A Donation for the Work Among the Colored People
By I. H. Evans
For some years we have annually taken up a donation to help carry our denominational work among the large colored population in the United States. The growth in the number of colored people professing the truth is certainly most encouraging. In some conferences the Negro believers are in the majority numerically. They pay a liberal tithe; they are devoted; and they are trying to educate their children for service in the Lord's work. Concerning the growth of the work among the colored people in the South, during the past summer, Elder C. B. Stephenson, secretary of the Negro Department, says: “The work for the Negroes is progressing nicely in the South. The camp meetings this season, as a rule, were the best ever held. There was a large attendance from the outside, a number of conversions, and encouraging after meetings. Donations to missions were very good. With few exceptions, all the conferences had camp meetings. This work is getting on a very good working basis now, and the future is bright. Every tent meeting has borne good results. In most cases a church has been developed. The hearts of the people are open to receive the message.” Sabbath, October 3, is the time for the special donation to be taken. The time in which to prepare for it is short, but we need a liberal offering this year. In 1913, owing to the shortage in funds, the appropriation to the work for the Negro race was much less than had been asked for by those in charge of the work. This shortage was a source of great perplexity, and necessitated reducing the active force of workers to the minimum. Our colored laborers bravely shared the self-denial, and in some conferences they have been satisfied with reduced wages for some time, or else have taken up self-supporting work. The offering should be liberal in order that the work, which promises such a rich harvest of souls, be not hindered. Remember the date is Sabbath, October 3, and let us all take part in helping give the message to this needy people.