p. 16 | A Word From the South by O. C. GOSMARK

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 22, 1904

A Word From the South

By O. C. GOSMARK

ONLY those who are in this Southern field can know or appreciate what the Lord is doing in this part of his vineyard. From the beginning there has been a steady growth. The work in the Cumberland Conference (eastern Kentucky and eastern Tennessee) has gone forward during the past year in a manner that can but bring gratitude to the hearts of those who are interested in the advancement of the Master’s cause here.

We have only a small conference, but little more than five hundred members in all, and but four ordained ministers, two licentiates, four Bible workers, and a small corps of canvassers in the field; yet the Lord has gone out before us, and opened the way for the message to be carried to a large number of the people of this conference. We have had five tents in the field a large part of the summer, one of these being donated and practically run by Brother Ramsay, of Battle Creek, Mich.

During the past summer there have been two churches organized in Kentucky. In Tennessee there has been a good strong company raised up at one place, while at another, one of our older churches has been greatly strengthened, and a new church building is in process of erection. Two camp-meetings have been held, and the colored work has received a new impetus. A number of new tents have been purchased, and under the earnest efforts of Brother Cole, our conference canvassing agent, our literature is being circulated among the people.

This simple report may not seem like much to our strong Northern Conferences; but to us who are here in the South, and have the conditions of this field to meet, these omens of the Lord’s blessing bring hope and courage. We

have everything here to encourage us in the work, and we look forward to the time when we shall have strong conferences established in this long-neglected Southern field.

We frequently receive letters of inquiry from those in the North whose hearts the Lord is stirring to come South and live out the truth. There is an ever-open field here awaiting the proper persons. A living can be made just as easily here as in the North with its long, cold winters. We pray that the Lord will send just such as should come to this field, where there remains so much to be done to prepare the people to meet the Lord at his coming. Brethren, remember the work here in your prayers.

O. C. GOSMARK.