Thirteenth Meeting by H. W. Cottrell; W. A. Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1905

Thirteenth Meeting

By H. W. Cottrell; W. A. Spicer

THE thirteenth meeting was called at 9:30 A. M., May 18. H. W. Cottrell was in the chair.

Prayer was offered by E. T. Russell, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read.

On motion, consideration of the report pending at last adjournment was deferred, in order to listen to the report of the Southern Union Conference, which was presented by G. I. Butler. The following is a very brief summary:—

Southern Union Conference

This union conference has nine States in its territory. Population, white, 9,084,496; colored, 5,823,023. This territory was once the great heart of the Southern Confederacy, and is compact. Because of this solidity, and the strong social and other ties binding all portions together, this union conference of the sunny South must be most influential among the union conferences of this country. For nearly forty years our message has been penetrating this territory, but the general progress was slow. Believers in this truth were raised up here and there. The Tennessee River Conference, the first conference, was organized in 1879.

In the South, generally, people are strongly attached to old church associations. They have a respect for religion, and an unusual regard for their ministry, so that they are less inclined to break away from their own churches, and the influence of the minister is generally greater than in the North. These things make it more difficult to secure attention to the message for this time. After sixteen years in the South, we have learned to love the people, and to know that there are thousands and thousands of noble souls who would be glad to receive this truth, if they understood it as we do. It is a pleasure to live among them, and become acquainted with their kindness, hospitality, and goodness of heart.

Our work is gaining in strength. Nineteen churches have been added during the two years. Churches now, 99. Members added, 529. Present membership, 2,353. The tithe last year was $22,035.97, an increase of $1,464.67 over that of two years ago. The average tithe is about eight dollars which compares most favorably with the average in the North.

With special difficulties in the general field, it is in the effort for the vast colored population that the greatest difficulties

exist. One third of the population is colored. More or less had been done among these for years, yet but little was accomplished until Brother J. E. White and his associates began work in Mississippi, with the "Morning Star" steamer as the basis of operation. This work has steadily grown, amid difficulties known only to those in the field.

The leading institutional interest is the Southern Publishing Association. It has turned out a large amount of work, and has a good equipment. Sometimes it has had to work night and day. It needs assistance, however, and counsel is asked of this conference as to its work. The Graysville Training-school is the most important educational institution in this union conference. The attendance last year was the largest in its history. The large majority of students have left it as Christians. This school needs further improvement in facilities, however. The colored school at Huntsville, Ala., has struggled heroically with a difficult problem, and is becoming stronger and stronger. A great work is before it. Last of all, a school to train teachers (white) for some of the Southern districts has been started near Nashville by Brethren Sutherland, Magan, and others.

The Southern Watchman has been prospered, but needs a still larger circulation to become self-supporting.

The time for the ministerial institute having come, it was agreed that the Southern Union report should be completed at another hour.

Meeting adjourned.

H. W. COTTRELL, Chairman, W. A. SPICER, Secretary.