Missouri Conference Workers’ Meeting by K. C. RUSSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1907

Missouri Conference Workers’ Meeting

By K. C. RUSSELL

This meeting was held in St. Louis, Mo., March 18-25, 1907. There were in attendance the regular laborers of the Missouri Conference, and a few of the church elders.

The forenoon and afternoon of each day were devoted to convention work, and each evening there was a preaching service. A variety of subjects were discussed, involving organization, Sabbath-school work, the work of our young people, church-schools, tithing, city work, camp-meetings, religious liberty work, etc. Papers were read upon these questions, and a lively and enthusiastic discussion followed the reading of them.

It was gratifying to note that notwithstanding the absolute freedom which was exercised by all in the discussion of the various topics, a spirit of Christian love and unity prevailed. The subject of organization was given special attention, not, however, because there was not implicit faith on the part of all on this question, but that we might again examine the grand pillars which underly the beautiful system of organization that God has given us.

The instruction given at such conventions, with the interchanging of experience, will tend to increase the spirit of unity, and thus will enable the laborers to instruct the churches and those who are just receiving the truth with a greater degree of uniformity on the various principles of this message. The result will inevitably be to keep out from among our people that spirit of independence so destructive to organization, and thus avert apostasies from the truth.

We believe that if every conference would conduct a ten days’ convention each year, in which they would canvass all the different phases of this message and discuss them freely, a more substantial membership might be brought into our churches, that which would not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine now blowing or yet to blow.

The evening services during this convention assumed very largely a revivalistic character. There was a very general response to every call made to draw nearer to God and receive of his Spirit. The Sabbath day of this meeting was one which will long be remembered. Some noble souls took their stand for the first time for Christ, and others who were back slidden returned to the fold.

Elder E. T. Russell, the president of the Central Union Conference, and Brother James Cochran were in attendance at the meeting during the latter part. We certainly believe that this convention will result in bringing a new inspiration to the workers of this important field.

K. C. RUSSELL.