General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4
BIENNIAL REPORT OF GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT 5
R.M. KILGORE
In submitting the biennial report for District 5, attention is called first to the district as a unit, then to the Conferences of which it is composed; namely, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Arizona Mission field. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.7
The district has 263 churches with a membership, of 9,280—a gain of 16 churches, and a loss of 48 members, since the last General Conference. Tithes paid during this biennial period amounted to $122,440.42, an amount per capita of $12.91; amount paid to foreign missions, $17,641.06. The book sales aggregate $91,145.76. There were 14,-430 copies of the Signs of the Times circulated, 6,708 in clubs, and 7,723 single subscriptions. The total number of the Review and Herald taken is 2,096. There are in the district a total of 162 paid laborers—68 ministers, 48 licentiates, and 58 workers who hold missionary credentials. Twenty-six camp meetings have been held, with good results. There are ninety-one church buildings in the district, with a total valuation of $90,-925. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.8
ARKANSAS
This Conference was organized May 21, 1888. It has 18 churches, and 300 members—an increase of one church and a decrease of 137 members from that reported at the last General Conference. Notwithstanding this decrease on account of the correction made in the church lists, and the reverses through which the Conference has passed, there is a better condition of affairs, and the work is rising in the Conference. It has two ministers, five licentiates, and one other worker. The tithes paid in the two years amounted to $3,479.20.—an amount per capita of $14.93. In the year 1900 there was $1,009.07 more tithe paid than in 1898,—an increase of $5.84 a member. There are three church buildings, valued at $1,300. The Conference is nearly out of debt, and the tract society shows a gain. The collections for home and foreign missions amounted to $354.64, sending to foreign missions $302.92. Their book sales were $9,041.61. They have in circulation 461 copies of the Signs of the Times, and 87 subscribers to the REVIEW AND HERALD. Unity, and a good degree of courage and hope now prevail. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.9
COLORADO
This Conference was organized Sept. 26, 1883, and comprises the State of Colorado and the Territory of New Mexico. It has 42 churches, with a membership of 1,850. There has been a decrease of 50 members since last report, while five churches have been added. There are 16 ministers, 8 licentiates, and 14 other paid workers. Tithes paid were, $33,686.05,—$18.20 per capita. First-day offerings, $1,326.78; annual offerings, $1,576.91: Sabbath-school collections, $2,596.60; sent to the Foreign Mission Board, $52,629.79. The Conference has circulated 2,800 copies of the Signs of the Times and four hundred of the Review and Herald. Their book sales for the two years amounted to $9,963.77. Two camp meetings each year have been held, with good interest and results. It has 13 church buildings, valued at $25,575. The Boulder Sanitarium is located in this Conference. It has enjoyed a liberal patronage, and an improved degree of prosperity is now attending the institution. Those in charge will give a more detailed report. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.10
KANSAS
This is the oldest and strongest Conference in the district. It was organized Sept. 10, 1875, and has 91 churches, two having been dropped since the last report. There are 2,863 members,—a decrease of 367. A few years ago this Conference reaped a harvest by a large emigration of members from Iowa and other States; its ranks are now being effected by an exodus of even whole churches to new fields south and west. The tithes paid were $41,684.63,—$14.56 per capita. Comparing the years 1898 and 1900 there is a gain in tithes of $4,356.20 for the latter year, and a gain per capita of $1.71. First-day offerings were $1,691.96; annual offerings, $1,846.92; Sabbath-school collections, $2,605,59; other objects, $1,177.37; total, $7,321.84. Sent to Foreign Mission Board, $6,651.95. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.11
In the circulation of the Signs of the Times this Conference stands first, having distributed 6,469 copies in the two years. Review and Herald subscriptions are 645. The book sales amount to $15,791.20. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.12
The laborers in the field are 16 ministers, 16 licentiates, and 17 having missionary credentials. Eight camp meetings have been held. The Conference has 21 church buildings, with a valuation of $24.150. GCB April 4, 1901, page 59.13
MISSOURI
