Work for the Colored in New Orleans
By R. W. PARMELE
ABOUT seventeen years ago Elder S. B. Horton held a series of tent meetings for white people in the city of New Orleans. A good many colored people sat outside of the tent and listened to the word preached, with the result that a number of them took their stand for the truth. Several years later they were organized into a church, and since that time their number has gradually increased. Until the fifth of September of this year, this church met in a rented room, for which they had to pay high rent; and as the membership increased, the quarters became very much cramped. The past few years Elder T. B. Buckner and several Bible workers have been employed in this city, and during the last year special efforts were put forth to provide a permanent home for this growing church. The result is shown in the accompanying illustration. It was my privilege to speak in this building on Sunday night, September 6, to a congregation of over two hundred. The church now has about one hundred members, and the prospects for continual growth are indeed bright. The church building is modern throughout, is finished in stucco, with a slate roof, and is a real credit to the cause of God. The lower story provides a comfortable schoolroom, in which a school will soon begin. We believe that this building will materially help in doing a great work for the colored people in this city. The cost of the lot and building, in round numbers, was $3,000, of which we still owe $1,000. This provides nothing for seats, and at present canvas benches are used, such as we use in our tents during the tent season. We feel very thankful for the help that has been given in the erection of this building, and for the generous loan of the $1,000. To meet the debt on the church, and provide suitable pews and school desks, and to support the church school, will place a heavy burden on the church, and any help that may be given will be greatly appreciated. We believe that from this center the Lord will do a great work for the thousands of colored people in this city. In the days before the war, New Orleans was the center of the slave market. The block in the old St. Louis Hotel upon which they were auctioned off to the highest bidder, still stands. Why should there not now stand in this city this memorial for God, free from debt, and this place be made a great center for the spread of the last message of mercy to the remnant of those old slaves and their descendants?