This conference is composed of nine States, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Its population is 14,907,519, of which 5,823,023 are colored. As will be seen, these States once constituted the very heart of the Southern Confederacy.
This has quite a bearing upon the conditions and difficulties that exist in connection with our work in this field. The other States outside of the Southern Union Conference are not so intensely affected by the color-line and its peculiar characteristics as the States composing the Southern Union Conference. Northern influences have permeated the other States composing the old South far more than those in this conference. This makes our field more difficult to penetrate and more difficult to affect with anything originating in the North. We thus have distinctive characteristics with which we come in conflict in our Southern field, that are not to be found in any other part of our country.
The Southern was one of the first union conferences organized. At that time only three of the States composing the conference had been organized into conferences. The rest were organized soon after, however, the General Conference promising to assist them with as much of their means, after they were organized, as they did before when they were mission fields.
When the question of the organization of the union conferences as a part of our great organization system came up, it was felt by our leading brethren that it would be a great relief to the General Conference to have this vast mission field organized into a union conference. Instead of having to be wholly supported from the General Conference funds, as a mission field, if it could be brought into a union conference, some of its burdens might be taken from the shoulders of the General Conference. But the field was in a discouraging condition to be organized, as the number of Sabbath-keepers in many of the different States which were to enter the union conference, was so few that they could not well bear the responsibilities of a State conference.
The progress of the work in the nine States now composing the Southern Union Conference has been very slow. For nearly forty years, the truth has been making inroads into that territory. There were Sabbath-keepers, more or less, for some twenty years before the first conference was organized in 1879. Literature was sent southward; here and there a minister penetrated into that portion of the field, and a few believers sprang up, but the general progress was very slow and difficult. Indeed, it is not too much to say that the Southern mission field was a pretty heavy burden on the General Conference, as the peculiar difficulties in that field greatly hindered the laborers in their work.
This was especially true in regard to the colored work, which must necessarily be an important feature. More or less effort has been expended for a series of years upon this branch of the work, but comparatively little has been accomplished. Until Brother J. E. White and his fellow laborers began their work in the vicinity of Vicksburg, Miss., with the “Morning Star” as a basis of their operations, very few colored churches existed. The movement begun by him and his fellow laborers has resulted in accomplishing as much in the conversion of the colored people to the truth as all other efforts put together, I believe.
Very few except those taking part in this feature of the work, can realize the tremendous difficulties attending it.
As a whole, we can not claim any great evidences of growth or financial prosperity. There are some of the States which have had a good degree of growth, others which have grown comparatively little, and one or two where there has been a loss; yet there has been some advancement. At the time of the last General Conference there were eighty churches, now there are ninety-nine; then a membership of 1,824, now 2,353—an increase of nineteen churches and 529 members. Including the unorganized companies and isolated Sabbath-keepers, there was a total number of 2,240 Sabbath-keepers; now there are 2,766—an increase of 526. At the time of the last General Conference, the tithe paid was $20,571.30; the tithe last year was $22,035.97, making an increase of $1,464.67. As for the tithe per capita, considering the poverty of our field, it compares fairly with our Northern conferences. Dividing the amount by the church-membership, the tithe per capita would average nearly ten dollars. But including the scattered members and isolated Sabbath-keepers and unorganized companies, it would be about two dollars less.
We believe there has been a gratifying growth in the spiritual condition of our conference during the last two years. Our general meetings, especially the last year, have been characterized by peace and union and harmony, brotherly love prevailing, with evidences of the Spirit of the Lord working in our midst.
Our camp-meetings and other general gatherings have been seasons of spiritual interest. Our people are united in all the great truths taught by Seventh-day Adventists. There is a general feeling of regret among us that the work does not move forward with greater success, and a longing desire to see the whole conference permeated with the light of the message. We see no reason why we have not reached the stage where great success may be seen in the work, if proper labor can be bestowed and our workers be properly supported. But we are struggling under great difficulties for lack of means.
The people who have embraced the truth are generally in very moderate circumstances. The conference treasuries are empty. In some States the laborers, in their earnest desire to do good, in view of the dearth of means, have worked without pay for months together. Other laborers, for lack of means, have been compelled to give up the work, in order to support their families. There is not a single conference in this field but feels greatly crippled for lack of means to carry on its work successfully. The union conference itself is laboring under difficulties of this kind.
