THE GENERAL MEETING IN ENGLAND by William Warren Prescott

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 15, 1901

THE GENERAL MEETING IN ENGLAND.

By William Warren Prescott

In harmony with the counsel of the General Conference Committee, I spent a few weeks in England, and attended the annual Conference and general meeting which was held in Wanstead, a suburb of London, August 2–12. The location selected for the meeting was a pleasant one, an open field near one of the entrances to Wanstead Park and overlooking the country. The weather was most favorable for the meeting, being in marked contrast with the experience at Birmingham last year. The attendance was just about the same as in previous years, although no reduced rates could be obtained on the railways. In addition to the regular workers of the Conference there were present Brethren O. A. Olsen and L. R. Conradi, from the Continent; Brethren A. F. Ballenger and W. C. Sisley, who had recently come from America; and Drs. Olsen and Holden. All these brethren took part in the work of the meeting in connection with the other workers.

The general theme of the whole meeting was the second advent of our Lord, and the preparation needed in view of the nearness of that great day. The different phases of the gospel message were presented in their relation to this central truth, and the privilege of such a personal experience as gives constant and complete victory over sin was kept before the people. This naturally led to special seasons of repentance and confession, and renewed consecration of body, soul, and spirit to the service of the Lord, and many received great blessing on these occasions.

The meeting was well advertised, and there was a good attendance from the neighborhood evenings and Sundays. On Sunday evenings the large tent could not hold more than half of the audience, but those who stood outside as well as those in the tent listened attentively while the great truths of the prophecies were being presented. On the second Sabbath, Brother E. J. Waggoner baptized twelve persons in the baptistery in our chapel at Leytonstone, about a mile from the place of the meeting.

In view of the local interest and attendance, it was decided to continue evening meetings in the same tent after the general meeting closed, and Brethren E. E. Andross, A. F. Ballenger, and A. R. Leask were requested to remain for this purpose.

As I sailed for America two days after the close of the Conference, I cannot state the results of this effort, but have since learned that the attendance and interest continued good.

Several sessions of the Conference were held during the week, in which brief reports of the work during the year and the financial standing were presented, and the necessary business was transacted. The tithe report showed a gain of a little over £100 (about $500) above the previous year, while the other funds had fallen off slightly. The amount received toward the School fund was reported as £396 14s. 1½d. (about $1,930). It was stated that the Conference had been able to meet all its obligations during the year, and that it now owned property to the value of several hundred pounds. Plans were considered and adopted bearing upon the following features of the work: the establishment of a Conference school and of church schools, the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” the re-organization of the health work and the revival of the health magazine, and the opening up of the work in Scotland. When it was learned that Brother O. A. Olsen had been released from the recommendation to go to South Africa, he was unanimously requested to take the presidency of the British Conference, and consented to do so. The other members of the committee chosen were Brethren E. J. Waggoner, H. Champness, H. W. Armstrong, A. R. Leask, E. E. Andross, and Samuel Joyce. Miss Mary Jacques was chosen Secretary of the Sabbath-school Department and Treasurer of the Conference.

It was the opinion often expressed during the week that this was the best meeting yet held in England, and at the closing praise service many bore definite testimony to special blessing received. Personally, I was especially thankful for this privilege of meeting with so many of the brethren and sisters in their annual gathering and of sharing with them in the benefits of the occasion.

W. W. PRESCOTT.