Four Years in Florida by R. W. Parmele

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 6, 1911

Four Years in Florida

By R. W. Parmele

A few days ago I read a report of the progress of the work in the Indiana Conference, and thought perhaps the readers of the REVIEW would be as much interested in a report from Florida as I was in that report.

My personal acquaintance with the work here covers but four years. We have had many difficulties to encounter during this time, but the Lord has abundantly blessed, and success has attended our efforts. The climate of Florida has made it possible for us to operate our tents continuously, winter and summer, and almost every effort has been productive of fruit. The reported membership of the conference four years ago was four hundred. It is now seven hundred. We then had sixteen churches, and now there are twenty-eight. Some of our churches are being reduced by removals and apostasy; but our present membership can not be much inflated, if any, as we have done some thorough pruning in many of our churches.

The Lord has also wonderfully blessed us financially. Each year has marked an increase in tithes, gradually gaining from a little over six thousand dollars to over ten thousand dollars for last year. We have been enabled to liquidate a net indebtedness of $854.66, to give the General Conference $1,250 surplus plus tithe, and have left a net present worth of approximately five thousand dollars. Our total donations to missions last year amounted to something over four thousand dollars. The last report sent me from our union conference office shows that the Florida Conference had paid over three hundred dollars more than an average of ten cents a week for each member, notwithstanding our increase in membership.

During this time, also, we have started the Florida Sanitarium, which is now completing its third year of successful operation, with a good showing of gain. This institution is owned and operated solely by the Florida Conference. It has been a success from the start, notwithstanding the influences that have continually warred against it.

The sanitarium property consists of about fifty acres of land, one main building, two stone cottages,—one for conference and sanitarium business offices,—and eight wooden cottages, besides storehouses, a barn, and a school building for primary and intermediate students. There are two beautiful lakes on the grounds, on which the patients greatly enjoy boating. The institution also owns a herd of seven cows, two good horses, etc.

That the sanitarium is appreciated by the citizens of Orlando is shown by the fact that the board of trade recently voted to make an effort to raise a fund of five thousand dollars to assist in the erection of a new modern main building. Two thousand dollars of this fund is now made up, and the work on the building is begun. We shall move only so fast as money is in hand for the work. We trust that our own people will not allow others to outdo them in generosity to this noble undertaking. This enlargement has the indorsement of our union conference president, also of the General Conference president. When the new building is finished and fully equipped, the institution will be complete. There are no pressing debts, and the net present worth is about ten thousand dollars, all gained during the past three years, without funds, and with no financial help from the General or the union conference.

A primary and intermediate school had been started at Fort Ogden just before my connection with the work in Florida. The work has been carried on there since by Prof. B. D. Gullett. Under his efficient management the school has made a good impression upon the citizens of that locality, and the students have made excellent progress in their studies. The school has not enjoyed the patronage of pupils from other parts of the State that we wished it might, but it has moved steadily forward, and we hope for better days for it in the future. Recently some material improvements have been made on the buildings, and the school is now in better condition for work than ever before. As Professor Gullett has been called to other work, the school board would be glad to secure a good man and his wife to take charge of the school and the home. We would suggest that some suitable family contemplating removal to Florida might find here an opportunity to help and be helped.

The saying, “In union there is strength,” has never seemed truer to me than during my experience in Florida. I have never labored in a conference where the laborers have been more

united than here. Without exception, their aim has been to push the work rapidly and vigorously. This unity, blessed of God, is sure to bring good results. I have greatly appreciated the support of my fellow laborers; and wherever my lot may be cast in the future, their kind words and helpful spirit will not be forgotten.

R. W. PARMELE.