p. 12 | The British Union Conference by N. Z. Town

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1914

The British Union Conference

By N. Z. Town

N. Z. TOWN

THE sixth biennial session of the British Union Conference convened in the Batersea Town Hall, London, S. W., July 31 to August 4. As the meeting was held at the time of the August bank holiday, when the railways issue cheap excursion tickets, a large company of our people were able to attend the meeting from all parts of the country. Over 1,200 were present. All the workers in the union attended; also Elders L. R. Conradi, J. C. Raft, and L. P. Tieche, and the writer. The president's report showed that there has been a steady growth, the net gain in members during the last biennial period being 412. The tithe also showed a gain of $10,000 over the previous biennial period.

Comparing the year 1913 with 1903, the president stated that the work in the union has more than doubled during this period. In 1903 the total membership was 1,160, the gain since that time being 1,260. The tithe has also more than doubled during this period, and the offerings were seven times more in 1913 than in 1903.

The manager of the International Tract Society reported a total sale of literature during the two years of $140,000, a gain of $1,600 over the previous biennial period. The financial gain of the publishing house during the two years was $11,300. Speaking of the disposition made of the annual gains, the manager said:—

"For years we have paid a tithe of our profits to the British Union Conference, and have also turned over to the general work $4,870 a year. It has not been our policy to pile up money, but to devote whatever can be spared from the profits of our business to the building up of the general work. In this way we have during the last eight years given to the union nearly $60,000."

A short but very profitable workers' meeting preceded the conference session. Elders Raft and Tieche gave valuable assistance in the workers' meeting.

GROUP OF WORKERS IN ATTENDANCE AT BRITISH UNION MEETING

The experiences which Elder Raft related of his successful evangelical efforts in Copenhagen and other cities in Scandinavia, were very much appreciated by the workers.

Elder L. R. Conradi gave a very interesting and encouraging report of the progress of the missionary operations being carried on by the European Division in different parts of Africa; and when a call was made for special donations to these missions, over $1,500 was raised. On Sabbath afternoon Brethren L. F. Langford, W. Maudsley, and B. Armstrong were ordained to the gospel ministry. This was the largest meeting, and one of the best, ever held by our brethren in Great Britain.

The rapid developments of the war in Europe, which broke out during this conference, lent a special interest to the meetings. As the brethren were brought face to face with the grim realities of this great war, they were led earnestly to seek God and to consecrate themselves to his service as never before. On the second day of the meeting Germany declared war on Russia, the following day England called up all her naval reserves. On the last day of the meeting England sent her ultimatum to Germany. Elders Conradi and Tieche both left the meeting to return home as soon as hostilities began.

It was with some anxiety that I awaited the time I was booked to sail for home, August 6; but fortunately the boat left Liverpool at the time appointed, and we had an uneventful voyage to New York. There were hundreds of Americans on the boat returning home, many of whom had been obliged to leave most of their baggage on the Continent and to flee with only what they could carry in their hands. Some had little more than the clothes on their backs. Elder Conradi's last request as he parted from us was that we remember the work and workers in Europe in prayer in this time of trial.