p. 19 | Northern Illinois Conference by William Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1907

Northern Illinois Conference

By William Covert

It has been quite a while since I have made a report to the REVIEW AND HERALD of our work in this conference. While I was gone to Europe, there were several baptisms, when from two to five received the rite, but I can not give the particulars at this writing. Since returning, it was my privilege to baptize eight students at the close of our school year at Fox River Academy, June 22-24. The occasion was a very interesting one; indeed, we have seldom enjoyed a service more than we enjoyed the baptismal service on that occasion.

One week later, June 29, 30, I attended meetings at Galesburg, where Elder Wm. Lewsadder baptized seven persons, who now have membership in the Galesburg church. There are a number of other persons keeping the Sabbath in Galesburg who have not yet united with the church, but expect to do so soon. In addition to these, there are also probably twelve persons hopefully interested in the truth. The church in that place is working to give the third angel's message to the whole city, and if they continue with their present method and energy, they will soon have it accomplished. They are distributing a great deal of reading-matter, and giving many Bible lessons to the people.

Elder Kirkendall has united with us in Chicago. The plan is for him to direct the missionary and evangelistic work of the Forty-sixth Street church, and help in other points as his time will allow. A large number of The Family Bible Teacher are being ordered, and the many members of the church will assist in carrying them to the homes of the people.

This same kind of work is to be extended over the city among all our churches. The Danish-Norwegian workers have pitched a tent in the northwest part of the city, and are conducting a series of meetings in it. The Germans also have a tent-meeting in progress in the northern part of the city. They expect to baptize a number of persons next Sabbath who have lately been converted to the truth. The Swedish ministers will probably pitch a tent this week or later, in the northeast part of the city.

Elders J. C. and F. J. Harris, assisted by Brother Carl Hansen, are conducting a series of meetings in a tent at Pontiac, where a church has lately been organized. They report a fair interest in connection with their work there. Brother Burdick and C. R. Magoon will probably pitch a tent at Sterling next week.

Brother I. D. Richardson has a company of workers in Aurora distributing two thousand copies of The Family Bible Teacher every week. This work is being done preparatory to holding our annual camp-meeting in that city.

I think at present we have thirteen canvassers in the field, and these are having fair success in selling our books.

A few persons are asking for baptism at Moline, so I promised to hold some meetings there, and attend to this work as soon as we can get around to it after the young people's convention closes.

This little conference has raised about two thousand dollars for the $150,000 fund. We expect to keep this work going until the amount is raised. Our intention is to keep abreast with the progress of the work in every department until it is finished. Wm. Covert.