BIENNIAL REPORT OF GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT 2

N. W. ALLEE

In submitting the report of the work of this field for the past two years, it is with thankfulness to God for his mercy and blessing upon the efforts that have been made, but with exceeding sorrow of heart for the lack of discernment to understand the voice of God with regard to the work that has been so long delayed.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.8

There are evidences of progress in the work in different respects, as the report will show, in the addition of churches and schools, and an increase in medical, canvassing, Sabbath-school, and tract society work, also in the amount of tithes paid, and the number of churches and school buildings erected.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.9

The work of Elder J. E. White in connection with the Southern Missionary Society is accomplishing good results, special attention being given to the work among the colored people. Good buildings have been erected at Vicksburg, Yazoo City, and Columbus, Miss., and successful schools are now in operation at each of these places. Printing office, treatment rooms where training may be given to colored workers, bakery, and other enterprises are being established in Nashville, Tenn. These efforts should be encouraged, and much more should be done to five the colored people needed advantages in general education.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.10

THE FIELD

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This district is composed of the Tennessee River, Cumberland, and Florida Conferences, the mission fields of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. According to the last census, the population of this territory is 14,908,768.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.11

LABORERS

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There are 24 ordained and 11 licensed ministers, 30 licensed and 15 self-supporting missionaries; number of medical missionaries not ascertained.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.12

The tithe for 1900 from the mission fields is $7,072.84, which is a gain of $1,120.90 over the last year of the former report. Tithe for Tennessee River and Florida Conferences is $4,106, making a total for the district of $11,172.84.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.13

PROGRESS OF THE WORK

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There are 65 organized churches, with a membership of 1900, a gain since the last report of 20 churches and 332 church members. There are 28 companies, with a membership of 265, and 325 isolated Sabbath-keepers, a total membership of 2,490. Total gain in membership, 628.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.14

There are 31 church buildings, valued at $16,810. Eleven of these were erected during the past two years, at a cost of $4,150. A commodious dormitory of two stories and basement has been erected at the Oakwood School, Huntsville, Ala., at a cost of about $3,000. The dormitory at Graysville, Tenn., has been painted, and finished inside; a water tower and tank have also been placed over the well which supplies water for the academy and dormitory buildings. The basement of the academy building has been supplied with bath-rooms and other appliances for the instruction of students in health and temperance work. The entire cost of these improvements was $1,000.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.15

The brethren and friends at Alpharetta, Ga., have built a large two-story school building, costing $2,500. Additional buildings have been provided at Juniata, Ala., for the school work, costing $350. A school building has been erected at Oakwood, S. C., which is also used for a place of worship; when completed, this will cost about $400. The total amount expended for buildings in the interests of educational work is $7,250, besides some other buildings for school and mission purposes, the cost of which was not reported. This does not include any of the work of Elder J. E. White, aggregating several thousands of dollars.GCB April 4, 1901, page 52.16

I wish to say in this connection, that the educational work is one of the most interesting and important means of carrying forward the work of God in this field. The time and services of one efficient man could well be employed in this line alone.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.1

ORGANIZATION OF THE CUMBERLAND CONFERENCE

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By recommendation of the General Conference Committee, the Cumberland Mission Field, composed of the eastern portions of Kentucky and Tennessee, was organized into a conference at the camp meeting held at Harriman, Tenn., Aug. 17, 1900. Elder G. A. Irwin, President of the General Conference, was present and presided at the time the organization was effected. The prospect for the financial support and numerical growth in this new Conference is very encouraging, it being one of the more populous and financially favored portions of the district. The organization of a tract society and Sabbath-school association was effected at the same time. Official headquarters, Lexington, Ky.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.2

CANVASSING WORK

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We are glad to note an increase of interest and consequent activity in this work. The past year has been quite encouraging in the amount and quality of work done. Fifty-six persons sold subscription books the past year, besides those who engaged in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The amount of sales the past year nearly reached that of the banner year of 1892. With the more thorough organization and the growing interests in this branch of the message, we confidently expect a much greater amount of work to be done in the sale of publications in this district.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.3

TRACT SOCIETY WORK

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We are grateful to God for the return, in a measure, of the spirit of this work that was active in the earlier days of the message. This, we think, is due to the efforts of those who are earnestly laboring in the interests of the “Berean Reading Circle.”GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.4

The report of this branch of work in the Mission Fields for the year ending Dec. 31, 1900, as given by the corresponding secretary, shows an increase in the number of organized societies, more activity in the work, and more liberal donations.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.5

SABBATH-SCHOOLS

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This branch of the message seems to have a healthy growth, and the results are encouraging. There are 110 schools in the district, with a total membership of 2,186; 21 schools in the Tennessee River Conference, with a membership of 400; 27 schools in Florida with a membership of 424. The mission fields have 72 schools, with a membership of 1,362. Total donation from the mission field schools for the past year is $1,214.40. Donations from Tennessee River and Florida are not given.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.6

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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Some efforts have been made to circulate the Signs of the Times, as recommended at the last session of the General Conference. Some valuable experiences have been gained, and the results of the efforts prove the value of this kind of work. Much more should be done to circulate this paper in this field. There are nearly fifteen millions of souls in this district, and 20,130 post offices. At the present but 315 of these post offices are being used to distribute the 1,321 copies of the Signs of the Times that are received each week, not counting the re-mailing of many of these papers. About one paper to every 64 post offices, and one paper to each 11,286 persons. There is a wide field for the Signs yet in this district. The foregoing figures do not include the sale of the special issues, which amounted to many thousands of copies. The paper is received with much cordiality, and read with interest in many homes.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.7

CAMP MEETINGS

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Thirteen camp meetings were held last year, and were seasons of encouragement in gaining deeper personal experiences and greater growth in spiritual life. Each year’s camp meeting work in this new territory convinces more and more of the importance and value of these meetings as a means of instruction to the brethren, also in arresting the attention of the general public to a consideration of the principles of the message. Nearly double the number of camp meetings is being planned for the present year. Each State will provide its own pavilion, family tents, and other equipments for camp meetings.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.8

NEEDS OF THE FIELD

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Another general laborer for camp-meeting and new field, work. A minister for pioneer work in the South Carolina Mission Field. An experienced minister for new field work in Louisiana. Also one each in Mississippi and Alabama. A number of Bible workers for many of our large cities, which lie untouched. More equipments for the different lines of industrial work in our central and mission schools, especially for the trades and the instruction in agriculture. Many consecrated families, who will esteem it a privilege to come to this field to engage in general canvassing work, selling the Signs of the Times, medical missionary work, mission school teaching, farming, professions, and trades, will find a wide field and large opportunities for their efforts to advance the cause of God.GCB April 4, 1901, page 53.9

N. W. ALLEE, Supt. Dist. 2.