French-Swiss Conference
By I. P. TIECHE
We are on the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva, in the city of Vevey, attending the annual meeting of the French-Swiss Conference. This is a manufacturing city, noted for its chocolate and condensed Swiss milk. It was here that the dissenters from the established church were persecuted in 1845. The city is only a short distance from the famous castle of Chillon. We have been holding a series of tent-meetings here, and the camp-meeting is the termination of this. As a result of our work, a new church of seventeen members has been organized here, and was received into the conference sisterhood of churches at this meeting. We had an attendance of about two hundred and twenty-five of our own people, and from two hundred and fifty to three hundred not of our faith. Thirty-three delegates were present, representing the churches in Bienne, Chaux-de-Fonds, Geneva, Lausanne, Moudon, Neuchatel, Renan, Tramelan, Yverdon and St. Imier, while the churches in Perles and Val de Travers were not represented. As to the growth of our field, during 1903 twenty-six persons were baptized, but since Jan. 1, 1904, we have added fifty-one, including the nine who were baptized at this meeting. We have employed one new Bible worker, but have given one young laborer, one experienced licentiate, and one ordained minister to the French Mission. Our tithe for the year was 17,353.70 frs., while the Sabbath-school donations were 1922.78 frs.; First-day offerings, 164.41 frs.; and annual offerings, 1400.05 frs.; and 846.13 frs. was donated to the local conference work. This tithe is about 6,000 frs. less than that of last year; and on account of this, the following resolution was brought into the conference, and carried unanimously:— “Whereas, The income of our field this year shows a decrease of 6,000 francs when compared with the income of the previous year, therefore,— “Resolved, That, with the help of the Lord, we will be more faithful in tithes and offerings.” The canvassing work in our field is in a weak condition, and ought to be materially strengthened by the printing of new books, suitable for circulation among the people. This resolution, with its preamble, was passed:— “Whereas, The territory of the French-Swiss Conference has been several times canvassed for the same works, therefore,— “Resolved, That we urge the publication of a few new books of moderate size, to be sold for a price within reach of the common people.” The matter of establishing local church poor funds was discussed at length, and it was felt that it would be wise to accept of the proposition of the French-Latin Union Committee that every church establish such a fund, and that a tithe of the money received in this fund be forwarded to the conference headquarters, as a conference poor fund, which could be available for the relief of such cases of poverty as the local church could not take proper care of. On the ground there were forty tents pitched. Everything was neatly arranged, and, in general, the impression made upon the visitors to the ground seemed to be good. There were no cases of lawlessness or disturbance. The services on Sabbath were especially good and interesting. The forenoon meeting closed with an invitation for those who felt the need of starting to serve the Master, or who felt that their religious life was not what they could make it, and what they ought to make it, to come forward, and join the ministering brethren in seeking that peace of mind which comes from a realization of sins forgiven and iniquities cleansed. About seventy-five came forward, and took part in this service. The outlook for the work the coming year is brighter than ever before. We are of good courage. We feel desirous of training yet more workers, and pushing the battle to the very gates. Remember us, brethren, in your sympathies and prayers. After a session of seven days, the meeting has just closed.