ENCOURAGING REPORT FROM THE TENNESSEE RIVER CONFERENCE.
By W. J. Stone
A little over a year and a half ago I was requested by the General Conference to take the oversight of the work in the Tennessee River Conference. After arriving on the ground, and learning the condition of the work, I found some things which, from a human standpoint, were not very encouraging; but as I had been earnestly seeking the Lord to direct in my field of labor, I did not feel discouraged, but believed the Lord had a work for me to do, and would bless my efforts put forth in His name. As the financial condition of the Conference seemed the most unfavorable, my special attention was given to that, in order to relieve the situation. I found the total indebtedness of the Conference and tract society to be something over three thousand dollars. This for a small Conference, whose tithe was less than two thousand dollars a year, seemed to me to be a great load. I visited our churches, talking faith and courage, and placing before them our financial condition. I also told them that if each would do his duty, we could soon be freed from this debt, but asked for no special donations. Many of our brethren and sisters have been doing nobly, and our indebtedness has steadily decreased. Our tithe was increased last year about five hundred dollars, or about twenty per cent, and the prospects are good for quite an increase this year over last. We have also received some assistance outside of the Conference, for which we are grateful. The Upper Columbia Conference supported Sister Cornwell here in the colored work for about eight months, and the Michigan Conference is supporting one of its best laborers here for a year, also the Ohio Conference is supporting a Bible worker here for one year. The Iowa Conference has also promised us financial aid. Private individuals have assisted us some. This help has been most thankfully received, and words cannot express the gratitude felt by our committee and brethren generally for the assistance rendered in this time of need. -We are glad to state to our brethren that by the great blessing of God, we are now comparatively out of debt. The three-thousand-dollar indebtedness has all been met or provided for, and we feel that we are now on our feet to do much more pioneer work in carrying the special truths for this time to the people. We have not seen our numbers increase as we have desired, although the reports show that about forty or fifty have professed faith in Christ and the message during this time. When I came, there were but four laborers actively engaged in the work in the field, besides the canvassers. Now we have eight, and our canvassing force is somewhat increased, besides two trained nurses. Two camp-meetings and four tent efforts are planned for the summer, and we are expecting much of the blessing of God upon these efforts. During the past year two new churches have been built, and one bought. We have also built one church schoolhouse, and maintained four church schools, which have given good satisfaction. All these features of the work are most gratifying to those in charge of the work. In bringing about the results mentioned above, God has blessed far beyond the expectation of those who had the most faith, thus fulfilling His promise “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Therefore we joy and rejoice in Him for this blessing, and gather courage from this experience to press forward in the work with more faith and courage than ever before. To God be all the praise. The Tennessee River Conference has a population of about two million people. It is a good field for self-supporting missionaries. We solicit correspondence from any interested in this part of the South, and invite consecrated brethren and sisters who have a little money, to engage with us in this work. The Southern publishing house is situated in our midst, so publications are easily obtained, with which to do missionary work. Our brethren throughout the Conference will take special pains to assist in giving any information desired regarding matters here. My address is Jackson, Tenn.