North Pacific Conference by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 26, 1885

North Pacific Conference.

By John Norton Loughborough

SINCE my last report I have spent one week in this Conference, counseling with Brother Boyd in reference to the work, and holding meetings at East Portland. The providence of God has thus far favored Brother Boyd's plans to secure laborers for the season in this field. He has a number of canvassers and colporters engaged, and sufficient ministerial help under promise, to manage three tents during the coming summer. To carry out this plan it will be necessary to secure two new tents. Means have already been pledged for this purpose. It will be remembered that of the $5,000 fund pledged at the last camp-meeting, $500 was to be used for tent and camp-meeting purposes. If our brethren and sisters in this Conference redeem their pledges made at that meeting, the two new tents can be paid for without any difficulty. We trust every possible effort will be made to pay these pledges before the next camp-meeting.

Another point should be considered: while there is an increase of laborers there is a great decrease in the tithes of the Conference, in consequence of the prevailing hard times. The question arises, How is this additional force of laborers to be sustained? Though hard times prevail, this should not be an excuse for doing less to extend the truth. The prophet has said, "When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." We should expect that hard times would make the people more thoughtful, and better prepare their minds for the reception of present truth; so, instead of decreasing our efforts to save men because it is hard times, we should rather double our diligence. If our tithes are not sufficient to meet the demands, let us each, according to our ability, determine to supplement the lack by donating to the Conference treasury.

In this Conference the sum paid into the treasury for the Conference year ending with our last camp-meeting, held the last of June, was $1,407. How is it this year? Eight months have passed and the tithes paid into the treasury amount to only $610.90. Of this sum $160 was used to settle an indebtedness of the last year, so that there is only $450.10 to be applied to this year's work. With these facts before us, we can all see that something must be done to replenish the Conference treasury, in order that even present laborers may be settled with, and that the work may be pushed forward with the three tents. Instead of settling down with the thought that it is hard times, let all join in praying to God to open the way financially for the spread of the truth. Then let each one seek to do all he can to secure means for the treasury of the Lord. I doubt not if all thus lay the matter to heart that the Lord will be pleased to open up ways that we may lawfully secure means for his treasury. Has he not said, if we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, that all these things shall be added? and will he not prosper our efforts to build up his kingdom? Who will try it? and who will share in the rejoicing that shall accompany the results of more extended efforts to get these truths before those who have not as yet heard them?

In the three days' meeting just closed at East Portland, Brother Boyd gave two discourses and I delivered five. We also enjoyed a good spirited social meeting. In this meeting a Swedish brother took his stand to obey the truth. He says he first had his attention called to the message while he was boarding at a hotel in Seattle, Washington Territory. There was in the hotel a volume of the Swedish Herold for 1874. He read it and compared its teachings on the nature of man with the Bible, and became satisfied that we have no immortality out of Christ. Then he examined the Sabbath question, and decided that Saturday is the day the fourth commandment requires us to observe.

Now he has taken his stand to follow the truths of the Third Angel's Message. On first-day two who have recently commenced to keep the Sabbath, were baptized and united with the East Portland church. Thus the cause seems steadily to advance at this point, as one after another takes his stand to obey the truth. From small beginnings, within the last eighteen months, this church has increased until it has become an absolute necessity to enlarge the place of worship.

When the meeting-house was built, the brethren wisely looked forward to an increased membership, and built larger than their immediate necessities demanded. While their number was small, a part of the house was partitioned into living rooms. Now that it has increased, they have taken out the partitions, thus enlarging their meeting-room to double its former capacity. Comfortable seats and a neat pulpit are to take the place of the more rudely constructed ones formerly used. It is interesting to witness the zeal, earnestness and sacrifice of this financially poor church. God blesses them, and will add to their numbers as they thus humbly seek to have their work wrought in him. Our brethren and sisters in other parts of the Conference must certainly be encouraged to see the growth of the cause at this central point.

I am glad also to learn from Brother Boyd and others of the spirit of unity and harmony that prevails throughout the Conference. It is in such marked contrast with the state of things that existed one year ago that we can only say, "What hath God wrought!" In unity of purpose and action there is strength. As our people now seek to move in harmony with the advance efforts to be made, and thus extend the influence of the cause, their hearts will be filled with cheer as they see the work advancing all along the line. So may it be.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.