A Few Days at the Southern Union Conference Council by Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 26, 1905

A Few Days at the Southern Union Conference Council

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

In company with Professor Prescott, I spent a few days at Nashville, attending the annual council of the Southern Union Conference Committee, which opened January 10. Owing to other appointments, I was not able to be present at the beginning of the council, nor to stay until its close. But it was a privilege which I greatly enjoyed to meet again with our dear brethren in the South. The reports they gave of the various features of the work in that part of the field were very helpful to me. The personal contact with those who are struggling with difficulties, and rejoicing over victories, brings us into closer union and more intelligent co-operation.

One long meeting of the council was devoted to the presentation of reports from conference presidents regarding the progress of the cause in their respective conferences. Most of these reports showed substantial gains in membership, funds, etc. The Lord has blessed the ministry of his people during the past year. As usual, the great cry is for more laborers and means to answer the many calls for help.

Two days were given to the educational work in the South. Professor Tenney gave a most encouraging report of the attendance, the spiritual condition, and the industrial features of the Graysville Academy. Professor Sutherland outlined at considerable length the plans of the school which he and his associates are just starting near Nashville. Brother F. R. Rogers and his co-workers gave a full report of the Huntsville Training-school. During the last six months most earnest efforts have been put forth to improve the conditions of this institution. From the details of the work presented by the principal and those in charge of the business and industrial departments, we were led to believe that very encouraging progress has been made. The attendance has been greatly enlarged, so that now seventy or more colored students are attending the school. The building and equipments have been greatly improved, and strenuous efforts have been made to make the farm contribute more largely to the support of the enterprise. The brethren in charge of this institution have been greatly pleased to receive financial help during the past few months, and earnestly solicit a continuance of contributions until the school can be placed on vantage-ground. A number of the leading brethren who visited the school just before the council opened, heartily confirmed all that the reports presented regarding the improvements that have been made. The policy being followed by those in charge of the school appears sensible, and we believe that our people may confidently expect to hear good reports regarding the Huntsville school.

Considerable time was given to the publishing interests in the South. Most of the discussion relating to this department of the work occurred before I reached the meeting. The reports submitted by the manager showed that very decided changes have been made during the last year, and that in some respects the conditions relating to the publishing interests have been greatly improved. The sale of our literature in the South is steadily increasing. The work of the factory has been greatly enlarged during the past year. Those who have kept close watch of the financial features have been aware that the institution has shown a heavy loss each year since it began operations. But during the past year this loss has been very largely reduced. Those in charge were very hopeful one year ago that this would be done, and we all desired that it should. The expectations of most of those acquainted with the situation have been met, and we are very hopeful that another year will record a gain instead of a loss, even though it is small this year compared with former years.

The report of the medical branch of the work had not been submitted when we were obliged to leave; but we learned that although working under many disadvantages, encouraging success has attended this line of work. The Graysville Sanitarium has received substantial financial help, and has been greatly improved, and is now fully prepared for good work. The brethren in charge of the medical work at Nashville have struggled with many unfavorable conditions. I understand that their work has been fully self-supporting; but they see vast opportunities before them for a splendid work, but owing to a lack of means, they are unable to take full advantage of these opportunities.

As we looked upon this truly destitute field, and talked with our brethren who are doing all they know how to develop the interests of this cause there, we felt an inexpressible longing to render our brethren more help in their efforts to build up the cause. No doubt quite full reports of this council will appear in the REVIEW, and I bespeak for them a careful reading by all our people.

We appreciated the hearty welcome extended to us, and the deep interest manifested by the brethren in the South in what we presented to them regarding the interests of the cause in other parts of the world. In no place in our recent travels have we met with more hearty sympathy than at Nashville. We could easily detect a sweet, tender, brotherly spirit in the meetings, which assured us that the good spirit of the Master is dwelling with, and working in, the hearts of our fellow laborers in the South.

Brethren Butler and Haskell, who have been so long identified with this cause, and have labored so prominently for its upbuilding and progress, are giving the work in the South the benefit of their energies and experience. We were sorry that we could not remain longer with our brethren, and join with them in the consideration of their problems, and in devising ways and means for the more rapid extension of the work in that field. Let us remember them at the throne of grace, and render every assistance we can consistently with the demands of the great field in which we are sent to labor for our Master.

A. G. DANIELLS.