Arizona by E. W. Webster

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 13, 1902

Arizona

By E. W. Webster

At the late general meeting of workers in Arizona more than fifty of our people were present, some from each church in the Territory, and some of the isolated brethren. Harmony and love prevailed, and all rejoiced at the steps that were taken to advance the message.

A conference was organized, and the work was so planned as to give every person in Arizona who is interested in this truth, something to do. We are now the “Arizona Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,” with the object before us of uniting all the churches and isolated believers in this Territory in an earnest effort to carry the truth to all the world in this generation.

The officers of the conference are: President, E. W. Webster; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Pauline Heady; Executive Committee, E. W. Webster, C. D. M. Williams, W. L. Black, J. E. Bond, E. A. Brown.

The work of the conference was divided into three departments; namely, the Evangelical Department, the Tract and Missionary Department, and the Educational Department. Suitable persons were chosen to look after the interests of each of these departments, so the work will have the attention of several persons, and will not all rest upon one man. E. W. Webster was chosen secretary of the Tract and Missionary Department. J. E. Bond is the canvassing agent. C. D. M. Williams was chosen secretary of the Educational Department, and will look after the church-school, Sabbath-school, and Young People’s work. W. L. Black was given the oversight of the Spanish work. Brother Alejandro D. Ybarra (pronounced Ebarrah) and Brother Adiel Sanchez, two Mexican brethren, will engage with Brother Black in the Spanish work, as the Lord opens the way for it without extra expense to the conference. They are supporting themselves and their families, at the same time doing what they can to advance the cause. Their hearts are in the work, and they will be a help in carrying the truth to their people.

The conference laborers consist of three ministers, E. W. Webster, C. D. M.

Williams, W. L. Black, the last two being ordained at this meeting; two licentiates, J. E. and F. S. Bond; and four missionary licentiates, Mrs. W. L. Iles, Mrs. E. W. Webster, Mrs. C. D. M. Williams, and Mrs. W. L. Black. At present these workers are located as follows: Brethren Webster and Williams and their wives and Sister Iles are conducting a course of meetings in Phoenix; Brother and Sister Black are looking after the work in Tucson and the Upper Gila; and the Brethren Bond will soon go to Winslow to work in that part of the Territory.

For funds to carry on the work we are dependent upon the faithfulness of our people in the payment of tithes and offerings, upon gifts to the conference, and the sale of books. Reckoning on the basis of the income to the mission field the last six months of 1901, we may expect about two thousand six hundred dollars for the whole of 1902. This must be increased by one thousand one hundred dollars in additional tithes and offerings, by gifts, and the sale of books, in order to meet the demands upon our treasury in paying the laborers and carrying the other running expenses of the conference. We believe our people will feel that this is their work, and do all they can to carry it to a glorious end. It will not be long till the battle is over, so let us all be active now.

An invitation was given for two or four good canvassers to come to Arizona to labor as self-supporting missionaries.

The work of disposing of our quota of “Christ’s Object Lessons” was planned for, and several workers were chosen to be responsible for the number for their churches or districts. The president will correspond with all the isolated believers concerning this work. I wish to receive the names of lonely Sabbath keepers or any persons in the Territory who are interested in our work.

The report of our conference proceedings, and also reports from all our laborers in this field, will appear in the Pacific Union Recorder. Every person interested in this work should have it. Pray for the workers in Arizona, that they may be successful in carrying the truth to the people and winning souls to Christ. E. W. WEBSTER.