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The Cumberland Conference

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 10, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 41.

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The Cumberland Conference

By J. F. Pogue; E. B. Melendy

THE seventh annual session of the Cumberland Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held Aug. 20-22, 1907, at Cleveland, Tenn., just preceding the camp-meeting at that place. There were fifty-five delegates present, and some visitors. Three churches were admitted to the sisterhood of churches. Eighty-five new Sabbath-keepers were reported, though not all these are as yet members. The present membership in the conference is over six hundred and thirty, divided among the twenty-one churches. There are also about fifty-five or sixty meeting weekly in seven unorganized companies. There are nine church buildings in this conference, with a prospect of three or four others in the near future. Plans are on foot also for running three new church-schools, in addition to those that have been conducted heretofore, making altogether one intermediate, five church, and two mission schools, with an attendance of about one hundred and eighty-five. There are twenty-seven Sabbath-schools, with a membership of six hundred and twelve; and five Young People's Societies, with a combined membership of ninety-seven.
The conference pay-roll includes four ministers and one licentiate, and sometimes four and sometimes five Bible workers. This includes the paid officers,except the secretaries, only one of whom has any considerable employment. Two ministers and two Bible workers devote their entire time to the work among the colored people.
Notwithstanding the generally poor crops in this part of the country, the tithe shows but little decrease during the last eight months, being an average of $7.47 a member for the eight months, as against $12.18 a member the previous twelve months.
Other interesting statistics can not now be given, owing to the fact that few, if any, expected the conference year would be changed to end August 31, instead of December 31, as heretofore. Thus the various departments are not yet prepared with summaries or with general reports. The conference is doing a good work in the support of two native workers in African missions.
The work of the Young People's Societies is growing. Some of the old-fashioned church missionary societies have been revived, and are doing a noble work. We trust there may be more, and that they may greatly enlarge in usefulness.
The medical missionary work is having much prosperity, for which all are thankful. In addition to several individuals working in a private way, there are found in flourishing condition the Sanitarium Treatment Parlors, at Knoxville, Tenn., and the Graysville Sanitarium, at Graysville, Tenn. The directors of the latter are now planning on enlarging their capacity for patients by building a cottage for some of the helpers, and five or six tents are being pitched for immediate necessities.
The following officers and committees were unanimously elected for the ensuing year: President, J. F. Pogue; Vice-President, Cyrus Simmons; Executive Committee, J. F. Pogue, Cyrus Simmons, W. W. Williams, S. M. Jacobs, W. L. Bird, A. F. Harrison, A. M. Minnis; Conference and Field Secretary and Agent, E. B. Melendy; Associate Secretary, Mrs. E. B. Melendy; Secretary of Sabbath-school and Young People's Work, Mrs. A. F. Harrison; Assistant Secretary of Sabbath-school and Young People's Work, Miss Flora Dortch; Religious Liberty Secretary, M. B. Van Kirk; Educational Secretary, E. B. Melendy; Medical Secretary, L. A. Hansen; Assistant Medical Secretary, R. A. Lovell; Treasurer, S. M. Jacobs; Incorporators for Legal Association, the members of the Executive Committee; Auditors, Ben Auten, H. U. Jacobs, A. D. West, R. A. Lovell, R. L. Williams, A. Schellberg.
The following were granted the indicated papers of recognition, with the understanding that they do not imply conference employment, many being in private and institutional employment, as well as in the employ of the Southern Union Conference: Ministerial credentials, J. F. Pogue, W. L. Bird, E. L. Sanford, J. F. Brice, Smith Sharp, R. M. Kilgore, W. W. Williams, Prof. J. E. Tenney, G. H. Baber, Prof. M. B. Van Kirk, Dr. J. E. Caldwell, W. W. Webster, H. W. Pierce, C. G. Howell, Prof. H. S. Miller, Dr. O. C. Godsmark; ministerial licenses, R. A. Lovell, Cyrus Simmons, Milo E. Emmerson, A. F. Harrison, L. A. Hansen, Dr. A. J. Hetherington; missionary licenses, Mrs. Clara Russell, Miss Maude Dortch, Mrs. Anna Agee Hall, Miss Minnie Hildebrand, Mrs. A. F. Harrison, L. A. Jacobs, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitman, E. B. Melendy, Mrs. Mettie Lenker, Miss Annie Horning, Mrs. W. W. Williams, S. M. Jacobs, Mrs. Anna Hansen, Mrs. A. J. Hetherington, A. M. Minnis.
It was the general opinion that this was one of the best meetings ever held in this conference. Perfect unity prevailed. Truly a spirit of love and regard for the brethren was seen as never before.
Among others, resolutions of acknowledgment were voted to certain citizens of the place, for the free use of land and water for the encampment.
J. F. POGUE, President.
E. B. MELENDY, Secretary.