The Needs of the Southern Field
By Stephen N. Haskell
THE real condition of things in the South is but little understood by our brethren in the North. The spirit of prophecy has been telling us for years that our duty toward the South was being neglected. When, in the providence of God, the war closed, and there was a more friendly feeling between the North and the South, it was time for our people to make special efforts in the South. We little understood the real Southern sentiment that existed, and many did not know how to adapt themselves to the situation. But there are several conditions which make the South at the present time the most important field of any part of the world. While doors are opening in China, Japan, India, and in every part of the world, the doors that have been open for more than forty years in the South, and not entered, now are closing. We would in no wise speak disparagingly of the wants of our foreign mission fields. They should not be neglected, but is it best to have all our attention centered on foreign fields, while nearly one third of the United States of America lies desolate and neglected? The Southern Publishing Association needs funds. Those who will help now by donating of their means to establish the Southern publishing house will co-operate with the Spirit of God. The spirit of prophecy has spoken very plainly that there should be a publishing house at Nashville, but we have no funds with which to go forward with the work. We have also been told why Nashville should be the center of the work in the South, and the reason is very sensibly felt by those at Nashville. It is an educational center, and the race prejudice is not so strong as in other places. While there is a strong feeling, yet among the citizens of this city there is not that bigotry that is seen in many cities. At the present time we need at least five thousand dollars to establish a sanitarium for the colored people. We do not know how to present this matter so that our friends in the North shall appreciate its importance. There are large schools for the colored people in Nashville; this city is also the headquarters of the Sunday-school work among them. It is the center of the colored Baptist work. Their publishing interests are located here, and the leading people of that race meet in Nashville. There is no other place in all the South where the light could reach the most intelligent portion of the colored people as at Nashville. Why should there not be at least five of our brethren who could give one thousand dollars each? It would do them good, and the work could then be represented as it should be. Buildings can be leased, but in that case they are liable to be taken from us. There is no certainty of retaining a building any length of time unless it is purchased. Five thousand20dollars would place a colored sanitarium upon a proper basis, under the management of a committee which would see that every dollar was spent judiciously. What may be said of this branch of the work can also be said of a sanitarium for the white people. At the present time we have treatment rooms rented in the city. We have a building two miles in the country, with ten acres of land, also rented, but it is impossible to do aggressive work when we have no funds. Will our people who are stewards realize the truthfulness of the voice of the spirit of prophecy, which has been speaking to us for years, and arise and help the cause in this city, and by so doing help it all through the South? There are four small sanitariums in the South, which our brethren are struggling to carry over the present financial crisis. These are among our white people, but we are brought to a standstill as far as means are concerned to lift over the present difficulty. The publishing house has purchased new machinery; this they were obliged to do or else close their business. To close business would have been ruinous to the cause in the South. They have moved out in faith, believing that the appropriations made by the General Conference would be received. We have looked forward with hope that the annual offerings would replenish the treasuries here in the South, but this has failed, and we appeal to our brethren all through the North who have means, to remember the work in the South. We believe that God will hear prayer, and that he has heard prayer and will give assistance, but we are anxious that this assistance shall come in season, as ten times more can be accomplished at the present time than can be accomplished in a few years from now. Doors are open, but they are being closed. Some have assisted us, and we are thankful for it, and we believe that the Lord will remember them. In conclusion we insert the statistics from the new Year Book. The figures give the population, membership, and number of churches in each conference. Atlantic Union Conf... 26,261,151 8,166 269
Southern Union Conf... 14,910,689 2,242 80
Lake Union Conf... 15,985,583 16,321 449
Northern Union Conf... 2,890,639 4,087 140
Central Union Conf... 8,716,023 13,486 353
Southwestern U. Conf... 5,150,665 2,896 87
Pacific Union Conf... 3,546,579 9,877 211 We have seven union conferences. The Atlantic Union Conference, with its population of over 26,000,000 souls, has 269 churches, and a membership of over 8,000. The Lake Union Conference, with a population of 15,985,583, has a membership of 16,321, and 449 churches, while the Southern Union Conference, with a population of 14,910,689, has only 80 churches and 2,242 members. The population of the Southern Union is only one million less than the Lake Union and more than half that of the Atlantic Union, and yet it has the smallest number of Sabbath-keepers and churches of any union conference in the United States. These figures are sufficient to vindicate all that the spirit of prophecy has said about neglected duty toward the Southern field. Why does the Lake Union Conference so far outstrip every conference in the country in membership and churches? Is it not because so many of our leading institutions have been located there? Are not the souls in the South of as great value in God's sight as are the souls in the North? We appeal to our brethren in the name of the cause of present truth to take this matter to heart, and ask the Lord what is their individual duty toward this neglected field. Will there not be a record to meet in the day of judgment that is unpleasant? Are not we responsible for this neglected field? If the Lord impresses you to help this needy field, send your donations to the Southern Publishing Association, 1025 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn., stating what branch of the cause you wish to assist, and it will be duly credited.