p. 116 | The Conference

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1873

The Conference.

We give this week the remainder of the business proceedings of the General Conference. The statistics presented by the State Conferences show the standing of the General Conference to be quite favorable as compared with that of last year. The gain since last year’s report has been as follows:—

Increase of Ministers	11
“ “ Licentiates	37
“ “ Churches	35
“ “ Members	1074
“ “ Systematic Benevolence Funds	$4,731.07

Those who were present at last year’s Conference, or read the report of that meeting, will remember the numerous openings that presented themselves, and the urgent calls from every quarter for light and help. The same feature characterized the present Conference, but to a much greater degree. Letters were read from various points setting forth the urgent need of help in different localities, and among various nationalities. There are calls for men and books in the Swedish settlements of this country, the Danish, the Scandinavian, the French, and the German, and among the Swiss in Europe. The delegates presented their earnest pleas for New England, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. In all places fields lie open, and the people are waiting to hear and calling for help. The great burden that should lie upon all our hearts is, How shall all these calls be met? Let us consecrate ourselves anew to the work, and then earnestly beseech the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, as he has told us to do.

“The fields are all ripening and far and wide The world now is waiting the harvest tide; But reapers are few and the work is great, And much will be lost should the harvest wait.”

Quite a number of our brethren abroad remained with us over Sabbath, the 22d, which was a good day for the church here. After a spirited social meeting in the morning, Bro. White spoke with great freedom on Matt. 11: 28–30, powerfully setting forth the matchless love of Christ, and the great blessings he has for those who will come to him. At the conclusion he gave out the hymn, “Just as I am, without one plea,” &c., and during the singing, called for those who wished to be especially remembered in prayer to come forward. A large number pressed forward, among whom were many youth, and some non-professors. The Spirit of the Lord rested graciously down during the closing prayer, and all felt that it was good to be there.

In the afternoon, Bro. G. I. Butler spoke from the text, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” showing how we can develop a good, consistent and substantial Christian character, and shun that fear of man which bringeth a snare. If the principles he set forth could be wrought out in the lives of the people, we should see a company of believers, not like reeds shaken by the wind, but strong for the right, because conscious of the rectitude and integrity of their work. More such characters the cause needs.

Meetings are to be continued evenings through the week.