The Nebraska Midwinter Conference by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 31, 1907

The Nebraska Midwinter Conference

By K. C. Russell

THIS meeting was held in the church at College View, Neb., December 24-30. The churches were well represented by their respective delegates, and besides there was a good attendance of our people from College View and its vicinity, and also of the Union College students, especially at the evening services and on the Sabbath.

In addition to the regular conference laborers, there were present during some part of the meeting Elders E. T. Russell, Luther Warren, J. H. Wheeler, J. H. Kraft, Brother James Cochran, and the writer.

It was the design of those in charge of the conference not only to have it serve as an occasion of transacting the business of the conference, but also to have it prove a blessing both spiritually and educationally to all in attendance.

In harmony with this idea there were several papers read which were calculated to produce a clearer understanding of the great object and purpose of the work which God has committed to Seventh-day Adventists to perform, and to awaken a greater interest and enthusiasm on the part of all present in the proclamation of the third angel's message by the ministry of the word, personal efforts, and by the use of the printed page. Among the papers which were read on this occasion was one on the Organization and the Circulation of Our Books as an Evangelizing Agency in Conference Work. The others were of a more local character.

Some most remarkable facts were presented in the paper by Brother James Cochran, of Kansas City, Mo., regarding the results which are being realized from the circulation of our literature.

A lively interest was also manifested in the question of organization. The false idea on this question, claiming that the individual or a local church is sovereign, was contrasted with the true idea which is in organization with the sovereignty of Christ through the larger body, the church.

It was plainly demonstrated that the individual member of a church or a single church that would assume an independent attitude in refusing to be subordinate to the larger body of believers, would bring in anarchy and ruin to the individual or church. Illustrations were given in proof of this.

One evening of the conference was devoted to symposium talks on the great question of temperance reform. The Biblical, scientific, and legislative phases of the subject were discussed, and much interest was manifested by the large audience. Two expressions were taken by a rising vote of the congregation. The first question was “Do you stand as a unit against the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor?” and the second, “Are you willing to cast your vote against it?” It is gratifying in these days when there are so few who have the moral courage to stand like Daniel for the right, to find a people on the earth who do stand uncompromisingly against the stupendous evil of intemperance in every form.

The evening services during the conference were largely of a revivalistic character, to which there was a willing response on the part of students, as there was also to the different calls made from time to time. Especially was this so on the Sabbath.

There was an excellent spirit of harmony and unity during all the business sessions of the conference. Elder A. T. Robinson was re-elected president. The other officers are as follows: Vice-President, Charles Thompson; Secretary and Treasurer, Joseph Roy; Superintendent of the Educational Department, Prof. C. R. Kite; Secretary of the Educational and Young People's Work, Miss Winnie Hunt; Field Missionary Agent, H. A. Hebard; Religious Liberty Secretary, Chas. Thompson.

Perhaps there was nothing that brought a sweeter spirit into the conference than did the vote to give three thousand dollars more of the tithe for foreign missions. This, in addition to a previous donation made last summer, makes an aggregate of ten thousand dollars donated by the conference during the past year to the foreign mission work. The truthfulness of the scripture, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” was again verified. The tithe for the conference for 1906 exceeds the amount which has been received during any preceding year. Courage exists in the hearts of both workers and members of the Nebraska Conference.

K. C. RUSSELL.