p. 20 | Canadian Union Conference by B. B. Noftsger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 11, 1906

Canadian Union Conference

By B. B. Noftsger

The third biennial session of the Canadian Union Conference was held at Paris, Ontario, Aug. 23 to Sept. 2, 1906. This union conference comprises the conferences of Ontario, Quebec, and Maritime, and the Newfoundland Mission Field. Each conference and mission field was represented by at least one delegate. There were six meetings held during the session. The first three meetings were largely given to the address of the president, Elder W. H. Thurston, and the reports of the local presidents and the superintendent of the Newfoundland Mission.

Resolutions were passed as follows:—

“Whereas, There is great need for a faithful work in the city of St. John, New Brunswick, therefore,—

“1. Resolved, That Elder J. O. Miller, of Academia, Ohio, be invited to enter that field; and that we petition the Ohio Conference to release Elder Miller for this work, and to continue his support for one year.

“Whereas, There is a pressing demand in all branches of the third angel's message for more laborers to enter the field, therefore,—

“2. Resolved, (a) That we urge our young people to seek a preparation for taking up some line of work in connection with this message; (b) that we urge upon parents and students the advantages offered by our denominational schools in acquiring the necessary preparation for successful work in connection with the third angel's message; (c) that a great effort be put forth to educate our people to realize the importance of giving their children an opportunity to receive a thorough education that they may become master workmen in this cause.

“Whereas, The book business in our territory could be greatly increased by a competent and energetic district canvassing agent, therefore,—

“3. Resolved, That this Canadian Union Conference secure a good, competent man to take up the work of circulating our literature in our territory.

“4. Resolved, That institutes for the training of workers be held at such time and place as the general agent and the local conference committee may mutually arrange.

“5. Resolved, That the general agent canvass such time as his services are not needed in general field work, turning over the proceeds from his sales to the Canadian Union Conference.

“6. Resolved, That we urge the people everywhere to co-operate with our Canadian Union Conference to revive the circulation of our denominational literature (a) by selling as many books as possible, (b) by circulating our periodicals, (c) by urging their sons and daughters to engage in the canvassing work.

“Whereas, Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is a city of some ninety thousand inhabitants and a city of vast importance to the Canadian field, therefore,—

“7. Resolved, That we invite Elder O. F. Butcher, of Detroit, to make that city his field of labor; also that we petition the East Michigan Conference to release Elder Butcher for this work, and to continue his salary for one year.

“8. Resolved, That we encourage our people to honesty and faithfulness in paying tithes, and in bringing in offerings, that the work of God may prosper, and the promised blessing be received.

“Whereas, Experience has proved that tent work in Newfoundland can not be carried on successfully on account of climatic conditions, and,—

“Whereas, It is impossible to hire halls and other like places, therefore,—

“9. We recommend, That a portable tabernacle be provided for work in Newfoundland.

“Whereas, It has been planned by religious bodies in Newfoundland to have a representative of the Lord's Day Alliance of Canada go to that country at an early date, in behalf of Sunday observance, and,—

“Whereas, It is essential that the people should be given the opportunity of knowing the evil underlying such work, therefore,—

“10. We recommend, That steps be taken at once to provide suitable literature, and that such other steps as may be thought advisable be taken with a view to properly warn the people of Newfoundland of the danger impending.

“Whereas, The book ‘Ministry of Healing’ has been set apart by the author for the relief of, and the establishment of, sanitariums,—

“11. We recommend, That our workers and people everywhere purchase the book, and also sell as many as possible for the advancement of the sanitarium work in the union conference.

“Whereas, The Bible clearly teaches that the spirit of prophecy will continue in the church till the end, therefore,—

“12. Resolved, That we urge all our people to study the spirit of prophecy in connection with the Bible, that it, the spirit of prophecy, may be confirmed in the church, so that we shall come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“13. We recommend, That as a conference we approve of the recommendation of the General Conference to raise the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and that we co-operate as far as consistent with the needs in our own field, in raising the money.”

Officers were chosen for the next biennial term as follows: President, W. H. Thurston; Vice-President, Wm. Guthrie; Secretary and Treasurer, B. B. Noftsger; Conference Committee, W. H. Thurston, the presidents of the local conferences, superintendent of the Newfoundland Mission Field, T. H. Robinson, E. Leland, E. E. Gardner, and Geo. H. Skinner; directors of the Newfoundland Mission Field, C. H. Keslake (Superintendent), J. R. Johnston, G. H. Morgan, W. H. Thurston, and Wm. Guthrie.

Ministerial credentials were granted to W. H. Thurston and C. H. Keslake, and ministerial license to Fred Johnston.

The financial report of the treasurer showed receipts amounting to $12,938.43; disbursements, $12,569.05; and cash on hand, $369.38.

B. B. NOFTSGER, Secretary.