To Those Interested in the Southern Work by Mrs. D. V. Haysmer.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 17, 1910

_To Those Interested in the Southern Work_

By Mrs. D. V. Haysmer.

IN the Sabbath-school lesson for February 12, we had an account of a certain lawyer asking the question, “And who is my neighbor?” We are inclined to circumscribe our neighbors to those who live near us, and perhaps a little closer, to those we may happen to like in our immediate locality; but Christ gave a much broader definition to the term,—all who need our help.

In thinking about the lesson, I could not help thinking about “our neighbors.” We have a people in the United States who are doubly our neighbors. They live beside us and among us, and the definition the Saviour gave should surely make them our neighbors, for they certainly need our help. I refer to our colored neighbors.

When we consider what a large part of the population of the United States is colored, and then think what a small per cent of the work is being done for them, it seems to me that we should stop, and see if we are using them like the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan.

From the little booklet entitled “The Southern Work,” I quote the following: “The Southern race has been neglected. Men have passed by on the other side, as the priest and the Levite passed by the wounded, robbed, bruised, and beaten one. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed that way, not only saw him, but he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. How many have left the colored race to perish by the wayside?

“Since the slaves gained their freedom at terrible loss of life both to the North and to the South, they have been

greatly neglected by those who professed to know God, and as a result thousands of them have failed to gain spiritual freedom. But shall this indifference continue? Shall not decided efforts be made to save them? Sin has degraded and corrupted the human family, but Christ did not leave men to perish in their degradation. He who was one with the Father, came to our world to bridge the gulf that sin had made, which separated man from God because of transgression.

“Christ, the brightness of his Father’s glory, beheld humanity in its wretchedness and sinfulness, beheld souls tainted with corruption, depraved, and deformed. He knew that the fallen race tended more to evil than to good, and practised the most hateful vices. The heavenly host looked upon the world as undeserving the sympathy and love of God. Angels marveled that Christ should undertake to save man in his lost, and as it seemed to them, hopeless condition. They marveled that God could tolerate a race so foul with sin as to be a blot upon his creation. They could see no room for love, but Christ saw that souls must perish unless an arm strong to deliver was reached forth to save.”

“Why should not Seventh-day Adventists become true laborers together with God in seeking to save the souls of the colored race?”

This people are ready to receive the message. They respond to it when they have a chance. But it must be carried to them, and this takes means and earnest, consecrated workers.

The calls are coming in more than can be filled. May the Lord place the burden on those who are anxious for “their neighbors” to know the truth, to assist with their means and prayers.

MRS. D. V. HAYSMER.