p. 17 | Western Oregon by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 25, 1907

Western Oregon

By K. C. Russell

THE annual meeting of the Western Oregon Conference was held in Portland, Ore., May 23 to June 2. The camp was nicely located in the eastern part of the city, and was accessible from all parts of the city. Being so centrally located, we had a large attendance every evening. There were over one thousand of our people at the meeting. Besides the regular employees of the conference there were in attendance, Elders A. J. Breed, H. W. Decker, John Isaac, and George F. Enoch, Prof. M. E. Cady, Miss Katherine Hale, Carl E. Weaks, and the writer.

Special attention was given to the work of reaching those who have never given their hearts to the Lord, and to reclaiming those who were backslidden. Many responded to the different calls that were made from time to time, by repentance and humble confession of sins. We shall hope and pray that the work that was begun at this meeting will prove to be a thorough and permanent one.

Those in charge of the meeting so planned their work that the various phases of it were given careful consideration. The educational work in this conference presents a very encouraging outlook. They now have three industrial schools; namely, Laurelwood, Cottage Grove, and Gravel Ford. The church-school work was also very thoroughly considered, and especially the question of the support of church-school teachers. The following recommendations were unanimously adopted:—

“Resolved, That a rate of tuition be fixed according to the grades, at not less than one dollar, nor more than two dollars, a month for each pupil.”

“Resolved, That each member of the conference in addition to the tithe, be recommended to pay a sum equal to ten per cent of the same to be set apart as a deficit fund to make up the amount still due the teacher on salary over and above what the tuition amounts to in each church; and further, that such tithe of the tithe be forwarded to the treasurer of the conference with the regular tithe, and that the responsibility of collecting and distributing the tuition be laid upon the church-school board, and that no demands be made upon the deficit fund until the rate of tuition has been fully met, and applied on the teacher’s salary.”

I trust that our conferences will consider this proposed plan as they study the question of financing their church-schools.

The early morning meetings were largely devoted to a careful study of the spirit of prophecy and church organization. As the principles on these questions were presented, those who had been somewhat in sympathy with the present apostasy from the message, saw the evil of their course, and took a firm stand on the side of organization and the spirit of prophecy.

The tithe of the conference for the past year was upward of $21,000, with a

surplus of $5,000. They donated to the General Conference for foreign mission work $1,000. It was also voted to pay their proportion toward a 20,000 edition of the Christian Endeavor number of Liberty, which is to be used at the International Christian Endeavor Convention to be held at Seattle, Wash., July 10-15. A liberal donation was also made toward the transportation and expenses of the six volunteer missionaries for India, to which reference is made in my report of the Western Washington meeting.

Elder F. S. Bunch was again unanimously elected president of the conference. Elder W. L. Black was elected vice-president. Miss Edith Starbuck was also again elected to the position of secretary and treasurer of the conference. W. C. Raley was chosen as tract society secretary. Brethren C. L. Butterfield and R. W. Airey were ordained to the gospel ministry. The ordination prayer was offered by Daniel Nettleton, and the charge was given by the writer.

We were pleased to meet at this meeting Dr. J. E. Froom and family and Dr. W. B. Holden. Mrs. May Taylor Quantock, who was returning to India, where she has previously labored as a missionary, was present at the meeting. She has regained her health, and expressed herself as of good courage as she returns to take up her work in this needy and important field.

K. C. RUSSELL.