When the subject of having local winter meetings in the British field was first suggested last summer, some feared that such gatherings might not be very generally attended, as the brethren here had been accustomed to holding their annual assemblies in the warmer season of the year. But it was finally agreed that at least a trial should be made, for, if the local conference business could be attended to in the winter time, as is the case in many other parts of Europe, it would leave the way much more free for a successful British Union meeting in the summer.
Accordingly, Friday, March 9, and each Friday thereafter for four weeks, appointments were made for South England, North England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, for local meetings, that would close Tuesday morning.
The fourth annual session of the South England Conference lasted from the evening of March 9 until the morning of March 13. The Sabbath-school and preaching services on Sabbath were held in Holloway Hall, while the other meetings were held in Duncombe Hall. About four hundred people were in attendance, representing every church in South England. Two new churches were received into the conference—that at Catford, with a membership of twenty-nine, and the church at Caterham, numbering eighteen. During the twelve months ending Dec. 31, 1905, fifty-five had been baptized, and ten added by vote, bringing the present membership of South England up to five hundred and seventy-eight, a net gain of forty-two for the year.
Since the Birmingham meeting last summer, a conference church composed of the isolated members, has been organized; it numbers eighty-one, and regular correspondence is carried on with each of these scattered believers: their tithe for the last quarter was about three hundred dollars.
The reports from the laborers showed that there is a spirit of investigation being aroused by the literature we are circulating, and by the house-to-house efforts of our Bible workers, and by the public presentation of the word by our own ministers and the public opposition to the work on the part of some preachers who would tear down what we are trying to build up. The students at Duncombe Hall Training College are doing a good work in distributing our literature, and holding public services in a number of places.
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON
Resolutions were passed, urging that immediate steps be taken to utilize the present Sunday agitation to set before the people the true principles regarding the binding claims of the law of God; to recommend that the South England brethren close up their part in selling "Christ's Object Lessons," before the first of July, in view of the urgent need there will be for funds to apply in securing suitable and permanent quarters for the school; that more earnest efforts than ever be made to organize the local churches into missionary bands for the distribution of our literature, as the time for such work is now very short, especially in places where a public effort is contemplated, as it is found that our literature as sold by the canvasser and the earnest members of the church best prepares the way for the entrance into the homes and hearts of the people; and that the First-day offerings be increased, and the youth and children be especially encouraged to sell the "Story of Joseph," which is soon to be published in this field, and a portion of the proceeds of which will, together with the First-day offerings, form a fund devoted to opening up a mission by the British Union Conference, in British East Africa. It is estimated that at least five thousand dollars ought to be in sight before the proposed mission is undertaken.
The conference tithe for 1905 was $9,245, as against $6,923 for 1904; the offerings were $955—forty dollars larger than the year before.
At Professor Salisbury's earnest request, the brethren relieved him of the presidency of the South England Conference, as he felt that he had as much as he really ought to be expected to carry in looking after the educational work. The following officers were elected: President, E. E. Andross; Secretary and Treasurer, T. C. O'Donnell; Auditor, S. S. Barnard; Conference Committee, E. E. Andross, H. R. Salisbury, J. W. McCord, W. T. Bartlett, and D. Sargent; Auditing Committee (to act with the conference committee), S. J. Thomas, W. C. Sisley, and E. Clifford.
Credentials were given to J. W. McCord, A. Ritchie, C. C. Jensen, and F. D. Gauterau; ministerial licenses to W. T. Bartlett, George Nickels, T. C. O'Donnell; and missionary credentials to Mrs. C. C. Jensen, Miss E. Barnard, Mrs. W. T. Bartlett, and Mrs. Laura Whitgrove.
Spiritually and financially there never was more progress. It would be impossible to correctly describe the interest the people showed in the meetings, and the enthusiasm and earnestness manifested. Certainly, it would seem that a new era is opening before our workers and brethren in this field. We believe that none were ever more blessed in this field before, and that there never was a better spirit manifest. All seemed pleased with the meeting, and filled with courage for the future. Difficulties there are, as in every field; but God's presence attended his servants who labor in this field, and was with his ministers from other parts of Europe. Brother Andross, of the British Union, and Brother Conradi, of the General European Conference, rendered valuable and appreciated help. More fully than ever are the people settling down to earnest work, in harmony with the principles God has revealed to us during the last sixty years. Brethren, success is bound to crown our efforts, if we remain true to him in whom alone there is success; and this seemed to be the determination of all workers and delegates at the South England meeting.
