Work for the Colored in the City of Baltimore by Gustavus P. Rodgers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

Work for the Colored in the City of Baltimore

By Gustavus P. Rodgers

ANOTHER summer has passed, yet the rich experiences of a successful, soul-winning campaign will never be forgotten. We see the Lord’s hand as he works for these people, and we rejoice as we see them come to a saving knowledge of the truth. July 4 we began a series of meetings on the same lot that we had used two summers before, and the first night found us facing an audience of six hundred. With help from Elder Seeney, who has charge of the work in Wilmington, Del., we were able to continue the services until the nineteenth of September, preaching every night in the week except Saturday. Much interest was shown in the Sabbath question, especially when at different times ministers of other churches assailed the truth that the seventh day is the Sabbath. But the Lord gave us ready answers in two debates, and the vast crowds present could see the weakness of the man-made Sunday rest when compared with the Sabbath of the Bible. How glad we are that every part of the third angel’s message will stand the hardest test and still shine brightly; for it is the Word of God itself.

As the result of the tent work thirty-four so far have united with the church, and Sunday night, October 3, thirty were baptized in the church baptistery. More will follow these in a few weeks. The summer’s effort cost $360.92, without including the ministers’ or the Bible workers’ wages. This was the largest tent effort ever held for the colored people in the Chesapeake Conference, though last year at this time more persons had united with the church as the result of the tent work. We found that the opposition was much greater this year, and that it was much harder to reach hearts. But we are confident that Baltimore was and still is stirred. Many are pressing their pastors for a reason from the Bible for Sunday keeping. Families that were divided in their understanding of the Word are now coming over on the Lord’s side, and we are sure that many others will soon accept the last message of mercy. Our collections amounted to $271.39 for the season. We thank the Lord for his blessings, and trust to see many more rejoice in the great truth for this time.

We have enlarged our church building with a new gallery, which seats one hundred, but still the church is too small. Four hundred crowded into it last Sunday night at the time of the baptism, and as many others were turned away. Our burden is to see our colored brethren and sisters well represented at the great home gathering. GUSTAVUS P. RODGERS.