Southwestern Union Conference
By George A. Irwin
As previously announced, the meeting of the Southwestern Union Conference was held at Keene, Tex., February 1-10. There was a large attendance both of delegates and of our lay brethren, and a good interest was manifested throughout the session. The meetings were held in the church which has recently been erected at Keene, although it was in an unfinished condition. The brethren had made an earnest effort to complete the church building before the conference convened, but owing to unavoidable delays, it was only enclosed. The time each day was fully occupied with business meetings and Bible studies, and church services were held every evening. The reports from the various State conferences showed a healthy increase in the work during the past biennial period. This was especially noticeable in the reports from Arkansas. The official reports of the officers of the local conferences showed that the finances were in a good condition. The membership of the entire Southwestern Union has now reached about four thousand. Separate days were devoted to each department of the work, thus giving ample time for the consideration of each branch. The school at Keene gave every evidence of being in a prosperous condition. It was reported free from debt. It has a good attendance, the interest is excellent, and the future prospects for the school are very encouraging. Prof. C. B. Hughes was unanimously re-elected principal for the coming school year, and but few changes were made in the faculty. The canvassing work and the circulation of our literature received quite careful consideration. Brethren Harrison and Ford were present to represent the Southern Publishing Association. The medical missionary work also came in for a due share of consideration. Dr. Green, after giving a very interesting report of his work in Little Rock, Ark., made an earnest appeal for help to enlarge the sanitarium work in that city. Dr. Ross represented the medical work in Keene and Cleburne. The last session of the conference was set apart as a memorial service in behalf of Elder Nelson, the former president of the union conference, and Elder Ryles, a colored minister. This was a very touching occasion. The tributes of appreciation rendered by the brethren in memory of Brother Nelson were many. He will long be remembered by those with whom he was associated, as a most faithful laborer in the Master's vineyard. A number spoke also in behalf of Elder Ryles, telling of his consistent Christian life, and of how sadly he is missed by the colored people. The election of officers resulted in the choice of Elder C. Santee for president of17the union conference. The election was unanimous, and he will doubtless receive the support of the entire conference. Elders Russell, Tait, and Haffner, Dr. Froom, and the writer were the laborers present from outside the Southwestern Union. Elders Russell, Tait, and Haffner rendered valuable assistance both in the preaching services and in counsel, and Dr. Froom gave some excellent talks in regard to the health work. Taken as a whole, the meeting was a success, and the brethren went away full of hope and courage. I believe that better days are in store for the Southwestern Union Conference. A spirit of loyalty to the General Conference and to the third angel's message in its entirety was manifested. One thing impressed me very much at this meeting, and that was the interest taken in the work for the colored people in this union conference. This is the only mission field the conference has, and it is certainly a large one. We bespeak an interest in the prayers of all the brethren in behalf of this needy field.