It is a very unpleasant thing to have to make these statements, but we know not how a truthful report could be given without doing so; and we shall not begin to tell you all the truth in this matter. After a personal acquaintance of some sixteen years with the Southern people, we have learned to love them, and we know from personal observation and large experience that there are thousands of noble souls here in the South who would be glad to receive the truth if they understood it as we do. It is a pleasure to live among them, and become acquainted with their kindness, hospitality, and goodness of heart.
The people here are more attached to their own churches than in the North, and it is more difficult to get them to break off their connection with them. There is greater respect for the Bible, for the ministry, and for religion, than in the North. The influence of the ministers among their members is far greater, on the average, in the South. There is more or less prejudice against laborers coming from the North. The habits of the people are different. All these things tend to make it difficult to reach the people.
But our work is gradually gaining in strength, and people are learning more the nature of it. We consider the near future as favorable a time as we shall ever have to reach the Southern people and bring them to a knowledge of the third angel’s message.
Institutions
This report would not be complete unless some reference were made to our leading institutions in the Southern Union Conference. The Southern Publishing Association—really the leading institution in the Southern field—is comparatively young, having an existence of only a little over three years. Like all institutions of this character, its early history was one of constant trouble, with difficulties and perplexities. The testimonies of the Spirit of God spoke emphatically in regard to the propriety and the necessity of having a publishing institution in the South. And they have continued to speak in its behalf until the present time.11Up to the last General Conference, for months it required all the effort possible to keep the institution running. The presses and other machinery and furniture were necessarily of second quality, and it was really impossible to do good work. The building had been erected by the gifts of our people, but the furnishing of the building for its future work had been very meager. After careful investigation, those who bore the responsibility decided that it was necessary to purchase machinery suitable to do the work of publishing this glorious truth to the world.
About twenty thousand dollars was raised, mostly by loans, with which to purchase new presses and other necessary machinery and furniture to equip the building. There was no lavish expenditure of means, but the closest and most careful economy, at the same time an endeavor to secure the best. A great change occurred after the improvement of our institution. The stockholders at our meeting all seemed pleased with the progress made. Before this, at times the institution was running behind at the rate of a thousand dollars a month.
Last year, on the whole, was a very favorable year. During the last half of the year the office met its expenses without loss. But since that time, we regret to say, our experiences have been quite unsatisfactory. The sale of our publications and books has been small. During the winter season, few of the canvassers were at work. We have been forced to cut down our help, which was at one time as high as from fifty to sixty employees, and the office had oftentimes to run night and day to meet the wants of our expanding trade. Our notes created to purchase our machinery, etc., have been coming in, and at the present time we find ourselves in great embarrassment financially. Our credit, however, has remained good, and we have had no special disasters of any kind. But our income has greatly decreased within the last few months, from a variety of causes, which I will not at this time undertake to explain. Should the conference see fit to appoint a committee to consider these things, we shall be happy to appear before it and present all the facts at our command. A very heavy responsibility has rested upon our business manager and myself. We have done our best, in the fear of God, to carry it, and we feel it a privilege at this juncture to come before the General Conference with our difficulties, which we shall be glad to lay before any committee they may appoint. And if they have those who can carry the work better than we, we will cheerfully step down and out, and place these responsibilities in hands that can manage them better.
Educational Institutions
The Graysville Training-school for white people is our most important educational institution. The attendance the last two years has been fairly good. Last year we think it exceeded that of any previous year of its history. The religious influences connected with the school have been excellent. A large majority who attended the school have become Christians, believers in the great truths for this time. Prof. J. E. Tenney, principal, has a warm place in the hearts of our people generally, and is thought a great deal of by his students in particular. He has had the help of other valuable assistants. Plans are being laid to make this school more of an industrial institution in the future than it has been in the past. A large farm has been rented, lying contiguous to the institution, where we shall have abundant opportunity to carry out the teachings of the testimonies of the Spirit of God in regard to the importance of industrial knowledge and experience. The school is in great financial need. With the most careful economy, we have been able to make ends meet thus far in the management of the school. But special improvements are needed in the buildings. We need the help of our friends outside of this union conference. We hope that the committee on plans will carefully consider the wants of this important institution.
