The British Union Conference
By O. A. Olsen
We have just closed our second annual session of the British Union Conference, which was held at Leicester in connection with the regular annual meeting of the North England Conference, July 29 to August 7. The weather has been very favorable, and the attendance, both of our own people and from the city of Leicester, has been very encouraging. The presence and labors of Elders W. A. Spicer and L. R. Conradi were greatly appreciated. Brother Spicer spent considerable time in England some years ago, and it is a great pleasure for our brethren and sisters to meet him again, and to hear his encouraging testimony for the truth and the message for this time. His instruction has been very helpful, and just what was needed for the work in its present stage in this field. As we look over the past year and its experiences, we have the greatest reason for gratitude and thankfulness to God. While it has been, in some respects, a year of peculiar experiences, and we have been made sad by the apostasy of some who have been connected with the work, still it has been a year of success. The Lord has greatly blessed and prospered the work in every part of the British field. The faith and courage of our people have been strengthened, and the outlook for the work in the British field was never more encouraging than at the present time. For this we feel thankful. The business proceedings of the conference were characterized by perfect unity and harmony throughout the progress of the meeting. The first session was devoted to the usual preliminary business, and hearing reports from the various divisions of the conference. The general reports revealed the substantial prosperity of the past year. The total membership has increased from 1,106 to 1,243, and the tithe from $12,636.49 to $15,000.81, an increase of $2,364.32. There has also been an encouraging increase in the offerings. We have had the privilege of baptizing two hundred and six persons during the year, and eight churches have been organized. There are at present fourteen active efforts in progress in various parts of Great Britain, and the prospects for their success are very encouraging. The second session being devoted to the educational work, Professor Salisbury gave a report of the Duncombe Hall College. This institution has prospered from the beginning, and with the opening of a home for students this year, its prospects for the future are brighter than ever before. The need of a library for the school was presented to the conference, and it was voted to raise about three hundred dollars in various parts of the British Union Conferences for this purpose. During the year, the first church-school in this country was started at Kettering by Sister Castle, and the effort was very successful. This department of the educational work will be developed as rapidly as circumstances will permit. The publishing work occupied the third session of the conference. The balance sheet of the International Tract Society, presented by Brother W. C. Sisley, showed a net gain of £927 0s. 3d. ($4,514.55) for the year. The total sales had aggregated £17,396 0s. 4d. ($84,718.60). The tract society employs twenty-eight persons in the office, and one hundred and seventy-two in the field. The facilities of the plant have been increased by the addition of a new gas engine, two new presses, and a large amount of type and furniture during the year. The whole plant is devoted to the printing of our own literature, no outside commercial work whatever being done. The following recommendations were presented:— “Whereas, Our American brethren for years have contributed most generously of their men and means to assist in the establishment of the work in this field, our balance sheet showing that the International Tract Society alone had received eight thousand pounds, therefore,— “Resolved, As a recognition of their co-operation, and as a small expression of our heartfelt gratitude for what has been done for us, that we donate to the building fund at Washington, D. C. [U. S. A.], the sum of one thousand dollars. “Whereas, The reports of all our conferences and mission fields, tract societies, and individual workers show the past year to have been one of great success in the publishing work, therefore,— “Resolved, That above all, we thank the Lord for his prospering hand that has guided the work, and, that we also express our appreciation of the faithful efforts of our canvassers and other workers, recognizing the great extent to which we are indebted to them for the results obtained.” Other resolutions were presented with reference to increasing the circulation of Present Truth, the British Good Health, Our Day, and the book “Coming King.” It was also advised that special holiday numbers of Present Truth and Good Health be printed. These resolutions were all unanimously adopted. The next session was devoted to the health work. Brother S. S. Barnard, secretary of the International Health Association, read his report for the year, and also presented the balance sheet of the Birmingham health food factory, which showed a net gain for the year of over six hundred pounds (three thousand dollars). This plant has had trying experiences in the past, but the present outlook is very encouraging, and the prospects for the future are more promising. Dr. A. B. Olsen then presented the report of the Good Health Association, speaking most encouragingly of the work done at the Caterham and Leicester sanitariums, and Dr. Bell reported for the Belfast sanitarium. The blessing of the Lord has attended the beginning of our health work in a marked manner, both spiritually and financially. The sanitarium at Caterham has been full to its utmost capacity almost from the very beginning of its work. The next session being devoted to the regular business of the British Union Conference, the reports of the various committees were considered. The following names were presented for credentials and licenses: Ministerial credentials, O. A. Olsen; ordination and credentials, H. R. Salisbury; ministerial licenses, W. T. Bartlett, and M. E. Olsen. The nominating committee’s report was as follows: President, O. A. Olsen; Vice-President, E. E. Andross; Secretary and Treasurer, A. Bacon; Executive Committee, O. A. Olsen, E. E. Andross, W. A. Westworth, A. F. Ballenger, W. Hutchinson, W. C. Sisley, H. R. Salisbury, and A. B. Olsen; Auditor, S. S. Barnard. These reports were unanimously adopted, and the officers nominated were elected. As a whole, the meeting was encouraging and profitable. The business sessions were characterized with the fullest union and harmony, and the brethren and sisters returned to their homes with increased faith and confidence, and a determined purpose to be more active in the work of the message. The speakers enjoyed much freedom in presenting the message of the Lord for this time. If there ever was one time more than another when the gospel trumpet should give a very certain sound, it is now. Times are perilous, for now Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved. But God will have a people prepared and made ready for his coming and kingdom, and while the long-suffering of God has borne with us, God is not slack concerning his promises, and now we have reached the time when there shall be delay no longer. The closing work will soon be accomplished. May it now be ours to be found faithful at our post of duty, and finally to receive the Master’s welcome. The meeting closed with an excellent interest. The attendance from the city18was large, and reveals a growing interest. The meetings in the tent are being continued, and we look for a large ingathering of souls for the truth of God. In company with Brethren W. A. Spicer and E. E. Andross, the writer went on to Scotland, to attend the general meeting for that field.