Southern Union Conference Report by S. E. Wight

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 26, 1914

Southern Union Conference Report

By S. E. Wight

THIS union was organized in 1907, with a membership of 1,560. Those who have been connected with the work since its organization have met with difficulties unknown to other fields in North America. However, the workers have struggled on, and a few persons have accepted the truth. A gain of four members was made during the year 1908, but the following year there was a loss of 47 members. In 1910, 86 members were added, so that the loss in 1909 was made up in 1910.

The laborers during the year 1911 were very successful, adding to the church membership 187 members, while 123 were added during the following year. Last year's records have not yet been compiled, but we have every reason to believe they will show a large increase in membership.

This field is considered difficult to work, but with God there is nothing impossible. The great majority of the workers today know that God is opening up avenues that heretofore have been closed, and day by day encouraging reports come to us. People are coming into this truth through the influence of the colporteurs, nurses, and schools, as well as through the labors of the preachers and Bible workers.

The writer has never found a people more willing to listen to this truth than in this Southern field. They pay great respect to the preaching of the word of God, and while they are slow in most cases to accept the message, yet when they do, they make substantial Seventh-day

Adventists. For several years our faithful colporteurs have been placing books in the hands of the people. This effort is now bringing good results, and many new colporteurs are entering the field to make this their life work. The Southern Publishing Association is devoted entirely to the publishing of Seventh-day Adventist literature, and its influence is felt far and near in this field.

In the cities of Louisville, Memphis, and New Orleans, churches for the colored people are being erected.

In Nashville preparations are being made for a strong, aggressive work during the coming season by Elder Sydney Scott and associate laborers.

There are several self-supporting workers in this field whose services are much appreciated. Many favorable openings present themselves to us for this kind of work. Those who wish to become self-supporting workers in the South should come here with the understanding that it is not an easy work, though it is profitable in the saving of souls. We earnestly invite those who have means to come and settle here with us and help to evangelize this needy field.

The writer would be glad to receive at his address, 511 Cole Bldg., Nashville, Tenn., communications from any who contemplate entering upon this line of work. It would save some perplexity if those who wish to come to this field would get a recommendation from their church and also from the conference president in the conference where they reside.

We solicit the prayers and the help of all our people in giving this last warning message to this Southern field.

S. E. WIGHT.