The Lake Union Conference
By Arthur G. Daniells
The second session of the Lake Union Conference was held at Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich., May 18-26. This conference is entitled to about one hundred and fifty delegates. A number of other organizations called meetings of their boards and constituencies in connection with this conference session. Sister White's presence at the meeting brought in a number of visitors from the churches near the place. Altogether, the attendance was the largest of any union conference we have held this year. A devotional meeting was held each day, from 5:45 to 7 A. M., and the evenings were given to preaching services. The remainder of the time, from morning until night, and sometimes until far into the night, was devoted to the consideration of the business affairs of the various organizations represented at the meeting. From our experience on this occasion, as well as on other like occasions, I do not hesitate to state that it is a great mistake to hold so many business meetings in connection with a conference session. The numerous committees conflict with one other, and encroach upon the public meetings. The constant strain under which the leading men are kept by attending committee meetings so constantly, unfits them for rendering the service they should in the conference. When the session closes, they are worn out and confused, and the delegates and visitors leave disappointed. There is serious danger in this. It gives too much prominence to the machinery of organization, and places the spiritual interests in the background. No one intended to do this, but arrangements naturally produced these results. We must guard against this in the future. Some stirring sermons were preached by Sister White, Elders G. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, E. W. Farnsworth, W. H. Anderson, and others. We were especially glad to have Brethren Farnsworth and Anderson with us. The former had just arrived from Australia, after an absence of several years, and the latter had just returned from Matabeleland, Africa, where he has labored untiringly for nearly a decade. These dear brethren came to us with stirring messages of life and power. Their talks touched our hearts, and awakened us to the needs of the great mission fields abroad. It should be understood that these brethren and their wives have not "come home." Brother and Sister Farnsworth are on their way to Great Britain, and are attending our summer camp-meetings by request of the General Conference. Brother and Sister Anderson are taking a much-needed furlough, and while doing so, are working earnestly in behalf of the great field in Africa to which they expect to return in a few months. Our people are all glad to hear the stirring, vitalizing messages of these missionaries. The regular business of the Lake Union Conference passed off harmoniously, and much of it was of interest to the delegates. Some deeply interesting and encouraging reports were rendered by conference presidents and department secretaries. The business proceedings and many of the reports have already appeared in the columns of the REVIEW. No important changes were made in the conference organization. Elder Allen Moon was elected president, with a good executive committee. It was decided to locate the headquarters of the conference at Indianapolis, Ind. The committee have since secured what they deem suitable offices, and will soon remove there. We rejoice at this. It will be a blessing to the union. We shall look for greater efficiency and prosperity in that large and very important conference. In severing my official connection with the Lake Union Conference, it may not be out of place to express my deep gratitude to the vice-president and the executive committee for the help they have rendered in the administration of the conference. A large share of the burden has fallen upon Elder Wm. Covert, the vice-president, who has cheerfully and untiringly worked in behalf of the conference. This is the largest and in some respects the most important union conference in the denomination. It ought to be a great power in the development of this cause. We shall look for this, and pray that it shall be so. A. G. DANIELLS.