The Jamaica Conference
By H. C. Goodrich
It was the privilege of Mrs. Goodrich and myself to attend the Jamaica Conference, which convened at Kingston, Dec. 30, 1910. All the laborers were present, and seventy-seven delegates represented the thirty-seven churches and companies of the conference. Two new companies were raised up during the year, with additions amounting to more than one hundred sixty members. Two new meeting-houses are ready for dedication, and other church buildings are being erected. An interest to hear the truth is shown by the calls that come from many places for the living preacher. The president of the conference, Elder D. E. Wellman, and his wife, have traveled hundreds of miles with their own horse and carriage, holding conventions in the interest of the Sabbath-school work, wherever two or more little churches or companies could meet. The success of these efforts led the conference to pass a resolution that these conventions be continued during 1911, and that they also embrace work for the young people and general church work. Another plan for the advancement of church work, was the preparation of weekly readings or Bible studies for use by church leaders. This, with the convention work, has proved no small factor in the education of our people in the precious truths of our message. The canvassing work was also considered, and the conference decided to employ a man who would be able to devote at least a considerable part of his time to the training of workers for the field. This is an important move in the right direction. It will be a long step in advance when every conference in the West Indian Union has a book man to push the work of circulating our literature, and there is a call for a strong union man to take charge of the whole. The conference was favored with the presence of many of the delegates to the union conference, which was held at the same place immediately following the Jamaica Conference. Among these was Prof. H. R. Salisbury, representing the General Conference. His help was very much appreciated. His stereopticon lectures, with views of schools, sanitariums, churches, and publishing-houses, inspired all with new courage and zeal as we saw the wonderful progress made under difficult circumstances, by the blessing of God, throughout the world. Every day had its program, and was filled with work. Papers on church and Sabbath-school work, the duties of officers, duties of lay members, and how to conduct meetings without a minister, were read and considered. All the questions were thoroughly discussed, with a harmony of sentiment and a brotherly feeling that were good to see. The laborers and delegates returned to their respective fields with an expressed determination to put more faithfulness, more earnestness, and more of the love of Christ into their work in 1911 than in any year of the past.