Work for the Colored Population of Los Angeles, Cal.
By Lewis C. Sheafe
It is now one year since I began work in Los Angeles, Cal., where I have been trying to preach the truth in season and out of season. Some time ago I reported in part the results of my first public effort in a down-town hall. Since that time I have organized a church at Watts, Cal., six miles from Los Angeles, with seventeen members, all being Sabbath keepers before my arrival here. They are erecting a very neat house of worship, making the cement blocks themselves. The building is thirty by sixty feet, and they hope soon to have it ready for occupancy. A splendid spiritual interest has been maintained, and we are looking forward to a good public effort at Watts later. The last day of May I began tent meetings in Los Angeles, on West Thirty-sixth Street, with Brother Frank Peterson to assist with the singing and act as tent master. He rendered good service. The meetings continued for two months, and the interest was very encouraging. The Lord gave to his word power and effectiveness, and the hearts of many were reached. About twenty took their stand for the truth. At the height of the interest, we had to close on account of the annual camp meeting of the Southern California Conference, August 3. Efforts were afterwards made to revive the interest, and this was attended with some degree of success. The result is a company of thirty-five ready to be organized into a church. They have purchased a lot, and are making ready a neat chapel, which will seat two hundred. My last tent effort closed December 13, at Ninth and Hemlock Streets, Los Angeles. This was somewhat in the neighborhood of my first public effort at the hall, and some were eager for the message. The attendance was good until the heavy rains came. Some saw the claims of the Sabbath and joyfully obeyed. Fifteen joined the church. These services opened the way for me into several of the churches, and into the city and county prisons. Miss Mildred Anderson and Brother John King, two trained nurses, assisted very acceptably in this last tent effort. Brother King aided splendidly with the singing also. At the close of both tent efforts very helpful and encouraging exercises were given by the children of the church and neighborhood. An entire evening was set apart each time for these occasions, to the delight of the many who packed the tent.18I feel to “praise God, from whom all blessings flow.” He is our rock, our strong tower. I am wonderfully encouraged to “go forward,” believing fully that the coming King is at the door, and that very soon the “faithful unto death” shall receive the overcomer’s reward. I beg at least an occasional thought in prayer from those who are interested in the work here.
LEWIS C. SHEAFE.