Our colored training-school at Huntsville, Ala., has, during the last few years, passed through various experiences that have been trying and perplexing in the extreme. This is the only distinctive training-school for colored people in this denomination.
With nearly six million colored people in the Southern Union Conference, not to speak of the two or three millions in other parts of the United States, with the colored races all through Central and South America and the West Indies, a great work is opened to this school. The last year has been by far the most encouraging of any recent year in the history of Huntsville. Through the efforts of Elder Sharpe—our financial agent—and others, quite a sum has been raised to make needed improvements. The building and premises have been greatly benefited by the changes made, and there has been quite an increase in the attendance, so that with its present accommodations but few more could be received. Sister White said that there should be one hundred in attendance last year, with accommodations for two hundred or two hundred and fifty in the near future; but with our present facilities, the one hundred could not be accommodated.
The work of improving the institution has come nearly to a stop for lack of means to carry it forward. The Board has fully decided to have an orphanage also upon the farm, not far away. Steps have been taken to bring this about. Some money has been raised. More will be needed. There are quite a number of little ones whose parents were earnest, devoted Sabbath-keepers, who felt exceedingly sad at the time of their death to think their children should be turned over to those out of the truth. With an orphanage on the farm, and land sufficient to make its expenses light, these children could grow up and then enter the training-school to be trained for God. This seems a very important thing to be done.
Our great perplexity in our colored training-school is how to carry it on without running into debt, as the colored people are not able usually to pay their tuition. We lay this matter also before our brethren in the General Conference to consider and to provide means to meet the wants of this very important and worthy institution.
Our various conferences are endeavoring to create intermediate schools to connect between the church- and training-schools. One or two of these are in operation. We hope it will not be very long before these important institutions shall be provided throughout all the conferences of the Southern Union.
Our Sanitariums
Most earnest and pointed counsels have been given by the servant of God in regard to the establishment of small sanitariums in the large cities in this conference. In our financial weakness, we have been sorely perplexed to know how to carry out this plain and most important instruction. But it can not be said that we have not made an effort.
The first one of these is located at Graysville, on an elevation called Lone Mountain, overlooking the village of Graysville. There is a beautiful spring some distance above it, abundantly supplying the purest mountain water. The building is three stories high, with basement. There has been an expenditure of about sixteen thousand dollars, with an indebtedness of six thousand dollars. The building is very creditable, but it is not finished, although it has been receiving a few patients. There is great need of more funds, as some of the debts are pressing.
The Atlanta Institution
The building formerly owned by the Review and Herald publishing house, in Atlanta, Ga., is now being put in readiness for sanitarium purposes. This was donated to us by the Review and Herald Publishing Association. To put it in proper shape, made it necessary to borrow two or three thousand dollars.
The building stands in a very nice locality, and the surroundings are pleasant. It is quite retired from noise and everything that would disturb patients. We hope it may yet be a useful institution. We have many friends interested in the sanitarium work in Atlanta. There was a building at Hildebran, with an investment in all of about three thousand dollars, but it was totally consumed by fire, with no insurance. The brethren there feel very anxious to replace it, and we cordially sympathize with them, and hope they may be able to do so at some time in the near future.
The Nashville Sanitarium
The health work in Nashville was first begun by Brother L. A. Hansen and his good wife, who labored hard to establish that work.12Later the conference took the property off their hands, and decided to have a sanitarium in that city. Dr. Hayward united with the effort, and they have had to rent buildings at a large expense, in which to carry on their work. They have had a liberal patronage, considering the lack of suitable buildings. During the last year they have not run behind.
In addition to these efforts to increase our sanitarium work, in response to what the Lord has shown to his servant to be our duty, we have established in various places quite a number of treatment rooms, which seem to be prospering.
Miscellaneous
We wish to speak favorably of the good work that has been accomplished by the Southern Missionary Society, especially in the State of Mississippi and at one or two points in Tennessee. Nearly two thirds of the Mississippi Conference is made up of colored believers, most of whom came out under the labors of this society. It has not only been directly helpful in bringing souls into the truth, but has been the means of inspiring others to labor for the colored people. To the best of the writer’s judgment, nearly one half of our colored brethren and sisters in the Southern field were brought out through the agency of this society, and we are happy to say that this work is being carried on, more or less, by all the conferences in the Southern Union.
