The North Dakota Conference by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 17, 1907

The North Dakota Conference

By Arthur G. Daniells

THE annual session of the North Dakota Conference for 1906 was held at the conference school, in Harvey, December 24–27. For some time previous to the meeting, the weather had been cold and stormy, and railway traffic had been blocked. But just before the conference convened, the weather moderated so that a good delegation was able to be present. The majority of the delegates were German brethren, who manifested a deep interest in the affairs of the conference. As a number could not understand English, all the proceedings were conducted in both English and German. It was truly encouraging to see the wide-awake, intelligent interest manifested by these English and German laymen—mostly farmers—in all the affairs of the conference. With such believers, the North Dakota Conference must prosper.

The annual reports presented by the president and other officers showed an encouraging advance in all features of the work during the year. The membership has increased, new churches have been added, and the funds received were the largest of any year since the organization of the conference. Although already short of laborers, the conference voted to release one of its German ministers for a more needy field—the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. After paying all the expenses for the year, there was a good surplus in the treasury. From this the delegation voted to add two thousand dollars to the amount already appropriated this year to the General Conference for missions. This brought the appropriations of this kind from the various conferences up to fifty-two thousand dollars for this year—one thousand dollars for each week.

The foundation for a good school has been laid. The plant consists of four hundred acres of land, two school buildings, a number of horses and cattle, and some machinery. It is located three and one-half miles from town, but the buildings stand out in full view from the railway station. The school board has shown good judgment in the erection of the buildings. They have used good material, have put it together in a very substantial manner, and have planned well for the purposes for which the buildings are to be used. For the present, the main building serves the purpose of dormitory for the young men, as well as dining hall, chapel, and class rooms. It is provided with an excellent steam-heating plant, which makes it thoroughly pleasant during the coldest weather. The ladies' dormitory is heated by the vapor system, which seems to give satisfaction. During the conference it was voted to raise one thousand dollars at once with which to install a laundry and a small broom factory. Over half of this amount was raised by the brethren present.

The enrolment of the school at present is about fifty. There are young people enough in the conference who should be in school to give an attendance of at least one hundred. But at present not all of either the parents or the young people fully realize the value of such an institution at their doors. It is believed that by the time the management can get the boys' dormitory built, the attendance will have doubled. Prof. N. W. Lawrence is in charge of the school, and is assisted by a competent staff of teachers. Such a school within reach of the young people on those prairies is an unspeakable blessing, and should be highly appreciated and fully sustained.

This was my first visit to North Dakota: I very much enjoyed meeting with the brethren and sisters, and was cheered by the evidences I saw of the healthy, substantial progress of the cause in that conference. A. G. DANIELLS.