South Carolina by E. W. Webster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 7, 1904

South Carolina

By E. W. Webster

Eleven years ago last April Mrs. Webster and I came to Spartanburg, S. C., to give the third angel's message to the people of this State. At that time there was not another Sabbath-keeper in the State that we knew of, and no one had ever before been sent into this field to carry on this most important work.

Soon after, Brother J. O. Johnston came to Greenville, where he carried on a similar work. We made a vigorous effort to supply these places with our literature, visited and held readings with the people, and held some meetings. A few accepted the truth in both places, and in Spartanburg a church was organized by Elder R. M. Kilgore in the fall of 1893, or the spring of 1894.

During the next summer we held a tent-meeting at Brushy Creek, and a church was organized there. Soon afterward we were called to Trinidad, West Indies, and the work here fell into other hands. Not long after this some of the other laborers left the State, and Elder Johnston joined us in Trinidad, and the work in South Carolina was left almost without help. For the last two years no help was provided for the work here, and the believers were becoming somewhat discouraged. Through the faithfulness of those who had accepted the truth, and of those who had moved here to help these new believers, the work has not entirely stopped. Some have lived lives of sacrifice and devotion, and have done much to scatter our books and papers.

At the meeting of the Southern Union Conference last February it was decided to make South Carolina a mission field under the direction of this union conference, and I was asked to connect with this work again as director, but was not able to come here until June 14.

After five years spent in Trinidad, and four years in Arizona and Oregon, we are glad to unite with this work once more. It was inspiring to meet these dear people again, and we are filled with the hope of seeing something more accomplished in this needy field. Elder R. T. Nash had the tent pitched at Campobello, in the northern part of the State, and I at once joined him. Seven meetings have been held, and the interest seems to be deepening, and the congregations are increasing. We can not foresee what will be the results, but hope and pray that something will be accomplished here.

South Carolina to-day is the most needy field in the United States. Less work has been done and less money spent here than in any other State. Fewer laborers have worked here. There are now three laborers in the State, Brethren Nash and Carey having come here in February and March. There are about seventy-five or eighty Sabbath-keepers in the State, paying an annual tithe of about two hundred dollars. I have not learned what is the amount of the annual appropriation of the Southern Union Conference to this mission field, so have no way of knowing the amount of money for paying the laborers here; but it can not be more than one thousand or twelve hundred dollars all told. You can readily see, dear brethren, that that would amount to $6.40 or $7.67 a week to each laborer, and with this he must support himself and family, and that in a place where there are not so many and cheap provisions as in some of the more favored conferences. I mention this simply to give our conferences that are so prosperous, so well stocked with laborers and members and the good things of this world, an opportunity to carefully consider the conditions existing in the South. The laborers gladly sacrifice in order that the means provided may go further and accomplish more.

Perhaps it has been from a feeling of modesty, or for fear that they would be thought to be complaining, that the true conditions of this field have not been publicly stated. I hear of some of our faithful laborers who are not getting so much as the rate estimated above. Will those in our conferences that are able to pay their laborers twice as much, think on these things? Will some of our good brethren who are receiving the larger amounts, under much more favorable conditions for living, think about it, and follow the noble example of some of the conferences in sharing their help in laborers and means with this needy South, and with this most needy field of all?

I have not heard a word of complaint or discouragement since I came here, and we enter upon the work with these sacrificing brethren with courage and good cheer. We are glad we are here again; but we would like to have our dear people who love this message, and who want to see it pushed hastily to a close, know what is needed here. Will they take this before the Lord, and ask him their duty in regard to it?

I would like to correspond with those who have a burden to settle in a needy mission field to be a help to those who accept the truth. If any have such thoughts toward South Carolina, I would be glad to correspond with them before they come. I would also like the names of all Sabbath-keepers, and of all others who are interested in the truth. I would also be very thankful for clean copies of all our periodicals and tracts sent to us postpaid. We wish to fill the State with literature. We are in great need of faithful, consecrated canvassers, but before any come here to engage in this work, we would be glad to correspond with them.

Remember to pray for the work and the workers in this most needy of all fields in the United States. Our address is Spartanburg, S. C.

E. W. WEBSTER.