Louisiana by S. B. HORTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 17, 1905

Louisiana

By S. B. HORTON

WE are glad to report some progress in this State. Since our return from the General Conference we have been planning a tent effort in behalf of New Orleans, a long-neglected city, when we consider its importance as a center. Because of the desire to make an effort consistent with the importance of this large city, we delayed, hoping to secure better talent and a larger force; but our committee finally decided that we should go to work with the facilities at hand. Accordingly, we pitched tent in a residence part of the city, and began meetings on June 23. The meetings were fairly well attended, notice of the services and synopses of sermons appeared in the local press, and God has given some fruit for the labor thus far. Five united with the church recently, and about eight others will, we believe, accept the message. A week ago we pitched a tent in another part of the city, and we are encouraged to look for additions to the church. Among those attending our services are some Catholics, one having been baptized recently.

The work for the colored people is also assuming good proportions. A number have been attending our meetings, and some are keeping the Sabbath. Sister Edmonia White is located here as a Bible worker in their behalf, and is doing excellent work. We hope to organize a church for them soon.

I suppose that some will ask, who may be reading the reports true and untrue about the yellow fever, if things are not in a demoralized condition in New Orleans, preventing anything like public meetings. I will say that the scare and panic outside of New Orleans is largely unwarranted. There have been about five hundred cases of yellow fever since its discovery, confined mostly to the Italian quarter, some of whom had been working on a fruit vessel coming from a South American port, which passed up

the river unadvisedly, bringing a patient and some stegomyia fasciata mosquitoes, so it is maintained. About ninety deaths have occurred thus far, and the outlook, while it is to be viewed with seriousness, does not warrant the wholesale panic which has been engendered by unsupported and evil reports. The citizens are putting forth efforts to prevent its spread and to stamp it out, which at this writing give promise of success. We expect to continue our tent-meetings all summer, believing that the Lord will overrule to his own glory and the salvation of souls.

It is well that we had not planned definitely for a camp-meeting at this time, for the quarantine restrictions would have brought hardship and perplexity to our people in attendance. We will therefore have our annual meeting in the fall or winter.

S. B. HORTON.