Report From the Southern Union Conference
By George Ide Butler
I was asked by the editor of the REVIEW to furnish reports from time to time, from this part of the Southern field. One or two have been written in the past, and I have purposed, for some time, to write another, but have been greatly hindered by a pressure of various cares. It seems to be generally admitted, by those most conversant with matters in this conference, that a steady, encouraging growth has been seen since the organization of this field into a union conference. The progress has been more perceptible during the last year than during any of the two or three preceding years; indeed, so far as the writer knows, throughout this union conference courage and hope prevail, and better days are expected. The servant of the Lord has written the encouraging words that “the cloud is lifting,” and that the work is moving onward. A greater degree of union exists at the present time than has been seen previously. Our anniversary meetings in January were most hopeful. All seemed of good courage. The week-of-prayer seasons were marked, in many instances, with the special evidences of God's helpful presence. In Nashville fourteen were baptized as a result of the meetings, and admissions into the church have been more than ordinary; indeed, the condition of the Nashville church seems to the writer far more encouraging than at any past time since I have been in this field. A spirit of love and of union seems to prevail, with a growing desire to increase the missionary efforts of the church, to circulate our literature, and to spread abroad the light of the message. The condition of our office employees has greatly improved during the last year or two, and a good religious influence prevails. About seventy workers keep very busy, and many of them seem happy and devoted to the blessed work in which they are engaged. The work in the office began under great difficulties, the locality here being one where there were comparatively few of the old, experienced workers in the printing business, and an efficient force had to be created. For a time, quite a proportion of the helpers were not of our faith, and came in with their worldly habits, but this has changed. We think our corps of helpers will compare favorably with those of our older offices, and yet we still need some experienced workers. The office has greatly improved in efficiency and quality of work, and we have plenty to keep the employees busy. The great proportion of our work is for the cause of God, but little commercial work, comparatively, passing through the office. The prospects before us are excellent. Since the connection of this field with the Southwestern Union Conference, our territory in which to expand and find readers for our publications has largely increased. The branch office sends in very encouraging reports. It has been established in Fort Worth, Tex., as the central point for the Southwestern Union Conference, and we have bright hopes that before this conference year shall close, we shall see a large volume of our literature spread abroad all through this great field. There is a great work to be done in this Southern field. Probably not one tenth as much has been accomplished in the Southern States as in the Northern States. Various difficulties have to be met that do not exist in the North. Our poverty is one of the most difficult features of our work. There is so much to be done, but we have not the means with which to carry it forward. This condition meets us at almost every turn. The Building of Sanitariums in the South
Light came to us, over two years ago, that we ought to have small sanitariums in connection with all the large cities of the South. We know, from our own knowledge and experience, that this is a very important and essential thing to be accomplished. Our experience has not been bright, by any means, and yet we are steadily making some progress. One of our sanitariums was consumed by fire, the one in Hildebran, N. C. As there was no insurance, it was a total loss. It was very discouraging to our dear brethren and sisters of North Carolina. They have not yet been able to rebuild. Our Graysville sanitarium has come the nearest to completion of any. Quite a commodious building has been erected, and nearly finished. Several outbuildings—a laundry, engine-house, etc.—are greatly needed. We are somewhat in debt, but the institution will soon be ready to take in patients. This sanitarium has a beautiful spring of water, flowing out of the mountain, which supplies all the water needed, and many are charmed with its romantic situation. It has a quiet, retired locality, and a most charming, beautiful view, being situated on the mountainside. We all hope that there is a useful future for the Graysville Sanitarium, and that it may do much good to the many afflicted ones in the surrounding country. Little Sanitarium at Atlanta, Georgia
Our small sanitarium in Atlanta has been receiving patients for months in the past. The building and premises once occupied by the branch office of the Review and Herald Publishing Co., which were left unsold for a few years after the retirement of the branch office from that locality, when the work was established at Nashville, were presented to the cause in Atlanta and Georgia, to be used for sanitarium purposes. The house was somewhat out of repair when it came into the hands of the conference. Several hundred dollars was expended in making repairs and fitting it up for use. It has a very fine bathroom; but the money being all spent, this was left unfinished. Brother C. F. Curtis, who has long devoted himself to nursing in the city, has charge of the premises as superintendent. He advanced quite a sum of money, without interest, and some other persons also loaned money to carry on the work of repairing, and yet a few hundred dollars is needed to fully prepare it for occupancy, though a few patients have been treated there during the past few months. A loan of a few hundred dollars to the institution would be a great help. The property is not in debt except for the money used in making the repairs of which we have already spoken. It would be a perfectly safe investment. As it is, we are greatly embarrassed, and hardly feel that it would be proper to advertise an institution that was not really fitted for occupancy. If any of the benevolent readers of the REVIEW could loan, without interest, or at a reasonable rate of interest, enough to fully equip this institution, it would be a blessing to the cause in that locality. We have no doubt that, were it in proper condition, it might be constantly filled with patients. It need take but a short time, if we had the means, to have everything in proper order, so that we could advertise for patients, and I doubt not there would be a response. The Sanitarium in Nashville, Tennessee
And what shall I say in regard to our Nashville Sanitarium? Light came to us, years ago, that there must be a sanitarium in Nashville. Brother L. A. Hansen, for a number of years, has been bringing before the citizens of Nashville our health principles, giving some treatments, selling health foods, etc. He has most certainly gained the respect and confidence of leading citizens of the place. More recently Dr. O. M. Hayward has united with him, and a sanitarium Board has been elected, of which Elder Haskell, Elder Allee, and the writer are members. Two houses, one in the central part of the city, and one in the outskirts, have been rented, and probably more patients have been treated at the latter than at Graysville, though under very unfavorable circumstances. The lack of funds has seemed to make it impossible to carry on the work as it ought to be in such a city as this, the headquarters of our work in the Southern Union Conference. Yet, through the sacrificing efforts of those who have labored, in some instances almost without pay, the work has been made self-supporting since the conference purchased the work that Brother Hansen had developed. The sanitarium is now being organized into19a corporation under the laws of the State. It is greatly hoped that we shall secure, by rent, quarters that will be far more favorable than anything we have had up to the present time, so that the work can be enlarged. We have no doubt but there will be a large patronage, if we can secure buildings that will properly represent our work, and make the patients comfortable. Dr. Hayward has earned, already, a most favorable reputation as a skillful and successful physician; and the work is well started. We feel certain that the South is one of the most needy fields for the introduction of health principles of any in the United States, not that they have not excellent and famous medical institutions, but the light of truth on health principles, which God has in mercy given us as a people, ought to be presented in all parts of the South. Everything is hopeful, except the lack of money to establish these important institutions in the large cities of the South. Many Southern people have gone to Battle Creek, to visit the great sanitarium there, and have come back with most encouraging words for it; but they do not like the Northern winters. Institutions are needed throughout the South, and they would be patronized, too. Those of us laboring here have sought to do our very best to push forward the work, but it can not be done without means. We have no criticisms to make about anybody, neither do we murmur or complain, but it is only reasonable that our people should know how we are situated. GEO. I. BUTLER,
President of Southern Union Conf.
(To be concluded)