DISTRICT 5 by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1900

DISTRICT 5.

By R. M. Kilgore

AFTER the spring council at Battle Creek, I remained at Graysville with my family a few weeks. At Black Rock, Ark., I assisted in a tent-meeting. I was present at Keene, Tex., during the closing

exercises of the academy, and engaged in council, as the board had been called in special meeting to consider important interests of that institution.

I was pleased with the high character of all the exercises. They were refining; and the moral tone breathed in all that was said and done, gave evidence that the Bible had been studied, and had had a molding influence on all the actors, from the little ones who had had three weeks’ instruction, to those graduating. To all these the large crowd gave marked attention, and approved of the departure from the old methods and worldly principles adopted in the popular education of the day, to the higher education established by the Lord, with the Bible as the text-book and foundation of all study.

The board effected some changes for the future management, which must result in a better condition of the finances of the institution. The debts must be settled, and no new ones contracted. The teaching force must be no larger than the patronage will support. Each department must sustain itself, and not be permitted to draw on others to make up its deficits. The department that fails financially, after repeated experiments must be discontinued.

The rendering of the auditor’s report gave the true standing of the institution—its resources and liabilities. The school is owing over eleven thousand dollars. Its bills and accounts receivable cover about half that amount. The present worth, with a conservative inventory, is more than twenty-two thousand dollars. For three years it has been impossible to obtain any financial statement that was satisfactory to the board. The present report relieved the tension. It was presented to a special meeting, with full explanations, so that doubt and uncertainty were removed from many who were anxious to know its true standing. I am sure that a greater degree of confidence, and a more hopeful view for the future of the Keene Academy exist in the minds of our people there than in the past. At this time the board is greatly perplexed to know how to meet present, pressing demands. Will not some of our brethren who are able to do so, come to the aid of the school by a loan to the General Conference Association in its behalf? If the money could be obtained on the right basis, we are confident that, with the present plans and prospects, the entire debt may be canceled in three or four years. To this end the present management shall strive. While millions will be squandered in the next few months for the support of politics and party, will not some of our brethren come to the aid of this school with a few thousand, which will be returned to them, if they can not give it?

At Houston, Tex., I attended the local camp-meeting. The continued rains, high waters, and bad roads prevented many from attending. About twenty-five persons were present. The Lord was there, and gave his servants freedom in preaching the Word. The laborers present were Elders E. T. Russell, D. U. Hale, Brethren Felix Conway and J. F. Babler, and the writer. Prof. C. C. Lewis and his wife attended the latter part of the meeting. They presented the higher education of the home and school life, and the proposed plan for the relief of our schools. The interest manifested on the part of Sister White in giving her new book, “Parables of Jesus, or Christ’s Object Lessons,” to our schools, by the sale of which the debts may be lifted, meets a hearty response from the rank and file of our people everywhere. About two hundred books were subscribed for at this meeting. One man took one hundred copies, and says that he will sell them, and may take more of the books. How many will do likewise?

On my way to Arkansas I stopped two nights at Oklahoma City. I found the tract society in its new commodious quarters under their new church, which, when completed, will be an imposing structure. Elder Mc Reynolds is hopeful. The outlook is encouraging throughout the Conference. He is working hard in the interests of the new sanitarium soon to be built there.

At Fayetteville, Ark., Elder A. E. Field and D. E. Huffman were engaged in a tent effort. Not succeeding in awakening an interest, they closed the meeting last Sunday. Here the first case for the violation of the Sunday law was tried in the Arkansas courts, which sentenced to jail some who kept the Sabbath. Since then strong efforts have been made to set the truth before the inhabitants of this city, and the church here was anxious for another effort to be made, and offered to help. A few persons are interested, and some may be added to the church.

The last two days a Sabbath-school convention was held in the tent. Three other schools came in, which made the occasion profitable and encouraging. Many good things were said, and important principles were laid down. All who were assigned a part did well. It was good to be there. All returned to their homes instructed and benefited.

R. M. KILGORE.