The British Union Conference by Guy Bail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1907

The British Union Conference

By Guy Bail

GUY BAIL

This year’s session of the British Union Conference was held August 2–11, in beautifully located Nottingham, on the Trent, a city of about two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. By the five hundred brethren and sisters present, this was declared to be the best meeting of the kind we ever had in the British Isles. The earnest words read to the laborers from God’s messenger, wrought repentance and a new consecration, so that they manifested a spirit of love and union, and their efforts to draw nearer to the Lord were rewarded by a great awakening among the people, scores of whom came forward during the forenoon services of the second Sabbath—some seeking God for the first time, others confessing their backslidings and renewing their covenant with him. In the afternoon, Brethren W. T. Bartlett (of London), R. Mussen (of Ireland), and D. P. Miller and A. E. Bacon (laboring in Scotland), were solemnly set apart to the gospel ministry by prayer and laying on of hands, God witnessing to their ordination by the presence of his Spirit. In the evening, twelve were baptized. The labors of Elders Prescott, Conradi, and Gilbert (who was present the last two days), as well as the help rendered by the workers of the British Union, were appreciated by the people, and proved very beneficial to all.

Special efforts were put forth for the young people and children, and meetings were held also for the parents. The health meetings served to deepen the interest felt in the health reform movement. The business sessions were neither dry nor lacking in interest, for the reports from the field and of our institutions showed that God’s hand is in the work.

As would naturally be expected, one of the leading topics to come up for careful consideration was the building up of our union institutions, now located at Stanborough Park, near Watford, where we secured fifty-five acres of beautiful land the latter part of last year. It was decided that the publishing house and the health food factory be moved here the latter part of August, and that the school also be transferred from London to the buildings that were on the estate when we secured it.

Plans were laid for the collection of much-needed funds to assist in perfecting the arrangements necessary to make Stanborough Park the training center it ought to be for our young people in Great Britain. First, five thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” are to be sold by the end of 1907, the entire proceeds of which, beyond the cost of manufacture, will be devoted to the erection of a building for the college. Second, it was voted that ten thousand copies of “Ministry of Healing” be issued as soon as possible after the first of next January, and that, in behalf of our institutions, our British brethren undertake to sell the entire edition within a year after its publication. It was recommended that each field supply the average of one pound for each member (which all have undertaken to raise) as soon as it can be collected, to assist in erecting and equipping the institutions at Stanborough Park. Further, as there are many worthy young people who are financially unable to advance the money necessary for their education, it was strongly urged that our brethren contribute liberally to the Stanborough Park Missionary College Educational Fund. Over three hundred and ninety dollars was raised for this purpose on the grounds. A special effort is being made to secure promising young men and women to enter the school, that they may be fitted to become workers together with God; but as only a limited number can support themselves in our institutions and by canvassing and laboring in the districts surrounding Stanborough Park, the creation and maintenance of such a fund is imperative.

Great Britain has always done well in the circulation of literature. Last year they had about one hundred and seventy book and paper agents in the field, and the retail value of their sales was about $74,000. The circulation of their Present Truth averaged 23,000 copies weekly; 150,000 copies of the Our Day series of “Sunday, or Notes on the National Campaign,” were sold; the circulation of their Good Health is 45,000 monthly. An effort is now to be made to secure still more and better-trained canvassers; for there are still many counties in Great Britain that are not being worked by our agents, and it is conceded that the canvassing department is one of the best pioneer agencies we have in this field. It was also voted that immediate steps be taken to provide literature for the more than one million Welsh-speaking people in the British Union; moreover, a young man has been selected who is to master this language, that he may give his whole time to work among the Welsh people.

The Caterham Sanitarium has graduated its first class of nurses, and a new class of fourteen has been accepted on trial. Since the Drs. Richards were called from Leicester, our sanitarium in that city has been operated under the Caterham Sanitarium management. The health institution formerly in Belfast has been transferred to Rostrevor, where it is located on a beautiful estate of one hundred and thirty acres, overlooking Carlingford Loch from an elevation of about four hundred feet above the sea. Suitable young people are being sought out to take the proper training in the sanitariums to enable them to become successful medical missionary nurses. Good Health Leagues are still being conducted for the good of the people; and the suggestion that studies be prepared on health topics for the use of our churches will be carried out to the benefit of all. The circulation of the Good Health published in Great Britain will also doubtless be increased the coming year, for it has a distinct part to act in spreading abroad the principles God has given us upon the subject of healthful living.

The British East African Mission has been reinforced by the addition of Brother and Sister Baker and Sister Thompson, who sailed from London June 8, and are doubtless on the ground now. For the nominal sum of about two hundred and forty-four dollars the mission secured three hundred and twenty acres of good land about twenty-five miles from Kisumu, on Kavarondo Bay. The spirit of the meeting is well expressed in the following preamble and resolution:—

“Whereas, By the good hand of our God upon us, the workers in British East Africa have been guided to a favorable site for the establishment of our mission in that country, and have been preserved in health and strength; therefore,—

“Resolved, That this union conference gratefully acknowledge the divine blessing that has rested upon this our first foreign missionary enterprise, and that we pledge ourselves faithfully to support the workers whom we have sent to that difficult and dangerous field, not only with our regular and liberal offerings, and by doing what we can to sell ‘The Story of Joseph,’ in aid of the mission, but also with our sympathy and prayers.”

It was voted to recommend the organization of Young People’s Societies, wherever this is possible, for study and for Christian effort, and that the Youth’s Instructor be suggested to them as a helpful agency in the development of such Societies. Beginning with Jan. 1, 1908, the funds of the British Union Conference will consist of the tithe of the tithe of the local conferences; whereas the Sabbath-school, weekly, and annual offerings will be forwarded to the European subtreasury of the General Conference, in harmony with the recommendations of the Gland meeting. As Brother W. H. Wakeham is to enter the school, Brother W. H. Meredith, of Wales, will take his place as president of the South England Conference, and Brother H. E. Armstrong, of the North England Conference Committee, will become superintendent of the Welsh Mission.

The president of the British Union stated that at the close of 1906 their membership was 1,727 (309 having been received during the year), and that there were 70 book and 100 paper agents, and 64 conference workers in the field; that

the tithe had been $23,194.60, an increase of $3,420 over 1905; the average tithe per capita for 1905 had been $12.96, while for 1906 it was $13.36; the average amount of offerings per member in 1905 was $1.37½; in 1906, $2.06½.

Credentials were granted to E. E. Andross, H. C. Lacey, A. A. Carscallen; ordination and credentials to W. T. Bartlett, R. Mussen, D. P. Miller, A. E. Bacon; ministerial licenses to M. E. Olsen, S. Joyce, A. B. Olsen; missionary licenses to J. D. Baker, Mrs. J. D. Baker.

The report of the nominating committee, unanimously accepted, read as follows:—

President, E. E. Andross; Vice-President, W. H. Wakeham; Secretary and Treasurer, S. S. Barnard; Sabbath-school and Young People’s Society Secretary, W. H. Wakeham; Auditor, J. Howarth; General Canvassing Agent, S. Joyce. Committee: Presidents of the North and South England Conferences, and of the Scotch, Irish, and Welsh Missions; and W. C. Sisley, H. C. Lacey, Dr. A. B. Olsen, W. T. Bartlett. Auditing Committee (in addition to the members of the British Union Committee): G. Hawkins, E. Armstrong, Sr., S. Joyce, D. E. Piednue.

That God’s blessing may be with all the workers in the field, and with every member in the church, and especially with the institutions we are seeking to erect at Stanborough Park, is the sincere prayer of all who were at the meeting.

Nottingham, England.