more than ever in the past.

The officers elected for the ensuing biennial term were as follows:— President, B. G. Wilkinson; secretary and treasurer, E. R. Brown; field missionary agent, E. R. Numbers; medical secretary, H. N. Sisco, M. D.; educational secretary, Prof. S. M. Butler; religious liberty secretary, W. A. Hennig. There were very few personal changes within the territory of the union conference.

Brother I. D. Richardson responded to the call to take up work in India. Brother E. R. Numbers was transferred from Ohio to the union conference to take charge of the book work.

The two institutions located within the territory of the Columbia Union Conference came in for considerable attention and discussion. Though the Philadelphia Sanitarium is not a union conference institution, nevertheless the serious condition of this institution demanded considerable study. Both Mount Vernon College and the Philadelphia Sanitarium are struggling under a heavy load of debt. A plan of relief for the Philadelphia Sanitarium was fully considered, but was referred to the General Conference Committee for further counsel and help. In February, 1909, a plan to help Mount Vernon College had already been devised. The object of this plan was to request every member of the Columbia Union Conference to pay for one year the equivalent of one cent a day. However, little had been done on the plan up to the present time. It was therefore voted at this session to vigorously prosecute the plan until the equivalent of $3.65 for each church-member in the Columbia Union Conference had been raised. There is no doubt but that if this measure is carried out, it will decidedly mean the relief of Mount Vernon College.

Owing to the proximity of Baltimore to Washington, we were greatly favored with General Conference help. Elders G. A. Irwin, A. G. Daniells, and W. W. Prescott were with us practically all the time. The Bible studies by Professor Prescott were especially interesting and helpful. Many people came out from the city at the hour of the study to participate in the good instruction given. We were also favored with sermons from Elders W. A. Spicer, I. H. Evans, G. B. Thompson, and Prof. H. R. Salisbury. At different times members of the different departments of the General Conference came down to Baltimore to participate in the excellent programs which were prepared and executed to forward the work of the different departments.

Altogether, the Columbia Union conference was one of great interest and help. It was felt by all that this meeting will open a new era in the future for the work in the Columbia Union Conference.

B. G. WILKINSON, President, E. R. Brown, Secretary.