Greater New York Conference
By H. W. Cottrell
The first annual session of the Greater New York Conference was held at the church, 159 East 112th Street, New York City, October 7-12. Quite a full representation was present from each church in the conference, and the delegates were in regular attendance throughout the session. The ministers who were present, either all or a portion of the time, were Elders Haskell, Franke, Miles, Warren, Jayne, Reinke, Meleen (Scandinavian), Edwards, Keslake, Bell, and Stevens, and the writer. The publishing interest was represented in a special way by Brother S. N. Curtiss. Best of all, the Lord was with us in a remarkable manner, which was appreciated by all present. The conference appointed its usual committees through the chair, so no time was lost in bringing business before the session. The various departments of local conference work were carefully considered, and planned for as well as we could with our present corps of laborers and the means we have. There is a tract society debt of eighteen hundred dollars, of many years’ standing, which came to this conference from the former Atlantic Conference, of which this conference is a part. We could not provide for this debt at once, but felt that we must do so at the earliest moment possible, and thus free ourselves from this bond, and then give ourselves and our money to aggressive work, both in the city and in the regions beyond our home land. The work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” was considered, and we found that our quota was not nearly all sold; but in that meeting we sold eight hundred and sixty-four books to those who were present. If all who were not in attendance would take, on an average, as many, it would clear the conference quota, and then, as faithful assistants one of another by words of good cheer and in every other way possible, each could press out among his neighbors, and make a final disposal of his books, after which all would be prepared for whatever service the Master might call them. There was a query in the minds of some of the delegates as to just what would be the best way to officer the conference, which delayed aggressive work for some time during the first part of the session; but after the crucial point was passed, I never witnessed greater unanimity, both of opinion and of expression, at any conference I ever attended. The REVIEW, Signs, Sentinel, Good Health, and local papers received their share of attention. Elder Franke was requested to take local supervision, under the conference committee, of the Manhattan division of the city. Elder Warren is to have similar charge of the Brooklyn section of the conference, while Elder Edwards will direct the work in the Bronx section. Elder Reinke will have local direction of the German work. Elder Haskell will have charge of the mission work, and Elder Meleen of the Scandinavian work. Of course we have in this great city many perplexities to encounter; but having learned to rejoice when we meet them, we press happily onward in the discharge of duty. Elder Franke will soon resume meetings in Carnegie Lyceum. The outlook is more favorable now than ever before for a mighty work to be done in the nation’s metropolitan city. The Spirit of the Lord must work in some remarkable way if the attention of three and one-half million people is arrested to hear the soul-testing message. All returned to their fields of labor full of hope and courage.