p. 8 | The Work Among the Colored People by R. W. PARMELE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1908

The Work Among the Colored People

By R. W. PARMELE

In Florida

FLORIDA has four organized churches, and five companies of colored believers. One of these companies will be organized into a church soon. We expect that six schools will be conducted for the colored people in our conference during the coming year. There are three church buildings, and one residence property is owned and used by one church.

In one place there is a church composed of only one brother and six sisters; but they own a nice building and lot, very well furnished and free from debt, except a little that is still owing on the organ.

Another company, two years old, composed of two brethren and six sisters, has erected a very good church building this year.

A sister began a school in a tent. It had but one pupil. When I visited the school last winter, I found a good-sized building had been erected for this sister, and there was quite a full school. But on account of lack of means with which to build a chimney, the schoolroom was heated with a kettle of charcoal.

Last spring I visited another school that was held on the porch of a private house. We appreciate very much the help that has come from our brethren in the North, but there is such a great field to cover that we try to stretch out our means as far as possible.

At present we have but one colored preacher, a licentiate. Success attends his labors, as it does that of the teachers. And when this truth gets hold of the heart, no matter what the nationality or color, it purifies the life.

R. W. PARMELE.