In the Cumberland Conference by W. H. Branson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1915

In the Cumberland Conference

By W. H. Branson

Two new churches have recently been organized in the Cumberland Conference, as a result of the tent efforts held in the summer. One of these is at Daisy, Tenn., and the other at Johnson City. At the former place, Brother Burt White and family, with the assistance of Brother A. B. Russell, conducted meetings in the spring, and the interest was closely followed up during the summer. A building was given to the conference, which has been remodeled and turned into a meetinghouse. Sunday, October 17, a church of twelve members was organized, with the election of a full corps of officers. There are many other interested persons in this place, and it is expected that at least five or six others will unite with the church soon. Brother White will continue to follow up the interest at this place.

Sabbath, October 9, the church in Johnson City was organized, with a membership of nineteen members. We expect that within two or three weeks the membership will number at least twenty-five. The church at this place grew out of an effort held during the summer by the writer and a company of helpers. This city had been worked a great deal in the past, but practically no fruit had been gathered. Only two Sabbath keepers were in the city when we pitched the tent this summer. However, it seemed that the time was ripe for another effort to be made there, and the Lord moved upon the heart of a person in the conference to contribute $400 toward the expense of a strong tent effort. This made it possible for us to secure a splendid location and to advertise the services in the daily paper. The meeting was the best advertised of any meetings ever held in the city, and probably the best attended. Many times the tent, which was

sixty by eighty feet, was too small to hold those who came.

That which contributed most largely to the success of this effort was the large amount of newspaper publicity that was given to the meetings. Besides large advertisements which were carried in the paper several times a week, at a very low rate, a full account was given of most of the sermons, gratis. For sixty consecutive days every sermon preached was reported in the press. Usually a full column, and often more, was given us for this purpose. It was said that our meeting received more space in the paper than any other meeting ever held in the city. This of course gave the meetings prestige as nothing else could have done. This is not the first time that we have used the newspapers, and we believe that it is the best possible method of advertising.

A neat church and church school building has now been erected in the best part of Johnson City, and the organization was perfected in our own building.

I have now been connected with the Cumberland Conference for a little more than three years, and I am thankful that there are evidences that the prospering hand of God has been over the work during that period. During this time six churches have been organized, four church buildings erected, and one church building purchased. The tithe income has sprung from $6,866.66 in 1912, to $9,000 for the present year. The book sales in 1911 amounted to $6,426.90, while for the past three years the sales have averaged $10,600 a year. Offerings to missions have also showed an increase. In 1911, $2,430 was contributed, whereas $4,833.82 was given to the mission fields in 1914.

For all that God has done for his work in this part of the great Southern field we are thankful, and we trust that he has still greater blessings in store. W. H. BRANSON.