Notes on the Conference.
By Editor
WE reached the conference meeting grounds at Takoma Park just a little too late for the opening of the conference. In fact, the secretary was calling the roll of the delegates as we neared the large tent in which the meetings were held, hearing our own name just as we alighted from the wagon. THE number of delegates in attendance is 181, representing nearly all of the great countries of the world. It is, in fact, a world-conference; nay, more, a world's missionary conference. The missionary spirit is dominant. It asserts itself in its own blessed way everywhere. It breaks out in business meetings; it is manifest in committee work; it is the spirit of the conference. And so far as we can see, all are glad; all feel that it is the best thus far of any conference yet held. THE address of President A. G. Daniells was a missionary address. In the beginning he made a touching and fitting reference to the manifold blessings of God and to the organization and growth of the cause since the organization of the General Conference May 20, 1863. There were then twenty delegates representing six local fields, with a conference committee of three. Now the committee numbers twenty-nine. Then there were about 3,500 Sabbath-keepers and thirty ministers, with annual receipts amounting to $12,000, a small publishing plant, one weekly, and one monthly, paper, and a few books and tracts. Now this cause is "permanently established in countries representing 1,400,000 of the world's population. Only a few countries remain unentered, but a great work is yet to be done everywhere. Only a beginning has been made in these mission fields with their teeming millions. The few lone missionaries stationed in these fields, with standards erected and banners unfurled, must be joined by fresh recruits from the home land. The way has been prepared for a splendid work. And now, from this day, we should set our hearts on mightier conquests everywhere than we have yet seen anywhere." "The records show that the membership, laborers, and funds have more than doubled every ten years since the organization of the General Conference in 1863. The 3,500 Sabbath-keepers have been increased to 81,721. The staff of ministers has been increased from thirty to nine hundred and sixty. The annual tithe has swelled from $12,000 to $691,819.33, and the annual offerings to $144,712.20. Altho there was no great noise nor blowing of trumpets, this cause gained as much in membership, laborers, and funds from 1893 to 1903 as it had gained during the preceeding fifty years of its history. The six conferences have increased to thirteen union conferences, seventy-eight local conferences, three union missions, and fifty local missions. The one small printing and publishing house has increased to eleven publishing houses and forty-five printing-offices; the two papers to eighty-nine; and books, tracts, and papers are being published in forty or more different languages. The book sales reported average at least one-half million dollars annually."