The Maritime Conference by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1912

The Maritime Conference

By A. G. Daniells

THE Maritime Conference held its annual session for 1912 at Scotts Bay, Nova Scotia. The meetings were conducted in our church building, and the delegates were entertained in the homes of our people.

This was my first visit to the Maritime Conference. It was a great pleasure to meet the brethren and sisters who attended this meeting. They were rejoicing in the truth, and expressed an earnest desire to do their part in carrying the work forward.

The reports presented to the conference for the past year were very encouraging. A number of substantial persons have accepted present truth in different parts of the conference. The tithe receipts were a little over one thousand dollars more than for last year. Although our people in this conference may be counted among those who are in moderate circumstances, yet their offerings to missions run close to the fifteen-cent-a-week mark, and the officers of the conference and the ministers did not hesitate to say that when this year closes, the Maritime Conference will have given its full share.

For several years this conference has been endeavoring to provide a good school for the education of its young people. The effort has been a strenuous one, but it has been successful. The Williamsdale Academy is in Nova Scotia, near the center of the conference. The farm consists of two hundred acres. During the past two or three years, the attendance has been good. In addition to meeting the running expenses, the management has reduced the indebtedness between two thousand and three thousand dollars. This is truly encouraging,

and it is the result of good management and hearty cooperation throughout the conference. It is right that these educational advantages should be provided for our young people in Canada, so that they shall not find it necessary to come to the States to secure the education and training they need for our work, and now they should be encouraged to remain in Canada. Let them secure their education and training there as far as possible, and then make that their field of labor. With proper training and consecration, the young men and young women now connected with our churches in Canada, can, with the Lord's help, finish this work in that part of our world field.

Important changes in conference leadership have just taken place in the Canadian Union Conference. Elder J. O. Miller, who has labored in the Maritime Conference during the last five or six years, leaves for Ohio. Brother Miller has been president of this conference for several years, and has been blessed in his work. Everything is in a good, prosperous condition, and brotherly love and harmony prevail among the laborers and churches. Brother Miller leaves the field of his own accord, feeling that some matters in Ohio require his attention for a time. Elder O. K. Butler, who has been working in Montreal for a few years, has been chosen president of the Maritime Conference, and enters upon his work with courage.

Another important change is the return of Elder William Guthrie to the States. Brother Guthrie has labored in the Canadian Union ten or eleven years, first as president of the Maritime Conference, then as president of the union. During these years, he has worked very hard, and has struggled against conference poverty and many other difficulties. God has blessed his efforts; and although his health is somewhat impaired, he leaves a good work in the field as a result of his labors there. The outlook in all parts of the union is far more encouraging than at any time in the history of our work there.

Elder M. N. Campbell has been elected president in Elder Guthrie's place. Brother Campbell reached the Maritime conference just at its close. He is now visiting the different parts of his new field. We have reason to thank our Heavenly Father for the progress of the work in eastern Canada.

A. G. DANIELLS.