GENERAL MEETING FOR DISTRICT 2.
By George A. Irwin
This meeting was held at Graysville, Tenn., January 4-14. The interest in the meeting was such that the day prior to the beginning nearly all the delegates were present; and by the time of the opening services all the workers in the mission field were present except two or three. At the first meeting, Thursday afternoon, the program for the coming days was announced, which consisted of an early morning meeting at half-past five, reading of the Testimonies at nine o’clock; talks by Sister Haskell, at ten o’clock, on Bible work and the necessary preparation for it; and at eleven o’clock the business meeting of the Conference. The afternoon services began at three o’clock, the first hour being devoted to Conference and miscellaneous business, and from four to five to a sermon by Brother Haskell. No public meetings were held in the church at night, but each evening from half-past six to half-past seven a talk was given in the parlor of the young ladies’ dormitory to the students of the school. Elder Allee was sick in bed the first few days of the meeting; and Brother and Sister Haskell had been expected to occupy. The attendance was the largest that has ever been at any general meeting held in this District, there being over one hundred persons present from different parts of the field outside of Graysville. From the first, the meeting was characterized by a devotional spirit, all seeming to have come for but one purpose,—to learn what the Lord had for us at this time. Close attention was paid to the reading of the Testimonies; and as the different Testimonies were read (which, taken as a whole, gave to each branch of the work its proper place), the confidence of those who had heretofore been a little wavering was fully restored, so that by the close of the meeting there was a unanimous expression of thankfulness for this gift that is among the remnant people of God. The labors of Brother and Sister Haskell were much appreciated. Hearty “amens” could be heard all through the congregation, as they dwelt upon the main features of our faith, which have made us a separate and distinct people. Beautiful light and truth were brought out by Sister Haskell’s studies on the sanctuary, and it was made clear that in this subject centers the whole plan of salvation, and from it radiates every ray of light on those distinctive features that we denominate “present truth.” These studies not only cheered the hearts of the brethren for the time being, but I trust they have been the means of inspiring in them a resolve and purpose more thoroughly to study the Word than ever before. The Lord especially blessed Elder Haskell as, from day to day, he stood before the people to unfold to them the beautiful truths of the third angel’s message. To many it seemed like new light, as, aided by the Spirit of God, he was enabled to bring out the great underlying principles of the message, which exploded many errors and beliefs that have been gaining a foothold in the minds of some. A full synopsis of these studies will be published in the Southern Review. The reports from the laborers in the field showed growth in the work since the last District Conference. Several new churches have been organized, and some church buildings erected, and a number of small church schools established. The school work received its due share of consideration, and the reports showed an encouraging increase and advancement. The Southern Industrial School was represented by the principal, Prof. C. W. Irwin. This school seems to be in a prosperous condition, the attendance being larger than heretofore, and of an older and more advanced class of students. The work being done is of a practical nature, so that young persons are being fitted to go out as church school teachers, as canvassers, or to engage in other work as the Lord opens the way. The school met with a loss in the burning of the boys’ dormitory, Sunday evening, the 7th. However, there is room for the boys in the unfinished part of the new dormitory for the girls, which was built last summer. A collection of three hundred and fifty dollars was taken to aid in finishing off this new building, while they are waiting for the insurance on the one that was burned. The winter term of the school, which is to be a special term for the fitting up of workers, began at the close of the Conference. Elder John A. Brunson will be connected with the school during that time, to conduct special work in Bible study. Brother S. M. Jacobs gave an interesting report of the progress of the work at the Oakwood Industrial School for colored students. Their new building is rapidly approaching completion, and they hope to have it ready for dedication at the time of their meeting. The building is thirty by sixty-four feet, four stories high, including the basement, and has a capacity for forty students, with a commodious chapel and recitation rooms on the first floor above the basement. They have at present fifty-five students, the majority of whom are of a more mature age and better class of students than heretofore. The withdrawal of Sister Hattie Andre from the school to accept a position in the school in Cooranbong, was a trial to the friends here; but all bade her Godspeed in her response to the call of the Lord. For the present, Brother B. E. Nicola is left alone in the management of the class work, only as he is assisted by some of the more advanced students. He has done acceptable75work, and seems to enjoy laboring for this people. The following changes were made in the location of laborers in the field: Elder H. W. Pierce, at present connected with the Tennessee River Conference, will labor in connection with Elder R. S. Owen, in Mississippi. Elder B. F. Purdham, of North Carolina, will take the place in the Tennessee River Conference made vacant by the removal of Elder Pierce. Brother M. C. Sturdevant, who has formerly been laboring among the colored people in Birmingham, Ala., will take up work among this people in Atlanta, Ga.; and Elder W. L. Bird will take the place in Birmingham vacated by Brother Sturdevant. Brother J. R. Buster, of Kentucky, will also make Alabama his field of labor, under the direction of the director, Elder William Woodford. Elder M. G. Huffman will connect with Elder S. B. Horton in labor in Louisiana. Brother George W. Wells will connect with the work in the Cumberland Mission Field. Mrs. Laura Whitgrove will take up Bible work in Lexington, Ky. Elder L. C. Sheafe will labor at present at Camp Nelson, Ky. A few other contemplated changes were referred to the committee for further consideration. At the conclusion of the forenoon service on Sabbath, the 13th, Brother Fred W. Halladay was ordained to the gospel ministry, in harmony with a recommendation by the General Conference Committee at its fall session. The meeting closed Sunday afternoon with an earnest social meeting, which lasted for over an hour; and as the brethren parted to return to their different fields to take up their work anew, it was with an expressed determination to press the battle to the gate, and to labor as they had never done before for the salvation of souls. But the meeting that had been carried forward under such blessed influences, met with a sad termination in the sudden death of Sister S. M. I. Henry, which occurred on Tuesday, the 16th, at one o’clock in the morning. She came to the meeting in the beginning; apparently in good health and spirits; and in the first two days she spoke twice, with her usual power and freedom. Then, after Brother and Sister Haskell took up their work, she listened with intense interest, expressing her appreciation at different times of the new thoughts that she was receiving from their studies, and expressing a regret that she had not understood these things before, so she could have been a more acceptable laborer. She caught a little cold during the first part of the meeting, and missed one day. She then returned to the meetings, but was soon compelled to stop again, her cold soon developing into pneumonia, to which, owing to her weakened condition on account of her arduous labors of the last season, she succumbed. She had a comfortable place in Brother E. R. Gillett’s home, where every care and attention that was possible under the circumstances was given her, she having a trained nurse until the arrival of her son-in-law, Dr. F. M. Rossiter. A season of prayer was held around her bedside, in which Elders Haskell, Brunson, and the writer engaged. She did not ask for unconditional healing, but that the will of the Lord might be done in her case. She seemed to receive a great blessing at the time, and expressed herself as perfectly resigned to the Lord’s will; if that were to rest until he comes, she was satisfied; or if it were to be restored and go forward with the work she had mapped out, she was willing. She said that she had received a great blessing by attending the meeting; and that as she saw the truth in a new setting, she was led to search her heart as never before, and it had brought to her a sweet peace and rest in believing. The only regret she expressed was that she had not obeyed the Lord in taking periods of rest; and she requested me to admonish others bearing burdens of responsibility not to do as she had done. A memorial service was held in Graysville church the morning that her remains left for Battle Creek. The church was full, and a solemn awe pervaded the entire assembly, all seeming to feel that no ordinary person had passed away, but that in her death the message had met with a loss that could not readily be supplied. Remarks were made by Elders Haskell, Lane, Allee, Brunson, White, and the writer. At the conclusion of the service the whole congregation formed into line and followed the corpse to the train.