Mississippi by W. H. Sebastian; M. C. Strachan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Aug 18, 1904

Mississippi

By W. H. Sebastian; M. C. Strachan

BROOKHAVEN.— It is wonderful how God goes before us to prepare the way for his work. About three years ago the holiness people came here, and wrought havoc, so to speak, among the four hundred members of the St. James Baptist church (colored). The pastor of the church and about sixty members professed the then popular doctrine of holiness and sanctification. The rest of the church was scattered, or withdrew and organized another Baptist church.

The Lord revealed the Sabbath truth to the wife of the pastor, who was a teacher in one of the public schools and prominent worker in the church. She soon resigned her position in the school, and became very zealous in teaching the Sabbath truth, both among the holiness believers and among others. Finally the pastor saw the light, and began to teach it, and a company of sixteen Sabbath-keepers was raised up. Both companies worshiped in the same building, but on different days. They knew nothing of Seventh-day Adventists or their work, but they have been worshiping in this manner for the past three years. The pastor’s wife was the apparent leader of the Sabbath-keepers.

We learned of this company here, and after reporting it to the Mississippi Conference, we were advised to come to the place to hold a series of meetings. We arrived July 25. Meetings were held in the church building for ten nights. Sister Sebastian and Sister Strachan

conducted women’s meetings daily, at 5 P. M. Then from nine to two o’clock daily we all went out and visited nearly every home in the town, canvassing and circulating books and tracts. We handled “Story of Joseph,” “Gospel Primer,” “Christ Our Saviour,” “Coming King,” “Object Lessons,” and “Story of Daniel the Prophet,” with good results. We held gospel conversations with the people, prayed with them, and invited them to our meetings; thus we kept up the interest and attendance at our evening services to the very last. One Saturday night we took the pastor’s wife out with us, and gave her a little experience in selling the special copy of the Watchman on the business streets; and she did well. The five of us sold nearly a hundred copies.

Near the close of our series of meetings we organized a Sabbath-school of nineteen adults and three children. We shall return some time later, and organize a church. They are desirous of having this done, but they are not quite ready yet. Three or four accepted the truth as taught, and Brother Strachan is to remain to labor with a few others who seem to be in the valley of decision. The tithe question and health reform principles were heard, and received with but little hesitation. The pastor says, the rest of the holiness band will either accept the truth and light that God has sent them, or they will go to some other place to worship. But it is his purpose to continue to labor for the salvation of their souls.

It is wonderful to behold sometimes how the Lord prepares the heart of the honest ones to receive the truth. Pray for us, brethren, that the truth may triumph in the Black Belt of the South.

W. H. SEBASTIAN, M. C. STRACHAN.