Work for the Colored by C. B. STEPHENSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1916

Work for the Colored

By C. B. STEPHENSON

WE are pleased to report progress in all branches of the North American Negro Department. The campaign this summer will be stronger than any ever conducted, according to reports reaching me. Many of the missions are having two tent efforts instead of one, besides doing other home missionary work. These meetings are already beginning to bear fruit in the conversion of souls. In one mission nineteen have been baptized and many others are expected to be baptized soon. The conference president says, “Sunday night I suppose they had a congregation of seven hundred. Some have not missed a meeting.” These efforts are being conducted in the large cities.

I am informed that this summer there will be held in the South alone over twenty tent efforts for the colored race. In the North strong efforts will be made in the cities which have in recent years been fruitful. In New York City the constituency has increased to exceed the capacity of the church, and arrangements have been made to secure a very fine church property at a reasonable price. This will greatly strengthen the work in this city.

A successful summer school has been conducted in Oakwood, Ala., the past six weeks. Thirty-two teachers were in attendance. A letter from Prof. C. L. Boyd, the principal, says, “We are getting along nicely in our institute work. We have had thirty-two in attendance, and they have had a very full program. The instructors have done splendid work, which has been greatly appreciated by the teachers. The instruction which these teachers are getting is certainly timely help. I feel that the influence of the institute is going to add greatly to the strength of our educational work in the mission.”

Brother Boyd says the recent rains did not damage the crops materially.

In the book department our canvassers are having splendid success. In a recent report I noticed some very interesting items. One of the students of the Oakwood Manual Training School in ninety hours took orders for “Bible Readings for the Home Circle” amounting to $193.35. Another student took orders for the same book, in 98 hours, amounting

to $235.85. While this is above the average, others are doing splendid work.

Camp meetings will be held in most of the conferences in the South this summer, some for the first time. These meetings are a great uplift to our people.

But a short time for soul saving is left to us. A few more summers and we shall pitch our tent for the last time. The last sermon will be preached, and the last prayer offered for sinners. The work will close, and Jesus will come to reap the ripened grain. Today the sky is clear, and the field still open to us, to work unmolested. Tomorrow the war cloud may obscure our path and make the tasks much more difficult. “The night cometh, when no man can work.”

C. B. STEPHENSON.