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Another Union Conference Organized

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 2.

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Another Union Conference Organized

By W. J. Fitzgerald

The Grand Council of the General Conference recommended various changes in the territorial lines in North America. One of these recommendations was that the Atlantic Union Conference be divided, so that a new union might be formed of the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. The council advised that the last-named State be released by the Lake Union, to form a part of the new union.
The way being fully prepared by actions of the Atlantic and Lake Unions, in harmony with the recommendations of the General Conference Council, the new union was organized at a meeting held in Philadelphia, Pa., at 3 P. M., November 17. Each conference was represented by a full delegation. Elder C. F. McVagh was chosen temporary chairman; and Elder Geo. W. Spies secretary pro tem. It was voted that the new organization should be known as the Columbia Union Conference. At this first meeting of the Columbia Union, Elder A. G. Daniells and others expressed earnest desires that this union should, in the very beginning of its existence, make full provision for well-organized and effective departments to promote every phase of the great work committed to us.
The following standing committees were selected to report matters to the session for consideration and action: A joint committee to adjust financial and other relations between the Atlantic and Columbia Unions; a committee on constitution and by-laws; on plans and recommendations; on licenses and credentials; on nominations; and on distribution of labor.
Recommendations and resolutions were adopted as follows:—
“Whereas, The blessing of God has attended the work of the various conferences in our field during the past biennial term, so that marked advancement has been made in carrying the message to the people of the great cities in this field, therefore,—
“1. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his blessings that have attended our work, and reconsecrate ourselves to service, and implore his blessings upon us during the coming term.
“Whereas, The territory of the Atlantic Union States has been divided into two unions, Ohio joining the new Columbia Union, in order to bring greater efficiency in administering and developing the cause of the message in these populous fields, therefore,—
“2. Resolved, That we as a union and as conferences represented, call for the consecration of every resource to service, and that we will earnestly press our work into unentered portions of our field and in the great centers of population, in order that the warning of the Lord’s soon coming may reach every community in our union.
“3. Resolved, That we arrange for a view to the full departmental organization of our work, making provision for publishing, educational, medical missionary, religious liberty, and young people’s missionary volunteer departments, and that persons be chosen to the oversight of these departments.”
Arrangements were made for strengthening and building up the distributing agencies of the Publishing Department. To this end it is proposed to enlist the entire rank and file of the believers in this message in active missionary work. Each conference will have its field missionary secretary, who will have entire charge of this work in his conference. A general missionary secretary, supported jointly by the Columbia Union Conference and the wholesale house, will have the general supervision of this work throughout the union conference.
A committee was appointed to bring about a uniform system of accounting throughout the union.
Recommendations were also adopted pledging the new union conference to the work of assisting the mission work among the Jews and Italians. It is proposed to take up systematic correspondence missionary work among the better class of Jews, also to do all in our power to counteract the work of that class among the Jews who are advocating the abandonment of the true Sabbath and the keeping of Sunday. As far as possible the magazine Liberty, with other literature, will be placed in the hands of Jewish lawyers, doctors, and judges.
In view of the need among church officers of instruction in regard to their duties, a recommendation was passed to the effect that we encourage the conferences of this union to hold institutes for church elders and deacons, to instruct them more fully in their important work.
Recognizing that “much has been lost to the cause of God by lack of attention to the young,” it was voted that more vigorous and systematic efforts than ever before should be put forth through our newly organized Missionary Volunteer Department to enlist our youth in the service of God where they are, and to encourage all our young people to obtain a preparation in our schools for some branch of the work.
Realizing that something should be done to assist our sanitariums in securing a better patronage, it was recommended that we call the attention of those in need of medical help to these institutions.
The new union took action definitely pledging itself to labor earnestly to increase very materially the contributions to foreign mission work. To bring this about, it is proposed to raise an amount equal to ten cents a member each week to be used in the foreign fields. Besides this, every conference in the union will be urged to make an earnest effort to secure the payment of a full tithe in every church.
The executive committee of the union was asked to advise with the executive committee of the Ohio Conference, with a view to making the Welcome Visitor the official organ of the Columbia Union Conference, and that the operating expenses of the paper be mutually shared by the several conferences in the union.
It was also recommended that the Mount Vernon College be made the training-school for this union, and that the young people of this territory be encouraged to avail themselves of the privileges offered by this institution.
The conference adopted the usual constitution and by-laws.
The officers elected for the biennial term are: President, W. J. Fitzgerald; Vice-President, H. H. Burkholder; Secretary and Treasurer, E. R. Brown; Auditor, E. R. Brown. The other members of the executive committee elected are J. B. Clymer, D. W. Reavis, G. W. Bailey, M. D., and A. C. Shannon. One place was left vacant to be filled by the committee.
The report of the joint committee, which was unanimously adopted, reads in part as follows:—
1. That the division of territorial lines as adopted at this session take effect Jan. 1, 1908.
2. That officers and employees who have heretofore been under the direction of the Atlantic Union Conference continue the service as heretofore until the above date.
3. That the president of the Columbia Union Conference be, from this date of division until Jan. 1, 1908, paid from the funds of the Atlantic Union Conference.
4. That all tithe received by the conferences of the old Atlantic Union Conference up to and including Dec. 31, 1907, be considered as undivided assets of the old Atlantic Union Conference, and shall be promptly forwarded on Jan. 1, 1908, to the Atlantic Union Conference treasury.
5. That all unpaid tithes owing to the old Atlantic Union Conference by local conferences be considered as a valid asset, and be paid before Dec. 31, 1907.
6. That all money not paid out in the settlement for salaries and legitimate expense for work during 1907, be divided upon a pro rata basis. [Sixty-two per cent to the Atlantic Union Conference, and thirty-eight per cent to the Columbia Union Conference.]
7. That the institution known as the South Lancaster Academy remain under the control of the Atlantic Union Conference constituency, the said constituency to finance the enterprise.
Enthusiasm and courage were very manifest in the introductory session of the Columbia Union. The spirit which is guiding this great movement ever forward possessed the hearts of the delegates. May the progress of the work in this territory during the ensuing term prove the wisdom of the severing of long-existing territorial relations, and the forming of new conference ties.
During the session considerable time was devoted to Bible study. Elder Daniels, Professor Prescott, and others gave instruction which all considered to be meat in due season. This instruction aided greatly in making the conference session a spiritual refreshing.
The officers of the Columbia Union earnestly solicit the prayers of devoted lovers of the message, that the union may do its appointed work and accomplish the purpose of its existence.
W. J. FITZGERALD.