p. 17 | The Greater New York Conference by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 8, 1906

The Greater New York Conference

By K. C. Russell

This meeting was held at 535 West 110th St., New York City, September 20-30. The meetings were fairly well attended during the week, and both Sabbaths of the meeting there were good congregations; especially was this true of the union meetings which were held in a commodious church building that our people are renting in Brooklyn. Elders A. G. Daniells, E. W. Farnsworth, G. B. Thompson, and the writer were the general laborers in attendance.

The first Sabbath of the union service which was held in Brooklyn, Elder Daniells spoke on the rise and progress of the work of the Seventh-day Adventists.

The work of the conference was well planned, with the idea of covering the various phases of the work that would be adapted to the needs of the great metropolis of our country. There was an excellent spirit pervading the whole meeting, and the Lord came very near, especially in the morning and afternoon services of the last Sabbath.

The Lord has prospered the work of the Greater New York Conference during the past year. Two churches were added during that time. There were one hundred and thirty-five persons baptized and united with the church since the last session of the conference. There are also over twenty other souls who are awaiting baptism now. This number exceeds any previous year's record since the organization of the conference.

The total amount of tithes and offerings for the year aggregates $19,564.90, the tithe alone amounting to $15,587.69, making an average tithe per member of $21.86. Only sixty-eight per cent of all the membership of this conference pay tithe, so that the amount of tithe for each member who pays tithe would aggregate $31.45. The gain in tithe over the previous year was $3,750.

There were represented at the union services held the first Sabbath of the meeting, September 22, seventeen different nationalities.

At the union service in Brooklyn, Sabbath, September 29, the writer delivered an ordination sermon, setting forth the qualifications of the gospel minister, which are outlined in the Word of God, after which Brother J. K. Humphrey was duly ordained to the gospel ministry. Elder C. H. Edwards, president of the conference, gave an impressive charge.

One feature of special importance that was considered at this meeting was the establishment of a gospel workers' training-school which will be held at the conference headquarters, 535 West 110th Street. I truly believe that this is a step in the right direction.

I was impressed with the encouraging report of the church-school work in the Greater New York Conference. This work is being successfully carried on in that great city where so many seemingly insurmountable obstacles confront the work. It demonstrates what can be accomplished when God's people move out in harmony with the counsel that he has given.

The work which has been carried on among the various nationalities and in all the departments in this conference has been signally blessed during the past year. The work among the Scandinavians has been blessed in a remarkable manner. Certainly the time has come when God is setting his hand and seal to the work in that great city as never before.

The Lord has clearly laid before his people the importance of the work in this city. Should there not be most earnest efforts put forth in its behalf before a calamity shall befall it similar to the one which destroyed San Francisco? One could not help but be impressed in traveling through this city, to think of what the results would be should an earthquake overtake it, with the subways running for many miles underneath the city, and also the tunnel under the East River, with its continuous service of trains, carrying thousands upon thousands of human souls to and fro. Think of its dense population, and the thousands who are occupying buildings that tower many stories high.

Elder C. H. Edwards was again unanimously elected president of the conference. Brother Amos Mitchell was elected as religious liberty secretary, and he is planning for earnest work.

K. C. RUSSELL.