p. 122 | ARKANSAS by A. E. Field

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1902

ARKANSAS

By A. E. Field

The past year in Arkansas has been a prosperous one in connection with the work of God in all its departments; and as a result, quite a number have joined our churches, three new companies have been raised up, and four new churches have been added to our Conference. When compared with what is accomplished in a large Conference, this may look small, but there are only about four hundred Sabbath-keepers in the State, and only three ordained ministers and two licentiates at work. In the last two years the tithe has increased from about twelve hundred dollars a year to about twenty-one hundred dollars. We are enlarging our corps of workers, and thanks be to God, the tithe is coming in so that we are nearer out of debt now than we have been for two years. There are four new church buildings in process of construction. We also have a company of young women in Little Rock, doing Bible work, and canvassing for our books and papers. The Spirit of the Lord put it into the hearts of Brethren V. B. Watts and U. Bender to come to our State and give us a year's work; as a result of their labors, we have a strong church, and a new building in Batesville, which will be dedicated March 8, 9.

The readers of the REVIEW have read many appeals from Sister White concerning the work in the South. Now there are in Battle Creek, College View, and other places many of our people who are not needed where they are, and who could do a vast amount of good in the South. At the present time there are many opportunities for proclaiming the message in this State.

This country is covered with dense forests of oak, pine, etc. This timber is valuable, and the railroads are pushing out into the forests. Speculators are coming here and securing the timber as fast as they can. In the north-central part there is a great deal of vacant land that could be secured as homesteads. This land has valuable timber on it, and it would have been occupied long ago had it been near the railroad; but now the railroads are there, it will soon be converted into fruit farms and cattle ranches. In the southern part of the State there is a great deal of fine timber. There are three railroads going through the country. At Star of the West we have a church, and the brethren there tell me that there are plenty of claims that could be taken, some within a mile of the church. This is a good cattle country. Cattle can secure their own living the most of the year. Fruit also grows in abundance.

If there are any of our people who would like to improve this opportunity, and settle where they can do good missionary work, we will welcome them; and shall be glad to help such all we can by correspondence, or in any other way. May God bless the work in the South. A. E. FIELD.