When we can secure ministers and Bible workers for the colored people from among their own number, and place these in every station in the South, as seems absolutely necessary, then we shall begin to see an increase in our work along the lines which the Testimonies have clearly instructed us ought to be sustained and supported.
We firmly believe that our brethren and sisters all through the North are under the same obligation to realize and appreciate the importance of the colored work as we who live in the South. The Sabbath-keepers in the South to-day are not responsible for the conditions of the past any more than are our brethren in the North. We are here because we want to be here and labor in this most difficult and trying field. If our people throughout our great Northern countries would look at it in the light in which they should view it, we should not be hampered and hindered at every turn to carry on this important branch of the work.
No one can rejoice more than the writer in seeing the cause go to the utmost parts of the earth. It is most inspiring to hear such reports as come from our dear Brother Conradi. But while the truth is going in Europe to-day, and extending to different parts of the world, here is a place right in our beloved country, where the people speak the same language, and are connected with our people by ties of blood and kin, where the cause, through a complication of various difficulties, has been hindered so that it has made but little advancement.
These conditions lie at our very doors, and we firmly believe that this body composing the General Conference of our people is under a great moral obligation to God and to humanity to try to do as much as other denominations are seeking to do for the poor colored people of the South. We have hardly begun to do it yet, although many of our people seem to feel that they have done all that it is their duty to do.
We know very well that there has been greater advancement in the colored work in the last two or three years than ever before. It is becoming more extensive, and greater efforts are being made, but these need to be vastly increased.
We were greatly interested in and encouraged by the good news of the work in far-distant Africa, presented by Brother Hyatt in his interesting discourse. Our hearts rejoice that there is such a disposition to receive the blessed truths of the message in those distant lands, the inhabitants of which have been under the shadow of idolatry for ages. It is a most encouraging thought that the truth is going to them, and that there are many ready to receive it. Their minds are simple, and have not been perverted, as is the case with many of their race who are living in this so-called Christian land. They have not had the difficulties connected with the color-line to stand as a hindrance to their embracing the truth. The bitterness which has been springing up in many places, the mob spirit, and the race prejudices, which are mutual between black and white in many places in the South, make the progress of the truth exceedingly difficult.
Yet we have many most devoted and precious souls who have seen the light of present truth and embraced it, who are an honor to their race, and there are multitudes of others who need this same blessed instruction. We verily believe the difficulties are greater, as the testimony indicates, because of the difficulties connected with the color-line, than even those in dark Africa.
Yet, notwithstanding all these difficulties, the solemn obligation rests upon us as a people to penetrate this darkness and overcome these difficulties. The greater they are, the more earnest must be our efforts to reach every earnest soul by the light of the present truth, in our great Southern field. That that obligation rests upon us, can not be denied; and our duty will never be discharged until the light is shining all through this great Southland.
It is utterly impossible for those of us dwelling in the South to cope successfully with all the difficulties of the situation. We need the help of our Northern brethren and sisters. We need means; we need ardent workers. We must go on in our work of instructing the colored people who embrace the truth, and secure workers from their ranks.
Our hopes for the future of the work among whites and blacks in the South are strong. We are in no sense discouraged. The battle goes hard; the difficulties are great. At times they seem almost impossible to surmount. But God is mighty. His truth will prevail, and we propose to devote ourselves to its promulgation in every way in our power. Our plans are to go into our largest cities with the large tent given us through the liberality of the California brethren. We expect to enter upon this in the city of Nashville as soon as we return from this meeting. Elder Haskell and myself mean to make the greatest effort of our lives to break through the difficulties and bring souls into the truth. The spirit of prophecy has impressed it upon us mightily that it is our duty to do this, and we hope to begin the campaign in our larger cities which will result in bringing to them light and truth for this time. We love the Southern people. We have no desire to leave the field. We hope to labor on with all our hearts, and we crave the sympathy, the love, and the assistance of our brethren.
GEO. I. BUTLER, President.
ConferenceWork
By Wm. Covert.
