p. 16 | Western Colorado Conference by J. L. Humbert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

Western Colorado Conference

By J. L. Humbert

THE fifth annual session of the Western Colorado Conference was held at Grand Junction, September 9-16. The Spirit of God was manifestly present, and the meeting was pronounced a most enjoyable and profitable occasion. The attendance of our people as well as of the townspeople was larger than at any of our previous meetings. The characteristic Seventh-day Adventist tone was not lacking, and thus believers were encouraged to press forward with renewed energy and zeal, and those not of our faith were led to think more seriously of where we are in the stream of time, and what relation they should sustain to the Judge of all the earth. The

weather was excellent. On September 22, however, Grand Junction was visited by the worst storm known here for years. If our meeting had continued a few days longer, the camp would doubtless have been razed to the ground, hence we see additional evidence of divine guidance and protection.

Elders E. T. Russell, C. G. Bellah, and M. B. Van Kirk were with us from the Central Union Conference, contributing in every way possible to the success of the meeting. Elder G. F. Watson and son, O. B. Watson, from the Southwestern Union Conference, were present part of the time, and rendered valuable assistance.

The membership of the camp Sabbath-school was 231, and the donations amounted to $153.58. Elder Bellah conducted a very solemn and impressive revival service Sabbath forenoon. Many renewed their consecration, and a number made their first surrender to God. Elder Watson preached in the afternoon on the importance of having the power as well as the form of godliness. The next hour Brother O. B. Watson spoke to the young people in their tent.

Elder Van Kirk took an active part in the young people's work, which, together with the work for the children, was under the supervision of Sister Spriggs. The results were highly satisfactory.

The business meetings were pleasant and harmonious. E. A. Curtis, J. A. Neilsen, Blanche Spriggs, J. L. Humbert, and W. F. Surber were reelected president, secretary and treasurer, Sabbath-school secretary, religious liberty secretary, and field missionary agent, respectively. Nora Hough was chosen educational and Missionary Volunteer secretary. The conference committee is composed of E. A. Curtis, R. L. Benton, J. A. Neilsen, J. L. Humbert, and M. C. Corbit. After the meeting closed, Brother Surber resigned, and the conference committee asked the writer to take oversight of the church and field missionary work.

Our conference was enlarged by the addition of San Juan County, New Mexico, and that portion of New Mexico lying along the railroad west of the Cumbres Mountains, which territory could not be worked advantageously by the New Mexico Conference. With this field we also gained a laborer, Elder R. L. Benton. He and his family were at our camp-meeting, where Brother Benton assisted in the preaching. Near the close of the session Elder Spriggs baptized eight persons. The book and periodical sales were quite satisfactory.

Plans were laid for Elder and Sister Spriggs to labor in Routt and Rio Blanco Counties, for Elder Benton to occupy the San Juan district, and for Elder Adkins to go to the San Miguel and Paradox Valley country.

The daily papers kindly devoted desirable space and gave good headings to synopses of sermons and business meetings furnished by our reporting committee. Incident to the appearance of a report of Elder Russell's discourse on the signs of the times, a local minister published a counter-article stating that the end is not near, that times will grow better rather than worse, that Adventists are alarmists and pessimists, etc., and inviting "thinking people" to hear him Sunday night on the "Coming of the Lord." The significance of this was briefly shown by Elder Curtis the night after Sabbath, and made a small part of the report for the Sunday morning News. That day 9,320 pages of tracts on the signs of the times were distributed in the city. Monday evening the Sentinel stated editorially that our meeting was one of the "biggest religious gatherings this city has witnessed for a long time;" that the people attending this conference were "earnest, sincere church people, and citizens of the most desirable class;" and that "we hope the Adventists will continue to hold their annual conferences in this city."

J. L. HUMBERT.