The General Meeting in Battle Creek by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 21, 1914

The General Meeting in Battle Creek

By Editor

It was the good fortune of the editor of this paper to be permitted to attend the recent general meeting in Battle Creek, Mich. The occasion was the ministerial institute for the workers of the Lake Union Conference, followed later by the biennial session of that conference.

Several things conspired to make the gathering one of pleasure, profit, and inspiration. The weather was propitious throughout, and the historical setting of the meeting was one of added interest. Battle Creek was for years the headquarters of our denominational work. Many brethren and sisters who have been living witnesses of practically every important advance made in connection with this movement were present at the meeting. Among some of the pioneer conference laborers we noticed Elders A. C. Bourdeau, M. S. Burnham, H. Nicola, and William Covert, and Brother J. W. Bachelor who connected with the work when the Review and Herald was published in Rochester, N. Y., and remained with the institution until the plant in Battle Creek was destroyed by fire. Battle Creek witnessed the beginning of our educational and sanitarian work. The first college building, the first publishing house, and the first sanitarium ever erected by Seventh-day Adventists

were established here. The college building still stands, used now as offices by the Battle Creek Sanitarium. The old sanitarium building and also the Review and Herald Publishing House were destroyed by fire. Only the Tabernacle remains as a landmark of the earlier history of our work in Battle Creek.

What thrilling, thronging memories these scenes revived! How we lived over again the days of the past with their struggles and conflicts! Our work today has long since overstepped the barriers which held it back in its formative period, and has now become a great world-wide movement, reaching out into all the nations of earth. But while the material work has changed, while the organization has enlarged, while many of the old pioneers have passed from the active stage and younger men have taken their places, yet it is the same work, and we praise God that the same spirit of the third angel's message still rings true in this movement.

Notwithstanding their mistakes, failures, and shortcomings, God still loves his children in this world, and he stands ready to respond to every desire of the heart after him. This was indicated in a marked measure in the ministerial institute. The preaching of the word had in it the true advent ring. There was nothing of sensation, and but little of what would be commonly counted eloquence. The message was given in a plain, simple, straightforward manner, but with confidence and assurance. It went with convicting power to the hearts of those who heard. Enlarged visions of the sacredness and character of the work of God and of the sacred calling of the gospel ministry were received by those present.

Victory over sin in the personal life, power to prevail with God and with men as did Israel of old, the power of the Holy Spirit in the life to accomplish the work God has committed to us,—these were the keynotes emphasized again and again. Many were led to exclaim, as did Isaiah of old: "I am a man of unclean lips . . . for mine eyes have seen the Lord of hosts." To this cry of burdened hearts there came the comforting assurance of the Word: "Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away."

God has blessed in a large measure the work in the Lake Union Conference during its history. We confidently believe, however, that larger blessings are to be experienced in the future than ever before, for the reason that its ministers have obtained a new view of God's glory, and realize that "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."

The burden of the institute instruction was carried by Elders I. H. Evans, G. B. Thompson, and O. A. Olsen. Prof. W. W. Prescott spoke twice upon the dangers threatening our liberties, giving valuable instruction relative to the present impending crisis and our relation thereto. The five days of the ministerial institute brought the workers to the business session with serious hearts and with prayerful consideration for the questions to be decided. Others will report these features of the meetings.

It was refreshing to find on the part of the Battle Creek church the old-time spirit of hospitality, which during the recent years has not so generally characterized this denomination as in bygone times. Free rooms, and in many cases board as well, were furnished by the church not only to the delegates but to the visiting brethren and sisters also.

One of the most interesting occasions was a meeting held by the church to determine the question which had been raised regarding the sale of the Tabernacle. Through some changes in the building, installation of heating system, etc., a debt of about eight thousand dollars had gradually accumulated against the property. Some had felt favorable to the plan of selling the building to the city for auditorium purposes, using a portion of the proceeds for the erection of a smaller and more modern church building, and donating the remainder to the cause. Others, however, felt that this old landmark should still be preserved as a memorial of our work in Battle Creek, and this seemed to be the prevailing sentiment not only of the large majority of the church, but of many of the visiting brethren and sisters who were present at the meeting. The Lake Union Conference showed its deep interest in the work at this center by coming forward with the proposition that if the church would raise one half of the indebtedness, the union would become responsible for the other half. To this the church heartily responded, and before the close of the conference session enough had been pledged by the church members to more than make up the one half of the indebtedness they were to meet, and provide also a substantial sum to be applied upon the running expenses of the church. We are sure that our readers everywhere will rejoice with us that this building, which was erected years ago by many contributions from our brethren and sisters throughout the world, will still stand in Battle Creek as a memorial of our work.

In this connection it is gratifying to state that at the present time there is a deeper interest on the part of those not of our faith in Battle Creek to listen to the special truths for this time than has ever before existed in the city. Elder W. A. Westworth, who is doing very acceptable work as pastor of the church, has, with the assistance of his faithful coworkers, developed a good interest, and some of the evening meetings have been attended by two or three hundred people from the outside. Of the final result of this effort we shall hope to hear from Brother Westworth in the future.

In listening to the message which God gave to his servants, in communion with God, and in association with old-time friends, the meetings at Battle Creek proved a truly blessed season of spiritual refreshing and inspiration.

Returning from Battle Creek by way of Chicago, we spent the Sabbath at Hinsdale, Ill., speaking Sabbath morning to the church in this place. The sanitarium carried on here by Dr. Paulson and his associates is enjoying a good patronage, and a good spirit possesses the family of workers who are endeavoring to hold up the gospel standard before their guests. F. M. W.