General Conference Bulletin, vol. 5

Southwestern Union Conference

G. G. RUPERT

REPORT BY THE PRESIDENT, G. G. RUPERT

The Southwestern Union Conference, as now constituted territorially, was organized at Topeka, Kan., in April, 1892. It covers a territory about 1,000 miles long and 800 miles broad. It embraces the states of Texas and Arkansas, and Oklahoma and Indian Territories. The total population of the Union Conference is 5,110,667. The predominant nationalities are the English-speaking people, Mexicans, negroes, and Indians. This territory is known in business circles as the “Southwest.” GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.4

The number of Sabbath-keepers is 2,802 with 87 churches, and 113 Sabbath-schools. There are three organized conferences in the Union. It has one academy, located at Keene, Texas, and 20 church-schools. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.5

There are 21 ordained ministers, 38 licentiates, and 18 Bible-workers. The tithes paid by these conferences the past year have been as follows: Arkansas, $2,334.10; Texas, $8,027.29; Oklahoma, $9,869.88, making a total of $20,301.27. The Oklahoma Conference has paid one minister in a field outside the conference. The offerings by these conferences have been as follows: Annual offerings, $1,247.29; weekly, $807.32: miscellaneous offerings, $59.63; Sabbath-school offerings, $1,128.47; total, $3.242.72. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.6

The enrollment at the Keene Academy the present year has been about 100 in the academic department, and about 100 in the church-school department. There have been eight teachers employed. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.7

The value of publications sold in the Union Conference the past year has been as follows: Arkansas, $2,111.38; Texas, $10,258.95; Oklahoma, $13,042.31; total. $25,412.64. About fifty canvassers have been employed. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.8

The local state papers have been discontinued, and a Union paper, called the “Southwestern Union Record,” takes their place. Its present circulation is about 750. The value of the printing material is about $500. This has been raised during the past ten months, since the Topeka Conference was held. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.9

The financial condition of the Keene Academy is as follows: One year ago last January there was an indebtedness of between $17,000 and $18,000 against the school. There is still at this time a debt of $10,725. This is all due the General Conference Association, except $2,000, which is a local debt. One year ago last January we made a special effort to sell the “Object Lessons” to raise this debt. Oklahoma learned the names of all the Sabbath-keepers available in their conference, and ordered four books for each one, amounting, at $1.25 each, to a total of $5,300. These were sold unconditionally to the churches and members at the retail price, to meet this debt. All has been paid in, except $928. Texas also ordered a large number of books; on these there has been paid $1,925.86. Arkansas also did what it could, having sold $225 worth. This work is not yet completed in our Union Conference, and this summer we hope to make a special effort in this line. We feel confident that, with the past success we have had in reducing the obligations, the coming year will free us entirely from our present indebtedness. Texas has for the past two years experienced an unprecedented drought. This has hindered the work somewhat, from the financial side of the question. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.10

In addition to the above, there has been over $1,000 raised to finish and equip the sanitarium at Keene, which is now in good running order, with Dr. P. F. Haskell and wife in charge. We now have a property there worth about $5,000. Three years ago this month the Arkansas Conference established a small sanitarium at Little Rock, which is still running in good order, with Dr. A. W. George in charge. That conference has just incorporated a Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.11

A few words concerning our needs may not be out of place at this time. First, the colored work in this Union Conference has been greatly crippled for the want of laborers who could labor for this race of people. Brother Sidney Scott, formerly of this Union, was recommended to labor in Missouri for a time. His loss has been greatly felt. Elder Ryles, of Arkansas, is doing a good work, but he is alone, and needs help. We have, in Texas, Brother Thomas Deireeze, who has labored somewhat for his people. Oklahoma has no one at present to work for their large population of colored people. GCB April 3, 1903, page 61.12

The Mexican work has opened up in the Southwest during the past year, but, owing to the lack of funds and some one to labor in that line, this work has suffered. There is a good interest among this people, and the providence of God is now moving among them. There have been some who are capable of carrying the truth who have embraced the message the past year, and there should be something done at once to put printed matter in their own language, on the doctrinal points of the message, before them. We have done some translating and printing in this line, but there is a great need of more. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.1

We would also call the attention of this Conference to the question of the publishing work for this vast territory. We feel there should be facilities provided for printing small leaflets and small pamphlets in both the English and Spanish languages. This printing done at home will have much more influence than to have it printed elsewhere. With our present facilities, but little would be required but a press. We have in the office a practical printer who understands the Spanish language. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.2

In conclusion, we trust that this will be one of the most profitable conference ever held, both in seeking God and laying plans. We feel that the coming of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly, and what we do must be done quickly. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.3

At the close of this report, the following memorial, from the Southwestern Union Conference, was presented:— GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.4

Memorial to the General Conference GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.5

The following-named delegates from the Southwestern Union Conference would respectfully ask your consideration of the following facts:— GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.6

Whereas, There exists a misunderstanding concerning the apportionment of the old debt of the General Conference Association, as to the amount allotted to our Union Conference, we would ask a reconsideration of this matter; GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.7

Whereas, The Arkansas Conference has been laboring for a number of years under a heavy debt to the publishing house, which it seems impossible for them to pay, therefore we believe this Conference ought to take under advisement the feasibility of relieving this conference from this debt; GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.8

Whereas, At the time of the organization of this Union Conference, at Topeka, Kan., in April, 1902, it was clearly understood that, because of its location and commercial connection with the Southwestern Union Conference, the Louisiana Conference ought to become a part of it, and that steps would be taken looking to that end, therefore we request this Conference to give the matter further consideration at this time. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.9

G. G. Rupert,
G. F. Haffner,
W. A. McCutchen,
T. W. Field,
C. N. Woodward,
A. E. Field.

Following the report of Southwestern Union Conference, L. R. Conradi gave a partial report of the European General Conference, which will appear in the “Bulletin” when the entire report is submitted. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.10

On motion, the name of S. B. Horton was added to the committee on Plans and Constitution. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.11

Meeting adjourned to 10 A. M., April 2. GCB April 3, 1903, page 62.12

H. W. Cottrell, Chairman.

H. E. Osborne, Secretary.