p. 5 | At the Northwestern Union Conference

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 15, 1902

At the Northwestern Union Conference

By William Ambrose Spicer

THE Spirit of God has definitely called for a rising, broadening, enlarging policy that shall blend in one every branch of Christian truth and effort, and set the circle of the earth itself as the compass of God’s work. His Spirit is quickening and enlarging the hearts of his people to rise to meet the call of the hour. That is the encouraging feature of this spring’s union conferences.

The tender spirit of love and service has taken possession of the brethren and sisters of the Northwestern Union Conference, now in session in Des Moines. I am writing too early in the meeting to speak of business accomplished. The reports of the States represented show growth of the missionary spirit as related to the work abroad. Contributions for missions have increased, and the conferences view with satisfaction the lengthening list of workers leaving their borders for more needy fields beyond. No suggestion brings heartier amens from the congregation than the expressed determination of these States to do still more. We are only beginning this process of sending the laborers forth to the world-wide harvest.

The book work in this union conference shows room for development. Far more can be done. There is a disposition to take advantage of the crusade for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” to secure a large staff from the

rank and file to push forward the distribution of literature. One encouraging feature of the book work appeared in Nebraska’s report of increased sales, notwithstanding the severe drought of last season. Sales amounting to over sixteen thousand dollars, or about sixteen hundred dollars more than those of the preceding year, were made.

These conferences help to emphasize the truth that we can meet the issue that faces us to-day only by rallying all the forces of this people to take up active service with the aim of pushing the frontier of the work outward and ever onward. The loyal hearts of a united people, beating strong with love for the world which Jesus loves, are, under God, the bulwarks of our work. The home work must be everywhere strengthened at once to bear the burden of the world’s evangelization. “Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes,” is the ringing command from heaven. The stakes must be driven strong and surely in these conferences at home in order that the cords of God’s everlasting love may be quickly flung out to the uttermost parts of the earth. W. A. SPICER.