Our denominational work in what is known as the Southern field has had a checkered career. Early in the history of the third angel's message, the standard of truth was planted in various places in this territory. Oftentimes large numbers of people would receive the truth, and everything bid fair for great prosperity; souls were easily touched with the spirit and intensity of the third angel's message. All hopes would be strong that a conference of believers could soon be organized, and when matters would look so propitious, oftentimes the workers would return to the North or West to the places they had left when entering into this work, and the poor souls would be left a long time without spiritual help, or the presence of an evangelical worker. Thus, again and again good starts have been made, when suddenly, while everything looked encouraging, the field would be left without workers, and the work would largely "ravel out."
THE NASHVILLE CHURCH BUILDING
Some ten years ago the General Conference undertook to operate in the South from a different standpoint. It selected men who would go and live in that field, and adapt themselves to its environments, and give their lives to the great and noble work of building up the third angel's message in that territory. Since that time the work has prospered; conferences have been organized in nearly every Southern State; institutions have been planted in various places. Today, we can look with real interest on our school at Huntsville, upon our little sanitarium at Atlanta, Ga., upon our printing plant at Nashville, Tenn., and upon our school at Graysville, and on other enterprises which our brethren who have given their lives for the cause have established.
Periodicals have been started, containing the principles of the third angel's message, adapted to the conditions in that field. Literature has been brought out in a variety of forms, and thus the third angel's message has adapted itself to the noble work of helping to save souls in this field.
It will be well remembered that at the Battle Creek General Conference held in the spring of 1901, it was decided that a publishing house for the South should be established at Nashville, Tenn. The brethren in charge of the work in that territory took hold of this enterprise with earnest zeal, and soon an institution was provided, and the publishing work started in this place. Now a sanitarium is being started for the work in Nashville.
Not only has the publishing work planted its headquarters at Nashville, and have small sanitariums been started for both races, but the Southern Union Conference, operating in all the Southern States, has made Nashville the headquarters for all this territory.
Many of our people have had the privilege of visiting Nashville. Those who have seen the place know that it is a thriving, prosperous city, progressive in its ideas, healthful in its location, and that it occupies an influential place as an educational center for the growing and populous South.
Up to the time of the recent General Conference the believers in Nashville had never had a meeting-house of their own. When important meetings had been called at that place, they were compelled to accommodate themselves in the small chapel of the printing-house. This chapel is not sufficient in size, neither is the location favorable, for a general meeting place for the workers gathered from all parts of the South, and it was poorly adapted for the aggressive work needed to be done for the important city of Nashville.
There seemed no way for our influence to extend as it should in this center without providing a suitable church building in Nashville, in which our people could meet, and which could accommodate the numerous general meetings necessary to be called in the interests of the work in the South. To secure a suitable lot in the center of the city, and to build a suitable church building, meant an investment far surpassing the possibilities of the Southern Union Conference.
A providential opening presented itself, whereby our brethren there were able to provide themselves with a nice church building in a desirable location, within easy access of all parts of the city, at a price which was far below anything required in the erection of a building of like nature.
INTERIOR VIEW
One of the leading denominations of Nashville, having outgrown its meeting-house, desired to put up a more extensive building, and offered to sell to our people the one which they had outgrown, for the small sum of five thousand dollars. We are informed that this building cost in the neighborhood of sixteen18thousand dollars when it was first constructed some years ago.
The brethren who examined the house say it is in good condition, and will only require in the neighborhood of one thousand dollars in the way of repairs, for painting, new gutters, etc., when it will be practically as good as new.
This building is of solid brick, and has a good stone foundation. The lot itself, without the building, is supposed to be worth at least five thousand dollars in cash.
The church is carpeted throughout, both in the basement and in the auditorium, has cushioned seats made from hard wood, a good pipe-organ, and besides this there is a good piano. The auditorium will accommodate about four hundred people. There is a basement under the whole auditorium, which is divided into two parts.
Besides the building, there is ground sufficient for a play-ground for children, and our brethren think that they can use the basement for a good day-school. The church is lighted with both electricity and gas.
The brethren on the ground felt that it was a providential opening, and the General Conference Committee was in favor of their purchasing the property. This property has to be paid for in cash before Oct. 1, 1905. It will be seen from the illustrations that the building is well adapted to the needs of our people at Nashville.
Now, there is no way that our brethren can pay for this, except to call upon our people for donations. The General Conference Committee has voted that they will endeavor to help raise the funds to pay for this church at as early a date as possible.
We think that, from the statements that have been made, all can readily see the great need of a suitable church building at this place. Our brethren will greatly appreciate having a respectable place to which they can invite their friends to join them in worshiping God.
We believe that there are many brethren and sisters throughout the field who will gladly contribute a small sum to help raise this money at the earliest possible time. The donations can be forwarded to the General Conference treasurer, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., or to the treasurer of the Southern Union Conference, I. A. Ford, 1025 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn.
Shall we not all take hold and do what we can in raising this fund at the earliest possible moment? We know the hearts of our brethren in the South will be made to rejoice by the raising of the necessary funds, with which to pay for this church building.
