Southern New England Conference
By H. W. COTTRELL
The Southern New England Conference met in its first annual session at Middletown, Conn., September 1-10. The camp was located on a grassy plot within the city limits, but quite well to one side. I was present the first week, and the weather was delightful. The delegate and membership representation was good, all that could have been expected. The attendance from the city was fair. In addition to the local conference laborers, Mrs. E. G. White, Elders A. G. Daniells, J. S. Washburn, S. H. Lane, A. E. Place, and C. H. Edwards, Drs. C. C. Nichola and G. A. Hare, and Brother F. E. Painter were present a portion of the time. It was at Middletown in 1849 that the REVIEW AND HERALD was first published19under the title of Present Truth, by Elder James White and Mrs. E. G. White. Sister White spoke several times with her usual freedom. All were thankful to have the aged servant of the Lord with us. She recited some of her early experiences in the pioneer work of the message in this section of the country, which were both interesting and educational. The message in that day had but few adherents, and they were poor. Then one man carried in a carpet bag at one trip, an entire issue of the paper, which represented largely the literature of the denomination. Now we have grown from a little handful of believers to an army of eighty thousand adherents, and many publishing houses with scores of periodicals and books too numerous to mention. Elder Daniells stopped one day at the camp, delivered a missionary address, and passed on to meet an appointment in Canada. Drs. Nicola and Hare gave several talks on health topics, which were much appreciated. Brother Painter represented the Review and Herald book work, and gave valuable instruction to a class of young people who were planning to enter the field as canvassers. The Sabbath services were seasons of refreshing to the campers, and several young people were converted. The people of the conference plan to push the work forward among their one million five hundred thousand inhabitants with vigor. All are of good courage in the Lord, and are confident in the glorious triumph of the truth. The conference voted to take steps to establish an intermediate school in its borders, and received subscriptions to the amount of six hundred and ninety-nine dollars, one mowing machine, one wagon, set of double harness, one cow, an organ, and a clock. Sixty-one dollars was subscribed to the Washington, D. C., building fund; twenty-one dollars to the tent and camp-meeting fund; and one hundred and eighty dollars to the Union Conference Academy. Elder G. E. Langdon was elected president, D. B. Parmelee vice-president, Miss Irene J. Cady secretary and treasurer, Mrs. S. A. Whittier Sabbath-school secretary, H. C. Wilcox canvassing agent. Executive Committee: G. E. Langdon, D. B. Parmelee, G. P. Coates, D. A. Bidwell, T. T. Tucker.