The Northwestern Union Conference
By A. G. Daniells
The Northwestern Union Conference held its first annual session in Des Moines, Iowa, April 3–13. The territory of this union embraces the conferences of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Dakota, and the mission territory of Manitoba, Alberta, Assiniboia, and Saskatchewan. Wyoming is attached to the Nebraska Conference, but it is really mission territory. The church membership of these conferences is reported as ten thousand. These separate fields were represented by delegates as follows: Iowa, fourteen; Nebraska, eleven; Minnesota, eleven; Dakota, seven; Manitoba, three; and there were twelve delegates at large, representing all parts of the union. Eight representatives of the General Conference, Mission Board, and leading departments attended this meeting. The attendance of the members of the Des Moines church was quite good, but there were few visiting brethren and sisters from other parts of the State. Brother A. T. Jones spent two days at the Des Moines Conference on his way to the Pacific Coast. While with us, he gave valuable instruction regarding Christian education and other lines of reorganization. Brother W. A. Spicer kept the needs of the mission fields before the delegates. Dr. David Paulson was present during the last days of the meeting, in behalf of the medical missionary work. Brother S. H. Lane joined him in presenting the plans for raising the Missionary Acre Fund. Brother E. R. Palmer was present to work in behalf of the circulation of our literature. The presence of these brethren, and their instructive messages, added much to the value of the conference. The meeting opened Thursday night, April 3, with a spirited, cheering social meeting. This, like the other union conference sessions which have preceded it, was a meeting of harmony and brotherly love. So far as I am aware, no one complained, found fault, or manifested opposition. This meeting was not perhaps as enthusiastic and responsive as some we have attended during the past winter; but it was an exceedingly practical session. Every important measure brought forward received candid, thoughtful consideration, and not a single recommendation of real value and importance was opposed or voted down. Some measures were closely examined; but when fully explained, notwithstanding the heavy responsibilities involved, they were courageously and unanimously adopted. One of these important measures was the proposal of the General Conference Association to this conference to take over the Union College property, and a liability on the same amounting to eighty-five thousand dollars. The Union College district has already invested quite a large amount in this institution, and it seemed a heavy obligation now to take over from the General Conference a debt of that size. Every feature of the proposal was carefully examined, and, when fully understood, the delegates voted unanimously in favor of its adoption. This conference manifested a deep interest in our brethren who are carrying on the work in distant lands. It was voted to send Brethren C. W. Flaiz and N. P. Nelson as delegates to the European General Conference. This step was taken for the purpose of forming a better acquaintance with the situation in Europe. A large part of the Northwestern Union Conference constitutes the garden of America. It is a very rich, populous district. In it are located many thousands of prosperous Sabbath keepers; from it may be secured many noble workers, and a large treasure for the distant, needy fields. But to secure this greatly needed help, our brethren from whom it is to be obtained, must be aroused to a sense of the needs of those fields. Their eyes must be opened, their vision extended, and their hearts enlarged. These brethren will come face to face with all the problems confronting our brethren in Europe, that they may be able to share with our people in those lands the burden resting upon them. This they are to do with the understanding that, when they return to this country, they will join the General Conference and the Mission Board in their efforts to secure a large supply of workers and funds for the regions beyond. In addition to sending delegates to the European meetings, this conference offered some of its most promising young laborers to the mission fields. Brother B. E. Fullmer, who has just finished his medical course, was recommended to the Mission Board for India. Brother and Sister Fullmer expressed, with tears, their willingness to go to India, or to any other place on the face of the earth to which the work of God might call them. Brother C. J. Buhalts and his wife were recommended to the board for Africa. They are willing to go. Brother Wilbur was recommended for China. With deep feeling, he related to the conference the burden that has long pressed upon his heart for that field, and expressed his determination to lose no time in setting sail. When these recommendations were read, the Spirit of the Lord rested in rich measure upon the delegates, and before they were adopted, the entire congregation was melted to tears. This has been our experience many times during the last year. It is an open, precious manifestation of God's approval of our efforts to send help to the needy regions beyond. Realizing that the Mission Board would require special help this year to carry on its foreign enterprises, some of the conferences came forward with generous contributions. Iowa and Minnesota gave one thousand dollars each, and Dakota and Nebraska gave five hundred dollars each. Although no call was made, some of the delegates voluntarily made personal donations. A deep interest was taken in the movement for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The deliberate, intelligent, determined course pursued by these conferences for carrying out this God-given plan was one of the most inspiring sights I have ever witnessed in the gospel work. The brethren first settled the question of duty. They next unitedly settled the question of doing their duty, and then they studied together as to how to do it. When all was clear, they joined hands in a sacred pledge that every man would stand by his post until the blessed work was done. The Minnesota delegates assured us that one of the best meetings of all their experience in connection with this cause was when they unitedly pledged their earnest, persevering, and continuous support of this movement until their books are all sold. The cheerful and courageous steps taken by this conference to hasten this work, and thus usher in the reign of grace, will make its memory pleasant to those who were permitted to be present.