The General Conference
By R. C.; Mrs. Porter
THE recent General Conference held in Washington, D. C., was one of the most spiritual and progressive meetings Seventh-day Adventists have ever held. For some weeks previous to the Conference a general conviction prevailed that God would in a special manner lead this meeting, and that it would mark a new era in the work. In just what ways the divine power was to be manifested no one could foretell. The camp was well arranged, and the dining department most successfully conducted. The program for devotional meetings, Bible studies along spiritual lines, regular business meetings of the Conference, evening services for the benefit of those not of our faith, and the departmental meetings, were all exceptionally well planned and unusually practical. Perhaps some of the most interesting services were the spiritual revivals; the departmental meetings, where the workers laid plans for a vigorous campaign along different lines; the foreign mission departmental session, looking toward a more aggressive evangelical campaign in distant lands; and the meetings which completed the organization of the General Conference, with divisions in Europe, North America, and Asia to carry the detail administrative work, leaving the General Conference free from local burdens, that it may share equally the burden with all fields in carrying forward the world-wide work. One of the most encouraging prospects is the definite interest taken by the European and North American Divisions in a more aggressive policy to win souls. It was the prevailing sentiment that this should be the paramount consideration in all our plans; and the workers urged that while raising money for the prosecution of the work in distant lands, it should never be forgotten that there are many souls to be won for Christ in the home land. A high ideal was fixed as the standard of possible attainment in this direction during the first biennial period of these two new divisions. In apostolic days the outpouring of the Holy Spirit marked a new era in the history of the church. A great evangelistic soul-winning campaign was entered upon which brought thousands into the church. Then the whole church caught the spirit of the movement, and the members laid their possessions at the feet of the apostles in support of the work. This spirit is again coming in among us, and we are now seeing its first-fruits in the great increase of tithes and offerings. Reports rendered at the Conference showed a remarkable advance along this line. The spirit of the meeting was well illustrated in the response made to a call from the Loma Linda Medical College for sixteen thousand dollars to provide necessary equipment for the training of competent physicians. So generous was the response in cash and pledges that more than the necessary amount was raised. Never at any meeting held in the history of this denomination were so many workers assigned to foreign fields, and the best of it is that they are all so willing to go anywhere the Master calls them. We had no thought of going to the Asiatic field when General Conference convened. Other important changes created the demand, and when the call came we were so confident of God's guidance in the matter that we cheerfully responded. Elder and Mrs. W. B. White, who have been chosen for the African field, which has been our home for the last five years, bring to their work an experience that is the result of many years of successful labor in this cause. We have no doubt that the work in South Africa will be benefited by the change; and as we go forth to labor in the Asiatic Division, we shall earnestly pray for the workers in our former field, and for all our companions in service, at home and abroad, who are laboring in the Master's vineyard. Will you not pray for the success of our work in the great Asiatic Division?