The Annual Session of the Indiana Conference by S. P. S. Edwards

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 13, 1906

The Annual Session of the Indiana Conference

By S. P. S. Edwards

The annual session of the Indiana Conference for the year 1906 was held at the Twenty-third Street church, Indianapolis, November 13-15. The beautiful chapel was crowded at every session by the delegates and others who were in attendance, and a deep interest was taken in the various matters brought before the conference.

The greater part of the sessions was taken up with the discussion of plans for advanced work in all departments of the cause. Recommendations were introduced by the proper committee, providing for a more active campaign in behalf of the educational work, the young people’s work, the Sabbath-school work, religious liberty work, and the canvassing work, each of which was thoroughly discussed, and the recommendations were heartily indorsed. Plans were laid for a very efficient follow-up work in connection with the canvassing work. The names of all who purchase books from the canvassers, are to be furnished to the members of those churches that wish to assist in the plan, and letters calling attention to the book purchased, and, perhaps, to some special chapter in it, are to be written by the church-members to the subscribers, thus keeping up the interest awakened by the canvasser.

The purchase of a beautiful site for a sanitarium at Lafayette was approved, and the conference pledged its support in the raising of the funds to build and equip the necessary buildings, by the sale of “Ministry of Healing” and by cash donations.

A very commendable spirit of sacrifice was shown by the delegates in voting to release Prof. B. F. Machlan, the principal of the conference academy, to answer the call to a wider field at South Lancaster Academy. Prof. C. L. Stone, of Emmanuel Missionary College, was chosen to take the place made vacant by the release of Professor Machlan.

The report of the president showed a very gratifying improvement in the financial standing of the conference. From a condition of practical insolvency to the extent of about twelve or fifteen thousand dollars three years ago, the resources of the conference have been increased and debts paid till now the balance sheet shows a present worth of practically the same amount. This was a source of great encouragement to the delegates, as the debt which has hung over the conference has greatly hampered the work in almost every department.

Three new churches have been organized during the past year, and the laborers’ reports showed that over three hundred have embraced the truth since the last conference.

There were but slight changes made in the officers for the coming year, Elder W. J. Stone being chosen as president,

with a strong corps of assistants in every department. Several laborers were added to the list, and the prospects for a strong, aggressive movement for the spread of the truth are very bright.

Elder Allen Moon, president of the Lake Union Conference, was present throughout the meeting, and Elder A. G. Daniells was present at the last two sessions.

S. P. S. EDWARDS.