CONFERENCE organization is necessary in order to facilitate gospel work. All the inhabitants living in territory bounded by conference lines should have a chance to receive the gospel of Christ through the ministry of those directed by that conference. The talent, the means, and the energies of all members in our churches should be devoted to the accomplishment of this work. We should systematize our work and adopt effective plans in order to reach the whole field and teach all the people in it. The gospel as preached through the great threefold message is for every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, and conferences ought to realize their obligation to do this work thoroughly in the fields where they operate. The words of Christ declare that the gospel should be given to every creature. To do our full duty for this time, the message must be taught in the various languages spoken within the geographical limits of the conference.
In carrying out the plans laid by the committee, it is highly essential that the members of the committee see eye to eye, and work together shoulder to shoulder. There should be time given by them for full counsel. “Without counsel, purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” It is an excellent idea to get counsel from others besides the committee, because the Lord says, “In the13multitude of counselors there is safety.” One distinguishing title of Christ, upon whose shoulders the government of the church and the conference rests, is that of Counselor. If our people are consulted in regard to important enterprises, their co-operation can be had in carrying them out.
No member of the conference committee can successfully work independently of the advice of the other members of the committee. If the committee is composed of seven men, then the mind and consent of all the seven should be obtained on every important matter before action is taken upon that point. It may sometimes become necessary to wait, or even to defer a matter altogether, in order to maintain the bonds of official fellowship and unity in a conference.
Many questions are submitted to a conference president for decision, yet it is not best for him to decide upon these questions without the counsel of his brethren on the committee.
The President
The successful conference president is a very busy man; however, he should take time to listen to the brethren and sisters when they wish to counsel with him, and he should answer their letters when they write to him. He must not have favorites, nor encourage favoritism in others. He should give as much attention to the poor as to the rich, and help the distressed and the lowly after the example set by his divine Lord.
The growth and efficiency of a conference depends largely upon the fostering care given to the development of laborers for the Master’s cause. The president should therefore most kindly encourage earnest young men and women, that they may be qualified early in life for service in the vineyard of the Lord.
It is his business and his blessed duty to keep in close touch with every department and every worker in the conference. To do this, it will be necessary for him to maintain a regular correspondence with all the workers employed, that he may know what they are doing, and give them counsel and encouragement. Indeed, he should be so vigilant, so kind, and so helpful that his course will be a matter of favorable remark by the people in the conference where he presides. All the qualifications set forth in the Scriptures as being essential in an elder should be manifested in a large degree by the conference president in his work. He should possess the wisdom from above which “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
The Committee
Let the members of the conference committee be selected with reference to their disposition and ability to give wise counsel. These men, though varied in their ages and temperaments, should be sound upon every point of truth, and so deeply interested in its progress that they will devote their influence and their money to promulgating it. The influence that they will cast in the conference should be well considered in selecting them for the place.
No one should ever become a member of a conference committee who has not had a rich Christian experience; he should love the cause of God more than he loves his money, his ease, or even his own life. The qualifications asked for in the seven deacons should be sought for in selecting a conference committee. “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” Acts 6:3.
Mutual Responsibilities of Officers and Laborers
Paul said that accepting salvation through Christ had made him a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise, so that he was ready to preach the gospel either in the palace at Rome or among the ignorant savages in heathen lands.
When a person accepts official responsibility in this cause, or becomes a certified laborer in a conference, that person in so doing covenants with the Lord and with his people to devote his life to the sacred work of saving sinners. Officers and laborers in a conference are mutually bound together in a solemn compact to push forward to build up the cause of Christ in the earth to the full extent of their capabilities. Though they have a special field which by common consent of many conferences is bounded by certain geographical limits, yet their interests and their work reach out into all the world, and embrace every region where the children of men dwell. The spirit which prompts them to labor and which unites them to the Lord, also fills their souls with a burning desire to carry the message to the ends of the earth.
Fellowship and loyalty should extend beyond the officers and workers in a conference so as to embrace all the members of the churches, in order to reach the ideal standard. Proper attention and help must be given the whole people. Let the gospel order be followed in organizing its churches and in training them for labor. A conference to be strong and abide under the shadow of the Almighty must carry forward all departments, and do valiant service in all essential lines. That conference will look after the children and youth, and train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is from our own young people that the strongest workers are being raised up. Many of those who have been trained up in the truth are becoming strong pillars in the cause. To these, dedicated to God from their childhood, and taught how to pray and how to trust in God, we may look with fond hope to see the banner of the cross carried into the very citadel of the enemy.
