Work for the Colored in Southern California by B. E. Beddoe

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 17, 1916

Work for the Colored in Southern California

By B. E. Beddoe

In Los Angeles, Cal., where work for the colored population of the city began ten years ago, there are now two churches, with an aggregate membership of nearly one hundred. It is reported that there are thirty thousand colored people living in this State. Twenty thousand of these live in Los Angeles.

It was in 1905 that work for the colored people in this city was begun by Miss Jennie L. Ireland, a Bible worker. The first believer was baptized in August, 1906. Others were soon established in the truth, and the conference erected a small mission building in a colored settlement of the city to be used in developing the work.

A church was organized Aug. 1, 1908. This was the first colored church organized by this people on the Pacific Coast. There were twenty-eight charter members. Within a year the membership increased to forty-eight. Another year brought the enrolment to sixty. In June, 1914, the second church of colored believers was organized, with a membership of fifteen. At present there are twenty-two members enrolled in this church.

Both these churches are faithful in the payment of tithes and offerings. Since the first church was organized, the conference has received an average of nearly a thousand dollars tithe each year from the colored Sabbath keepers. To the credit of those who make up these churches, it must be said that they are faithful in service, devoted and loyal to the threefold message.

Elder Sydney Scott, a colored minister of the Southern Union Conference, has come to aid us for a few months. He is leading out in the work for our colored people at the present time. Brother Scott is being ably assisted by Sisters Ireland and A. R. Temple, Bible workers.

We feel very thankful for the way God has blessed this work in Southern California. Never has the colored work in Los Angeles been in a better condition. Never have the prospects seemed brighter for the development of this branch of our work. We are confident that God will continue to bless it, and that nothing can stay its progress.

B. E. BEDDOE.