Many Conferences in Line on the Missionary Acre Work
By P. T. Magan
ALREADY letters are beginning to come in from union conference and conference presidents all over the country in favor of the Missionary Acre work. Never have we had more hearty responses than have been received in this matter. Elder W. T. Knox writes that the Pacific Union Conference will push this work to its utmost ability, feeling sure of success. Elder H. W. Decker, president of the North Pacific Conference, writes as follows:— “I have received your letter of the 11th, and have read it with more than usual interest. I am in hearty accord with what you have written. I have felt for a long time that the medical missionary branch of the work has not had the sympathy and support that it should have from this denomination. I remember when Dr. Kellogg stood pleading with tears for our people to respond in some degree to this branch of the work, if it was only to permit some young people to go to the Sanitarium to be trained without expense to the conference. “The work has struggled on under the greatest disadvantages, but the Lord has vindicated it so that every fair-minded person can see that God's hand is in it in a remarkable degree. “I will act upon your suggestions concerning the Missionary Acre Fund, and will do all I can to carry them out in the North Pacific Conference.” From the Eastern Union Conference comes a cheery letter from the president, H. W. Cottrell, saying:— “I am with you to do whatever appears to be the best thing for the Sanitarium interest at this special time. I think the well-working of the ‘acre’ business at this time will be as good a thing as can be done by us. I am ready to do all in my power to make the most of the undertaking. Of course you are aware that the farming business is a minor resource in the greater part of this conference. However, I will do my best to strike the principle from every quarter.” The Pennsylvania president speaks in no uncertain tones. Writing under date of March 18, Elder R. A. Underwood says:— “Your communication touching the matter of help for the medical school meets my hearty approval. I will do what I can to work up the Missionary Acre Fund in Pennsylvania. If we had more farmers, we would be in a position to make a stronger effort, or perhaps a more effective effort, but we will do the best we can.” From West Virginia Elder S. M. Cobb writes:— “This ‘acre’ work has my sympathies and best wishes, as well as my labors and prayers. I am for the up-building of the Lord’s work in all its branches. I regard the medical missionary work as the right arm of the message, and as such I mean to stand by it and give it the support it deserves.” Iowa, always energetic and loyal, sounds a similar note. Elder L. F. Starr, president of the conference, writes:— “Your long letter of the 14th inst. is at hand. I have tried fully to sense the situation of the medical phase of the work. I believe I am in harmony with it. I shall write an article for our State paper concerning the Missionary Acre Fund. I will talk this work wherever I go among the churches, and will instruct the ministers and workers to do the same. I believe that Iowa did something last year toward this enterprise. We are anxious to see our medical college fully established, and believe that Iowa will take hold nobly.” Despite the discouraging financial outlook in Missouri and Nebraska, Elders Rees and Nelson, presidents of these conferences, write with courage and hope. The former says:— “I indorse all that you say in your letter relative to the Missionary Acre Fund, and I am sure it is all right.” Elder Nelson writes in regard to the Missionary Acre Fund:— “I am willing to have it worked up in this State, but the prospect for a crop here this year is not very flattering. We have not had any rain, and very little snow, but some terrible wind storms, so it seems quite discouraging. But we can do something. The people are willing to take hold and lift whenever they see it is needed, and it does seem that it is needed at present very much.” In the Kansas Conference the work has already begun. Elder E. T. Russell, the president, has written Elder Lane, the chairman of the Missionary Acre Committee, to come to that State as soon as he can. In a letter written March 25, he says:— “I have recently been attending some general meetings throughout the State, and have placed the matter of the Missionary Acre work before our brethren, and believe that quite a number will take hold of it; and as a result you will receive donations from Kansas next fall.” From across the border Elder J. W. Collie, president of the Ontario Conference, writes:— “I wish to assure you that I am in hearty sympathy with any move to assist the medical missionary work according to the Missionary Acre plan suggested in your appeal. We had so much matter that we were obliged to insert in this coming issue of our paper, that it was impossible to insert your article; but I have written a short notice, and we will do all in our power to have Ontario do her share in the enterprise. I shall be glad to have Elder Lane visit our churches wherever there is a farming community, and will esteem it a privilege to assist him in every way possible.” Thus everywhere, with no exception, is the Missionary Acre movement meeting with hearty assurance of support from a large number of Christian men of influence, whose word is as good as their bond. The work of clearing away the debts on the schools already established, or of founding new schools without debt, is one filled with peace, hope, and joy. Things look bright in the Missionary Acre work. Backed up by a loyal army of over one hundred thousand strong, victory and freedom from debt are absolute certainties. So strong are the currents of Christian life in the hearts of God’s people, that it looks as if the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and two may yet be the long-looked-for year of jubilee.