Through this active fellowship of paternal and fraternal love we trust soon to realize our most sanguine desires, even to see the great controversy ended, and the redeemed at home with the Redeemer in the glorified state.
Wm. COVERT.
The Place of Institutional Work in Our Message
By H. W. Cottrell
INSTITUTIONAL work is an integral part in the presentation of the third angel’s message. We must have our own institutions, that we may be prepared to produce literature in time of emergency, as minutemen in war.
Having the greatest message that the church has ever been entrusted with to bear to all people, we can not rely upon the public press to do our printing.
It is unquestionably necessary that there be educational institutions owned and directed by us, that our children and youth may be fully instructed in the special truths of the message, and thus be prepared to do efficient work in its promulgation.
Our sanitariums, restaurants, and factories, although seen from a different point of view, are equally as important as the other institutions in the extension of the one great work. There are thousands of persons whose attention can not be arrested through the distribution of literature or by the living preacher to investigate the light of truth, many of whom are both physically and spiritually sick, but they are willing to go to a sanitarium to regain health. A great opportunity to do good is thus afforded each institution. The institutions also afford employment to many of our people, who, on account of Sabbath observance, would otherwise be greatly handicapped in securing a livelihood. But the one supreme object of each denominational institution is the extension of the third angel’s message of Rev. 14: 6-14.
Neither the institutions nor their work are the whole message. The final triumph of this message does not depend wholly on institutional work, but conjointly with the fruit of the work of every other department of the one great whole.
In supplying the institutions with the help necessary to carry forward their work, great care should be taken not to enlist the services of those in institutional work whom the Lord has called to the ministry, Bible work, or canvassing. These workers are very important factors in the carrying forward of our work, and nothing should stand in the way of keeping their ranks well filled, and to this end only should the energies of this people be restricted in the upbuilding of institutions.
All institutions should be made self-supporting, and thus they will serve the cause of truth; otherwise, the great work is checked in its onward movements, the cause being asked to serve the institution.
For the success of the institution and the education of the individual, no greater number of persons should be14employed in it than can support themselves and be of profit to the institution. No plant or institution should be established on borrowed money. The enemy of souls, who is the enemy of our work, will thus ensnare us in his efforts to prevent real, healthy, aggressive work. Debt brings discouragement upon the debtor. We believe that all men should be free. There is no call for the existence of an institution that is not self-supporting. The minister, the doctor, or any other laborer in the cause of God who is not self-supporting, should of his own free will withdraw from employment, that the onward movement of the cause of God may not be hindered on his account. H. W. COTTRELL.
Mission and Bible Society Appeals
THE Moravian Mission Board faces the serious situation of a growth of its missions until a regular annual deficit is produced, impossible to overtake before a new one occurs. The Board issued in November a clear statement of what this situation means to the church and its friends. Either an increase of annual gifts to the missions must be made, or the Board must abandon two or more of its largest missions, with irreparable injury to the whole church. The financial advisers of the Board have now sent out a further bulletin, calling for the most earnest effort to raise sufficient money to maintain the missions; every one working in faith that the God who has taken away the debt of sin from his people can surely take away their debt of money. It is a case where all friends of this great mission enterprise should offer it sincere and practical expression of the same.
THE British and Foreign Bible Society is raising a Centenary Fund to be held for emergency use. Out of the $1,216,000 planned for the fund, $972,000 had been received by the middle of December. A considerable proportion of the gifts have come from foreign mission fields. Dayaks in Borneo, who “used to collect ‘human heads as boys collect postage-stamps,’” have sent their contribution; former cannibals from Oceania prepared copra, and have given that; women have sat down amid the war terrors of Manchuria, and have made embroideries to send; child widows in India have given the pet kid or the pet hen; black Australians of North Queensland have dived for oyster shells, and have given them. This is a revelation that great multitudes in all parts of the world have actually used the Bible in their lives, and have found that it works.