The British Union Conference by E. E. Andross

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 20, 1906

The British Union Conference

By E. E. Andross

The fifth annual session of the British Union Conference was held August 3-12, at Bowes Park, North London. The location was everything that we could desire, and the weather throughout was ideal. There were five large tents pitched on the ground, including the dining tent, which was forty feet by eighty feet, in which hygienic meals were served daily for the accommodation of the delegates and the brethren and sisters attending the meeting.

The attendance was all that we had expected, being larger than that in any previous gathering. Delegates were present from all five divisions of the union conference, and the feeling seemed to prevail that this was the best meeting we have ever held in this field.

The attendance from outside was fairly good. Preceding the conference, a tent-meeting had been held a short distance from the location of the conference, at which a good interest had been developed, and about twelve had taken their stand for the truth. Quite an effort was made to call the attention of the people of the community to the meeting, and we hope good results will follow. Elders Wakeham and Lacey are continuing the interest.

The report showed that the growth throughout the field during the past year has been quite marked; in fact, during the last four years and a half, since the division of the field into separate conferences and missions, and the organization of the union conference, the growth has been very marked indeed. During this period twenty-six churches have been organized, and eight hundred and forty-nine members added. From the opening of our work in 1878 to 1902, a

period of twenty-three years, twelve churches were organized and eight hundred and fifty members added, making an average yearly increase of thirty-seven in the membership, while since then it has risen to two hundred and twelve.

The institutional growth has been equal to the growth in other lines. Since the organization of our union conference, our health work has been developed, and we now have three sanitariums, which are in a very satisfactory condition, financially and otherwise.

The past year's work has undoubtedly been the most profitable one since the opening of our college work about four years ago. With but few exceptions, the students are engaged during this summer vacation in some branch of the work. Two have gone forth to prove their calling in the work of the ministry, while about ten others have been working in connection with tent work and in the conference employ. A large number of others are doing successful work in the canvassing field.

The publishing work has enjoyed a steady and very healthy growth, especially during the past year.

New territory has been entered in the evangelistic work, and we hope to see a strong work built up in the Catholic portion of Ireland.

This conference was especially marked, in that action was taken to send from our scanty supply of workers, Brother A. A. Carscallen to open up mission work in British East Africa, and in this he will be assisted by Brother Peter Nyambo, who left shortly after the close of our college, the first of June, and has been spending some time in Germany, and will join Brother Carscallen in Hamburg, whence they sail for British East Africa, September 1.

Elder and Sister Jensen were released from the South England Conference to open up mission work in Abyssinia as early as possible, in harmony with a request of the Scandinavian Union Conference.

From this meeting also, Sister Edie, one of our Bible workers, is sent forth to join the force of workers in the Nyassaland Mission, South Africa. We ask the prayers of our brethren and sisters throughout the world, to accompany these workers as they enter their new and difficult fields of labor. It is the desire of our brethren and sisters in this field to do all that they can to assist in carrying this gospel message to the world in this generation. We are not only willing to give of our means, but also of our laborers, and our young people are preparing to go forth into these neglected fields.

The last Sabbath of our conference was a very blessed occasion. In the morning Elder Spicer spoke with great power, and to his earnest appeal a large number responded, seeking a preparation for the conflict that is before us. Among these, many were making their first start in the service of God.

In the afternoon Elder Conradi spoke on the sacred work of the ministry, and following this, two of our brethren, Brother John Gillatt of the North England Conference and Brother George Nickels of the South England Conference, were set apart for the work of the ministry. This was indeed a solemn occasion. Brother Carscallen, not being able to attend the conference, was ordained to the work of the ministry on Tuesday evening, August 21, at a farewell meeting held in Duncombe Hall, North London.

The officers for the coming year remain practically the same as in the past. However, Elder W. H. Wakeham, who recently joined our force of workers in the North England Conference, was elected at a specially called meeting of the South England Conference, to act as president after my resignation from that position. Up to this time the South England Conference has never possessed the entire time and attention of its president, his time having been occupied at least partially in other matters. We believe that this is a step in the right direction, and that the Lord will bless the work in this conference with greater prosperity as a result.

Elder Parsons and his mother, who have been laboring in the North England Conference since coming to this field, now take up work in Ireland, while Brother and Sister McAvoy, who have labored in Ireland, unite with our force of workers in North England. Since Brother Wakeham was asked to come to the South England Conference, Elder Harry Armstrong was requested to connect with the work in the North England Conference.

We were blessed with the assistance of Elders W. A. Spicer and L. R. Conradi, and also the laborers from the various parts of our union conference. All go forth from this meeting with hearts filled with courage and hope for the future. We are assured that God is in this message and with this people, and that the truth that he delivered to us at the beginning will soon triumph.

E. E. ANDROSS.