The Pacific Union Conference
By George A. Irwin
THIS meeting was held at Portland, Ore., February 15-25. All the States and mission fields embraced in the conference were represented by their full quota of accredited delegates, except the Hawaiian Islands. The sessions of the conference and the religious services connected therewith were held in the Portland Seventh-day Adventist church, located on the corner of Eleventh and Everett Streets. The members of the Portland church, assisted by the Oregon Conference, furnished free entertainment to all accredited delegates. Notwithstanding the fact that it rained with more or less severity every day of the conference, there was a full attendance of the delegates and brethren at every meeting held. Quite full reports were given of the present standing of the work in each conference and mission field. In most instances these reports revealed a steady and healthy growth in all lines of missionary and evangelical work. The statistical report of the general secretary of the union conference showed a gain of 1,719 in membership, with a corresponding gain in tithes, offerings, and special donations and contributions toward the work in both home and foreign fields. The early morning hour of each day's sessions was largely taken up in prayer and social meeting, the three-o'clock hour in Bible study and instruction, and the evenings in preaching. In this way the business and spiritual phases of the conference were blended with good results. At each of the two past sessions of this conference the question of division has received more or less consideration. This question was renewed at an early date in this conference, being presented in the form of a well-prepared petition signed by all the delegates from British Columbia, Montana, Upper Columbia, Western Oregon, and Western Washington Conferences, setting forth the reasons in the minds of the petitioners why such division should be made, and the benefits that in their judgment would accrue to the work in each section from a more direct supervision. The question was referred to the committee on plans, who later submitted the following recommendation:— “Whereas, A considerable number of delegates express a desire that the Pacific Union Conference be divided into two union conferences; therefore,— “Resolved, That this conference consider the advisability of dividing the territory, making the southern boundary of Oregon and Idaho the line of separation. And if such division is agreed upon by action of this conference, it be — “Resolved, (1) That the southern division retain the name ‘Pacific Union Conference,’ and the northern section assume the name ‘Northern Pacific Union Conference;’ (2) that the funds now belonging to the Pacific Union Conference be divided in proportion to the number of Sabbath-keepers in each section; (3) that in case of division, the Pacific Union Conference take the oversight of, and provide for, the mission fields of Utah and Arizona; and that the Northern Pacific Union Conference take charge of, and provide for, the mission fields of British Columbia, Alaska, and the Hawaiian Islands.” After quite a lengthy and animated discussion, the motion was declared carried, thirty-three delegates voting in favor of division on the foregoing terms, and fourteen against. A subsequent motion to make it unanimous received the vote of the entire delegation, with one exception. In harmony with this division, the Pacific Union Conference consists of the States of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. This union conference has a membership of 6,070, with ninety-eight churches, fifty church buildings, forty-eight ordained ministers, eighteen licensed missionaries and Bible workers, and an annual tithe of $83,533; tithe to outside fields, $10,480; Sabbath-school donations to foreign fields, $6,626; contributions to special work, $8,738.81; value of books and tracts sold, $13,068. The Northern Pacific Union Conference has a present membership of 4,974, 143 churches, 78 church buildings, 42 ordained ministers, 23 licensed ministers, 39 licensed missionaries and Bible workers, and an annual tithe of $63,634; tithe to outside fields, $12,099.59; Sabbath-school offerings to foreign missions, $3,842.45; contributions for special work, $5,418.46; value of books and tracts sold, $13,720. After the action in favor of division was passed, one session a day was still held by the former Pacific Union Conference to consider matters of general interest to both conferences, while each of the divisions held separate meetings to perfect the newly formed organizations, and to lay plans for the future extension of the work in their respective fields. Elder H. W. Cottrell was unanimously elected president of the Pacific Union Conference, and Elder W. B. White of the Northern Pacific Union Conference, with Elder A. J. Breed as vice-president. Elder F. M. Burg was recommended to take the presidency of the Montana Conference. Elder George Snyder was recommended to make California his field of labor, and Elder G. E. Langdon to connect with the Upper Columbia Conference. By vote of the delegates, the stock of the Portland Sanitarium was assumed by the Northern Pacific Union, with a view of making this institution the principal training center for nurses and medical missionary workers for this portion of the great field. This institution is well located, and has sufficient capacity to accommodate between forty and fifty guests. The institution has an indebtedness of about fifty thousand dollars, but a valuation in real estate and personal property that gives it a present worth of between twelve and thirteen thousand dollars. Dr. Simmons and his associate physicians and helpers have labored hard and faithfully to bring the institution to a point where it is more than self-sustaining. With the united support and co-operation of the brethren in this union20conference, it is but reasonable to expect that it will become more and more an important agency for the dissemination of light and truth in this great and rapidly developing northwestern field. The necessary steps were also taken to place the Walla Walla College under the direct control of a board of directors chosen by the union conference delegates acting in their official capacity. We confidently believe that this division will result in a more rapid extension of the work in both conferences, because the work will be brought into closer touch and receive more of the direct counsel and supervision of the conference president and other men of ability and experience connected with him in this work. The last day of the conference the presiding officer called for an expression upon the part of those who had it in their hearts to stand by the General Conference and sustain it in its work. The entire congregation rose to their feet at once. One good brother afterward gave me a draft for one thousand dollars as a donation to the foreign mission work. The delegates of the Pacific Union Conference voted two thousand dollars of their surplus tithe to the same purpose. We also had assurance from the officers of the newly formed union, that as soon as they got their affairs in definite shape, we might expect a liberal donation from them. A similar assurance came from one of the local conferences. I had never attended a conference where the expressions of confidence were more frequent and took such tangible form without any urging upon the part of General Conference men. I find that expressions and practise of loyalty to every phase of the third angel's message meet with a hearty response from our people generally. May the Lord help us all to stand by the faith once delivered to the saints, for it is soon to triumph gloriously. G. A. IRWIN.