GENERAL MEETINGS IN PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE.
By W. T. Knox
JUNE 16 closed a series of State camp-meetings and conferences in the Pacific Union Conference that should mark a new era in the work in this district. The Upper Columbia Conference.
This meeting was held at Watsburg in Eastern Washington, beginning May 16. The laborers from abroad were Mrs. E. G. White, Pastors W. C. White, A. T. Jones, H. Shultz, J. H. Dorland, B. L. Howe, and the writer. From the first meeting a good work was done, Sabbath, the 18th, being in a special manner a memorable day. In the afternoon Sister White made an earnest appeal for a life of perfect surrender and consecration to God. At the close of the sermon, an opportunity was given for those who desired fully to consecrate themselves to the service of the Lord to express themselves; and there followed a scene such as is not often witnessed. The entire congregation, deeply moved by the Spirit of God, responded to the invitation. While some were rejoicing in the liberty they enjoyed in Christ, and gave expression anew to their consecration, others who needed help were sought out in the large congregation by the ministers, who more clearly pointed out to them the way of righteousness. As the days passed, the Lord thru His servants continued to unfold to His people the wonderful sweetness and beauty of the Gospel. The afternoon services were well attended by the citizens of the town, and considerable interest was manifested by them in the subjects presented. Arrangements were made for this interest to be cared for by a company of workers who remained upon the ground after the close of the meeting. The business of the conference was generally conducted in the morning hours. The principal divisions of our work,—medical missionary, educational, publishing, and evangelistic,—were carefully considered. Reports from the secretaries revealed a gratifying progress in most departments of the work. Seven new churches were organized during the year. The business meetings, which sometimes have been largely devoid of spiritual interest, were occasions of instruction and were characterized by spirituality. At times a spirit of tenderness and devotion came in in a very marked manner. With such conditions existing, there was no opportunity for the work of the conference to be transacted in a manner that would prove displeasing to God. The different questions brought before the body were carefully considered, till all saw eye to eye. Much interest was taken in the foreign missionary work. Besides devoting a considerable portion of the conference funds to this work, it was also voted to sustain Pastor G. W. Reaser, the former president of the conference, and Sister Cornwell, for a year in South Africa. The brethren elected to the conference offices for the year were President, A. J. Breed; Secretary, J. L. Kay; Treasurer, Upper Columbia Tract Society. The Executive Committee: A. J. Breed, E. L. Stewart, W. F. Martin, J. A. Holbrook, J. R. Leadsworth, S. A. Anderson, and A. Schlotthauer. North Pacific Conference.
The next meeting held was on the west side of the Cascade Mountains, in the North Pacific Conference, in a beautiful grove in East Portland. Fully one thousand people were camped upon the ground. The general laborers in attendance at the former meeting were present at this one, and our experiences in the Portland meeting were much the same as at Watsburg. The Lord was ready to bestow His Spirit. The people were hungry for the truth, and gladly received the instruction given. Services were conducted for the German and Scandinavian brethren by Pastors Shultz and Hansen. Work for the young people was placed under the care of Pastors Pero and Howe. The brethren returned to their homes with strong courage and a determination to be living witnesses for Him who died for them, let their lot be cast wherever it might be. In the business meetings a spirit of harmony and unity took possession of the delegates, the only desire seeming to be to advance the cause of God and glorify Him. While the reports did not reveal that growth in every department of the conference that could be desired, yet the general condition was gratifying. In this conference also a spirit of liberality toward the needy fields was revealed. It was decided to devote a tithe of the conference funds to the support of the work in missionary fields, besides their usual offerings for this purpose. The following brethren were selected to carry responsibilities for the coming year: President, H. W. Decker; Secretary, F. H. Starbuck; Treasurer, North Pacific Church Extension Society. Executive Committee: H. W. Decker, J. L. Wilson, J. H. Schoepper, Dr. W. R. Simmons, and F. S. Bunch. The California Conference.
This meeting convened June 4, in Oakland, continuing until June 16, with an excellent workers' meeting at the close. This was one of the largest meetings ever held in this conference. Much good has been accomplished; precious light was given from the heavenly sanctuary; many souls bound by sin have returned to their homes free in Christ Jesus. Gracious words of reproof, comfort, and courage were given by the Comforter thru His servants. Yet from the first it was manifest that the work of the ministry was placed at a great disadvantage in such a large meeting, where so many interests were involved. The great amount of committee work, the various conference and institutional interests demanding the attention of so many of the conference laborers, prevented that personal work that should have been done for the people, in order to attain the best results. Two important measures were adopted to remedy this in the future. The conference was divided, creating a new conference in the southern part of the State, and the time of holding the annual session was changed to the first of the year, and it will hereafter be separate from any camp-meetings. By these means it is hoped the congested condition of the meetings will be remedied. Notwithstanding the unfavorable conditions, the Lord most graciously blessed His people. From the abundance of her laborers, California has decided to send help to some of the fields that are calling for assistance. Pastor G. A. Snyder is now on his way to Australia. Brethren Watson and Dart will go to Alaska; a corps of six workers will take up the work in Arizona, and others will be sent to Hawaii Territory. The brethren have been generous, not only in giving their laborers, but also in giving funds to sustain the work beyond their borders. He who gave all heaven contained to rescue the lost race, will be well pleased to witness the liberality and self-denial displayed by these conferences, and will more than make up to them in His rich blessings that which they have devoted to the needy fields beyond. Many interesting reports were submitted in the conference meetings, but space will only permit the general statement that a good degree of prosperity has attended the work. A. T. Jones was elected President; M. H. Brown, Secretary; Pacific Press Publishing Company, Treasurer, and the following brethren for the Executive Committee: A. T. Jones, M. H. Brown, J. O. Corliss, M. C. Wilcox, W. C. White, C. N. Martin, H. G. Thurston, M. E. Cady, and Dr. T. H. Evans. The last Sabbath afternoon upon the ground, Brethren T. H. Watson, Alvin Kellogg, A. M. Dart, A. Brorsen, G. Ranleder, and W. S. Sadler were ordained to the sacred work of the ministry.