NOTES ON THE CONFERENCE.
By Editor
BESIDES the educational work as connected with our central college, noted in last week’s issue, considerable attention was given to sanitarium and health lines. Noble work has been done by the Battle Creek Sanitarium in the education of workers, devoted, self-sacrificing disciples of Christ. These are found in the field as physicians, medical missionaries, health lecturers, and nurses. There are over four hundred such workers now, and many more are developing. THE Medical Missionary College in Chicago having altogether inadequate buildings, it was voted to erect a suitable structure at a cost of $100,000. The needs of the Sanitarium at Battle Creek have demanded the leasing of cottages all around the institution, and $5,000 rent was paid last year. Now that the institution is about to secure the buildings of the college, consisting of the college proper, west hall, and south hall, the two dormitories, the congestion will for a time be relieved. At present there are over 400 patients and guests at the Sanitarium, from all parts of the United States. TAKING it all in all, the conference was a wonderful manifestation of what the Spirit of Christ will do. This was shown in two ways. First, in the great and radical changes made in organization. While these were many, and affected many, and while there was more or less difference of opinion, the changes were made with very little friction. There were no sharp thrusts, no manifestations of temper, no innuendoes, all was brotherly and Christian. THE second manifestation of the Spirit of Christ was in the prominence given to work in distant lands. While many changes were made in fields of labor, in what might be called the home field,—United States,—there were many sent to other lands, and there will be many more, as time is given to bring the fields and the volunteers together. As it was, over seventy persons were assigned fields in other than home lands. The near product of this conference will in all probability reach over 100. Its final product will be seen only in eternity. ALL these changes and calls are based upon the willingness and co-operation of all parties concerned. No board or organization says you shall go. Suggestions are made; but does the Lord bid the soul to go? does his heart make him willing? These are paramount considerations. The message must be God-given, the soul who gives the message should know his mission. IT was a glad, joyous sight, the last afternoon and evening of the conference. Those going to distant lands were present in a body, and they were addressed by old and experienced laborers, including Mrs. E. G. White, who besought all to stand in their own individuality under Christ Jesus; united with others not by human yokes, but by the life and love of Jesus. The editor of this journal besought these missionaries to remember this paper when absent, that its many readers may know of their work. This we expect they will do. Their own testimonies were cheering, as they told of their experiences, and how the Lord led them. May God indeed go with them, every step of the pilgrim way; and may every one come home in the great harvest close, bringing many sheaves with him. THESE exercises closed the best conference we have ever known, and which, under God, we ardently hope will bring forth great results. OUR journey home was without special incident. There were twelve in our company; other western delegates and visitors had remained or gone on before. We came by the Santa Fe route, and the weather across the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona was delightfully cool and free from dust. Strange as it seems, the worst weather found on our whole trip was in sunny, genial California. The close of our journey was in the midst of a hard rain and rough sea, preceded by the dust of the south San Joaquin Valley. AT Williams, Arizona, we met the pastor, W. C. Geyer, of the M. E. church of that place, who accompanied us to Ash Fork, a part of his great field. Mr. Geyer is all alone in pastoral work in Williams, a town of 1500 inhabitants, there being no other church or minister in that field. May the Lord bless him in all his labors for the Master. ONCE again we are at this post of duty, to labor as the Lord directs, and it is our desire to make as never before the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a preacher of righteousness, an instructor in the way of life. And to this end we ask the prayers and co-operation of our readers.