The Conference by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1872

The Conference.

By Uriah Smith

The pressure of business and other matters that accumulated during Conference week, has scarcely yet left an opportunity to take a calm survey of the field since the meeting, and to look at the significance of the transactions of the Conference. We had hoped that others would have opportunity to speak more at length in reference to the meeting; but all, who from their connection with the Conference are prepared to report, have still their heads and hands full of other pressing duties; and we therefore omit other matter to say an additional word respecting the meeting.

Probably at no time in the history of this message, have the extent and wants of the wide harvest field been so clearly seen, and the great scarcity of laborers been so keenly felt, as at this meeting. Call after call comes up from destitute fields all over the land; and still there are other fields in almost interminable numbers where even the sound of the truth has not yet sufficiently penetrated to lead the people to call for more light. To go into a famine-stricken district and to be met on every hand with importunities for bread from the starving multitude, and yet have absolutely none to give them, would be indeed a very distressing experience. If seen in its true light, it would be none the less so, to hear souls pleading for light and for the truth, and yet have no one to send to make it known to them. Such is largely our condition at the present time. It is not an uncalled for, and needless act, which the Lord exhorts us to, when he says, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” The appointment of days of fasting and prayer in reference to this object, is therefore timely and important. Let all prepare their hearts to keep “an acceptable fast unto the Lord,” and so to prevail with him.

We call the attention of the reader to some of the resolutions adopted by the Conference. The resolutions touching the signs of the times, the grand divisions of our faith, the tokens of imminent conflict between Russia and Turkey, the fearful calamities by sea and land of the past few months, all of them signs of the near approach of the great day, and all of them calling in thunder tones upon the people of God to consecrate themselves to the work as never before—these resolutions expressed the feelings that seemed to rest with weight upon all present. These things are so. Truth is about to vindicate itself before the eyes of all the world. The days of probation are almost expired. We, knowing these things, shall be held to a strict account for the manner in which we labor to save our fellow-men. May the heavenly anointing enable us to see this matter as it is, and heavenly aid enable us to act accordingly.

The facts and figures presented in relation to the financial workings of the General Conference, the Publishing Association, the Health Institute, &c., showed that so far as means is concerned, their prosperity is all that could be asked. Liberally have brethren come up to the work. Material is on hand. Facilities are provided for furnishing publications to an almost unlimited extent. What is now wanted is, enlarged fields of operation, and laborers to go in and fill them. What is wanted is men of sufficient powers and cultivation of mind, and sufficient consecration of heart, to interpret the living truths of God’s word in a manner to reach the masses. Remember the appointed fast. And let not any think of slacking their hands in their liberalities; for all that has been furnished, and all that will be, will be needed, and can be used to advantage in making known to dying men the way of life and salvation.

The twelfth resolution, embodying a recommendation that ten thousand dollars be raised as a thank-offering for the benefits received from the health reform, to be used in the issuing of health publications, shows that that reform is highly valued among this people; and that the interest in it is destined to be largely increased.

A remark on resolution fourteen, may be necessary to guard against a wrong impression. While the Conference deemed it duty to tender to Bro. White the value of the property made over by him to the Association at the time of its incorporation, it is proper to say that he declined to receive anything therefor.

This year, as last, a pleasant feature of the occasion, was the visit of the S. D. Baptist delegate. From some incidents that have transpired the past year, and the remarks that were made upon this occasion, it is evident that the two bodies, who each maintain as a distinguishing characteristic, the observance of the law of God in its completeness, are coming to a better understanding of each other. On however many minor points there may be difference of opinion, we believe that, as respects Jehovah’s law, which the Man of Sin has tried to change, and God’s eternal Sabbath, which all the rest of Christendom are trampling beneath their feet, and so far as it respects the promulgation of the Sabbath reform among the people, there should be, and will be, between these two bodies, sympathy, union, cordiality and co-operation.

The dedication of the new Office building, Jan. 1, 1872, was an occasion of much interest. The central room on the second floor, occupying the entire body of the main building, was closely seated and filled to its utmost capacity. The exercises were opened with singing and prayer. Bro. White gave a brief sketch of the rise of the publishing department of this work from its commencement in feebleness and obscurity, to its present extended and prosperous condition. Interesting remarks were also made by Elds. Andrews, Waggoner and others. With a closing hymn and prayer the exercises concluded. Thus another building is dedicated to the work of sending forth the light of truth among the people. The Office is finished in a neat and substantial manner. The workmen have done their duty faithfully and conscientiously. It elicits the unqualified praise of all who behold it.

This new building doubles the publishing room, and in connection with the cylinder press, which it is designed to obtain soon, will give the Association three times the publishing capacity which it now possesses. With this increase of means and facilities for the work, an equal increase of consecration and zeal on the part of the people is demanded. Liberal things must be devised. We must make no other calculation for this work, except that it is to meet a rapid and wonderful increase, and close in might and power.

A new era in the work of spreading the truth to the foreign-born population of our land is marked by the commencement of the publication of the Danish monthly, the first number of which, commencing with the present year, is already issued. For many years Bro. Matteson has labored on without any means of regular communication with his people, and until within a few years with no publications in his language, and even now with but few of them. He will now be able to work to immensely greater advantage. And a wide field is open among the Danish and Norwegian people. We look for the “Advent Tidende,” the English of which is, the “Advent Tidings,” to be widespread among them.

The report from Switzerland, given last week, is of the most encouraging character. Prosperity seems now to be in store for them if they cleave fully unto the Lord. The prayers of believers on this side of the ocean will go up in their behalf.

Thus the prospect is everywhere cheering. The fields are everywhere whitening. Doors are everywhere opening. Souls are everywhere inquiring for the truth. Angels are everywhere working on hearts. Omens, startling and portentious, are everywhere heralding the approach of the impending doom. The agencies are all ready for furnishing the printed sheets to bear the light and truth all over the land. What want we more? The church wants power. The cause wants men.

Where are the hundreds who should this moment, with hearts imbued with a love of souls, and filled with zeal to do something for the Master, be laboring with all their energies to make themselves masters of the English language, masters of history, masters of the teachings of the word of God, that they may be able to portray before their fellow-men the sublime march of prophetic fulfillment down to these closing hours of time, and lead them, through the provisions of God’s wondrous plan for saving men, to prepare immediately for the great consummation? And this leads us right back to that great question in reference to which the days of fasting are appointed. We repeat: Let not that occasion pass unheeded by. Let this thought encourage us, that the harvest is his to whom our prayers go up for laborers; and he will not forsake his own inheritance. U. S.