This is the next oldest Conference in the district, and was organized June 2, 1876. It consists of 42 churches and 1,943 members—an increase of five churches and 123 members since last report. The tithes paid in two years were $16,029.77—$8.25 per capita. Comparing the tithes paid in 1898 with that of 1900, it shows an increase of $2,171.17. First-day offerings were $1,017.28; annual offerings, $1,462.91; Sabbath-school collections, $1,627.36; total, $4,489.48. Sent to foreign missions, $2,337.72. Copies of Signs of the Times circulated, 1,755; Review and Herald, 393. Book sales amount to $11.004.25. The Conference has 27 church buildings, with an estimated valuation of $21,600. Its laborers are divided into 13 ministers, 2 licentiates, and 10 other paid workers. The population of the State is 3,350,000, the largest in the district, having the greatest number of large cities. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.1
OKLAHOMA
This conference is composed of the Oklahoma and Indian Territories. It is the youngest Conference in the district, being organized Aug. 31, 1894. It has 36 churches, and including the isolated Sabbath-keepers, a total of 1,300 members, an increase of 445 since last General Conference. Into these new fields many are flocking from other Conferences to secure cheaper homes. A new sanitarium is being erected and fitted up at Oklahoma City. There are 13 church buildings in the Conference, valued at $12,000. It has 8 ministers, 8 licentiates, and 6 other workers. The tithes paid during the biennial term amounted to $13,598.87,—an average for each member of $10.46. First-day offerings, $478.70; annual offerings, $412.38; Sabbath - school collections, $557.44; total offerings received for home and foreign missions, $1,448.52, of which $1,494.78 was sent to the Foreign Mission Board. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.2
The number of the Signs of the Times taken in the Conference during the two years was 1,096 and 160 subscribers are taking the Review and Herald. The book sales for the same time amount to $23,925.78. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.3
TEXAS
Territorially, this is the largest Conference in the district. The State has 265,780 square miles, with a population of 100,000 less than Missouri. The organization of the Conference was effected Nov. 18, 1878. It consists of 30 churches and 1,115 members. Although 5 churches have been added, its increase of 65 members is small, on account of the loss of three churches, which were broken up by the Galveston storm, and the floods in other parts of the State. Several of our own people with thousands of others, lost their lives at this time. There are ten church buildings in the Conference, valued at $2,600. Tithes paid since last General Conference amounted to $13,502.90,—$12.11 per capita. The increase of tithes paid in 1900 over that paid in 1898, is $6,666.36,—an average increase for each member of $5.84. First-day offerings, $344.92; annual offerings, $392.09, Sabbath-school offerings, $709.59; total, $1,446.58. Paid to foreign missions, $1,164.10. Book sales were $21.311.61. Copies of Signs of the Times taken, 1,662; Review and Herald subscribers, 325. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.4
The working force of the Conference is composed of 11 ministers, 4 licentiates, and 9 other workers—a decrease of 11 laborers since last report. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.5
The Texas Conference has, within its borders the Keene Industrial School and the Keene Sanitarium. The school is doing well, and those in charge are working hard to make it succeed. They will report more fully. The sanitarium has been closed for a time, but is now being fitted up for patients, and will soon be opened and operated under the direction of Dr. H.E. Garvin. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.6
ARIZONA
In this mission field we have four organized churches, three of which have been developed since last General Conference. They are provided with a neat and comfortable meeting-house at each point (total value, $3,700), and so nearly paid for that they are practically out of debt. Two of these are Spanish-speaking churches, a few Americans being connected at Tucson. In the territory there are 111 members and 17 isolated Sabbath-keepers. Tithes paid to General Conference in 1900 were $459,—$4.13 per capita. Amount paid to the Foreign Mission Board, $59.90; book sales for six months, $107.50. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.7
The workers in the employ of the General Conference are made up of 1 minister, 3 licentiates, and 2 Bible workers. One other man alone is devoting his time to the canvassing work. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.8
At Tucson the Chinese have rented and fitted up, in the central part of the city, a commodious room for a mission school; and Brother W. L. Black and wife are teaching that people the gospel and the English language. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.9
Throughout the district there is general good cheer, and courage all along the line. There are no large debts in any Conference, the workers are generally well paid, and a fair degree of success attends their efforts. The power of the Holy Spirit is the one thing needed. When our people realize their destitute condition, and consecrate all to God, he will fill them with the Spirit. GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.10
R.M. KILGORE, Supt.