The South England Conference by L. R. Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

The South England Conference

By L. R. Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

ENGLAND proper, with a population of about thirty-two millions, forms at present two conferences, only one county—Monmouthshire—belonging to the Welsh Conference. The population is about equally divided between the North and South England conferences. The latter held its annual session at Willesden, September 9-14. Willesden is a town of sixty-five thousand inhabitants. Its favorable location between London and Watford secured a good attendance of our people, three hundred fifty assembling on the Sabbath in the college building, in which the meeting was held. A tent effort had been carried on in this place; a few took their stand, and there was a fair attendance of those not of our faith in the evening services.

Our churches were all well represented by delegates. The president’s report showed eighty-five souls baptized during the year, and a good growth of tithe and offerings. Three new churches were added at this time: Bristol, with thirty members; Croydon, with thirty; and Bowes Park, with twenty-nine. Though our people lifted hard on the college fund, yet as a call was made to secure four new tents, so as to continue energetic gospel work during the coming year, about £95 was subscribed. A number of subscriptions were secured for the REVIEW, also for the union paper. Several hundred copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” were readily taken by our people, to be disposed of in favor of the school. Though this field includes the largest city in the world, with seven millions, where the twenty workers of the conference could be easily located, yet the conference willingly gave up several of its workers for East Africa. Brother and Sister Brooks, and Sister Gingell, who is betrothed to a brother already at work in Africa, were released, and will sail about October 20, with Brother Domnick, of the German Union Conference, to engage in the work around the Victoria Nyanza.

The conference was a very practical one. Much useful instruction was given. Elder J. N. Loughborough related his experiences with regard to the spirit of prophecy; Elder W. J. Fitzgerald set forth the reasons of our faith to a full house; Dr. A. B. Olsen spoke on health subjects; Elder W. H. Wakeham addressed the young people; while the writer spoke of the wonderful providence in connection with the progress of our work. On Sabbath the offerings for missions amounted to £4. A spirit of union marked all the deliberations of the conference, and Elder W. H. Meredith was unanimously re-elected as its president for the next conference year.

While God’s people were aroused to their duty, the enemy was by no means asleep. One of our former ministers, who holds a pastorate in a neighboring town, secured a chapel in the vicinity of our hall, to denounce our people, also to scatter his pamphlets against us. He first tried to get another pulpit, but, to his chagrin, was refused. On denouncing us and giving his reason for wanting the chapel, he was told that the owner of the chapel had a son who is a Seventh-day Adventist worker. Then this opponent said that if he could be introduced to this son, he would soon convert him; but the other man replied: “I know my son better than you do; and, by the way, my son has quite good Bible authority for his position.”

Six were baptized during this meeting. All the people and workers returned with a new determination, by the help of the Lord, to do more than ever to spread the precious seeds of truth in this great field. Remember them in your prayers.

Hamburg.