p. 24 | The Autumn Council by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 25, 1915

The Autumn Council

By F. M. W.

The fall council of the General and North American Division Conferences opened at Loma Linda, Cal., November 5. About one hundred and fifty delegates were in attendance. These embraced the members of the executive committees of the two conferences, the presidents of the State conferences in North America, several representatives of foreign mission fields, and representatives of various departments of the general church work.

Of the delegates present from foreign lands, A. J. Haysmer represented the work in the West Indies; G. W. Caviness, Mexico; R. C. Porter, R. F. Cottrell, and S. A. Nagel, China; H. R. Salisbury, India; L. R. Conradi and W. J. Fitzgerald, Europe; and J. E. Fulton, Australasia. These brethren sounded a note of cheer and courage regarding the progress of the message in the great regions beyond.

A noticeable feature of the council was the number of aged workers present. Geo. I. Butler, J. N. Loughborough, S. N. Haskell, J. O. Corliss, J. H. Morrison, H. W. Decker, and perhaps others whose names we do not now recall, should be mentioned. The testimony of these pioneers still rings true to the advent hope. Their faith has not dimmed with the years of patient waiting; and although their heads are whitening with the years, their hearts are still young, and their zeal unabated. May God grant them to see the speedy realization of their hope in the soon coming of the Master.

The first Sabbath of the session was one of deep spiritual interest. Elder I. H. Evans preached Friday evening and Elder A. G. Daniells Sabbath morning. The keynote of these earnest discourses was the finishing of the message in this generation, and that preparation of heart which will invite the mighty workings of the Spirit of God through the human agent.

In the afternoon the delegates in a meeting led by Elder W. A. Spicer gave expression, as many had done in the early meeting conducted by Elder G. B. Thompson, to their gratitude for God's mercy, and their courage in his service.

Elder L. R. Conradi spoke the evening after the Sabbath on the work in Europe. Following an excellent Bible study conducted by Prof. W. W. Prescott, the council began its regular sessions Sunday. A first report of the work of this important meeting is given in the editorial columns of this issue. F. M. W.