Southern Union Conference by George B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1916

Southern Union Conference

By George B. Thompson

The sixth biennial session of the Southern Union Conference was held in the chapel of the Southern Publishing Association, at Nashville, Tenn. The regular session was preceded by the annual meeting of the publishing association. The Lord has greatly blessed this institution during the past year, and a substantial reduction was made in the indebtedness. The outlook for the future is most encouraging.

A bookmen’s convention was also held for a few days preceding the meeting. The prospect for selling our publications in this field was never brighter. God is working miracles in the sale of our publications in the Southland, as well as elsewhere.

The first few days of the session of the conference here, as in other unions, were devoted to institute work, which was attended by the blessing of God. The studies were given by Elder I. H. Evans and the writer.

The reports rendered at the conference showed progress in all lines. I take the following from the report of the president of the union:

“At the beginning of the period the membership of the union was 2,273; at the close of 1915 it was 3,054, or an actual gain in membership of 781. At the beginning there were 28 ordained ministers, 9 licensed ministers, and 41 licensed missionaries, or a total of 78 workers; at the close of this period there were 26 ordained ministers, 13 licensed ministers, and 39 licensed missionaries, making the same total—78. From many family altars prayers are being offered for the salvation of souls. The workers are not alone in this plea for converts. There is a real forward move to accomplish the task set for the church. This brings consecration, which makes the government of the church easy, and leaves the ministers free, giving them more time for evangelistic work. Home missionary work has contributed its share to the success in this line, though as yet we have no home missionary secretary for the union.

“Through the liberality of the Division Conference, self-denial week, and private donations, the association deficit was reduced $8,384.56. The increase in the amount of foreign mission funds was $6,278.67. During the year 1915, the amount raised for missions was nearly as much as was raised during the previous biennial period. There was $6,591.91 tithe in excess of the previous period. When we look at these figures in this way, it seems very encouraging; but when we look at the statistics and find that the per capita in tithe and foreign mission offerings is growing less every year, it is not so encouraging. It seems that as we increase our membership, we increase the total amount of tithe and offerings, but we have not been able to increase the per capita ratio.

“At the beginning of this period there were 78 colporteurs in the field, while now there are 56. These evidently have been doing excellent work, as we find there is an increase of $28,360.97 in the sale of books. This is evidence that the success of this work does not depend on numbers.”

Unity is manifested in the work. Elder S. E. Wight was unanimously re-elected president for the coming quadrennial term. The other officers were also reelected. The plans for the future look toward strong evangelical work in each conference; and a strong effort will be made to double their membership during the next four years.

Consideration of future plans for the Graysville school brought a number of workers together from outside the union, who shared in the blessings and responsibilities of the meetings.

This field presents many local difficulties, yet God is working for the advancement of his cause. Unity in the educational interests as well as in other lines, is being manifested in this field as never before. Let us pray for the work in the South.

G. B. Thompson.