A NEEDY FIELD AND GRAND OPPORTUNITY.
By Editor
One of the great needy fields of this country is that south of the Mason and Dixon line. Blighted and checked in her progress and prosperity by a great war, the merits of which are not in these columns, a matter of discussion, the South found herself at its close poverty-stricken, her system of government demoralized, and her children without adequate means of education. In consequence of this, many children of both white and colored have grown up in ignorance. Earnest attempts have been made to meet these needs, but too often they have assumed a semi-political phase prejudicial to many. Religious and industrial education is greatly wanting. It is a needy field which demands and will welcome among its warm-hearted people far greater effort in the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom and putting into practical operation the natural fruits of that Gospel in Christian education, in Christian health lines, in better, broader type of genuine non-political Christianity. We are glad to record that new effort in this work was undertaken at our last General Conference. A Southern Union Conference has been organized, the headquarters of which is at Nashville, Tenn. More than this, the “Southern Publishing Association” has been formed, the headquarters of which is 1025 Jefferson Street, Nashville. This association is for the purpose of publishing the Gospel in that field, adapted to that people, by those who are there and know the field, who are one with the people, and who understand and know the needs of the needy ones. This association will publish a pioneer paper for that field, called the Gospel Herald. It will be wholly religious, and not at all political. While the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has found many friends in the sunny South, it bids Godspeed the new journal, and prays that its mission may be abundantly blessed of God. A sanitarium will soon be started in Nashville as a radiating light-center for health education. And near Nashville another industrial school will soon be established. For all these funds are greatly needed, but especially just now for the publishing work. Here is the great need, dear brethren, sisters, and friends. A great need in God’s cause is to us a grand opportunity. Are there not those who wish to donate to one or all of these enterprises? If so, correspond with the Southern Publishing Association, 1025 Jefferson Street, Nashville, Tenn. Or if you prefer, send funds to this paper, and they will be forwarded to the workers there, and applied to the very enterprise you desire. But as God has blessed you, now is the time to give.