A Profitable Conference
By Arthur G. Daniells
THE first session of the Pacific Union Conference was held in Portland, Ore., Feb. 28 to March 9, 1902. This conference has a large territorial area. It stretches from Alaska in the north to Arizona in the south, and from Montana and Utah in the east to the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Its organized Conferences are California, North Pacific, Upper Columbia, Montana, and Southern California. Its mission fields are Arizona, Utah, British Columbia, Alaska, and Hawaii. The membership of the Conference is about ten thousand. Every Conference and mission field in the union, except Hawaii, was represented by delegates at the Portland Conference. But the distances of some parts of the field were so great that what might be called a large or full delegation could not be expected. There was, however, a good representation from all parts of the Conference, and of all the leading phases of the work. In some respects, this was one of the truest and most pleasing and ideal conferences I ever attended. The delegation was made up principally of presidents of Conferences, superintendents of mission fields, principals of colleges, physicians in charge of sanitariums, the managers and directors of the publishing house, State canvassing agents, managers of health-food factories, stores, and restaurants. All these delegates came together as special representatives of these lines of work, and conferred and worked together for the promotion of each line just as though there was but one question before them. And indeed there was but one primary question, and that was the proclamation of the whole gospel to men. Preaching, healing, feeding, teaching, printing, canvassing, are all important though different ways of imparting the gospel of life and salvation to the lost. It was a beautiful sight to see a company of men possessing strength of mind and character sufficient to make them leaders in the different departments of the work they represent, working together day after day in the fullest sympathy and harmony. All seemed to be filled with a broad, sweet spirit. Each manifested an interest in the whole work. Each exercised Christian courtesy to all others. Each endeavored to give every line of work its due share of attention. This was a conference in a large, true sense. When perplexing questions arose, we prayed and studied and conferred together until light came and made the way clear. As soon as the right way was made plain, all took a harmonious, resolute stand to walk in that way, regardless of previous views and the apparent sacrifice. Indeed, one of the leading features of the conference was the boldness of the delegates to undertake great things for God. This boldness did not in any sense approach rashness. It seemed near of kin to that manifested by Caleb and Joshua when the ten spies filled the people with fear of the giants and the walled cities of Palestine. The boldness of the Portland Conference was that which reckons on the results, not according to the greatness of the task nor the weakness of the workers, but according to the power of God, who directs the way. As I am not in possession of the written proceedings of the conference, I cannot attempt an outline of the work done. Some decided steps were taken for unifying and developing the work in different parts of the Conference. It was unanimously voted to form a Pacific Union Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association. The chief object of such an association is to unify and promote all medical and health interests of the Pacific Coast. Recommendations were passed advising that the mission fields of Utah, Arizona, and British Columbia be organized into Conferences as soon as the officers of the Union Conference can visit these fields. The Conference placed itself on record regarding the plan for selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” as a means for paying off the indebtedness of its colleges. Besides receiving attention several times in the conference, an entire evening was devoted to the consideration of this plan, at the close of which the following recommendations were adopted:— We recommend that a vigorous campaign for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” be started immediately throughout the Pacific Union Conference, for the liquidation of the school debts in this Conference, and that it be carried out according to the following general plan:—- That the members in the territory belonging to Healdsburg College be assigned at the rate of six books a member.
- That the members in the territory belonging to Walla Walla College be assigned at the rate of six books a member.
- That each Conference and mission field be asked definitely to assume the responsibility of selling its quota of books.
- That the Executive Boards of the Conferences and mission fields be advised to place the chief responsibility of the sale of the book upon the ministers, other conference laborers, and church officers.
- That, for the rapid and successful execution of this undertaking, the territory be carefully districted, and be assigned to the ministers and conference laborers.
- That the entire membership of each field be requested to devote the opening week of the campaign to the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and—
- That arrangements be made in each case at the beginning of the campaign for ministers and conference workers to remain in their respective districts to push forward this special work until the entire quota of books is sold.
These recommendations were passed by a rising vote of the entire congregation. The presidents of Conferences and the superintendents of mission fields all personally expressed their hearty approval of this work, and promised their faithful services in making the effort successful. Since the Portland Conference the brethren in both Montana and Utah have approved of the action of the Union Conference, and have ordered their entire quota of books. The Upper Columbia and North Pacific Conferences are organizing their forces for thorough, successful work; and California is moving with the rest. May God’s prospering hand be with these dear brethren in their earnest efforts to do His will. The proceedings of the Conference will no doubt appear in due time. This meeting will mark an epoch in the Pacific Union Conference. It revealed the magnitude of the work, and the power by which it is to be accomplished. It revealed the existence of unity and brotherly love, without which no great movement of this kind can succeed. It aroused all present to greater activity and boldness for the accomplishment of great things for God.