Eastern Canadian Union by M. N. Campbell

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

Eastern Canadian Union

By M. N. Campbell

THE extended circle of REVIEW readers will doubtless be interested in learning of the progress of the cause in the Eastern Canadian Union Conference. This union stretches from Port Arthur, on the west, to the farther coast of Newfoundland, on the east—an immense reach of territory, half the width of the United States. The population of this section of the Dominion is estimated at more than five millions. The work in Canada has grown rather slowly in past years. In spite of the fact that every inch of ground has been bitterly contested and won by the very hardest and most persistent effort, yet the cause has made progress.

The present season we held seven tent efforts in this field, each of which has been successful in gathering in a company of Sabbath-keeping believers. At Moncton, New Brunswick, the tent in which the union conference session was held was left standing, and Elders M. M. Hare and D. J. C. Barrett conducted a series of meetings in it until the latter part of July. Twelve persons embraced the truth as a result of this effort. Early in August, Elder Barrett pitched a tent at Florence, on Cape Breton Island, and succeeded in bringing out twelve persons at that place.

At Sherbrooke, in the province of Quebec, Elder A. V. Olson, the president of that conference, conducted a tent effort, assisted by Brother M. O. Dingman, and Miss Eva Johnston as Bible worker. As a result of this effort, between twenty and twenty-five persons accepted present truth.

In the Ontario Conference four tent efforts were conducted. Elder F. W. Johnston held a series of meetings in Peterboro, assisted by Brother Nathan Wagar. This series brought out a company of twenty. Elder M. J. Allen conducted a tent effort in Toronto, near the center of the business district, and had a large hearing throughout the entire series. At the close of the tent meetings, twelve had taken their stand with us, and an interest had been created, which Brother and Sister Allen are following up. They expect several others to unite with us. Elder F. C. Webster, assisted by Brethren Leonard Payne and G. W. Sowler, conducted tent meetings in St. Catharines, in the Niagara District. Ten persons accepted the faith at that place.

Another series of tent meetings was opened among the Pagan Indians on the reserve south of Brantford, by Brother B. E. Manual. This series was begun quite late and only three meetings a week were held, so he was obliged to take down his tent before the interest had been well developed. He remains there to follow up the work, with good prospects of a number of converts. The six tent efforts from which we have had reports have resulted in bringing out over eighty persons. The expenses of these six efforts amounted to $617.66. The collections amounted to $475.33, leaving a difference of $142.33. We feel that this is a most excellent record.

From reports that have reached me of late, however, nearly as many have been brought into the truth by other means in this union as were gathered in from the tent efforts. This means a material increase in the number of believers in this field, and has proved a source of great encouragement to our people who have been loyally maintaining the work with their tithes and offerings. Our churches generally have been organized for the missionary campaign, and are busy in the circulation of literature and in holding Bible studies among the peo-[[FIGURE]]ple. This is already bearing fruit in addition to the number of believers. Altogether the work is moving forward in a very satisfactory manner in this field, and we believe that there is a great future before it. A splendid spirit of unity and good fellowship prevails among our workers and churches, and all are thoroughly aroused to the importance of quickly finishing the work.

M. N. CAMPBELL.