Louisiana by S. B. HORTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Louisiana

By S. B. HORTON

NEW ORLEANS.—Some progress has attended the work in this part of the field during the year 1907. After the close of our camp-meeting at Boyce a tent company was sent to De Ridder, where a Sabbath-school of twenty-seven members was organized September 7. The testing points of truth reduced this number to about eight. An important feature of the effort there was the organization of a mission school, which numbers about fifteen students, and is under the care of Miss Hattie Smith. The conference laborers engaged in this effort were Prof. W. E. Straw, Brother B. L. Roberts, Miss Frances Goodwyn, Elder E. L. Maxwell, who came to us from Oklahoma the last of September or first of October, and the writer.

Two churches have been organized, the one at Hammond being composed of Sabbath-keepers of long standing; the one at Jennings comprising fifteen members, two or three of whom have recently embraced the truth through the labors of Brother Frank Peabody, local elder. There are others at both of these points who will doubtless be added to the number.

During a visit to the Lake Arthur church the writer had the privilege of baptizing a young man and his wife, who became members of the church. The young man was reared a Roman Catholic. He and his wife will attend the Southern Training-school at Graysville, Tenn., to prepare to enter the work, and, being French, our work in behalf of French-speaking people in Louisiana will be accelerated thereby.

Our church-schools at Shreveport, Welsh, Jennings, and De Ridder are doing well. A school was recently opened at Newellton for colored children, and as further assistance is given, we look for prosperity in this section also.

Since camp-meeting a successful effort was made to close up our portion of the $150,000 fund, and we believe that when the pledges are all collected, there will be an “overflow.”

There have come to us some religious liberty and temperance experiences since the camp-meeting. Following up the legislative enactment to “permit” the city council of New Orleans to pass an ordinance closing barber shops on Sunday, our conference began a campaign to make known the true principles of religious liberty, and how they are affected by Sunday laws. This campaign consisted in supplying the mayor of New Orleans, members of the city council, and others with copies of Liberty, and writing them personal letters. A hearing was arranged in the council chamber. The barbers divided into pro-Sunday-law and anti-Sunday-law camps. On one side was the president of the Protestant Ministers’ Alliance, on the other the writer, by invitation of the council committee. The results netted victory for the right principles.

The canvassing work continues to hold its own under the labors of Brother I. T. Reynolds. The two churches in New Orleans have had accessions during this quarter.

We are very glad to have Elder R. M. Kilgore spend several weeks visiting the churches. His services are much appreciated.

Among the visitors who have called at headquarters recently, while passing through the city, were Elder A. G. Daniells, and Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, who spent Sabbath and Sunday, December 7 and 8, with the church, and Elder E. L. Cardey, all of whom were destined for California. S. B. HORTON.