The Southwestern Union Conference
By Arthur G. Daniells
THE first session of this conference was held at Topeka, Kan., April 16, 1902. About fifty delegates were present from Oklahoma, and the States of Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Arkansas, and Texas, the territory embraced in this union. In addition to these delegates, there were several representatives from the General Conference and the Mission Board. Owing to some changes proposed for the redivision of the territory composing the Northwestern and Southwestern Union Conferences, a number of special delegates from Iowa and Nebraska attended the meeting. It was gratifying to meet so many of our brethren bearing the responsibilities of the work in this part of the field. This was the first time the ministers and conference officers of these States had ever come together in a union conference. At first we hardly knew our bearings as a body, but our experiences were very similar to those of the preceding conferences. We soon became acquainted, and during the whole meeting we enjoyed the influences of the Spirit of God. Indeed, we witnessed some very marked tokens of divine leadership in the Topeka Conference. All branches of the work received their due share of attention. Concise and deeply interesting reports were rendered by the presidents of the State conferences, also by the president of the union conference. These were printed in the Kansas Worker, Extra, several numbers of which were issued during the conference. The proceedings of this conference were published in a very readable form under the editorial management of Prof. C. C. Lewis. The meetings of the session were held in the Auditorium. This is a new building with every modern convenience, capable of seating four thousand people. We were granted the use of the Auditorium, heated and lighted, free of expense. While the building was not so suitable for our conference as a smaller one would have been, it was most generous on the part of the managers to place it at our disposal, free of expense. Elder E. T. Russell, president of the Kansas Conference, arranged with a number of the ministers for our ministers who were attending the conference to occupy the pulpits of their churches. Dr. Paulson, Brethren Spicer, Brunson, Lane, Porter, and several others preached in the various churches on Sunday. All reported a pleasant time with both pastors and people. In some instances the churches made donations to our mission fields. This was a new experience to many of us. I was pleased with the arrangement, and would be glad to see it tried in other conferences. During this conference the final steps were taken in the redivision of the territory of the Northwestern and Southwestern Union Conferences, making three conferences instead of two. This rearrangement will be set forth in detail in a separate report. The Southwestern Union Conference was not changed, with the exception of transferring Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado, and a part of New Mexico to what hereafter will be the Central Union Conference. The headquarters of the conference will be located in either Oklahoma or Texas. Elder G. G. Rupert was elected president of the conference. Further details will be reported in the official proceedings. This conference differed in its details very much from those preceding it, yet in some respects it was equal in real value to any of them. One of the sweetest features of the meeting was the warm, zealous missionary spirit pervading it from first to last. Ever since the last General Conference, Elder McReynolds, the president, has encouraged all the State conferences and departments to extend a helping hand to the missionary fields. Both laborers and means have been sent to the dark places of the earth. During the conference nearly four thousand dollars was given for the Nyassaland Mission, and several laborers volunteered to go to that field. The canvassing and the tract society work have enjoyed a good year in this district. Subscription books have been sold to the value of sixty thousand dollars. While no one is satisfied with this showing, and all feel that the results ought to be at least doubled this coming year, we are thankful indeed for the united, energetic efforts put forth in this union conference. It is not difficult to see the reason for this good showing. The manager of the Pacific Press Branch at Kansas City, Mo., the executive committees of the conferences, and the teachers of Keene Academy, have united in an intelligent, energetic effort to keep the work strong in each State, and to give it the earnest support which its importance demands. This union of effort is indispensable, if we are to see our book work develop as it should throughout the United States. Besides pushing the work within its own borders, the Southwestern Union Conference has contributed liberally to other needy fields. The State of Texas released Brother J. B. Blosser, that he might act as general agent for the Lake Union Conference. They also volunteered to supply a good man for the Canadian Union Conference; but I understand that no definite arrangement has been made as yet. Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas has each supplied one of their best men to canvass in the English field. This united, vigorous effort, and this cheery response to the calls from needy fields, are surely a good index for the future. This closes the union conference sessions in the United States, six having been held during the last six months. The first session of the Canadian Union Conference will be held a few months hence. These meetings have been seasons of great encouragement to many of our laborers, and of untold benefit to the cause in all parts of the States. Burdens are being distributed, and responsibilities are being placed where they belong. Many who, before these conference sessions were held, could hardly see the value of this phase of reorganization, are now clear, and are bearing their part of the work with courage and zeal. Much remains yet to be done, but we need not be long in doing it. If Christ is allowed to lead, he will make a short work in the earth. May it be even so.