p. 112 | The Southern Union Conference by R. W. Parmele

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 29, 1914

The Southern Union Conference

By R. W. Parmele

THE seventh biennial session of the Southern Union Conference was held in the Memorial Church in Nashville, Tenn., January 2-11. This church building was purchased a few years ago with money given by our people in response to a general call through the Review and Herald. It has been a great help to the work in Nashville, and furnishes an ideal place in which to hold such general gatherings as the one just closed.

The brethren and sisters of the Nashville church welcomed all the workers to their homes for lodging and breakfast, and a cafeteria was conducted in the basement of the church by the managers of the Nashville Sanitarium Food Factory, where were served good, hygienic meals. This arrangement enabled all to remain at the church from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M., this time being quite fully occupied by general and department meetings.

A ministerial institute was conducted during the first six days of the meeting. The instruction given in all lines was very practical, and met a hearty response from all present. In the first meeting Elder I. H. Evans gave some very startling figures showing a lack of fruit from the labors of the workers in this cause. While our numbers have increased, the amount of our numerical net gain seems far below what it should be in view of the money expended and the efforts put forth. These facts stirred all present, and prepared our hearts for the earnest call to prayer made by Elder Thompson in the hour that followed.

This meeting sounded the keynote for the entire session. Hearts were made tender as our unproductiveness was recalled, and the power necessary for the finishing of the work was earnestly sought. In the consecration meetings all the laborers responded. A firm conviction was freely expressed that success in soul winning must attend our labors, or we shall not be content to continue to consume the funds supplied by our loyal brethren for the work of God. We can surely look for greater power to attend the labors of the workers in this Southland, as a result of the firmer hold on God obtained by his servants during these meetings.

Truly the Lord visited his people at this time, and the workers have returned to their fields with renewed courage, and we believe with renewed power. We may confidently expect to see the result of this meeting in increased fruit from the labors of our workers in the Southern Union Conference.

R. W. Parmele.