The South Dakota Conference
By Geo. W. Bowen
The twenty-third annual session of the conference of South Dakota met at the Elk Point Industrial School, Dec. 2-8, 1902. The attendance was good, considering the time of year, stormy weather, etc. The delegates and laborers were glad of the opportunity to visit the school, which had been opened for class work scarcely a month. We found a band of students, young men and women, intelligent, consecrated, and ready for any hardship that our school might be successfully maintained. The school gave up much of its regular time for the conference sessions, which met in alternating periods from early morn till late at night. Most of the delegates were cared for at the school building, others at the homes of the brethren of the Elk Point church living near. Brother C. W. Flaiz, president of the Northern Union Conference, and Brother F. A. Detamore, field secretary for the same field, were present during most of the conference. We were much encouraged by the progress made during the seventeen months since our last conference. Three tent meetings were held during the summer of 1901, and two general meetings and a Sabbath school institute later in the year. North Dakota became a separate conference in June, 1902, thus dividing the laborers. Some of those remaining in this conference were obliged to leave their work on account of failing health, and at the close of the year we had but four ordained ministers. These, with a goodly number of younger laborers, went forth after our two camp meetings in June, to do battle for the Lord in four tent efforts. The towns worked were Watertown, Madison, Vermillion, and Tyndall. Forty-two persons received baptism the past season. Our work for “Christ’s Object Lessons” has progressed well. Our full quota of books has been sent out. All have not been sold, but a vigorous effort is in progress, not only to finish our quota, but to help our own school at Elk Point. One noticeable feature of the conference was the efforts to organize for more and better work not only at home, but also abroad. One hundred copies of the Sentinel are being sent to our legislature this winter. Our school is being helped by liberal contributions. Much more, however, will be needed for some time to come to make our buildings and school what they should be. The interest in other fields was gratifying. The Manitoba Tract Society was helped to the amount of $34.75. Two thirds of Elder Crowther’s audit was assumed by the conference. It will be remembered that Brother Crowther went from our conference to Trinidad a few years ago, and died at his post. Our conference laborers unitedly placed themselves at the disposal of the Mission Board, and voted to send or furnish two of our number to the Mission Board, and to work for them, and to pay their salary while in their assigned fields, and their transportation to the same. One brother offered to pay the salary of one missionary for one year. Our conference also voted to supply the weekly salary of a laborer in Norway for one year. One of our ministers, Brother Ole P. Norderhus, at his own request, was recommended to Norway as a self-supporting missionary. Brother Wm. H. Twining was recommended to the north of Ireland, and Brother H. G. Miller to the Southern field, as canvassers. As we share our laborers and means with other fields, we know that our own souls will be watered, and that the Lord will raise up still others for our home field, and yet more to help carry this message to earth’s remotest bounds, and we also know that our school will have no little part in this work. We changed the beginning of our conference year from July 1 to January 1. Two of our brethren, Elmer G. Hayes and N. M. Jorgensen, were ordained to the gospel ministry. We begin the year with six ministers, six licentiates, and five missionary licentiates. Elder N. W. Allee was chosen president for the ensuing year, and Elder N. M. Jorgensen, secretary. Among the recommendations adopted, the following will be of general interest:— “We recommend, That our churches consider more fully the importance of church schools, and that as far as possible, schools be established in every church. “We recommend, That a board of seven members be elected for the management of the industrial school at Elk Point, S. D. “We recommend, That our conference laborers, church elders, and leaders of companies faithfully teach the Bible system of tithes and offerings. “We recommend, That the South Dakota Conference furnish the Mission Board with at least two laborers, and sufficient means to transport both to their assigned fields of labor, and to supply their weekly salary while in such service, and accept and call on ‘A Believer’ for one year’s support for one of them. “We recommend, That Elder C. A. Burman and Sister Leona Burman, his wife, be recommended to the Mission Board, to labor in the field for which they have been requested [Spain], as soon as arrangements can be made. “We recommend, That our brethren who have not yet sold and paid for what books [“Christ’s Object Lessons”] they have on hand, do so as soon as possible, and that our brethren everywhere be urged to take and sell more of these books for the aid of the industrial school. “Resolved, That it is the sense of this body to recommend Elder Ole P. Norderhus to work in Norway, and that this conference pay the weekly salary of another worker in that field for one year to work with him. It is understood that Elder Norderhus labor at his own expense, so far as this conference is concerned. “We recommend, That every Seventh-day Adventist in this conference make an earnest effort to increase the circulation of our periodicals. “Inasmuch as G. H. Miller and Wm. H. Twining have expressed themselves as ready and willing to go to distant fields as self-supporting canvassers, Brother Miller to the Southern field, and Brother Twining to the north of Ireland,— “We heartily recommend these brethren to the Mission Board for such service, wishing them Godspeed when the proper arrangements for their going shall have been made.” Geo. W. Bowen.