The Northern Union Conference by E. M. Graham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 26, 1914

The Northern Union Conference

By E. M. Graham

THE sixth biennial session of the Northern Union Conference was held at Minneapolis, Minn., from January 27 to February 7. Each of the conferences in the union sent a full delegation, and in addition made provision for the majority of the workers to be present, in order to have the benefit of the ministerial institute which was carried on during the first part of the meeting.

The services were held in the large Unitarian church on South Eighth Street. In this building were found many conveniences for such a gathering,—vestries for committees and department meetings, small rooms for stenographic work, an up-to-date kitchen with all supplies for a cafeteria, and a room suitable for a dining room. Everything was well organized, and excellent arrangements were made for the accommodation of the delegates and visitors.

The studies of the ministerial institute were given by Elders I. H. Evans and G. B. Thompson. Elder Evans took up such subjects as The Call to the Ministry, The Sacredness of the Ministry, Preaching the Gospel, and Preparation for Soul Winning. Elder Thompson dealt particularly with Bible study and prayer as related to the ministry and to the finishing of the work. The Spirit of the Lord was very manifestly present as these subjects were presented with a force and directness that went right to the hearts of the hearers. A spirit of deep solemnity rested upon the meetings, and a conviction of having failed to reach the high standard God has set for his ministers. A prayer and testimony meeting for the workers was held on the first Sabbath morning at half past eight, at which many heartfelt confessions of sin were made, and expression was given to determinations that the future should see more power in lives for soul winning, because of a deeper and fuller consecration to the Lord. A similar meeting was held the following Sabbath, at which this work of soul searching and soul cleansing was continued.

There was no excitement in any of the meetings, but a solemn sense of the presence of God's Holy Spirit, and of the preparation of heart that was needed to meet his requirements.

The publishing, home missionary, and Missionary Volunteer departments all received attention. As study was given to the finishing of this work in the generation allotted to it, it became plain to all that these departments must have a large part in the completion of the warning message. Through the printed pages, carried by our people, from the small child to the aged pilgrims, will the loud cry of the third angel's message largely be given. Plans were laid to organize the churches for work as soon as the meeting closed, thus enlisting every man, woman, and child in active service for the Lord. All the workers present banded themselves together for a great soul-winning campaign during the year 1914.

The business of the conference received attention during the last three days of the meeting. Elder Charles Thompson was reelected, and the other officers were practically the same as for the last biennial term. The financial standing was satisfactory, one very gratifying item being that every conference in the union had more than reached its quota of twenty cents a member for missions. Excellent reports were presented by the presidents of the conferences, showing that the work that had been done by the schools and medical institutions was of a substantial character.

The meeting closed with a testimony service on Sabbath afternoon, February 7, at which expression was given by a large number to their thankfulness to God for the blessings of the meetings, and to consecration of lives for better service for the future. The prospects are bright for a good year's work in the Northern Union Conference.

E. M. GRAHAM.