THE SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE.
The Southern Union Conference was organized during the progress of the last General Conference. Nine States were taken into the union, with a population of fifteen million, among which were about two thousand Sabbath-keepers. Although there were but three State Conferences organized, the different lines of work were being carried on in various parts of the South. Two quite important schools and many church schools were in operation; the medical work was being carried forward in different places; something was being done in the line of publishing, and more or less evangelical work was being done in all the States. Those who organized the Union Conference endeavored to make the organization as thorough and complete as possible at the time. Since its organization, five State Conferences have been organized, making eight Conferences in the nine States. The work in each State has been placed on a self-governing basis. This naturally leads to economy in management. In nearly all cases that have come under my observation, it results in more thorough work and larger local receipts. I was pleased to observe a strong disposition on the part of the Conference presidents in the Southern field to make the work not only self-governing, but self-supporting as well. While it will not be possible to do this in all the States at once, there is no doubt that this will be done in time, and in most of the States it will be accomplished in the near future. But the question of economy is not the most important one connected with this work of reorganization. The training and development of talent for Conference management is of greater value to the cause than economical management. From the reports presented by the presidents of the Conferences to the Union Conferences just held, I was glad to see that in most of the States all the prominent lines or departments of our cause are represented on the Conference Committee. An effort has been made in each State to place on the committee men who especially represent either the educational, medical, or publishing work. This will naturally lead to broad Conference management. It should also insure the fostering care of the Conference over all the interests of the cause. At the time of its organization, the Union Conference set an example by making its executive committee large, and placing on it the leading workers in the different branches. In addition to this, they have since appointed strong committees to take charge of such important departments as the educational and medical work, and have appointed special secretaries to look after less important features. With this sort of organization everything is focused, and every department of the work will, if the plan is carried out thoroughly, receive its proper share of attention. Of course the form of organization will be nothing unless those who are operating it are vitalized by the life of God. If they are, sure and rapid progress will attend the efforts of the workers and the expenditure of the means. The educational work in the South is probably receiving as thorough consideration as any department connected with the Conference. The Southern Training School, located at Graysville, stands at the head of that work in the South. Prof. J. E. Tenney has charge of this school. The attendance this winter is, I am informed, as large as ever before in the history of the school. I was pleased to observe among the students many who seemed to be thoroughly in earnest, and who give promise of making valuable workers. After my recent visit to Graysville, I felt devoutly thankful that we have such an institution in the South for the training of missionary workers. Our brethren in that part of the country should appreciate the advantages of the Southern Training School, and do all in their power to place their sons and daughters in the school, to fit them as soon as possible to join God’s messengers in giving the last warning to the world. At Huntsville, Ala., Brother S. M. Jacobs, assisted by Prof. B. E. Nicola and other faithful, self-sacrificing teachers, is conducting a school for the colored people of the South. This is an industrial school, and an earnest effort is being made to train the heart, the head, and the hand of those who attend