The British Union Conference by Edwin E. Andross

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 19, 1906

The British Union Conference

By Edwin E. Andross

Looking over the past year, we see many evidences of the Lord's blessing in the various divisions of this union conference. During the first quarter of 1906 we baptized 111, making our total membership 1,630. The tithe amounted to $5,245.12, the Sabbath-school offerings to $323.30, and the First-day offerings to $175.79. We had seventy-eight canvassers handling our books in the field, and they reported sales amounting to $7,991.67.

In the North England Conference, four tents have been placed in the field, and have begun work with very favorable prospects of success. The South England Conference has two in operation, and two others will be started soon. Two tents are pitched in Wales, and two in Scotland. We are not using tents in Ireland, but have two portable halls that are used the year round. Elder Altman has located his family in Dublin, and has begun work with encouraging prospects. This is really our first effort in the Catholic portion of Ireland, and we request the prayers of our people in its behalf. Perhaps there is no other country where it will be more difficult to labor than in the south and west of Ireland, which are almost wholly given over to Catholicism. Our laborers in the north of Ireland are meeting with some success in their efforts, and are of good courage, though the work so far has moved somewhat slower there than in England.

The last year has been the most successful one in the history of our college work. Five of our young men have gone forth from the school this year into the ministry, and are laboring in tent work. Three will doubtless return for another year's work in college, while two will remain permanently in the field. Two young men and three young women are doing Bible work, and several of our students are acting as tent masters. A large number have gone out into the canvassing field, and are doing most excellent work. Two young women are beginning the nurses' course at the Caterham Sanitarium; a few are employed in the publishing house; and Peter Nyambo, a young colored man from our Plainfield Mission in Nyassaland, will soon be on his way to German East Africa, whence, in company with one of our missionaries from the German East African Mission, he will cross into the British Protectorate, and after finding a suitable location establish a mission station.

Our brethren are very earnestly taking hold of the plan of opening up mission work for the natives in British East Africa, and we hope that in this way a live interest will be awakened throughout our churches on behalf of those in the darkness of heathenism. Our purpose is to do all in our power to assist in carrying this gospel message to the world in this generation.

Our sanitarium and publishing work are each steadily growing. While we have a great work before us, we believe that He who began this work will also finish it in the allotted time, and hence we are of good courage.

E. E. ANDROSS.