p. 5 | Donation for Our Work for the Colored People

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1916

Donation for Our Work for the Colored People

By I. H. Evans

FOR some years it has been customary in the territory of the Division Conference to have an annual collection for the promotion of the interests of the third angel’s message among the Negroes in North America. This year the North American Division Committee has set apart Sabbath, November 18, as the day on which this donation shall be taken.

There are more than ten million Negroes in this Division Conference. Taken as a whole, we have reached but comparatively few of this intelligent, increasing, and interesting people. Perhaps no other race in the world has made such progress in intellectual growth and development as the Negro race since the abolition of slavery. The State and Christian organizations have established common schools, colleges, and universities for their training. These schools are filled with large numbers of their young people, who have shown marked improvement, both intellectually and morally, and constitute a great object lesson of human progress.

This people is a religious people. Many of them have implicit faith in the Word of God, are devoted and God-fearing, and often show a loyalty and devotion to the service of God that is an inspiration to all. Wherever the third angel’s message has been proclaimed among this race by consecrated workers, many have accepted it.

We are in great need of additional educational facilities for the Negroes. Schools ought to be established in many places where there are communities of believers, so that their children can receive a Christian education; others ought to be helped to attend our training school at Huntsville, Ala.; church buildings must oftentimes be provided in sections where the believers are unable to provide churches for themselves.

The Division Conference is appropriating about forty-five thousand dollars. In 1917 more than this must be provided to carry on the work for this people; for their work is growing, and continually new laborers and new facilities must be provided. We therefore hope that our brethren will give liberally in response to this call. Of course, in addition to this a large amount of tithe is used in various sections of the country for the work that must be done.

Do not forget the date when this offering is to be taken,—Sabbath, November 18. Let all so plan, from now until that day, that each may have funds for a liberal offering. I. H. EVANS.