Another Good Meeting by Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

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

Another Good Meeting

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

THE fourth union conference session to be held in this country has just closed. This was the Lake Union Conference, held in Chicago. The meeting convened in our Forty-Sixth Street church, March 27, and closed April 2.

To me, this conference was in all respects equal to either of the preceding conferences, and in some features it seemed better than any of the former meetings. It was truly enjoyable, inspiring, and profitable to those who were present. The delegates went from this meeting with new love, courage, and determination to work for God.

The attendance was good. Ninety-four delegates were present from the five States composing the union; six General Conference representatives were in attendance, and quite a number of brethren and sisters were present from the different States. Besides these, our workers in the various missions in Chicago, and the members of the city churches turned out in strong force. This gave us large, appreciative audiences.

As the business proceedings and some of the most stirring talks are to appear in the REVIEW from week to week, this report will deal with only a few prominent features of the conference. One of these was the beautiful harmony that prevailed from first to last. This was so marked that it was a subject of general comment. It was not a forced and regulated union; it was created by the Spirit of the Lord. It was the result of enlightened, Spirit-led minds.

Presidents of conferences, heads of schools, and medical and publishing institutions, strong-minded committeemen, business managers, editors, canvassing leaders, and business men worked side by side, day after day, helping to advance the particular lines of work in which each was engaged, without friction or discord. Never have I seen a greater and more charming manifestation of unselfishness in any meeting. This means something; it is a token to the people of God of reformation and revival. It was when the disciples became of one accord, that the early rain fell upon them.

Religion and Business

Another especially impressive feature of this meeting was the natural blending of the spiritual and the business phases. I have many times deplored the gulf that has seemed to separate what we have been pleased to call the spiritual and the business meetings in our conferences. I have felt that this gulf should not exist. True spiritual experiences are real, practical, common-sense experiences; true gospel business is sacred and spiritual. Why should they not blend? Why should not God's people experience rich spiritual blessings in what is called a business meeting? Why is it necessary to set apart one hour in the day to tell how much we love the Lord and his cause, and another hour for long, tedious, conflicting discussions about the business of the Lord's cause, which we love? Why not have practical, businesslike spirituality and spiritual business combined? The Lord gave us some experience in this at the Chicago conference, and it did us all good. Some of our best social meetings came unplanned, while considering recommendations in what we called the business meetings. Hearts were made tender, and tears flowed. The spiritual part was not made frigid, nor was the business transacted made weak and superficial. Each was made better by their perfect blending.

The other feature of the meeting deserving special notice was the earnest, ever-present inquiry, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” In the early part of the meeting the trumpet call to service was sounded and responded to, and all through the meeting there was manifested a solemn inquiry regarding present duty. In response to this desire, some great responsibilities were revealed to some of the delegates while the meeting was in session. In some cases these duties were so pressed upon their hearts that their sleep brake from them. But they did not swerve from the plain path of duty. With confidence in God's leading, they resolutely placed their feet in the paths marked out. In doing this they received signal tokens of God's approval. Dear Brother Gowell and his brother workers from Michigan were given a most blessed experience.

Their victory brought light and victory to the whole conference. From the hour this victory was gained, there was one strong, grand move forward to the close of the meeting.

The Relief of the Schools

From the efforts that had been made in behalf of the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons” during a few weeks previous to this meeting, this line of work naturally held a prominent place in the conference. The ministers, church officers, and brethren and sisters were given an opportunity to state their personal experiences in selling this book, and also to give their impressions regarding the benefits that will follow. Many very thrilling and heart-cheering experiences were related.

Those who related their experiences did not need to tell their hearers that they had been blessed in their work. This was revealed in their countenances, and by the light and life expressed in their testimonies. One striking feature of this witness bearing for this good work was that not a person uttered a complaint. Those who had been most earnest and hopeful regarding this work had not been disappointed. On the other hand, those who were not at first in harmony with the movement, but had taken hold of the work, had received signal blessings, and had experienced an entire change in their views. No discouraging or evil testimony could be borne by those who had complied with the conditions upon which the blessings of this work are promised. Naturally, of course, there was a strong feeling that the work should be pressed forward with greater vigor than ever. Each State conference committee openly and resolutely announced that it was their intention to continue this work until the last book is sold, and the last dollar of indebtedness on the school is paid. This I most confidently expect will be carried out.

One of the most stirring days of the conference was that devoted to the medical missionary work. The earnest workers connected with the Chicago Branch Sanitarium, Life Boat Mission, Life Boat Rest, Workingmen's Home, University Hygienic Café, and other missionary enterprises, made a very deep impression upon the minds of the delegates by their reports of labor. More than once the brethren and sisters were in tears as the workers told, in simple, humble, but touching language, their thrilling experiences.

But Elder A. T. Jones attended this meeting, and gave most valuable instruction on our work of reorganization, Christian education, and the relation of the medical missionary and evangelical departments of the cause. Brother E. R. Palmer gave the conference good instruction regarding missionary work and the sale of our literature.

Brethren Lane, Sutherland, Magan, and Paulson rendered much help in the meeting.

Much more of a truly encouraging character could be told, but space forbids. The experiences of the first session of the Lake Union Conference will long be held in pleasant memory by those who were present.

A. G. DANIELLS.